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Black Theatrix

@blacktheatrix / blacktheatrix.tumblr.com

this Blog was born from the utter frustration at the lack of acknowledgement and recognition that black actors get. Here we hope to share our passion for the stage with the world. We are more than Ragtime and hairspray extras

Break a leg, Denée!

Denée Benton is making her Broadway debut tonight, playing Natasha on the opening night of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.

In the spring, the Wilma will stage back-to-back productions of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Tom Stoppard’s now classic behind-the-scenes comedy Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, both directed by Wilma Artistic Director Blanka Zizka and using essentially the same cast for both productions.  The title character in Shakespeare’s tragedy will be played by the powerful actress Zainab Jah, who appeared as Prudence in last season’s production of The Convert.

Prudence (Zainab Jah) enjoying a pipe and cup of tea at Chilford’s house in the world premiere production of The Convert by Danai Gurira, directed by Emily Mann 

The Wilma is excited to produce what many believe to be the greatest play written by Shakespeare, and many others consider the greatest play written in the English language.  The fight for the throne of Denmark, quest for moral righteousness, and complexities of vengeance within a 21st century context will be reexamined on our stage.

 While many of us know her for her roles in films and sitcoms like Moesha, iconic Tony Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph is returning to her Broadway roots and making history in the process.
The star of Broadway’s original Dreamgirls made her debut as Madame Morrible in this season’s run of Wicked, one of Broadway’s longest running and praised productions. Most notably, Ralph is the first African-American actress to take on the classic role.
Big news in the DREAMGIRLS world tonight! The Daily Mail’s Baz Bamigboye just revealed the news that GLEE and THE WIZ LIVE! star Amber Riley will play ‘Effie’ when the musical makes its UK debut at London’s Savoy Theatre this winter. Tickets will go on sale this spring.
Beginning previews in November, Riley, who performed the signature tunes “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” and “I Am Changing” from DREAMGIRLS while playing ‘Mercedes Jones’ on FOX’s GLEE, will make her West End debut. The actress also recently knocked viewers’ socks off with her portrayal of ‘Addapearle’ in NBC’s THE WIZ LIVE!

Purlie | I Got Love Melba Moore on the original Broadway cast recording Music: Gary Geld Lyrics: Peter Udell Book: Ossie Davis, Philip Rose, and Peter Udell

Ntozake Shange: Playwright, Poet, Performer - Education Update

Ntozake Shange, Barnard graduate, Class of ‘70 garnered an Obie for her 1974 play “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.” She has also won Tony, Grammy, Emmy nominations, a Pushcart Prize and a Guggenheim fellowship. She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. She was born Paulette Williams in Trenton, NJ.
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Happy Birthday Audra McDonald!

Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald was born on July 3. Take a look back at her career, from her Broadway debut in The Secret Garden to her current performance in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, at PlaybillVault.com.