News

Odds & Ends: Jelani Alladin Among Talent Set for Virtual Reading to Benefit National Black Theatre & More

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: August 25 2020 @ 3:49 pm

Here's a quick roundup of stories you might have missed recently.

Jelani Alladin's Production Company Sets Inaugural Event
We knew Jelani Alladin was keeping busy in quarantine! The multi-talented star will launch his production company Dumont Millennial Productions with a livestreamed reading of Gooodnight, Tyler by B.J. Tindal to benefit the National Black Theatre. The virtual event will be directed by Kent Gash and is set to feature Alladin, Johanna Braddy, Michele Shay, Danielle Deadwyler, Jack Quaid and Alex Gibson. The reading will stream for free on YouTube at 7PM ET on August 27 and remain online through August 31.

Idina Menzel to Join Women Take the Stage Concert & Rally
A starry roster of speakers and musicians, including Tony winner Idina Menzel, have been announced for Women Take the Stage's concert and rally that commemorates the centennial of the 19th amendment. The free event, which will take place on August 26, will have a live pre-show at Finger Lakes Drive-In in historic Auburn, NY (home of Harriet Tubman) at 7:30PM ET followed by a virtual concert at 9PM ET. The goal of the night is to get more people to vote, increase the number of women in …

Cheyenne Jackson, Anthony Rapp & More Set for Equal Docuseries About LGBTQ+ Trailblazers

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: August 25 2020 @ 2:43 pm

This new series is going straight to the top of theater fans' binge-watch-worthy lists! Equal, a four-part docuseries about the history of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement, is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max this October, which is also known as LGBTQ+ History Month. Stephen Kijak is the showrunner and director of episodes one, three and four alongside trans director Kimberly Reed, who directs episode two. Jim Parsons serves as a producer for the series.

The cast will include Cheyenne Jackson, Anthony Rapp, Samira Wiley, Jai Rodriguez, Sara Gilbert, Keiynan Lonsdale, Shannon Purser, Heather Matarazzo, Alexandra Grey, Theo Germaine, Jamie Clayton, Isis King, Gale Harold, Cole Doman, Hailie Sahar, Scott Turner Schofield, Elizabeth Faith Ludlow, Anne Ramsay and Sam Pancake.

Over the course of the series, viewers will meet a wide range of LGBTQ+ visionaries portrayed by the cast, many of whom identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Part one will explore the rise of early organizations, The Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis, in Los Angeles and San Francisco respectively. Part two will chronicle the 20th century trans experience, bookended by the 1966 Compton Cafeteria riots in San Francisco. Part three will examine the contributions from the Black …

David Byrne’s American Utopia To Be Released in October on HBO

Source: BroadwayDirect.com | Posted: August 25 2020 @ 2:24 pm

David Byrne’s American Utopia brings the critically acclaimed Broadway show to HBO in a one-of-a-kind film directed by Oscar and Emmy-winner Spike Lee. Recorded during its run at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre in New York City, David Byrne is joined by an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers, and dancers from around the globe, inviting audiences into a joyous dreamworld where human connection, self-evolution, and social justice are paramount.

David Byrne's American Utopia will be available to stream on HBO and HBO Max starting October 17.

The post David Byrne’s American Utopia To Be Released in October on HBO appeared first on Broadway Direct.

Ana Villafañe, Joél Pérez & More Tapped for Latest Edition of The 24 Hour Plays: Viral Monologues

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: August 25 2020 @ 12:31 pm

A talented lineup of actors and writers has been announced to take part in the latest edition of Viral Monologues, which features performances released digitally on IGTV. The series is an initiative of The 24 Hour Plays, which is collaborating with the New Sanctuary Coalition this week. The coalition works to liberate immigrants (the organization calls them "Friends") from detention and help them remain safely in the United States. Celebrated playwrights were paired with Friends to hear their stories from live calls over the past week. Overnight, the playwrights wrote brand new monologues based on these interviews.

Performers taking part this week include Ana Villafañe, Joél Pérez, Jonathan Burke, Emma Ramos, Tony Sancho, Raviv Ullman, Sean Carvajal, Brandon Espinoza, Alex Hernandez, Danny Hoch and Rachel Leslie.

Original monologues will be written by Matt Barbot, Juliette Carrillo, Donna Clovis, Michael John Garcés, Dylan Guerra, Tony Meneses, Julián Mesri, Elaine Romero, Jesse J. Sanchez, Tamara Sevunts and Caridad Svich.

Last night at 6PM, actors shared brief orientation-style videos to allow the writers to get to know them better. An hour later, writers and actors were paired, and writers got to work on crafting new monologues especially for their assigned …

Nick Cordero Memorial Tribute to Stream on Broadway On Demand

Source: BroadwayDirect.com | Posted: August 25 2020 @ 11:47 am

Broadway On Demand, the new theater-focused streaming platform, will exclusively stream a celebratory memorial tribute honoring Tony Award-nominee Nick Cordero, who recently passed away from COVID-19 complications, Sunday, September 6 at 7:00 PM ET on their website. This special tribute and celebration of Nick’s life and career on stage will feature appearances by former castmates…

The post Nick Cordero Memorial Tribute to Stream on Broadway On Demand appeared first on Broadway Direct.