News

Stage Adaptation of Like Water for Chocolate, Featuring Music by La Santa Cecilia, in the Works

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: October 1 2020 @ 10:58 am

Laura Esquivel's 1989 best-selling novel Like Water for Chocolate (Como Agua Para Chocolate) is being adapted for the stage. Featuring original music by the Grammy Award-winning Latin group La Santa Cecilia (which is composed of vocalist Marisol "La Marisoul" Hernandez, accordionist and requinto player Jose "Pepe" Carlos, bassist Alex Bendaña and percussionist Miguel "Oso" Ramirez), Like Water for Chocolate will have lyrics by the group and Pulitzer Prize-winning scribe Quiara Alegría Hudes (In the Heights, Water by the Spoonful) and a book by Lisa Loomer. Tony winner Michael Mayer is set to direct.

Like Water For Chocolate centers on a battle between familial obligation and romantic desire in turn of-the-century Mexico. This fable of tradition, rebellion, and uncontrollable passions has sold millions of copies around the world and has been published in 45 different languages. In 1993, it was adapted into an Award-winning film, which became the highest-grossing foreign-language film released in the United States and Canada at the time.

“The musical Like Water for Chocolate waited until a group of extraordinary dreamers came together," Esquivel said in a statement. "La Santa Cecilia and Quiara Alegría Hudes, Lisa Loomer and Michael Mayer, and [producers] Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman, the ideal …

See Daphne Rubin-Vega, Danielle Brooks & More in the Trailer for Social Distance

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: October 1 2020 @ 10:54 am

The trailer for Netflix's corona-centric Social Distance, an eight-episode anthology series, has arrived. Produced remotely and set during the first few months of the COVID-19 crisis, the cast of Social Distance includes two-time Tony nominee Daphne Rubin-Vega (and her real-life son Luca and husband Tommy Costanza), Tony nominee Danielle Brooks (and her mother LaRita Brooks), acting couple Becky Ann Baker and Dylan Baker as well as Broadway alums Okieriete Onaodowan, Michael Mulheren, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Steven Weber, Rana Roy, Ali Ahn and Ava Demary. Get a sneak peek at the show below, and get ready for it to premiere on Netflix on October 15.

Broadway Songs for a Road Trip

Source: BroadwayDirect.com | Posted: October 1 2020 @ 10:50 am

After being at home for the last few months, you might be itching to get out and explore the world again. It seems people are choosing to go on more road trips, where you can enjoy the outdoors and travel again, whilst still keeping safe and physically distant from others. Here, we’ve put together the…

The post Broadway Songs for a Road Trip appeared first on Broadway Direct.

BroadwayHD Heads into October with a Dazzling Lineup of New Titles

Source: BroadwayDirect.com | Posted: October 1 2020 @ 10:48 am

Ghosts, Zombies, and some frightfully good productions are headed your way this October! BroadwayHD, the premiere streaming service for theater fans, today unveiled its new show-stopping October roster, featuring popular films and plays, along with anniversary concerts and exciting live theater experiences. Kicking off the month is the hit 1954 musical film, A Star is…

The post BroadwayHD Heads into October with a Dazzling Lineup of New Titles appeared first on Broadway Direct.

Film Adaptation of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Starring Viola Davis, Sets Netflix Premiere Date

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: October 1 2020 @ 10:06 am

Netflix has announced the premiere date for its starry screen adaptation of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. The film will be available beginning on December 18.

As previously announced, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is directed by Tony winner George C. Wolfe and adapted by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, who won a Tony for his performance in Wilson's Seven Guitars. The cast includes Tony winner Viola Davis in the title role, alongside Tony nominee Colman Domingo, Michael Potts, Emmy winner Glynn Turman and Chadwick Boseman, who died on August 28. Davis' performances in Wilson's Fences on both the stage and screen won her a Tony Award and an Academy Award.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom was Wilson's first Broadway play and effectively launched his career. Set in a Chicago recording studio in 1927, the story centers on blues singer Ma Rainey (Davis), her backup musicians and the struggles they faced in pre-Civil-Rights-era America. The 1984 original Broadway production starred Theresa Merritt. A 2003 revival was headlined by Whoopi Goldberg.