A new musical written by Anna Deavere Smith and featuring music from the Ella Fitzgerald songbook is currently in development. Ella: An American Miracle will receive an Aug. 25-Sept. 21 work session, with Tony-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater and Charity Angél Dawson portraying the iconic singer at different points in her life.
The work session will conclude with a private industry presentation. A production timeline was not disclosed.
“Composers wanted Ella Fitzgerald to sing their songs because listening to her, they knew how their songs were supposed to be sung,” said Smith in a statement. “A jazz singer, a scat singer, she also famously both sang and defined the American song book. To say she had humble beginnings is a profound understatement. She sang America through some of its most discordant times. She was America’s love song. She was an American miracle.”
Bridgewater, a Tony winner for 1975’s The Wiz, will...
The work session will conclude with a private industry presentation. A production timeline was not disclosed.
“Composers wanted Ella Fitzgerald to sing their songs because listening to her, they knew how their songs were supposed to be sung,” said Smith in a statement. “A jazz singer, a scat singer, she also famously both sang and defined the American song book. To say she had humble beginnings is a profound understatement. She sang America through some of its most discordant times. She was America’s love song. She was an American miracle.”
Bridgewater, a Tony winner for 1975’s The Wiz, will...
- 8/25/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, who has played the title role in the West End and Broadway productions of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, will take over full time on Broadway Nov. 2 after Tony-nominated star Adrienne Warren ends her limited engagement return.
As previously announced, Warren will portray the iconic singer when Tina returns to Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Friday, October 8. She’ll leave the show on Oct. 31 due to other commitments.
The replacement casting of Obi-Melekwe was announced today by producers. Obi-Melekwe was among the original Broadway cast when the show opened in 2019, playing Turner during matinee performances.
Joining Warren when Tina resumes performances next month will be principal players Daniel J. Watts as Ike, Dawnn Lewis as Zelma, Myra Lucretia Taylor as Gran Georgeanna and Jessica Rush as Rhonda.
The musical is written by Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, directed by Phyllida Lloyd with choreography by Anthony van Laast.
As previously announced, Warren will portray the iconic singer when Tina returns to Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Friday, October 8. She’ll leave the show on Oct. 31 due to other commitments.
The replacement casting of Obi-Melekwe was announced today by producers. Obi-Melekwe was among the original Broadway cast when the show opened in 2019, playing Turner during matinee performances.
Joining Warren when Tina resumes performances next month will be principal players Daniel J. Watts as Ike, Dawnn Lewis as Zelma, Myra Lucretia Taylor as Gran Georgeanna and Jessica Rush as Rhonda.
The musical is written by Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, directed by Phyllida Lloyd with choreography by Anthony van Laast.
- 9/10/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Update, with additional cast Adrienne Warren will be joined by her original Broadway principal cast mates of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical when the show returns to the stage in October. Among the actors now confirmed to return are Tony Award nominee Daniel J. Watts as Ike Turner.
Producers announced the cast today.
When the musical reopens at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Friday, Oct. 8, the principal cast will include Warren, Watts, Dawnn Lewis as Zelma, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe as Tina Turner at some performances, Tony Award nominee Myra Lucretia Taylor as Gran Georgeanna and Jessica Rush as Rhonda.
Tina will also feature Juliet Benn, Steven Booth, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Gerald Caesar, Julius Chase, Ayla Ciccone-Burton, Holli’ Conway, Kayla Davion, Leandra Ellis-Gaston, Charlie Franklin, Judith Franklin, Matthew Griffin, Ari Groover, Sheldon Henry,...
Producers announced the cast today.
When the musical reopens at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Friday, Oct. 8, the principal cast will include Warren, Watts, Dawnn Lewis as Zelma, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe as Tina Turner at some performances, Tony Award nominee Myra Lucretia Taylor as Gran Georgeanna and Jessica Rush as Rhonda.
Tina will also feature Juliet Benn, Steven Booth, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Gerald Caesar, Julius Chase, Ayla Ciccone-Burton, Holli’ Conway, Kayla Davion, Leandra Ellis-Gaston, Charlie Franklin, Judith Franklin, Matthew Griffin, Ari Groover, Sheldon Henry,...
- 8/5/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Additional casting has been announced for Tina - The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway Along with the previously announced Adrienne Warren in the title role, Tina will star Daniel J. Watts Hamilton as Ike, Dawnn Lewis The Wiz as Zelma, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe as Tina Turner At Some Performances Broadway Debut, Myra Lucretia Taylor Nine as Gran Georgeanna, Steven Booth School of Rock, Nick Rashad Burroughs Kinky Boots, Gerald Caesar A Bronx Tale, Holli' Conway Broadway Debut, Kayla Davion King Kong, Leandra Ellis-Gaston Broadway Debut, Charlie Franklin The Book of Mormon, Judith Franklin Summer The Donna Summer Musical, Matthew Griffin Broadway Debut, Sheldon Henry The Prom, David Jennings Once On This Island, Ross Lekites Frozen, Robert Lenzi Tuck Everlasting, Gloria Manning Broadway Debut, Rob Marnell Beautiful, Mehret Marsh The Lion King, Jhardon Dishon Milton A Bronx Tale, Destinee Rea The Book of Mormon, Mars Rucker Broadway Debut, Jessica Rush Dear Evan Hansen,...
- 7/23/2019
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Last O.G.‘s Daniel J. Watts has been cast as Ike Turner in the upcoming Broadway production of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, producers announced today. The actor joins the previously announced Adrienne Warren who reprises the role of Tina she originated in the London production.
Watts was among the general cast announcements made for the upcoming Tina today by producers Stage Entertainment, James L. Nederlander and Tali Pelman, in association with Tina Turner.
Rounding out the newly announced cast are: Dawnn Lewis as Zelma, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe as Tina Turner (At Some Performances), Myra Lucretia Taylor as Gran Georgeanna, and Steven Booth, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Gerald Caesar, Holli’ Conway, Kayla Davion, Leandra Ellis-Gaston, Charlie Franklin, Judith Franklin, Matthew Griffin, Sheldon Henry, David Jennings, Ross Lekites, Robert Lenzi, Gloria Manning, Rob Marnell, Mehret Marsh, Jhardon Dishon Milton, Destinee Rea, Mars Rucker, Jessica Rush, Allysa Shorte, Carla Stewart, Jayden Theophile,...
Watts was among the general cast announcements made for the upcoming Tina today by producers Stage Entertainment, James L. Nederlander and Tali Pelman, in association with Tina Turner.
Rounding out the newly announced cast are: Dawnn Lewis as Zelma, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe as Tina Turner (At Some Performances), Myra Lucretia Taylor as Gran Georgeanna, and Steven Booth, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Gerald Caesar, Holli’ Conway, Kayla Davion, Leandra Ellis-Gaston, Charlie Franklin, Judith Franklin, Matthew Griffin, Sheldon Henry, David Jennings, Ross Lekites, Robert Lenzi, Gloria Manning, Rob Marnell, Mehret Marsh, Jhardon Dishon Milton, Destinee Rea, Mars Rucker, Jessica Rush, Allysa Shorte, Carla Stewart, Jayden Theophile,...
- 7/23/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
You've watched them fall in love on and off stage of some of Broadway's biggest shows, but now BroadwayWorld is letting you in on some of the sweetest moments between your favorite Broadway couples including Jenn Colella and Chilina Kennedy, Jessica Rush and Eric Anderson, Robyn Hurder and Clyde Alves, Laurel Harris and Rob Marnell, and Ginna Claire Mason and Eric Moffett.
- 2/14/2019
- by Monroe George
- BroadwayWorld.com
This week's performers included Anastasia Christy Altomare,Zach Adkins,John Bolton Avenue Q Grace Choi,Matt Dengler,Jason Jacoby,Nick Kohn,Maggie Lakis,Dana Steingold,Danielle K. Thomas Jersey Boys Aaron DeJesus,Mark Edwards,Austin Owen,Sam Wolf,Dianna Barger,Tristen Buettel,Natalie Gallo Smokey Joe's Cafe Alysha Umphress,Dionne D. Figgins,Dwayne Cooper,Emma Degerstedt,Jelani Remy,John Edwards,Kyle TaylorParker,Max Sangerman,Nicole Vanessa Ortiz Summer Ariana DeBose, Storm Lever,Angelica Beliard, Katherine Roarty, Anissa Felix, Mackenzie Bell, Kaleigh Cronin, Christina Acosta Robinson, Jessica Rush, Kimberly Dodson, Kaye Tuckerman, Jody Reynard and Rebecca Riker.
- 8/10/2018
- by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
- BroadwayWorld.com
Broadway stars Nick Adams, Ashley Brown, Jessica Rush and Michael James Scott will appear in a special one night only benefit production of Jason Robert Brown's Songs For A New World tonight, March 11 at 7Pm at Xl Cabaret 512 West 42nd St. Directed by two-time Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun, a portion of the proceeds from the evening will be donated to The Performing Arts Project.
- 3/11/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Broadway stars Nick Adams, Ashley Brown, Jessica Rush and Michael James Scott will appear in a special one night only benefit production of Jason Robert Brown's Songs For A New World tonight, March 11 at 7Pm at Xl Cabaret 512 West 42nd St. Directed by two-time Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun, a portion of the proceeds from the evening will be donated to The Performing Arts Project.
- 3/11/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Due to popular demand, the one night only performance of Jason Robert Brown's Songs For A New World will add a second performance at 930Pm on Monday, March 11 at Xl Cabaret 512 West 42nd St. The evening, directed by two-time Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun, will star Nick Adams, Ashley Brown, Jessica Rush and Michael James Scott.Check out a behind the scenes video below...
- 2/22/2013
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Broadway stars Nick Adams, Ashley Brown, Jessica Rush and Michael James Scott will appear in a special one night only benefit production of Jason Robert Brown's Songs For A New World on Monday, March 11 at 7Pm at Xl Cabaret 512 West 42nd St. Directed by two-time Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun, a portion of the proceeds from the evening will be donated to The Performing Arts Project.Check out a just-released trailer for the concert below...
- 2/11/2013
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Broadway stars Nick Adams, Ashley Brown, Jessica Rush and Michael James Scott will appear in a special one night only benefit production of Jason Robert Brown's Songs For A New World on Monday, March 11 at 7Pm at Xl Cabaret 512 West 42nd St. Directed by two-time Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun, a portion of the proceeds from the evening will be donated to The Performing Arts Project.
- 2/5/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Broadway stars Nick Adams, Ashley Brown, Jessica Rush and Michael James Scott will appear in a special one night only benefit production of Jason Robert Brown's Songs For A New World on Monday, March 11 at 7Pm at Xl Cabaret 512 West 42nd St. Directed by two-time Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun, a portion of the proceeds from the evening will be donated to The Performing Arts Project.
- 2/5/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
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