Kesha Monk makes history as First Black Woman to announce the Tonys last night!!!

by | Sep 27, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows

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Last night at Broadway’s Biggest Night, there was more exciting history making moments. The Tony Awards welcomed the first EVER woman of color to serve as the VOICE OF GOD announcer……New York native Kesha Monk.
For those who may not know, the VOICE OF GOD announcer is the off-stage ringmaster who introduces all of the presenters and acts. (PLEASE WELCOME…..). She also served a lot of the facts about the winners as they go up onto the stage to accept their Tonys.
Monk’s career as a voiceover actress has been around for over 25 years. Her voice has been heard in a lot of commercials including for Busch Gardens, McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, SeaWorld, NJ Education Association, Rutgers University, and more. She is also the live announcer for The Soul Train Awards on BET.
Monk replaces the Tony’s legendary longtime announcer Randy Thomas who previously did it for the last 18 Years. Thomas also serves as the first woman announcer ever for Award shows…. not just for the Tonys but the Oscars, Emmys, and so much more.
Awesome job Kesha!!
Congratulations!!
How amazing was Kesha’s voice last night?!!!

Kesha Monk on Twitter: “Where’s my cheering squad at? I’m the 1st little black girl to live announce at The Tonys. I. AM. BLESSED. Y’all just don’t understand. 😩 #voiceover #announcer https://t.co/3zepQi2Fba” / Twitter

Newly Tony winner Adrienne Warren to join the cast of new Tri-Star film THE WOMAN KING (starring Viola Davis) after departing TINA next month!!!

by | Sep 27, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows

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BREAKING NEWS: Newly Tony Award winning powerhouse Adrienne Warren will be keeping herself ROLLIN’ after taking her final bow in Tina at the end of next month. The Broadway and West End favorite is officially set to join the cast of the brand new feature film THE WOMAN KING from TriStar.
Under the direction of Gina Prince Bythewood, Warren will join a full all-star cast of some of Hollywood’s best including….
Tony and Oscar winner Viola Davis,
Golden Globe Award winner John Boyega,
Olivier Award winner Sheila Atim,
and
Filming is set to begin in South Africa this November.
THE WOMAN KING is based on the true story of events that occurred in the powerful African state, the Kingdom of Dahomey. It tells the story of a general to an all-female military unit, and an army recruit, who together fight enemies who violated their honor, enslaved their people, and threatened to destroy everything they have built and lived for. Warren will play a warrior in the film.
Congrats Adrienne!!! So amazing to see how far you’ve come. You are always and forever SIMPLY THE BEST.
You can catch Adrienne in her Tony Award winning performance as Tina Turner in Tina beginning October 8th, 2021 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. She will play a month long run through Halloween on October 31st, 2021.
As previously announced, Warren’s OG London replacement and current Broadway alternate Nkeki Obi-Melekwe will take over the role of “Tina Turner” full time on Broadway starting November 2nd, 2021.
Who is excited?!!!

The Metropolitan Opera reopens its doors after 18 1/2 months with official start of 2021-2022 season with FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES!!

by | Sep 27, 2021 | Blog, News, Shows

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Fire Shut Up in My Bones: Step Dance

BREAKING NEWS: After 18 1/2 months, the Golden Chandeliers and curtain has officially gone up tonight at New York’s famed Metropolitan Opera with its first full-scale production back. Kicking off the legendary opera’s 2021-2022 season will be The Met’s premiere of Terence Blanchard‘s FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES.
FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES marks history as it is the first time in The Met’s history they are performing an opera by a black composer.
With a libretto by filmmaker Kasi Lemmons, the opera tells the tale about a young man’s journey to overcome a life of trauma and hardship.
WELCOME BACK TO THE METROPOLITAN OPERA!!
BREAK A LEG!!!
HAVE A SAFE, HEALTHY, AND TRIUMPHANT SEASON BACK!!
Who is excited?!!

NYBT’s founder Amada Anderson appeared on IT’S HAPPENIN’ IN THE HAVEN podcast out today!!!

by | Sep 27, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Backstage with Amada, Blog, News, NYBT NEWS

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NYBT’s head founder, creator, and tour guide Amada Anderson took part on a brand new podcast which was released yesterday…. It’s entitled IT’S HAPPENIN’ IN THE HAVEN. She shares her inspirational and motivational story coming to the Big Apple, her early beginnings, and the inspiration how she founded us…… New York Broadway Tours. They also talk about how she’s been able to balance being a tour guide, motherhood, and keeping herself active throughout the pandemic
In addition to us, Amada also started a 2nd Tour guide company up in Florida during the pandemic entitled Winter Haven Food Tours.
Amada will continue to rotate doing BOTH tours here in the Big Apple and in Florida.
We love you so much!!! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
How amazing is our Amada???!!!

Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH to play Lincoln Center Theater at the Vivian Beaumont beginning Spring 2022; Lileana Blain – Cruz to direct!!

by | Sep 27, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows

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BREAKING NEWS: The Award winning Lincoln Center Theater already has an unforgettable lineup of new shows now that Broadway is back. It has just been announced that Thornton Wilder‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning play THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH will be coming this Spring. Under the direction of LCT Resident Director Lileana Blain – Cruz, it will play the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. Previews will begin March 31st, 2022 and will open on April 25th, 2022.
PLEASE NOTE: Since THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH is going to the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, it has been revealed that the Theaters prior show that is coming…. the new musical Flying Over Sunset will be a strictly limited engagement.
THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH tell the story of The Antrobus family of Excelsior, New Jersey, as they persevere through an Ice Age, a biblical flood, and a war. The play is told in 3 acts exploring the life of mankind.
This new revival comes to Broadway commemorating Thornton Wilder’s 125th Birthday.
The play originally premiered in 1942 in New Heaven, CT at the Shubert Theatre. It eventually moved to Broadway’s Plymouth Theatre (now the Schonefeld Theatre) where it ran for 359 performances. Under the direction of Elia Kazan, the cast was led by….
Miriam Hopkins as “Sabina”,
Conrad Nagel as “Mr. Antrobus”
Florence Reed as “The Fortune Teller”,
Viola Frayne as “Mrs. Antrobus”.
and more.
The show did NOT receive any Tony Award nominations or wins because it wasn’t created till 1947. It did however go on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
It would later be revived various times in our New York Theater scene.
The first ON Broadway revival happened in 1955 where it played the ANTA Theatre (now the August Wilson Theatre) for only 22 performances. Under the direction of Alan Schneider, the cast was led by….
Mary Martin as “Sabina”,
George Abbott as “Mr. Antrobus”
Florence Reed reprising her performance as “The Fortune Teller”,
Helen Hayes as “Mrs. Antrobus”.
and more.
This revival did not receive any Tony Award nominations or wins.
The most recent ON Broadway revival of THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH happened in 1975 playing the Mark Hellinger Theatre (now The Times Square Church) for only 7 performances. Yup, it was huge flop. Under the direction of José Quintero, this cast was led by…
Elizabeth Ashley as “Sabina”,
Alfred Drake as “Mr. Antrobus”
Charlotte Jones as “The Fortune Teller”,
Martha Scott as “Mrs. Antrobus”.
and more.
The production also did NOT get any Tony nominees or wins.
The show did have several Off Broadway revivals including 1986 at the East 13 Street Theatre running for only 28 performances. Under the direction of Carey Perloff, the cast was led by….
Park Overall as “Sabina”,
Steve Coats as “Mr. Antrobus”
Elaine Hausman as “The Fortune Teller”,
Novella Nelson as “Mrs. Antrobus”.
and more.
Most recently, THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH returned Off Broadway with a production held in Brooklyn at the Theatre for a New Audience. Under the direction of Arin Arbus, this cast was led by….
Mary Wiseman as “Sabina”,
David Rasche as “Mr. Antrobus”
Mary Lou Rosato as “The Fortune Teller”,
Kecia Lewis as “Mrs. Antrobus”.
and more.
It went on to win for an Obie Award for BEST DIRECTION (for Arin Arbus).
Today, THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH is a popular played performed in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere.
Who is excited?!!

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CINDERELLA aiming to head to Broadway next season; Rumors spreading for Fletcher to star!!

by | Sep 27, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows

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ROYAL NEWS: Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has already announced a teaser with plans to bring his critically acclaimed new musical adaptation of Cinderella to Broadway next season!! At the Tony Awards last night, the Cats and Phantom of the Opera mastermind spoke to the press of how happy the show has been doing since finally reaching its Opening Night in London’s West End 6 week ago.
No official details have been made for when exactly the production will hit. Rumors are also speculating that if it goes to New York, Lloyd Webber will bring over its OG London leading lady Carrie Hope Fletcher making her long awaited Broadway debut.
Thoughts?
Who hopes this is true?!!