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

Image
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

See the source image
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?!!!

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

See the source image
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

May be a cartoon of 1 person and text
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?!!

2.65 Million People tuned in to last night’s Tony Awards!!!

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

See the source image
See the source image
Last night, super Theater lovers of all ages tuned in to celebrate the triumphant return of Broadway’s biggest night of the year….. The 74th Annual Tony Awards. It has just been revealed this morning that over 2.65 Million Viewers tuned in to the CBS concert edition last night.
No word has been said on those who tuned in to watch the Paramount+ edition though. Stay tuned.
What was your favorite moment from last night?!!!

Original JAGGED LITTLE PILL cast member Antonio Cipriano departs show following recent backlash!!

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

See the source image

See the source image

BREAKING NEWS: The 2 time Tony Award winning Jagged Little Pill has been getting extreme backlash for its recent controversial alleged “harm” inflicted by the show’s producers against the trans and non-binary community.
It recently was announced that following last night’s performance on the Tonys, Antonio Cipriano also took his final bow with the hit Alanis Morissette musical. No word has been revealed on who will take over in the role of High School student and love interest “Phoenix”.
The actor took to social media to share a post announcing his departure and helping taking a stand in support of all those within the LGBTQ+, trans and non-binary communities.
Cipriano is the 2nd original cast member to announce a departure following the backlash. A few days ago, it was revealed that Tony nominated cast member Celia Gooding not only would leave the show to work on the new Star Trek but also express her feelings on what needs to be changed. Morgan Dudley will take over for Gooding as “Frankie Healy”
JAGGED LITTLE PILL is set to reopen at Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre starting October 21st, 2021.
Thoughts?