Blacks Are Beaming On Broadway!

Categories: Articles,

By Linda Armstrong
Black talent consistently demonstrates that they belong on Broadway with every brilliant performance they give.
This year, it’s so exciting to know that “The Wiz” is returning to Broadway. Also, “Hell’s Kitchen,” the musical from Alicia Keys, will debut on Broadway. There will be 25 musicals that are employing Black actors on Broadway in 2024. Some of those productions go to extraordinary levels. For example, “The Lion King” employs 30 Black actors, “MJ: The Musical” employs 26, and “The Wiz” will be joining those impressive numbers by employing 28 Black actors.
There is such a feeling of pride that you experience when you see one of us doing their thing on stage and doing it so well. While the names of the lead/featured actors are mentioned below, photos of all the Black actors in the productions, including ensemble, swing, and understudies, are included in this issue.
“& Juliet,” playing at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, asks what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo. She gets a second chance at life and love her way in the storyline. It stars Lorna Courtney as Juliet and features Veronica Otim as Lady Capulet/Nell, Rachel Webb as Judith, Virgil Gadson as Augustine, and Michael Ivan Carrier as Thomas.
“The Neil Diamond Musical–A Beautiful Noise,” playing at the Broadhurst Theatre, tells the singer’s story and highlights many of his most popular songs. It features Shirine Babb as the Doctor.
“Aladdin,” playing at the New Amsterdam Theatre, is Disney’s movie story that comes to life and shares the story of Aladdin, a poor boy who falls in love with Princess Jasmine. The musical features Michael James Scott as the Genie, JC Montgomery as the Sultan, and Dennis Stowe as Jafar.
“Back to the Future” is a musical based on the 1985 movie. It centers around Marty McFly, a teenager transported back to 1955. The play is onstage at the Winter Garden Theatre and features Jelani Remy as Goldie Wilson/Marvin Berry.
“The Book of Mormon,” playing at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, is a musical that deals with the Mormon faith. Derrick Williams plays the General, Jacques C. Smith plays Mafala Hatimbi, and Kim Exum plays Nabulungi.
“Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” will play at the August Wilson Theatre, with previews beginning April 1. It tells the story of the Emcee and toast of Mayfair, “Sally Bowles,” who works at the Cabaret. Key cast members include Ato Blankson-Wood as Cliff Bradshaw, Ayla Ciccone-Burton as Helga, Julian Ramos as Bobby, and Paige Smallwood as Rosie.
“Chicago,” playing at the Ambassador Theatre, tells the delightful, sexy stories of the women of murderess row. It stars Kimberly Marable as Velma Kelly, Jermaine R. Rembert as Martin Harrison, and Arian Keddell as Mona.
“Days Of Wine And Roses,” playing at Studio 54, is a musical that tells a riveting story of a couple falling in love in 1950s New York and struggling with alcohol addiction. It features David Jennings as Jim Hungerford, Others, and Sharon Catherine Brown as Mrs. Nolan, Others.
“Hadestown” can be seen at the Walter Kerr Theatre. It’s the mythical story of Orpheus trying to overcome Hades, and get back to his love. Tony Award winner Lillias White leads the cast in the role of Hermes, Phillip Boykins stars as Hades, Jordan Fisher stars as Orpheus, and Brit West is featured as a Fate.
“Hamilton,” playing at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, is a beloved musical that focuses on the life of Alexander Hamilton. The cast features Jeannie Harney as Angelica Schuyler, Kyle Scatliffe in the role of Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Tamar Greene as George Washington, Ebrin R. Stanley as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, and Jared Dixon as Aaron Burr.
“Harmony,” playing at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, tells the story of the Comedian Harmonists, a group of singers–three Jewish and three Gentiles–that had a very successful career in Berlin, Germany, in the late 1920s and early 1930s until the Nazi’s took over Germany. It features Allison Semmes as Josephine Baker.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” playing at the Lyric Theatre, tells an engaging story of Harry Potter and other students at Hogwarts. It’s a magical time at the theatre, featuring Cara Ricketts as Hermione Granger and Irving Dyson Jr. as Craig Bowker Jr.
“Hell’s Kitchen” will begin performances on March 28 at the Shubert Theatre. The musical will feature songs by Alicia Keys and is a loosely autobiographical story about her life growing up in Hell’s Kitchen. The cast has not been announced yet.
“How To Dance In Ohio,” which plays at the Belasco Theatre only through February 11, tells the touching story of seven autistic high school students, the doctor who treats them, and the dance they organize. It is based on a documentary of the same name. It stars Desmond Luis Edwards as Remy’, Imani Russell as Mel and features Darlesia Cearcy as Johanna.
“Kimberly Akimbo,” playing at the Booth Theatre, is a musical comedy about a young girl with a medical condition that causes rapid aging. The production stars Justin Cooley as Seth, Olivia Elease Hardy as Delia, and Fernell Hogan as Martin.
“Merrily We Roll Along,” playing at the Hudson Theatre, shows the relationship between three lifelong friends and how they journey through life, handling success, failure, and betrayal, but still managing to reunite. The production features Krystal Joy Brown as Gussie Carnegie, Christian Strange as RU/Reverend, Maya Bond as Mimi, Natalie Wachen as KT, and Talia Simone Robinson as Meg Kincaid.
“MJ: The Musical,” playing at the Neil Simon Theatre, tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life and features 25 of his biggest hits. Elijah Rhea Johnson plays Michael Jackson’s lead role. Tavon Olds-Sample plays Middle Michael; Apollo Levine plays Rob/Joseph Jackson; Sasha Allen plays Katherine Jackson; Max Chambers plays Little Michael; Jackson Hayes portrays Little Michael; Jace Bently plays Little Marlon; Matthew Frederick Harris is seen as Tito Jackson/Quincy Jones; Antoine L. Smith doubles as Berry Gordy/Nick. You will also see Lloyd A. Boyd (Randy Jackson), John Edwards (Jackie Jackson), Nick T. Daly (Jermaine Jackson), and Zachery Downer (Marlon Jackson).
“Moulin Rouge” is playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. As Bohemians and Aristocrats mingle, this musical celebrates truth, beauty, freedom, and love. It features E.J. Hamilton as Universal Lady M Cover and Tasia Jungbauer as Arabia/Ensemble.
“Six” is playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. A British pop musical, it follows the lives of the six ex-wives of King Henry VIII. Khalia Wilcoxon plays Catherine of Aragon, Olivia Donalson plays Anna of Cleves, and Storm Lever plays Anne Boleyn.
“Spamalot,” playing at the St. James Theatre, is a hilarious musical about King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable, who are searching for the Holy Grail. It stars James Monroe Iglehart as King Arthur and Nik Walker as Sir Galahad.
“Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, is a musical thriller about a murdering barber—Sweeney Todd, and Mrs. Lovett, a restaurant owner who is killing, cooking, and serving up their enemies. It features Daniel Yearwood as Anthony Hope.
“The Lion King,” playing at the Minskoff Theatre, is the beloved Disney musical that brings the movie version of the same name to glorious life with lifestyle puppets, a captivating storyline, and powerful, meaningful songs, and it will help one to appreciate the circle of life. L. Steven Taylor plays Mufasa, Sidney Nicole Wilson plays Sarabi, Vincent Jamal Hooper plays Simba, Nia Thompson plays Young Nala, Donovan Louis Bazemore plays Young Simba, and Bonita Hamilton plays Shenzi.
“The Notebook” will play at the Schoenfeld Theatre with previews starting February 10. Based on the book and movie of the same name, the musical tells the story of Allie and Noah, people from different worlds who share a lifetime of love, although outside forces try to pull them apart. This musical is about the enduring power of love. It will feature Charles E. Wallace as Father/Son, Others; Dorian Harewood as Older Noah, Hillary Fisher as Sarah, Jerome Harmann at Hardeman, Jordan Tyson as Younger Allie, and Joy Woods as Middle Allie.
“Wicked,” playing at the Gershwin Theatre, is a musical that will make you look at the story of “The Wizard of Oz” entirely differently. It gives you the background of the wicked witch and Glinda, the Good. It features Kimber Elayne Sprawl as Nessarose.
“The Wiz” will begin previews at the Marquis Theatre on March 29, and it marks the return of a classic Black story version of Dorothy and her journey. The musical will star Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy (Mia Neal will also play the role); Deborah Cox will shine as Glinda, The Good Witch; Melody A. Betts will take over as the bad Evillene; Wayne Brady will delight as The Wiz (Alan Mingo Jr. will also play this role at times); Avery Wilson will be Lion; Kyle Freeman portrays Scarecrow; and Phillip Johnson Richardson will be Tinman.
Our people are phenomenally talented; they bring their gifts to the stage and share them with us regularly. They have a way of making us feel inspired, included, and important. I love seeing us perform on Broadway stages because we bring a passion, a certain flair, warmth, depth, and understanding that can’t be ignored.
Black actors are out there every day bringing their A+ game. Don’t let me feel alone; support our people in any of these 25 shows. See you at the theatre!