Charles Blackwell News

Today's top stories include casting for The Color Purple film adaptation! The movie will be led by Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks in the roles of Celie and Sofia. Plus, the long-awaited musical adaptation of the NBC TV show Smash is planning to have a workshop this summer, and the film adaptation of 13: The Musical is coming to Netflix this year!

New York City Center just kicked off the 2022 Encores! Season with The Tap Dance Kid, featuring music by Henry Krieger, lyrics by Robert Lorick, and a book by Charles Blackwell. Directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun), the production also includes new tap sequences by choreographer Jared Grimes (After Midnight) and a concert adaptation by Lydia Diamond (Stick Fly). Broadway's Joseph Joubert (Caroline or Change) will guest music direct The Tap Dance Kid.

New York City Center just kicked off the 2022 Encores! Season with The Tap Dance Kid, featuring music by Henry Krieger, lyrics by Robert Lorick, and a book by Charles Blackwell. Directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun), the production also includes new tap sequences by choreographer Jared Grimes (After Midnight) and a concert adaptation by Lydia Diamond (Stick Fly). Broadway's Joseph Joubert (Caroline or Change) will guest music direct The Tap Dance Kid.

New York City Center just kicked off the 2022 Encores! Season with The Tap Dance Kid, featuring music by Henry Krieger, lyrics by Robert Lorick, and a book by Charles Blackwell.

New York City Center will soon kick off the 2022 Encores! Season on February 2 - 6 with The Tap Dance Kid, featuring music by Henry Krieger, lyrics by Robert Lorick, and a book by Charles Blackwell. Directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun), the production also includes new tap sequences by choreographer Jared Grimes (After Midnight) and a concert adaptation by Lydia Diamond (Stick Fly). Broadway's Joseph Joubert (Caroline or Change) will guest music direct The Tap Dance Kid.

New York City Center today announced additional casting for the 2022 Encores! Season as part of the full calendar of events for City Center’s 2021 – 2022 Season. The productions launch Lear deBessonet’s first season as Encores! Artistic Director, alongside Encores! Music Director Rob Berman and Encores! Producing Creative Director Clint Ramos.

Encores! continues this season with The Tap Dance Kid and the show is looking for... a tap dancing kid. Virtual auditions are being accepted through November 10 for Willie, a black 10 year-old. The actor must be 12 years old or older, fully vaccinated, with an 'unchanged voice.'

New York City Center today announced the first set of casting for the 2022 Encores! season and the Spring Gala | Encores! Into the Woods on the opening night of the production, May 4. The next chapter of the Tony-honored series opens February 2 – 6, 2022 with the 1983 Tony-nominated musical The Tap Dance Kid.

New York City Center President & CEO Arlene Shuler today announced a full calendar of programming for the 2021 - 2022 season, reopening the landmark theater to the public in October 2021. This momentous return to in‐person live performances includes the popular dance and musical theater series audiences have loved throughout the years and new programs featuring iconic artists of today. Manhattan's first performing arts center, New York City Center has presented the best in music, theater, and dance to generations of New Yorkers for over seventy‐five years.

New York City Center today announced an additional musical in development as part of the longstanding Encores! series. Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into the Woods will be the first production of this third tenet and usher in a new tradition at City Center celebrating iconic American musicals.

New York City Center President & CEO Arlene Shuler today announced the musical productions in development as part of the next chapter of the longstanding Tony-honored Encores! series, all of which will be explored in-depth as part of the 2020-2021 season in a new digital series Encores! Inside the Revival.

Famed Newark-born tap artist and dancemaker Savion Glover (a?oeShuffle Along,a?? a?oeBring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funka??) returns to the musical hit that introduced audiences to his ascendant talents when he directs and choreographs a?oeThe Tap Dance Kida?? at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and M&T Bank are proud to announce the 2019-2020 M&T Bank Dance Series. The series features a diverse, international array of multicultural, groundbreaking performers and dance companies, beloved productions, and unique and inspiring works. The dynamic program is the result of an innovative partnership between two community-focused organizations:NJPAC, the Newark-based, world-class cultural venue; and M&T Bank, whose superior dedication to its customers and communities includes consistent support for the arts.

The Neighborhood Playhouse at 340 East 54th Street (near 1st Avenue) in New York City will be holding a memorial to honor Tony award winning director Vivian Matalon on Monday, October 8 at 7PM. Due to the limited size of the theatre reservations are required. The Centenary Stage Company box office will be handling reservations for the evening's memorial. To reserve contact the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979 - 0900 or make reservations on-line by visiting centenarystageco.org.