Quentin Earl Darrington News

Today's top stories: Read the reviews for American Utopia, and more!

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Jordan and Kayla Grizzard in HE SAID | SHE SAID on November 1st! This duo has spent the first 10 years of their relationship in a back and forth tumbleweed romance, and the next 10 years arguing about how it happened! Come see this belting partnership duke it out once and for all! It's a classic battle of the sexes, so come pick a corner and jump in the ring with who you think is right!You'll hear songs like a?oeWhen A Man Loves A Womana??, a?oeSomeone Like Youa??, and more!

Today, producers Eden Espinosa, Bridget Elise Yingling, Scott Prisand, Doug Feurring and Jana Shea announced additional stars for the one-night-only 15th Anniversary reunion concert of BKLYN: The Musical. Tony Award nominee Will Swenson (Hair, Les Miserables) will reprise his role as Taylor Collins, and Grammy Award nominee Quentin Earl Darrington (Once On This Island, CATS) will play the role of Streetsinger. Original Broadway cast members Julie Reiber (Come From Away), Horace V. Rogers (Tarzan), Caren Lyn Tackett (High Fidelity) will complete the cast, joining the previously announced Eden Espinosa (RENT, Wicked) as Brooklyn, Karen Olivo (Moulin Rouge, In the Heights) as Faith, and stage star Ramona Keller (The Public Theatre's Hercules, City Center's Little Shop of Horrors) as Paradice. The concert, which benefits Covenant House Foundation (www.covenanthouse.org), will be presented on the 15th anniversary of the show's Broadway opening night, Monday, October 21 at 7:30 PM, at Brooklyn Steel (319 Frost Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222). Tickets can be purchased HERE.

Broadway Dreams partnered once again with Blumenthal Performing Arts on the return of their annual Summer Performing Arts Intensive, Saturday, July 27 through Sunday, August 4, 2019. Lead by an all-star roster of Broadway's brightest stars and industry professionals, Charlotte's rising stars participated in a week-long intensive focusing on acting, vocal performance, and dance.

Broadway Dreams kicks off Unplugged, the 2019 Summer Intensive Tour in Atlanta, GA, followed by five U.S. cities, Calgary, Canada and Europa Park in Rust, Germany. In each location, Broadway Dreams will present an incredible roster of top Broadway directors, performers, and industry insiders who will offer highly personalized musical theater training through week-long intensive workshops for students of all ages, skill levels, and socio-economic backgrounds. At week's end, students will perform alongside their Broadway idols in a Broadway style revue open to the public.

Broadway Dreams kicks off Unplugged, the 2019 Summer Intensive Tour in Atlanta, GA, followed by five U.S. cities, Calgary, Canada and Europa Park in Rust, Germany.

Grumpy Cat, the feline internet celebrity who took the world by storm with her 'grumpy' demeanor, has died at age 7, according to The New York Times.

Last night, TheaterWorksUSA celebrated 57 years with its benefit at The Current at Chelsea Piers hosted by Broadway's James Snyder. The evening raised critical funds to support TheaterWorksUSA's mission which addresses the disproportionate accessibility of theater for young people by creating exceptional, transformative theatrical experiences for audiences in diverse communities throughout New York City and North America. The sold-out event honored TheaterWorksUSA champions, Marco Masotti and Tracy Stein, Judith C. Prince, and apple seeds.

The Apollo Theater Salon Series in partnership with Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre (NBT) presented two special performances of the new musical WiLDFLOWER on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, at the Apollo Theater Soundstage. WiLDFLOWER, a full-length musical with book, music and lyrics by Jason Michael Webb and Lelund Durond Thompson, featured Broadway stars Tshidi Manye (The Lion King) and Quentin Earl Darrington (Once on this Island) performing before a packed house on both night.

The Apollo Theater Salon Series in partnership with Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre (NBT) will present WiLDFLOWER, the staged concert reading of the full-length musical with book, music and lyrics by Jason Michael Webb and Lelund Durond Thompson. The performance, directed by Logan Vaughn and starring Broadway stars Tshidi Manye (The Lion King) and Quentin Earl Darrington (Once on this Island), will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, on the Apollo Theater Soundstage.

TheaterWorksUSA, the country's premier not-for-profit producer of professional theater for young and family audiences for over 57 years, will host its annual spring benefit at The Current at Chelsea Piers on Monday, April 29. Funds raised at the event will support TheaterWorksUSA's ongoing commitment to keeping theater accessible to diverse communities nationwide and providing opportunities for professional artists in New York City to create exceptional new work for young and family audiences.

What good is sitting alone in your room this week? If you don't already have plans to see a Broadway show, come out to see your favorite Broadway stars in a cabaret act instead. After Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Highlights this week include Laura Osnes, 54 Sings Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Broadway Sings Unplugged: Beyonce.

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Take a moment, grab your coffee, and catch up on the latest Broadway news!

A private, invitation only industry reading of the new musical Mandela will be held on Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 15, 2019. Mandela has music and lyrics by two South African composer/lyricists signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Greg Dean Borowsky and Shaun Borowsky, with a book by Laiona Michelle (Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical). This reading is directed by Schele Williams (Rent, Motown: The Musical), with music direction by Alvin Hough, Jr. (Once On This Island). Fifth Estate Entertainment (Nathan Gehan/Jamison Scott) serves as general manager for the reading. The reading will be attended by Nandi Mandela, Nelson Mandela's granddaughter, on behalf of the Mandela family who have officially partnered with the show.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Kick off another work week with the top stories from around the Broadway World!

Michael Campayno (The Cher Show, Wicked), Quentin Earl Darrington (Once on This Island, CATS), and Ali Ewoldt (The Phantom of the Opera, The King and I) will lead 54 Sings Andrew Lloyd Webber on March 25, 2019 at 7:00 and 9:30 at Feinstein's/54 Below.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Happy Friday! Finish off your week by catching up on the latest Broadway news!

Broadway Sessions recently held its 3rd annual Black History Month celebration. We invited an all star roster of Broadway talent to share songs and stories reflecting the influence, impact and legacy of black artists on Broadway and beyond. HOLY MOLY! This was one of the most incredible nights of music we have enjoyed. Beyond that it was moving, hilarious and profound. Enjoy these highlights from Broadway vets Antoine  L Smith, Soarer-Joye Ross, Storm Lever, Brennyn Lark, Judith Franklin, Phoenix Best, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Tiana Okoye, Michel Demby Cain, Imari Hardon, Avery Smith, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Quentin Earl Darrington, Jennie Harney Fleming, John Edwards, Laurissa 'Lala' Romain, Shonica Gooden and Emme Kemp. We also enjoyed performances from 'Rising Stars' Richard Baskin Jr. and Aneesa Folds. OH, and maybe just an impromptu pre show performance by Tony-winning legend FAITH PRINCE! It was a good night.

BROADWAY SESSIONS is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway cast twice monthly. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida, Footloose, Dance Captain Dance Attack web series) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano.