NEW YORK (AP) — Norm Lewis has been tapped to be Broadway’s next Phantom in the megahit “The Phantom of the Opera,” a move that makes him the first African-American to slip behind the famous mask on the Great White Way. Producers said Thursday the Tony Award nominee, who brought his deep and rich voice […]
Author Archives: Mark Kennedy
AP Drama Writer
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Debbie Allen’s Show “The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” Again Wins Top Award
NEW YORK (AP) — It’s not yet Christmas, but Debbie Allen has already gotten a nice present — the Goldstar National Nutcracker Award. The ticket discounter has declared the award-winning director and choreographer’s school the winner of the 7th annual contest that crowns the best version of “The Nutcracker” in the land. The Debbie Allen […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Two Black Pre-Teens in ‘Motown: The Musical’ Live Out a Fantasy on Broadway
NEW YORK (AP) — If making your Broadway debut at age 12 doesn’t sound scary enough, imagine doing it in an iconic role. Now triple it. That’s what Raymond Luke Jr. and Jibreel Mawry are facing. They’re taking turns portraying a pre-teen Michael Jackson, a young Motown founder Berry Gordy and an adolescent Stevie Wonder […]