Co-directed by Jennifer Shirley and Kevin Carillo, the work follows themes of connection and isolation.

Uncensored returns for an in-person run April 22-24 at the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space, following two years of digital performances. The show follows the theme of connection and isolation and features performers both virtually and on stage.

Co-directed by Jennifer Shirley and Kevin Carillo, this annual production invites New York City teens to “speak their truth” on the MCC stage after participating in the Youth Company Performance Lab. The show features student-written monologues, scenes, music, and ensemble pieces.

Featured performers include Amani Parbolus, Omar Haidara, Cole Iturregui Shirley, Destiny Hooker, Eleanor “LouLou” Hubner, Gabrielys Rosa-Lozada, Grace Brockington, Jazlyn Claudio, Jociel Tambone, Natoya Murray, and Zelia Ryan-Young, with Daryl Embry as the scenic and lighting designer.

Performances are April 22 at 7:30 PM, April 23 at 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM, and April 24 at 2:30 PM. Tickets are pay-what-you-can. 

In addition to Uncensored, MCC Theater’s current line-up includes Which Way to the Stage by Ana Nogueira with direction by Mike Donahue and soft by Donja R. Love with direction by Whitney White.

For more information, visit MCCTheater.org.

Directed and choreographed by Camille A. Brown, the revival of the Ntozake Shange choreopoem opens April 20 at the Booth Theatre.

The Broadway revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf by Ntozake Shange, officially opening April 20 at the Booth Theatre, hosted the cast of the original 1976 Broadway production earlier this week.

Following seven women, Shange’s choreopoem explores their stories and how they find strength in each other’s humor and passion through a fusion of poetry, dance, music, and song.

The Camille A. Brown-directed revival features Amara Granderson as Lady in Orange, Tendayi Kuumba as Lady in Brown, Kenita R. Miller as Lady in Red, Okwui Okpokwasili as Lady in Green, Stacey Sargeant as Lady in Blue, Alexandria Wailes as Lady in Purple, and D. Woods as Lady in Yellow.

In the original production, Lady in Orange was played by Shange, Lady in Brown was played by Janet League, Lady in Red was played by Trezana Beverley, Lady in Green was played by Paula Moss, Lady in Blue was played by Laurie Carlos, Lady in Purple was played by Risë Collins, and Lady in Yellow was played by Aku Kadogo.

READ: For Colored Girls… Offering ASL Performances

Brown makes history with the revival, becoming the first Black woman to serve as choreographer and director on a Broadway production in more than 65 years.

The original Broadway production, which also ran at the Booth Theatre, earned a 1977 Tony nomination for Best Play, and Beverley, the production’s Lady in Red, won the Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Play. Among its other award recognitions are four Drama Desk nominations and one win, as well as winning the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Musical and a Theatre World Award win for Beverley.

For tickets and more information, visit ForColoredGirlsBway.com.

Check out photos of the two casts meeting below.

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See Original 1976 Broadway Cast of For Colored Girls… Visit the Current Broadway Production

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Tony winner Wayne Cilento directs the seldom-produced work; the production re-creates Fosse’s original, 1978 Tony-winning choreography.

A new production of Bob Fosse’s 1978 dance work Dancin’ begins its run at San Diego’s Old Globe April 19, with opening night set for April 28. The production will continue through May 29, with Broadway reportedly in its sights.

Produced in cooperation with Nicole Fosse and by special arrangement with Joey Parnes, the production re-creates Fosse’s original Tony-winning choreography from the 1978 Broadway musical and features direction and musical staging by Wayne Cilento, who received a Tony nomination for his performance in the original Broadway company. The new production of the dance musical, which features an eclectic songlist from Neil Diamond to George M. Cohan, sees Cilento reimagining Fosse’s original production, bringing its vision into the 21st century. Playwright and fellow Dancin’ cast alum Kirsten Childs is billed as the production’s text consultant and is providing additional material.

The ensemble cast includes Ioana Alfonso (Wicked), Yeman Brown (Jagged Little Pill), Peter John Chursin (Wicked), Dylis Croman (Chicago), Tony d’Alelio (This Ain’t No Disco), Jōvan Dansberry (King Kong), Karli Dinardo (Moulin Rouge!), Jacob Guzman (West Side Story), Manuel Herrera (Wicked), Kolton Krouse (Cats), Mattie Love (Wicked), Yani Marin (Wicked), Nando Morland (West Side Story), Khori Michelle Petinaud (Aladdin), Ida Saki (In the Heights), and Ron Todorowski (Finding Neverland). Rounding out the company as understudies are Ashley Blair Fitzgerald (The Cher Show), Gabriel Hyman (King Kong), Krystal Mackie (Hamilton), and Michaeljon Slinger (Hello, Dolly!).

Cilento leads a creative team that includes scenic designer Robert Brill, costume designers Harriet Jung and Reid Bartelme, lighting designer David Grill, sound designer Peter Hylenski, projection designer Finn Ross, and production stage manager Beverly Jenkins. Music supervision, orchestrations, incidental music, and vocal arrangements are provided by Jim Abbott, with music direction by Darryl Archibald and dance arrangements and additional music by David Dabbon. The production has been cast by Tara Rubin Casting.

Christine Colby Jacques handles reproducing Fosse’s choreography with additional choreographic reconstruction by Corinne McFadden Herrera.

Cilento’s revival follows plans for a Graciela Daniele-helmed Broadway revival in 2009 via Roundabout Theatre Company that failed to materialize.

Fosse’s original production opened at Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre in 1978, transferring to the Ambassador Theatre before closing 1,774 performances later. The cast included such Fosse favorites as Ann Reinking, Robert La Fosse, Dana Moore, Bebe Neuwirth, and Cynthia Onrubia.