Variety: Obama and the Effects of Change on Stage

There’s an ironically presented black minstrel show at the Vineyard Theater. There’s a darkly comic wrestling match with retro racial stereotypes at the Public Theater. At Playwrights Horizons, white characters and black characters try to talk about race, and mostly fail. See a pattern? Legit productions about race in America are proliferating this season, with […]

There’s an ironically presented black minstrel show at the Vineyard Theater. There’s a darkly comic wrestling match with retro racial stereotypes at the Public Theater. At Playwrights Horizons, white characters and black characters try to talk about race, and mostly fail.

See a pattern?

Legit productions about race in America are proliferating this season, with a handful opening in quick succession this spring at Off Broadway venues. It’s a remarkable topical shift that coincides with the age of Obama — and one that hasn’t been played out to an equal degree in TV or film.

Creatives and programmers won’t say the surge in the subject matter reps a conscious choice driven by the 2008 election and the issues it brought to the fore. But they do acknowledge that every now and then theater artists all seem to write about the same thing…

Read more

Artists

Larry Hochman

(Orchestrations) Broadway: BOOK OF MORMON (Tony, Drama Desk), PIPPIN, BIG FISH, CHAPLIN, SCOTTSBORO BOYS (first produced at the Vineyard), SPAMALOT, ADDAMS FAMILY. 5 Tony Nominations. Television: Composer of Nickelodeon’s “The Wonder Pets!” (5 Emmys). 25 Regional and Off-Broadway shows incl. DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY (Maury Yeston), THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (Marvin Hamlisch). 17 films incl. The Informant! (Marvin Hamlisch) and Disney (Annie, Lady and the Tramp II, Little Mermaid II). Recordings, concerts: Paul McCartney, Eric Idle, Barbra Streisand, Hugh Jackman, Audra McDonald, Barry Manilow, Mandy Patinkin, Boston Pops, San Francisco Symphony, New York Philharmonic. In Memoriam (symphonic poem, publ. E.B. Marks). www.LarryHochman.net

Paul Masse

(Conductor, Piano) Broadway: The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, AVENUE Q, 42ND STREET (Revival), WICKED, CHICAGO, THE PAJAMA GAME (Revival), GYPSY (2003 and 2008 Revivals), THE PRODUCERS, WHITE CHRISTMAS.  Off-Broadway:  INNER VOICES (“Borrowed Dust”), THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, JACQUES BREL…, THE FANTASTICKS.  Regional:  SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (Denver Center), FIRST YOU DREAM (Kennedy Center/Signature Theatre), THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Guthrie).  1st National/LA:  WICKED.  TV:  “The Colbert Report”, “The View”, “The Rosie Show”, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”. Various Film soundtracks. Original cast albums:  The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, The Scottsboro Boys, Noel and Cole.  Concert performances at: Avery Fisher Hall, Merkin Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Joe’s Pub, 54 Below. BFA from New York University.

Susan Stroman

This is Ms. Stroman’s fourth show for the Vineyard Theatre — she directed the Colman Domingo play DOT, choreographed FLORA THE RED MENACE, and directed and choreographed the Kander and Ebb musical THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, which was nominated for 12 Tony Awards and won the London Evening Standard Award for Best Musical. On Broadway, she directed and choreographed THE PRODUCERS, winner of a record-making 12 Tony Awards. Other Broadway credits include CONTACT for Lincoln Center Theater, PRINCE OF BROADWAY, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, BIG FISH, CRAZY FOR YOU, SHOW BOAT, OKLAHOMA!, THE FROGS, THE MUSIC MAN, THOU SHALT NOT, STEEL PIER, BIG, and PICNIC. Off-Broadway credits include AND THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND, HAPPINESS, and THE LAST TWO PEOPLE ON EARTH: AN APOCALYPTIC VAUDEVILLE. She has directed opera, created ballets and has been represented in television and film. A five-time Tony Award winner, her work has been honored with Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel, and a record five Astaire Awards. She is the recipient of the George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement in the American Theater and a member of the Theater Hall of Fame in New York City.

David Thompson

David Thompson Librettist. Broadway/West End: The new libretto for the current revival of Chicago (the longest running American musical), The Scottsboro Boys (London’s Critic Circle Award, Evening Standard Award, 12 Tony nominations including “Best Book,” Drama Desk Nomination, Outer Critics and Lucille Lortel Awards for “Best Musical,” Hull-Warriner Award), Prince of Broadway, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Thou Shalt Not, The Look of Love, Steel Pier (Tony Nomination “Best Book”). Off-Broadway: The Beast in the Jungle, And the World Goes ‘Round, (New York Drama Desk and Outer Critics’ Awards), Flora, the Red Menace, (Drama Desk nomination) UK Regional and London: The revised librettos for Rags at Park Theatre, Bar Mitzvah Boy at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, US Regional: A Christmas Carol, now in its thirtieth year at Princeton’s McCarter Theater. Concert: Produced and Wrote James Taylor’s Perspective Series at Carnegie Hall, My Favorite Broadway/The Leading Ladies at Carnegie Hall. Television: “Sondheim – A Celebration at Carnegie Hall” (Emmy Nomination), “Razzle Dazzle” for Great Performances, “The Music of Richard Rodgers with Lorenz Hart,” “The Music of Richard Rodgers with Oscar Hammerstein” for WGBH Boston as well as the recent “Harold Prince – the Director’s Life” for Great Performances. Thompson is a graduate of Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism.

John Kander and Fred Ebb

(Music and Lyrics) The John Kander and Fred Ebb collaboration of four decades has created what many would consider Broadway standards and contemporary classics: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Tony Award Nomination), FLORA, THE RED MENACE, CABARET (Tony Award for Best Musical), THE HAPPY TIME, ZORBA, 70 GIRLS 70, CHICAGO, THE ACT, WOMAN OF THE YEAR (Tony Award for Best Score), THE RINK, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (Tony Award for Best Score) and STEEL PIER.  Their collaboration also transferred itself to movies and television as they wrote original material for the Academy Awards, “Liza with a Z” (Emmy Award for Music and Lyrics), Funny Lady (Oscar nominated for Best Song), Lucky Lady, New York, New York, Stepping Out and Chicago (Oscar nominated for Best Song). In the mid-1980’s the song “New York New York” became the official anthem of New York City. At the time of the unfortunate death of Mr. Ebb, Kander and Ebb had several projects in different stages of completion waiting in the wings including THE VISIT, ALL ABOUT US (a musical adaptation of Thornton Wilder play THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH) and CURTAINS.

Christian Dante White

(Charles Weems/Victoria Price) Praise be to God! Favorite roles: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Vineyard Theatre), THE WIZ starring Ashanti (Scarecrow, City Center Summer Stars), JERSEY BOYS (Barry Belson, Vegas), HAIRSPRAY (Seaweed J. Stubbs, Tour and The Muny). Reading: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS directed by Susan Stroman, music and lyrics by Kander and Ebb. Love you Mom, Grandma, Bookie, Shamicka, J. Jones, T. Lavell, Larry, Carnahan Casting, Erica Bines, and Headline Talent.

Cody Ryan Wise

(Eugene Williams/Little George) Off-Broadway: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Vineyard Theatre). Favorite Credits: THE LION KING (Young Simba), THE NUTCRAKCER (Fritz), THE WIZARD OF OZ, DAMN YANKEES. He has also appeared on “Sesame Street”, “The Electric Company”, and the music video for “Heard ‘Em Say” with Kanye West.  He is an 8th grade honors student at the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School. He is currently working on his first CD project and is honored and excited to be performing in THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS. www.CodyWise.com.

Sharon Washington

(Shelly) Broadway: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS; Off-Broadway: WHILE I YET LIVE (Primary Stages), WILD WITH HAPPY (Public Theater/NYSF, Lortel Award Nomination, Audelco Award); LUCE (Lincoln Center/LCT3); THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Vineyard Theatre), THE OVERWHELMING (Roundabout), HOUSE AND GARDEN (Manhattan Theatre Club). Regional: SEVEN GUITARS and DOT (Actors Theatre of Louisville),KING LEAR and MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (Denver Center), INTIMATE APPAREL (Guthrie), THE PIANNO LESSON  (Yale Rep). Film: Wiener Dog (2016), Mistress America, The Bourne Legacy, Michael Clayton. TV: “Gotham,” “Blue Bloods,” “The Blacklist,” “White Collar,” “Royal Pains,” “Damages,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Law & Order: CI.” Training: Yale School of Drama.

Julius Thomas III

(Roy Wright/Electrofied Issac/Billy/Cook) Off-Broadway Debut in THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS and thrilled! National Tours: XANADU (Terpsicore/Young Danny, 1st Nat’l), 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Mitch/Chip/Panch U/S, 1st Nat’l), RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR (Soloist, Arena Tour). NYC Theatre: BONNIE & CLYDE (Buford, NYMF), DIAL ‘N’ FOR NEGRESS (Antonio, Theatre Row). Regional Theatre: AIDA (Mereb, Lyric Theatre, OK), DREAMGIRLS (C.C. White, WVPT), FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE (No Moe/Lil’ Moe, Lyric Theatre, OK), JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Calypso Brother, Music Theatre Wichita). BFA from Wichita State University. Thanks to this incredible team for taking a chance on me. Thundercats Ho! www.JuliusThomas3.com.

Forrest McClendon

(Mr.Tambo/Samuel Leibowitz) Broadway: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Tony Award Nomination). Off-Broadway: JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE (New Federal Theatre, Audelco Award Nomination).  Regional: AVENUE X (11th Hour Theatre Company, Barrymore Award), SIZWE BANSI IS DEAD (Lantern Theatre Company), THE THREEPENNY OPERA (Wilma Theater, Barrymore Award Nomination), THE AMERICA PLAY (Zachary Scott Theatre, Central Texas Critics Table Award), JULIUS CAESAR (People’s Light and Theatre Company), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Westport Country Playhouse), DREAMGIRLS (Prince Music Theater), FINIAN’S RAINBOW (Walnut Street Theatre). Trained at the University of Connecticut.

Kendrick Jones

(Willie Roberson/Electrofied Charlie) Off-Broadway:THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Vineyard Theatre), STAIRWAY TO PARADISE (City Center Encores!). Regional: BUBBLIN’ BROWN SUGAR (Fox Theatre, Atlanta). Other theatre credits include LOOKING FOR JOSEPHINE (Opera Comique, Paris), Barack on Broadway (New Amsterdam Theatre), Broadway By the Year and All Singin’ All Dancin’ (Town Hall NYC). Trained at NYU Tisch School’s ETW. www.myspace.com/TAPKID257.

Rodney Hicks

(Clarence Norris/Preacher) Broadway: RENT (Benny, Closing Cast), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Peter), RENT (Original Cast). Off-Broadway: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Vineyard Theatre), JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL… (2006 Cast Recording), FROM MY HOMETOWN (Audelco Award Nomination), RENT (Obie Award), LOTTO (Audelco Award). Regional: WHITE NOISE (Tyler, World Premiere), MISS SAIGON (John, Pioneer Theatre), NOAH’S GREAT RAINBOW (Murigande, Toronto), KING LEAR (Edmund, Denver Center), AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ (Andre, Maltz Jupiter), THE 60’S PROJECT (Roy, World Premiere), TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Valentine, Centre Stage), LOBBY HERO (William, Geva), GOLDEN BOY (Joe, Long Wharf). Film: RENT: Filmed Live on Broadway, Bad Decisions, Django. TV: “Hope & Faith”, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”, “Student Affairs”, “NYPD Blue”.

Colman Domingo

(Playwright) is the author of WILD WITH HAPPY(Dramatists Play Service), A BOY AND HIS SOUL  (Oberon Books), UP JUMPED SPRINGTIME AND THE BROTHER(S). The artistic work of Mr. Domingo has been honored with Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk and Drama League nominations. His work has won the OBIE, Lucille Lortel, GLAAD, Connecticut Critics Circle, Bay Area Theater Critics Circle and Internet Theater Bloggers awards. Mr. Domingo has received fellowships and/or residencies from The Sundance Theater Lab, The People’s Light and Theater Company, and the Banff Playwrights Colony. Mr. Domingo is under commission from The American Conservatory Theater, People’s Light and Theater Company  and The Public Theater. His plays have been produced at Vineyard Theatre, The Public, Theatreworks, Baltimore Centerstage, The Tricycle Theater (London), Brisbane Powerhouse/World Theater Festival (Australia), Theater Rhinoceros, Lincoln Center Director’s Lab/American Living Room Festival/HERE, and Thick Description Theater Collective. Dot was developed in part during a residency with New York Theater Workshop. Dot received its world premiere at The Humana Festival at Actors Theater of Louisville. Mr. Domingo currently stars on the AMC original series “Fear the Walking Dead.” He has starred in the films Selma, Lincoln, The Butler and Birth of a Nation among others.

Brandon Victor Dixon

(Haywood Patterson) Broadway: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, THE COLOR PURPLE (Harpo, Tony Nomination), City Center Encores! HOUSE OF FLOWERS (Royal), THE LION KING Cheetah National Tour (Adult Simba, Original). Regional: RAY CHARLES LIVE! (Ray Charles, Ovation Nomination), GUYS AND DOLLS, ROMEO AND JULIET, HOW TO SUCCEED…, Columbia University’s 107th Annual Varsity Show. TV: “Quincy Jones’s America’s Millennium”, ABC’s “OLTL” (Darryl), “L&O: Criminal Intent” (Dix). Awards: Columbia University’s I.A.L. Diamond Award, NFAA First Level, British Academy of Dramatic Acting scholarship, Presidential Scholar Semi-Finalist. Brandon, a Columbia University graduate, thanks family, Jack Waddell, and Abrams Artists/Noble Talent Management for their continuous belief in him. BrandonVictorDixon.com, Findingmorganfreeman.com.

John Cullum

John Cullum is a two time Tony Award recipient and a member of the Theater Hall of Fame.

He made his Broadway debut in Lerner & Loew’s Camelot in 1960, and has been a perennial Broadway favorite for more than 60 years. His musical credits include On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, 1776, Man of La Mancha, Urinetown, The Scottsboro Boys, 110 In The Shade (revival), Harold Prince’s production of Show Boat, as well as Shenendoah and On The Twentieth Century, each of which garnered him Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical. John’s non-musical credits include Hamlet, where he played Laertes to Richard Burton’s Hamlet, as well as Deathtrap, Private Lives, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Casa Valentina, and August: Osage County. During the run of that show, John accepted The Keen company’s invitation to star in Heroes, so at the age of 80, he performed 15 shows a week with a brief stop between theaters for dinner: pizza, 2 slices for 99 cents.

Cullum’s film and television career has been extensive as well. He played Holling The Bartender in six seasons of “Northern Exposure”, had recurring roles in “ER” and “Law & Order: SVU”, and “The Middle”. His guest credits include “30 Rock”, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”, “Madam Secretary”, “Mad Men”, “The Good Wife”, “Nurse Jackie” and “The Blacklist”.

John recreated his dazzling performance of Edward Rutledge for the film of 1776. His other film credits include Hawaii, Inherit The Wind, Kill Your Darlings, The Day After, Sweet Country, Held Up, and most recently, Jungleland.

John has been married for more than 60 years to Emily Frankel, a prominent choreographer and writer. At 91, his passion for acting has not dimmed, and he continues to entertain audiences, and inspire his younger colleagues

Derrick Cobey

(Andy Wright) Off-Broadway: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Vineyard Theatre), THE TIN PAN ALLEY RAG (Roundabout); G&S CANON (City Center). National tours include RENT and FOREVER SWING. Regional credits: INTO THE WOODS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and MACBETH (Great Lakes Theater Festival/ Idaho Shakespeare Festival); ABYSSINIA (Goodspeed), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (North Shore); RAGTIME (Paper Mill Playhouse); HAIR (Hangar Theater); SIDE SHOW (Cleveland Playhouse); THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY (Westchester Broadway); PACIFIC OVERTURES (Arden Theatre); OKLAHOMA!, BRIGADOON, RAGTIME, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, DAMN YANKEES, WIZARD OF OZ and FOOTLOOSE (Sacramento Music Circus);  A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Connecticut Repertory); SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ (Actors Playhouse).

Josh Breckenridge

(Olen Montgomery) Vineyard Theatre debut in THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS. Broadway: THE RITZ. Off-Broadway: SAVED (Playwrights Horizons). Regional credits include: HAIRSPRAY (Seaweed J. Stubbs, Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre), TALES OF THE CITY (Jon, Eugene O’Neil Theatre Center), SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE (Ken, Cape Playhouse), HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 (Chad, North Carolina Theatre), MEMPHIS (u/s Gator, Bobby, La Jolla Playhouse/5th Avenue Theatre), DREAMGIRLS (C.C. White, North Carolina Theatre). Film: Finding Me: Truth. BFA: University of Cincinnati (CCM). Thanks to Susan, Tommy, John, David, Carnahan Casting, DGRW and the whole Vineyard family. Love to God, family, friends and Riky for their endless faith and support!

Sean Bradford

(Ozie Powell/Ruby Bates) Sean is incredibly grateful to be a part of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS. He made his Broadway debut as a Simba cover in Disney’s THE LION KING after graduating from Northwestern University. Other credits include THE YELLOW WOOD directed by BD Wong, WAS directed by Tina Landau, and CBS’ “My Broadway Debut”.  Sean is the Executive Director of Broadway in South Africa, which uses the arts to empower children in the U.S. and abroad. Thank you Stro, Mr. Kander, and the entire creative team for trusting me to tell this story. For Mom, Dad, and my incredible and inspiring friends.  www.sean-bradford.com, www.broadwayinsouthafrica.org. “We are such stuff as dreams are made on.”