Black InterestsEducationEntertainment

Re-Introducing Broadway Theaters Educate

0

Some years ago, Mr. Gary Johnson, owner of Gary A. Johnson Company and Mr. Chauncey Dunham Vice President of A Dante Production started a new company, Broadway Theaters Educate (BTE),  they embarked into this venture to educate school students who are being deprived of the exposure to live theater and culture based on the lack of funding in the Maryland school systems. BTE requested assistance from the Maryland school system and this effort was flatly rejected. It’s ironic, funding to build correctional institutions flows freely across the country but funds to provide our youth in cultural graces is nonexistent. The BTE effort was something the Broadway representatives really endorsed but the school systems didn’t. Below is both the start of a worthwhile effort and Broadway changes that are currently making.

Broadway Theaters Educate Starts The Season with “Sister Act”

Broadway Theaters Educate (BTE) in partnership with Group Sales Box Office, was originally established to keep the arts and cultural events alive by taking first time theater goers, African-American youth, senior citizens and veterans of the theater from the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia areas to Broadway.  Due to overwhelming success, we are now taking groups from Philadelphia and Delaware to Broadway to capture the BTE experience.

“Sister Act” on Broadway, produced by Whoopi Goldberg.

New Plans for Broadway

The Josephine Baker Story,” which was previously a movie, will play on Broadway in 12-19 months.  Plan for that show.  The production previously ran in the A solo Repertory Theater in Sarasota, Florida, to sold out audiences.  The musical covers Baker’s stint as a star of the Folies Bergere in Paris between 1939-45.

“A Piece of My Heart – The Bert Berns Story” debuted off-Broadway at the Irene Diamond Stage in 2014.  This production is on our list to see again.  The music and lyrics were by Bert with a variety of co-writers.  Berns wrote “Twist and Shout”, “Piece of My Heart”, “Hang On Sloopy”, “Cry Baby”, “I Want Candy”. “Here Comes the Night”, “Brown Eyed Girl” and many more.  In total he was involved with 51 chart records.  Rolling Stone magazine called Mr. Berns “One of the great untold stories of Rock & Roll.”  Bert Berns’s record label was Bang Records.  There is a documentary movie called “Bang! The Bert Berns Story” and a book entitled “Here Comes the Night: The Dark Soul of Bert Berns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm and Blues.”

Chauncey Dunham wanted to recreate “Dreamgirls” which was on Broadway in the 1980’s and all over the US.  A new production has just finished up in London and will soon move to Broadway.  There, it played to glowing accolades.  The show follows the career of the Dreamettes and is loosely based on The Supremes. The new NYC show opening will be announced in the 2019-2020 season.

The “Tina Turner” musical is coming to Broadway in the Fall of 2019.  It is currently playing at the Aldwich Theater in London until December 2019.  The musical was called a triumph and it was just extended due to rave reviews. Another production is opening in Hamburg, Germany.

“Ain’t Too Proud”, the story of The Temptations will preview on Broadway at the Imperial Theater on February 28 with a March 1, 2019 opening.  Here’s a chance to relive the glory days of the young Temptations.  Although this is a juke box musical, the music of this mighty Motown group will bring you back.

The Michael Jackson musical, “Don’t Stop Til’ You Get Enough,” will premiere in Chicago before moving to Broadway.

Watch for Gary and Chauncey to become re energized!!!

Check out our 2010 video featuring testimonials from people attended plays associated with our program.

Check out Gary Johnson’s 2010 exclusive interview with actor Julian Ivey

Black Men In America.com
Since our launch in 2001, Black Men In America.com has evolved from a news site focusing on black men to a well-rounded social, current events and political website featuring content that people want to share and talk about.  We have thought-provoking content that aims to educate, entertain and inspire our site visitors to become good citizens and role models in their community.  Please do not use this site to post or transmit any unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane or indecent information of any kind, including without limitation any transmissions constituting or encouraging conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any local, state, national or international law. You alone are responsible for the material you post.

THE MANHOOD LINE: LIVE! ™ BY MIKE RAMEY (2 Powerful Columns)

Previous article

Olatuja Explores the Music of Empowered Women with Inspirational Reinterpretations on new CD “Intuition: Songs From The Minds of Women”

Next article

You may also like

Comments

Leave a Reply