Re-Introducing Broadway Theaters Educate

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!!!