#TBT @metopera – Porgy & Bess! @styled by @kahlihaslam
BIG LOVE to the brilliant cast of the Broadway revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf by the powerful force that is Ntozake Shange- @pbnj_hotter as Lady in Orange, @whostendayi as Lady in Brown, @minanina81 as Lady in Red, @bornokwui as Lady in Green, @staceysargeant as Lady in Blue, @alexandriawailesofficial as Lady in Purple, and @yagirldwoods as Lady in Yellow- our wonderful understudies @rachel_e_christopher @treshelleedmond @mckenziefrye @kalaross Alexis Sims And the magnificent creative team Cookie Jordan (Wigs), Sarafina Bush (costumes), @justellington (sound), Myung Hee Cho (set), Jiyoung Chang (Lights), @aaronrhynedesigns (projection), Kurt Cambridge-Del Pesche , Talvin Wilks (Dramaturg) Martha Redbone & Aaron Whitby (composers), @deahlove (Music Director/Arranger), @jaylennn___ (Drum Arranger)and their incredible assistants and associates who are listed on my opening night post. Christina Franklin (Associate Director), @mayte_n and @maleek_washington (co- associate directors), @moraaminaparker (assistant choreographer) PSM- Bernita Robinson SM- Lark Hackshaw ASM- Nicole Martinez Check us out at The Booth Theater!
Fire Shut Up In My Bones @metopera Styled by @kahlihaslam Dress by @ranizakhem Jewelry by @jamiewolfjewelry Make up by @harristevenb Tailored by Roger Rodney Assisted by @kendal_duff #styledbykah
CHEERS and HAPPY OPENING to the cast and creative team for the Broadway revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf. It took a team of powerful warriors to put our show together and I’m so very honored to have worked with them. I am especially grateful for their care, generosity, and support. Lifting up Ntozake Shange’s name and her brilliant work. Thankful to have contributed to her legacy and honored to have taken the dive into her “choreopoem”. Lifting up, Katherine Dunham. She was the first Black woman to direct and choreograph on Broadway over 65 years ago. It was hard to imagine I would ever get the chance to do this because I had never lived to see it. The fear was real. I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t think I could do it. My family and friends surrounded me with their love and helped me push through the fear. It has been a journey and they were with me the entire way. LOVE and GRATITUDE to Dianne McIyntre, Trazana Beverley, Sharrata Hunt, Aku Kadogo, Janet League, Paula Moss, Michele Shay, and Carol Maillard!!! Members of the original Broadway production attended previews last week and are pictured with the cast. Amara Granderson, Tendayi Kuumba, Kenita R. Miller, Okwui Okpokwasili, Stacey Sargeant, Alexandria Wailes, and D. Woods. We THANK YOU for your power and for inspiring us! Every person involved in this production is listed on slides 5 & 6. There isn’t enough room for all the names so I had to get creative! It takes a team!!!! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK!!!! Honoring the legacy of this piece and all the iterations that have come before. This is my offering and it’s for colored girls everywhere. LES GO! Performance photos by Marc J. Franklin
CHEERS and HAPPY OPENING to the cast and creative team for the Broadway revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf. It took a team of powerful warriors to put our show together and I’m so very honored to have worked with them. I am especially grateful for their care, generosity, and support. Lifting up Ntozake Shange’s name and her brilliant work. Thankful to have contributed to her legacy and honored to have taken the dive into her “choreopoem”. Lifting up, Katherine Dunham. She was the first Black woman to direct and choreograph on Broadway over 65 years ago. It was hard to imagine I would ever get the chance to do this because I had never lived to see it. The fear was real. I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t think I could do it. My family and friends surrounded me with their love and helped me push through the fear. It has been a journey and they were with me the entire way. LOVE and GRATITUDE to Dianne McIyntre, Trazana Beverley, Sharrata Hunt, Aku Kadogo, Janet League, Paula Moss, Michele Shay, and Carol Maillard!!! Members of the original Broadway production attended previews last week and are pictured with the cast. Amara Granderson, Tendayi Kuumba, Kenita R. Miller, Okwui Okpokwasili, Stacey Sargeant, Alexandria Wailes, and D. Woods. We THANK YOU for your power and for inspiring us! Every person involved in this production is listed on slides 5 & 6. There isn’t enough room for all the names so I had to get creative! It takes a team!!!! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK!!!! Honoring the legacy of this piece and all the iterations that have come before. This is my offering and it’s for colored girls everywhere. LES GO! Performance photos by Marc J. Franklin
CHEERS and HAPPY OPENING to the cast and creative team for the Broadway revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf. It took a team of powerful warriors to put our show together and I’m so very honored to have worked with them. I am especially grateful for their care, generosity, and support. Lifting up Ntozake Shange’s name and her brilliant work. Thankful to have contributed to her legacy and honored to have taken the dive into her “choreopoem”. Lifting up, Katherine Dunham. She was the first Black woman to direct and choreograph on Broadway over 65 years ago. It was hard to imagine I would ever get the chance to do this because I had never lived to see it. The fear was real. I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t think I could do it. My family and friends surrounded me with their love and helped me push through the fear. It has been a journey and they were with me the entire way. LOVE and GRATITUDE to Dianne McIyntre, Trazana Beverley, Sharrata Hunt, Aku Kadogo, Janet League, Paula Moss, Michele Shay, and Carol Maillard!!! Members of the original Broadway production attended previews last week and are pictured with the cast. Amara Granderson, Tendayi Kuumba, Kenita R. Miller, Okwui Okpokwasili, Stacey Sargeant, Alexandria Wailes, and D. Woods. We THANK YOU for your power and for inspiring us! Every person involved in this production is listed on slides 5 & 6. There isn’t enough room for all the names so I had to get creative! It takes a team!!!! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK!!!! Honoring the legacy of this piece and all the iterations that have come before. This is my offering and it’s for colored girls everywhere. LES GO! Performance photos by Marc J. Franklin
CHEERS and HAPPY OPENING to the cast and creative team for the Broadway revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf. It took a team of powerful warriors to put our show together and I’m so very honored to have worked with them. I am especially grateful for their care, generosity, and support. Lifting up Ntozake Shange’s name and her brilliant work. Thankful to have contributed to her legacy and honored to have taken the dive into her “choreopoem”. Lifting up, Katherine Dunham. She was the first Black woman to direct and choreograph on Broadway over 65 years ago. It was hard to imagine I would ever get the chance to do this because I had never lived to see it. The fear was real. I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t think I could do it. My family and friends surrounded me with their love and helped me push through the fear. It has been a journey and they were with me the entire way. LOVE and GRATITUDE to Dianne McIyntre, Trazana Beverley, Sharrata Hunt, Aku Kadogo, Janet League, Paula Moss, Michele Shay, and Carol Maillard!!! Members of the original Broadway production attended previews last week and are pictured with the cast. Amara Granderson, Tendayi Kuumba, Kenita R. Miller, Okwui Okpokwasili, Stacey Sargeant, Alexandria Wailes, and D. Woods. We THANK YOU for your power and for inspiring us! Every person involved in this production is listed on slides 5 & 6. There isn’t enough room for all the names so I had to get creative! It takes a team!!!! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK!!!! Honoring the legacy of this piece and all the iterations that have come before. This is my offering and it’s for colored girls everywhere. LES GO! Performance photos by Marc J. Franklin
CHEERS and HAPPY OPENING to the cast and creative team for the Broadway revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf. It took a team of powerful warriors to put our show together and I’m so very honored to have worked with them. I am especially grateful for their care, generosity, and support. Lifting up Ntozake Shange’s name and her brilliant work. Thankful to have contributed to her legacy and honored to have taken the dive into her “choreopoem”. Lifting up, Katherine Dunham. She was the first Black woman to direct and choreograph on Broadway over 65 years ago. It was hard to imagine I would ever get the chance to do this because I had never lived to see it. The fear was real. I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t think I could do it. My family and friends surrounded me with their love and helped me push through the fear. It has been a journey and they were with me the entire way. LOVE and GRATITUDE to Dianne McIyntre, Trazana Beverley, Sharrata Hunt, Aku Kadogo, Janet League, Paula Moss, Michele Shay, and Carol Maillard!!! Members of the original Broadway production attended previews last week and are pictured with the cast. Amara Granderson, Tendayi Kuumba, Kenita R. Miller, Okwui Okpokwasili, Stacey Sargeant, Alexandria Wailes, and D. Woods. We THANK YOU for your power and for inspiring us! Every person involved in this production is listed on slides 5 & 6. There isn’t enough room for all the names so I had to get creative! It takes a team!!!! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK!!!! Honoring the legacy of this piece and all the iterations that have come before. This is my offering and it’s for colored girls everywhere. LES GO! Performance photos by Marc J. Franklin
CHEERS and HAPPY OPENING to the cast and creative team for the Broadway revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf. It took a team of powerful warriors to put our show together and I’m so very honored to have worked with them. I am especially grateful for their care, generosity, and support. Lifting up Ntozake Shange’s name and her brilliant work. Thankful to have contributed to her legacy and honored to have taken the dive into her “choreopoem”. Lifting up, Katherine Dunham. She was the first Black woman to direct and choreograph on Broadway over 65 years ago. It was hard to imagine I would ever get the chance to do this because I had never lived to see it. The fear was real. I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t think I could do it. My family and friends surrounded me with their love and helped me push through the fear. It has been a journey and they were with me the entire way. LOVE and GRATITUDE to Dianne McIyntre, Trazana Beverley, Sharrata Hunt, Aku Kadogo, Janet League, Paula Moss, Michele Shay, and Carol Maillard!!! Members of the original Broadway production attended previews last week and are pictured with the cast. Amara Granderson, Tendayi Kuumba, Kenita R. Miller, Okwui Okpokwasili, Stacey Sargeant, Alexandria Wailes, and D. Woods. We THANK YOU for your power and for inspiring us! Every person involved in this production is listed on slides 5 & 6. There isn’t enough room for all the names so I had to get creative! It takes a team!!!! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK!!!! Honoring the legacy of this piece and all the iterations that have come before. This is my offering and it’s for colored girls everywhere. LES GO! Performance photos by Marc J. Franklin
Contributing my voice to @terence_blanchard ’s beautiful and haunting music for Fire Shut Up In My Bones @metopera conducted by @nezetseguin , creating movement language for Kasi Lemmons’ libretto, sharing the story of celebrated writer @charlesmblow , and co-directing with James Robinson, with whom I had the pleasure of working on Porgy and Bess, has been a dream. As director, I wanted to play with abstraction and time travel, capturing the psyche of Charles, his inner turmoil, and his tussles with Destiny and Loneliness. We treated each scene as though it were one of those aged Polaroid pictures—static in time, with the only breath being Charles, walking us through his journey, the pictures shapeshifting as we follow him. Isolated both spiritually and physically, it was important to show Charles’ struggles, his longing for peace, and his search for a savior—only to realize that his savior was himself, the younger version of himself, giving him grace and resolve. Fire illuminates themes of perseverance and resilience—both hallmarks of the Black experience. We don’t break, we sway. We never give in. I am humbled and honored to be a part of this show that is inviting audiences into a vulnerable and poignant story. At one point in history, Black people were not allowed to perform on the Met stage, and even more so, were not able to authentically portray our own narratives. The full spectrum of our real lives were unseen. But we did not break. Once invisible, now beautifully and vibrantly visible. Past, present, and future, we sway. Shout out to the choreo team- @rickeytripp (Associate Choreographer) and @maleek_washington (Assistant Choreographer) and Assistant Directors, @mayor__franklin @rajendraramoonmaharaj Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, Camille Hayes. THANK YOU for being on this journey with me!!! To the beautiful dancers and cast, THANK YOU FOR YOUR AUDACIOUS WORK!
Christopher Figaro Jackson, Maleek Washington, and Jōvan Dansberry, photographed on the Grand Tier in front of Rashid Johnson’s mural Broken Nine Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera THANK YOU @playbill !!! A very special shout out to the choreo team for PORGY & BESS @metopera /2021 @maleek_washington (Associate Choreographer) @cjacks30 @jovan_dansberry (Assistant Choreographers). THANK YOU for your words and generosity!!! Read full article https://www.playbill.com/article/on-the-move
THANK YOU to the Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Tony awards for our nominations!!! I am extremely honored to receive nominations for both Direction and Choreography!!! MUCH LOVE to our team of warriors!!! GRATITUDE to community!!! THANK YOU for your posts, tweets, videos, and gifts dedicated to ensuring that the Broadway Revival of for colored girls who considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf has a life past May 22nd! THANK YOU for the fight and the love. It is received and appreciated!!! Our new closing date in June 5th. Come out and see these 7 Black women living boldly and beautifully inside of Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem!!! https://broadwaydirect.com/show/for-colored-girls-who-have-considered-suicide-when-the-rainbow-is-enuf/
THANK YOU to the Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Tony awards for our nominations!!! I am extremely honored to receive nominations for both Direction and Choreography!!! MUCH LOVE to our team of warriors!!! GRATITUDE to community!!! THANK YOU for your posts, tweets, videos, and gifts dedicated to ensuring that the Broadway Revival of for colored girls who considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf has a life past May 22nd! THANK YOU for the fight and the love. It is received and appreciated!!! Our new closing date in June 5th. Come out and see these 7 Black women living boldly and beautifully inside of Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem!!! https://broadwaydirect.com/show/for-colored-girls-who-have-considered-suicide-when-the-rainbow-is-enuf/
THANK YOU to the Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Tony awards for our nominations!!! I am extremely honored to receive nominations for both Direction and Choreography!!! MUCH LOVE to our team of warriors!!! GRATITUDE to community!!! THANK YOU for your posts, tweets, videos, and gifts dedicated to ensuring that the Broadway Revival of for colored girls who considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf has a life past May 22nd! THANK YOU for the fight and the love. It is received and appreciated!!! Our new closing date in June 5th. Come out and see these 7 Black women living boldly and beautifully inside of Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem!!! https://broadwaydirect.com/show/for-colored-girls-who-have-considered-suicide-when-the-rainbow-is-enuf/
THANK YOU to the Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Tony awards for our nominations!!! I am extremely honored to receive nominations for both Direction and Choreography!!! MUCH LOVE to our team of warriors!!! GRATITUDE to community!!! THANK YOU for your posts, tweets, videos, and gifts dedicated to ensuring that the Broadway Revival of for colored girls who considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf has a life past May 22nd! THANK YOU for the fight and the love. It is received and appreciated!!! Our new closing date in June 5th. Come out and see these 7 Black women living boldly and beautifully inside of Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem!!! https://broadwaydirect.com/show/for-colored-girls-who-have-considered-suicide-when-the-rainbow-is-enuf/
THANK YOU to the Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Tony awards for our nominations!!! I am extremely honored to receive nominations for both Direction and Choreography!!! MUCH LOVE to our team of warriors!!! GRATITUDE to community!!! THANK YOU for your posts, tweets, videos, and gifts dedicated to ensuring that the Broadway Revival of for colored girls who considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf has a life past May 22nd! THANK YOU for the fight and the love. It is received and appreciated!!! Our new closing date in June 5th. Come out and see these 7 Black women living boldly and beautifully inside of Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem!!! https://broadwaydirect.com/show/for-colored-girls-who-have-considered-suicide-when-the-rainbow-is-enuf/
If you haven’t seen Fire Shut Up In My Bones, or want to see it again, The Metropolitan Opera will live stream the performance tomorrow, Saturday, October 23rd, at 1PM EST, in cinemas. Composer @terence_blanchard Librettist @kasi_lemmons Conductor @nezetseguin Co- directors James Robinson and Camille A. Brown Choreographer Camille A. Brown Based on Fire Shut Up In My Bones by @charlesmblow Assistant Directors Christina Franklin and @rajendraramoonmaharaj Associate Choreographer @rickeytripp Assistant Choreographer @maleek_washington Stage Directors Paula Suozzi and Dan Rigazzi
#TBT TONY press day! Styled by @jakesokoloff Make up by @harristevenb
Thank you for also lifting up the Black entertainers who paved the way!
COME JOIN THE CROSSTOWN CELEBRATION !!!! A very special THANK YOU to @kamilahf (@apollotheater ) and Aaron Mattocks (@thejoycetheater ) for the co-production of the trilogy. Shout out to @dannigeenyc for her support of TOL in its early stages! Big shout out to @pamela.green.756 who orchestrated this whole event (BBGR💛)!!! I am forever grateful for their continued support of my work. Lifting up all the dancers and creatives who contributed to making this trilogy a reality over the last 10 years. Get your tickets now! BGLP (Tues 10/25, Wed 10/26 & Thu 10/27) Original compositions by @afrohousebaltimore and @tracywormworth Dramaturgs: Daniel Banks, Kamilah Forbes and Talvin Wilks Lighting Design: Burke Wilmore Sound Design: Sam Crawford Set Design: Elizabeth C. Nelson Costume Design Contributors: Carolyn Meckha Cherry, @mayte_n , and @catdancerpro Original Tap Coaches: Shaune Johnson and Marshall Davis Performers: @b__capote @nez_davis Catherine Foster @ymsorzano and cab Pianist: @kwintongray Electric Bassist: @basseroni1 Mr. TOL E. RAncE (10/29 at 8pm; 10/30 at 2pm & 8pm) Original Composition Lighting Design: Burke Wilmore Set Design: Philip Treviño Costumes: Carolyn Meckha Cherry Dramaturgs: Talvin Wilks and Kamilah Forbes Animation: Isabela Dos Santos Video and Audio contributions by @staceymuhammad Michael Paul Britto Entertainers: Chloe Davis, @thedancingrealtorny @jueldlane @sfp9589 @_courtneypaige__ @iamjaystaten @maleek_washington and cab Pianist/Entertainer: Kwinton Gray ink (Nov 4th & 5th) Original compositions by Scott Patterson (piano), @alliboomboom (MD), @julesonstrings (violin), Wilson Torres (percussion) Set and Lighting Design: David Arsenault Sound Design: @justellington Costumes: Mayte Natalio Performers: Beatrice Capote, Timothy Edwards, Catherine Foster, Juel D. Lane, Yusha Sorzano, Maleek Washington, and cab A very special thanks to our Lead Rehearsal Associate, @moraaminaparker . THANK YOU for pouring your all into this work!!! #blackgirllp #inkitup #cabtolerance
COME JOIN THE CROSSTOWN CELEBRATION !!!! A very special THANK YOU to @kamilahf (@apollotheater ) and Aaron Mattocks (@thejoycetheater ) for the co-production of the trilogy. Shout out to @dannigeenyc for her support of TOL in its early stages! Big shout out to @pamela.green.756 who orchestrated this whole event (BBGR💛)!!! I am forever grateful for their continued support of my work. Lifting up all the dancers and creatives who contributed to making this trilogy a reality over the last 10 years. Get your tickets now! BGLP (Tues 10/25, Wed 10/26 & Thu 10/27) Original compositions by @afrohousebaltimore and @tracywormworth Dramaturgs: Daniel Banks, Kamilah Forbes and Talvin Wilks Lighting Design: Burke Wilmore Sound Design: Sam Crawford Set Design: Elizabeth C. Nelson Costume Design Contributors: Carolyn Meckha Cherry, @mayte_n , and @catdancerpro Original Tap Coaches: Shaune Johnson and Marshall Davis Performers: @b__capote @nez_davis Catherine Foster @ymsorzano and cab Pianist: @kwintongray Electric Bassist: @basseroni1 Mr. TOL E. RAncE (10/29 at 8pm; 10/30 at 2pm & 8pm) Original Composition Lighting Design: Burke Wilmore Set Design: Philip Treviño Costumes: Carolyn Meckha Cherry Dramaturgs: Talvin Wilks and Kamilah Forbes Animation: Isabela Dos Santos Video and Audio contributions by @staceymuhammad Michael Paul Britto Entertainers: Chloe Davis, @thedancingrealtorny @jueldlane @sfp9589 @_courtneypaige__ @iamjaystaten @maleek_washington and cab Pianist/Entertainer: Kwinton Gray ink (Nov 4th & 5th) Original compositions by Scott Patterson (piano), @alliboomboom (MD), @julesonstrings (violin), Wilson Torres (percussion) Set and Lighting Design: David Arsenault Sound Design: @justellington Costumes: Mayte Natalio Performers: Beatrice Capote, Timothy Edwards, Catherine Foster, Juel D. Lane, Yusha Sorzano, Maleek Washington, and cab A very special thanks to our Lead Rehearsal Associate, @moraaminaparker . THANK YOU for pouring your all into this work!!! #blackgirllp #inkitup #cabtolerance
THANK YOU to the Chita Rivera and Drama Desk awards for our nominations!!! GRATITUDE to community!!! THANK YOU for your posts, tweets, videos, and gifts dedicated to ensuring that the Broadway Revival of for colored girls who considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf has a life past May 22nd! THANK YOU for the fight and the love. It is received and appreciated!!! Our new closing date in June 5th. Come out and see these 7 Black women living boldly and beautifully inside of Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem!!! https://broadwaydirect.com/show/for-colored-girls-who-have-considered-suicide-when-the-rainbow-is-enuf/
THANK YOU to the Chita Rivera and Drama Desk awards for our nominations!!! GRATITUDE to community!!! THANK YOU for your posts, tweets, videos, and gifts dedicated to ensuring that the Broadway Revival of for colored girls who considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf has a life past May 22nd! THANK YOU for the fight and the love. It is received and appreciated!!! Our new closing date in June 5th. Come out and see these 7 Black women living boldly and beautifully inside of Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem!!! https://broadwaydirect.com/show/for-colored-girls-who-have-considered-suicide-when-the-rainbow-is-enuf/
Thank you @goldmansachs !!! I am very honored to share space with @thelmagolden @mistyonpointe @denycegravesfoundation ! Join us! Link to register in bio
