Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actor. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy, in 2015 she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and received a National Medal of Arts—America’s highest honor for achievement in the field—from President Barack Obama. In addition to her Tony-winning performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill—the role that also served as the vehicle for her 2017 debut in London’s West End (2018 Olivier Award nomination)—she has appeared on Broadway in The Secret Garden, Marie Christine (Tony nomination), Henry IV, 110 in the Shade (Tony nomination), Shuffle Along, or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed and Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. A Juilliard-trained soprano, her opera credits include La voix humaine and Send at Houston Grand Opera, and Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny at Los Angeles Opera, where the resulting recording earned her two Grammy Awards. On television, she was seen by millions as the Mother Abbess in NBC’s The Sound of Music Live! and played Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC’s Private Practice. She won an Emmy Award for her role as host of PBS’s Live From Lincoln Center and has received nominations for Wit, A Raisin in the Sun and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. Having first appeared as Liz Lawrence on CBS’s The Good Wife, she can now be seen on CBS All Access’s The Good Fight and the upcoming pandemic-themed drama Second Wave. On film, she has appeared in Seven Servants, The Object of My Affection, Cradle Will Rock, It Runs in the Family, The Best Thief in the World, She Got Problems, Rampart, Ricki and the Flash, Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, the movie-musical Hello Again, and MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect, to be released in 2021. McDonald has released five solo albums on the Nonesuch label as well as Sing Happy, with the New York Philharmonic, on Decca Gold. She also maintains a major career as a concert artist, regularly appearing on the great stages of the world and with leading international orchestras. A founding member of Black Theatre United, board member of Covenant House International, and prominent advocate for LGBTQAI+ rights, her favorite roles are those performed offstage, as an activist, wife to actor Will Swenson, and mother.
Leslie Uggams is a Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress and singer whose career has brought her from Harlem (The Apollo Theater) to Broadway (Hallelujah, Baby!), the big screen (Deadpool, Skyjacked) to television (Empire, The Leslie Uggams Show). Perhaps best known for her stirring portrayal of Kizzy in the landmark TV mini-series Alex Haley’s Roots (Critics Choice Award, Emmy and Golden Globe nominations), Leslie has performed to critical and popular acclaim ever since her first professional appearances at the age of nine at the famed Apollo Theater in New York City. There she opened for such musical legends as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dinah Washington. Now, after nearly seven decades on stage and screen, Leslie is a legend in her own right. She is on the Board of Directors of the Apollo Theater, and she holds Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degrees from the University of Connecticut and the University of Michigan. She is also the recipient of an American Artist Award from Arena Stage in Washington, DC.
Leslie recently finished filming The Ravine, a new movie based on the haunting true story by Robert Pascuzzi. Leslie stars as Johanna, a spiritual healer. She also stars as Blind Al in the blockbuster 20th Century Fox films Deadpool and Deadpool2 opposite Ryan Reynolds. Leslie appeared as Leah Walker in the hit television series Empire and recurs as Mama Reynolds in New Amsterdam. She recently co-starred in the HBO original movie The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks with Oprah Winfrey and is featured prominently in the Emmy-winning HBO documentary The Apollo. Other recent television appearances include Nurse Jackie; The Good Wife; Memphis Beat; and NYC 22.
For more information, please visit her online at www.leslieuggams.com, www.facebook.com/LeslieUggams, www.YouTube.com/SmagguProductions, on Twitter @LeslieUggams and on Instagram @LeslieUggams1.
Billy Porter is an Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award-winning, and Golden Globe-nominated, actor, singer, director, composer, and playwright from Pittsburgh, PA. His electric portrayal of ‘Pray Tell’ in the FX’s breakthrough series “Pose,” earned him the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, as well as Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Award, and Television Critics Association nominations. He was also the recipient of the Dorian Award for TV Performance of the Year from GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, as well as nominated for a Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor. Created by Steven Canals, Brad Falchuk and Ryan Murphy, “Pose” depicts the underground ballroom culture in 1986 New York. The second season was released in June 2019, and the third season will
premiere in 2020. He also starred in the eighth season of Ryan Murphy’s acclaimed series “American Horror Story: Apocalypse” as ‘Behold Chablis, and he can next be seen in the second season of CBS All Access’ “The Twilight Zone.”
Porter was recently inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame class of 2020. He will receive a star for the category of Live Theatre/Live Performance. In addition, in 2017, Porter was the recipient of the GLAAD Vito Russo Award, an award presented to an openly LGBT media
professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community.
Billy was most recently seen in the Paramount Players comedy Like a Boss, starring Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne and Salma Hayek. The film, directed by Miguel Arteta, released in January 2020, and follows two female friends who build a successful company, and find their
relationship tested following a buyout offer. On screen, Porter also recently appeared in Baz Luhrman’s “The Get Down,” starring Justice
Smith, Shameik Moore and Herizen Guardiola. His other television credits include “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “The Big C,” “Law & Order,” “Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story” and “Another World.” Next, he is set to star in Greg Berlanti’s remake of “Little Shop of
Horrors,” voicing Audrey II, as well as the highly anticipated “Cinderella” re-make in 2020. Under the direction of Barry Levinson, Porter starred in The Humbling, alongside Al Pacino and Greta Gerwig. His other film credits include Noel, The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy,
Intern, Anastasia and Twisted.
A veteran of the theatre, Porter most previously reprised his role as ‘Lola’ in the smash hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots, for which he won the 2013 Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre
Album. Other Broadway acting credits include the Tony nominated Broadway musical, Shuffle Along, directed by George C. Wolfe. Miss Saigon, Five Guys Named Moe, Grease, Smokey Joe’s Café and Dreamgirls (20 th Anniversary Broadway Concert and LA Ovation Award).
Off Broadway and regional credits include Angels in America (Signature Theater), Romance In Hard Times, The Merchant of Venice, House of Lear and Radiant Baby (The New York Shakespeare Festival), Birdie Blue (Second Stage), Angels in America (Actors Theatre Of
Louisville), Going Native (The Long Wharf), Jelly’s Last Jam (Alliance), Topdog/Underdog (City Theatre), King Lear (Exit, Pursued By A Bear), Jason Robert Brown’s Songs For A New World (original cast), Jesus Christ Superstar, Antigone, A Chorus Line and Chicago. His one-man show, Ghetto Superstar: The Man That I Am, debuted at The Public Theater in conjunction with City Theatre of Pittsburgh and was nominated for a 2005 GLAAD Media Award. Porter was also named “Pittsburgh’s Performer of the Year 2003-2004” by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
As a recording artist, Porter recently released his single For What It’s Worth in April 2020 to motivate potential voters. In June 2019, he released his single Love Yourself, in support of Pride Month and the 50 the Anniversary of Stonewall. His most recent album, The Soul of Richard Rodgers, was released in 2017 on Sony Masterworks. His solo albums include his first CD, Untitled, on A&M records and his sophomore album, At the Corner of Broadway + Soul - LIVE. Additionally, Billy’s Back on Broadway was released in 2014. Featuring ten classics made famous on the Great White Way that focus on inspiration, empowerment and hope, the album’s title (and cover art) is a nod to Sammy Davis, Jr.’s recording Sammy’s Back on Broadway.
Additionally, Porter’s voice can be heard on the albums A Very Rosie Christmas, Jim Brickman’s Destiny (top ten AC hit), Grease (revival cast album), Adam Guettel’s Myths & Hymns, Gershwin and Sondheim Benefit Albums, Hercules (Disney) and Anastasia (Warner
Bros.), Liz Callaway – The Story Goes On, Alvin Ailey/Revelations, Broadway Cares Home For The Holidays, Dreamgirls in Concert, HAIR (Actor’s Fund Benefit recording), Great Joy: A Gospel Christmas (with The Broadway Inspirational Voices) and Love Rocks. His original song Time has been featured twice on the mega-hit television series “So You Think You Can Dance” as well as the 2011 Miss America Pageant. Porter’s concerts credits include opening act for Rosie O’Donnell and Aretha Franklin, Carnegie Hall, John McDaniel and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, as well as The Buffalo Philharmonic, Peter Nero and The Philly Pops, soloist for President Bill Clinton and various benefits throughout the U.S.
As a director, Porter’s work includes the The Purists, as well as revivals of George C. Wolf’s plays, The Colored Museum and Top Dog/Underdog at the prestigious Huntington Theater. In addition, Porter has also directed a critically acclaimed recreation of The Wiz and conceived a musical
revue entitled Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Music of Stevie Wonder, which starred Chaka Khan and ran at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas in the spring of 2002. Furthermore, Porter conceived and directed Being Alive, which made its world premiere in the summer of 2007 at The Westport Country Playhouse and immediately transferred to The Philadelphia Theatre Company, inaugurating their new Suzanne Roberts Theatre. His additional directing credits include Twilight In Manchego, Once On This Island (NAACP Theatre Award Winner), The Soul of Richard Rodgers, Five Guys Named Moe, Altar Boyz, RENT (Associate Director: Off-Broadway Revival) and Wicked Summer Nights Concert Series. Porter made his London directorial debut in the fall of 2009 with Olivier Award Nominee Patina Miller at Live in the Delfont Room. Primary Stages presented the highly successful World Premiere of While I Yet Live, which he wrote, that played at the off Broadway Duke Theater.
Porter is also a graduate of The Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA and is an adjunct professor at his alma mater Carnegie Mellon University’s School Of Drama, where he has directed productions of Company and Letters From ‘Nam. Additionally, Porter has received an
honorary doctorate from Washington & Jefferson College.
Karen Olivo is a television, film, and stage actor who is currently playing “Satine” in Moulin Rouge, The Musical. Olivo is also recognized for her Tony Award winning performance as “Anita” in the acclaimed 2009 Broadway revival of West Side Story, a role for which she also earned Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Astaire Award nominations.
Some of her Broadway theater credits include originating the role of “Vanessa” in the Tony Award-winning musical, In the Heights (2008 Astaire Award), starring as “Faith” in the Broadway production of Brooklyn The Musical, and in Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning musical, Rent.
Additional theatre credits include Murder Ballad at the Manhattan Theater Club, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage at 2nd Stage, and The Miracle Brothers directed by Tina Landau at the Vineyard Theatre.
Olivo is also recognized for her many television appearances including a series regular, recurring & guest-starring roles on “ Harry’s Law”, “The Good Wife,” “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior,” “Chase,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Conviction,” and “Law & Order.”
Olivo is also an educator teaching at Northwestern University, NYU-Tisch, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as working as a visual artist and writer. And in the Spring of 2020, Olivo co-founded the non-for-profit organization, AFECT- Artists for Economic Transparency, in the efforts to educate the industry and promote discussion regarding entertainment industry structures and how they can be altered to better serve marginalized communities. www.AFECTchange.org
Gavin Creel received a Tony Award for his performance as “Cornelius Hackl” in Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce. Gavin made his Broadway debut originating the role of “Jimmy Smith” in Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which he received his first Tony Award nomination. He has since created such memorable performances on Broadway as “Claude” in Hair, which earned him a second Tony Award nomination, “Jean-Michel” in La Cage Aux Folles, and “Stephen Kodaly" in the Roundabout Theater Company’s production of She Loves Me, which was filmed live and is available on BroadwayHD.
No stranger to London audiences, Gavin most notably originated the role of “Elder Price” in the West End production of The Book of
Mormon, for which he received the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He also starred as “Bert” in Disney’s Mary Poppins and reprised his performance as “Claude” in Hair. Other stage credits include starring opposite Sara Bareilles in the Broadway and West End productions of Waitress, The Book of Mormon (on Broadway and originating the First National Tour), and the world premieres of Stephen Sondheim’s Bounce (at The Goodman Theatre and The Kennedy Center) and Prometheus Bound at A.R.T. On television, Gavin co-starred alongside Julie Andrews in ABC’s Eloise at the Plaza and Eloise at Christmastime. He has released three original albums GoodTimeNation, Quiet (which landed on “Billboard’s Top Heat Seekers”) and Get Out, and his single “Noise” raised money and awareness for marriage equality. Creel was a co-founder of Broadway Impact, the first and only grassroots organization to mobilize the nationwide theater community in support of marriage equality.
A native of Findlay, Ohio, he is a proud graduate of University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance.
Jeanine Tesori has written a diverse catalog for Broadway, opera, film and television. Along with Missy Mazzoli, Ms. Tesori is one of the first female composers commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera. Her musicals include: Fun Home (Tony Award, Pulitzer finalist); Soft Power (Pulitzer finalist); Caroline, or Change (Olivier Award); Violet; Shrek; Thoroughly Modern Millie; Twelfth Night; A Free Man of Color; Mother Courage (starring Meryl Streep). Her Operas include: Blue (Libretto, Tazewell Thompson); A Blizzard on Marblehead Neck (Tony Kushner); The Lion, The Unicorn and Me (J.D. McClatchy); and the upcoming Grounded (George Brant). In addition to her work as a composer, she is the founding artistic director of New York City Center’s Encores! Off-Center Series; the founding creative director of A BroaderWay, an arts empowerment program for young women; and a lecturer at Yale University.
Leslie Odom, Jr. is a multifaceted Tony and Grammy Award-winning performer – spanning Broadway, television, film, and music. Odom Jr. recently released his third full-length album and first of original material, entitled Mr in November, and also starred alongside Cynthia Erivo in the
Harriet Tubman biopic Harriet. Odom Jr. can currently be heard voicing the character of “Owen Tillerman” in Josh Gad’s new animated musical-comedy series Central Park which premiered on Apple TV+ on May 29. He will continue to captivate audiences this year in a filmed performance of the original Broadway production of “Hamilton” set to be released on Disney+ beginning July 3.
His other upcoming projects include the film adaptation of the Olivier Award-nominated play One Night in Miami directed by Regina King, where he portrays and performs the original songs of legendary singer Sam Cooke; the feature film Music written and directed by singer-songwriter Sia; and Needle in A Timestack written and directed by John Ridley. Next Spring, he will star in The Many Saints of Newark, a prequel to David Chase’s Award-winning HBO series The Sopranos. Additional film and television credits include Murder on the Orient Express, Only, Red Tails and Smash.
Odom Jr. is best known for his breakout role as ‘Aaron Burr’ in the smash hit Broadway musical Hamilton, for which he won the Tony Award for “Best Actor in a Musical” and a Grammy Award as a principal soloist on the original cast recording. He made his Broadway debut in RENT at the age of 17. He also starred opposite Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo in a 2014 City Center Encores! revival of Jonathan Larson’s Tick, Tick…Boom!
In December 2017, Odom Jr. returned to the New York City stage in a solo concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The cabaret-style performance was crafted around signature songs and music that shaped this artist’s journey, all performed with a world-class band in front of a live audience. The show was filmed for broadcast as an hour-long PBS special as part of the 17-time Emmy Award-winning series, Live from Lincoln Center, and premiered in April 2018.
A Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Odom Jr.’s self-titled debut album was part-funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign and released in 2014 by Borderlight Entertainment, Inc. In June 2016, the album was re-released with additional material and charted at #1 on the Billboard Jazz chart and #147 on the Billboard 200. In winter 2017, he re-released Simply Christmas as a deluxe edition with new arrangements and new songs. The holiday album hit #1 on iTunes and Billboard Jazz Charts.
In March 2018, Odom Jr. added the title of author to his resume with the release of his book – Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher and Never Stop Learning. Written in the style of a commencement speech, the book brings together what Odom Jr. has learned in life so far, tapping into universal themes of starting something new, following your passions, discovering your own potential, and surrounding yourself with the right people. Failing Up is about unlocking your true potential and making your dreams come true even when it seems impossible. The book was
published by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers.
Telly Leung is a New York City native, Broadway performer, recording artist, producer, & theater arts teacher. His Broadway & national touring credits include Aladdin in Disney's "Aladdin" on Broadway, In Transit, Allegiance , Godspell, Rent, Wicked (Boq, original Chicago company), Pacific Overtures, Flower Drum Song. In 2010, he starred as Angel in RENT at the Hollywood Bowl directed by Neil Patrick Harris. Television audiences will remember him as Wes the Warbler on “Glee", as well as his guest star appearances on "Instinct", “Odd Mom Out,” “Deadbeat” and “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.” Telly is featured as a coach for the Jimmy Awards in the PBS documentary, "Broadway or Bust". He can be heard on many original Broadway cast recordings and has released two solo albums - I’ll Cover You (2012) and Songs for You (2016) - on The Yellow Sound Label. He holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama. His producing credits include the live concert series “Broadway Back Together”, the virtual "EMPATHY" concert series with co-host Elliott Masie, and the musical short film GRIND (starring Anthony Rapp), and upcoming holiday musical, THE NICE LIST. Website: www.tellyleung.com
Shoshana Bean’s three independent solo albums have all topped the iTunes R&B and Blues charts in the US and UK, with her fourth and most recent project, SPECTRUM, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Jazz charts. She has sold out solo concerts around the globe, lent her voice to countless films and television shows, amasses millions of views on YouTube, and performed alongside Ariana Grande, David Foster, Postmodern Jukebox, Brian McKnight, and Michael Jackson. Shoshana is a veteran of the Broadway stage having made her debut in the original cast of Hairspray, starring as the very first replacement for Elphaba in Wicked and most recently as Jenna in Waitress. She won a IRNE Award for her performance as Fanny Brice in Funny Girland earned a Jeff Award nomination for her portrayal of CeeCee Bloom in the pre-Broadway musical production of Beaches.
Lisa Lynne is known for her rich, penetrating alto voice and Spirit-filled worship leading across multiple denominations. Her appearances with Broadway Inspirational Voices, lead by Grammy winner, Tony Award nominee Michael McElroy, and her solo album Hancock Place (Garagista, 2007) afford her continued professional opportunities across the country. Currently a candidate for ordination with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Lisa Lynne holds a M.A. from Alliance Theological Seminary and will graduate from Garrett Theological Seminary in Spring, 2021.
Celia Rose Gooding (she/her. pronounced Sell-yah) is an American actress, singer, and dancer currently performing as Frankie in Jagged Little Pill, a musical inspired by Alanis Morissette’s award-winning album. She created the role in the World Premiere of the show at the American Repertory Theatre directed by Diane Paulus. Past roles include Penelope Pennywise in URINETOWN and Carmen Diaz in FAME at The Rosetta LeNoire Musical Theatre Academy in New York City. Celia has studied Acting and Film at the Berridge Conservatory in Normandy, France with a concentration in Shakespeare, and studied dance at The Alvin Ailey Institute. She is a graduate of Hackley School in Tarrytown, New York with honors in performing arts. She also studied at Pace University in New York City, majoring in Musical Theatre. Along with a 2020 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Celia has been nominated for the 2020 Clive Barnes Award, and is the winner of the 2020 Harlem Stage Emerging Artist Award.
Angela Robinson is currently a series regular on Tyler Perry’s “The Haves and Have Nots” on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network. She has worked on Broadway: The Color Purple with Fantasia, Wonderful Town, Bells Are Ringing, Play On!; Off-Broadway: Radiant Baby, Call The Children Home, City Center’s ENCORES!; National Tours: The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, The Wizard of Oz with Eartha Kitt; Regional Theatre: Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre, Houston’s Alley Theatre, Chicago’s Marriott Lincolnshire, Baltimore’s Centerstage, Pittsburgh’s Public Theatre, among others; Television: “Law & Order: SVU”; and in Indie film: “Another Bed”. For her work, she has been nominated twice for a Black Theatre Alliance Award (The Color Purple, Dreamgirls), for an Audelco Award (Radiant Baby), and won an Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Award for The Color Purple. She was recently awarded a Gracie Award (One to Watch) for her work on the Haves and the Have Nots. As a singer, Angela has toured with the USO three times: Europe, The Middle East, and The Far East; appeared in nightclubs throughout Northern and Central Florida; sung with The Jenny Burton Experience and is currently a member of Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV). A Jacksonville Florida native, Angela is a graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (BA), and The William Esper Studio where she studied with Master Acting Teacher William Esper. She is a proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA.
John Erick Parker: Now in his 22nd year as a member of BIV, John Eric is the Membership Director, Wardrobe Supervisor and serves on The BIV Board of Directors. His performance credits include BROADWAY: The Book of Mormon, Memphis, All Shook Up and Rent. OFF BWAY/NYC: Randy Newman’s Faust, The Wiz, The Body Beautiful and Jerry Springer the Opera. FILM/TV: Frozen, Tales of the City, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj and Person of Interest.
Liz Callaway: Tony nominee and Emmy winner Liz Callaway made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along. She has gone on to star in Baby, Miss Saigon, The Look of Love, The Three Musketeers, and for 5 years appeared as Grizabella in Cats. Off-Broadway appearances include The Spitfire Grill (Drama Desk nomination), Marry Me a Little and Brownstone. She starred in the one-person play “Every Brilliant Thing” at TheatreSquared and the European premiere of “Sondheim on Sondheim” at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Liz sang the Academy Award-nominated song “Journey to the Past” in the animated feature Anastasia.
Other film work includes Jasmine in the two Aladdin sequels, The Swan Princess, and The Rewrite with Hugh Grant. Her extensive concert and symphony career has included appearances in London, Paris, Vietnam, Australia, China and nearly every major city in the U.S. She performs regularly with her sister Ann Hampton Callaway, as well as composer Stephen Schwartz, and has had the pleasure of singing with the Broadway Inspirational Voices, Jimmy Webb, Paul Williams and the legendary Johnny Mathis. Liz has seven solo recordings including her newest album, Comfort and Joy – An Acoustic Christmas.. www.lizcallaway.com @LizGoesOn
Michael James Scott has played the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin internationally including Broadway, London, the North American Tour and originating the role in the Australian Production for which he won the prestigious Helpmann Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
He’s also known for originating the role of the Minstrel on Broadway in Something Rotten and originating Dr. Gotswana (aka The Maggots Guy) in the Tony-winning phenomenon The Book of Mormon. Other Broadway credits include Mamma Mia, Tarzan, All Shook Up, The Pirate Queen, Elf, and Hair. On the West End, he was the associate choreographer and performed in the Broadway revival transfer of Hair. Off-Broadway, co-starring in Here’s to the Public opposite Donna McKechnie, and was also part of the concert cast of Jerry Springer: The Opera at Carnegie Hall. He was the standby for the legendary Ben Vereen in the Int. tour of Fosse, taking over the role in Paris, France at the Théâtre du Châtelet. Outside NYC, original Las Vegas Co. of Jersey Boys and in Shrek the Musical as the Donkey at the famous St. Louis Muny.
Regional credits include Aida, Ragtime, South Pacific, Cinderella and Little Shop of Horrors to name a few. Numerous television and film appearances including The Carrie Diaries (The WB), Independent Woman (Feature Film), The View (ABC), The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (NBC), The Late Show with Conan O’Brien (NBC), Good Morning America (ABC), The Today Show (NBC) The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (CBS), The TONY Awards (CBS) and the new Showtime series Black Monday. He was a member of the critically acclaimed singing group The Broadway Boys and Grammy-nominated Broadway Inspirational Voices and he can be heard on many original Broadway cast albums, multiple studio recordings, and the Broadway Boy's debut Album Lullaby of Broadway. MichaelJamesScott.com (Instagram/Twitter @iamMJScott)
Debbie Allen Debbie Allen, a BFA graduate of Howard University in Theater and Classical Greek Studies is an award-winning director/choreographer who has choreographed the Academy Awards a record ten times. She has directed and choreographed for legendary artists such as Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Gwen Verdon, Lena Horne, and Sammy Davis, Jr. Ms. Allen received the Golden Globe for her role as Lydia Grant in the 1980s hit series Fame, and is a three-time Emmy Award winner in Choreography for the series Fame and The Motown 25th.
Awarded ten Image Awards as director, actress, choreographer and producer for Fame, A Different World, Motown 25th, The Academy Awards, The Debbie Allen Special and Amistad, she has also directed the best that Network TV offers, including Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, Jane The Virgin, Empire and currently serves as directing Executive Producer of Grey’s Anatomy where she also holds a recurring role as Catherine Avery. She is daughter of Vivian Ayers and Dr. Andrew Allen, wife to NBA All-Star Norman Nixon and mother of Vivian and Thump.
Andréa Burns received an Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination for her portrayal of Gloria Fajardo in Broadway’s On Your Feet! She is a winner of a Drama Desk Award for Daniela, the saucy hairdresser in the Tony Award-winning musical In The Heights. She recently garnered rave reviews for her portrayal as Judy Holliday in Smart Blonde.
Ms. Burns began her career touring the opera houses of Europe as Maria in West Side Story when she was 18 years old and next year will debut the role of “Fausta” in Stephen Spielberg’s film adaptation. Broadway credits include: The Rose Tattoo, On Your Feet!, The Nance, In the Heights, The Ritz, The Full Monty, and Beauty and the Beast. Ms. Burns was in the original company of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World and portrayed Lucille Frank in the national tour of Jason Robert Brown's Parade, directed by Harold Prince, for which she received a Touring Broadway Awards nomination for Best Actress. She was also selected by Stephen Sondheim to create the role of Celeste in his musical Saturday Night.
A passionate educator, Ms. Burns has served on the faculty of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, at Stella Adler Studio of Acting and New Studio on Broadway. She is co-creator of Stella Adler Studio’s Musical Theatre Intensive, and is the Associate Artistic Director of the Christchurch International Music Theatre School in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Television: Mad About You (Reboot), Jessica Jones, Kevin Can Wait, Blue Bloods, Law & Order: SVU, Rescue Me, The Electric Company, Wonder Pets. Film: Akron, The Prince, and West Side Story (2020)
Ms. Burns can be heard as the voice of Elaine Stritch in Alexandra Jacob’s new biography, Still Here - The Madcap, Nervy, Singular Life of Elaine Stritch.
Her solo album, A Deeper Shade of Red, is available at www.psclassics.com