All stories by Karu F. Daniels on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ to become a Broadway musical by Karu F. Daniels

Prince's hit 1984 movie, “Purple Rain,” the tale of a musician dealing with difficulties at home, musical rivalry and a burgeoning romance, is headed for Broadway.

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 01:01PM
Thursday, June 25, 2020

Hugh Jackman’s COVID-delayed Broadway return in ‘The Music Man’ now slated for April 2021 start by Karu F. Daniels

“We’re obviously profoundly disappointed to be unable to start rehearsals for ‘The Music Man’ as scheduled,” producer Scott Rudin said. “But safety is safety, and it has to tak…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 05:45PM
Monday, December 19, 2016

A Word With: Sheryl Lee Ralph and Ben Harney on the Long Reach of ‘Dreamgirls’ by Karu F. Daniels

For the 35th anniversary of the hit musical’s Broadway opening, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Ben Harney look back on a “dream come true” and its aftermath.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:48PM
Sunday, May 1, 2016

The Inspiration Behind Bringing Unheard African Voices to the Stage in Eclipsed by Karu F. Daniels

Danai Gurira, Liesl Tommy and Lupita Nyong’o tap into their African roots to bring Eclipsed to Broadway. They talk the show’s origin.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:13PM
Tuesday, November 3, 2015

“Really? Me, as Shug?”  Why Jennifer Hudson Is Stepping Into a Role (and a Broadway Debut) She Never by Karu F. Daniels

Jennifer Hudson's Broadway debut has been eagerly awaited since the vocal powerhouse rocketed to stardom on "American Idol," followed by her Oscar-winning performance in th…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, February 7, 2015

Norm Lewis Ends History-Making Engagement in Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera by Adam Hetrick and Karu F. Daniels

Norm Lewis, the first African-American actor to star in the title role of the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera, ends his extended run in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Fe…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, February 5, 2015

Billy Porter, star of ‘Kinky Boots,’ settles into Harlem by Karu F. Daniels

Broadway star Billy Porter has lived in a lot of areas of The Big Apple in the past 20 years but has finally marked his territory in Harlem.

SOURCE: New York Daily News at 10:00AM
Sunday, November 9, 2014

A New “Tomorrow”: Classic Musical Annie Goes Modern for Hollywood by Karu F. Daniels

Producer/director and co-writer Will Gluck offers insights into the new film adaptation "Annie," with a glitzy cast including Quvenzhane Wallis, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz and Bo…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, November 2, 2014

Here Lies Love Star Conrad Ricamora on Pushing TV’s Boundaries and Getting Away With “Murder” by Karu F. Daniels

With a steamy story arc on ABC's hot new drama "How To Get Away With Murder," the "Here Lies Love" star does double duty. Playbill.com catches up to the rising star.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, October 28, 2014

“Weird Awesome Monster” of a Musical The Fortress of Solitude Brings Brooklyn to the Public by Karu F. Daniels

Itamar Moses, Kyle Beltran and Adam Chanler-Berat discuss the journey of bringing the new musical adaptation of Jonathan Lethem's lengthy novel The Fortress of Solitude to the Public…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, October 20, 2014

How August Wilson Made Kinky Boots Star Billy Porter a Playwright by Karu F. Daniels

With his debut as a playwright, the Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning star of Kinky Boots presents a new look at black life in Pittsburgh in the Primary Stages production of While I Ye…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, September 7, 2014

Splicing the DNA of Richard Pryor, Jackie Mason and RuPaul to Create Bootcandy by Karu F. Daniels

Robert O'Hara, author of boundary-breaking Insurrection, explores a new treat with Bootycandy.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Splicing the DNA of Richard Pryor, Jackie Mason and RuPaul to Create Bootycandy by Karu F. Daniels

Robert O'Hara, author of boundary-breaking Insurrection, explores a new treat with Bootycandy.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, September 6, 2014

Sleeping On the Street and Singing For a Cause, Broadway Stars Shine at Philanthropy by Karu F. Daniels

Adriane Lenox and Billy Porter open up to Playbill.com about the philanthropic efforts they engage in when they are offstage.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, August 23, 2014

A Whole New "Ball" Game: Keke Palmer and Sherri Shepherd Make Historic Broadway Debuts in Cinderella by Karu F. Daniels

Playbill.com catches up with Keke Palmer and Sherri Shepherd, who are about to make their Broadway debuts in Rodgers and Hammerstein's fairy-tale musical Cinderella.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, August 14, 2014

A Few Good Men: Musicians Play the Blues With Audra McDonald in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Gr by Karu F. Daniels

Meet the men behind the music at Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill: Shelton Becton, Clayton Craddock and George Farmer.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM

A Few Good Men: Musicians Play the Blues With Audra McDonald in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill by Karu F. Daniels

Meet the men behind the music at Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill: Shelton Becton, Clayton Craddock and George Farmer.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, August 1, 2014

A Bold Soul Sister: Piece of My Heart Star de'Adre Aziza Comes Full Circle with "Special" Janis Joplin Connection by Karu F. Daniels

Earlier this year, de'Adre Aziza caused social media shock waves after lambasting A Night With Janis Joplin producers for their botched attempt to revive the show Off-Broadway. In an iro…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, July 12, 2014

Let Her Entertain You: Leslie Uggams on Surviving Childhood Stardom and Playing Legendary Role of Mama Rose by Karu F. Daniels

Tony and Emmy Award winner Leslie Uggams continues her streak of classic leading lady roles by taking on Mama Rose in a groundbreaking multiracial production of Gypsy at Connecticut Repertor…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Broadway Audiences Hear Chris Jackson's Holler: Leading Man Plays Three Starring Roles in One Season by Karu F. Daniels

Christopher Jackson, who has starred in three Broadway shows in less than six months, talks with Playbill.com about hitting his stride with no signs of slowing down.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:00PM
Thursday, June 26, 2014

"Keep Ya Head Up": Tonya Pinkins, Saycon Sengbloh and Joaquina Kalukango on the Feminist Message of Holler If Ya Hear Me by Karu F. Daniels

The women of Holler If Ya Hear Me weigh in on Tupac Shakur's conflicted legacy of empowering women through hip hop. Was he the "feminist," "prophet," and "Shakes…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:00PM
Tuesday, June 24, 2014

An Out Life Evolved: Irene Gandy and Mira Gandy On Being Proud, African-American Gay Mothers by Karu F. Daniels

As part of Playbill.com's 30 Days of Pride, Broadway publicist Irene Gandy opens up about her personal life, raising a daughter as a single mother, coming to terms with her own sexuality…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, June 21, 2014

Is Broadway Ready for Hip Hop? Tupac Shakur Musical Aims to Be a Game-Changer by Karu F. Daniels

Saul Williams, Todd Kreidler, Chuck Creekmur and Daryl Waters discuss the Broadway premiere of Holler If Ya Hear Me and if Broadway is ready for a hip hop musical. 

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, June 20, 2014

From an Historic Photo to an Historic Night: How Norm Lewis Was Inspired to Present Black Stars Of The Great White Way by Karu F. Daniels

Producers #Norm Lewis and Chapman Roberts chat with Playbill.com about the June 23 Carnegie Hall concert featuring and celebrating Broadway's black leading men.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, May 22, 2014

Tony Nominee Sophie Okonedo on her "Euphoric, Incredible" Broadway Debut by Karu F. Daniels

Playing wife to Denzel Washington's Walter Lee Younger in A Raisin in the Sun, U.K. actress Sophie Okonedo makes a notable Broadway debut in the acclaimed Lorraine Hansberry family …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, May 12, 2014

Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess Join Broadway Cast of The Phantom of the Opera May 12 by Adam Hetrick and Karu F. Daniels

Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess take over the roles of The Phantom and Christine Daaé, respectively, in the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-runn…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, May 1, 2014

From Ragtime to Rocky, Terence Archie Packs a Mean Punch With Scene-Stealing Role in Broadway's Most Macho Musical by Karu F. Daniels

Terence Archie, who plays Apollo Creed in the Broadway musical Rocky, talks with Playbill.com about bringing the musical from Germany to the Great White Way.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:30PM
Monday, April 21, 2014

Living La Vida LaChanze: Tony and Emmy Winner Talks Broadway Return in If/Then by Karu F. Daniels

Award-winning actress LaChanze talks with Playbill.com about returning to the Broadway stage for the first time in almost ten years in the new musical If/Then.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Back On The Block: Clifton Davis Returns To His Broadway Roots With Majestical Role In Disney's Aladdin by Karu F. Daniels

Clifton Davis discusses his return to Broadway in the new Disney musical Aladdin.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, April 3, 2014

Tony Nominee Colman Domingo Returns to the Stage in Celebration of Writer James Baldwin by Karu F. Daniels

Tony Award nominee Colman Domingo will join Bill T. Jones, Suzan-Lori Parks, Stew and more for the Live Arts Festival April 23-27.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:15PM
Monday, March 24, 2014

Satchmo at the Waldorf Star John Douglas Thompson Takes On The Life and Times of Jazz Legend Louis Armstrong by Karu F. Daniels

With Terry Teachout's Satchmo at the Waldorf, acclaimed thespian John Douglas Thompson takes on a different kind of Shakespearean story.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:02AM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic
TBA: Ragtime