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Inspired by Alicia Keys’ musical “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Stereophonic” earned a Tony nomination

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NEW YORK (AP) – Two Broadway shows celebrating the early days of sound creation – the musical “Hell’s Kitchen” powered by the songs of Alicia Keys and the play “Stereophonic” about a Nineteen Seventies rock band on the cusp of stardom – each won top honors Tuesday with 13 nominations Tony Awards – this list also included a record number of girls nominated for best director.

A complete of 28 shows earned a minimum of a Tony nod, including the musical “The Outsiders,” an adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s beloved novel and Francis Ford Coppola film, which earned 12 nominations; the star-studded revival of “Cabaret” starring Eddie Redmayne, scoring nine; and “Appropriate,” a moving play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins about a family reunion in Arkansas during which everyone has conflicting motivations and grievances, won a total of eight.

The nominations meant breaking Tony’s record for most ladies mentioned in a single season. The 2022 Tony Awards broke the record for most ladies nominated for steering, with a total of 4 in each the musical and theater categories. Only 10 women have won the director’s crown.

This 12 months, three women received nominations for best director – Lila Neugebauer (“Suitable”), Anne Kauffman (“Mary Jane”) and Whitney White (“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”) – and the musical category received 4 nominations – Maria Friedman (” Let’s Roll”), Leigh Silverman (“Suffs”), Jessica Stone (“Water for Elephants”) and Danya Taymor (“The Outsiders”).

“One thing I feel is that it’s starting to seem less extraordinary, which is great news,” Stone said after her nomination. “We are directors, not women directors. I’m noticing this more and more and it’s a great thing to think about. It’s a wonderful place.”

Rachel McAdams, making her Broadway debut in “Mary Jane,” earned a nomination for best actress in a play, while “Succession” star Jeremy Strong received his first-ever nomination for the revival of “An Enemy of the People” and Liev Schreiber of “Ray Donovan” fame won one for his starring role in “Doubt.” Jessica Lange in “Mother Play,” Sarah Paulson in “Appropriate” and Amy Ryan, who joined the last-minute revival of “Doubt,” also earned nominations for best actress in a play.

“The Big Bang Theory” star Jim Parsons earned a nod in a supporting role for “Mother Play,” and Daniel Radcliffe, in his fifth Broadway show, a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along,” earned his first nomination.

Redmayne, in his second Broadway show, was named Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical, together with Brian d’Arcy James for “Days of Wine and Roses,” Brody Grant for “The Outsiders,” Jonathan Groff for “Merrily We Roll Along” and 73-year-old Dorian Harewood in “The Notebook”, an adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ romantic tearjerker. Harewood, in its first Broadway show in 46 years, earned its first Tony nomination.

It was one among three nominations for “The Notebook,” however the musical’s composer, Ingrid Michaelson, didn’t receive a nomination, nor did Barry Manilow for “Harmony.” Former Arcade Fire member Will Butler was expected to get a nod for his rating for “Stereophonic,” and he did.

Redmayne’s “Cabaret” co-star Gayle Rankin earned a nomination for best actress in a musical, as did Eden Espinosa in “Lempicka,” Maleah Joi Moon in “Hell’s Kitchen,” Kelli O’Hara in “Days of Wine and Roses” and 71 -year-old Maryann Plunkett, who plays the older wife within the series “The Notebook”.

Steve Carell didn’t earn a nod in his Broadway debut within the poorly received revival of the classic “Uncle Vanya,” but star producers who did earn Tony nods include Keys, Angelina Jolie (for “The Outsiders”) and Hillary Rodham Clinton ( for “The Outsiders”) “Enough”).

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The best recent musical crown will likely be a battle between “Hell’s Kitchen,” “The Outsiders,” the dance-heavy, dialogue-free stage adaptation of Sufjan Stevens’ 2005 album “Illinois,” “Suffs,” based on early Twentieth-century American suffragists, and “Water for Elephants.” , which mixes Sara Green’s 2006 bestseller with circus elements.

In Best New Play, Tony will pair “Stereophonic” with “Mother Play,” Paula Vogel’s play about a mother and her children from 1964 to the twenty first century; “Mary Jane” – a humanistic portrait of a divorced mother of a boy with health problems, performed by Amy Herzog; “A Prayer for the French Republic” – an in depth family comedy-drama by Joshua Harmon that touches on the topics of Zionism, religious fervor and anti-Semitism; and “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” a comedy by Jocelyn Bioh in regards to the lives of West African women working in a salon.

Actor-turned-producer Lamar Richardson had plenty to smile about Tuesday. He helped produce recent reboots of “The Wiz,” “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Appropriate.”

“I really think this is Broadway at its best,” he said. “There really is something for everyone. It’s the quintessential jukebox musical. There is a niche moving three-player game. I think it’s really a smorgasbord of what Broadway can offer, and showcasing that is obviously still a major player in the arts scene. And it will remain so.”

A spring flood of recent shows – this 12 months 14 shows opening in 11 days – is just not unusual nowadays as producers hope to maintain their work fresh in voters’ minds ahead of the June 16 Tony Awards ceremony.

This season featured several premieres, corresponding to “Here Lies Love,” which featured the primary all-Filipino forged on Broadway and earned 4 nominations, including best original rating for David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim. Seven actors with overt autism starred in “How to Dance in Ohio,” the primary Broadway show that did not win Tony over.

Oscar winner and Tony nominee Ariana DeBose, who hosted the ceremony in 2023 and 2022, will return this 12 months to supply and choreograph the opening theme song.

This 12 months’s location – the David H. Koch Theater – is the house of the New York City Ballet, positioned in the identical sprawling constructing complex because the Lincoln Square Theater that houses the Beaumont Theater on Broadway.

Like last 12 months, the three-hour primetime special will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ from 8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT/5:00-8:00 p.m. PDT with a pre-show on Pluto TV and where the Tony Awards were presented .

This 12 months’s Broadway performance – roughly $1.4 billion in gross revenue and 11.1 million admissions – is barely lower than the 2022-2023 season, representing a revenue decline of roughly 4% and a 1% decline in admissions.


This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit

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Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.

Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”

She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.

Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.

Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez shows off a “winter white” look, weeks after critics slammed her busty latex outfit. (Photos: @laurenwsanchez/Instagram, Theimagedirect.com via Page Six)

On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”

One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.

Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.

When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.

Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”

Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”

Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.

Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.

Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape

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India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.

“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”

Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.

Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.


Singer India Shawn grew up singing in church with her family. “I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” she said.

India Shawn

Name:
India Shawn

Hometown:

Los Angeles

Artistic soundscape

Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric

The oldest musical memory

Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.

Influences

For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.

Creative process

Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”

Challenges and development

As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”

Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.

Current project

There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”

Sheila Matthews is a digital producer at Andscape and a proud HBCU graduate. She believes “Return of the Mack” must have won a Grammy, and her Twitter mentions are open to all debate.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence

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With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.

Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.

From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.

In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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