This post was originally published on Playbill - News
Written by: Leah Putnam
The concert will feature a sneak peek performance of Broadway’s upcoming revival of The Wiz.
Michael James Scott (Aladdin, Something Rotten!) hosts the return of the annual Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth Concert June 18. The event, set for Times Square beginning at 11 AM, will feature a sneak peek performance from the upcoming Broadway revival of The Wiz.
The third annual outdoor concert, presented via The Broadway League‘s Black to Broadway initiative, is free and open to the public, rain or shine. More than 25 Black artists will perform from a dozen Broadway shows, including A Beautiful Noise, & Juliet, Camelot, Chicago, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, MJ, New York, New York, Parade, Shucked, SIX, Some Like It Hot, and Sweeney Todd, in addition to the upcoming revival of The Wiz. The concert will be filled with songs, dances, and spoken word performances, as well as a special musical number featuring kids from current and recent Broadway productions.
Broadway artists scheduled to perform include 2023 Tony nominees Lorna Courtney, Crystal Lucas-Perry, and NaTasha Yvette Williams plus Miki Abraham, Melody Betts, Donovan Louis Bazemore, Layla Capers, Courtnee Carter, Milanis Clark, Holli’ Conway-Fields, Kyrie Courter, Nadia Daniel, Mariama Diop, Scarlett London Diviney, Austin Elle Fisher, Josiah Gaffney, Bane Griffith, Aaron James Mckenzie, Ethan Joseph, Arian Keddell, Tesia Kwarteng, Devin Miles Lugo, Antoine L. Smith, Kimberly Marable, Isabel Medina, Rashad McPherson, Celina Nightengale, Aaron Nicholas Patterson, Veronica Otim, William Rhem, Walter Russell III, Deandre Sevon, Vanessa Sears, Jurnee Elizabeth Swan, James T. Lane, Jayden Theophile, Farrah Ozuna Wilson, Rachel Webb, Hailee Kaleem Wright, and Richard Riaz Yoder.
The concert is directed by Steve H. Broadnax III and music directed by Rashad McPherson. Brian Moreland and Aaliytha Stevens are serving as executive producers, with Jhanaë Bonnick as stage manager and Foresight Theatrical‘s Devon Miller as general manager.
There will also be appearances from special guest speakers, and Tony-winning director Kenny Leon will be honored with the 2023 Juneteenth Legacy Award. Music will be provided by The Music Performance Trust Fund.
“Congratulations to producer and Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon (Some Like It Hot, Topdog/Underdog) as the recipient of the 2023 Juneteenth Legacy Award. We acknowledge his enormous contributions to Broadway which have resulted in staging powerful works that delve into Black storylines and star Black artists. Through his many endeavors, he has created opportunities for diverse voices to be heard,” said Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin in an earlier statement.
“Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth shines a light on the extraordinary contributions of Black creatives in the theatre community with a day of free performances and presentations showcasing the best of NYC talent,” added Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Anne del Castillo.
This year’s sponsors include United Airlines, M·A·C (Make-up Art Cosmetics), the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, The Music Performance Trust Fund, The Araca Group, Open Jar Studios, and The Times Square Alliance.
Take a look back at last year’s Juneteenth concert.
Leslie Uggams, Ben Vereen, Tony Award Winner 2022 Joaquina Kalukango (Photo Credit: Marc J Franklin)
2022 Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth (Photo Credit: Marc J Franklin)
2022 Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth Alex Newell (Photo Credit: Marc J Franklin)
2022 Juneteenth Legacy Award Honorees Ben Vereen and Leslie Uggams (Photo Credit:Marc J Franklin)
