Black 2: Broadway, the exclusive event celebrating the contributions of
performers of color in the arts, continues its second year honoring
past Tony Award winners of color, with another all-star event on
Sunday, June 11, 2006, 7 p.m. at the world famous Lucille's at B.B. King
Blues Club, 237 W. 42nd Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues). Jennifer Holliday, who received a Tony Award for her iconic performance in Dreamgirls, will serve as co-host.
Serving
its mission "to create a support structure for the ongoing development
and proliferation of talent and new works generated by and produced by
people of color," this Black 2: Broadway event will include a meet and
greet cocktail hour followed by a viewing on the big screen of the Tony
Awards Telecast. During
the commercial breaks, there will be selected performances by artists
that have either been nominated or are winners of The Tony Award. There will also be a 25th anniversary celebration of
Dreamgirls.
In addition to creating the role of Effie Melody White in
Dreamgirls, Holliday has appeared on Broadway in
Chicago, Grease and
Your Arms Are Too Short to Box with God. TV and film appearances include
The Rising Place, "Ally McBeal," and "Touched by an Angel."
In
addition to live performances Black 2: Works a 501c3 non-profit partner
with Black 2: Broadway will be awarding financial grants to Performers
of Color with a proven track record in the arts. The winners of the
$1000.00 grants will, in turn, mentor young performers of color for
one-hour a month, for one year. Black 2: Work will assign the young
person.
"On March 10, 2002 Black 2: Broadway launched as New York
City's premier event showcasing the talents of performers of color,
both known and unknown. In its first year, the Black 2: Broadway stage
saw performances by a host of Broadway actors and national recording
artists including TV and stage singer-actresses
Sheryl Lee Ralph,
Phylicia Rashad, and
Melba Moore; New York Undercover star, Malik Yoba;
R&B/Gospel singers Shirley Murdock, Alyson Williams and Meli'sa
Morgan; Broadway and stage veterans
Savion Glover,
BJ Crosby, Marva
Hicks, Ebony Jo-Ann,
Tina Fabrique, Victor Cook,
Darius de Haas,
Lillias White,
Billy Porter, Shelton Becton, Jenny Burton, Gordon
Chambers, Karl Dixon, Jon Stanley, Ron Grant; recording artists
LaChanze, Napiera Groves, Ty Stephens,
Phoebe Snow, Andre Smith; and
The Broadway Inspirational Voices," state press notes.
"With Black 2: Broadway, B2:
Productions partners Sean Hollingsworth and Kevin-Anthony aim to fill
the void of opportunities for stage and musical performers and unite
those performers with the audiences that enthusiastically want to see
them. Black 2: Broadway is the first in a series of events and serves
as a model for future activities to be held across the country."
B.B.
King Blues Club is located at 237 West 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th
Avenues, near Times Square. On Sunday, June 11th doors will open at
6:30 p.m. with the cocktail hour beginning at 7pm and Showtime at 8
p.m. sharp. Ticket prices are $75.00 in advance and $85.00 at the door
day of event. This includes passed hors d'oeuvres, buffet, dessert
and coffee station. Tickets may be purchased at the B.B. King Blues
Club box office, by phone at 212 307-7171, or online at
www.ticketmaster.com.
For more information on Black 2: Broadway, log on at
www.b2productions.xbuild.com.
