Yesterday, February 25, author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide..., War Horse), was joined by Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), and acclaimed director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Blues in the Night), for a conversation with Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect..., Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) at Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street, to discuss the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way. Scroll down for photos from the event!
This special Black History Month event celebrates the release of Lane's new book Black Broadway: African Americans on The Great White Way. Following the discussion, Lane, Uggams and Epps greeted fans and signed copies of the new book.
Just in time for Black History month, Square One Publishers has releaseed Black Broadway: African Americans on The Great White Way by six-time Tony Award winning producer and author Stewart F. Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide..., War Horse). Uniquely illustrated with over 300 dynamic photographs (many of which have never been published to date), Black Broadway chronicles the journey of black theatre in America, alongside a running timeline of African-American history. Celebrating the performers, playwrights, songwriters, directors, choreographers and designers who changed theatre throughout America and the world, Lane offers a detailed account from Minstrel Shows to Vaudeville, from the Jazz Age to the Golden Age of the American Musical, through the dramas inspired by the Civil Rights Movement to the present day Broadway. The book features a foreword from Tony-award winning Broadway director Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun, Fences, Stick Fly), who calls Black Broadway "a unique tribute to the many African-American actors, directors, playwrights, and others who have contributed to the fabric of American theater."
Described by Booklist as a "wonderfully illustrated and researched book," Black Broadway provides an insider's look at Broadway by focusing the spotlight on landmark shows including A Raisin in the Sun, Porgy and Bess, Dreamgirls, Fences, The Wiz, Purlie Victorious, Ain't Misbehavin', Bring in 'Da Noise Bring in 'Da Funk, and The Scottsboro Boys; great theatre writers including August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, Eubie Blake and Ossie Davis; legendary performers such as Paul Robeson, Ethel Waters, Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson, Pearl Bailey, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Bert Williams, Sammy Davis Jr., and Cab Calloway; to Tony-winning stars who continue to light up the boards including Audra McDonald, Denzel Washington, James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson, Savion Glover, Ben Vereen, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Leslie Uggams, Tonya Pinkins, Whoopi Goldberg, Jennifer Holliday and more.
Photo Credit: Lisa Pacino / Under The Duvet Productions
The new book Black Broadway: African Americans on The Great White Way by Stewart F. Lane.
Stewart F. Lane, Leslie Uggams and Sheldon Epps with Lane's new book, Black Broadway, at Barnes & Noble.
Six-time Tony Award winning producer and author Stewart F. Lane signs copies of his new book Black Broadway
Sheldon Epps and Stewart F. Lane
Event moderator Tom Santopietro and Stewart F. Lane
Stewart Lane with his wife, producer Bonnie Comley
Barnes & Noble’s Steven Sorrentino introduces Tom Santopietro, Stewart F. Lane, Leslie Uggams and Sheldon Epps at a special Black History Month event celebrating the release of Lane's new book Black Broadway.
Leslie Uggams signs a copy of the new book Black Broadway at Barnes & Noble.
Sheldon Epps signs a copy of the new book Black Broadway at Barnes & Noble.
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