Welcome Back, Fantasia! Star Returns to Broadway's AFTER MIDNIGHT Tonight

Fantasia, After Midnight's original Grammy Award-winning "Special Guest Star," will reprise her critically acclaimed performance in the smash hit Broadway musical, tonight, May 13 through Sunday, June 8, 2014. After Midnight will donate $5 from each ticket sold for tonight's performance to the Harlem School of the Arts, now celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle and featuring the big-band sounds of nine-time Grammy Award-winner Wynton Marsalis' Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Stars, After Midnight performs at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street).

"Life on tour is really great, but I miss my Broadway family at After Midnight," said Fantasia. I am very excited to have the opportunity to rejoin this incredible company while also supporting the Harlem School of the Arts, whose mission is close to my heart."

In 1964, internationally acclaimed concert soprano Dorothy Maynor, brought a gift to Harlem - her fervent belief that world class training in the arts stimulates the child, strengthens the family and gives pride of ownership to a community. For a half-century, the Harlem School of the Arts has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of young people. HSA stands apart among the premier arts institutions in New York City, as the sole provider of quality arts education in 4 disciplines - music, dance, theater and visual arts - in an award-winning 37,000 square foot facility nestled at the base of Harlem's historic Hamilton Heights.

In its heyday, the Cotton Club featured a cavalcade of guest stars each week, known then as "Celebrity Nights." After Midnight reintroduces this exciting tradition by presenting stars of today in limited engagement appearances throughout the musical's run. Grammy Award-winning recording artist Fantasia began the tradition (10/18/13 - 2/9/14), followed by four-time Grammy Award-winning icon k.d. lang (2/11/14 - 3/9/14). Grammy Award-winners Toni Braxton & Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds played a two-week engagement through March 30, 2014, followed by multi-platinum recording artist and actress Vanessa Williams (4/1/14 - 5/11/14), and Fantasia's four-week return engagement.

Conceived by Jack Viertel, After Midnight features direction and choreography by Warren Carlyle, musical direction by Wynton Marsalis and musical supervision by Daryl Waters.

The design team for After Midnight includes prolific design couple Isabel Toledo (costumes) and Ruben Toledo, Tony Award-winners John Lee Beatty (set design) and Howell Binkley (lighting design) and Peter Hylenski (sound).

After Midnight is produced by Scott Sanders Productions, and Wynton Marsalis, in association with Marks-Moore-Turnbull Group; Stephen and Ruth Hendel; Tom Kirdahy.

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy