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Brenda Braxton

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BIO

Brenda starred as Velma Kelly opposite Usher in Broadway's hit musical Chicago. Prior to that, she was featured on Broadway in the musical revue Smokey Joe's Cafe, that earned her a 1995 Tony Award nomination, the NAACP Theater Award, the city of Chicago's Jefferson Award and a Grammy Award for Best Cast Album. Other Broadway credits include Jelly's Last Jam, Cats, Legs Diamond and the original production of Dreamgirls. She received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 'Living the Dream' Award given by New York Gov. George Pataki and the Josephine Baker Award from the National Council of Negro Women for her work as founder of Leading Ladies Just for Teens, seminars geared to empowering teenage girls.In November 2006, she launched BBRAXTON; Exceptional Grooming for Exceptional Men, an upscale men's grooming salon in Harlem. The first salon of its kind, BBRAXTON offers men's grooming services for the discriminating customer.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Caesar and Cleopatra Caesar and Cleopatra
[Off-Broadway]
Gingold Theatre Group Off-Broadway Production, 2019
Ftatateeta
Grumpy Old Men Grumpy Old Men
[Regional (US)]
US Premiere, 2018
Sandra Snyder
Cougar the Musical Cougar the Musical
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2012
Clarity [Replacement]
Clarity [Replacement]
Love, Loss, and What I Wore Love, Loss, and What I Wore
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2009
Performer [Replacement]
House of Flowers
[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2003
Gladiola
Little Ham
[Off-Broadway]
2002
Performer
Chicago Chicago
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1996
Velma Kelly [Replacement]
Velma Kelly [Replacement]
Velma Kelly [Replacement]
Velma Kelly [Replacement]
Velma Kelly [Replacement]
Velma Kelly [Replacement]
Smokey Joe's Cafe
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1995
Performer
Jelly's Last Jam
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1992
Ensemble/Other Roles
Too-Tight Nora
One of "The Crowd"
Legs Diamond
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1988
Madge
Dreamgirls
[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 1987
Performer (Swing)
One of "The Sweethearts" (Understudy)
Lorrell Robinson (Understudy)
Joanne (Understudy)
Edna Burke (Understudy)
Charlene (Understudy)
Cats
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1982
Demeter [Replacement]
Dreamgirls
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
One of "Les Style" [Replacement]
Charlene [Replacement]
Performer (Swing)
Reggae
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1980
Alternate
But Never Jam Today
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1979
Mushroom
Mushrooms

Productions

Dreamgirls
 
[US Tour, 2004]
Choreographer
Dreamgirls
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Choreographer
Director
Dreamgirls
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Dance Captain
Dreamgirls
 
[Broadway, 1981]
Dance Captain
Lena Horne: "The Lady and Her Music"
 
[Broadway, 1981]
Production Assistant

Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Alan Alda, Glengarry Glen Ross

Helen Hayes Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production

Brenda BraxtonChicago

Tony Awards - 1995 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Brenda Braxton , Smokey Joe's Cafe

Videos

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News


THE WAITING ROOM Comes to Hamilton Stage Photo
THE WAITING ROOM Comes to Hamilton Stage
by Stephi Wild - Jan 23, 2025

 American Theater Group will present the premiere reading of Paul Marsh’s new comedy The Waiting Room as part of its free Monday Night Play Reading Series in February.
Video: Broadway Unites for Concert for America Photo
Video: Broadway Unites for Concert for America
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 20, 2025

Tune in for the Inauguration Day Concert for America event, which will raise funds for the California Community Foundation, an organization supporting wildfire recovery efforts to aid those most in need. Performers will include Cheyenne Jackson, Kelli O'Hara, Brian Stoke Mitchell, and more. Watch the full video here.
CONCERT FOR AMERICA Expands to Los Angeles; Rachel Bay Jones, Cheyenne Jackson, & Mor Photo
CONCERT FOR AMERICA Expands to Los Angeles; Rachel Bay Jones, Cheyenne Jackson, & More Join
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 15, 2025

The Inauguration Day Concert for America event will now raise funds for the California Community Foundation, an organization supporting wildfire recovery efforts to aid those most in need. Newly joined talent appearances include Wayne Brady, Rachel Bay Jones, Cheyenne Jackson, Ingrid Michaelson, Richard Kind, and more.
Jessica Vosk, Kelli O'Hara, Brian Stokes Mitchell & More to Join CONCERT FOR AMERICA Photo
Jessica Vosk, Kelli O'Hara, Brian Stokes Mitchell & More to Join CONCERT FOR AMERICA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 6, 2025

Producers Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson's next Concert for America fundraising event will take place in January, featuring Jessica Vosk, Kelli O'Hara, Brian Stokes Mitchell and more. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Honors Tom Viertel at 23rd Monte Cristo Award G Photo
Photos: Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Honors Tom Viertel at 23rd Monte Cristo Award Gala
by Stephi Wild - Nov 19, 2024

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center presented the 23rd Monte Cristo Award to Chair Emeritus Tom Viertel, last night at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. Check out photos here!
New VILLAIN: DEBLANKS Benefit To Feature Judy Gold, Jackie Hoffman, Brenda Braxton, a Photo
New VILLAIN: DEBLANKS Benefit To Feature Judy Gold, Jackie Hoffman, Brenda Braxton, and More
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 6, 2024

A one-night-only benefit performance, on Monday, November 25, Villain: DeBlanks BOOK CLUB! brings together an unmissable lineup.
Josh Groban, Brian Stokes Mitchell  and More Join STARS IN THE HOUSE: VOTE-A-THO Photo
Josh Groban, Brian Stokes Mitchell  and More Join STARS IN THE HOUSE: VOTE-A-THON
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 4, 2024

Stars in the House has announced Josh Groban, Neil Patrick Harris, Brian Stokes Mitchell and more for the second annual Election Day Vote-A-Thon.
Photos: On the Red Carpet at THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE Opening Night Photo
Photos: On the Red Carpet at THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE Opening Night
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Nov 4, 2024

Gingold Theatrical Group is now presenting The Devil's Disciple by George Bernard Shaw. Directed by David Staller, The Devil's Disciple will play in Theatre Two at Theatre Row through November 23, 2024. Check out photos of the cast arriving at opening night here!
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Martin Short, Shoshana Bean, and More Join STARS IN THE HOUSE Vot Photo
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Martin Short, Shoshana Bean, and More Join STARS IN THE HOUSE Vote-A-Thon
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 2, 2024

“Stars in the House” will return for its second Election Day Vote-A-Thon with a star-studded lineup joining hosts Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson to talk about their voting experiences and deliver LIVE musical performances.
Photos: Gingold Theatrical Group Gala Honors Lynn Ahrens and Steven Flaherty Photo
Photos: Gingold Theatrical Group Gala Honors Lynn Ahrens and Steven Flaherty
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Sep 25, 2024

Gingold Theatrical Group recently held its 2024 Golden Shamrock Gala. The evening honored Broadway composing team Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty with the Golden Shamrock Award for their tireless work as supporters of human rights and their artistic excellence in musical theater writing. Check out photos from inside the event here!
Review: AN EVENING WITH BROADWAY LEGEND LACHANZE Pure Magic at 54 Below Photo
Review: AN EVENING WITH BROADWAY LEGEND LACHANZE Pure Magic at 54 Below
by Stephen Mosher - Sep 25, 2024

In a benefit concert for the non-profit 54B, LaChanze demonstrates the value of cabaret.
Photos: Stars Turn Out for Gingold Group's 2024 Golden Shamrock Gala Photo
Photos: Stars Turn Out for Gingold Group's 2024 Golden Shamrock Gala
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Sep 25, 2024

See photos from inside the Gingold Theatrical Group 2024 Golden Shamrock Gala. The evening honored Broadway composing team Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty with the Golden Shamrock Award for their tireless work as supporters of human rights and their artistic excellence in musical theater writing.
Amber Iman, Jennifer Damiano, Brenda Braxton, And More Join New Musical BEAPART Readi Photo
Amber Iman, Jennifer Damiano, Brenda Braxton, And More Join New Musical BEAPART Reading
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 17, 2024

Tony-nominees Amber Iman (Lempicka), Jennifer Damiano (Next to Normal), and Brenda Braxton (Smokey Joe's Cafe), alongside Marcus Paul James (Ain't Too Proud), Marcus M. Martin (Aladdin), Jaime Cepero (SMASH) and The Voice finalist Brooke Simpson (1776), are set to lead the cast of BeAPart, a new musical about chosen family, gentrification, returning home, and the sweet, smoky love of barbecue.
Brenda Braxton & Santino Fontana to Perform at Gingold Theatrical Group Gala Photo
Brenda Braxton & Santino Fontana to Perform at Gingold Theatrical Group Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 12, 2024

Gingold Theatrical Group has revealed performers for the 2024 Golden Shamrock Gala. See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets.
70+ Broadway Stars Unite in Support of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz Photo
70+ Broadway Stars Unite in Support of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 20, 2024

New York’s theater community is organizing to support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 presidential election. Broadway for Harris is a volunteer coalition of industry professionals and theater enthusiasts united to elect Kamala Harris, Tim Walz and down ballot Democratic candidates this November.
The CAMPAIGN FOR KAMALA FUNDRAISING SHOW Comes to Don't Tell Mama in September Photo
The CAMPAIGN FOR KAMALA FUNDRAISING SHOW Comes to Don't Tell Mama in September
by Stephi Wild - Aug 13, 2024

The CAMPAIGN FOR KAMALA FUNDRAISING SHOW will be on Saturday, September 28, 4 PM at Don’t Tell Mama (343 W 46th St, NYC).
Joe Iconis & Family, Adam Pascal & Anthony Rapp, and More to Play 54 Below Photo
Joe Iconis & Family, Adam Pascal & Anthony Rapp, and More to Play 54 Below
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 28, 2024

Next month, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. Check out the full lineup here!
GRUMPY OLD MEN World Premiere Recording Out Now Photo
GRUMPY OLD MEN World Premiere Recording Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 23, 2024

Center Stage Records has released the world premiere recording of GRUMPY OLD MEN, the new musical by Dan Remmes, Neil Berg and Nick Meglin. Listen now!
Photos: Inside Amas Musical Theatre's 55th Annual Benefit Gala Concert Photo
Photos: Inside Amas Musical Theatre's 55th Annual Benefit Gala Concert
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - May 15, 2024

Check out photos from Amas Musical Theatre's gala! See who was in attendance and learn more about the honorees.
See 54 SINGS JONI MITCHELL, Linda Eder & More Next Week at 54 Below Photo
See 54 SINGS JONI MITCHELL, Linda Eder & More Next Week at 54 Below
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 10, 2024

See who is performing at 54 Below next week! Learn more about the performances and see how to purchase tickets.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Brenda Braxton been in?

Brenda Braxton has appeared on Broadway in 9 shows.

How many West End shows has Brenda Braxton been in?

Brenda Braxton has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Brenda Braxton been nominated for?

Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Glengarry Glen Ross , Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Chicago and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Smokey Joe's Cafe.

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