Penelope Armstead-Williams

BWW Review: Kirsten Childs' THE BUBBLY BLACK GIRL SHEDS HER CHAMELEON SKIN Tackles Racial Identity Issues

Connoisseurs of American musical theatre wishing to make a point about the genre's ability to dramatize even the most unlikely of subjects often cite examples like SWEENEY TODD's vengeful barber on a killing spree or THE PAJAMA GAME's labor/management dispute, but bookwriter/lyricist/composer Kirsten Childs may have topped them all in 2000 when Playwrights Horizons premiered THE BUBBLY BLACK GIRL SHEDS HER CHAMELEON SKIN.

Photo Flash: First Look at Encores! THE BUBBLY BLACK GIRL SHEDS HER CHAMELEON SKIN

Next up at Encores! Off-Center is Kirsten Childs' delightful, provocative, and poignant 2000 musical, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, running July 26-27. Following a young African-American dancer, Viveca, from West Coast suburbia to Broadway, all the while navigating the politics of race and gender in an attempt to uncover her own identity, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin is directed by Robert O'Hara with choreography by Byron Easley and music direction by Annastasia Victory.

VIDEO: Watch Nikki M. James & Company Do the Skate in Highlights from Encores! BUBBLY BLACK GIRL...

Next up at Encores! Off-Center is Kirsten Childs' delightful, provocative, and poignant 2000 musical, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, running July 26-27. Following a young African-American dancer, Viveca, from West Coast suburbia to Broadway, all the while navigating the politics of race and gender in an attempt to uncover her own identity, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin is directed by Robert O'Hara with choreography by Byron Easley and music direction by Annastasia Victory.

Who is the Bubbly Black Girl? Meet Her Starting Tonight at Encores!

Next up at Encores! Off-Center is Kirsten Childs' delightful, provocative, and poignant 2000 musical, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, running July 26-27.

THE BUBBLY BLACK GIRL SHEDS HER CHAMELEON SKIN Begins Tonight at Encores! Off-Center

Following the success of Assassins, Encores! Off-Center Artistic Director Michael Friedman presents the next production of his first season at the helm of the popular summer musical theater series at New York City Center.

TV: Nikki M. James & Company Give Sneak Peek of THE BUBBLY BLACK GIRL at Encores! Off-Center!

Next up at Encores! Off-Center is Kirsten Childs' delightful, provocative, and poignant 2000 musical, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, running July 26-27. Following a young African-American dancer, Viveca, from West Coast suburbia to Broadway, all the while navigating the politics of race and gender in an attempt to uncover her own identity, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin is directed by Robert O'Hara with choreography by Byron Easley and music direction by Annastasia Victory.

Casting Complete for 'BUBBLY BLACK GIRL' and REALLY ROSIE at Encores! Off-Center

Following the success of Assassins, Encores! Off-Center Artistic Director Michael Friedman today announced casting for the next two productions of his first season at the helm of the popular summer musical theater series at New York City Center.

Photo Flash: First Look at CUBA LIBRE World Premiere at Artists Rep

Artists Repertory Theatre extends the world premiere production of the Broadway-scale new musical CUBA LIBRE through November 15. The show is currently in previews for an official Opening Night tomorrow, October 10, at Portland's Winningstad Theatre, in Portland, Oregon. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

CUBA LIBRE World Premiere at Artists Rep Extends to November 15

Artists Repertory Theatre extends the world premiere production of the Broadway-scale new musical Cuba Libre through November 15. Due to robust advance ticket sales, Artists Rep has added a full week of performances, as well as additional shows within the originally announced run, even prior to the show's first preview performance on Saturday, October 3.

Janet Dacal, German Alexander & More to Star in CUBA LIBRE at Artists Rep

Artists Repertory Theatre announces the casting of high-caliber actors, dancers and designers from Portland, Los Angeles and New York for the world premiere production of the Broadway-scale new musical Cuba Libre.

Review Roundup: Encores! Off-Center's THE WILD PARTY

Directed by Leigh Silverman and choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, THE WILD PARTY opened last night, July 15, at New York City Center. FUN HOME Tony winner Jeanine Tesori is the Artistic Director of Encores! Off-Center and Chris Fenwick is Music Director. Let's see what the critics had to say...

Photo Coverage: A Wild, Wild After Party- THE WILD PARTY Celebrates Opening Night!

Led by Tony winner Sutton Foster, Encores! Off-Center's presentation of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party also features Steven Pasquale (who made his New York stage debut and understudied the role of Burrs in the MTC production of The Wild Party), Ryan Andes, Brandon Victor Dixon, Foster's YOUNGER co-star Miriam Shor, Joaquina Kalukango and Talene Monahon, along with Renee Albulario, Penelope Armstead-Williams, James Brown III, Rachel DeBenedet, Raymond J. Lee, Kenita R. Miller, Sydney Morton, Clifton Oliver, Charlie Pollock, Britton Smith, Ryan Steele and Samantha Sturm. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night after party below!

Photo Coverage: Queenie and Company Take Opening Night Bows at Encores! THE WILD PARTY

Led by Tony winner Sutton Foster, Encores! Off-Center's presentation of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party also features Steven Pasquale (who made his New York stage debut and understudied the role of Burrs in the MTC production of The Wild Party), Ryan Andes, Brandon Victor Dixon, Foster's YOUNGER co-star Miriam Shor, Joaquina Kalukango and Talene Monahon, along with Renee Albulario, Penelope Armstead-Williams, James Brown III, Rachel DeBenedet, Raymond J. Lee, Kenita R. Miller, Sydney Morton, Clifton Oliver, Charlie Pollock, Britton Smith, Ryan Steele and Samantha Sturm. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night bows below!

STAGE TUBE: Sutton Foster, Steven Pasquale and More Get Crazy in Highlights from Encores! Off-Center's THE WILD PARTY

Andrew Lippa's tragic Jazz Age love story The Wild Party follows party girl Queenie (two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster) over the course of one decadent, booze-soaked night as she and her lover Burrs (Steven Pasquale) throw the party to end all parties-with a guest list of vaudevillians, hookers, and a handsome stranger (Brandon Victor Dixon) who offers Queenie the hope of a less tawdry life.

Photo Flash: Sutton Foster, Steven Pasquale, Miriam Shor & More Take City Center in Encores! Off-Center's THE WILD PARTY

BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the production below!

Sutton Foster Leads Encores! Off-Center's THE WILD PARTY, Opening Tonight at the City Center

Directed by Leigh Silverman and choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, THE WILD PARTY will run tonight, July 15, through July 18 at New York City Center.

TV: Raise the Rehearsal Room Roof with the Cast of Encores! THE WILD PARTY!

Led by Tony winner Sutton Foster, Encores! Off-Center's upcoming production of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY also features Steven Pasquale (who made his New York stage debut and understudied the role of Burrs in the MTC production of THE WILD PARTY), Brandon Victor Dixon, Foster's YOUNGER co-star Miriam Shor, Joaquina Kalukango and Talene Monahon, along with Renee Albulario, Ryan Andes, Penelope Armstead-Williams,James Brown III, Rachel DeBenedet, Raymond J. Lee, Kenita R. Miller, Sydney Morton, Clifton Oliver, Charlie Pollock,Britton Smith, Ryan Steele and Samantha Sturm. BroadwayWorld takes you inside the rehearsal room with the cast below!

Photo Flash: Sutton Foster, Steven Pasquale, Miriam Shor & More in Rehearsal for Encores! Off-Center's THE WILD PARTY

Led by Tony winner Sutton Foster, Encores! Off-Center's upcoming production of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY also features Steven Pasquale (who made his New York stage debut and understudied the role of Burrs in the MTC production of THE WILD PARTY), Brandon Victor Dixon, Foster's YOUNGER co-star Miriam Shor, Joaquina Kalukango and Talene Monahon, along with Renee Albulario, Ryan Andes, Penelope Armstead-Williams,James Brown III, Rachel DeBenedet, Raymond J. Lee, Kenita R. Miller, Sydney Morton, Clifton Oliver, Charlie Pollock,Britton Smith, Ryan Steele and Samantha Sturm.

John Ellison Conlee Departs Encores! Off-Center's THE WILD PARTY; Ryan Andes Steps In

BroadwayWorld has learned John Ellison Conlee, Tony nominee for THE FULL MONTY, has had to depart Encores! Off-Center's upcoming production of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY due to a scheduling conflict. Ryan Andes, who last starred on TV in PETER PAN LIVE! and in Broadway's BIG FISH, steps in.

Breaking News: Steven Pasquale, Brandon Victor Dixon, Miriam Shor & More Will Join Sutton Foster in Encores! Off-Center's THE WILD PARTY

Brandon Victor Dixon and Steven Pasquale will join the previously announced Sutton Foster in Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, running July 15 - 18, 2015 at New York City Center. (NOTE: Brandon Victor Dixon will replace the previously announced Joshua Henry, who has had a scheduling conflict.) The production will be directed by Leigh Silverman, with choreography by Sonya Tayeh. Jeanine Tesori is the Artistic Director of Encores! Off-Center and Chris Fenwick is Music Director.