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Global Roundup 3/22 - THE COLOR PURPLE Casting Controversy, Paper Mill's 2019/2020 Season, and More!

By: Mar. 22, 2019
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BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature The Color Purple Casting Controversy, Paper Mill's 2019/2020 Season, and More!

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Check out our top news and features from around the BroadwayWorld below! Want more great global content? Check out our "Around The World" section!

Top Stories

Global Roundup 3/22 - THE COLOR PURPLE Casting Controversy, Paper Mill's 2019/2020 Season, and More! ImageSeyi Omooba Dropped from THE COLOR PURPLE Following Homophobic Social Media Posts - Last Friday, on Twitter, Hamilton actor Aaron Lee Lambert shared a screenshot of a Facebook post by Oluwaseyi (Seyi) Omooba - who had just been announced as playing Celie in Leicester Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome's revival of musical The Color Purple.

Global Roundup 3/22 - THE COLOR PURPLE Casting Controversy, Paper Mill's 2019/2020 Season, and More! ImageUNMASKED, CHASING RAINBOWS, THE WANDERER and More Announced for Paper Mill's 2019/2020 Season - Paper Mill Playhouse announces the lineup for its 2019-2020 season with three premieres and a total of five musicals. Season subscriptions are on sale now and are available by calling 973.379.3717 or by visiting the theater's website at www.PaperMill.org.

Global Roundup 3/22 - THE COLOR PURPLE Casting Controversy, Paper Mill's 2019/2020 Season, and More! ImageTHE WANDERER Eyes Broadway Run Following Paper Mill Debut - The Wanderer, a new musical based on the life of Rock n' Roll Hall-of-Famer Dion DiMucci, the multi-platinum selling American music pioneer, will open at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse in the Spring of 2020 prior to a Broadway run. The Wanderer is written by Charles Messina (A Room of My Own) and directed by Kenneth Ferrone (Cruel Intentions National Tour, "Rent on Fox"). Casting, additional creative team and a Broadway timeline will be announced at a later date.

Global Roundup 3/22 - THE COLOR PURPLE Casting Controversy, Paper Mill's 2019/2020 Season, and More! ImageBroadway Musical JEKYLL & HYDE to Receive Film Adaptation - It's just been announced that two-time Academy Award® winner Leslie Bricusse and Emmy, Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn's Broadway musical Jekyll and Hyde is being reimagined for the big screen by Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), The Revenant). Dinelaris has penned the script and will produce under his New York based development company, Lexicon. Jekyll & Hyde marks the first production under the Lexicon banner, which was created alongside partner Rob Quadrino as a home for exceptional writers, which supports, mentors and protects their stories, from conception through production in film, TV or stage.

Global Roundup 3/22 - THE COLOR PURPLE Casting Controversy, Paper Mill's 2019/2020 Season, and More! ImageBrian d'Arcy James and Corey Stoll Join Cast of WEST SIDE STORY Film - Brian d'Arcy James and Corey Stoll have been cast in Fox's Steven Spielberg West Side Story film, according to Deadline. Brian d'Arcy James is set to play the iconic role of Sergeant Krupke, the vet cop whose beat included the territories of two warring street gangs, the Sharks and the Jets. Corey Stoll will play Lieutenant Schrank, the New York City detective charged with quelling civic unrest in his racially-torn precinct.

Top Reviews

Global Roundup 3/22 - THE COLOR PURPLE Casting Controversy, Paper Mill's 2019/2020 Season, and More! ImageFort Lauderdale: Contributor Cristina Pla-Guzman reviews MEMPHIS at Actors' Playhouse at The Miracle Theatre writing "Well, Hockadoo! Memphis at the Actors' Playhouse was FANTASTICAL! Memphis was so fantastical that you can 'stick it in your gas tank and it will make your car run...you can rub it all over your head and watch your hair grow back... it's so good your nagging wife will shut up; your kids will stop screaming...' You catch my drift? It's one hell of a production. I remember watching Once the musical at Actors' Playhouse last year thinking that it was magic and I had those same feelings watching Memphis last night. The moment the curtains rose the tangible energy rippling off the stage was exciting."

Global Roundup 3/22 - THE COLOR PURPLE Casting Controversy, Paper Mill's 2019/2020 Season, and More! ImageMinneapolis / St. Paul: Contributor Peggy Sue Dunigan reviews MN Opera's Memorable THE FIX writing "This past weekend at the Ordway Center, MN Opera unveiled their World Premiere The Fix in tribute to the All-American sport and spirt of baseball. The story created through the company's New Works Initiative by Eric Simonson, who wrote the libretto and also directed the production, was accompanied by composer Joel Puckett. With glowing nostalgia, the 1919 White Sox under Charles Comiskey's ownership and headed by baseball great Shoeless Joe Jackson, sought to 'fix' the 1919 World Series, which disappointed baseball fans across America."

Global Roundup 3/22 - THE COLOR PURPLE Casting Controversy, Paper Mill's 2019/2020 Season, and More! ImageCentral New York: Contributor Natasha Ashley reviews Syracuse City Ballet's Production of PETER PAN at the Crouse Hinds Theater, writing "A powerful and passionate production of Peter Pan dazzled audiences this past weekend at The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater in Syracuse, New York. The Syracuse City Ballet out did their past productions with this high-flying adventurous ballet. The staging, the flying effects, and of course the dancing were all magnificent under the Syracuse City Ballet's Artistic Director Kathleen Rathbun (direction and choreography)."

Global Roundup 3/22 - THE COLOR PURPLE Casting Controversy, Paper Mill's 2019/2020 Season, and More! ImageOttawa: Contributor Courtney Castelino reviews THE KING AND I at Ottawa's National Arts Centre, writing "Broadway Across Canada's performance of the Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved classic, The King and I, is everything you expect it to be: luxurious, with sparkling costumes and convincing set design, as well as talented vocals and choreography. The story is set in the mid-1800s, with the arrival of a British widow, Anna Leonowens, and her son, Louis, in Bangkok. The former has come to act as a schoolteacher to the King of Siam's children and wives. Anna also teaches the King some new words and phrases, notably the word 'etcetera', which he subsequently peppers across his speeches with gusto. The King's wives and children are bemused by Anna's clothes and mannerisms that are so different from their own, but they quickly learn to love Anna, and she loves them in return. When the King is accused of being a barbarian by foreigners, despite

Global Roundup 3/22 - THE COLOR PURPLE Casting Controversy, Paper Mill's 2019/2020 Season, and More! ImageSeattle: Contributor Jay Irwin reviews ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE at Taproot, writing "Dear Readers, as I'm sure you're aware, we are blessed with an abundance of riches here in Seattle with the local talent who grace our stages, if you know where to look. Well, currently the treasure map leads right over to Taproot Theatre and X marks the spot on the Isaac Studio Theatre where they are producing "Always... Patsy Cline" starring two gems, Cayman Ilika and Kate Jaeger who will rock you, crack you up, and maybe even bring a tear to your eye with their absolute brilliance."

Regional Editor Spotlight:

Natasha Ashley

Natasha AshleyNatasha Ashley is a reviewer for productions throughout Central New York. She was born and raised in the suburbs of Syracuse, New York. Natasha has grown up seeing many theatrical productions with her sister, Jennifer Perry, in New York City and in Washington D.C. Natasha and her sister have always shared the love for theatre. She graduated and received her Bachelors degree from Houghton College in 2008 with a double major in English and Communications. While attending Houghton College she acted in numerous productions. She was also the Assistant Director of the college production of You Can't Take it With You. Natasha was in charge of securing patrons, ticket sales, costume management, hair, and makeup for the college shows. She now resides in Cicero, New York with her husband and two children. For the last three years she has attended and reviewed many productions throughout Central New York for NY Theatre Guide.

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