Black Broadway: A Proud History, A Limitless Future

Matt Roush says...

Even when you might wish for more context, this concert of Broadway songs written for and/or performed by Black entertainers is a rousing showcase of memorable music, a great way to end Black History Month. Filmed last October at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium with the American Pops Orchestra, highlights include The Wiz’s original Dorothy, Stephanie Mills, performing a vocally busy version of “Home,” Norm Lewis singing “I’ve Got Plenty o’ Nuttin’” from Porgy and Bess and a gender-swapped “Waiting for Life” from Once on This Island, and Nikki Renée Daniels belting “Being Alive” from Company—she broke the Broadway color barrier when she played Bobbie in the recent revival as understudy. Bringing down the house, twice, Nova Payton delivers showstoppers from The Color Purple (“I’m Here”) and Dreamgirls (“And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going”). A choir of students from Howard and Morgan State University close the show with “Brand New Day” from The Wiz, said to be Broadway bound again next year.

What's Worth Watching (Feb 28)