'Purple' HeartThe original cast recording of the
Oprah Winfrey -helmed Broadway musical,
The Color Purple arrived in stores this week – via Angel Records. The 29-track collection, features Tony Award-nominated
LaChanze, along with theater veterans
Kingsley Leggs,
Felicia P. Fields and newcomers
Renée Elise Goldsberry Brandon Victor Dixon Krisha Marcano and
Elisabeth Wither-Mendes. With a libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winner
Marsha Norman, original music and lyrics by Grammy-nominated and Grammy Award-winning composer/lyricists
Brenda Russell,
Allee Willis and
Stephen Bray, the music stays true to the story of
Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, and may be even more faithful to the novel than
Steven Spielberg’s 1985 cinematic masterpiece. Walker's response on first hearing the music was, "I listened, and I knew. I knew right away that they had it, because they had the heart. I was excited."
Produced by Grammy winner
Jay D. Saks, the hearty disc includes soaring anthems juxtaposed with a meaty narrative that brings the story to life on disc. “We have the huge, big old versions of it with the orchestra and everything," LaChanze gushed. “It’s going to be one of the best selling Broadway cast albums of all time… it’s just phenomenal.” While the widely-reported collaboration between
Patti LaBelle and
Jill Scott on ‘What About Love?’ is not included, the bonus track is expected will be released to radio stations soon to help build momentum for the soundtrack.
Bruce Lundvall, CEO & President of EMI Jazz & Classics (Angel’s parent) said: “It’s the best Broadway score I’ve heard in years and has songs that will reach a wider audience than just Broadway.”
Cable Hook ups for Spike, Damon WayansSpike Lee will direct ‘When the Levee Broke,’ a feature-length documentary about the devastation of Hurricane Katrina debuting on HBO this summer. "New Orleans is fighting for its life," said Lee in a statement. "These are not people who will disappear quietly. They're accustomed to hardship and slights, and they'll fight for New Orleans. This film will showcase the struggle for New Orleans by focusing on the profound loss, as well as the indomitable spirit of New Orleanians." The new project is Lee's third collaboration with HBO, following 1998's Oscar nominated ‘4 Little Girls,’ and 2002's ‘Jim Brown: All-American.’
Showtime also announced that
Damon Wayans will present his very own half-hour sketch comedy series, entitled ‘The Underground,’ this fall. Currently in pre-production in Los Angeles, the series has received a 10-episode order and has been called “‘In Living Color’ on steroids,” by the former ‘My Wife & Kids’ star. “It will be everything we weren’t allowed to do on broadcast television,” Wayans said.
Best Defense Kirk Franklin has partnered with the Children's Defense Fund to serve as an ambassador for the 30-year-old non-profit organization. The Grammy Award-winning gospel superstar’s mission is to spark service opportunities and better policy choices in states and communities where the majority of poor children live, and to launch a benefit concert and rally on the National Mall. “Having been raised by an aunt who set the CDF kind of example, I can truly say that this great organization already feels like family to me, and I look forward to doing all I can to amplify their message,” Franklin said in a statement. According to his spokesperson, the concert is being planned for July.
’Moving’ TributeNew York City’s Museum of the Moving Image will present four evenings of film screenings and discussions to honor the late comedic legend
Richard Pryor, who died Dec. 10. Acclaimed actress
Lonette McKee, comedian
Paul Mooney, and cultural historian
Mel Watkins will participate in the tribute which begins with a screening of ‘Blue Collar.’ The tribute also includes a panel discussion with clips of Pryor's standup acts, a screening of the cult-favorite ‘Which Way is Up?’ and highlights from his infamous TV series ‘The Richard Pryor Show.’
Full Speed Ahead For Essence FestLL Cool J,
Cedric "The Entertainer" and
Maze featuring
Frankie Beverly will join previously announced
Mary J. Blige at the 2006 Essence Music Festival running July 1 through July 3. This year’s fest will take place at Reliant Park in Houston --its interim home, while New Orleans continues its reconstruction efforts. "The hottest ticket this summer will be in Houston,” Essence Communications President
Michelle Ebanks told Black Voices today. “This year's Essence Music Festival will be the greatest music, empowerment and entertainment event ever." Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
Dead Prez, The Coup Take On South America Dead Prez and
The Coup are in South America this week for the opening session of the sixth annual World Social Forum in Caracas, Venezuela. According a rep for the event, the rap acts will perform during the opening session, and also participate in workshops on hurricane relief and political prisoners. The World Social Forum was created to provide an open platform to discuss strategies of more locialized economic development and as a response to the World Economic Forum.
