Polanco Jones News

The New Group's just celebrated opening night of Black No More, featuring Leanne Antonio, Rhaamell Burke-Missouri, Elijah A. Carter, Jennifer Damiano, Brandon Victor Dixon, Ryan Fitzgerald, Gaelen Gilliland, Polanco Jones Jr., Zachary Daniel Jones, Tamika Lawrence, Sarah Meahl, Howard McGillin, Mary Page Nance, Oneika Phillips, Nicholas Ranauro, Malaiyka Reid, Mars Rucker, Angela M. Sauers, Tracy Shayne, Theo Stockman, Ephraim Sykes, Tariq 'Black Thought' Trotter, Akron Watson, Nyla Watson, Edward Watts and Lillias White.

The New Group's Black No More is set to officially open on Tuesday, February 15. The complete cast features Leanne Antonio, Rhaamell Burke-Missouri, Elijah A. Carter, Jennifer Damiano, Brandon Victor Dixon, Ryan Fitzgerald, and more.

Tariq TrotterTariq Trotter returned to the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last night to discuss the new Off-Broadway adaption of Black No More, which he stars in and wrote the music and lyrics for with the Roots. The cast also features Brandon Victor Dixon, Jennifer Damiano, Tamika Lawrence, Ephraim Sykes, Lillias White, and more.

The New Group has announced that the new musical Black No More will begin previews January 18, in advance of an Official Opening Night now set for Tuesday, February 15, a schedule update due to Covid-19.  Previews were previously slated to begin January 11.

The New Group has announced complete casting for the world premiere production of Black No More.  This new musical features Book by John Ridley, Music and Lyrics by Tariq Trotter, Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Vocal Arrangements by Daryl Waters, Choreography by Bill T. Jones and Direction by Scott Elliott. 

As part of this year's NYC Pride, Brooklyn's leading organization for the Diasporic Arts, 651 ARTS, is proud to present dynamic entertainer and performance artist Andre J. with their first major presentation, Excuse Me, Hello, a site-specific theatrical installation that celebrates the reinvention of the human spirit through fashion, fun and music. The presentation will have its debut at The Plaza at 300 Ashland on Friday, June 28th as part of a free, outdoor celebration in collaboration with the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership before being presented during BAM's Everybooty, one of Brooklyn's most iconic Pride Week parties, at the BAM's Fisher the next day on Saturday, June 29th.

Dreamgirls follows the story of a black, all-girl singing trio from Chicago called 'The Dreams' and the behind-the-scenes reality of the entertainment industry. At first, the Dreams' manager falls in love with the lead singer, Effie. Later, he abandons her both romantically and professionally, replacing her with someone thinner. Eventually, Effie manages to recover from the blow and builds a successful career going solo. Will they reunite, resulting in a happy ending for all?

Ragtime, one of the most powerful and vibrant musicals of this era, will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this July on the Dixon Hall stage.  Based on the E.L. Doctorow novel, Ragtime tells the story of a restless America at the turn of the twentieth century where everything is changing and anything is possible.  It is a timeless celebration of life - what it could and should be. It tells the stories of an upper-class wife, a Jewish immigrant and a daring Harlem musician - All three characters are united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow.  The Tony-winning score by Ahrens & Flaherty will be brought to life with the 38 member cast and 26-piece orchestra.