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Michael Jackson’s Sisterella to return to the stage in L.A.

Started by Tink.I.Am, October 05, 2010, 06:17:52 AM

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The late Michael Jackson's manager Frank DiLeo and Jerry Greenberg, who was president of MJJ Music, the record label jointly owned with Sony, are reteaming to present a new version of the King of Pop's 14-year-old production Sisterella.

Vegas DeLuxe has learned that the production created by Las Vegas composer and writer Larry Hart will have its world premiere in L.A. next spring. Sisterella has the distinction of being the only musical ever financed, produced and presented by the King of Pop that was not his creation.

The Cinderella fairytale-themed contemporary musical garnered 12 NAACP Theater Award nominations and won eight awards, including Best Play, Best Director and Best Choreographer. It won rave reviews after premiering in L.A. When it toured Europe, fans there voted it Show of the Decade as it broke box office records.

The story with its predominant black cast takes a hip and hysterical look at the darker side of the classic Disney tale. The show is set in New York in 1912. One critic raved: "Musically, the play is magnificent rhythm and blues. The beat is energized because of all the dancing that's incorporated -- some of the best hip-hop dance steps ever to grace choreography. There is no doubt that Sisterella is one of the most professional and sophisticated musicals to hit the stage."

Michael even named the fairy godfather figure, portrayed by Larry, as Bobaloo Jackson. The play proved to be a pop culture phenomenon with symbolic references to Michael, Madonna and even The Village People.

Music business impresarios Frank and Jerry were executive producers of the original pop-rock production in 1996 at the Pasadena Playhouse. Now they've teamed up again with Larry, a four-time Grammy nominee, recording artist and composer, for the updated version of the book, music and lyrics. Jerry has recently produced a slew of successful tribute band shows here at the Las Vegas Hilton.

NAACP Theater Award-winning choreographer Raymond Del Barrio has already signed on as choreographer and co-director. The executive producers tell me that they will announce the casting and production details within the next 60 days.

http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/lux ... n-stage-l/

"This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." – Sir Winston Churchill



L

UPDATE....10/28/10

Michael Jackson's nephew TJ Jackson, pop singer Taylor Dayne to star in 'Sisterella' in LA
By The Associated Press (CP) – 4 hours ago

NEW YORK, N.Y. — One of Michael Jackson's nephews will star alongside pop singer Taylor Dayne in the Los Angeles production of "Sisterella" next spring.

T.J. Jackson is a son of Michael Jackson's brother Tito. Producers say he'll play the role of Prince Jean Luc in the Larry Hart-written musical. The part originally was developed for the King of Pop.

The musical is set in turn-of-the-century New York. It tells the story of a wicked stepmother who tries to steal the fortune her late husband left to his daughter.
Dayne will play the stepmother, Dahlia. Dayne is most famous for 1980s and '90s hits including "Tell It To My Heart" and "Love Will Lead You Back."

Jerry Greenberg and Frank Dileo will produce the musical, which first debuted in Los Angeles at the Pasadena Playhouse in 1996. Michael Jackson was the executive producer.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadi ... Id=4967122


L

And this update from contactmusic...

Jackson's Nephew To Replace The King Of Pop In Musical

MICHAEL JACKSON's nephew, T.J. JACKSON, is to step into his uncle's moonwalking shoes for a new musical with singer TAYLOR DAYNE.

The King of Pop was planning to hit the stage in Los Angeles in the ambitious production of Sisterella after wrapping his This Is It concerts in London (, but his death last summer (Jun09) forced his fellow producers to rethink the whole show.

And now Tito Jackson's son will take his place when the show opens next year (11).

He'll play the role of Prince Jean Luc - the role originally developed for his famous uncle.
Tell It To My Heart hitmaker Dayne will play wicked stepmother Dahlia in the production.

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/st ... al_1177859

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:   I'm not sure how Mike was going to be in so many places at once - must be magic!


M

I never knew that MJ was involved with a black version of Cinderella type stage play.  That's sounds cool.  Only version I seen was on tv with biracial cast starring Brandy and Whitney.  It's just like how they remade Wizard of OZ into a black version The Wiz which starred MJ.  I wonder who is playing Sisterella?  I wish I could see this stage play since that's my cup of tea.  Man I wish I could be in it.lol  If it came to my city I would check it out.



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