WELCOME to "The Life of Riley" which will include periodic chronicles of pop culture and possibilities that flow out of Patrick L. Riley's day. That's me!!! Through blogging (and soon some other technological features on which I'll keep you posted as they launch), I will pull experiences from my busy life to entertain and inspire all of you. Through this site, I will share my observations and insights. Some features to look forward to:
1.) "PATRICK'S POP UP(DATES)" will feature stories from pop culture, music, theater, fashion, and the entertainment industry at large.
2.) "The Life of Riley" will also introduce a "take-a-look-at-your-life" section (READ: sort of an advice column), where I will help readers come up with their own questions and answers around what "ways of being" are working (or not working) to have them acheive their respective goals and live their best lives. This section is called "WHO YOU BE?".
3.) Additonally, there will be a free-flowing, organic section called "TESTIFY" from which I will pull from my own life's journey to share and hopefully inspire. Some of the fare may be new musings and experiences. Other times, I may pull from my journals and past sharings to shed light on some uncomfortable truths that I've experienced and that may perhaps play a role in healing someone else's wounds as the real-life experience did for me. From my experience of covering 9/11 as a freelance journalist to courageously coming out (as gay) to my family, "TESTIFY" promises to move those who choose to read it.
4.) And a section titled "PR" (like my initials, but also like "public relations") will include press clips from any coverage I get.
Entries in The Trip to Bountiful (4)
Romeo and Juliet from Broadway in MOVIE THEATERS Feb 13 thru 19
Hi folks,
And from COZI-TV on NBC: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Pop-Culture-Expert-Patrick-Riley-on-Black-Broadway_New-York.html to ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDxfe-hG_aY and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AijZZeZgFkQ, it's been a HALLELUJAH CHOIR for all things Condola and "Romeo & Juliet". 
Even for those who saw the stage production, there is certainly an interesting perspective seeing it in a different medium. 
The stunningly modern stage production has received acclaimed-reviews, including this from the New York Times: “Mr Bloom in a first-rate Broadway debut and the gifted Rashad exude a too fine for this world purity that makes their characters’ love feel sacred.” In addition to Bloom and Rashad, the cast includes Christian Camargo (The Hurt Locker, Dexter), Justin Guarini (American Idol, American Idiot), Tony Award winners Brent Carver (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Sleepy Hollow), Chuck Cooper (Law & Order, American Gangster), and two-time nominee Jayne Houdyshell (Follies). Romeo and Juliet was captured for cinema on November 27 at New York’s Richard Rodgers Theatre by the multiple, Emmy award-winning Don Roy King (Saturday Night Live).
While ROMEO AND JULIET is the most famous love story of all time, this production marked the first time in 36 years that the play was produced on Broadway.
TICKETS
For movie times and tickets, visit http://broadwayhd.com/
ONLINE & SOCIAL NETWORKS
Website: www.RomeoAndJulietBroadway.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RomeoJulietBway
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RomeoJulietBway
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RomeoJulietBway
Google+: Plus.google.com/+RomeoJulietBway
Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4ZvduhMstA
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in Broadway, Condola Rashad, Lifetime, Orlando Bloom, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare, Steel Magnolias, The Trip to Bountiful
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motown family circle
My nephew Herman Lee Riley III's mom Felecia Roberts was in town just after I submitted my last entry. Her first stop on her trip from Savannah was Broadway's Motown the Musical (of course! LOL!): http://youtu.be/KK1yncqPlOQ. Was cool to see my Broadway CONNECTION Marcia Pendelton who credits Motown the Musical as one of her BIG TICKET clients this season!
Then, fast forward a couple of weeks to this past weekend…and you have MY sister (my nephew’s aunt) in town - celebrating her Big 5-0!
AND OF COURSE, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL was on her mind!
A few weeks prior, I was on ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 to talk BROADWAY... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDxfe-hG_aY. In the aforementioned ARISE 360 Broadway segment, I predicted the iconic Cicely Tyson would be nominated for her role in Broadway's "The Trip to Bountiful". And she was!! YAY! So, they played that clip and referenced my prediction the following day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuJEs6ruin0. (I was again on ARISE recently to talk GATSBY: the book, the film(s), the blueprint on hip hop! HERE'S THE LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBT9mSmfmCo).
I also got to introduce the Broadway season on WNBC’s COZI-TV: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Pop-Culture-Expert-Patrick-Riley-on-Black-Broadway_New-York.html. But of course, the HIGHLIGHT - of the musical kind - is being hired to do red carpet interviews on MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL's opening night for its cameras. and to host its highlight video! YAY! LOL! Here's the clip I host: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ.
AND THIS VIDEO IS LOOPING ON THE MONITORS OUTSIDE THE THEATER; on the big screen in Times Square sometimes; lots of YOU TUBE traffic; and in cabs; etc! WOW! LOL!
Other outlets picked up the raw footage of my MOTOWN THE MUSICAL interviews - including REUTERS: http://www.reuters.com/video/2013/04/16/motown-memorialized-in-new-musical?videoId=242278913&videoChannel=3. BROADWAY BUZZ also used my MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=An_r_D2HM5Q.
I asked my sister “Can you believe I’m hosting a video that is running on the monitors of the theater that is hosting “MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL” – the hottest show on Broadway right now and in a long time – an event that has brought me face-to-face with my lifelong icon Diana Ross?”
Birthday GIRL had the 1st of many slices of cake (We mustn’t compromise her recent weight-loss! LOL!): Red Velvet on deck. 
And my friend Derrick joined us. Plus, we stumbled into my dear friend Robin D. Stone's son Zachary Boyd! Zach is Ant's and my buddy.
In fact, we took Zach to see Lady Gaga a year or so ago...
and we LITTLE MONSTERS had a BLAST!
What a pleasant surprise! "Native" Restaurant in Harlem is where I once hosted 'All-Star Karaoke Thursday Night'. 
We had to pop by and show Janice. Ary was most hospitable, as always! XO
This, after a fun cocktail hour at Fashion 40. I joined my buddy Jamar Dunn.
I got to toast my friend and colleague Shannon Love - also the birthday boy.
ALSO IN THE HOUSE:
John Cotton, Toyce Francis, Janet Rolle (with whom I first worked when hired to produce tribute videos for the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies), Rick Grant, and a host of fun folks who I was happy to see. DJ ENVY was on the one-twos - working it, as always!
THE NEXT DAY: Janice and Noot popped by my recurring client BET where they got to meet my many colleagues from the Creative Services department.
Here I do a number of special projects alongside - among many - Miss Micheala angela Davis who was gracious to chat my sister up - woman-to-woman on the threshold-of-50. BEAUTIFUL MOMENT!
She got some great shots. And she loved the views! Afterwards, we went and had a snack at Virgil's BBQ.
Then, we got in a little karaoke at Yuki 55 
(Our repertoire included some of the birthday girl's favorites: 
"Reasons" by Earth, Wind, & Fire. 
And I just HAD to do the Whitney Houston medley for her!
AND Jan and Noot even got in on the fun that Ant and I do all the time!
LOL!
This, before A Trip to Bountiful on Broadway – starring Cicely Tyson in her Tony-award-winning role.
She works that stage alongside Vanessa Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr., AND Condola Rashad. 
After Broadway's "Bountiful", which Janice LOVED, she and I met up with Noot at Red Rooster - hot Harlem spot where JR got to meet several of my industry buddies and Harlem friends, including: 
Essence’s own Emil Wilbekin and DJ Stomrin Norman. 
Red Rooster provided a nice toast of champagne in honor of my sister’s birthday + she and my nephew got to enjoy some fried green tomatoes and other lite bites before they called in a night.
THE NEXT DAY:
Ant, my nephew, my sister, and I enjoyed BIRTHDAY brunch at Sotto 13 - tapas, wood fired-pizza, and more! 
GREAT BRUNCH!
And good time for my family (Janice and Noot) to get to know further my family here (Ant). LOTS OF LAUGHS! 
And some VULNERABLE sharing, too! FOOD FOR THE SOUL! Then, she, Noot, and I rushed to Brooklyn to visit with our dad's big sister Charlie Mae, cousins Pat and Betty Jean in Brooklyn, NY + cousin Gloria called in from VA! It was a FAMILY REUNION! 
We then headed back uptown --- popping up to Dallas BBQ in Washington Heights (Upper Manhattan) for snack. Enter: Zimmerman trial verdict. HENCE: OUR UPSET EXPRESSIONS. NIGHT WAS A WRAP!
But we recovered Sunday with the theme of the whole trip: “Motown: The Musical” on Broadway! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ
After "Motown", we popped by BFF Sidra Smith's twin sister Tasha Smith's actors workshop nearby. Our sisters HAD to meet! 
And Sid HAD to meet MY SISTER! I was so charmed as Tasha Smith rushed out of her class - exclaiming: "PATRICK!!!!!!" LOL!
From there, we wrapped Janice's 50th BDAY Extravaganza with an intimate dinner hosted and prepared by my dear friend Merrell Hollis (celebrity make-up artist and groomer for Wendy Williams, Diddy, Usher, Jessica White, etc.).
His mom was in town from Columbus, GA. Ant's cuz Shantay also joined us as well as Noot. NYC FAM! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANICE! Shout out to ALL who helped Herman Lee Riley III and me CELEBRATE my sister Janice Riley Priester's 5-0 in EXCELLENCE and with SO MUCH JOY & LOVE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BIG (and only) SIS! I LOVE YOU!
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in BET, EESSENCE, George Zimmerman, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, SIDRA SMITH, TASHA SMITH, TYLER PERRY, The Trip to Bountiful
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Momz Day Wknd brings ALVIN AILEY, MOM, NJPAC, and a couple of FREE GIVEAWAYS
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS: http://bit.ly/njpacLOR #AILEYLIFE
Hi folks,
I’m CERTAIN my late, great mother is looking down from above and PROUD of a lot of the work that’s been coming my way! 
After all, no one knew of my love of all things POP CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT, and the ARTS better than she as I came out the womb exclaiming “I’M COMING OUT!” LOL!. To have a month in which I was up-front-and-personal with childhood favorites like Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, and all the MOTOWN Legends (but a few with whom I’ve been chatting up of late) has me feeling her SMILE bathing all over me from above!
My life-long friend Jimmy Bethea who hails from a family that paralleled the international journey of my own family via the Air Force (and - like me - was born in Tokyo, Japan) noted something sensitively to me via text that made me choke up re:my mom whose name is Queen Elizabeth Bellinger Riley. Jimmy txt "The QUEEN is smiling down on you, young man! Extremely happy for you!" BEAUTIFUL SENTIMENT from someone I know who LOVES his mom as much as I do and MISSES his mom as much as I miss my own (This, as we - the baby boys - are both dealing with life (in our adulthood) without our SUPER MOMS (R.I.P. Miss Chris Bethea)). 
If my mom was here, I’d take her to NJPAC to see the ALVIN AILEY dancers at NJPAC where they’ll perform REVELATIONS & OTHER GREAT PERFORMANCES MOTHERS DAY WEEKEND. 5/10-5/12. If you are in the area, I’m recommending you take your mom. http://bit.ly/njpacLOR #AILEYLIFE
With that, let me help TWO of you out: I have the opportunity to raffle off two NJPAC Just Imagine Gift Cards -- each of $50 individual value. The gift card is good at the NJPAC on site restaurant and can be used towards buying tickets to any designated performances atNJPAC. The prizes will go ONLY to those that include the following custom #hashtag designated just for me on Facebook or Twitter between now and May 10: http://bit.ly/njpacLOR #AILEYLIFE
MY TWITTER: @patarack
MY FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley
We will screenshot the winner’s post or tweet and pick two winners from our tracking and will then follow up with you to confirm your acceptance of the gift and your contact information for claiming the prize – so we can send it to you.
Again, my designated hashtag for all of my followers and those who want to be considered for these two prizes: #AILEYLIFE
IT’S A PERFECT MOTHER’S DAY GIFT, right?
TONY AWARDS
CHECK THIS OUT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuJEs6ruin0. Shout out to ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 and its hosts Lola Ogunnaike and Shannon Lanier for shouting me out in the wake of my debut the day prior: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDxfe-hG_aY.
In my BROADWAY ROUND-UP segment, I predicted the iconic Cicely Tyson would be nominated for her role in Broadway’s “The Trip to Bountiful”. 
And she was!!!! YAY! 
I appreciate the attribution, ARISE FAM! CALL ME ANYTIME and THANK YOU for trusting and reinforcing my predictions and enthusiasm which translated into other nods – including Condola Rashad (also for “Trip to Bountiful”). 
I also totally enjoyed The Trip to Bountiful Broadway’s Opening Night after party! FUN ROOM including star Vanessa Williams' daughter Lionbabe; 
my fellow journalist friends Jacque Reid and Karu Daniels; 
my Broadway darlings La Chanze (who'd just wrapped her one-woman-tribute to Miss Ross at 54 Below), Ken Roberson, and Tamara Tune; and the lovely DEBORAH COX whose publicist, my friend Gwendolyn Quinn notes is “the sweetest”! I agree and also note that she’s among the most fierce as she too is starring on Broadway in “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde”:https://www.facebook.com/JekyllMusical?fref=ts AND I REALLY DO LOVE IT! 
OTHER TONY NOMINEES I REFERENCED YESTERDAY: Pippin’ and its Lead Player Patina Miller ("Pippin" nabbed 10 nominations for MUSICAL REVIVAL against other best musical revival candidates are "Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella," "Annie," and ''The Mystery of Edwin Drood”.
Patina Miller, last on Broadway as the heroine of "Sister Act," stepped into the Ben Vereen role of Leading Player in "Pippin" and earned her second straight nomination); “Kinky Boots” which received 13 nods (The Cyndi Lauper-scored "Kinky Boots," which earned a leading 13 Tony nominations. British import "Matilda: The Musical" has 12. "Kinky Boots" is based on the 2005 British movie about a real-life shoe factory that struggles until it finds new life in fetish footwear. Lauper's songs and a story by Harvey Fierstein have made it a crowd-pleaser. 
Fierstein; one of my TOTAL FAV SINGERS Billy Porter; and Stark Sands as well as Annaleigh Ashford are nominated for “Kinky Boots”); and though considered a snub by some: just-four nominations for “Motown: The Musical” – including "Motown: The Musical”s Valisia LeKae who was nominated for best performance by an actress in a leading role for her portrayal of Diana Ross, while Charl Brown earned the nod for best performance by an actor in a featured role for his portrayal of Smokey Robinson. "Motown's" Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook are up for best orchestrations, while Peter Hylenski earned a nomination for best sound design of a musical.
ALSO: CONGRATS to Courtney B. Vance who earned a best featured actor nomination playing an editor in "Lucky Guy" with Tom Hanks, making his Broadway debut and earning a nomination as leading man in a play. Some big snubs, according to Hollywood (and other than more for “Motown”): Al Pacino of "Glengarry Glen Ross," Alec Baldwin in "Orphans," Katie Holmes in "Dead Accounts," Bette Midler in "I'll Eat You Last: A Chat With Sue Mengers" and Scarlett Johansson from the revival of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." The nominations were announced Tuesday in a televised event co-hosted by Tony winner Sutton Foster and "Modern Family" star Jesse Tyler Ferguson. The awards will be broadcast on CBS from Radio City Music Hall on June 9. 
THANKS to ASPIRE for allowing me a platform to share my intel. In addition to the FAB co-hosts, was also good to see so many of my industry buddies at this promising start-up – including Eugenia Harvey; Paula Witt (my friend who booked me); Keyon Williams (my friend who first told ARISE to book me); and one of my fellow contributors Sean Joelle Johnson, TV exec and entertainment attorney who weighed in on celebrities and their legal issues. BACKGROUND ON THE SHOW (per the producers): The show airs live online and on Sky Cable in London, Monday-Friday at 2pm. The segment lasts 8-10 minutes. These are talk segments only but there will eventually be opportunities for performances. Recent guests included Kevin Liles, Mona Scott, Taiye Sealsi, Big Daddy Kane, Dr. Ian Smith, Kid Capri, Kym Whitley, Michaela Angela Davis and more. 
ARISE is an African owned global network geared primarily to Africans, African-Americans and people interested in the diaspora. The network has hubs in New York, London, Johannesburg and Lagos, and the New York hub just launched on March 11. As part of the US launch, ARISE 360 airs a daily entertainment show featuring hosts Lola Ogunnaike (former NY Times & Daily News feature reporter, current MSNBC & Today Show contributor and freelance reporter) and Shannon LaNier (Black Enterprise TV). ARISE Entertainment 360 airs online in the US and airs on the Sky Cable in London (currently showing in over 35 countries across Europe). The ARISE entity also owns Arise Magazine (www.ariselive.com). Although it is a separate entity, it is under the ARISE brand.
MORE TV STUFF
In the wake of my COZI-TV Blacks/Broadway round-up (http://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Pop-Culture-Expert-Patrick-Riley-on-Black-Broadway_New-York.html) and my MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL opening night moments (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ).
PLUS: the other outlets that ran with that footage (1) http://www.reuters.com/video/2013/04/16/motown-memorialized-in-new-musical?videoId=242278913&videoChannel=3 & (2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=An_r_D2HM5Q, I’m excited that the industry’s real estate has room for ME!
RHONDA ROSS AT CUTTING ROOM
After enjoying the inaugural event for my friend Nathan's Renaissance Brunch Series, I met up with my 'Amazing Grace' Nichole, my date for Miss Rhonda Ross' performance at The Cutting Room (www.thecuttingroomnyc.com). 
As always, she was amazing. In addition to her fan favorites - original and covers, she included some new experiences - including "Cabaret" (which she first performed at the Hearts of Gold event to which I introduced recurring client Remy Martin as a liquor sponsor and partner back in November 2012); 
her mom's "Home" (from "The Wiz"); and super-encore "I'm Every Woman". 
All my favorite Ross fans were in the house - including Andreas, Judy, Jim, Dustin, et al as well as friend Tamara Tunie (accompanied by her lovely mother). 
Also in the house: one of my All-Star Karaoke SUPERSTARS, actress Pernell Walker who has been filming Lee Daniels' "The Butler" - also starring Oprah, Terrence Howard; Lenny Kravitz; Jane Fonda; etc.
SAVANNAH ROCKS VIA TERRY SARTOR, DUANE HARDEN, ET AL
I also recently got to celebrate one of my Savannah homeboys Terry Sartor who hosted a launch party for his new music label Valiant Horizon at the lavish Trump International Hotel & Tower Central Park.
It’s a celebration of Valiant Horizon’s triumphant start and its first six official releases as well as remix work – which include music from Lorchee (Poland), Terry Sartor (USA), Milosz-B (UK), Kyle Brylin (USA), Thought Leaders (USA) and Dream Attackers (USA) with more to come including the hot up-and-coming U.S.-based dance music crew Automatic Recreation! Congrats to Terry who started his own music label and production with a focus on dance music: http://www.facebook.com/valianthorizon and www.soundcloud.com/terrysartor. 
Was also great to meet another two Savannah homeboys – one of whome, Duane Harden, I’d never met. He’s a songwriter/recording artist whose “You Don’t Know Me” – WITH Armand van Helden - was a #1 dance hit in the U.K.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkXTbHebcQs. Another recent project “Love Will” with Ferry Corsten can be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmojYngSy-w. Like Terry, Duane is a Beach High grad. I graduated from often their rival school: Windsor Forest High School. But these many years later, being from Savannah makes us all ONE!
RENAISSANCE BRUNCH SERIES
Shout out to my friend Nathan Hale Williams and Artie Thompson (http://www.bravotv.com/chef-roble-and-co) for inviting us to be their guest at the Renaissance Brunch Series today at the Hudson Bond. 
Special guest host was the one and only Ms. Bevy Smith (Bravo's Fashion Queens & Dining with Bevy): http://www.bravotv.com/fashion-queens. 
There were even give-aways including the award-winning work, "For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Still Is Not Enough," written by New York Times Best Selling Author, Keith Boykin. 
The book recently won the American Library Association's Stonewall Award for Non-Ficition Book of the Year and is nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. From cocktail hour to delicious brunch to great dancing afterword, Nathan truly designed an exceptional afternoon of fun, fellowship and networking. 
Music was provided by DJ Poison Ivy. AND WHAT A BLAST to see so many great friends! CONGRATS, NATHAN!
GET OMERGED SWEEPTSTAKES
Beginning TODAY - Friday, 5/31, IMAN Cosmetics, Skullcandy, TIGI/Catwalk, Me & The Girls and Republic Records are offering free products in the Get Omerged Sweepstakes. Point of entry is www.getomerged.com, which is LIVE! 
Republic Records has chosen to feature Adrian Marcel, protege of Raphael Saadiq, in this promotion. Adrian has a brand new mix tape out called "7 Days of Weak" (featuring Saadiq, Wale and others), and his music is AMAZING. And, people can win the CD through this promo: https://soundcloud.com/adrian-marcel510 For more details, read the embedded art in this segment.
SENIOR DATE NIGHT in HARLEM
On Friday, May 10th from 6pm - 10pm at National Black Theatre, in Harlem (125th Street & 5th Ave), my friend Sharon Nelson is launching her first event SENIOR DATE NIGHT which soon will have a multi-format presences on-line and on the airwaves. 
For those who have paid the price of admission to be a part of the 50+ club (AKA Senior Date Night), this program provides enrichment of personal fulfillment of social expression for those who are 50 and above. Through music, food and like minded people -- a good time and fun is the order of the day. First up: a fun night with lots of food, fun, drinks, and entertainment. DON’T MISS IT!
BCS HUMAN SPIRIT AWARDS
Brooklyn Community Services (BCS) is one of the largest and oldest nonprofit organizations in New York. These amazing folks have been serving people in Brooklyn for 147 years. On June 4th, I am excited to be among the Benefit Committee members who are leading the charge to honor my friend Michaela angela Davis and Danny Simmons at the Human Spirit Awards, which will be held at the Grand Hyatt-Manhattan Ballroom. BLACK GIRLS ROCK’s Beverly Bond has agreed to present the award to Michaela. Marty Markowitz will present the award to Danny. 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANT!
WE ALL GATHERED TO TOAST Anthony Harper but the guests at the birthday hang last night read like a WHO'S WHO! THANKS TO ALL!: 
* Tony-award-winning actress La Chanze (also in film - including "The Help") *
Emmy-award-winning NBC "Today" correspondent and MSNBC anchor Mara Schiavocampo 
* World-famous model Bobby Roache (Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" video) * Senior exec at Ogilvy Jeff Bowman * Brian Badie (Ice T personal hairstylist and co-star on "Ice T loves Coco") * NYU Journalism Professor (NY Post) Frankie Edozien 
* Senior Producer "Bill Cunningham Show" Shareen King * BET's "Don't Sleep w/TJ Holmes" producer Nichole Shellman * Wall Street Journal reporter (also BET) Taj Tsonga * Stlylist of the stars and TV personality Phillip Bloch 
* Karen Good Marable (Writer/Editor - EBONY) * Nathan Hale Williams (producer/writer/personality) * Tony-award-nominee/Broadway choreographer and director Ken Roberson 
* 'Wendy Williams' make-up artist (also for Diddy and many more) Merrell Hollis * COZI-TV/NBC 4 producer Tiffany Zeno * a host of "Wendy Williams" producers
* several out of town guests who drove in from Durham, NC and Philly * and a host more. 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABE!
BLAST FROM THE PAST
THROWBACK: Morehouse grew my childhood interests in pop culture and entertainment in two fell swoops: 
(1) Kennedy Center Honors 1991 when the Morehouse College Glee Club paid tribute to Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Conductor/Composer Robert Shaw (circa early December 1991) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZF2iK2VOY8); (2) When I was selected by everybody’s favorite Morehouse icon, Dr. Anne Watts, to present an award to Louis Gossett, Jr. at the “Candle in the Dark Awards” during Founders Day Weekend [circa February 1992] – a moment captured on BET’s Screen Scene. 
And all the stuff in between that would lead me to MOTOWN’s Opening Night Celebration on Broadway:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ. #throwbackthursday
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in Arise Entertainment 360, Broadway, CICELY TYSON, DIANA ROSS, Motown: The Musical, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, The Trip to Bountiful, Tony Awards, sMOKEY rOBINSON
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motortown prevue
COZI-TV
After a blast on MSNBC last month; 
a reccent booking on BET's "Don't Sleep"; 
and other spot on-cam work, I was invited to talk about Blacks on Broadway on a LIVE, in-studio segment (5-minutes-or-so) for NBC News 4 New York's 7p show:
.
In a nutshell: "Motown: The Musical"; 
"The Trip to Bountiful"; 
and the "Pippin" revival;
however, there are many other new offerings on Broadway this season:
- including "Kinky Boots" (starring Billy Porter; music by Cyndi Lauper);
and Deborah Cox comes back to Broadway opposite American Idol-alum Constantine Maroulis in "Jekyll & Hyde".
News 4 New York's 7p is a one-hour show that is a combination of news, guest segments & lifestyle issues on cable station COZI-TV. 
This episode was hosted by NBC 4’s own Scott Stanford and produced by NBC 4’s own Tiffany Zeno – both TOTAL JOY!
COZI-TV reaches more than 5 million homes & can be seen on Channel 161 on Time Warner systems. The show also simulcasts live on www.NBCNEWYORK.COM.
It is also available on other cable providers.
Here's the channel guide:
Cablevision 109 and 118
Time Warner Cable 161
Comcast 248 and 158
Verizon Fios 460
RCN 28
As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT and LOVE!
If you miss it, the segment will live on www.NBCNEWYORK.COM. (SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR BREAKING NEWS)
Please feel free to FORWARD and to let me know your thoughts.
MOTORTOWN PREVUE
What JOY and NOSTALGIA "Motown: The Musical" brought me on the first PREVIEW NIGHT earlier this week!
ADDED features to the special evening include: experiencing it with Ant; 
seeing my friend Brandon get called up by "Diana Ross" (as portrayed by Valisia LeKae) to sing along on "Reach Out & Touch (Somebody's Hand)" 
(Worth noting that he stumbled into his ticket no hour before the show yet SANG HIS BUTT OFF with "Miss Ross"
[Great also to chat with Brandon Victor Dixon who plays "Berry Gordy"]).
I got to say HI AGAIN to Mr. Gordy.
Also, so many other GREATS were in the house - including:
Suzanne de Passe;
Jimmy Iovine; Dr. Dre;
legendary publicist Ken Reynolds; 
singer and friend Phil Geston – fellow lover of all things ROSS;
costume designer Emilio Sosa (who I had the chance to interview him after a performance of one of his last shows "...By the way, Meet Vera Stark...");
and Marketing Consultant - my friend - Marcia Pendelton, often my passport to Broadway. 
Walk Tall, Girl!
ESSENCE legend Susan Taylor (in attendance with her husband Khephra Burns) said to me "...this has never been done..." - referencing the palpable evidence of interest not only with the lines-around-the-block to this sold-out, first preview, but at closer inspection, one of the groups there was comprised of Detroit cops who filled a bus and drove in to see the first preview of "Motown: The Musical". My Spelman sisters Melanie and Tiffanie also traveled from Atlanta and Dallas respectively to see "Motown".
Afterwards we did some karaoke at Yuki 55 - "Broadway baby Brandon" in tow - including, of course, some Motown/Ross, Wonder, et al!!!! 
WWW.BLACKTHEATERONLINE.COM reports the following: We have received phone calls and emails telling us that code SMOKEY was not working or was not being accepted by Ticketmaster. The good news is -- the code is alive and well. The bad news is -- it may not be available on the date you want to attend a performance.
Here is the update:
Discount codes for MOTOWN: The Musical, including code SMOKEY, are no longer available for any performance in March. This does not mean that you can't buy tickets. It means that if you want to see the show this month, you are going to have to pay full or premium prices for tickets.
HOWEVER, there are performance dates when you can definitely use code SMOKEY. They are:
Monday 4/1
Tuesday 4/2
Wednesday 4/3 Evening
Tuesday 4/9
Wednesday 4/10 Evening
Thursday 4/11
Tuesday 4/16
Wednesday 4/17 Evening
Tuesday 4/23
Wednesday 4/24 Evening
Tuesday 4/30
Wednesday 5/1 Evening
Tuesday 5/7
Wednesday 5/8 Evening
Tuesday 5/14 Evening
Wednesday 5/15 Evening
Please remember that code SMOKEY IS BASED ON AVAILABILITY AND CAN BE WITHDRAWN AT ANYTIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
The teeny tiny mouse print at the bottom of the gorgeous ad above gives you all of the restrictions.
It is a good practice to read them before you attempt to buy tickets with any discount offer, including the ones from Black Theater Online.
Just as discount codes can be withdrawn at anytime, they can also be extended. 
Although the restrictions state that this offer is available through May 12, it has been extended through May 15.
We hope this clears up any questions about code SMOKEY.
Like we said when we sent out this offer back in February -- BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY. 
He/she who hesitates will be without tickets to MOTOWN: The Musical. Or, will wind up standing in the cancellation line at the theater trying to get one.
Tickets for MOTOWN: The Musical are selling fast. BROADWAY PREVIEWS HAVE BEGUN (as of yesterday): $49 (Mid Mezz/REGULAR - $87); $89 (Orch/Front Mezz/REGULAR - $137).
For tickets, visit www.Ticketmaster.com or call 877.250.2929: CODE: SMOKEY
THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL
Earlier that same day, I popped by NYC’s famed Sardi’s Restaurant for a media morning with the cast of Broadway’s THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, which starts previews SATURDAY, MARCH 30TH and opens TUESDAY, APRIL 23RD AT the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 W 43rd Street).
Over the last year, I’ve had great run-ins with the show’s stars (www.thetriptobountifulbroadway.com): 
Cicely Tyson (at B. Michael show, but I also interviewed her many times over the years for my Chicago client); 
Cuba Gooding Jr. (at Thurgood Marshall Foundation benefit, though I have interviewed him at the National Association of Black Journalists’ convention where he’s brought many films);
Vanessa Williams (last week at Dance Theater of Harlem gala but have had nice media moments with her over the years); 
Condola Rashad (at Steel Magnolias premiere in NYC). 
With my invite to ‘meet’ the cast alongside other press, I did snap some shots of them on the step and repeat. Also, I enjoyed the company of hairstylist genius Chucki Amos - @CHUCKIELOVE – who did this day’s work on Miss Vanessa Williams - @VWOFFICIAL.
ALSO, and as always, GREAT to see my fellow NYC journalist friends – including Jean Parnelle (once-Miss Hayes, the first teacher to give “little Alicia Keys” her singing confidence note when she cast her as Dorothy in the grade-school production of “The Wizard of Oz” – a point made recently on my recurring client OWN’s air (Oprah’s Next Chapter - http://www.oprah.com/own-master-class/First-Look-Oprahs-Master-Class-with-Alicia-Keys-Video). JOIN ME at “THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL” – www.thetriptobountifulbroadway.com! 
BACKSTORY ON PLAY: The touching American classic, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, tells the story of Carrie Watts (Cicely Tyson), who is trapped in a cramped Houston apartment with her soft-spoken son (Cuba Gooding Jr) and self-absorbed daughter-in-law (Vanessa Williams), dreaming of a return to her home in the small Gulf Coast town of Bountiful, where she grew up and raised her own family.
Fearing that she’s an imposition and chafing under her daughter-in-law’s watchful eye, she steals away with her latest pension check and heads home in the journey of a lifetime. The result is an unforgettable meditation on the idea of home and its power to sustain us. For more information via the social channels: www.facebook.com/BountifulBroadway and TWITTER: @BountifulBway and INSTAGRAM: @BountifulBway and YOU TUBE: www.youtube.com/bountifulbroadway and TWEET my friend @CHUCKIELOVE who does all the great DIVA HAIR these days! SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO: TOM WOPAT (Childhood favorite “Dukes of Hazzard” and so much more – especially from Broadway).
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in BERRY GORDY, CICELY TYSON, COZI TV, DIANA ROSS, MMotown: The Musical, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, The Trip to Bountiful, Vanessa Williams, www.NBCNEWYORK.COM
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