Did U Know? 8-26-17 Entertainment News Updates
Did U Know? 8-26-17 Entertainment News Updates…Bruno Mars, LeBron James, Brandy Norwood, Nia Long, Denzel Washington, Sanaa Lathan and others are trending this week. Did U Know? is trending entertainment news about the latest movies, music, TV shows and your favorite celebrities that happened during week ending Aug. 26, 2017.
Brandy Norwood Returns To Broadway’s ‘Chicago’
Brandy Norwood is surprising Broadway fans by coming back to New York for a two-week engagement to play the part of Roxie Hart in “Chicago.” Fans can see the Grammy Award-winner performing Aug. 17-31, 2017 at the Ambassador Theatre for a 17-performance run on the Tony-Award-winning show. Brandy first played Roxie for four months on Broadway in 2015 before going on to play the role in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. as part of the show’s national tour. “Chicago” follows the story of Roxie after she murders her lover when he threatens to walk out on her. To avoid jail time, she hires a criminal lawyer, and the story of the murder turns into salacious rumors and headlines that rock the 1920s.
Nia Long Joins Cast Of ‘NCIS Los Angeles’
On the heels of her guest role on Fox’s Empire, Nia Long has booked a series regular spot opposite LL Cool J on Season 9 of CBS’ NCIS: Los Angeles. The actress will play Shay Mosely, the team’s new executive assistant director. The character is a former Secret Service agent and an experienced Washington insider. “The character was created specifically for Nia to capitalize on her strengths and personality, and we are excited about the new opportunities and dynamics she brings to the show,” said executive producer R. Scott Gemmill in a statement. “We couldn’t be happier to have her join our family.” The series marks Long’s second on-screen appearance with LL, as the pair co-starred in 1999’s undercover-cop drama In Too Deep. Her resume also includes Keanu, Friday, Are We There Yet?, Love Jones and The Best Man.
LeBron James Developing Sneaker Store Comedy For HBO
HBO is currently in development on an untitled half-hour single-camera comedy about the sneaker culture phenomenon, from NBA star LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s Springhill Entertainment, reports Deadline. Written by Shawn Wines (“High Maintenance”) and Lemon Andersen (“She’s Gotta Have It”), the untitled Sneaker Store Project follows two best friends and their wild employees at an up-and-coming sneaker shop outside L.A., where they take on the insane and obsessive world of sneaker culture.
Bruno Mars Announces $1M Donation To Assist Victims Of Flint Water Crisis
Pop star Bruno Mars announced that he will be donating $1 million to aid the victims of the Flint water crisis. Mars made the announcement to a screaming crowd of fans at his sold out show Saturday night (Aug. 12) at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan. During his performance of his song “Just the Way You Are,” Mars paused to make the surprise announcement, dedicating the donation to “our brothers and sisters in Flint.” The donation will be made to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. The Flint water crisis started in 2014 when the city’s water supply was switched, leading to high levels of lead in the water. The crisis has resulted in a number of criminal charges against Michigan health officials. The concert in Michigan was the latest stop on Mars’ 24K Magic World Tour which makes a stop at the PNC Arena (Raleigh NC) on Oct. 12.
Denzel Washington Returning To Broadway For ‘The Iceman Cometh’
Denzel Washington will make his Broadway return this spring in Eugene O’Neill’s “The Iceman Cometh”. The last Broadway revival of O’Neill’s 1946 play was the 1999 staging that starred Kevin Spacey as Hickey, the down-on-his-luck salesman that Washington will portray in the new production. Washington’s last two Broadway appearances, in “Fences” in 2010 and “A Raisin in the Sun” in 2014, were among the top-earning plays of their respective seasons, according to Variety. The actor earned a Tony for “Fences” and reprised his role in the 2016 movie adaptation. “The Iceman Cometh” begins previews March 22, 2018, ahead of an April 26 opening at the Jacobs Theater. Further casting for the production remains to be set.
Lynn Whitfield To Play Sanaa Lathan’s Mother In ‘Nappily Ever After’
Actress Lynn Whitfield has join the cast of Netflix comedy Nappily Ever After, joining Sanaa Lathan and Ernie Hudson in the film based on Trisha R. Thomas’ book of the same name, reports Deadline. The story follows Violet Jones (Lathan), whose seemingly flawless life is interrupted after an accident at the hair salon leads to the realization that she isn’t living the life she that she really wanted. Whitfield will play Violet’s mother, Paulette. Shooting will take place this month in Atlanta. Whitfield currently stars in the OWN drama series Greenleaf.
Below, author Trisha R. Thomas is interviewed about Nappily Ever After: