Bubbling Brown Sugar: Broadway revival planned

Katie Holmes

The 1976 three time Tony-nominated musical, Bubbling Brown Sugar is to be revived on Broadway in 2011, according to producer Ashton Springer.

Springer, who was one of the producers of the musical's Broadway premiere in 1976, says he hopes to tour the show out of town before bringing the musical to Broadway in late 2011.

Bubbling Brown Sugar is a musical revue set in the 1920's, when Harlem was the hert of Black culture and captures the Cotton Club scene, which was the home of some of the greatest black musicians of the era, such as Eubie Blake, Can Calloway, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Billie Holliday and Thomas “Fats” Waller.

The revival will feature Billy Wilson's original choreography and Danny Holgate's orchastrations. Michael Hulett is to write a new kibretto, replacing the one written by Loften Mitchell, which was based on an idea by Rosetta LeNoire.

There is no news about cast or creative team.

Bubbling Brown Sugar features classic songs from the Harlem Golden Years, such as 'Sophisticated Lady,' 'Honeysuckle Rose,' 'It Don’t Mean A Thing,' 'There'll Be Some Changes Made,' 'God Bless The Child' and 'Sweet Georgia Brown.'

Bubbling Brown Sugar premiered on Broadway in 1976 and played 766 performances. The show received three Tony-nominations: Best Musical, Best Leading Actress in a Musical (Vivian Reed) and Best Choreography (Billy Wilson).