Next up, Misty Copeland is taking on Broadway
It’s been a huge month for Misty Copeland. Just six days ago, she totally shattered barriers in ballet and made history by becoming the American Ballet Theater’s very first African-American female principal dancer in the company’s 75-year history. As if that on its own isn’t enough, Misty is now going to be wowing us all with her amazing talent on Broadway.
That’s right: Misty will be making her Broadway debut as Ivy Smith in On the Town. From August 25th to September 6th, she will be rocking the stage at Lyric Theatre on West 42nd Street in New York City. “We are so thrilled to have Misty joining us at this momentous time in her career,” musical producer Howard Kagan announced on Sunday night, according to the New York Daily News.
The play has a “long history of progressive, diverse casting,” according to Kagan. For example, during World War II, the character of Ivy Smith was played by Japanese-American dancer Sono Osato, making it “one of the first racially-integrated ensembles.” “So it seems fitting that this incredible talent, who has broken through barriers in the dance world, will make her Broadway debut in this show,” Kagan explained of Misty. YAAAS.
On the Town tells the story of three sailors on leave in the big city, looking for love. One of them goes completely gaga for Misty’s character when he sees a poster of her in the subway. Makes sense, since she’s fabulous. “I’m so thrilled that Misty will be joining our incredible show! I’m excited and honored to start working with her,” star of the show Tony Yazbeck told the Daily News. “I know she will leave our New York audiences breathless with a beautiful and captivating performance!”
Though Misty has danced beautifully on the stage more times than we can count, singing in public will be new for Misty — though she did have to audition for a show when she was very young. “I suggested Mariah Carey, because I know all of her songs, and the pianist turned to me and said, ‘Do you really think you can sing a Mariah Carey song?’” she said, laughing, according to the New York Times. “So we went with Madonna.” Luckily, her character does not sing much in the show — plus, the character is taking singing lessons in the play, so this is a great warm-up role for her in the singing arena.
Acting, however, is something a little more in her comfort zone. After all, she got a thumbs up from one of the bigs: Taye Diggs, who told her after seeing her acting in Romeo and Juliet that “I think you’ve got this,” according to the New York Times.
Honestly, we’re SUPER happy for Misty, we’re not shocked about this turn of events. Misty’s a force to be reckoned with, on and off the stage. She’s proved time and time again that she can do absolutely anything she sets her mind to, and if she wants to be on Broadway, of course she’d land an amazing part. Congratulations, Misty, and we have a feeling this is only the beginning of a very, very prosperous year for you!
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[Image via Instagram]
