Making his big Broadway debut in the hit show 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' must've gotten acclaimed actor Terrence Howard brimming with creative juices. The hazel-eyed hottie (and star of such movies as 'Pride,' 'Crash' and 'Get Rich or Die Tryin'') has reportedly signed a record deal with Columbia Records.
A spokesperson for the storied record label has confirmed reports that the Academy Award nominee is on the roster, which boasts talents such as Beyonce, Ricky Martin, Wyclef Jean and Bow Wow.
A yet to be titled opus under the moniker Terrence Howard Presents Me and the Band of Kings may see the light of day as early as fall.
Howard, who flexed much hip-hop muscle in his breakthrough Oscar nominated role as a rapping pimp in 'Hustle & Flow,' has an affinity for music – while promoting one of his film projects, he strum a guitar and serenaded supermodel Tyra Banks on her talk show.
In the meantime, his next film, 'Iron Man' arrives in theaters May 2.
*****
Academy Award nominee Laurence Fishburne is set to return to Broadway next month playing the role of late civil rights activist and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.Tickets went on sale last month for the one-man drama scheduled to start performances at the Booth Theatre April 12.
The star of films such as 'What's Love Got to Do with It?' and the 'Matrix' trilogy won Tony, Drama Desk and Theatre World Awards for his performance in August Wilson's 'Two Trains Running' in 1992.
Fishburne's next film '21' – co-starring Kevin Spacey and Kate Bosworth -- opens March 28.
Written by George Stevens Jr., 'Thurgood' traces Marshall's childhood in the backstreets of Baltimore to the Supreme Court of the United States. "Along the way," production notes state, "he overcame many adversities but through them all, remained focused and positive to maintain the great country he wanted to serve. And did."
The play made its premiere in 2006 at the Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut and was directed by Leonard Foglia. It starred James Earl Jones as Marshall, who died in 1993. Jones is currently starring in the hit Broadway play 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.'
*****
It's been 20 years since his last Broadway role but Morgan Freeman is gearing up for a triumphant return next month.On April 27, the Academy Award winning actor will take center stage in Mike Nichols' Broadway revival of Clifford Odets' 'The Country Girl.' Frances McDormand and Peter Gallagher will also star in the classic backstage story about a once great theater star now down on his luck, who is offered a major role by a hotshot director with the chance to make a major comeback.
The roles were originally played on Broadway in 1950 by an all white cast. The 1954 film adaptation starred Oscar winner Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby and William Holden.
Freeman, who won his own Oscar for his supporting role in Clint Eastwood's 'Million Dollar Baby,' last appeared on Broadway in 1988 in 'The Gospel at Colonus.'
The 70-year-old Memphis native received a Tony nomination for 'The Mighty Gents' in 1978 and appeared on Broadway in 'Purlie,' 'The Dozens' and 'Hello, Dolly!'
The former 'Electric Company' star – who enjoyed recent box-office success alongside Jack Nicholson in 'The Bucket List' -- is the recipient of three Obie Awards for his work in 'Coriolanus,' 'Gospel at Colonus' and Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize-winning play 'Driving Miss Daisy,' which was made into an acclaimed movie he starred in.
Comments: (14)
Add a comment
By: michele morgan on 3/17/2008 12:32PM
We just saw "The Hunting Party" and it was awesome. Terrence Howard was spot on in the role. I've enjoyed watching him perform for years and always thought he was unappreciated. I hope "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" appears in Los Angeles and/or Orange County.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: JN on 3/18/2008 12:54AM
You certainly can tell when their are LIMITED acting jobs available in Hollywood for the black men and women, everybody's is turning to broadway. Denzel just said this a couple of months ago about sharpening your skills as an actor and that is to do theater, damn if it's not happening. You are the man, always D, in my book. Someone should tell Beyonce's father that's where he should steer her start rather than embarassing herself in movies, first. Well you know she gotta get as fast as she can b/c she fading just as quick as she showed up in the first place. Being replace is hell, huh? I just wonder do artists every think about the time when they are not as hot as they were when they first hit the scene? Are they really prepared to FADE AWAY so soon. I just had to throw that out there, on the real. That way it wouldn't be so much of a challenge to get NON-SINGING roles to act in and we won't be so embarassed for her when she opens her big mouth putting her whole foot in for Forest & Bubba meeting for the first time on the bus keep coming out. Where is Matthew other "supposedly" child Kelly or so she claimed b/c the real daddy is nowhere to be found or does her mom know anyway? I guess she's figured that "real blood" is way THICKER than her water with the Knowles family, huh? Latavia(the other ORIGINAL member of Destiny's Child) we're still waiting that solo album, girl.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Rosie L. Crawford on 3/20/2008 6:11AM
Terrance Howard is one of the sexiest light skin brother I have seen in a long time. He can bring the light skin brother back. I myself like the dark skin brothers. I think he have a great acting career. I was tried of womens going crazy over Denzel.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Charden on 3/20/2008 8:28PM
The article failed to mention screen and stage actor, director and producer Harry Lennix. He has played Broadway and several stages around the world to critical acclaim.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: tracy Cousins on 3/18/2008 3:33PM
There arent a limited acting jobs for blacks in hollywood, they are just doing what they wanted to do, they are actors, and before tv and the big movies people went to plays to see acting, not the movies, so they are going back to their art, which is great, you can actually enjoy a real actor's talent without all the special effects and soundtracks. So stop being so nagative and go see a play, you might like it.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: brian on 3/18/2008 4:09PM
The great black way goes delightfully white.
Nah that story on aol white voices wont ever happen, that would be racist
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: TONY on 3/18/2008 6:09PM
BLACKS HAVE BEEN DOING GREAT THINGS FOR A VERY LONG TIME... BUT THE HISTORY BOOK SEEMED TO HAVE OVERLOOKED OUR SUCCESSES.
http://tonydeesNEGROLEAGUE.com
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: THE ONE on 3/18/2008 6:28PM
BRIAN: How is this post racist? And why are you even on Black Voices. You people are spies and you're all obsessed!!! Get a life. there's already a white AOL, why can't we have anything?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Margaret Shaw on 3/25/2008 7:03PM
I personally enjoy anything we play in, either on the big screen, tv, and stage. in-order for us to be considered, we must be 10 times as good as the others. We must continue to be positive about our own. I love Byonce and can't wait to see her playing Etta James. Many say she should stay out of it but I have enjoyed everything she and all of our bro./sis have added to our enjoyment.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Gloria High on 3/19/2008 1:45PM
Terrance Howard is a very great actor. He needs to get a sista on his side.
Reply to this Comment | Report This