4/16/26 O&A NYC REVIEW BY WALTER RUTLEDGE:  Cats: The Jellicle Ball

By Walter Rutledge

Cats: The Jellicle Ball made it’s Broadway debut on April 7that the Broadhurst Theater. The new production has replaced the London alley/junkyard with a New York City gay ball. Called a “radical reimagining” this reincarnation of Daniel Lloyd Webber iconic musical is a fun, raucous, high energy theatrical juggernaut. We give this clever remake “tens across the board”. Continue reading

2/25/26 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Corbin Bleu Mein Herr (Broadway Backwards 2023)

Corbin Bleu performed an electrifying rendition of Mein Herr from the musical Cabaret at the 2023 Broadway Backwards benefit. Bleu opened the show, which took place on March 13, 2023, at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City.  Continue reading

2/20/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Sammy Davis Jr.- The Original Triple Threat

Shall We Dance

Sammy Davis Junior

Samuel George “Sammy” Davis, Jr. was born on December 8, 1925. He was an African- American entertainer who broke many barriers and paved the way for entertainers in all  disciplines. Davis was primarily a dancer and singer, but he also received acclaim as an actor of stage and screen, musician, and impressionist. Davis died at age 64 in 1990, after spending 61 years in the profession he loved.  Continue reading

2/11/26 O&A NYC DANCE BY WALTER RUTLEDGE: Thera Ward – A Dancer For All Seasons – Unity through Community

By Walter Rutledge

Thera Ward has had a varied performance career based on her ability to broaden her artistic horizons. At 13 she made her debut as one of Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) founder Arthur Mitchells’ Baby Ballerinas. By 17 she was touring the world performing principal roles with DTH and helping to crack ballet’s color glass ceiling. Continue reading

1/11/26 O&A NYC IN MEMORIAM: Carmen de Lavallade (CBS Sunday Morning 2017)

In this Dec. 3, 2017 Sunday Morning report, Carmen de Lavallade talked with Rita Braver about her artistic journey (including her collaborations with Alvin Ailey and future husband Geoffrey Holder), and her decision to boycott a 2017 Kennedy Center Honorees reception following President Trump‘s remarks about White nationalists who marched in Charlottesville, Va. Continue reading

12/30/25 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Carmen DeLavallade- The Creation


Dancer, actor and choreographer Carmen DeLavallade performs The Creation featuring choreography by her husband Geoffrey Holder. Holder also designed the costume and music. 
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12/29/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Miracle In Harlem (1948)

Miracle in Harlem (1948) is a independent American film known as a race film, featuring an all-African American cast. is a murder mystery melodrama with musical elements, considered one of the better films of its genre from that era. The cast in the all black cast included  Sheila Guyse as Julie Weston, Hilda Offley as Aunt Hattie, William Greaves as Bert Hallam (Julie’s boyfriend), Stepin Fetchit as Swifty, the handyman, Laurence Criner as Albert Marshall, and  vocalists Savannah Churchill, Juanita Hall, and the Lynn Proctor Trio. Continue reading

12/19/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Judith Jamison and Donald Mckayle Cut A Rug on The Cosby Show

Shall We Dance Friday

You never know what what plot twist will lead to a history lesson on The Cosby Show. When Denise throws a little get-together, things take a wild turn as the older crowd (Judith Jamison Donald McKayle, Bill Cosby, and Phylicia Rashad) show the youngsters how to really party. A nice dance scene with cast members Lisa Bonet, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Tempestt Bledsoe, Keshia Knight Pulliam,  Blair Underwood, and Gerard Cooper.

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10/30/25 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Vincent Price Raps Thriller (1987)- The Tonight Show with Joan Rivers

Actor Vincent Price performs the iconic rap from Michael Jackson‘s mega hit Thriller. This was the first and only time performed the verses live on television Continue reading

4/22/25 O&A NYC REVIEW: Macbeth in Stride

By Walter Rutledge

For those of us that believe “Hell has no fury like a women scorned”. And for those of us who know firsthand you do not mess with a Black woman who “ain’t feeling it”. Leave your Elizabethan mindset at home and head to the Harvey Theater to experience MacBeth in Stride – Shakespeare from a sistah’s point of view. Written and performed by Obie- Award winner Whitney White the production takes Shakespeare and female empowerment to a new level. This soulful contemporary rendition of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Macbeth runs for only five remaining performances through April 27 at the Harvey Theater located at 651 Futon Street in downtown Brooklyn. Continue reading