A "MIGHTY REAL" FAITH STEP!

As my time as an Original Company Member at Pippin the Musical comes to a close this Sunday with my last few shows, I can't help but reflect on how many memories I've created with this INCREDIBLE company. Little did I know over two years ago that this show would bring so much "MAGIC" to my life. From inception at American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Ma to BROADWAY and Tony Awards, I am GRATEFUL for everything this show has brought to my world and I will carry them all with me. I am beyond words to leave this season in my life and move on to a new and INCREDIBLE experience of Producing a Brand, New Show with my Partner Kendrell Bowman. Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical is going to be FIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEERRRCEE and I am SO THRILLED to have the chance to be free to create something FANTASTIC! I don't know what the future holds, but I'm HAPPY to take the chance and leap into it. Gotta have FAITH! #FAITH + #WORKS + #OPPORTUNITY + #FAVOR = #SUCCESS! Now, I AM GOING TO LET THIS WEEKEND HAVE IT with my GREAT COMPANY and keep it #MIGHTYREAL!! OKAY!

PLEASE MAKE PLANS TO COME SEE Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical TODAY!! LIMITED ENGAGEMENT is Sept 5th - Oct. 5th, 2014! DON'T MISS IT!

Best.

-a.wayne

Tunnel Vision without Walls….and REAL TALK.

Ma (Elaine Gary Green) & Me

Since my mother's passing February 11th, 2013, I find myself trusting myself to be me more. I see so many things through different eyes. I find myself believing, understanding and really living all the things she and I have either talked about, dreamed about or couldn't even fathom. I find myself becoming a stronger, better and wiser man. For that, I am proud of myself and grateful for those around me who keep me level headed and strong. Since opening PIPPIN on Broadway in 2013, Kendrell (my partner) and I have developed and created the 'SYLVESTER' Show to a whole new level. We have a Home Off-Broadway and we are SO EXCITED to be presenting MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL to audiences for a limited engagement run (Sept 5 - Oct. 5, 2014). Opening night is Sept. 14th and I CANNOT WAIT! I am grateful for the opportunity and the experience. Also, to be doing this with my partner is beyond words.

"MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS
SYLVESTER MUSICAL"

What I'm about to say is Powerful and so True. I get that no one will ever understand the truth of our show and the work it takes everyday to create and build, but..….*real talk*…we are black men and we are doing this ourselves. We have learned and done so much, but no on REALLY understands what it's taken to get to this place with our show. Many friends have come and gone. Many have looked down upon it and say, "Oh, that's nice" or "Your little show has really gotten far", but if they only knew the impact the show has on many and the trials and tribulations it took to get to this point, they would only have a glimpse of understanding. It's no fun at all to have people look at you and say, "Oh, you're just the Chicken from PIPPIN" and think that's all you can do. I find myself looking at Lupita, Tyler, Oprah, Barack, Sidney, Hattie, Beyonce, Tina, Sammy, Gregory, Lena and all the other Black Trailblazers that have come before me and I'm encouraged, inspired and driven even more to know that they have been down this lonely road before where no one understands or cares. There is no road map to life while living as a black man in this day in age. Yes, slavery is over, but many still have it in their minds. Whether it's intentional or unintentional. Many believe that we can't do great things or shouldn't be doing great things. Truth is, we have to be excellent to be average. It's about being respected. Yes, there may be one or two blacks in a musical or movie (while there are many others who are the majority), but we are just as talented and have a right to be respected across the board. Some may say what about the other minorities. I say to them, most of them don't have the stigma of the history our ancestors had to deal with in this country to just survive day to day. I live and am reminded of it every time I look in the mirror. I carry the weight of them with me everyday. For that, I AM NOT ASHAMED.

I'm proud to stand strong in the man I am today and am Happy to shine my light everyday on that Broadway Stage no matter what. I represent every young man who every child who has or has had a dream to be on Broadway as I did and when I see someone who looks like me in the audience, I dance and sing to/for them so they can know they can fly and soar too, regardless. Now, as a producer, to know that I can write/produce GREAT work, employ talented actors/musicians  and celebrate the life of an Incredible individual (such as Sylvester); that's beyond words. For that, I stand proud and strong and know God wouldn't bring me this far to leave me…no matter what.

Anthony Wayne & Kendrell Bowman

I say all this because I am now in a place of opening up myself to allow life to encompass me. I refuse to be placed into a box and see life with blinders on. I'm allowing new and exciting things to come my way and as they do, I welcome them with no judgment, blame or expectation. Now, doing that is easier said than done, but doing that allows you to be the true you and others to be the true them. I am a blessed man with continuing love of my family, friends and partner. However, as time continues to tick along, I find myself understanding the strength of what I have comes from within. I don't know if you reading this believe in God, Jesus, Mary, Buddah, Universe or whom/whatever. I give much respect to EVERYONE'S religion and belief, but I do know that You have the power to do whatever you have to do for you already inside of you. No one will give it to you. No one will be there for you. No one will wait on you hand over foot for you to get it. No one will give you "time". You have to go out there and take it. You have to continue to be encouraged and true to yourself and know that no matter what, something is out there for you. You might not be able to touch it or see it right now, but you can trust, have faith and believe it will come. If you continue to keep moving forward, all will be revealed. Believe, Trust, Don't be Ashamed of You and know that You are More Than Enough.

Stay Encouraged….and come see "MIGHTY REAL". ;)

-a.wayne

TRANSPARENT.....TRANSITION.

I haven't written anything in a while because,....I didn't really know how to put into words what I really felt. So many emotions, so much of "life" happening and so much.....transition has happened.

Since leaving Cambridge, Mass, I was able to put my focus on the "FABULOUS SYLVESTER" show we had scheduled in Washington, D.C.. The time we had was INCREDIBLE. It was so liberating to be able to bring my ENTIRE band and cast down to D.C. from NYC.

We stayed at a great hotel, had a fantastic mini-bus to bring us down and performed for over 600+ people at the Historic and Beautifully renovated HOWARD THEATRE off T Street. Words cannot express the joy i felt on January 27th, 2013. My family came up, I had friends there, I made new friends and to share it all with my partner, Kendrell, was the icing on the cake.

One thing that I felt sad about was knowing my mother couldn't be there. I talked to her on the phone before I got on stage and she prayed with me, encouraged me, inspired me (as she always does) and gave me so much love through the phone. She's my biggest supporter and always has been. My mother passed away from Cancer on February 11th, 2013. I miss her.......a LOT. I miss her laughter. I miss her smile. I miss talking to her late at night over the phone. I miss her telling me things I DON'T want to hear. lol. I miss....her. She  is the only woman I ever truly loved. The fucked up part about it is that I will never have those moments again. The "transition" from life to death baffles me. You have someone here with you for a time and then "poof", they're gone. Some may say they're still here, but they're not really HERE HERE. Before she passed I felt myself becoming selfish and wanting her here because I wanted her to be here for me, but I had to realize that God had a plan and she is exactly where she wants to be. With God and "EXPERIENCING GOD'S GRACE". Those were her initials "E.G.G. = ELAINE GARY GREEN". During the funeral, I was moaning from within. It's something that I can only describe as an aching groan from my soul. I will never heal from losing her, but I KNOW I'm exactly where she wants me to be. She and I have traveled all over with my tours. Toronto, San Diego, Washington, D.C. and even my first Broadway show "Anything Goes". I remember her beaming in the audience. Just TEETH, the waving of hands and tapping the people next to her saying "THAT'S MY CHILD!" as people beside here were asking "Which One?" watching me tap in a Sea of Caucasian People. lmao.

She was LIVING as she always did. She inspired me every step of her journey. To see and experience her Strength was so Amazing! At the funeral SO MANY PEOPLE came out to extend their condolences. They spoke of how much of an amazing woman she was and I have to say I am SO PROUD to be one of Two Sons that were bore by her. My brother, Eugene, is a good man and I'm so happy to be his brother. We keep each other encouraged and have grown MUCH closer than we were years ago as we fought over stupid shit like Hot Pockets. lol.

I do have to say that I'm grateful for Kendrell. He was there. He supported me, stood by me, listened
to me, cried with me and loved me through it all. I'm grateful and appreciative of his strength. I will and do everything I can to give him back exactly that in return. That's what relationships are about. I wish that everyone gets to feel what real, true love is. I DON'T take it for granted and never will. (No matter how much he works my last GOOD nerve at times....and I work his. (smile)).

Now, "PIPPIN" opens on Broadway on the April 25th, 2013. I do not resent what I do. Many people can when they feel like their "work" can take them away from the moments that life really brings. I understand that totally (because "show business" can definitely do it to you), but the moments I shared with my mother are Priceless and I don't regret anything. I tell people my mother has a VIP Front Row Comp Ticket FOREVER to anything I do and am in. She has her choice of Front Row Mezzanine or Front Row Center. lol. Wherever it is, I know she's there and with me....watching me and keeping me. She was very religious, so she called herself a  "JC GIRL" and would always say "TO GOD BE THE GLORY". I know she is flying in His Glory now. Fly, Ma and I look forward to seeing you again soon...to laugh, to cry and for you to rub my head as you did when I was little at the foot of your bed as you talked on the phone. You will NEVER be forgotten. I may not have you here physically, but you are ALWAYS here in my heart.

-a.wayne

Kendrell, A "FABULOUS" New Year and a "Metaphorical" New Level!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, FAMILY! (I KNOW I'M LATE!)

YES, it's been a minute since I've written. Things have been really incredible on this end, though. TO CATCH UP, I spent Christmas and New Years in Boston with my partner, Kendrell, and our puppy Rocco. It's the special times and moments you take with the people that you love that are priceless. Kendrell encourages and inspires me so much. I'm grateful to have that love in my life. Now, just like anything it's not ALWAYS perfect, but you begin to realize that it's the #truelove you have for someone that stands the test of time. I'm happy to have that. I'm also grateful to have my mother, father, brother and other family members in my life as well. As a matter of fact, my dad came to visit me in NYC before I left for Boston (we had a good time) and I flew home to see my mother. For those who don't know, she's been battling Breast Cancer for some years now. She's so strong and I admire her so much. Her strength is so incredible and I am driven by her perseverance. She is doing much better and hearing her tell me she loves me on the phone is something I do NOT take for granted. Please just keep her lifted in prayer. My brother and his two boys are good too!! I'm grateful for their love as well.

My Daddy, Larry, and I

Ma, Gene and I

The "FABULOUS SYLVESTER" concert we did in July and September of last year has led to us doing a NATIONAL TOUR of the show. I'M SO EXCITED. Our first stop is WASHINGTON, D.C., which is where we are RIGHT NOW!! Words can't really express how blessed and happy I feel to be doing something so special with my partner and incredibly talented ass people. If you are in the D.C. area tonight (Jan. 27th), come check us out at The Howard Theatre.
Click here for more information: www.FABULOUSSYLVESTER.com
NOTHING is easy. This entire process has been a learning experience in making me a stronger, smarter and better man. There are so many things that people never see and will NEVER understand unless you own your own business. There are SO MANY behind the scenes things that people don't care about. They just want the final product and that can really mess your head up. It can make you feel like no one appreciates the sacrifices you had to make, the pain you had to endure, the arguments you had to have, the struggles you have to go through in order for something or someone to shine for one moment. I realize how moments are so precious. Time is so fleeting. So I'm doing EVERYTHING I can to not take anything, any time or any one for granted. I appreciate the moments of life and look forward to even more with those I love.

Speaking of doing your own thing, it can be very difficult when you enjoy your work and what you've created so much that other things begin to falter. That's why you have to learn the art of balancing. It's an everyday learning experience for me. That being said, the production of "PIPPIN" that I just finished at A.R.T. just found a home on Broadway!! I am so excited about that as well. To have two types of careers flourishing at the same time is hard, but so refreshing. That doesn't happen all the time. As I said before, it's an everyday learning experience and I invite any challenge to come my way. "PIPPIN" is going to be at the Music Box Theatre on 45th Street. I'm looking forward to being back on Broadway with this show in particular. It brings so much behind it because of it's Metaphorical splendor. People can't truly find the ending to it or figure it out which excites me because it makes it new EVERY NIGHT! We begin rehearsals early March, previews begin March 23rd and we open April 25th.

"PIPPIN" at American Repertory Theatre

The American Repertory Theatre Company of "PIPPIN"

Honestly, I feel like I'm living a dream. Seriously. Things are happening around me and I am so happy about it. It's times like this I remember when no one wanted to know who I was. I remember when people didn't care about me. I remember walking around NYC for hours passing out my headshot to people like Telsey, Tara Rubin and Binder Casting. I remember getting a $5 Quizno's sub and eating half of it for lunch and the other half for dinner. I remember FIGHTING to get seen;.....for just the chance. I remember sitting at the Equity building all day since 7am with my name first on the Non-Equity list to be told at 5pm that they're not seeing any more people and I should go home. I remember eventually getting a GREAT paying 1st National Tour and making the most money I'd ever made in my life, but feeling SO alone and lonely. I remember......and will NEVER FORGET! I stay humble and human. God is amazing and I'm a man who wants people to see HIM in all I do because I know he's always there for me no matter what. Faith without works is dead, so keep working, be Faithful and never any adversity to discourage you. Time is fleeting, so take advantage of EVERY second. I'm a happy and blessed man tonight. I am free, fierce and "FABULOUS".....and so are you.

love, a.

SO MUCH...a Break...and BACK AGAIN!

A.Wayne in "PRISCILLA" on BROADWAY

Wow. I can't believe I haven't posted anything since January. Damn. lol. Well, I guess it's time to play catch up. I ended up spending 5 Months dressing up as a Huge Yellow Lizard and an Aborigine man named Jimmy in "PRISCILLA" on Broadway.  During that time and before PRISCILLA closed in June, I began to write, create and produce a show called "FABULOUS, ONE MORE TIME: A SYLVESTER CONCERT" based on the life of the 1970's Disco Singer, SYLVESTER.  I was doing SO MUCH WORK by investing in the right aspects of this venture and staying smart when it came to promoting the show that we ended up having a SOLD OUT CONCERT. July 29th, 2012 will be a day I will NEVER forget. For the first time in my life, I understood what it meant to have your own.  This show was a labor of love for my partner, Kendrell, and I and to see it come to fruition and blossom left me speechless.  EVERYONE had a good time and it all came together so well.

A.Wayne as Sylvester in "FABULOUS"

"PIPPIN" WORKSHOP

Well, needless to say, IT DIDN'T STOP. The day after the concert, I was on a bus at 3am to Cambridge, Massachusetts to be part of the Workshop company of "PIPPIN" at The American Repertory Theatre directed by Diane Paulus.  Working with Broadway Royalty like Chet Walker, Charlotte d'Amboise, Terrance Mann and all the phenomenal performers (acrobatic and all) who were involved blew my mind. I felt so blessed to be there and had to truly understand that I was exactly where I was supposed to be with the great people I was supposed to be with in this experience. Once you open yourself up that mindset, you go from being an admirer of their talent to understanding them as a person to enjoying them as your peers.  It's a wonderful thing to understand the color you paint in the canvas of something that's being created. Greatest thing is you don't JUST know, but you feel and understand the impact your color makes...and that's more than enough.

A.Wayne and Kendrell

After Cambridge mid August, I left for a LONG OVERDUE vacation to Cancun, Mexico with Kendrell. We really had the time of our lives.  It's so great to share so many great experiences with someone you care about and they you.  There's nothing like it. I encourage EVERYONE to stay hopeful in knowing someone is there for you. It comes when you LEAST expect it.....and is Bliss if you build the foundation and just BE.

Stephen Schwartz and A.Wayne

We all head back up to Cambridge Mid-November to do a run of "PIPPIN" at A.R.T.. The assumption is we're heading to Broadway in the Spring. I don't like to think that far in advance, so I'll just live in the now and enjoy this....right now. lol. Until then, I AM PREPARING TO DO "FABULOUS" again on SEPTEMBER 30TH AT 6PM. I truly hope to see you there at LE POISSON ROUGE in NYC. SO many people wanted to see it again so we decided to do it "ONE MORE TIME". COME SEE WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT!! YOU WILL NOT be disappointed. TRUST ME! FOR MORE INFO TICKETS AND LIVE VIDEO CLICK HERE: www.awayneproductions.com

Billboard Marquee Outside of (le) Poisson Rouge

A.Wayne as Sylvester in "FABULOUS"

Stay encouraged.

-a.

A Whole New World...to "BELIEVE" in.

Well, today is the day! I officially join the Broadway Cast of "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert".  This past week and a half has been such a whirlwind.  Leaving "Anything Goes" was really hard for me.  I could feel the show leaving my body as I started to rehearse "Priscilla" more.  Now, the day is here to just do and just be.  I am SO GRATEFUL for Eric Sciotto and Josh Buscher.  Eventhough it's their job, they were so patient, clear and understanding and that says a lot about their character and the persons that they are.

Something happened last Tuesday night where the company asked me if I could go on as just Jimmy and I said yes.  I felt like I was ready and then next thing you know, it was happening.  It felt like a weird dream, but there was a comfortability I felt as it was going on.  It was as if I was exactly where the Universe/God/whomeveryoubelievein wanted me to be. I felt the cast come together and be so supportive and it was incredible.  I think more than anything else, to know that this cast/creative team believes in me, makes me smile.  I look forward to a great run and can't wait to create new and exciting times with them all.  Here's to a new Journey, Family! Let's do it!! 

Bittersweet Bliss with a Colorful Canvas

Words cannot fully express the gambit of emotions I felt yesterday during my last day with "Anything Goes".  As I tapped out my last steps that evening, I couldn't help but think about how excited I was during the first day of rehearsals.  Taking the journey of this revival from the beginning up until now made me realize how great a Dream can become reality.  I am so grateful and blessed to have lived a Dream with this phenomenal company.  Now, as I disembark off this illustrious journey, I head on to another.  

Today, I begin rehearsals for  "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert". Having the chance to go from one show to another is NOT an easy thing to do here in New York City, but when you are chosen to do it, it's something to DEFINITELY be happy about.  The best thing for me is knowing something that I've helped create will live on.  All the memories we created in that dressing room and backstage will live on.  It will never be forgotten.  They will be etched in the memory of those who shared it.  Now, it's time for someone else to create their own memories and place their mark on the show.  I see it as a canvas.  The color we all created were each unique and beautiful, but now even as the colors begin to change, the canvas can only get even more beautiful and unique in it's own way. That's exciting to see.  I wish everyone well on their journey and can only look forward to working with them again.  

Now, it's time to focus on the next new journey.  I don't know what will lie ahead, but I know that I will continue to share my joy and light with this new company and create new blissful memories.  January 27th is my first show with "Priscilla" and I'm proud to add my color to their Canvas.  

Stay Encouraged.

-a.