Exclusive: Anna Uzele talks Dear Edward and upcoming Broadway musical New York, New York
Airing its final episode this week is the Apple TV+ series Dear Edward, starring Connie Britton, Taylor Schilling, Amy Forsyth, Anna Uzele, Audrey Corsa, Brittany S. Hall, Carter Hudson, Dario Ladani Sanchez, Douglas M. Griffin, Eva Ariel Binder, Idris DeBrand, Ivan Shaw, Jenna Qureshi, Khloe Bruno and Maxwell Jenkins.
Adapted from Ann Napolitano’s bestselling, acclaimed novel, and written and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Jason Katims, “Dear Edward” is a heartbreaking, life-affirming and uplifting story about survival, resilience, connection and the examination of what makes us human.
Hailing from Apple Studios and starring Emmy nominee Connie Britton and SAG Award winner Taylor Schilling, “Dear Edward” tells the story of Edward Adler (played by Colin O’Brien), a 12-year-old boy who survives a devastating commercial plane crash that kills every other passenger on the flight, including his family. As Edward and others all over the world are affected by the tragedy try to make sense of life after the crash, unexpected friendships, romances and communities are formed.
In the season finale, “Shelter,” Lacey and John search for Edward. Dee Dee throws a party. Election Day comes for Adriana. Edward revisits his past.
Uzele plays Adriana, a whip-smart activist who is just starting her career and reevaluates her professional life after she loses her grandmother, the second-ever black Congresswoman.
Right as one project ends, another begins for Uzele, a New York-based actress who previously recurred on “City on A Hill” and guest starred on the series “FBI.”
Uzele is about to star the new Broadway musical New York, New York, featuring music and lyrics by Tony, Emmy & Grammy Award winners and Academy Award nominees John Kander & Fred Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret).
Written by Tony Award nominee David Thompson (The Scottsboro Boys, Steel Pier), co-written by Sharon Washington (Audible’s Feeding The Dragon) and featuring additional lyrics by Pulitzer, Tony, Emmy & Grammy Award winner and Academy Award nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In The Heights), NEW YORK, NEW YORK will be directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys).
NEW YORK, NEW YORK stars Colton Ryan as Jimmy Doyle and Anna Uzele as Francine Evans. Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli played the characters in the 1977 Martin Scorsese film, written by Earl M. Rauch, that inspired the stage musical.
It is 1946, the war is over, and a resurgent New York is beginning to rebuild. As steel beams swing overhead, a collection of artists has dreams as big and diverse as the city itself.
Among them is New York native Jimmy Doyle, a brilliant but disillusioned musician looking for his “major chord” in life: music, money, love. The odds are against him getting all three until he meets Francine Evans, a young singer just off the bus from Philly, who is destined for greatness. If they can make it there, they can make it anywhere.
On the stage, Uzele made her Broadway debut in “Once Upon On This Island” as ‘Andrea Devereau.’ Most recently, she starred as ‘Catherine Parr’ in the North American tour and Broadway debut of “Six” on Broadway. She and the cast were recently nominated for a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. Uzele is a graduate of Texas State University where she earned her BFA in musical theater.
Blackfilmandtv.com’s Wilson Morales caught up with Uzele as spoke about her role on Dear Edward and the upcoming musical New York, New York.