Holding On - The New Musical

10/31/2019

A big leap forward for our new musical "Holding On”, created by Neil Klein and Jay Blotcher. We are ecstatic to begin an artistic collaboration with the renowned New Heritage Theatre Group​ of Harlem. We will be working with two legendary, award-winning visionaries: NHTG founder and Executive Producer Voza Rivers​ and Executive Artistic Director Jamal Joseph. Our Tony-winning general manager, Jamie Cesa​, brought us to this significant next step in production development.
Thanks to our longtime supporters; you share in this victory! We will provide updates in our journey.
(In this photo, Jamie Cesa, Voza Rivers and co-creator and composer Neil Klein​ celebrate the start of our collaboration.)

10/31/2019

A big leap forward for the new musical Holding On! We are ecstatic to begin an artistic collaboration with the renowned New Heritage Theatre Group of Harlem. We will be working with two legendary visionaries: NHTG founder and Executive Producer Voza Rivers and Executive Artistic Director Jamal Joseph. Our general manager, Jamie Cesa, brought us to this significant next step in production development. Thanks to our longtime supporters; you share in this victory with us! We will provide updates in our journey.
(In this photo, Jamie Cesa, Voza Rivers and Neil Klein celebrate the start of our collaboration.)

11/14/2017

www.playbill.com

We're happy to introduce the show's new executive producer! Jamie Cesa of Cesa Entertainment will guide us to the first 29-hour rehearsal for "Holding On." Stay tuned for updates.

08/03/2017

Hello to friends of "Holding On"! Despite our silence, there are behind-the-scenes developments. We will announce them when the time is right. Stay tuned and thanks for your ongoing support.

06/01/2017

Click here to support Terri White Medical Fund organized by Kelly Briggs

A health update on the star of "Holding On," musical theater veteran Terri White!

Dear Friends, Fans & Colleagues of Terri White. She is in need of our help. Terri has a rare blood disease and is in need of chemotherapy treatments. Terri has no insurance. The treatments are 1500.00 per week plus 1,000.00 in prescriptions. Please consider donating to help Terri. She has done s...

03/17/2017

Support the Parsons Dance Matching Campaign!

Our favorite dance troupe needs our help.
Thanks.

Support the Parsons Dance Matching Campaign!

03/01/2017

Click here to support Terri White Medical Fund by Kelly Briggs

Just a reminder that veteran Broadway actor Terri White, star of "Holding On," still faces major health challenges. Please consider making a donation to ensure she receives the care she needs.

Dear Friends, Fans & Colleagues of Terri White. She is in need of our help. Terri has a rare blood disease and is in need of chemotherapy treatments. Terri has no insurance. The treatments are 1500.00 per week plus 1,000.00 in prescriptions. Please consider donating to help Terri. She has done s...

11/16/2016

Click here to support Terri White Medical Fund by Kelly Briggs

The star of "Holding On," Broadway veteran Terri White, is facing some formidable health challenges. Let's pull together and help this great woman!

Dear Friends, Fans & Colleagues of Terri White. She is in need of our help. Terri has a rare blood disease and is in need of chemotherapy treatments. Terri has no insurance. The treatments are 1500.00 per week plus 1,000.00 in prescriptions. Please consider donating to help Terri. She has done s...

09/19/2016

A 100-year journey: The National Museum of African American History and Culture

Your morning inspiration...

After a journey spanning more than 100 years, on Saturday, Sept. 24, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), our country’s first national museum celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of black Americans, will...

09/18/2016

Kinky Boots on Broadway

"Holding On" cast member Alan Mingo and the company of his hit show, Kinky Boots on Broadway, have a special message for all Americans! Testify, Lola!

Watch as Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein share an important message about voting – and help audiences at KINKY BOOTS register!

Register now at www.Kinky.Vote.

06/21/2016

“Broadway for Orlando”: The Exclusive Music Video

The cast and crew of "Holding On" applaud the Broadway for Orlando group that recorded this classic Bacharach-David song to raise funds for the survivors and families of the victims of the Pulse massacre. Each download sends money where it is needed.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/171342930

A chorus of Broadway celebrities raised their voices in song in response to the June 12 Orlando shooting massacre, the worst in U.S. history. Sara Bareilles, Carole…

06/03/2016

Kinky Boots on Broadway

Alan Mingo, Jr., who plays Cassius in our show, leads the cast of Kinky Boots on Broaday New York - Al Hirschfeld Theater (plus show creators Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein) in this musical number with an uplifting message!

You change the world when you change your mind. #JustPee

04/23/2016

This week, composer-lyricist Neil Klein gathered the trio of knock-outs who play neighborhood girls Jackie, Adele and Marietta to record the show-stopper "Look at Me" at NYC's Whitewater Recording Studios. Fun and funkiness for all! Thanks to Melana Lloyd, Chondra Profit and Monette McKay!

04/22/2016

Alan Mingo Jr. on How Diana Ross and Mommie Dearest Helped Bring His Lola to Life

Talk about versatility! Alan Mingo, who plays cold-blooded pimp-dealer Cassius in our show, has been wowing them for months as Lola in Toronto, and now moves to Manhattan, New York as the star of Kinky Boots on Broadway!

Mingo is the newest fabulous drag queen of Broadway's Kinky Boots.

03/14/2016

The cast and crew of "Holding On" proudly welcome gifted choreographer Ray Mercer of Ray Mercer Dance to our creative team. Gymnastic energy and a passion for social change distinguish Mercer's dance pieces. Learn more at http://www.raymercerdance.com/

03/01/2016

Much to Save in Harlem, but Historic Preservation Lags, a Critic Says

"Holding On" revisits Harlem in 1969, and will recreate the look and feel of that era onstage. Meet a man trying to preserve Harlem's heritage.

A preservationist mourned an important building of the Harlem Renaissance and other sites that he said would surely have been preserved in another neighborhood.

03/01/2016

Pure Motion 2016 - Broadway Cares

Neil Klein and I attended an exhilarating event last night, Pure Motion: An Evening of Dances by Ray Mercer. A benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Congratulations to Ray Mercer and all the exquisite dancers involved!

Pure Motion, an evening of dances by Ray Mercer

01/24/2016

Happy birthday to the star of Holding On -- Ms. Terri White, who has nurtured our musical since the very beginning! Talk about your red-hot mamas! Hurrah for Terri White Fanpage!

01/04/2016

A Homey Hangout for Broadway Stars Closes After 14 Years

Some of our best "Holding On" business meetings and celebrations happened at Angus' Cafe Bistro. We will miss it!

Angus’s Cafe and Bistro, a restaurant on West 44th Street, attracted stars and producers of ‘The Producers’ as investors and patrons.

07/26/2015

This past Thursday evening, Holding On creative team members director-dramaturg DJ Salisbury, composer-librettist Neil Klein and librettist Jay Blotcher met in the West Village for a dinner meeting, to discuss plans for moving forward on the staged reading of the show! Stay tuned.

07/24/2015

Alan Mingo Jr. chats about his role in Kinky Boots

Alan Mingo, Jr., who plays the amoral Cassius, the neighborhood pimp and pusher in Holding On, is currently wowing them as the lead in the Toronto production of Kinky Boots on Broadway! He's there through November.

Kinky Boots begins June 16th at The Royal Alexandra Theatre.

06/24/2015

Sleep Out: Broadway Edition 2015: Rita Marie Harvey - Sleep Out: Broadway Edition - Covenant House

The talented Broadway star Rita Harvey, who portrays the haunted mother Claire in Holding On - The New Musical, is also a dedicated community activist. This August, she will be sleeping on the streets of Manhattan to raise funds for Covenant House International and homeless youth. We happily contributed. Will you join us?

TeamRaiser for Sleep Out Broadway Edition 2015 event.

06/19/2015

Last night, Neil and Jay met with musical theater veteran Neil Berg to discuss the forthcoming staged reading for "Holding On." He's been supportive from the start and continues to inspire and guide us. Thanks, Neil www.holdingonthemusical.com

05/31/2015

Broadway Set to Announce Richest Season Ever, Thanks to Star Power

Good news for all of us in the theatre!

Thanks in part to the box-office drawing power of Hugh Jackman, Bradley Cooper, Helen Mirren, Larry David, Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick and other celebrated performers, Broadway’s on-track to rep...

04/27/2015

Harlem Renaissance chorus dancer, 102 years old, sees self on film for the first time

While you're waiting for fresh news from the team at "Holding On," please enjoy this touching video.

Alice Barker was a chorus line dancer during the Harlem Renaissance of the the 1930s and 40s.

03/13/2015

Our very own Terri White has a new CD planned. Would you help make her dream a reality? You know she has the pipes!
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/terri-white-music-videos

01/24/2015

Happy birthday to Terri White, our favorite leading lady -- the fierce, loving, defiant and inspirational Alice, matriarch of the musical Holding On!

01/20/2015

Broadway World.com - #1 Site for Broadway Shows, Theatre, Live Entertainment, Tickets & More!

We are over the moon for Terri White, the Broadway veteran who plays the lead role in "Holding On" of the mighty but compassionate matriarch, Alice Turner! For the second straight year the voters at the website BroadwayWorld.com named her the "Best One-Show, One-Night Special Event" for her show "Two Score" at 54 Below. The awards will be given out this evening. Jubilation!

Broadway World.com - The #1 Site for Broadway, Theatre, Live Entertainment, Broadway Shows and Broadway Tickets

01/09/2015

HOLDING ON - THE MUSICAL : Mailing List Signup

Progress on our musical is happening quickly! There will be lots of developments in 2015. If you'd like to be on the inside track for updates, please sign up for the free Holding On newsletter here:

Getting it done right. HOLDING ON - THE MUSICAL uses SafeUnsubscribe® which reliably removes your email address from our lists.

01/03/2015

Kander and Ebb revue refuses to let entertainment ebb at Farmers Alley Theatre cabaret (review)

Hats off to Holding On - The New Musical cast member Melana Lloyd, whose recent appearance in the Kander and Ebb revue made entertainment news in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

If "And the World Goes 'Round," a revue of well-known to obscure songs by John Kander and Fred Ebb, were a pizza, it'd be deep dish with all the toppings. If it were a holiday meal, it would be a turducken.

12/26/2014

Iggy, Lou, Joey — and Danny

Danny Fields, a longtime supporter of "Holding On" (he attended the last two table readings), is profiled in today's The New York Times. Learn more about his amazing life.

From the Doors to the Ramones, Danny Fields witnessed a revolution from the inside, and kept records.

11/17/2014

The October 7 "Holding On" table reading was a revelation for us! It reminded us what an amazing cast we have and proved how strong the show is. It also alerted us that we have more revisions, to streamline and strengthen the musical. So, we're trimming scenes for the holidays. Thanks to all for your ongoing support!

10/13/2014

'A Chosen Exile': Black People Passing In White America

Holding On partially deals with the issue of skin color and racism; the lead character Ricky is of mixed race and faces mistrust from both sides. Here's another look at the issue, from NPR:

From the time of slavery, some light-skinned African Americans escaped racism by passing as white. The new book, A Chosen Exile: A History of Racial Passing in American Life, explores what they lost.

10/13/2014

Get to know the latest addition to the talented cast of Holding On: Ann McCormack! Her credits include: 50th Anniversary World Tour of West Side Story (Maria), Song of Solomon at The Actor's Temple (Almah), Sweetie at Signature Theatre-Pershing Square (Sweetie), Wynton Marsalis Abyssinian: A Gospel Celebration (US tour). Yanni World Tour, Parable of the Sower at New York City Opera (workshop). Ann has performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris) Festspielhaus (Baden-Baden) and in many theaters and arenas across the globe. www.annmccormack.com

10/09/2014

Team Ricky (the cast of "Holding On"). October 8, 2014, NYC. Official photo by Dennis O'Clair.