Billy Porter on directing The Life | Encores! Inside the Revival

Go behind the scenes with this new digital series-Encores! Inside the Revival. This mini documentary series takes you inside the next chapter of the beloved Tony-honored Encores! where the unique creative process of productions in development is led by Encores! Artistic Director Lear deBessonet and Producing Creative Director Clint Ramos.
In the first installment of the series, Emmy and Tony Award-winning artist Billy Porter (FX’s Pose, Kinky Boots) takes audiences through his reimagining of the 1997 twelve-time Tony-nominated musical (including Best Musical) The Life. Punctuated with performances by recording artist and Encores! Off-Center alum Mykal Kilgore (“Use What You Got”) and Grammy-nominated artist Ledisi (“The Oldest Profession”), Encores! Producing Creative Director Clint Ramos and Porter discuss his vision for an updated take on the story of Queen, a prostitute, and her fellow sex workers, who strive for a better life against all oppressive forces in Times Square in 1980. By re-envisioning the main character of Queen, Porter transforms and evolves the story into one of hope and survival, honoring the characters’ given circumstances, and revealing their universal humanity.
Music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Ira Gasman, and book by Coleman, Gasman, and David Newman
Adapted and directed by Billy Porter
#CityCenterEncores!

[@DivaLaMarr]

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS. Mykal Kilgore AND Ledisi with this BRILLIANT concept by Billy Porter?!?!?! YESS!!! Broadway is BLACK.

[@petradonovan5161]

I saw the original back in the 90's and Lillias White was breathtakingly sensational. There is a number called "My Body" which stopped the show and made the audience cheer. The music is great and I can't wait to see what the fabulous Mr Porter does with it.

[@ericsassaman3661]

I love this show and am so excited that Billy Porter is giving it a new life, a truer life. If only I could make it to NYC.... sigh. Please record this cast! You did it for Dreamgirls, my favorite recording of that show. (Or offer a filmed version for those who cannot be there in March.)

[@marlaevans8347]

YES!!!! I've been waiting for this for 20+ years!!

[@patparis9418]

Bravo Billy. Cannot wait

[@christopherquartana2812]

A drama.......yes! The original production had the tone wrong. It needed to be so much darker. Sounds like Billy knows what he's doing.

[@remyfacade]

No. They got it right the first time. Successful dark themed shows in the 90's were rare.

[@MichaelRoberts-vq3qf]

This will be amazing!!! Wish i was in it!!

[@mamablack2k]

Awesome 💜💜💜💜KUDOS brotha Dule😘😘😘City ctr and Encore!

[@heyhassanmedia]

Oh this is going to be GOOD.

[@jasminecoward2306]

Ledisi is undeniable

[@krisanthonywilliams.8151]

Yessss!!!!!!!!!

[@rtp4527]

Ledisi is and will always be the truth

[@victordunson719]

I saw it and it wasn’t anything special.

[@Udugirl]

Loved Tony McKay! A Great teacher! ✨🔑 @billyporter @cmudrama