Minneapolis, MN (April 13, 2012) – Tonia Hughes is becoming a household name among Ordway Theater patrons as she takes center stage in her third performance since December. Hughes joins a talented ensemble of renowned artists from the Twin Cities musical theater, jazz and cabaret scenes in this weekend’s final performances of Broadway Songbook: The Words and Music of Johnny Mercer.
The musical production features performers Joel Liestman, Jennifer Grimm, Julius Collins, Kersten Rodau, Tonia Hughes and her son Cameron Wright under the musical direction of Raymond Berg.
Mercer’s hits are among some of the most requested songs of all time. They include: Moon River, Goody Goody, I’m An Old Cowhand, Jeepers Creepers, Blues in The Night, That Old Black Magic, Come Rain Or Come Shine, The Days of Wine and Roses, Dream and the list goes on!
Hughes will also join artists, community members and Ordway staff in Ordway Extras – cross promoting the upcoming Adams Family production through a series of musical performances from comics that have been turned into musicals.
Hughes made her debut on the Ordway stage in December as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella.
In February she was the featured guest vocalist with Joyce Awards-Winning composer Hannibal Lokumbe and Vocal Essence for the world premiere of In the Spirit of Being.
Over the last decade, Hughes has garnered acclaim throughout the region for her dynamic vocal ability and riveting stage performances.
She is available for media interviews and appearances.
Tonia’s performance in the Ordway’s production of Broadway Songbook: The Words and Music of Johnny Mercer will climax this Sunday.
Tonia Hughes, who plays the fairy godmother in the Ordway’s production of “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” has a Cinderella story of her own. When her husband and singing partner David died unexpectedly in 2001, Hughes was left with three children to raise, no life insurance and huge challenges. She has built a successful career as a singer and actor in the Twin Cities.
“I’ve come a long way,” Hughes says. “I came through with the help of God and family and friends.” Though she’s known more for her spiritual music, Hughes thinks the whimsical “Cinderella” has something to say.
“It’s not just a story for kids. It’s a story of hope,” she says. “Never give up on your dreams, though sometimes it looks like you’ll never get through obstacles.” Sounds like fairy godmother-speak, but it’s Hughes’ reality.
December 13 marks the introduction of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” at the Ordway in St. Paul. As it draws near, a lot of work is going into getting a show of this scale ready for opening night. Local actress Tonia Hughes, who plays the Fairy Godmother, gives us a peek into the preparations.
Originally a television production starring Julie Andrews in 1957, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” has been adapted for the stage and twenty-plus cast members will bring “Cinderella” to the Ordway. Practice for the opening night takes a lot of hard work and time. According to Hughes, “Preparation is normally 3-4 weeks of rehearsals. Usually, the cast receives the script prior to the start of rehearsals. A normal work week is six hours a day with Mondays off. So in a week, we’re committed to 36 hours.”
Minneapolis, MN (December 4, 2011) – After receiving an admirable review from local theatre critics last month for her role in the Penumbra Theater’s Mahalia, Tonia Hughes will climax the holiday season in the Ordway Theater production of Cinderella. The local recording artist, actress and community organizer has garnered acclaim for her powerful performance in the Penumbra Theater’s holiday production Black Nativity over the last six years. This will be her first appearance on the Ordway stage in the role of the Fairy Godmother.
For Hughes, the part seems a perfect fit, in that she has been making ‘good things happen’ for individuals for years through her work as an organizer and contributor to projects that impact the homeless to tornado victims to children. Hughes says that while the story has so many underlying themes, the message that she most wants to relay is one of hope. “Turning a sheltered girl into a princess? Really?” Hughes says. “It’s fulfilling to know that I can attest to the fact that little girls (and adult women) can dream of something so impossible – and have the faith to believe that it will come true!”
The independent music artist recently had her own ‘Cinderella’ moment after seemingly being ‘looked over’ for almost two years by radio stations and music distributors. A song from her latest CD I’m Ready Now has been selected out of more than 300 entries to be spotlighted on the EMI Gospel music compilation Jawn Murray Presents: UNTAPPED. But the excitement of the moment isn’t over for Hughes, in that one of the ten finalists from the project will receive the grand prize of a recording contract with EMI Gospel. The major music label will announce the winner in 2012.
Tonia Hughes is known throughout the Twin Cities for her electrifying delivery style which fuses elements of Gospel, Blues, Jazz, R&B, Rock and worship. She is available for media interviews and appearances.
Tonia will be performing as the Fairy Godmother in Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Ordway Theater, running throughout the month of December. For dates and tickets, check out the Tour Dates page.
