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Billy Porter, an acclaimed performer with accolades including Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Awards, is joining forces with his producing partner D.J. Gugenheim and noted actor Alan Cumming—also a Tony and Olivier Award winner—to produce the one-man show Sugar Daddy. This innovative project, featuring comedian Sam Morrison, is set to grace the stage at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California, from September 20 through October 13, 2024, with its opening night slated for September 29. A Broadway run is anticipated for 2025.
Directed by Stephen Brackett—who has been nominated for a Tony Award and received a Drama Desk Award for his work on A Strange Loop—Sugar Daddy promises to provide audiences with an engaging theatrical experience. Tickets for the performance at The Wallis are currently available for purchase at TheWallis.org.
Billy Porter is widely recognized for his extraordinary contributions to both Broadway and television, most notably for his roles in Kinky Boots and Pose. His performance in “Pose” earned him an Emmy Award, while the Tony Awards recently honored him with the Isabelle Stevenson Award in recognition of his philanthropic efforts. Beyond his artistic achievements, Porter is known for being a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, utilizing his platform to produce culturally significant works through his production company, Incognegro.
“Becoming part of the producing team for Sugar Daddy is an exhilarating chance to back a narrative that is both audacious and deeply personal,” Porter remarked. “I am excited to support this groundbreaking production that not only challenges societal norms but also celebrates the pursuit of authenticity.”
Alan Cumming, renowned for his captivating performances in Cabaret and on television in The Good Wife, boasts a multifaceted career that includes theatre, film, and literature. He has also been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights throughout his career.
“I’m excited to join Sam Morrison’s Sugar Daddy as a producer,” Cumming expressed. “Sam is an astonishing performer and writer. This show is groundbreaking, addressing personal loss with humor, emotional depth, and insightful perspective. It’s refreshingly honest, full of heart, and unapologetically bold. I look forward to helping share this remarkable story with a wider audience.”
Sugar Daddy recounts a poignant summer romance that takes place in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where Sam encounters an alluring silver-haired partner, triggering a love story that blossoms beautifully but is cut short by tragedy as the pandemic claims the life of his beloved. Struggling with grief, Morrison turns to comedy as a means of coping, deciding to share his journey with audiences worldwide through a live performance.
The narrative unfolds with an array of comedic moments and heartfelt reflections, showcasing encounters with unexpected elements—from animal antics to intimate moments juxtaposed with encounters that challenge communal norms, and the surprising adjustment to living with Type 1 diabetes. Ultimately, Morrison’s story conveys the profound realization that laughter is a crucial companion to love.
Sam Morrison is a comedian and writer based in Los Angeles, recently recognized as a New Face at the 2023 Just for Laughs Festival. He has now made appearances on notable platforms including “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” Comedy Central, and “Watch What Happens Live,” along with contributing to Bravo’s “Blind Date.”
The show originally captivated audiences during its run at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and subsequently had its critically acclaimed Off-Broadway engagement at SoHo Playhouse, directed by Ryan Cunningham. Here, it garnered nominations for both Outer Critics Circle and Off Broadway Alliance, earning accolades such as “the best new show in New York” from the Daily Beast. Since then, it has toured extensively across the United States and into London.
Artistic contributions include scenic design by Arnulfo Maldonado, lighting by Jennifer Schriever, sound by Sinan Zafar, and video projections by Alex Basco Koch, with general management overseen by DR Theatrical Management.
Tickets for Sugar Daddy range from $39 to $95 and are available now, alongside season subscriptions for The Wallis’ 2024/2025 Season performances.
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is situated at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills. For ticket purchases, subscriptions, or further information, patrons can reach the box office at 310-746-4000 (available Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm) or can visit TheWallis.org.
Source
www.broadwayworld.com