Houston Native and Broadway Actress DeQuina Moore to Star in Title Role
HOUSTON (June 12, 2019) – The Ensemble Theatre elevates the life of Josephine Baker in season finale biographic musical Josephine Tonight, starring actress DeQuina Moore, with opening night and media reception, Thursday, June 27, 2019, 6:30 p.m. 3535 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002.
Actress DeQuina Moore is a Houston native who discovered her passion for the arts at an early age. She began honing her skills at The Ensemble Theatre where she discovered she held a multitude of talents that later landed her on Broadway, and into television and film.
“This is truly a full-circle moment for me to return to The Ensemble Theatre where I started as a youth,” says Moore. “The icing on the cake is also having the incredible opportunity to embrace the role of entertainment icon Josephine Baker!”
Josephine Tonight book and lyrics were written by Sherman Yellen with music by Wally Harper. The Ensemble Theatre’s musical duo, director & choreographer Patdro Harris, and musical director Chika Kaba Ma’atunde, have returned to Houston bringing their flare to another story.
“We are both very excited to join The Ensemble Theatre in celebrating the life of Josephine Baker through this work,” says Harris. “DeQuina is a perfect choice to demonstrate Ms. Baker’s talent and her strength as an activist.”
Previews: June 22, 23, and 26 2019
Show Runs: June 27– July 28, 2019
Performance Days and Times: Thursdays: 7:30 p.m; Fridays: 8:00 p.m; Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m; and Sundays: 3:00 p.m.
Tickets Available Online: www.EnsembleHouston.com
For Information Call: 713-520-0055
Ticket Prices: $30- $61
Opening Night and Media Reception, Thursday, July 27, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
A musical biography of showbiz legend Josephine Baker. Josephine Tonight draws on the early life of the internationally known singer, actress and nightclub sensation who wowed audiences in America and Europe in the first quarter of the 20th century, and reveals the relationship of the young Josephine and her laundress mother who steers her toward success and then guides her to remember her roots.
Featured Cast members include: DeQuina Moore (JOSEPHINE); Regina Hearne (CARRIE MCDONALD/BIG BERTHA); Andre’ Neal (EDDIE BAKER/MISS CORA); and Jason E Carmichael (REVEREND LOOMIS/MRS. REECTOR)
About DeQuina Moore
DeQuina Moore is an accomplished actress, singer-songwriter, performer, producer, entrepreneur and now author. Truly a southern belle, born and raised in Houston, TX-DeQuina had to master many voice-and-diction classes in order to lose her accent when needed, further upgrading her acting chops. This scholarly Thespian started her career at The Ensemble Theatre in the Young Performers Program, trained at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), and furthered her rewarding education at the prestigious New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she was readily discovered by agencies/management and began working immediately!
Moore’s elephantine passion for theatre, film, and television was inspired by an array of moments. For one, from the first to the eighth grade she used to sneak out of class, tip-toe to the bathroom and put on a little scene, song and dance! Her favorite teacher from the second grade, Mrs. Wilson, still tells this story to date. Later, in the eighth grade she began interning at the local radio stations, 97.9 The Box and Majic 102 Jams, where her musical flame was further sparked. And then, while training in the Young Performers Program at The Ensemble Theatre, she identified her multi-talented abilities, how they could all work together for a stronger career; and from there, focused on ways to showcase her many gifts.
She has landed numerous national/international commercials, voice-overs, and print ads with such companies as Coca-Cola, Payless, Bank of America and many more. On the small screen, she has secured starring roles on majors like Law & Order: SVU, Lifetime’s Racing For Time, NBC’s Third Watch, and more. On the big screen, she most recently enjoyed her leading role as Devonne in Joyful Noise, sharing the screen with superstars such as Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton; and, her film career goes on to include such movies as Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family, The Last New Yorker, Ghost Town, Rachel Getting Married, Camp, and more. Additionally, DeQuina’s stage life has soared with starring roles like originating Little Shop of Horrors’ Chiffon on Broadway, and also originating in Broadway’s Legally Blonde the Musical as Pilar! She’s played in several other shows such as Shakespeare in the Park’s Two Gentlemen of Verona, Hair (AFC), Happy Days the Musical, Beehive, The Wiz, and starred in the Broadway National Tour of Flashdance the Musical, as Kiki: “…the sassy, sexy, savvy waitress by day/”flashdancer” by night!”
Further, DeQuina Moore is heavily featured on major Broadway cast recordings and was blessed to have the opportunity to open concerts for various artists like Eric Benet and Destiny’s Child. She has also graced the stage and/or screen with such notables as N’sync’s Joey Fatone, Bill Cosby, Keke Palmer, Charles S. Dutton, Nia Long, Courtney B. Vance, Tyler Perry, Chris Christopherson, and more. DeQuina has performed as a background singer for a few artists-some of which were overseas recordings-having to take on the challenge of singing in various Asian languages which was hilariously loads of fun for her. Other special guest spots include singing the National Anthem for multiple professional NBA, NHL, and MLB games; and opening The Tony Awards with the awesome Hugh Jackman performing the top number: “One Night Only”. Plus, DeQuina has performed on popular television spots, as well, namely The View, The David Letterman Show, and The Today Show. Despite one theatre’s requests for the audience to hold their applause during her performance of Tina Turner and Diana Ross in “Beehive” the Musical, DeQuina received multiple standing ovations and applause further proving what a thunderous, well-rounded entertainer she is.
In addition to most recently lighting up the stage as Rachel Marron (lead u/s), Nickie Marron (principle alt.), & Featured Ensemble/Karaoke Girl -YES, three separate roles in ONE show- in The Bodyguard the Musical, DeQuina is also now working toward the release of her debut R&B/Hip-Hop-Soul album! Additionally, she is excited about recently booking a dream role of hers, playing Josephine Baker in the new bio-musical entitled Josephine Tonight taking place at Houston’s own The Ensemble Theatre! Simultaneously, DeQuina is set to also begin filming a recurring role she just landed on Houston’s own latest TV show: “5th Ward”, a Greg Carter hit!
This proud AEA/AFTRA/SAG member is on fire! She has the dreams of a mastermind and will to continue to reach even higher, for her ultimate life mission is to eventually help others effectively attain their goals-whatever those aspirations may be. In fact, DeQuina has already begun this feat. She currently sits on the board of Bridge Da Gap, an organization centered around utilizing a new, creative curriculum and music to rebuild the interconnected social foundation of our youth, in turn uplifting their chances of grasping a better education. Due to her mantra that she lives by -remain humble, grateful, and teachable- this septuple-threat has been able to accomplish more than she ever imagined, and is nowhere near finished; therefore, she wishes to instill this work ethic and train-of-thought in many artists/citizens/dreamers to come.
