STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Misty Copeland Set to Conquer Broadway

The history-making ballerina is joining the cast of On the Town.

Misty Copeland is having the best summer ever! Just days after making history, becoming the first African-American woman to earn the title of Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theater, the outstanding ballerina already has her next move in place: Broadway.

According to IndieWire, Copeland is joining the cast of the musical On the Town for a brief two-week run, beginning on August 25. In an ironically fitting role, she will play a New York City Ballet principal dancer named Ivy.

| 8 LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM MISTY COPELAND |

On the Town is a 1944 musical by Leonard Bernstein originally based on a Jerome Robbins ballet, which originally premiered at the American Ballet Theater. It follows three sailors on a 24-hour leave in New York City during World War II and features the famous song "New York, New York." Copeland will play the female lead Ivy, who falls in love with one of the sailors.

Copeland is still riding high from her recently announced promotion and sees this as another opportunity to showcase her talents and promote the art of dance. "It's such a beautiful time right now, I think, for dance, and especially for ballet and bringing it to a much broader audience," she told the New York Times. "I always say that it has changed my life, and it's such a beautiful thing to be a part of — and I think people are realizing that, a new generation is realizing that. It's so exciting."

Congratulations on the amazing new gig, Misty! Watch her continue to inspire in this B*Real exclusive clip, where she talks self-discovery and the importance of mentoring, below:

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity newsphotos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

(Photo: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.