Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that three award-winning Broadway songstresses will perform aboard Norwegian Escape beginning August 19, 2018. The three singers, Melinda Doolittle, Sharon Wilkins and Melba Moore, will perform in the Tony Award-winning musical, After Midnight as well as in their own Supper Club Cabaret Show.
The announcement follows the successful launch of the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys, among other productions fleetwide. Tony Award-nominated signer Brenda Braxton has regularly starred in After Midnight aboard Norwegian Escape since the ship debuted in 2015.
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“We are thrilled to engage these celebrated Broadway stars and very happy to welcome Melinda, Sharon and Melba to the Norwegian Cruise Line family,” said Richard Ambrose, the company’s vice president of entertainment. “We have long invested in elevating entertainment on board our ships and working with these powerhouse singers is yet another example of our commitment to exceeding guest expectations with world-class entertainment.”
Beginning August 19, American Idol alumna Melinda Doolittle will make her debut at sea in After Midnight. The show celebrates Duke Ellington’s time at Harlem’s famed Cotton Club during the Jazz Age. Doolittle will perform for six weeks.
Broadway veteran and television actress, Sharon Wilkins takes over the role September 30. In addition to more than two decades on Broadway, Wilkins has appeared in films and TV series such as Maid in Manhattan, National Treasure, Law and Order: SVU and Rescue Me. Wilkins will perform until December 9, 2018, and will reprise her role in February 2019.
From December 9, 2018, to February 1, 2019, three-time Grammy Award-nominated and Tony Award-winning singer, Melba Moore, will take over as the After Midnight lead. Moore is an acclaimed R&B singer and Broadway vocalist. She has performed in the Grammy and Tony Award-winning musicals Hair, Les Misérables and Purlie. She earned the Tony Award for best performance by a featured actress in a musical for the latter.
Doolittle, Wilkins and Moore will also host a Cabaret Show in The Supper Club, as well.
“It is incredibly exciting to be working with Norwegian Cruise Line, a company that is truly redefining entertainment at sea,” said Melba Moore. “I’ve performed in many different arenas throughout my career and am very impressed with the dedication and passion of the team at Norwegian. They really do push the limits to deliver an unforgettable experience for guests. I am anxiously looking forward to joining my fellow cast mates aboard the stunning Norwegian Escape later this year.”
Norwegian Cruise Line’s onboard entertainment selection features ten Broadway shows across its 16-ship fleet. In addition to After Midnight, the productions include Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages and Million Dollar Quartet.
