Mj Rodriguez to Appear in HBO’s “Between the World and Me,” an Adaptation of the Apollo Theater Show Based on Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Novel

It’s a whole new World for Mj Rodriguez.

The 29-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer has been cast in Between the World and Me, HBO’s adaptation of the stage show based on Ta-Nehisi CoatesNew York Times bestseller.

MJ Rodriguez

Rodriguez joins a lineup of cast additions that includes Jharrel Jerome, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Janet Mock, Jason Moran, Wendell Pierce, Kendrick Sampson, Yara Shahidi and Michelle Wilson.

They join previously announced cast members Angela Bassett, Alicia Garza, Joe Morton, Phylicia Rashad, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, Courtney B. Vance, Pauletta Washington, Susan Kelechi Watson and Oprah Winfrey.

Originally adapted and staged by the Apollo Theater in 2018, the special will combine elements of that production, including readings from Coates’ book, and will again be directed by award-winning director and Apollo Theater executive producer Kamilah Forbes.

It will also incorporate documentary footage from the actors’ home life, archival footage and animation.

The book, first published in 2015 by One World, is written as a letter to Coates’ teenage son and recounts the author’s experiences growing up in Baltimore’s inner city and his growing fear of daily violence against the Black community. The narrative explores Coates’ notion that American society structurally supports white supremacy.

The special, which is currently in production under COVID-19 guidelines, debuts this fall on HBO and will also be available to stream on HBO Max.

Rodriguez rose to acclaim on FX’s series Pose. Her other credits include television appearances on Luke Cage, The Carrie Diaries and Nurse Jackie.

In November 2019, Rodriguez landed a contract with Olay Body, becoming the first Latina trans woman to enter a partnership with the company.

Blacc to Perform at This Year’s Playboy Jazz Festival

Aloe Blacc is a playboy

The 35-year-old Panamanian American singer-songwriter has been selected as one of the headliners for the 37th annual Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Aloe Blacc

Taking place June 13-14, the two-day lineup includes appearances by Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ledisi and Terence Blanchard.

Blacc, who has the most Shazamed song of all time, will perform on Saturday, June 13.

Other Latino/a artists/acts include Ozomatli and the Eddie Palmieri Afro-Caribbean Jazz Band.

In addition, the slate includes Jason Moran‘s Fats Waller Dance Party, Snarky Puppy and Blue Note 75th Anniversary Presents: Our Point of View featuring Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, Kendrick Scott, Lionel Loueke, Marcus Strickland and Ambrose Akinmusire. The legacy of late jazz icon Gerald Wilson will be saluted by the Celebrating Gerald Wilson Orchestra under the direction of Wilson’s son Anthony.

Returning for a third consecutive year as host is comedian/actor George Lopez.

Additional information about the 2015 Playboy Jazz Festival is available at HollywoodBowl.com/PlayboyJazz.

Here’s the complete schedule:

PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL 2015
Saturday, June 13, 3-11 p.m.

Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and the Monk Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble
Eddie Palmieri Afro-Caribbean Jazz Band with special invited guests Ronnie Cuber, Alfredo De La Fe, Donald Harrison, Joe Locke
Aloe Blacc
Tower of Power
Jason Moran’s Fats Waller Dance Party
Celebrating Gerald Wilson Orchestra under the direction of Anthony Wilson
Melissa Aldana & Crash Trio
Morgan James
A Sacred Steel Love Supreme:  The Campbell Brothers Present “A Love Supreme”
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Vocal Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Pat Bass

Sunday, June 14, 3-10:30 p.m.
Ledisi
Terence Blanchard E-Collective
Ozomatli
The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band under the direction of John Lee
Snarky Puppy
King Sunny Ade and his African Beats
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Blue Note 75th Anniversary Presents: Our Point of View featuring Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, Kendrick Scott, Lionel Loueke, Marcus Strickland and Ambrose Akinmusire
The Jones Family Singers
The LAUSD/Beyond the Bell All-City Jazz Big Band under the direction of Tony White and J.B. Dyas