Master of Multiplication Cynthia Erivo Will Play 23 Characters in a New Dracula Play
She sings. She dances. She plays historical figures, detectives, and murderers with equal flair. Is there anything Cynthia Erivo can't do? We already know she can play multiple people at once on the same TV episode (see: the Poker Face season two premiere, featuring Erivo as identical quintuplets)—and we have every confidence she'll bring all the characters in the new Wicked audiobook to vivid life. So there's no reason to think she won't kill it playing 23 roles, including the title vampire, in a new stage production of Dracula.
Deadline brings this news that has us seriously considering booking an international theater trip, though the folks behind it also created and produced the Sarah Snook-starring The Picture of Dorian Grey—featuring the Succession star in 26 different parts—which came to Broadway after a successful run in London's West End. That's not a guarantee that Dracula, which will open next year and is described as 'a one-woman theatrical extravaganza,' will follow in its footsteps, but it is a hopeful sign for stateside Erivo fans.
Kip Williams adapted Bram Stoker's vampire classic and will also direct the play, which marks Erivo's return to live theater after her Tony-winning stint in The Color Purple nearly a decade ago. According to the trade, 'the list of 23 characters that Erivo will perform include the fanged Count Dracula, who sustains life by sucking the blood of the living; Jonathan Harker, a newly qualified solicitor who travels to to meet his new client who resides in a castle nestled in the remote Transylvanian mountains; Mina Murray, Harker's fiancée; her friend Lucy Westenra; and Professor Van Hesling, vampire hunter and expert in occult lore.'
Erivo will also get to flex her commanding vocal talents, though sadly Dracula only features one musical number. Speaking of, with Wicked: For Good coming out this fall, Dracula's co-producer Michael Cassel has already taken Erivo's potential need to attend award ceremonies during Dracula's early 2026 run (February 4-May 31).
'We're taking that into account, putting all those pieces in place so that Cynthia can be a part of everything else that's going on in her life—we'll build that in,' Cassel explained.
She really can do it all! Definitely check out all the Erivo variants on Poker Face's season two premiere—the hilariously deadpan DJ Erivo was my favorite—now streaming on Peacock.
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The Guidelines Executives Can Follow When They Make Public Apologies
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The first step the apology process is to write down and organize what you want to say before you say or do anything, and touch base with management, public relations, and legal teams for their advice and perspectives. Make a list of why the apology is needed, and include all pertinent details. That's because when people rush to apologize without taking the time to think things through, 'they could be missing vital information or could even be apologizing for something that they don't need to/didn't actually happen,' Erica Nulik, a marketing consultant and owner of Erica Nulik Marketing and PR, told me via email. Apologies that are seen as stiff, corporate, and not empathetic can backfire and extend or worsen a crisis. 'Audiences can quickly sense when a response feels rehearsed, vague, or insincere. A strong apology must directly acknowledge the issue, take full responsibility, and speak in a tone that feels human and honest. But words alone aren't enough—there must also be a clear call to action. Without a tangible plan for change or prevention, even the most heartfelt apology rings hollow,' Danielle Grossman, a communications expert, told me in an email message. Make it as easy as possible for people to understand and appreciate the apology, Talk to audiences like you are a human being, not a corporate public relations or marketing department, and address people with respect and with the understanding that they have feelings like yourself. Avoid using any buzzwords, jargon, or acronyms that can create barriers between you and the audience. 'Forget the polished language about 'core values' and 'excellence.' If someone is upset or disappointed, they want to hear that you understand what went wrong and that you care, Contrecia T. Tharpe, chief storyteller and strategist at FayeVaughn Creative, a marketing, branding, and communications firm, advised via email to me. 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Start with what happened, and say it clearly. And, don't skip the part where you admit the harm,' Nikki Jain, a public relations strategist at The Sprout PR, counseled in an email message that she sent to me. 'When it's time to apologize publicly, the first thing that matters is owning what happened. No hedging, no 'we're sorry if anyone was offended' language. Just say what went wrong and who it hurt. Be real and specific about means skipping the corporate phrasing and getting to the point: We got this wrong. I take full responsibility. Anything less, and especially vague like reactive statements, will only make the situation worse. People can tell when you're dodging,' Jain of The Sprout PR, counseled. Don't treat an apology as a distasteful and unwelcome task that could appear than an organization is going through the motions of a PR ritual. 'Audiences can smell a performative apology from a mile away. The only way through a reputational crisis is through radical transparency. 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Take the time now to obtain the approval and support of a board of directors and other members of the management team so that when an apology is required, the organization can speak quickly and with a single and unified voice. And decide ahead of time who will speak on behalf of the company. 'All others should defer to the representative's statement to maintain consistency and avoid confusion or mixed messaging,' Valerie Fields, a professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill who teaches crisis communication and public relations writing, told me via email. All crisis management plans should have provisions for including when, how, and why apologies would be made. 'Each situation is unique, of course, but it's important to take a step back and, as best as possible, look at the situation when not in an emotional state. 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CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Jonathan Joss murder investigators consider whether actor's sexual orientation played a role. Here's what to know.
Tributes pour in for actor Jonathan Joss after shooting at San Antonio home | What's Trending Tributes pour in for actor Jonathan Joss after shooting at San Antonio home | What's Trending Tributes pour in for actor Jonathan Joss after shooting at San Antonio home | What's Trending While it remains unclear what prompted the fatal shooting of Jonathan Joss, a Native American voice actor best known for his work on the animated television series "King of the Hill," police say they are looking into whether his sexual orientation played a role in his death. Joss' husband has claimed it was a hate crime, saying the person who killed the actor yelled "violent homophobic slurs" before opening fire. Initially, San Antonio police said they found "no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Mr. Joss' murder was related to his sexual orientation." But on Thursday, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus walked back that statement, saying it had been made prematurely and whether Joss' sexual orientation played a role in the shooting "is part of the investigation." In this image taken from video, Jonathan Joss, an actor best known for his voice work on the animated television series "King of the Hill," talks to reporters following a fire at his San Antonio, Texas, home on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. KSAT via AP Since Joss' killing, friends, actors Joss worked with and fans have honored the actor's memory with tributes and fond remembrances. Here's what to know about Joss, his career and his shooting: Who was Joss? Joss, 59, grew up in San Antonio and graduated from the communications and theater program at Our Lady of the Lake University in 1990. Joss was best known as the voice of John Redcorn, a Native American character on the popular "King of the Hill" animated series, which ran for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2008. A reboot of the show, which Joss had already worked on, is set to start in August. Joss also had a recurring role on the television show "Parks and Recreation," playing Chief Ken Hotate. He appeared in two episodes of the series "Tulsa King" in 2022. What was Joss doing in the months before his death? Joss' childhood home, where he still lived, burned down in January. He lost all his belongings, and his three dogs were killed in the blaze. A GoFundMe account had been set up to help Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, get back on their feet. "We may have lost our home, but not our hope. We're moving forward with love, humor, and a little elbow grease … and we're incredibly grateful for every ounce of support," Joss said in a May 14 Facebook post in which he indicated he was in Los Angeles looking for a new home. By the end of May, Joss was back in Texas, and on Saturday, he took part in a live music performance in Austin, located about 80 miles northeast of San Antonio. Who is accused of fatally shooting Joss? Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, is accused by police of confronting Joss and his husband as they were checking their mail at the burned-down home Sunday night. In a statement, de Gonzales alleged that when Ceja Alvarez opened fire, Joss pushed his husband out of the way and saved his life. When police arrived, officers found Joss lying near the roadway, police said in a statement. CBS affiliate KENS-TV reported Joss had been shot multiple times. Ceja Alvarez was charged with murder. He is free on a $200,000 bond. KENS-TV captured video of Alvarez walking out of the Bexar County Jail on Wednesday afternoon after posting bond. Candles, flowers, and notes make up make-shift memorial for voice actor Jonathan Joss who was recently killed, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in San Antonio. Eric Gay / AP Ceja Alvarez's attorney, Alfonso Otero, has not returned multiple calls or emails seeking comment. 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"A terrible tragedy." In a Facebook post, San Antonio-based Our Lady of the Lake University, Joss' alma mater, called him "a trailblazer in his field. His work and advocacy have left a lasting impact, and his legacy will continue to inspire." "His voice will be missed at King of the Hill, and we extend our deepest condolences to Jonathan's friends and family," the show's creators and producers - Mike Judge, Greg Daniels and Saladin Patterson - said in a statement on the animated series' Instagram page.
CNN
an hour ago
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A memorial grows for Jonathan Joss
A family who moved to a south-side San Antonio neighborhood roughly six years ago said that they were warned right away about an eccentric man who lived across the street. They were told, they said, that Jonathan Joss would play drums on his roof at all hours of the night and would yell obscenities and racial slurs at people outside. They said that, when confronted, Joss would often say that he was rehearsing for a role. He really was an actor, though. He played the role of John Redcorn in the animated show 'King of the Hill' for more than a dozen seasons, including in the show's upcoming revival. Another neighbor, Daniela Ruano, 19, said she lived next door to Joss her entire life. He would yell racist slurs at her family, she said, honk his horn in the middle of the night and threaten to hurt them. The behavior, she said, had accelerated. 'I'd say like the last two years have been the worst with him. He started breaking down my fence from the back,' she said. 'We would call the police on him a lot.' Two years ago, she said, Joss threatened another neighbor's brother with a crossbow. Police reports confirm that officers responded to the incident, but did not find a crossbow on Joss when they arrived at the scene. Earlier this year, Joss' family home was destroyed in a fire. But he still came by, neighbors said. In a video Ruano took of the actor on June 1, he is seen walking around the neighborhood and yelling; he is carrying a makeshift pitchfork. At one point, he said he is 'rehearsing a scene.' That day she took the video, Joss, his husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales and another friend were there to pick up mail. The group had just returned from Austin, de Gonzales said, where Joss had participated in a fan meet-and-greet event. Joss, 59, arrived in the usual manner that his neighbors said that they had grown unhappily accustomed to, makeshift pitchfork included. Then, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez – the neighbor whose brother said he had been threatened by Joss with the crossbow two years ago – drove up behind Joss who was parked in his driveway. He got out, the two exchanged words, witnesses said, and seconds later, Joss was dead. 'I shot him,' Ceja told police, according to an incident report. Ceja, 56, was arrested and charged with murder. His bond was set at $200,000, which he posted on Monday. He was released from jail with GPS monitoring on Wednesday afternoon and is due to appear in court on August 19, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office public information officer. When most people think of an actor's life, they tend to imagine gleaming houses high in the Hollywood Hills. For years, Joss lived in the modest house his father built in the 1950s. This week, a makeshift memorial for Joss began growing at the property's fence. A man pulled up in a truck with a royal blue memorial cross adorned with ribbons and flowers. He tied the cross to the fence above the growing memorial. The man, Adrian Reyes, told CNN he had known Joss since high school; they were both in the class of 1984 at Dillard McCollum High School, which recently held its 40th year reunion. 'We're very, very close with him in that class. We track him everywhere,' said Reyes. 'We helped him financially. We helped him get to his events when he didn't have transportation.' 'It's a shame that people are learning about him now that he's gone rather than when he was alive and how talented he was and what a talent we lost,' Reyes said. 'He was a different kind of guy, but he was the life of the party.' Neighbors said there were years, maybe even decades, of disputes, particularly between Joss and Ceja. San Antonio Police logs show numerous calls to both addresses over the past year. 'Me and Jonathan had all these fun little side projects where we were coming up with these little scripts, most of them just for fun to make ourselves laugh. And we would be acting them out in the yard and I guess to the outside world maybe it looked a little crazy,' de Gonzales told viewers on Instagram Live. He did say that although they would sometimes walk around the neighborhood with things like a stick or pitchfork, they never 'threatened' or 'pointed any weapons at anybody.' Police were called to Joss' residence nearly 50 times since January 2024. In some instances, officers were dispatched multiple times in a single day. Neighbors said Joss' behavior turned more erratic and harassing as the years went on. Some said they saw him throw trash and wine bottles onto a nearby property under construction and damage that neighbor's mailbox. 'He went over there and yanked the mailbox off the top, and it was in a brick casing. So he yanked off the door and beat it up where our neighbor had to go replace it,' said one neighbor, who spoke to CNN but asked that their name not be used due to the attention the killing was bringing to their street. 'Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life,' de Gonzales said after the shooting, about their trip back to the burned-down home site. De Gonzalez said that the person who killed Joss yelled 'violent homophobic slurs' before opening fire. 'He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other,' de Gonzales said. (CNN has attempted multiple times to contact Ceja and also reached out to his lawyer.) The San Antonio Police Department issued a statement on Monday rebutting this. 'Despite online claims of this being a hate crime, currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that Mr. Joss's murder was related to his sexual orientation,' the department posted online. But, on Wednesday, as the police department was sharing a Pride Month community forum event, they also released a new statement saying they were continuing the investigation. 'Although we arrested a suspect, our homicide detectives continue to follow every lead to fully understand what led to this senseless act.' On Thursday, San Antonio police expressed more regret. 'We issued a statement the day after Jonathan Joss's murder that was way, way, way premature,' SAPD Chief William McManus told CNN affiliate KENS on Thursday. 'We shouldn't have done it. It was way too soon before we had any real information and I will own that.' He echoed similar sentiments at a forum hosted by San Antonio Pride and the SAPD on Thursday evening, explaining that a judge can attach a hate crime to charges later on. He said they will gather all of the facts leading up to Jonathan Joss' death and will present the case to the District Attorney's office to make that call. He added that police are also investigating the January fire at Joss' home. Joss had told everyone that he was going through a lot. Online, he said he was fighting an uphill battle with financial difficulties. In November, Joss spoke about the difficult living conditions he and his then-fiancé were facing. He said that their home lacked basic utilities such as gas and electricity and described using a fire pit to heat coffee. Despite the challenges, he expressed hope about 'getting through some rough times.' There was one bright spot: his marriage to de Gonzales. Still, Joss also talked about using a stove to heat up water for a hot shower. On Instagram, he showed the poor condition of his house, revealing several holes in the walls and ceiling. In January, Joss experienced two house fires. The second destroyed the house and his car and killed his three dogs, according to social media posts from Joss and his partner. 'Everything I owned… gone. My memories, my keepsakes, my family, my comfort in this world lost in the flames,' he wrote on Facebook. In the months that followed, Joss frequently took to social media to ask fans for financial support. He regularly shared a GoFundMe link started by a fan, which has now raised over $20,000. He sold autographed photos, personalized video messages, t-shirts and '$1 wisdom sayings.' He also posted about marrying his partner on Valentine's Day. In one post with de Gonzales, Joss wrote: 'We shall endeavor to persevere together.' He frequently tried to secure transportation and financial support on Facebook to be able to make celebrity appearances at conventions. Just two days before he was killed, Joss showed up at a 'King of the Hill' Revival Sneak Peek event at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas – although he had already written on Facebook that he was not invited to attend. Attendee Brandon Robinson said Joss walked up to the Q&A mic and started 'ranting.' Robinson originally thought Joss' speech was planned but said he soon realized it wasn't. After making some references to his character in 'King of the Hill,' Joss said: 'My house burned down three months ago because I'm gay.' The panelists then announced Joss as the voice of the show's character John Redcorn, prompting applause from the audience. Joss spoke about feeling ignored at the event in one of his final interviews, which took place on 'Bwaaa! A King of the Hill podcast.' But he also said he'd loved his life as an actor. 'I've just been really lucky to have really decent parts. I mean, I never had a – I've never done a bad thing when it comes to acting,' Joss said. Another family showed up this week to remember Joss at the site of the shooting. Paul Gonzalez and Tiffany Zurita said that they lived nearby, but never knew Joss lived in the area. 'We grew up watching the cartoon, you know, me and my wife when we were kids – so just shocked by it,' Gonzalez said of the killing. They brought a pinwheel to place at the memorial, explaining that it helped their own family when experiencing loss. It was something 'to kind of bring that little life back in,' Zurita said. 'You know, the wind's blowing, you see it blowing in the wind, and it just, you know, kind of reminds you that that person's still here,' she said. 'It's a symbol of peace and serene surroundings.' They both said prayers for everyone involved in the tragic incident – and for the neighbors as well. 'I hope they all find peace in time,' said Gonzalez. CNN's Lisa Respers France, Dianne Gallagher, Devon Sayers, Andy Buck, Jeremy Grisham, and Leah Thomeer contributed to this report.
