Bessie Smith News

The Black Box, Northern NJ's incubator for new and under produced works from world-class artists, is proud to announce that EDWARD ALBEE: FROM A TO ZOO will continue on Wednesday June 28th at 7:30PM with FINDING THE SUN (1987) and MARRIAGE PLAY (1987).

Broadway's Kevin Smith Kirkwood returns to Joe's Pub to celebrate Pride in New York City with his newest solo show KSK on the BQE: A Black Queer Experience.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present the New York debut of the musical revue “Hooray for Hollywood!” on Thursday, June 15 at 8:30 PM.

The Black Box, Northern NJ's incubator for new and under produced works from world-class artists, has announced a remarkable new offering starting next Wednesday May 24th.

The Black Box, in association with The Estate of Edward Albee, will present EDWARD ALBEE: FROM A TO ZOO, AN EXCLUSIVE STAGED READING SERIES OF EDWARD ALBEE'S PLAYS.  From the masterworks to the rarely and almost never seen - and including some hidden gems from the Albee canon - this curated monthly series will begin on Wednesday, May 24th at 7:30PM.

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox brings its exciting live show back to Segerstrom Center for a one night only concert on Wednesday, November 8 in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. With their massive cult following and internationally recognized blend of contemporary and vintage sounds, Postmodern Jukebox continues to enthrall audiences with another unforgettable performance at the Center. 

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Key Chorale will honor Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul,” on the 50th anniversary of her groundbreaking Grammy Award-winning album, 'Amazing Grace.' WBTT artists Matelyn Alicia and Naärai will join Key Chorale, along with its featured soloist, Amy Connours, for 'Grace: The Spirit of Aretha.'

Come celebrate with Goodspeed Musicals at their 60th Anniversary Gala & Auction on Monday, June 12, featuring a special concert by Broadway legend Jennifer Holliday.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present the tenth year of its annual Young Artist Program, through which Troupe members can showcase their talents with self-produced, one-person shows.

​The United Nations declared International Jazz Day in 2011 “to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people from all corners of the globe.” Every year, it is commemorated on April 30th, and people celebrate around the world. 

Ebony Repertory Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning musical AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ as its 15th Anniversary Season Opening Production. 

Jennifer Holliday, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning original star of Dreamgirls, appeared on Tamron Hall for a special performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.' Holliday won a Grammy Award for the performance of the show-stopping Dreamgirls song and her Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for playing Effie White. Watch the video!

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work.

Jazz Improvisation has challenged me to step out of my comfort zone. I’ve never felt incredibly comfortable scatting, but it’s something I hope to improve throughout the semester for performances and my own musical development.

This summer, the Pageant of the Masters celebrates 90 years of tableaux vivants (“living pictures”) with the production Art Colony: In the Company of Artists. Audiences can expect a diverse theatrical celebration of artists from around the world that have embraced communities where they could live and work, and take inspiration from one another. One of the art colonies featured in this year's Pageant is New York's Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that celebrated art and African American culture in the 1920s and 30s.

Three different women and one man who does them wrong create the perfect opportunity for Blues in the Night, the latest musical to run at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, MI.

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. See February's lineup and learn how to purchase tickets!

New York Festival of Song, led by Artistic Director Steven Blier, will continue its 2022-2023 season with Amor on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 8:00pm at Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center.

Sistas the Musical will be presented by Jefferson Performing Arts Society for three weekends, from January 27 through February 12, 2023, at Teatro Wego.

Burning Coal Theatre Company has announced its production of Lynn Nottage's Mlima's Tale, directed by Ana Radulescu.  Mlima's Tale will run January 26 – February 12, 2023, at the Murphey School, located at 224 Polk Street, Raleigh, NC 27604.   Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm.