Billie Holiday News

Performances have begun for American Captives: Lena Baker & Sandra Bland, written and performed by Connie Winston and directed by Rhonda "Passion" Hansome. The limited engagement will play at Dixon Place Fridays and Saturdays through October 20 at 7:30pm.

The Muse Project, in association with The Tank, will present Musings: a collection of Mini Muse presentations at The Flea Theater as a part of their Anchor Partnership. The Muse Project gives women performers the time, space, and opportunity to experiment with and explore their fantasy projects. Musings will showcase the exciting, fresh, paradigm-shifting storytelling that 5 of New York's leading stage actresses have developed through intensive workshops, called Mini Muses. The week will culminate in a party on October 19th, the 'Mini Gala' - a wine and cheese event to celebrate the week's presentations; and 'Tea Time,' a one-of-a-kind Muse pilot program, where a veteran stage actress discusses her experiences building her career. Actress Florencia Lozano is set to partake as the Tea Time guest.

Julian Rozzell Jr, who portrayed the role of Harlan in seasons one and two of the Martin Scorsese produced HBO series Boardwalk Empire, has joined the cast of the staged reading of Christian Elder's provocative adult drama Insex, to be held at The Billie Holiday Theatre on Monday October 15 at 7pm.

On Stage At Kingsborough, a leading performing arts presenter, is pleased to present its 2018-2019 season featuring world class artists from around the globe.On Stage At Kingsborough brings top notch performing arts to Southern Brooklyn, with an eclectic roster of artists spanning multiple genres including cabaret, dance, music, and family programming. The full season runs through May 17, 2019.

The New York premiere of Ngozi Anyanwu's GOOD GRIEF, directed by Awoye Timpo, will begin performances the Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) on Thursday, October 11.  Opening night is set for Tuesday, October 30th.

During the inaugural Jazz Philadelphia Summit on Nov. 2 and 3, 2018, regional and national jazz luminaries will gather in Center City Philadelphia to honor the city's deep jazz roots and discuss its future. Musicians, jazz enthusiasts, advocates, funders, and the arts and culture community are gathering at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the University of the Arts for both high-level discussions and hands-on workshops about the art and business of jazz. Sessions will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day. RSVP is required, but registration is free and open to all, available through the Jazz Philadelphia website at www.jazzphiladelphia.org.

Today, influencer and talent manager ChiChi Anyanwu of the NYC Black Theater Network, Marcia Pendelton, President of Walk Tall Girl Productions/Black Theater Online, and the award-winning Vineyard Theatre (Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern, Artistic Directors; Suzanne Appel, Managing Director) announced BLACK PLAYWRIGHTS: THEY SPEAK. WHO LISTENS? A Black Theater Fall Preview: Off Broadway Edition. The event is scheduled at Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15th Street) on Monday, October 15, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. Four-time Tony Award-winning producer Ron Simons of SimonSays Entertainment (A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Porgy & Bess, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Jitney) will host the program whose purpose is to bring attention to the unprecedented number of plays by black playwrights being produced Off-Broadway this season.

Pulitzer Prize Finalist Dael Orlandersmith highlights the universal languages of love and music in Lady in Denmark, kicks off the 2018/2019 season in the 350-seat flexible Owen Theatre. Chay Yew, who also helmed the play's 2016 New Stages Festival staged reading, directs Linda Gehringer as Helene-a Danish American woman coping with the death of her husband who finds solace in the hauntingly beautiful music of their favorite singer, Billie Holiday. Orlandersmith's newest play is Helene's journey through the couple's time together-from the smoky jazz clubs of post-war Copenhagen to the home they shared in present-day Andersonville, Chicago. The creative team includes Andrew Boyce (set), Christine Pascual (costumes), Lee Fiskness (lighting) and Mikhail Fiksel (original music and sound). Donald E. Claxon is the production stage manager. Lady in Denmark appears October 19 - November 18, 2018 (opening night is October 29 at 7pm) in the Goodman's Owen Theatre (170 N. Dearborn); tickets ($15-45; subject to change), by telephone 312.443.3800 or online GoodmanTheatre.org/LadyInDenmark.

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces Brooklyn-based rapper Talib Kweli, Nashville-based singer/songwriter Kandace Springs, Chicago-based indie rock band The Empty Pockets, and more. The following shows go on sale to the public onThursday, October 11 at noon. All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago.

Today ChiChi Anyanwu of the NYC Black Theater Network, Marcia Pendelton, President of Walk Tall Girl Productions/Black Theater Online, and the award-winning Vineyard Theatre announced BLACK PLAYWRIGHTS: THEY SPEAK. WHO LISTENS? A Black Theater Fall Preview: Off Broadway Edition.

Award winning actor and playwright David Heron will host the staged reading of Christian Elder's new adult drama Insex at the Billie Holiday Theatre on Monday October 15 at 7 pm.

The Apollo Theater announced today that Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Alice Smith will headline the Apollo's WOW – Women of the World Festival. The performance, featuring new music from her upcoming Full LP Mystery set to release at the end of 2018, is a part of the 3rd annual gathering of artists, activists, and leaders from around the globe at the Apollo Theater beginning March 12 and running through March 17, 2019.  Smith will bring her intoxicating mix of R&B, pop and rock along with a special musical tribute to the world famous Apollo Theater stage on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 8pm.

The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust today announced that Pulitzer Prize winner, Suzan-Lori Parks will be presented with the 2018 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award at the 11th Annual 'Mimi' Awards on Monday, December 3, 2018 at Lincoln Center Theatre. The 'Mimi' Awards are presented annually to honor the outstanding artistry and accomplishments of some of the most gifted American playwrights.

Illuminated in vivid color against the clear night sky, the NJPAC campus became an Ozian destination for more than 900 guests, many of whom lingered outdoors to take in the scene on Chambers Plaza. The spaciousness of Prudential Lobby was enhanced by a dual-level tent that accommodated a dance floor, presided over by DJ Kiss, as well as a lounge for kicking back, networking or people-watching.

Axis Company today announces the remount of High Noon, their adaptation of the screenplay for the 1952 Western film, devised by an ensemble led by Artistic Director Randy Sharp. The play returns October 3-27, following an acclaimed first run in January of this year.

The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Jeff Lindberg, kicks off the company's 40th anniversary season with A CJO Salute to Nancy Wilson, Saturday, October 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago's Fine Arts Building. Single tickets are $35 (balcony) and $45 (floor). Or, save with a CJO 2018-19 season package - the Nancy Wilson tribute concert, CJO's holiday ELLAbration on December 21 and a major concert event on May 18, 2019 celebrating 40 years of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, all at the Studebaker - for just $85 (balcony) or $115 (floor). Single tickets and season packages are on sale now at chicagojazzorchestra.org.

The word legend is tossed around a lot when talking about pop singers. Many times the term is not warranted, but in the case of pop diva superstar Diana Ross the word legend is an understatement.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre has announced initial casting for the 30th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, 2018 at New World Stages

The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation proudly presents the 8th SATCHMO Award to: jazz vocalist and songwriter Ms. Sheila Jordan. LAEF is returning to the historic Alhambra Ball Room in Harlem, where swing dancers, big bands and jazz vocalists once reigned supreme – Friday October 12th 8:00 – 10:00pm. 

This Fall Live @ Benaroya Hall demonstrates its commitment to supporting emerging artists with a series of four artists on the rise: Royal, Springs, Beving and Micarelli. The Live @ Benaroya Hall season continues through December and into 2019 with four added concerts: Brickman, The Tenors, The English Beat and Bowie. Tickets to those shows recently went on sale and good seats are available for all concerts in the lineup. More shows for the Spring of 2019 will be announced in late January. Tickets for the concerts listed above are on sale now, prices vary.