Billie Holiday News

Carnegie Hall's season-long 125th anniversary celebration reaches its pinnacle on Thursday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m.- exactly 125 years to the day that the Hall first opened its doors in 1891-when many of the world's most beloved musicians take to the Hall's legendary stage for an all-star gala benefit concert.

The Lyric Stage Company of Boston's 2015-16 Season continues today, April 8 with MR. BURNS, a post-electric play by Anne Washburn, with a score by Michael Friedman and lyrics by Anne Washburn. Directed by A. Nora Long, the production also features music director Allyssa Jones and choreographer Yo-El Cassell. MR. BURNS runs through May 7, 2016, with the official opening slated for April 10.

Madeleine Peyroux, a blues and jazz singer often compared to Billie Holiday, will perform live in concert at Gala 2016, Syracuse Stage's major annual fundraiser. The event will take place on Friday, June 10 in Goldstein Auditorium at Syracuse University's Schine Student Center.

Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley recently announced the 2016-17 ZACH Theatre Season at an event for ZACH's Trustees, annual donors, and Season Sponsors. ZACH is thrilled to produce Hamilton composer/playwright Lin Manuel Miranda's extraordinary, Tony award winning, Broadway musical In The Heights.

As one family gathers to celebrate the life of their matriarch, they have a lot to say about the role of women-especially African-American woman-in history…and they do it through songs you already know. With songs ranging from "Oh Happy Day" to "I Will Survive" and the music of artists from Billie Holiday to Beyonce, you'll be tempted to sing along.

Joe's Pub at The Public has announced its nightly performances, April 6-17, 2016. Scroll down for more details and visit www.joespub.com for a complete list of shows!

With the historic New York premiere of Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD just days away, The Apollo Theater and Opera Philadelphia today announced a multi-year partnership that will continue the staging of contemporary operas at the Apollo in future seasons. The next co-production between the two institutions will be the New York premiere of We Shall Not Be Moved, set for the fall of 2017.

With the historic New York premiere of Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD just days away, The Apollo Theater and Opera Philadelphia today announced a multi-year partnership that will continue the staging of contemporary operas at the Apollo in future seasons. The next co-production between the two institutions will be the New York premiere of WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED, set for the fall of 2017.

Asolo Rep continues its record-breaking 2015-2016 season and the fourth season of its five-year American Character Project with the thrilling and poignant Tony-nominated and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama: DISGRACED.

"I'm a black woman in America; breathing is political," stated Natalie Douglas, wryly, early in her March 21 concert at Birdland to celebrate the release of her excellent new recording Human Heart. I felt myself inwardly fist pump-yes! Douglas dared to acknowledge the contemporary political circus-which I, for one, am completely obsessed with-on the cabaret stage! Okay, I can relax-I will make it through this show without listening to a political podcast or reading a David Brooks New York Times opinion column after all. Phew! I have not entered a purely escapist fantasyland, but surrendered to the capable musical ensemble on stage. Douglas wore a long white gown (chosen out of the pile when her husband made an approvingly bawdy comment as she tried it on for him) and her band-all six of whom appear on the record-wore all black. The appearance was a study in contrast, but the group, was most assuredly a cohesive instrument.

Tony Award-nominee Karen Akers (Nine, Grand Hotel), Jill Paice (An American in Paris), Award-winning Nightlife Legend Marilyn Maye & two-time Drama Desk Award-nominee Josh Grisetti (It Shoulda Been You, Enter Laughing The Musical) and more just appeared in Town Hall's Broadway by the Year Series last night, March 28, THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF THE 1950s. BroadwayWorld brings you photos backstage below!

Tony Award-nominees Karen Akers (Nine, Grand Hotel) & John Cariani (Something Rotten, Fiddler on the Roof), Jill Paice (An American in Paris), Award-winning Nightlife Legend Marilyn Maye & two-time Drama Desk Award-nominee Josh Grisetti (It Shoulda Been You, Enter Laughing The Musical) just appeared in Town Hall's Broadway by the Year Series last night, March 28, THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF THE 1950s. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the big night below!

Audra McDonald received her very own video category on Friday night's JEOPARDY, titled 'Audra McDonald on Broadway.' The show also asked McDonald, 'Given all your successes, is there a role you still long to play?

The Apollo Theater in partnership with World Music Institute presents what has become an annual highlight, AFRICA NOW!. The celebrated event returns to the historic Apollo Theater (253 West 125th Street) tonight, March 26, at 8:00 p.m. for its fourth year spotlighting emerging and established artists of today's African music scene. Sahr Ngaujah (actor in Fela!) is the evening's host.

The story and music of America's Composer come to life on stage when The Town Hall presents HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN, a new play with music written and performed by award-winning actor and musician Hershey Felder (Broadway's George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein). Directed by Trevor Hay, HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN plays one night only, Monday, June 6 at 8PM at The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street).

It's about to get 'Mighty Real'... Make sure to watch or set your DVR for THE PRANCING ELITES PROJECT, airing tomorrow, Tuesday, March 22 at 9pm/8C on Oxygen. The producers of MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL (Anthony Wayne, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Kendrell Bowman) will appear on the season finale ahead of the show's return to New York City this May.

Entertainer, vocalist and jazz aficionado Keith A. Dames presents his annual celebration of Billie Holiday at 'Homage To Eleanora'  on Friday, April 8 & Saturday, April 9th at Manna House Workshops  (338 E. 106th Street)  in East Harlem at 7:30pm.  Tickets are $15 in advance and can be ordered via: http://homagetoeleanora.brownpapertickets.com

Rising Circle Theater Collective announces four playwrights for their 2016 playwrights residency, INKtank. Selected from over 50 applicants, the 2016 INKtank writers are Oscar Cabrera, Liz Morgan, Cynthia G. Robinson, and Purvi Shah.

Artistic Director Robert Falls announces the 2016/2017 Season-his 30th year as "Chicago's most essential director" (Chicago Tribune) and the creative force behind the 92-year old not-for-profit Goodman Theatre, "one of the country's most respected stages" (NPR ).

Urban Stages will extend its critically acclaimed World Premiere of Mabel Madness written and performed by Tony Award Winner Trezana Beverley (For Colored Girls...) tells the dramatic story with music about the life of the famous cabaret chanteuse, Mabel Mercer. Co-directed by Frances Hill and Peter Napolitano with musical direction by Tuffus Zimbabwe, Mabel Madness began performances on February 19 and was originally set to end its run on March 20, will now play Wednesday nights at 7PM and Sundays at 3PM & 7PM through April 10, 2016. Tickets are $40 and are available at www.urbanstages.org or by calling 1-866-811-4111.