Billy Strayhorn News

Pasadena Playhouse announced today that LAUGHING MATTERS, a world premiere musical featuring a book and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart (author of the international best-selling novel 'Beaches'), music by Mike Stoller (Smokey Joe's Café) and Artie Butler (Feelin' Alright by Joe Cocker), and directed by Leonard Foglia (Broadway's Thurgood starring Laurence Fishburne), will be the final production of the 2009 Season.

New York Festival of Song (NYFOS), called by The New York Times 'A national treasure when it comes to the art of song,' will present musical stars Tyne Daly, Amanda Green, Walter Bobbie, Darius de Haas, Jason Danieley and surprise guests in its 21st-Season Gala, titled CARRIED AWAY (with the Lyrics of Comden & Green), a celebration of legendary musical comedy writers Betty Comden and Adolph Green, on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 PM at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook ends its 11th season with a special concert by Stew and Heidi Rodewald in the newly revitalized Alice Tully Hall on March 6th at 8:00pm.

New York Festival of Song (NYFOS), called by The New York Times 'A national treasure when it comes to the art of song,' will present musical stars Tyne Daly, Amanda Green, Walter Bobbie, Darius de Haas, Jason Danieley and surprise guests in its 21st-Season Gala, titled CARRIED AWAY (with the Lyrics of Comden & Green), a celebration of legendary musical comedy writers Betty Comden and Adolph Green, on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 PM at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook ends its 11th season with a special concert by Stew and Heidi Rodewald in the newly revitalized Alice Tully Hall on March 6th at 8:00pm.

Stormy Weather has been extended at The Pasadena Playhouse through 3/8 Conceived and written by Sharleen Cooper Cohen Suggested by the biography Lena Horne, Entertainer published by Chelsea House By special arrangements with Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley and Armica Productions Music by Cole Porter, Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer, Rodgers & Hart, Jerome Kern, Billy Strayhorn and more Choreography by Randy Skinner Directed by Michael Bush

Week three of Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook brings to The Allen Room a soulful tribute to black music, a bluegrass legend, a genre-busting singer and the concert debut of a gifted actor, all celebrating the diversity of American popular song. On February 4th Soul Deep, an ensemble of some of the top black singers from Broadway and beyond will perform music - black music - that is the basis for most of the popular music heard today. The next night, bluegrass reigns with The Del McCoury Band (top right), who started out in the 1960s and remain so on top of their game that their latest CD is nominated for a 2009 Grammy. A new voice on the scene, and one that is electrifying all within range, is Lizz Wright (bottom left), who performs two shows on February 6th. She will perform songs from The Orchard, her third CD, as well as other pieces that shine with her expressive treatment. Next up on February 7th is the concert debut of the always surprising actor Alan Cumming (bottom right). Equally at ease in film and on the stage, this classically-trained star has never sung a concert before, and he has selected Dolly Parton and Cindi Lauper tunes, among others, to celebrate this new dimension in his career. American Songbook is presented in the spectacular Allen Room of Frederick P. Rose Hall. The Allen Room possesses one of New York's greatest settings - a stunning vista of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline provides an evocative backdrop for the performers.

Stormy Weather is a powerhouse of an evening. If you?re like me, it will make you want to run out and get the DVD of Ms. Horne?s Tony Award winning, one woman Broadway show, Lena: The Lady and Her Music, so you can re-discover the magic of this courageous survivor...

Week four of Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook brings to The Allen Room a hot new composer, Broadway's most popular ing?nue, a Disney film and Broadway composer in a rare concert appearance, and a celebration of the music of Richard Rodgers by an acclaimed guitarist/vocalist. On February 18th, young composer Nico Muhly, who wrote the haunting score to the Oscar-nominated film 'The Reader', will collaborate with Thomas Bartlett, alternative folk/country artist Sam Amidon, and designer/illustrator Maira Kalman.

Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director, Sheldon Epps; Interim Managing Director, Ken Novice; Producing Director, Tom Ware) announced on Friday, January 30 that Stormy Weather, starring Leslie Uggams as Lena Horne, is now the non-profit?s record-holder for advance single ticket sales prior to opening night.

Stormy Weather, starring Tony and Emmy Award-winner Leslie Uggams, celebrates The Life of the legendary Lena Horne. The Pasadena Playhouse West Coast premiere is conceived and written by Sharleen Cooper Cohen, directed by Michael Bush and choreographed by Randy Skinner. The production features music by Cole Porter, Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer, Rodgers & Hart, Billy Strayhorn, and more. Stormy Weather, is suggested by the biography Lena Horne, Entertainer published by Chelsea House. Uggams sat down with the Los Angeles Times to discuss a variety of subjects in relation to the production.

Stormy Weather, starring Tony and Emmy Award-winner Leslie Uggams, celebrates the life of the legendary Lena Horne. The West Coast premiere is conceived and written by Sharleen Cooper Cohen, directed by Michael Bush and choreographed by Randy Skinner. The production features music by Cole Porter, Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer, Rodgers & Hart, Billy Strayhorn, and more. Stormy Weather, is suggested by the biography Lena Horne, Entertainer published by Chelsea House.

Week three of Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook brings to The Allen Room a soulful tribute to black music, a bluegrass legend, a genre-busting singer and the concert debut of a gifted actor, all celebrating the diversity of American popular song. On February 4th Soul Deep, an ensemble of some of the top black singers from Broadway and beyond will perform music - black music - that is the basis for most of the popular music heard today. The next night, bluegrass reigns with The Del McCoury Band (top right), who started out in the 1960s and remain so on top of their game that their latest CD is nominated for a 2009 Grammy. A new voice on the scene, and one that is electrifying all within range, is Lizz Wright (bottom left), who performs two shows on February 6th. She will perform songs from The Orchard, her third CD, as well as other pieces that shine with her expressive treatment. Next up on February 7th is the concert debut of the always surprising actor Alan Cumming (bottom right). Equally at ease in film and on the stage, this classically-trained star has never sung a concert before, and he has selected Dolly Parton and Cindi Lauper tunes, among others, to celebrate this new dimension in his career. American Songbook is presented in the spectacular Allen Room of Frederick P. Rose Hall. The Allen Room possesses one of New York's greatest settings - a stunning vista of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline provides an evocative backdrop for the performers.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook returns in January for its eleventh season celebrating the diversity of American popular song. For 17 nights of pop, folk, cabaret, R&B, country, rock, show tunes, bluegrass and multimedia, the series will explore the best of the golden age of musical standards through to today's most dynamic contemporary songwriting. The 2009 season - January 14 through March 6 - will bring to the stage some of today's most gifted interpreters of song, including top vocalist Kurt Elling and country's winning Patty Loveless. It will feature the rare opportunity to hear Paulo Szot, star of Broadway's South Pacific, and film and stage star Alan Cumming, in intimate concert settings.

The second week of Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook brings to the Allen Room stage a jazz great, a new singer/songwriter, a country music classic and Broadway's newest heartthrob, all celebrating the diversity of American popular song. Singer Kurt Elling will re-create the standout recording that singer Johnny Hartman made in 1963 of the music of John Coltrane. Saxophonist Ernie Watts, The Laurence Hobgood Trio and the string quartet ETHEL will join Elling for this show, entitled Dedicated to You.

This New Year's Eve Join Brandon Cutrell, Alysha Umphress, and The Barry Levitt Trio. Celebrate New Year's Eve right off Times Square with dinner and a live musical performance from two of New York's most acclaimed vocalists.

This New Year's Eve Join Brandon Cutrell, Alysha Umphress, and The Barry Levitt Trio. Celebrate New Year's Eve right off Times Square with dinner and a live musical performance from two of New York's most acclaimed vocalists.

Stormy Weather, starring Tony and Emmy Award-winner Leslie Uggams, celebrates the life of the legendary Lena Horne. The West Coast premiere is conceived and written by Sharleen Cooper Cohen, directed by Michael Bush and choreographed by Randy Skinner. The production features music by Cole Porter, Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer, Rodgers & Hart, Billy Strayhorn, and more. Stormy Weather, is suggested by the biography Lena Horne, Entertainer published by Chelsea House.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook returns in January for its eleventh season celebrating the diversity of American popular song. For 17 nights of pop, folk, cabaret, R&B, country, rock, show tunes, bluegrass and multimedia, the series will explore the best of the golden age of musical standards through to today's most dynamic contemporary songwriting. The 2009 season - January 14 through March 6 - will bring to the stage some of today's most gifted interpreters of song, including top vocalist Kurt Elling and country's winning Patty Loveless. It will feature the rare opportunity to hear Paulo Szot, star of Broadway's South Pacific, and film and stage star Alan Cumming, in intimate concert settings.

Join Della Reese, George Takei, Christine Chavez, Donzaleigh Abernathy, Del Shores, Billy Porter, Erin Hamilton and Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles as they welcome special guests (to be announced) to celebrate the launch of their 30th anniversary season with a choral repertoire of jazz, pop, classical, Broadway and more.