Debbie Allen News

A new 'Boss of Bounce Music and Twerkin' has been named on Season 2 of 'Big Freedia Queen of Bounce' on FUSE TV with the show's latest addition, producer/director/choreographer Wilberto, who works under his banner, the Bert Company.

Ok, after our Celebrity Guest-Recapper Natalie Weiss was absolutely on fire last week, I figured I had to step up my game tonight. So, as I did last year, I will be live updating tonight's Top-16 Episode of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. So, after every routine hit refresh, and I will have details and my Mini-Review for each.

The Dizzy Feet Foundation (DFF) and The Music Center today announced Christina Applegate, Jenna Elfman, Wayne Brady, Paula Abdul and Elizabeth Berkley as presenters for the fourth annual 'Celebration of Dance' Gala, which will take place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at The Music Center in Los Angeles tonight, July 19.

The stage unit of Iron Violet Productions, Iron Violet Stage, in association with Denman Turner Entertainment Group, will present a staged reading of 'Birthday Pie', written by best-selling author, and playwright, Arthur Wooten on September 29th, 2014, at 7:30 PM.

Vice President Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, President pro tempore of the Senate Patrick Leahy, House Majority Leader Elect Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, actress Debbie Allen, members of Congress and other distinguished guests attended the Ford's Theatre Annual Gala the evening of Sunday, June 22, 2014, at Ford's Theatre (511 10th Street NW). The gala performance was followed by a seated dinner at the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum (750 Ninth Street NW). The evening included the presentation of the Ford's Theatre Lincoln Medal to actor James Earl Jones and the U.S. House of Representatives' longest-serving member, The Honorable John D. Dingell. The award was given in recognition of their extraordinary character, service, accomplishments and work reflecting Lincoln's legacy of humanity, wisdom, eloquence and vision.

The Dizzy Feet Foundation (DFF) and The Music Center today announced Christina Applegate, Jenna Elfman, Wayne Brady, Paula Abdul and Elizabeth Berkley as presenters for the fourth annual 'Celebration of Dance' Gala, which will take place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at The Music Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 19.

As announced earlier this evening, A Raisin in the Sun's Kenny Leon has won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play. BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge was in the press room to catch up with the winner on what the award means to him - hear what Leon had to say below! As announced earlier this evening, A Raisin in the Sun's Kenny Leon has won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play. BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge was in the press room to catch up with the winner on what the award means to him - hear what Leon had to say below!

A Raisin in the Sun's Kenny Leon has won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play. Kenny Leon's Broadway credits include August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean (five Tony nominations) and the Tony Award-winning revival of A Raisin in the Sun, both featuring Phylicia Rashad; for the latter, he earned a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Director of a Play. Other directing credits include the Off-Broadway hit Emergence-See featuring Daniel Beaty, Blues for an Alabama Sky, and From the Mississippi Delta (Huntington Theatre).

The Ensemble Theatre is currently producing a revival of John Henry Redwood's 1997 dramedy THE OLD SETTLER. The interesting piece, which examines various types of love, first premiered at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. During it developmental stages it was part of the 1995 Eugene O'Neill Theatre Conference in Waterford, Connecticut and was rehearsed and performed in several Russian cities in 1996 by both an American and Russian cast. PBS also filmed it for a TV Movie adaption starring Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rasad, which originally aired on April 25, 2001. Additionally, the show has proven to be quite popular in regional theatres, and The Ensemble Theatre's entertaining production ensures Houston audiences know why.

Court Theatre closes its 2013-2014 season with the Chicago premiere of M. Butterfly written by David Henry Hwang and directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell, with choreography by Jamie Guan. M. Butterfly will run today, May 8 - June 8, 2014 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. Press Opening is Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 8:00PM.

According to Deadline, FOX has given a series order to Lee Daniels and Danny Strong's hip-hop drama EMPIRE, starring Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. Howard recently starred in the pair's 2013 drama THE BUTLER.

Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) announced today that it will honor dancer, choreographer, actress, producer, director and author Debbie Allen as Woman of the Year for the 31st Annual Black & White Ball. The recipient of numerous awards, including a Tony Award, Golden Globe and three Emmy Awards among others, Allen's many contributions to the performing arts and entertainment industry will be celebrated on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at ARIA Resort & Casino, CityCenter.

BET Networks, the #1 network for the African-American audience and a top 20 cable network among all adults 18-49, announced its upcoming programming schedule for BET and Centric at its annual Upfront presentation.

Court Theatre closes its 2013-2014 season with the Chicago premiere of M. Butterfly written by David Henry Hwang and directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell, with choreography by Jamie Guan. M. Butterfly will run May 8 - June 8, 2014 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. Press Opening is Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 8:00PM.

The Pasadena Playhouse announced today the planning and honorary gala committee members leading the best party in Pasadena annual fundraiser entitled PREMIERE GALA -TAKE THE LEAD AT THE PLAYHOUSE. The Pasadena Playhouse's gala will be held on the stage of The Pasadena Playhouse on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at 5:30p.m.

On the next episode of ABC's SCANDAL titled 'Flesh and Blood', a security breach calls for an all hands on deck situation at OPA.

According to Deadline, Oscar winner Terrence Howard has signed on to join Vince Vaughn and Hailee Steinfeld in the upcoming thriller TERM LIFE. Peter Billingsley will direct the film, scripted by A.J. Lieberman, and based on Nick Thornborrow's novel.

On the next episode of ABC's SCANDAL titled "Flesh and Blood", a security breach calls for an all hands on deck situation at OPA.

From a field of 12 local high school students, Jonah Gould, Mykaela Sterris and LeafRickard have been selected as the winners of the 2014 August Wilson Monologue Competition Los Angeles Regional finals. Contestants this year featured high school students from nine Southern California cities, who performed in the regional finals at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum, Tuesday night, March 11, 2014. The top three student performers received scholarships and the opportunity to perform again in New York City. The August Wilson Monologue Competition is presented by the Center Theatre Group Affiliates, a volunteer organization that supports Center Theatre Group's education and community partnerships programs.