Jason Ma News

Midsommer Flight brings a 'delightful and fast-paced outdoor production' of A Midsummer Night's Dream to Chicago this summer, with performances beginning this weekend. A new theatre collective dedicated to producing outdoor performances of Shakespeare's plays, Midsommer Flight is proud to produce the play as an arts partner with the Chicago Park District.

The world premiere of Big Maybelle: Soul Of The Blues, featuring the incredible Tony Award winner Lillias White, is off to a great start at the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor. Now playing through September 2, this tells the story of the American jazz singer as she rises to the top and her heart wrenching fall from glory.

The World Premiere with Lillias White in Big Maybelle: Soul of the Blues had its opening night last Saturday, August 11, 2012, at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, NY. Plus, on August 10th, Barry Manilow and Lorna Luft came to see the preview performance. Check out photos from both nights below!

Midsommer Flight brings a 'delightful and fast-paced outdoor production' of A Midsummer Night's Dream to Chicago this summer, with performances beginning this weekend. A new theatre collective dedicated to producing outdoor performances of Shakespeare's plays, Midsommer Flight is proud to produce the play as an arts partner with the Chicago Park District.

Widely acknowledged as Stephen Sondheim's musical masterpiece, Sweeney Todd stars Michael Ball as the eponymous demon barber of Fleet Street and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton as the devoted Mrs Lovett. Jonathan Kent's acclaimed production will have its final performance on Saturday 22 September.

Bay Street Theatre, Martin Richards and The Gilead Company present the World Premiere musical BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES with Tony Award-winner Lillias White starring as legendary blues singer Maybelle Smith; written and directed by Paul Levine. Michael Mitchell is the Musical Director; Orchestrations are by Musical Supervisor Kenny Seymour. The show runs tomorrow, August 7 through Sunday, September 2. Scroll down for photos of White performing onstage at Bay Street!

Bay Street Theatre will present the World Premiere of a musical as the third production of the 2012 Mainstage Season. Tony award winner Lillias White will play Maybelle Smith in BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES, written and directed by Paul Levine. Michael Mitchell is the Musical Director; Orchestrations are by Musical Supervisor Kenny Seymour. The show runs Tuesday, August 7 through Sunday, September 2. Showtimes are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8pm with Wednesday matinees on August 15, 22, and 29 at 2pm and a 4pm matinee on Saturdays August 18 and 25. Sunday showtime is at 7pm. Tickets to this spectacular event are $66-76. Previews August 7-10 are sponsored by PCH Builders and Property Management. The week of August 12-18 is sponsored by Peconic Landing.

In the Fall of 2010, multiple award-winning author/director PAUL LEVINE produced a workshop of BIG MAYBELLE: Soul of the Blues in association with the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts and Amas Musical Theatre.

In a first-ever collaboration, the six resident performing arts organizations of the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center (the Rose) will present an all-day "extravaganza" called The Rose Exposed on Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Cygnet's season 10 opens with MAN OF LA MANCHA, starring Sean Murray as Miguel deCervantes. The story of a knight who lives in a world of madness features a book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh. Cygnet Theatre's MAN OF LA MANCHA runs now through August 26th, 2012.

Cygnet's season 10 opens with MAN OF LA MANCHA, starring Sean Murray as Miguel deCervantes. The story of a knight who lives in a world of madness features a book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh. Cygnet Theatre's MAN OF LA MANCHA runs now through August 26th, 2012. Preview the production in the photos below!

Roulette today announced its 2012 Fall season which kicks off September 7 with Mary Halvorson Septet.

The Muny presents the third show of its 94th season, Disney's Aladdin, opening tonight through July 13, directed by Gary Griffin, and choreographed by Alex Sanchez.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Christopher Meloni has signed on for the upcoming comedy THEY CAME TOGETHER from Lionsgate. The actor will join previously announced cast members Paul Rudd, Ed Helms, Cobie Smulders and Jason Mantzoukas and Amy Poehler.

So who's like a sneak peek of comedian Jason Manford as Pirelli in the current West End production of SWEENEY TODD starring Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball? Check it out below!

Loyola University New Orleans alumnus and noted jazz pianist Matt Lemmler '90 will return to campus to perform a special concert with the New Orleans Jazz Revival Ensemble, featuring guitarist Steve Masakowski, bassist James Singleton and drummer Geoff Clapp, on Saturday, June 23 to at 7 p.m. in Nunemaker Auditorium in Monroe Hall.