Jennifer Hudson News

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and Discovery Networks International today announced the continued international expansion of OWN with the launch of an exclusive OWN programming block in South Africa.

Mary J. Davis will present DISASTER! written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, at St. Luke's Theatre starting on October 14, opening Monday, November 4. DISASTER! is a musical based on 1970's disaster movies with a score consisting of 1970's pop, rock and disco hit songs. Directed by Jack Plotnick, choreographed by Denis Jones and music direction by Larry Pressgrove. Disaster! previously ran in 2012.

3-D Theatriclas presents Funny Girl Sept 6 - Sept 22, 2013 at the Plummer Auditorium, and Sept 27 - Sept 29, 2013 at Redondo Beach. Funny Girl is a musical with a book by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Bob Merrill. The semi-biographical plot is based on the life and career of Broadway, film star and comedienne Fanny Briceand her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein. Its original title was My Man.

Standing Room Only: Variety Hour presents a special Disney themed evening tonight Monday, September 9.

In fashion, one day you're in; and the next day, you're out... But for 11 lucky former Project Runway contestants, the second and last chance to prove their talent has arrived. In its most competitive season ever, former top-ranking Project Runway contestants will return to New York to compete in the third season of Lifetime's Project Runway All Stars, premiering Thursday, October 24, at 9:00pm ET/PT.

The Winnie Mandela biopic starring Jennifer Hudson will hit theaters today, September 6, 2013, distributed by Image Entertainment, who acquired the rights at the 2013 Cannes International Film Festival. Budgeted at $15 million, the film is an adaptation of Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob's biography Winnie Mandela: A Life and is written and directed by Darrell J. Roodt.

Jane Lynch, who just starred as Miss Hannigan in ANNIE on Broadway and is known for her portrayal of Coach Sue Sylvester in Fox's GLEE, was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Scroll down for photos from the ceremony!

Today we are talking to one of the most notably theatrical and animated performers in music history known for his operatic onstage antics as well as his acting in a number of notable stage and screen properties over his forty-year career besides his legendary recording work - the one and only Meat Loaf. Analyzing the magical musical ingredients that have made BAT OUT OF HELL one of the bestselling albums of all time, as well as the worldwide success of its sequel and its lead single 'I'd Do Anything For Love' and his ongoing relationship with the peerless rock visionary of a creator behind them both, Jim Steinman, Loaf nee Aday sheds some new light on his rich recording legacy, then and now. Additionally, Loaf shares first news of his upcoming re-teaming with Steinman on tracks for his new BRAVE & CRAZY album as well as shares some candid and vivid touring stories old and new involving the idiosyncratic and iconic rock pair. Most importantly, Loaf gives us the 411 on his new Las Vegas residency at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, ROCKTELLZ & COCKTAILS PRESENTS MEAT LOAF for six weeks beginning September 26 and also outlines what fans can expect catching him on tour, too. Plus, Loaf recounts his various experiences on the Broadway and Hollywood adaptations of the ever-enduring ultimate cult classic as it marks its fortieth anniversary, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, and also imparts memories from his early days in New York, recounting stage roles in musicals like HAIR and Steinman's own MORE THAN YOU DESERVE, as well as roles in Shakespearean drama and comedy byway of OTHELLO and AS YOU LIKE - not to mention the infamous ROCKABYE HAMLET '70s rock musical - among others. All of that, thoughts on the upcoming FIGHT CLUB sequel, choosing newcomer Michael Bay and casting Angelina Jolie for BAT 2 music videos, memories of appearing on GLEE as well as information on multiple upcoming film appearances and insights into show business in general - and much, much more!

West Side Story, one of the greatest love stories of all time, opens on the Ogunquit Playhouse stage September 4 through September 28. This all new production of the timeless classic, helmed by Broadway veteran director BT McNicholl, mesmerizes audiences of all ages from the first note to the final breath. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway's finest and features beloved American musical theatre classics including "Something's Coming," "Tonight," "America," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere." With a set designed exclusively for the Ogunquit Playhouse by Michael Schweikardt, an extraordinary cast and an iconic score soaring throughout, theatre goers will fall in love with West Side Story all over again.

Standing Room Only: Variety Hour presents a special Disney themed evening Monday, September 9. For one night only, we will be welcoming all things Disney. Featuring songs from the Disney songbook and talent from Disney animated features, musicals, and TV shows, it's a night not to be missed.

The 2013 'MTV Video Music Awards' erupted with an explosion of musical firsts and epic moments from the Barclays Center, as the first award show to be broadcast live from Brooklyn.

Megan Hilty, who starred on NBC TV's Smash and in Wicked and 9 to 5 the Musical on Broadway, will make her Provincetown debut tonight and tomorrow, August 24 and 25 for four shows only, with shows at 5PM & 7PM each date.

Megan Mullally is a two-time Emmy-winning star of TV's Will & Grace, and recent star of Broadway's Young Frankenstein. On August 28 & 29 she returns to Provincetown by popular demand - for two shows only - after her sold-out Art House debut last summer. Patti LuPone won her second Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, as well Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, for her performance as Rose in the most recent Broadway production of Gypsy, and created the title role in Evita on Broadway with her now legendary performance, for which she won her first Tony and Drama Desk Awards. On August 31 and September 1 she makes a triumphant Provincetown return for 4 shows only, after debuting at The Art House last summer. Chita Rivera is a living Broadway legend and a two-time Tony winner as Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman and Anna in The Rink. She originated the Broadway roles of Anita in West Side Story, Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie, Velma in Chicago, and appeared in the original casts of Guys and Dolls, Can Can, Seventh Heaven, Mr. Wonderful, Jerry's Girls, and many others. She makes her Provincetown debut on Sept. 7 & 8 with two shows only. Series host and SiriusXM radio star Seth Rudetsky joins each of these three leading ladies at the piano. For tickets please visit www.ptownarthouse.com, or call 1-800-838-3006.

The week of September 2, 2013 will mark the first anniversary of Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan's partnership on “LIVE with Kelly and Michael,” and the show is pulling out all the stops with a gala two-week anniversary celebration. The festivities will culminate in “LIVE's” “First Anniversary Viewer's Choice Show,” a one-of-a-kind episode featuring a countdown of the Top 10 best moments from their first year, as chosen by the show's viewers.

After rave reviews, sold out performances and standing ovations in New York, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, Spiegelworld will bring its all-new show EMPIRE to Canberra, pitching its opulent spiegeltent at Civic Square for a limited season from October 10 2013. Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Saturday August 17 through Ticketek and Canberra Ticketing.

Jennifer Hudson, Academy award winner and star of Bishop T.D. Jakes' new film, 'Winnie Mandela,' is slated to appear at the International Faith and Family Film Festival in Dallas

Tarpan Records is pleased to announce the national release of Thunder 2013, a new full length album by Narada Michael Walden on September 17th 2013.

Fresh off work on Fox Searchlight's feature film BLACK NATIVITY starring Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker and Mary J. Blige - and directed by Kasi Lemmons - Otis Sallid, the creator of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, brings an exciting new musical project to life, HARLEM'S BIG OTIS JUMP UP BLUES REVUE. The REVUE will make it's home at Ginny's Supper Club located in Marcus Samuelsson's popular Red Rooster Harlem, (310 Lenox Avenue). Performances are scheduled every Thursday night, two shows - 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., tonight, August 15 and August 22, 29, 2013.

For many 'So You Think You Can Dance' fans, this week's addition of All-Stars was a boost of excitement to an otherwise impressive, but not always remarkable, season.

Megan Hilty, who starred on NBC TV's Smash and in Wicked and 9 to 5 the Musical on Broadway, will make her Provincetown debut on August 24 and 25 for four shows only, with shows at 5PM & 7PM each date. Series host and Sirius/Radio star Seth Rudetsky will join her at the piano.