John Legend News

Over consecutive days this week, the 26-member Broadway cast of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, has been announced by Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of The Public Theater. The cast will begin rehearsals this morning at the Union Square Theater. The final HAIR cast members to be confirmed are Sasha Allen (Dionne, White Boys Trio), Caissie Levy (Sheila), Megan Lawrence (Mother), Bryce Ryness (Woof) and Will Swenson (Berger).

Grammy-nominated artist Raphael Saadiq will make a stop at Detroit's City Theatre at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 15. Raphael Saadiq is a contemporary artist continuing a time-honored tradition that goes back to the '60s and '70s. From his early days as a member of the groundbreaking '80s group Tony! Toni! Ton?! through his work as an award-winning producer of such artists as Joss Stone, The Roots, Snoop Dogg, John Legend among many others and his own solo albums, the multi-talented Raphael Saadiq has kept the faith. Tickets ($25) go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, January 30 and may be purchased at OlympiaEntertainment.com, the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices, Hockeytown Authentics in Troy (without service charge) and at all Ticketmaster locations, including Macy's and Ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets by phone, call 1-800-745-3000. For additional information, call (313) 471-6611.

terraNOVA Collective is proud to present the second SUBTERRANEAN, a new monthly party at the D-Lounge, a cabaret-style venue at 101 East 15th Street at Union Square. terraNOVA Collective strives to create a creative home for artists from a variety of different genre's. As the newest addition to terraNOVA's residency at the DR2 Theatre & D-Lounge, SUBTERRANEAN presents a variety of monthly performances including spoken word, music, burlesque, magic, storytelling, short play readings, vaudeville acts, and DJ's.' The line up for Thursday, February 5 will include slam poet, Roger Bonair-Agard, Maya Azucena & Vanessa Hidary performing excerpts from their show, Culture Bandit Soul, and DJ Popcorn spinning tunes for you. SUBTERRANEAN curator, James Carter says, 'We are happy to have Maya Azucena and Vanessa Hidary perform excerpts form their show Culture Bandit Soul, whose full performance was canceled due to the shuttering of The Zipper Factory's doors. These fierce women, along with National Slam Champion, Roger Bonair-Agard and DJ Popcorn of dancelikeforever fame, will blow the roof off the Daryl Roth Theater.'

USA Today has revealed that Beyonce will sing for Barack and Michelle Obama's first dance on inauguration night. The song has just been announced to be the Etta James classic 'At Last.' The star recently portrayed the blues great in the film Cadillac Records (where she also sings the song).

USA Today has revealed that Beyonce will sing for Barack and Michelle Obama's first dance on inauguration night. The song however is being kept a secret. The Presidential Inaugural Committee is keeping mum on the title of the song. 'It is our hope that we can keep the song secret until the moment,' said spokeswoman Linda Douglass to the paper. The inaugural team for Barack Obama has announced a huge and starry lineup of talent that will perform at an opening celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, in a kickoff heavy in its mix of history and leading performance artists.

While Barbra Streisand was at the top of the list of celebrity artists asked to appear at the Obama Inaugration Celebration, her art is sadly keeping her away from the starry and historic event. Liz Smith reports in today's New York Post that thought she was requested, her recording sessions for her upcoming new album will notallow her to attend, but, reveals Smith, she and Diana Krall will watch the ceremonies from a recording studio in LA, where they're working 'feverishly' on the new project. Streisand says she is happy that she was able to perform her LA fund-raiser for the president-to-be, and while she won't be in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, 'he knows her heart is there along with 300 million other Americans'.

Variety is reporting that the inaugural team for Barack Obama has announced a huge and starry lineup of talent that will perform at an opening celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, in a kickoff heavy in its mix of history and leading performance artists.

Legendary comedian Joan Rivers will play the final show at the popular performance venue The Cutting Room on January 13, after which the club will close its doors. Showtime is at 7:30 PM, with $30 tickets available at 212-352-3101 or online at www.SpinCycleNYC.com. Rivers is also playing the club January 6 & 7. Proceeds from her shows benefit God's Love We Deliver and Guide Dogs for the Blind. The Cutting Room is located at 19 West 24th Street in Chelsea, accessible from the F & V trains at 23rd Street.

Legendary comedian Joan Rivers will play the final show at the popular performance venue The Cutting Room on January 13, after which the club will close its doors. Showtime is at 7:30 PM, with $30 tickets available at 212-352-3101 or online at www.SpinCycleNYC.com. Rivers is also playing the club January 6 & 7. Proceeds from her shows benefit God's Love We Deliver and Guide Dogs for the Blind. The Cutting Room is located at 19 West 24th Street in Chelsea, accessible from the F & V trains at 23rd Street.

The legendary Tony Bennett, an artist who moves the hearts and touches the souls of his audiences, will perform live at North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) on Sunday, December 7, 2008, at a special 6:00 p.m. show. Known as 'the singer's singer,' the fifteen-time Grammy Award winner has sold over 50 million records worldwide and performs to sold-out audiences receiving rave reviews everywhere he appears. Don't miss this chance to experience the musical magic and artistry of Tony Bennett in NSMT's intimate theater in the round!

COMEDY CENTRAL Records releases songs from 'A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!' as a digital album exclusively on iTunes on Tuesday, November 25. A portion of the proceeds from the digital album will benefit the charity Feeding America (formerly knows as America's Second Harvest). The digital release features guest artists Elvis Costello, Feist, Toby Keith, John Legend, Willie Nelson and Jon Stewart. The release contains 9 songs featured in the one-hour special, plus the bonus track 'Cold Cold Christmas' that is also included on the DVD of 'A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All.'

Stephen Colbert Gives Back by Holding a PayPal/MySpace Fundraising Contest and Sweepstakes and an eBay Giving Works Auction of Items Worn and Donated From His Original Musical Holiday Special 'A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!' Premiering on Sunday, November 23 at 10:00 P.M. ET/PT

Stephen Colbert Gives Back by Holding a PayPal/MySpace Fundraising Contest and Sweepstakes and an eBay Giving Works Auction of Items Worn and Donated From His Original Musical Holiday Special 'A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!' Premiering on Sunday, November 23 at 10:00 P.M. ET/PT

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) and Joe's Pub (Director, Shanta Thake; General Manager Kevin Abbott) are proud to announce the Joe's Pub 10th Anniversary Weekend featuring 10 for the 10th, a two-day series of 10 free concerts at Joe's Pub, and an anniversary Gala paying tribute to legendary musician, champion of emerging artists, and New Yorker Judy Collins.

The 2008 National Arts Awards were held in New York City on October 6th, 2008. The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Dame Julie Andrews.

Dame Andrews is being honored for her profound contributions to both music and acting and for serving as a great role model and mentor for all aspiring artist

Musical Performances By Stephen Colbert, Elvis Costello, Feist, Toby Keith, John Legend, Willie Nelson And Jon Stewart

New York Musical Theatre Festival (Isaac Robert Hurwitz, Executive Producer) has commissioned a new dance piece, 'Wild About Harry,' to be presented in their fifth season at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center 248 West 60th Street (between Amsterdam & 11th Avenues) September 19th, 20th, 21st, and 28th.

The legendary Tony Bennett, an artist who moves the hearts and touches the souls of his audiences, will perform live at North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) on Sunday, December 7, 2008, at a special 6:00 p.m. show. Known as 'the singer's singer,' the fifteen-time Grammy Award winner has sold over 50 million records worldwide and performs to sold-out audiences receiving rave reviews everywhere he appears. Don't miss this chance to experience the musical magic and artistry of Tony Bennett in NSMT's intimate theater in the round!

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) and Joe's Pub (Director, Shanta Thake; General Manager Kevin Abbott) are proud to announce the Joe's Pub 10th Anniversary Weekend featuring 10 for the 10th, a two-day series of 10 free concerts at Joe's Pub, and an anniversary Gala paying tribute to legendary musician, champion of emerging artists, and New Yorker Judy Collins.