Laiona Michelle News

It's December! Voting is now underway for the 2019 BroadwayWorld New Jersey Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! Now you can vote to make sure your favorite local theatres and performers are recognized. Check out the first set of stats below.

Broadway's Future Songbook Series - presented by Arts and Artists of Tomorrow - continues its 2019-20 season on Monday, November 25th in the Bruno Walter Auditorium at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center located at 111 Amsterdam Avenue and 65th Street. Produced and Hosted by John Znidarsic, the evening spotlights the new musical - MANDELA. Show time is 6PM and ADMISSION IS FREE.

At a recent event, held at Settepani Restaurant on Malcolm X Blvd., the president and CEO of the 125th Street Business Improvement District, Barbara Askins, officially kicked-off the countdown to the 26th annual Harlem Holiday Lights 2019 celebration.

On June 26th, the Ivoryton Playhouse will transform from an historic New England theatre to a Mediterranean island, filled with the music we have loved for over 40 years! Over 60 million people worldwide have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show! Set on a Greek island paradise, the story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating an unforgettable show.

On June 26th, the Ivoryton Playhouse will transform from an historic New England theatre to a Mediterranean island, filled with the music we have loved for over 40 years!

George Street Playhouse's Annual Gala Benefit, held Sunday, May 5 at the Heldrich Hotel in downtown New Brunswick shattered fundraising goals this year to become the organization's highest grossing Gala in history, an achievement that punctuated an already celebratory evening as George Street and its patrons look eagerly ahead to the completion of its permanent new home in The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center this fall.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Take a moment, grab your coffee, and catch up on the latest Broadway news!

A private, invitation only industry reading of the new musical Mandela will be held on Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 15, 2019. Mandela has music and lyrics by two South African composer/lyricists signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Greg Dean Borowsky and Shaun Borowsky, with a book by Laiona Michelle (Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical). This reading is directed by Schele Williams (Rent, Motown: The Musical), with music direction by Alvin Hough, Jr. (Once On This Island). Fifth Estate Entertainment (Nathan Gehan/Jamison Scott) serves as general manager for the reading. The reading will be attended by Nandi Mandela, Nelson Mandela's granddaughter, on behalf of the Mandela family who have officially partnered with the show.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature RENT, HELLO DOLLY, EVER AFTER, and More!

Tickets won't last long for this one. George Street Playhouse (GSP) is now presenting the world premiere of Little Girl Blue-The Nina Simone Musical through February 24. Superbly written and performed by Laiona Michelle, the production enjoys inspired direction by Devanand Janki. This show is a sure fire hit!

Following her critically acclaimed performance in American Hero, Laiona Michelle returns to George Street Playhouse to play Nina Simone in a new musical. 

The world premiere of 'Little Girl Blue - The Nina Simone Musical' is a new show that explores the life of American icon Nina Simone. It will kick off 2019 at George Street Playhouse. This production takes the stage under the vision of DirectorChoreographer Devanand Janki. We had the pleasure of interviewing Janki about his career and the upcoming show.

The world premiere of Little Girl Blue - The Nina Simone Musical-a powerful new show exploring the life of American icon Nina Simone, as told through her own words and groundbreaking music-will kick off 2019 at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, NJ.

This year's Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) Masquerade Ball and After Party, an annual benefit gala in support of the 54-year-old arts organization, surpassed expectations once again by raising over a million dollars, for the second year in a row. The event was held at The Plaza Hotel in New York City, and was hosted by Fox 5's very own, Lori Stokes who shared the podium with co-host, 9-year-oldJayden Hairston, one of HSA's outstanding student ambassadors.

George Street Playhouse, temporarily located at 103 College Farm Road in New Brunswick, will open its 2018-19 5-play season on October 16th with the world premiere of a riveting courtroom drama.  The season also features a world premiere musical about the legendary Nina Simone, written by and starring Laiona Michelle who gave a searing performance in last season's American Hero.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center announces casting and creative teams for the summer season of new musicals and plays selected for development at the National Music Theater Conference and National Playwrights Conference.

George Street Playhouse today announced its 2018-19 mainstage season. The five-play season features a Tony Award-nominated play, a Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award winner set during the early days of the Civil Rights movement, a suspenseful courtroom drama, a heartwarming story of arriving in a strange land for the first time, and the world premiere of a new musical.

George Street Playhouse's Annual Gala Benefit, held Sunday, May 6, at the Heldrich in downton New Brunswick, saw GSP Board President Dr. Penelope Lattimer honored with the Thomas H. Kean Arts Advocacy Award. The black-tie event also celebrated the work of renowned playwright and friend of the Playhouse, the late Arthur Laurents, who would have turned 100 this year, with performances of songs from West Side Story, Gypsy, La Cage aux Folles, and his other Broadway hits.

Watch the trailer for the powerful drama, American Hero, on stage now through February 25 at George Street Playhouse on the Cook Campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ.

American Hero is now being performed at George Street Playhouse (GSP) through February 25. The play features meticulous direction by the Playhouse's Artistic Director, David Saint and has a splendid cast. This is drama at it's finest. See it!