Mahalia Jackson News

If you haven't had the chance to catch up on your theater news, look no further than today's recap of all things theater around the Broadway World for the week of March 11! Scroll below for the most-read features, interviews, reviews, and news in your city and beyond!

The rise of celebrated singer and civil rights activist Mahalia Jackson is told in the world premiere of Roger Peace's THE MAHALIA JACKSON MUSICAL, now playing at The Segal Centre.

THE BLACK CROWES' cover of Bob Dylan's classic 'Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You' was exclusively premiered today (March 4) at Rollingstone.com.

You've probably seen the movie, but what does FLASHDANCE the Musical have that the movie doesn't? One word. Sas. That's right ladies and gents. Broadway veteran Rachelle Rak has taken on the role of Tess in this brand new musical that is currently sweeping across the US.

Tony and Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Holliday will play The Iridium, tonight, February 14, 2013. Best known for her iconic performance of 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going' from Dreamgirls, Jennifer will headline The Iridium's annual Valentine's Day celebrations, which feature a special dinner menu and sets at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts and Copa de Oro Productions will present the world premiere of The Mahalia Jackson Musical, starring the legendary Ranee Lee as the Queen of Gospel. Written and directed by Roger Peace and featuring a live choir on stage, this 'roof-raising, foot-stomping' gospel celebration will be presented at the Segal Theatre from March 3rd to March 24th, 2013.

After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2010, WICKED, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, will return to New Orleans at the Mahalia Jackson Theater, May 8 - June 2. Tickets for the return engagement go on sale Friday, March 8 at 11 a.m.

Tony and Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Holliday will play The Iridium, February 14, 2013. Best known for her iconic performance of 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going' from Dreamgirls, Jennifer will headline The Iridium's annual Valentine's Day celebrations, which feature a special dinner menu and sets at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Cost: $60.00.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts (361 Symphony Park Avenue, Las Vegas, NV) has announced its February 2013 lineup. Details below.

Broadway in New Orleans announces tickets will go on sale Friday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. for the national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, inspired by an electrifying true story. Ticket prices start as low as $32 and will be available at the Mahalia Jackson Theater Box Office, BroadwayInNewOrleans.com, Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 1.800.982.2787 (ARTS). Group discounts for 10 or more are available by calling 504.287.0372.

For the 10th year, NFL Network is on-location providing comprehensive, wall-to-wall coverage of Super Bowl week. With more than 140 total hours - 85 live - of programming from 11 sets across New Orleans featuring a roster of 35 on-air personalities with a combined 17 Super Bowl rings, NFL Network is the go-to destination for expert analysis, the latest news and reports, special guest appearances, matchup-related programming, and more leading up to Super Bowl XLVII. (click here to view mockups of NFL Network sets in New Orleans)

The implausible story came straight from the bottom of the barrel tabloid, The Weekly World News. Three teenage spelunkers in West Virginia find a half human/half bat creature. The local sheriff brings him to the home of the town's veterinarian, Dr. Parker, whose kind wife, Meredith, takes care of him and transforms him into a likeable person. Their rebellious teenage daughter, Shelley, falls in love with him and Meredith reveals a shocking secret: Bat Boy is Shelley's twin brother!

Lehmann Maupin has announced Nari Ward's inclusion in the New Museum's forthcoming exhibition NYC 1993: Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star. The exhibition was conceived as a time capsule that attempts to capture a specific moment at the intersection of art, pop culture, and politics. While NYC 1993: Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star will open in its entirety on 13 February 2013, Nari Ward's "Amazing Grace" is currently on view in the museum's Studio 231 space through 21 April 2013.

THE BLACK CROWES are flying high--again. After a two-year hiatus, THE BLACK CROWES put tickets on-sale January 11 for the first leg of their "Lay Down With Number 13" 2013 world tour and 15 shows sold out immediately. Now the band has confirmed that they will soon announce shows for a second leg commencing May 17.

Singer/songwriter LEONARD COHEN has just announced a second North American leg for his Old Ideas world tour. The newest dates will begin on March 2 at Oakland's Paramount Theatre and will include the cities of New Orleans, Memphis and Louisville.

For THE BLACK CROWES, it's always been about musical exploration, and on their "Lay Down With Number 13" world tour in 2013, for which tickets go on sale January 11 at 10:13 AM LOCAL TIME, they'll keep their shows as fresh as ever.

In the midst of the second national tour, Broadway's most beloved group of men, JERSEY BOYS, are set to hit the Mahalia Jackson Theatre's stage. The show is slated to run from tonight, Jan 8 through the 27th in 2013.

Coming to the Mahalia Jackson Theater on January 8 is the national tour of the hit show JERSEY BOYS, which allows audiences a close up look at Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons' rise to stardom. The show features hit songs "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," and "Walk Like a Man." I recently spoke with Jason Kappus, who plays Four Seasons member Bob Gaudio, about the show, the music, and life on tour.

This past year proved to be an exciting one for theatre in New Orleans, especially with the Broadway Across America tours that made their temporary homes in the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Up next in 2013, the Mahalia Jackson Theater will host Jersey Boys, Flashdance, Million Dollar Quartet, and Wicked. Also in 2013, Seth Rudetsky will host a concert series at NOCCA featuring Broadway Talents Patti LuPone, Sutton Foster, Megan Mullally, Audra McDonald, and Betty Buckley. You won't want to miss these events!