Mary Wilson News

On January 24, 25 and 26, the young and talented guest artist Tony DeSare will make his debut with the Houston Symphony, led by Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski, for an evening of contemporary music made popular in the last half of the 20th century. DeSare, a dynamic and entertaining pianist and vocalist, will present a fresh take on radio favorites, as well as his own musical works, in an evening sure to fill audiences at Jones Hall with laughter and memories. Featuring arrangements of chart toppers like Prince's "Kiss," Journey's "Faithfully," The Bee Gees' "How Deep is Your Love," Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" and original compositions like "New Orleans Tango," audience members are sure to get lost in the sultry and rhythmic backgrounds of these new classics.

On January 24, 25 and 26, the young and talented guest artist Tony DeSare will make his debut with the Houston Symphony, led by Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski, for an evening of contemporary music made popular in the last half of the 20th century. DeSare, a dynamic and entertaining pianist and vocalist, will present a fresh take on radio favorites, as well as his own musical works, in an evening sure to fill audiences at Jones Hall with laughter and memories. Featuring arrangements of chart toppers like Prince's "Kiss," Journey's "Faithfully," The Bee Gees' "How Deep is Your Love," Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" and original compositions like "New Orleans Tango," audience members are sure to get lost in the sultry and rhythmic backgrounds of these new classics.

The Show Goes On Productions (TSGO) will present an Off-Broadway sized club venue dedicated to both live music and theatre: THE HYBRID. The LAUNCH PARTY will be Saturday, February 1st, from 6 - 10pm, followed by a dance party upstairs in the Culture Club. Musical guests include Maximus England Shaban, the dudes from Bromance, the Dudesical, and Mimi Cohen from A Celebration of Laura Nyro - To Carry On. A surprise host is to be announced. The Hybrid is located at 22 W. 39th Street, between 5th & 6th Ave., with parking across the street. Doors open at 6pm and performances will begin at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 and available at www.ShowGoesOnProductions.com, 646-380-8749.

Upcoming Non-Equity Auditions from Sunday, January 5, 2014.

Chicago Choirs get the chance of a lifetime when they perform along-side Original Supreme Mary Wilson during "Mary Wilson's Holiday Spectacular Featuring Special Guests The Four Tops" December 23, 2013 - January 5, 2014 at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph St.). Seven Chicago choirs will perform throughout the limited engagement including Walt Whittman's Soul Children of Chicago, Shelly & Friends (members from Salem Baptist Church and Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park), Calvin Bridges & Friends, Central Missionary Baptist Church Inspirational Choir, Dr. Issac Whittmon & the Greater Metropolitan Church, Dr. Alfred Wheeler & Blessed Music Ministry and Ramon Perry & the Ministry and Praise Chorale.

Cape Rep Theatre presents RUBY TUESDAY, written and directed by Gip Hoppe tonight, November 7 through December 8, 2013; Wednesdays at 7 pm, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, Saturday November 30 at 2 and 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm (There are no performances November 10, 27 or 28).

The Holiday Season gets a taste of the Motown Sound as 'Mary Wilson's Holiday Spectacular Featuring Special Guests The Four Tops' blows into the Windy City December 23, 2013 - January 5, 2014 at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph St.) Presented by Reach Out Entertainment and Starvox Entertainment and Marketing, audiences will be taken on a journey through some of the greatest Motown hits as well as Holiday classics by Mary Wilson, one of the original Supremes and the legendary Four Tops, celebrating 60 years of performing in 2013. Pre-sale tickets ($59.99 - $119.99) go on sale Tuesday, October 22 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com with an American Express Card.

MUSE/IQUE, known for its inspired, unexpected live music events curated by noted artistic director/conductor Rachael Worby, continues its 'Uncorked Series' with a spotlight on female jazz musicians on Monday, November 11, 2013, 7 pm, at the expansive Avon Distribution Center in Pasadena. The program at Avon, itself long a symbol of female empowerment, opens with a screening of the acclaimed award-winning documentary film The Girls in the Band, which traces the history of women jazz artists from the 1930s through present day, exposing sexism and racism faced by the immensely talented women who broke through primarily male music bastions. Avon, according to Fortune magazine, is the world's fifth largest cosmetic company and second largest direct selling company, with 6.4 million independent sales representatives, primarily female, in more than 140 countries. Capping the evening are an interactive panel discussion with the film's director Judy Chaikin and some of the celebrated artists in the film, moderated by Worby, as well as musical interludes performed by some of the current leading ladies of jazz, including saxophonist Mindi Abair, who has appeared with Josh Groban, Lee Ritenour and the Backstreet Boys, among many others. A complimentary pre-concert cocktail hour for ticket holders, with 'popcorn fare' and music by an all-female jazz ensemble from Westridge High School in Pasadena, begins at 6 pm followed by the 7 pm program.

Cape Rep Theatre presents RUBY TUESDAY, written and directed by Gip Hoppe November 7 through December 8, 2013; Wednesdays at 7 pm, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, Saturday November 30 at 2 and 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm (There are no performances November 10, 27 or 28).

On Monday, April 15, 2013, more than 20,000 people were running in the Boston Marathon while the 58 instrumentalists and singers of Boston Baroque were rehearsing for a new recording and upcoming concerts. Two explosions near the finish line of the Marathon irrevocably altered the lives of all Bostonians, and would have an effect on the recording and concerts as well.

The Show Goes On Productions presents To Carry On... a Tribute to the Life and Music of Laura Nyro written and performed by Mimi Cohen. Gretchen Cryer directs and Jeffrey Klitz music directs. The production opens on Ms. Nyro's 66th birthday, tonight, October 18th, and runs for six performances beginning tonight, October 18 to Sunday, October 27, 2013, at The TBG Theatre, 312 West 36th Street, 3rd Floor in NYC.

The Detroit News reports that Maxine Powell, the mentor behind the success of some of Motown Records' biggests stars for almost five decades, died Monday, October 14th at age 98.

MUSE/IQUE, known for its inspired, unexpected live music events curated by noted artistic director/conductor Rachael Worby, launches its 2013-14 season with 'Free For All,' a free family-friendly concert in which hip hop and orchestral music collide to create a rocking dance party today, October 11, 2013, 6 to 9 pm, on the plaza of the Pasadena Civic Center.

Famed female impersonator Randy Roberts returns to San Francisco by popular demand with two not-to-be-missed shows in two different venues. Beginning with a limited engagement of only 12 performances of Randy's signature show RANDY ROBERTS LIVE! at the Alcove Theatre - 414 Mason St. (at Geary St.), 5th Floor, in SF 94102 - Oct. 10 - Nov. 2, 2013 (Thurs. Fri. & Sat. - 9:00 pm).

Tonight, October 4 and October 5 & 6, Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski alongside superstar guest vocalists Capathia Jenkins and Darius de Haas will join the Houston Symphony for an evening of smooth grooves, easy rhythms and timeless top 40 hits.

Cape Rep Theatre is delighted to announce FOOTLIGHT FANTASIES GOES HALLOWEEN, a benefit for Cape Rep created by Melissa Becker and Susan Wasson and directed by Melissa Becker; October 24-27; Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 4 pm. Tickets are $23 and light eats come with your ticket purchase. A cash bar is available. All proceeds go to benefit Cape Rep Theatre. Call the Box Office for details. Cape Rep Indoor Theatre. North Side Route 6A E. Brewster. 508.896.1888 or www.caperep.org.

The Show Goes On Productions presents To Carry On… a Tribute to the Life and Music of Laura Nyro written and performed by Mimi Cohen. Gretchen Cryer directs and Jeffrey Klitz music directs. The production opens on Ms. Nyro's 66th birthday, Friday, October 18th, and runs for six performances beginning Friday, October 18 to Sunday, October 27, 2013, at The TBG Theatre, 312 West 36th Street, 3rd Floor in NYC.

On October 4, 5 and 6, Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski alongside superstar guest vocalists Capathia Jenkins and Darius de Haas will join the Houston Symphony for an evening of smooth grooves, easy rhythms and timeless top 40 hits. Audiences will hear music from the kings and queens of classic soul, including Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, James Brown, Roberta Flack, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. With songs like 'Natural Woman,' 'You are Everything,' 'Respect,' 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours' and 'I Heard it Through the Grapevine,' Jones Hall is sure to be full of rhythm from this iconic musical era. Showcasing local talent, Houston-based vocalists Kam Franklin, Lisa Harris and Lucas Gorham will perform as back-up singers on many of the evening's hit songs.

MUSE/IQUE, known for its inspired, unexpected live music events curated by noted artistic director/conductor Rachael Worby, launches its 2013-14 season with 'Free For All,' a free family-friendly concert in which hip hop and orchestral music collide to create a rocking dance party on Friday, October 11, 2013, 6 to 9 pm, on the plaza of the Pasadena Civic Center.