Mike Jackson News

ATLANTA'S MISSING AND MURDERED: THE LOST CHILDREN, debuting SUNDAY, APRIL 5 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT), is a five-part documentary series offering an unprecedented look at the abduction and murder of at least 30 African American children and young adults in Atlanta between 1979 and 1981.

Today, producers Brian Moreland, Ron Simons, Eric Falkenstein, Mike Jackson and singer John Legend announced complete casting for Blue, a play by Charles Randolph-Wright and directed by Phylicia Rashad which will play a 16-week limited engagement at New York's legendary Apollo Theater (253 West 125th Street) in Harlem starting Monday, April 27 with opening night set for May 10.. Blue will run through August 16.

Producers Brian Moreland, Ron Simons, Mike Jackson, John Legend and Eric Falkenstein announced today that tickets for Blue are officially on-sale. The beloved play by Charles Randolph-Wright with music by Nona Hendryx and lyrics by Charles Randolph-Wright, will play a 16-week engagement at New York's legendary Apollo Theater (253 West 125th Street), under the direction of Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad who starred in both the play's 2000 world premiere at Arena Stage and 2001 New York premiere at Roundabout Theatre Company. Previews are set to begin on April 27th with opening night on May 10th. Blue will run through August 16th.

Producers Brian Moreland, Ron Simons, Mike Jackson, John Legend and Eric Falkenstein announced today that Blue, the play by Charles Randolph-Wright with music by Nona Hendryx and lyrics by Charles Randolph-Wright, will play a 16-week engagement at New York's Apollo Theater (253 West 125th Street), under the direction of Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad who starred in both the play's 2000 world premiere at Arena Stage and 2001 New York premiere at Roundabout Theatre Company.

IFC announced today that the Critics' Choice Award-nominated Sherman's Showcase will return with a one-hour “Black History Month Spectacular” this summer (yes, you read that right). Created by and starring Bashir Salahuddin (Top Gun: Maverick, South Side) and Diallo Riddle (Marlon, South Side), and executive produced by John Legend's Get Lifted Film Co. and RadicalMedia, the witty, irreverent and wholly original Sherman's Showcase “Black History Month Spectacular” will feature more of the sketches, A-list guest stars, and original hit, award-winning songs that, all together, earned the series a 100% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and inclusion on numerous 'Best of 2019' lists.

HBO has confirmed their slate of captivating documentaries for the first half of 2020, including ATLANTA CHILD MURDERS (working title), a documentary series reexamining the missing and murdered children of Atlanta in the late-'70s and early-'80s in collaboration with Show of Force, Roc Nation and Get Lifted Film Co.; WELCOME TO CHECHNYA, directed by David France, chronicling a group of brave activists risking their lives to confront the ongoing anti-LGBTQ persecution in the repressive and closed Russian republic of Chechnya; NATALIE WOOD: WHAT REMAINS BEHIND, intimately exploring Natalie Wood's life, career and tragic death through the unique perspective of her daughter Natasha Gregson Wagner and others who knew her best; and McMILLION$, from executive producer Mark Wahlberg and directors James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte, a six-part documentary series chronicling the stranger-than-fiction story of the mysterious McDonald's Monopoly game promotion scam and the mastermind who developed the complex scheme, stealing millions of dollars and building a vast network of co-conspirators across the U.S. 

IFC's critically-acclaimed Sherman's Showcase comes to Hulu Wednesday, December 11. Created by Emmy-nominated writers Diallo Riddle (Marlon, Rise) and Bashir Salahuddin (GLOW, Snatched) and executive produced by John Legend, Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius at Get Lifted Film Co. & Frank Scherma and Jim Bouvet of RadicalMedia, the series currently boasts a very impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.  

Oprah Winfrey Network announced today the new night and time for the second half of season three of its hit docu-series, “Black Love,” which returns with all new episodes on Friday, November 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The series, which celebrates love stories from the Black community, will anchor a new night of original holiday movies about African American families.

The Tony Award-winning Broadway production of August Wilson's Jitney will receive an additional six performances during its run at Arena Stage. Under the direction of Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson, the production now runs through October 27, 2019 in the Kreeger Theater.

Global superstars Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, and Tip a?oeT.I.a?? Harris search for the next hip hop sensation in Rhythm + Flow, Netflix's first music competition show. The series brings together industry legends across a multi-city search in hip hop epicenters Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and Chicago, to find raw talent and help undiscovered artists pursue their come up.

Jitney just recently opened at Arena Stage and critics were in attendance! Check out what they had to say.

Jitney just recently began performances at Arena Stage and we've got a first look for you! Check out the pictures below!

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater presents August Wilson's Jitney. Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson directs his 2017 Broadway production — recipient of the Tony Award for Best Play Revival. Set in the early 1970s,

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces partial casting of August Wilson's Jitney. Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson directs his 2017 Broadway production a?' recipient of the Tony Award for Best Play Revival. Set in the early 1970s, Jitney follows a group of men trying to make a living by driving unlicensed cabs, or jitneys.

AMC Networks announced today from the Television Critics' Association (TCA) Press Tour premiere dates for several new and returning original series, including IFC's Baroness von Sketch Show, which has been picked up for a fifth season, and programming events, including AMC's FearFest and newly expanded Best Christmas Ever holiday celebration, which will air across all of AMC Networks. 

HBO Documentary Films, Show of Force, Roc Nation and Get Lifted Film Co. are currently in production on a new documentary series reexamining the Atlanta Child Murders of the late-'70s and early-'80s. It offers a never-before-seen look at the murder of at least 30 African American children and young adults that occurred over a two-year period in Atlanta, from the initial disappearance and discovery of two murdered teenage boys and the fear that gripped the city, to the prosecution and indictment of 23-year-old Atlanta native Wayne Williams and the rush to officially shut down the case.

IFC announced today that the network has partnered with Mad Decent to drop the official soundtrack for its upcoming variety sketch series Sherman's Showcase, premiering Wednesday, July 31st at 10pm ET/PT. Sherman's Showcase (Original Soundtrack), featuring full-length versions of the songs from the series, is set for digital release on August 9 via Mad Decent, the  Los Angeles-based record label founded by Thomas Wesley Pentz, better known as Diplo. The soundtrack will also be available on vinyl later this summer. 

Created, executive produced, written and starring Bashir Salahuddin (GLOW, Snatched, South Side) and Diallo Riddle (Marlon, Rise, South Side), each episode of Sherman's Showcase is hosted bySherman McDaniels (Salahuddin) as he takes viewers through time via music and comedy drawn from the 40-year library of a legendary (but fictional) musical variety show, drawing inspiration from Solid Gold, Soul Train and Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. Whether it's a questionably-attired funk super group in the 1970s, an up-and-coming MC in the 1980s or an R&B diva from the 1990s, Sherman's Showcasehas it all: music, comedy, gameshow segments, political roundtables, commercial parodies, breakout hits destined to climb the charts, a dancing robot and a legendary host who's been there from the beginning.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 842 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. The 2019 class is 50% women, 29% people of color, and represents 59 countries. Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy's membership in 2019.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today the third season of its popular docu-series “Black Love” will premiere on Saturday, August 10 at 9:00 p.m. ETPT. The series, which celebrates love stories from the Black community, ranked number one last season in its Saturday night time slot across broadcast and cable with African American W25-54 and W18-49.