Obba Babatundé News

A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, directed by Darko Tresnjak, featuring book & lyrics by Robert L. Freedman, music & lyrics by Steven Lutvak, and choreography by Peggy Hickey, opened at theAhmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.  Red carpet arrivals featured Jane Kaczmarek, Darren Criss, Shoshana Bean, Michael Arden, Obba Babatunde?, Jane Carr, Wilson Cruz, Jonathan Del Arco, Barrett Foa, Robert Freedman, Ivan Hernandez, Peggy Hickey, Jim Piddock, Marion Ross, Darko Tresnjak.  BroadwayWorld has a first look below!

The Group Rep presents the world premiere musical Love Again, book by Doug Haverty, music by Adryan Russ, lyrics by Russ and Haverty, directed by Kay Cole, produced by Richard Alan Woody and Jon Cortez for The Group Rep, with musical direction by Richard Berent.

The Colony Theatre has announced that the final production of its historic 40thAnniversary season, the critically-acclaimed, smash-hit, Los Angeles Premiere of WORDS BY IRA GERSHWIN A Musical Play by Joseph Vass, directed by David Ellenstein, Musical Director Kevin Toney, Musical Arranger Joseph Vass will be EXTENDING through SUNDAY, MAY 24 at the Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third Street in Burbank.

The Group Rep presents the world premiere musical Love Again, book by Doug Haverty, music by Adryan Russ, lyrics by Russ and Haverty, directed by Kay Cole, produced by Richard Alan Woody and Jon Cortez for The Group Rep, with musical direction by Richard Berent.

The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present the final production of its historic 40th Anniversary season, the Los Angeles Premiere of WORDS BY IRA GERSHWIN A Musical Play by Joseph Vass, directed by David Ellenstein, Musical Director Kevin Toney, Musical Arranger Joseph Vass. WORDS BY IRA GERSHWIN will preview today, April 15; Thursday, April 16; and Friday, April 17 at 8:00pm. It will open on Saturday, April 18 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, May 17.

The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present the final production of its historic 40th Anniversary season, the Los Angeles Premiere of WORDS BY IRA GERSHWIN A Musical Play by Joseph Vass, directed by David Ellenstein, Musical Director Kevin Toney, Musical Arranger Joseph Vass. WORDS BY IRA GERSHWIN will preview on Wednesday, April 15; Thursday, April 16; and Friday, April 17 at 8:00pm. It will open on Saturday, April 18 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, May 17.

For 23 years the NAACP Beverly Hills/Hollywood branch has produced a star-studded gala honoring thespians for their astonishing achievement in entertainment and theatre.

When you've been given the privilege to watch and, of course, listen to legendary Tony winner Jennifer Holliday sing live---in that signature inimitable style---it's practically akin to a religious experience. She is, to put it mildly, still one of the world's most treasured, gifted musical voices. Even more awesome? Holliday served as the finale headliner that capped off an impressive line-up of Broadway stars that included Erich Bergen, Rogelio Douglas, Jr., Danny Gurwin, and Tony nominee Chad Kimball. And the highly entertaining evening---a pleasant mixture of amusing anecdotes and enthralling showtune performances---was hosted by Holliday's Tony nominated DREAMGIRLS co-star, Obba Babatunde.

On Saturday, August 16 at 8pm - Tony Award-winner Jennifer Holliday headlined the one-night-only concert Broadway Under the Stars at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood, CA. Produced by Chris Isaacson Presents in partnership with Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

Chris Isaacson Presents has announced a one-night-only concert event at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre on Saturday, August 16 at 8pm. Broadway Under the Stars will star Tony Award-winner Jennifer Holliday (Dreamgirls) and will also feature (in alphabetical order) Obba Babatunde (Dreamgirls), Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys, stage and film), Rogelio Douglas, Jr. (In the Heights), Danny Gurwin (Little Women) and Tony Award-nominee Chad Kimball (Memphis). David Galligan will direct, and the music director is Gerald Sternbach.

Tony Award-nominee Obba Babatunde has been set to host Broadway Under The Stars on Saturday, August 16 at 8pm at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre. Produced by Chris Isaacson Presents, this one-night-only concert event will star Tony Award-winner Jennifer Holliday along with (in alphabetical order) Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys, stage and film), Rogelio Douglas, Jr. (In the Heights), Danny Gurwin (Little Women), and Chad Kimball (Memphis). David Galligan will direct, with musical direction by Gerald Sternbach.

Over two dozen stars of film, stage and television were given a standing ovation by a sold out crowd for the 30th Anniversary of S.T.A.G.E. at the historic Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA Saturday, May 10, 2014. And, on hand to get up close and personal with the stars, were BWW TV's longtime Los Angeles Correspondent and Co-Producer Michael Sterling with Videographer/Co-Producer, Jordan Santacana. Check out the video below!

"The Tallest Tree in the Forest", A Play with Music written and performed by Daniel Beaty, is being directed by Moises Kaufman in its World Premiere production at Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum at the Music Center in Los Angeles. The show opened on Saturday, April 19, and below, BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities!

Renowned music video director Julien Christian Lutz, better known as Director X, and burgeoning Canadian screenwriter Andrew Burrows-Trotman are announcing they are in development on PRINCIPAL a new original drama TV series.

Please help salute renowned music historian Rick Starr, former manager of the legendary sheet music store Hollywood Sheet Music, and pillar of the entertainment community. Rick offered his expertise in classic popular song and theatre music to scores of singers over the years.

Please help salute renowned music historian Rick Starr, former manager of the legendary sheet music store Hollywood Sheet Music, and pillar of the entertainment community. Rick offered his expertise in classic popular song and theatre music to scores of singers over the years.

Ebony Repertory Theatre, now in its fifth year, has announced the return of their production of FRATERNITY by internationally acclaimed, award-winning playwright/screenwriter Jeff Stetson (Keep the Faith and And the Men Shall Also Gather). Director Henry Miller (James Baldwin's The Amen Corner) leads the creative team. The riveting award-winning political drama FRATERNITY began performances last night and runs through June 2, 2013 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 W. Washington Blvd.) in Los Angeles.

'Joe Turner's Come and Gone' opened last night, May 8, at CTG's Mark Taper Forum, directed by Phylicia Rashad. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

National Jewish Theater, Producing Artistic Director Arnold Mittelman, will present a limited Off-Broadway run of The Soap Myth, by Jeff Cohen, from March 23 - April 22 at theBlack Box Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street, between 6th Avenue and Broadway). Directed by Arnold Mittelman, this production will starGreg Mullavey (television's "Marty Hartman") and features Andi Potamkin, Donald Corren, and Dee Pelletier.