Ossie Davis News

This year, the prestigious National Black Theatre Festival? will honor Jubilee Theatre Artistic Director Ed Smith with the festival's first annual Lloyd Richards' Director's Award. Smith is receiving this award because of his significant contributions to black theatre and American theatre in general. The festival will be held from August 3 through 8, 2009 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The theme for this year's festival remains the same as the past ten festivals: An International Celebration and Reunion of Spirit. Mr. Smith will be presented with the award at the Opening Night Gala Awards Banquet, which will be held on Monday, August 3.

Based on the play, Purlie Victorious by Ossie Davis, Purlie Victorious, that struttin' new fangled preacher is back home and he wants a church and he wants freedom. Memorable music and heaps of fun unfold as Purlie out maneuvers ol' massa. Purlie will preview at the 'New' McCree Theatre, 322 E. Hamilton, Flint, February 19 -21, 2009. Regular performances will be held February 26 - March 14, 2009. All performances will be held on Thursday and Friday at 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Admission prices for previews are: Advance tickets, $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and senior citizens; at the door prices are $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for students and senior citizens. Admission prices for regular performances are $12.00 and $7.00 in advance, and $15.00 and $10.00 at the door.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops? steps into the magical life of one of the world's greatest entertainers, Frank Sinatra, with its sensational series Celebration of Ol' Blue Eyes. With his unmatched vocal stylings, Sinatra and his legendary friends embodied the very essence of hip. Vocalist Steve Lippia, who is known for his interpretations of the Sinatra songbook, joins Peter and the POPS as it pays homage to this late, great icon. Performances of Celebration of Ol' Blue Eyes take place February 15 at 3:00 p.m., February 18 at 8:00 p.m., February 20 at 8:00 p.m., February 21 at 3:00 p.m., and February 22 at 3:00 p.m.

Based on the play, Purlie Victorious by Ossie Davis, Purlie Victorious, that struttin' new fangled preacher is back home and he wants a church and he wants freedom. Memorable music and heaps of fun unfold as Purlie out maneuvers ol' massa. Purlie will preview at the 'New' McCree Theatre, 322 E. Hamilton, Flint, February 19 -21, 2009. Regular performances will be held February 26 - March 14, 2009. All performances will be held on Thursday and Friday at 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Admission prices for previews are: Advance tickets, $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and senior citizens; at the door prices are $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for students and senior citizens. Admission prices for regular performances are $12.00 and $7.00 in advance, and $15.00 and $10.00 at the door.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops? steps into the magical life of one of the world's greatest entertainers, Frank Sinatra, with its sensational series Celebration of Ol' Blue Eyes. With his unmatched vocal stylings, Sinatra and his legendary friends embodied the very essence of hip. Vocalist Steve Lippia, who is known for his interpretations of the Sinatra songbook, joins Peter and the POPS as it pays homage to this late, great icon. Performances of Celebration of Ol' Blue Eyes take place February 15 at 3:00 p.m., February 18 at 8:00 p.m., February 20 at 8:00 p.m., February 21 at 3:00 p.m., and February 22 at 3:00 p.m.

Come hear those sleigh bells ring! Peter Nero and the Philly Pops present 10 performances of Holiday POPS - a beloved family tradition. The von Trapp Children will captivate audiences, along with organist Peter Conte, the POPS Festival Chorus, and the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir.

Come hear those sleigh bells ring! Peter Nero and the Philly Pops present 10 performances of Holiday POPS - a beloved family tradition. The von Trapp Children will captivate audiences, along with organist Peter Conte, the POPS Festival Chorus, and the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir.

BABALU-CY will now play a special schedule from September 27th thru October 12th it will playSaturday & Sunday @ 3pm. THERE WILL BE NO WEDNESDAY PERFORMANCES IN OBSERVANCE OF ROSH HASHANAH & YOM KIPPUR.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops open its 30th anniversary season with the sensational annual hit series known as Broadway Showstoppers! Once again, Peter Nero combines Broadway's most exceptional talent with the magic of The POPS by inviting three of New York's top talents to share the stage for these performances. Broadway star Anne Runolfsson (James Joyce's The Dead, Victor/Victoria), Julia Murney (Wicked, The Wild Party) and POPS veteran Gary Mauer (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables), perform Broadway's biggest hits together with 'the best orchestra of its kind in the entire cosmos' in one absolutely unforgettable performance!

Philadelphia Orchestra Association President and CEO James Undercofler announced today that Maestro Peter Nero, Artistic Director of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops®, has agreed to a five-year contract extension that will insure his presence on the podium through the 2013-14 season.

Award-winning producers, MICHAEL & BARBARA ROSS, will present the 2008 Back Stage Bistro Award Winning GREG PURNHAGEN in BABALU-CY - the art of Desi Arnaz, Off-Broadway, at the Actors Temple Theatre, beginning August 23rd, with the opening set for Wednesday, September 17th.

Award-winning producers, Michael & Barbara Ross, will present the 2008 Back Stage Bistro Award Winning GREG PURNHAGEN in BABALU-CY - the art of Desi Arnaz, Off-Broadway, at the Actors Temple Theater, beginning August 23rd.

Award-winning producers, MICHAEL & BARBARA ROSS, will present the 2008 Back Stage Bistro Award Winning GREG PURNHAGEN in BABALU-CY - the art of Desi Arnaz, Off-Broadway, at the Actors Temple Theatre, beginning August 23rd, with the opening set for Wednesday, September 17th.

Arena Stage presents the world premiere of Daniel Beaty's Resurrection, a drama with a unique blend of music, poetry and dance. A co-production with Connecticut's Hartford Stage, Resurrection explores the interwoven lives of six African-American men struggling to make a living and to make their lives worth living. Beaty dazzled Arena audiences last summer with sold-out performances of his award-winning solo show Emergency (formerly Emergence-SEE!). He now returns to Arena with his first ensemble production-a talented cast of six actors led by director Oz Scott (director of Broadway's original for colored girls... and the Goodman Theatre's recent premiere The Ballad of Emmett Till). The production harmonizes with an innovative score by Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR), a Haitian-American composer who blends classical violin with piano and bass. To keep the interplay between text and score dynamic, Roumain's original score will be musically styled live each performance by his collaborator Elan Vytal a.k.a. DJ Scientific. Resurrection runs August 29-October 5, 2008 at Arena Stage in Crystal City. The press opening performance is Thursday, September 4 at 8:00pm.

Award-winning producers, Michael & Barbara Ross, will present the 2008 Back Stage Bistro Award Winning GREG PURNHAGEN in BABALU-CY - the art of Desi Arnaz, Off-Broadway, at the Actors Temple Theater, beginning August 23rd.

Playwright, performer and activist Daniel Beaty has been creating a community-wide buzz with his acclaimed one-man show Emergency that has enabled the Geffen Playhouse to produce a special week-long extension aimed primarily at Title I public schools (three additional performances will also be added for the general public). The production will now close at 2pm on Sunday, June 1.

The current fifteen-member acting company, along with actors who have called Trinity Rep their home over that past 45 years, will be honored on May 30th

Luna Stage, one of New Jersey's premiere theatres, revisits 'The Man in Room 306,' written and performed by Craig Alan Edwards. The play had its world premiere at Luna in 1995 and was met with stunning reviews. Scheduled to open April 3, on the eve of the fortieth anniversary of Dr. King's death, the production will run through May 4, 2008. Luna Stage is delighted to have the support of The National Civil Rights Museum for this production. The museum is housed in Memphis' historic Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. King's assassination.

Gabriel Majors is proud to present Red House Records recording artist and NYC bluesman, Guy Davis, in a special benefit concert for Kids Against Cancer. The benefit will be held Saturday, November 10 at Icosahedron Gallerie in Tribeca (27 North Moore Street, between Hudson and Varick Streets). The artists reception begins at 6:30 PM; concert begins 7:30 PM. Suggested Donation: $20. The concert will feature special guest hosts and performers Michael Butler and Jeff Samet of The Brooklyn Guitars.

Discount tickets for Emergence-SEE!, written and performed by Daniel Beaty and directed by Kenny Leon, will be available from November 14th through 19th