President Obama News

On Tuesday, May 29th, President Barack Obama will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Medal of Freedom is our Nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. The Medals will be presented at the White House in an afternoon ceremony.

SD Productions today announced final casting set for "A DANCE for RYLIE," presented as a part of the 4th annual Planet Connections Theatre Festivity.

The Coterie will present popular composer Georgia Stitt live in concert May 25th. Celebrating the release of her newest album, My Lifelong Love, Stitt is bringing her music back to Los Angeles.

On Tuesday, May 29th, President Barack Obama will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Medal of Freedom is our Nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. The Medals will be presented at the White House in an afternoon ceremony.

Trinity Repertory Company previously announced that Rhode Island's own Academy Award-nominated actress, Viola Davis, would be honored with the 2012 Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts at the 16th annual Pell Awards. Theater educator Elaine Foster Perry will receive the Charles Sullivan Award for Distinguished Service in the Arts, Brown University President Ruth J. Simmons will receive the Pell Award For Leadership in Arts Education, and J.L. "Lynn" Singleton, President of the Providence Performing Arts Center and Professional Facilities Management, will be honored as the recipient of the Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts. All awardees are past or current Rhode Islanders.

Bergen County Players (BCP) is proud to present a limited engagement of The Laramie Project, written by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project. BCP will hold special post-show talkbacks immediately following each performance today, May 19 at 2:00 PM and May 20 at 7:00 PM.

President Barack Obama released a statement today, May 17, on the passing of the legendary singer Donna Summer: 'Michelle and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Donna Summer,' President Obama said. 'A five-time Grammy Award winner, Donna truly was the 'Queen of Disco.' Her voice was unforgettable, and the music industry has lost a legend far too soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donna's family and her dedicated fans.'

World-renowned Jazz and Rhythm & Blues Vocalist, Barbara Morrison will present top talent in The 1st Annual Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center Blues Festival to be performed on two stages at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center (BMPAC), 4305 Degnan Boulevard, #101, Los Angeles, CA 90036 tonight, Saturday and Sunday, May 18, 19 and 20, 2012.

The Town Hall's critically acclaimed Broadway by the Year's® 12th Season continued this week with The Broadway Musicals of 1975 on Monday, May 14th. 1975 was a year that brought us famous shows by musical theater icons including Marvin Hamlisch, (A Chorus Line), John Kander and Fred Ebb (Chicago), and Richard O'Brien (The Rocky Horror Show), among others. Produced by The Town Hall, The Broadway Musicals of 1975 was created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel. Casting for The Broadway Musicals of 1975 included Ashley Brown, Lari White, Bob Stillman, Maya Days, Scott Coulter, Carole J. Bufford, Patrick Page and more.

Just yesterday, Ricky Martin, current star of the revival of EVITA on Broadway, hosted a fundraising event for President Barack Obama in New York City. We previously brought you a video of Martin thanking President Obama for his support of marriage equality and the Latino community, and today we bring you the President's following speech, which includes a shoutout to EVITA. Check it out below!

Ricky Martin, current star of the revival of EVITA on Broadway, hosted a fundraising event for President Barack Obama today, May 14, in New York City. Martin took a moment to thank President Obama for his support of marriage equality and the Latino community. Watch his speech in the video below!

Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie, executive producers of the ABC's Emmy Award-winning talk show, THE VIEW previously announced that President Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, will be the featured guest, today, May 15 (11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, ET). President Obama's exclusive appearance is part of the show's continuing 'Red, White & View' campaign, which is committed to political guests and discussions.

World-renowned Jazz and Rhythm & Blues Vocalist, Barbara Morrison will present top talent in The 1st Annual Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center Blues Festival to be performed on two stages at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center (BMPAC), 4305 Degnan Boulevard, #101, Los Angeles, CA 90036 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 18, 19 and 20, 2012.

Ricky Martin, currently starring in the new revival of EVITA, will host a fundraising event today, May 14th to support the re-election of President Barack Obama.

The Town Hall's (123 West 43rd Street) critically acclaimed Broadway by the Year's® 12th Season continues with The Broadway Musicals of 1975 tonight, May 14th at 8PM. 1975 was a year that brought us famous shows by musical theater icons including Marvin Hamlisch, (A Chorus Line), John Kander and Fred Ebb (Chicago), and Richard O'Brien (The Rocky Horror Show), among others. Produced by The Town Hall, The Broadway Musicals of 1975 is created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel.

Today we are continuing BroadwayWorld's ongoing interview series with the stars and creative team of NBC's hit musical drama series SMASH with a Broadway/Hollywood leading man who first made his mark on the stage creating a role in the Tony Award-winning TITANIC after having appeared in BLOOD BROTHERS and CAROUSEL and who has since starred in productions as diverse as SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, NEXT TO NORMAL, SHREK and many more - the jovial and multi-talented Brian d'Arcy James. Discussing all aspects of his role on SMASH as well as cluing us in on what we can expect from Monday's highly awaited season finale, d'Arcy James and I also take a look back at his career onstage thus far and he shares fond recollections of working on TITANIC, SWEET SMELL, SHREK, NEXT TO NORMAL, TIME STANDS STILL and THE WILD PARTY Off-Broadway as well as offers his observations of his collaborators and co-stars in each endeavor. Plus, Brian also reveals his other current TV project: his character arc on Showtime's dramedy THE BIG C, starring his TIME STANDS STILL co-star Laura Linney and previous John Benjamin Hickey, that begins this Sunday and continues through the rest of this month. Additionally, we also discuss his upcoming 54 Below concerts June 26-30 - as well as his thoughtful and candid opinions on some of his favorite songwriters and his own songs. Plus, comments on his film roles in HBO's GAME CHANGE, FRIENDS WITH KIDS, an upcoming short film - and much, much more!