Ray Charles News

While watching THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS, the African-American version of Sophocles' OEDIPUS AT COLONUS as created by Lee Breuer (with music by Bob Telson), I was reminded of the reimagining of the Old Testament by Marc Connelly in the 1930 Pulitzer Prize-winning THE GREEN PASTURES. Like GOSPEL, THE GREEN PASTURES serves up time-honored material by transposing it to a religious setting;. PASTURES relates the Old Testament as envisioned by a young Afro-American boy; thus, Heaven is one big fish fry. When I first saw the 1936 film version (which Connelly, a white man, scripted for Warners' director William Keighley), I found it a special experience -- a wonderful all-black cast was an anomaly for a young viewer in the late 1950's and early i60's; now, with the passage of time (and legislation), I can understand why modern audiences would find it politically incorrect (though that cast is still peopled with some amazing talent). Interestingly, Mr. Breuer eschews following Connelly's suit, and though he utilizes a Black minister and church service to tell his tale, he focuses instead on an ancient Greek tragedy rather than the Old -- or New -- Testament.

This weekend, Indianapolis is in for a treat as Broadway's darling N'Kenge returns for two-nights only with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for Disco Days and Boogie Nights: Music of the 70s.  N'Nenge, under the direction of Jack Everly, will sing disco anthems, such as "I Will Survive" and other monster rock hits! 

Asheville Percussion Festival is being held this weekend, June 19-21, 2015 in beautiful Asheville, NC. Come enjoy a creative environment where percussionists and dancers of all traditions, from around the globe, gather to explore, create and innovate. All workshops on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be held at the Odyssey Community School.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is proud to present the fifth annual Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival (PJLIF) this weekend, June 19 - 21, 2015.

Lincoln Center Out of Doors one of the country's longest-running, free, summer outdoor festivals opens its 45th season on July 22, 2015. A range of concerts, dance performances, family events, related film screenings, talks, and an exhibition will be presented across three weeks, from July 22 - August 9.

Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT - Founder/Producer Wren T. Brown) announced today that they will present the Pulitzer Prize Finalist and Tony Award-nominated production of THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS starring Tony Award-winner Roger Robinson (Joe Turner's Come and Gone) as Oedpius. The acclaimed production, conceived and adapted by Lee Breuer (Mabou Mines' Trilogy) and music by Bob Telson (Lincoln Center Theater's Chronicle of a Death Foretold), is a soul stirring dramatic-musical which takes place within the framework of a Pentecostal church service set against the tragic Greek background of the story of Oedipus at Colonus, in which the exiled king Oedipus seeks a place where he may be properly buried. ERT's production, directed by Andi Chapman (Actors Co-op's Steel Magnolias - Drama-Logue Award for Outstanding Director), will commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Premiere. Performances will run tonight, June 18 - July 19, 2015 with an official press opening on Saturday, June 20 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 West Washington Boulevard) in Los Angeles.

Seven of Australia's Diva's come together for a very special one-off event at The Sydney Opera House to pay tribute to the late Billie Holiday, otherwise known as 'Lady Day'. The concert Ladies Sing the Blues, will feature Lady Cool, Amanda Easton, Liza Ohlback, Lucinda Peters, Lindsay Drummond, Joy Yates and Dahlia Dior. 

Kenny Brawner brings this music icon to life on the Sitnik stage July 11 at 8pm in "Ray Charles on My Mind" as part of Centenary Stage Company's 2015 Summer Jamfest. 

Brandon Victor Dixon and Steven Pasquale will join the previously announced Sutton Foster in Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, running July 15 - 18, 2015 at New York City Center. (NOTE: Brandon Victor Dixon will replace the previously announced Joshua Henry, who has had a scheduling conflict.) The production will be directed by Leigh Silverman, with choreography by Sonya Tayeh. Jeanine Tesori is the Artistic Director of Encores! Off-Center and Chris Fenwick is Music Director.

Emmylou Harris, 13-time Grammy winner, and Dame Evelyn Glennie, the virtuoso percussionist, were honored today as this year's Laureates of the Polar Music Prize, the world's most prestigious music accolade.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is proud to present the fifth annual Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival (PJLIF) on June 19 - 21, 2015.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra will begin its summer series at Riverbend Music Center's Corbett Pavilion tonight, June 6 at 8 p.m. with a special 'Broadway Sing-Along' featuring classic Broadway hits and inviting the audience to sing along.

?Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, described by Rolling Stone as a music "hero," makes his Auditorium Theatre debut with The City Lights Orchestra, conducted by Rich Daniels, Wednesday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m., concluding the Auditorium's inaugural "Made in Chicago" performance series.

Centenary Stage Company's ever popular Summer Jamfest will 'raise the roof' of the Sitnik Theater during the summer months with a variety of high-energy musical guests perfect for all tastes. Running July 11 through August 8, CSC will host an array of talented musicians paying tribute to some of America's greatest musical artists.

Former Englewood resident and Grammy Award-winner, Regina Belle, comes to the South Orange Performing Arts Center tonight, May 29, 2015 for an 8PM performance

Centenary Stage Company's ever popular Summer Jamfest will "raise the roof" of the Sitnik Theater during the summer months with a variety of high-energy musical guests perfect for all tastes.  Running July 11 through August 8, CSC will host an array of talented musicians paying tribute to some of America's greatest musical artists.

Former Englewood resident and Grammy Award-winner, Regina Belle, comes to the South Orange Performing Arts Center on May 29, 2015 for an 8PM performance

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra will begin its summer series at Riverbend Music Center's Corbett Pavilion on Saturday, June 6 at 8 p.m. with a special 'Broadway Sing-Along' featuring classic Broadway hits and inviting the audience to sing along.