Ray Charles News

Canal Park Playhouse will present EXPECT THE IMPOSSIBLE, created and performed by Mark Nizer, for one weekend only! EXPECT THE IMPOSSIBLE begins performances on Friday, June 15 for a limited engagement through Sunday, June 17. Performances take place at Canal Park Playhouse (508 Canal Street, between Greenwich and West Streets in Tribeca). The performance schedule is Friday at 7 PM; Saturday at 1 PM, 4 PM & 7 PM; and Sunday at 1 PM & 4 PM. The regular ticket price is $20. For tickets or more information, call OvationTix on 1-866-811-4111 or visit www.canalparkplayhouse.com.

THE RRAZZ ROOM, San Francisco's premiere nightclub, presents the debut solo engagement of Valerie Simpson running now through May 13. Ms. Simpson wrote some of the greatest love songs of a generation with her husband and writing partner, Nick Ashford, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "You're All I Need To Get By," "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" and "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing." But when he died of throat cancer in August at the age of 70, Simpson was cast adrift. After spending more than four decades together, she didn't know if she would ever get back on stage. Valerie performs all their greatest hits in this moving concert experience. See below for photos of Valerie's opening night performance!

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Charles Dillingham, Interim Executive Director) announced today that it will commence its national search for a new Executive Director. Arts Consulting Group (ACG) President, Bruce D. Thibodeau and The Playhouse's Search Committee, led by Playhouse board members Stephen Bennett and Brad King will guide the process.

Following several past summer residencies at Andy's, the CJO returns once again for its annual summer engagement.

The Rrazz Room, a San Francisco nightclub, presents the debut solo engagement of Valerie Simpson from tonight, May 8 to May 13. Ms. Simpson wrote love songs with her husband and writing partner, Nick Ashford, including 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' 'You're All I Need To Get By,' 'Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)' and 'Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing.' He died of throat cancer in August at the age of 70. Valerie will perform all their greatest hits in this moving once in a lifetime concert experience. The RRazz Room has been the Bay Area 'home' of Nick & Val since its inception.

The Rrazz Room, a San Francisco nightclub, will present the debut solo engagement of Valerie Simpson from May 8 to May 13. Ms. Simpson wrote love songs with her husband and writing partner, Nick Ashford, including 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' 'You're All I Need To Get By,' 'Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)' and 'Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing.' He died of throat cancer in August at the age of 70. Valerie will perform all their greatest hits in this moving once in a lifetime concert experience. The RRazz Room has been the Bay Area 'home' of Nick & Val since its inception.

Kat Edmonson will perform on WNYC's "Soundcheck" on April 30 before performing with The Communion Tour on May 6 at Public Assembly. She also embarks on a residency at Zirzamin for the month of May and will play select dates in Texas along with Joe's Pub on June 23.

Broadway stars Ed Watts (The Fantasticks, Finian's Rainbow), Tituss Burgess (Guys and Dolls, Disney's The Little Mermaid) and Andrew Samonsky (South Pacific) will appear in concert with Maestro Peter Jaffe and the Stockton Symphony Orchestra tonight, April 28th at 8pm at Alex G. Spanos Center, University of the Pacific. Doors will open at 5:45pm and there will also be a picnic at 6:30pm. Together they will perform OH WHAT A NIGHT! BILL BOARD HITS OF THE 1960's (produced by Broadway Pops International). Featuring Billboard hits from 1957 through 1969 and music by: The Four Seasons, Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Bobby Darrin, Otis Redding, Righteous Brothers, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin.

This summer, the North Carolina Symphony will present eight free outdoor concerts in communities across the state. Beginning with a program featuring several all-American favorites, May 31-June 4, and including the Symphony's popular Independence Day concerts, July 1-4, and "Pops in the City" in the Raleigh Amphitheatre, Sept. 9, these performances collectively labeled "Concerts in Your Community" are a gift to the people of North Carolina to launch the Symphony's 80th year of service to the state.

The Greenville Little Theatre (GLT) will present Motown Magic, an all musical celebration of the music of Motown, tonight April 26 through April 29. Delvin Choice, Rashonda Greggs, Katie Rockwell, Jeremiah Dew, Rick Connor and other talented upstate performers pay tribute to Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Temptations, James Brown, The Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin, Smoky Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles and more.

Broadway stars Ed Watts (The Fantasticks, Finian's Rainbow), Tituss Burgess (Guys and Dolls, Disney's The Little Mermaid) and Andrew Samonsky (South Pacific) will appear in concert with Maestro Peter Jaffe and the Stockton Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, April 28th at 8pm at Alex G. Spanos Center, University of the Pacific. Doors will open at 5:45pm and there will also be a picnic at 6:30pm. Together they will perform OH WHAT A NIGHT! BILL BOARD HITS OF THE 1960's (produced by Broadway Pops International). Featuring Billboard hits from 1957 through 1969 and music by: The Four Seasons, Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Bobby Darrin, Otis Redding, Righteous Brothers, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin.

On Saturday, April 21st, Warner Bros. Records will have a special series of vinyl albums and singles available in honor of the 5th annual Record Store Day - a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally. Warner Bros. Records is an official sponsor of Record Store Day.

Warner Bros. Records has announced that it will make a series of vinyl albums and singles available on April 21st in honor of the 5th annual Record Store Day - a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally. Warner Bros. Records is proud to be an official sponsor of Record Store Day.

Continuing their tradition of groundbreaking sales records, the Glee cast reaches another milestone this week by becoming the first and only act to place 200 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The Glee cast first graced the Hot 100 in 2009 with their version of Journey's classic "Don't Stop Believin'," which debuted at #4. In late 2010, on their way to making history, the Glee cast topped The Beatles' record of 71 entries on the Hot 100. The Glee cast accomplished another astounding feat in 2011, when their 113th entry beat Elvis Presley's record of 108 entries, officially making them the record-holder for most entries in Billboard's 54- year history. In doing so, the music from Glee has also surpassed records held by James Brown (91 songs), Ray Charles (74 songs) and Aretha Franklin (73 songs).

On Saturday, April 21st, Warner Bros. Records will have a special series of vinyl albums and singles available in honor of the 5th annual Record Store Day - a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally. Warner Bros. Records is an official sponsor of Record Store Day.

This summer, the Hollywood Bowl's Jazz at the Bowl series pays tribute to Ray Charles with a night dedicated to his distinct and versatile artistry.

Performances of THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWBOY and THE BENNY GOLSON QUARTET with Nnenna Freelon have been added as upcoming performances at the Rrazz Room.

Richmond CenterStage wraps up its inaugural U.S. Trust Life is a Cabaret! Series: A Celebration of the Great American Song Book by welcoming award-winning Broadway star Sandra Reaves-Phillips to Rhythm Hall as she performs her show entitled Me, Myself, and You.

Barnard College will present "Barnard Dances at Miller," April 27 and 28. Selected by Barnard Dance Department Chair Mary Cochran, the 2012 line-up includes premieres by Larry Keigwin, Ana Isabel Keilson, Emery LeCrone and Karla Wolfangle. The performers featured from the Barnard Dance Department.*