Queen Latifah stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in this HBO Films presentation, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees from a screenplay by Dee Rees and Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois. With a story by Dee Rees and Horton Foote, the film focuses on Smith
Curtis Wiley, Rema Webb, and More Will Lead HIS NAME WAS BOBBY SHORT Reading at Abingdon Theatre Company
by Stephi Wild - March 03, 2026
Abingdon Theatre Company has announced the cast of an invitation-only reading presentation of the company's first-ever commissioned piece, His Name Was Bobby Short, written by previous Carolyn Halpert Artist-in-Residence Cris Eli Blak....
The 41st Annual Bessie Awards Presented at Dixon Place
by Miranda Stück - February 13, 2026
Dixon Place, longtime home for innovative dance artists and work, proudly hosts this year's Bessie Awards. In addition to award categories: Outstanding Choreographer/Creator, Outstanding Performer, Outstanding Revival, Outstanding Sound Design or Music Composition, Outstanding Visual Design, Outstan...
Hattiloo Theatre Partners with Renowned Market Theatre To Bring BLUES IN THE NIGHT To Johannesburg
by A.A. Cristi - January 12, 2026
Hattiloo Theatre will present its first African performance with the musical BLUES IN THE NIGHT at Johannesburg's Market Theatre from February 5-22, 2026. ...
The Bessies Will Honor Dyane Harvey-Salaam, Garth Fagan, Ballet Tech, And Gibney Dance
by A.A. Cristi - December 17, 2025
The Bessies have announced recipients of the 2024 and 2025 Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding Service to the Field of Dance awards. Honorees include Dyane Harvey-Salaam, Garth Fagan, Ballet Tech, and Gibney Dance....
Opera Memphis Will Receive National Endowment For The Arts Grant For America250 Projects
by A.A. Cristi - December 17, 2025
Opera Memphis has been awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant as part of the America250 initiative. The funding will support two performances honoring American cultural figures during the company’s 2025–2026 season....
Review: BESSIE COLEMAN, FEARLESS AND FREE at Children's Theatre Of Charlotte
by Vickie Evans - November 17, 2025
BESSIE COLEMAN, FEARLESS AND FREE was educational, inspiring, and uplifting. The storyline was impeccable, the cast was superb, and the use of technology enhanced the overall production. A great production for all ages....
BESSIE COLEMAN: FEARLESS & FREE Comes to the Children's Theatre of Charlotte
by Stephi Wild - November 13, 2025
Children's Theatre of Charlotte will present the world premiere of “Bessie Coleman: Fearless & Free,” an inspiring new play written by Charlotte-based artist Keetha B....
Full Cast Set for A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN at Bell Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 12, 2025
The full cast has been revealed for A Night with Janis Joplin, starring and co-directed by Mary Bridget Davies, which runs at Bell Theater. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets....
Listen: LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL Concept Album Feat. J. Harrison Ghee, Lauren Patten, & More
by Josh Sharpe - August 08, 2025
In celebration of the first preview of this world premiere of Let the Good Times Roll: A New Orleans Gumbo, Joy Machine Records has released a concept album of the show, featuring performances by John Edwards, Tony Award winner J. Harrison Ghee, Tony Award winner Lauren Patten, and more. Listen to...
Clifford Odets' AWAKE AND SING! 90th Anniversary Revival to be Presented at Sea Dog Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - July 01, 2025
Sea Dog Theater will present a 90th anniversary revival of Awake and Sing! by Clifford Odets. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets to the production here....
Review: MRS WARREN'S PROFESSION, Starring Imelda Staunton
by Alexander Cohen - May 22, 2025
Imelda Staunton leads a blistering revival...
Photos: Imelda Staunton and More in MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2025
All new photos have been released for the major revival of Bernard Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession. The production is currently in previews at the Garrick Theatre and opens on 22 May....
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox Comes to the Fisher Theatre
by Stephi Wild - April 08, 2025
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox: Today’s Hits Yesterday is coming to Detroit’s Fisher Theatre in July. Tickets go on sale this week. Learn more about the upcoming performance here!...
Three Crows Presents THE DROWNING GIRLS In March
by A.A. Cristi - February 17, 2025
Prepare to RSVP for the weddings of the year as The Drowning Girls takes center stage, bringing true crime, ghostly brides, and a bathtub-bound mystery to life. ...
Booking Open For Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter in MRS WARREN'S PROFESSION
by Stephi Wild - February 13, 2025
General booking is now open for the upcoming revival of George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession starring Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter, directed by Dominic Cooke....
Coffeehouse Chronicles #178: DANCENOISE Comes To La MaMa This Weekend
by A.A. Cristi - February 05, 2025
La MaMa will present Coffeehouse Chronicles #178: Dancenoise taking place on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 3PM at Ellen Stewart Theatre @ La MaMa (66 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003). ...
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld January 10, 2025
by - January 10, 2025
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is January 10, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours....
Imelda Staunton and Daughter Bessie Carter Will Lead MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION
by Stephi Wild - January 09, 2025
Mother and daughter Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter will appear onstage together for the first time as Mrs Kitty Warren and Vivie Warren in a new production of George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession....
Heather Robles Steps Down As Executive Director Of The Bessies Awards After 15 Years
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 20, 2024
Heather Robles, who has been an integral part of The Bessie Awards for the past 15 years and has served as its Executive Director for the last four, is stepping down from her role. Learn more about Robles and the organization. ...
Review: BLUES IN THE NIGHT at The Black Rep
by Steve Callahan - September 09, 2024
Ron Himes’ amazing Black Rep company is opening its 48th season with a piece of pure delight. It’s called Blues in the Night, and it’s a glorious musical revue of the history of that genre. And such a vastly diverse history that is, with vaudeville songs, deeply moving songs of love and lo...
Interview: Elizabeth Bougerol Learns to Savor Life in APPETITES at Joe's Pub
by Rebecca Kaplan - September 03, 2024
Singer Elizabeth Bougerol will be gracing the stage at Joe’s Pub on September 18 and 19 with an all-new solo project, APPETITES. In it, she “examines the hunger that drove her to ditch her midtown cubicle and chase the dream of re-imagining classics by the likes of Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, ...
The Bessies Reveal Inaugural Board Of Directors, Organizational Restructuring, and a 2024 Ceremony Pause
by Stephi Wild - August 13, 2024
The New York Dance and Performance Awards, The Bessies has announced restructuring the organization in 2024 with sustainability at the forefront. Learn more about what the awards have in store here!...
THE BEST OF BILLIE AND ME FEATURING THOMASINA PETRUS Comes to Artistry Theater and Visual Arts
by Stephi Wild - August 05, 2024
Artistry will present a one night only presentation of THE BEST OF BILLIE AND ME featuring Thomasina Petrus on Saturday, August 17th, 2024 at 8:00pm. ...
Barkha Patel to Embark On Juried Bessie Award Tour In Rochester
by Chloe Rabinowitz - July 29, 2024
Barkha Patel's Dance Company will perform at the Rochester Fringe Festival, blending live music and kathak dance. Learn how to purchase tickets!...
Review: THE WIZARD OF OZ at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre
by Melissa Hall - May 29, 2024
A trip on the yellow brick road is not a rare occurrence in local theater, but some productions just hit it out of the park. The current one at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre managed to find the perfect cast, include a wonderfully fresh and diverse group, including Bessie D. Smith as the delightfull...
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