James Baldwin

Blue Mena Announces Sophomore Album PURE LUCK via Roc Nation
by Rachel Stone - Oct 23, 2026

Brooklyn-based artist Blue Mena announced their second album PURE LUCK, set for release via Roc Nation Distribution, along with the double single Jamie and Troublemakers.

Review: A STRANGE LOOP at Raven Theatre
by Rachel Weinberg - Oct 15, 2026

Michael R. Jackson’s wildly inventive and unique 2020 Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop now makes its Chicago premiere. A Strange Loop is a “big Black and queer-ass American Broadway show,” in the main character Usher’s words, about the lead trying to write a musical called A Strange Loop that accomplishes the same. Usher, so named for his gig as a Broadway usher at The Lion King, has taken the job in the hopes that someday he’ll make it big as a musical theater composer/lyricist. Thus, A Strange Loop is an original and episodic look at the creative process.

André De Shields, Brandon J. Dirden, Jasmine Cephas Jones Honored at AAFCA Luncheon
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 13, 2026

The African American Film Critics Association honored Broadway and theater leaders at its 5th annual luncheon, recognizing actors and a broadcast veteran for their contributions to the arts.

Photos: HE.SHE.THEY Releases 25-TRACK Debut Compilation 5 YEARS OF HE.SHE.THEY RECORDS
by Rachel Stone - Oct 1, 2026

HE.SHE.THEY Records marks five years with their first compilation album featuring Floyd Lavine's 'Bold' and tracks from Maya Jane Coles, SYREETA, Nikki Nair, and other underground artists.

Review Roundup: HOW SHAKESPEARE SAVED MY LIFE at the Public Theater
by Stephi Wild - Sep 28, 2026

Performances are now underway for the New York premiere of How Shakespeare Saved My Life, Jacob Ming-Trent's one-man show, directed by Tony Taccone, about the creatives that molded him. Read the reviews!

A GREAT BOOK WITH BARACK OBAMA Podcast to Debut on Audible
by Rachel Stone - Sep 24, 2026

President Obama hosts a new Audible and Higher Ground podcast featuring conversations with Tom Hanks, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Jill Lepore, Ben Rhodes, Percival Everett, and Lauren Groff about books that shaped his worldview.

Tom Hanks and More to Join A GREAT BOOK WITH BARACK OBAMA on Audible
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 17, 2026

The guest lineup has been revealed for a six-episode podcast hosted by President Obama, featuring conversations with Tom Hanks, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and more about books that shaped worldview and society.

Matt Wilson's GOOD TROUBLE to Release 'Love Is the Whole Thing'
by Rachel Stone - Sep 10, 2026

Drummer and composer Matt Wilson's GOOD TROUBLE releases a new album drawing inspiration from Sufi poet Rumi and featuring songs spanning Andrew Hill to Tom Petty, marking 30 years since Wilson's debut on Palmetto Records.

HARLEM9 Reveals Directors, Actors for 48HOURS IN…HARLEM
by Stephi Wild - Aug 26, 2026

Harlem9 announced the full company of directors and actors for its 48HOURS IN…HARLEM® festival, marking 15 years and honoring Woodie King, Jr. and The New Federal Theatre.

A GREAT BOOK WITH BARACK OBAMA Podcast to Launch from Audible, Higher Ground
by Rachel Stone - Aug 10, 2026

Barack Obama will host a six-episode Audible podcast examining books that shaped his life, produced with Higher Ground as part of the companies' ongoing content partnership.

FLAME: THE SONGS OF BRADY & BROWNE to Play 54 Below
by Stephi Wild - Aug 5, 2026

54 Below will host FLAME: THE SONGS OF BRADY & BROWNE, spotlighting the writing duo behind new musical BAKED, with performances by Sidney Dupont, Nora Schell, Alex Lugo and others, in person and via livestream.

Historian Amnon Kabatchnik Releases New Book BLOODY BROADWAY, VOLUME II
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 17, 2026

Drama professor, historian, director, and writer Amnon Kabatchnik has penned a new book in his reference series, Bloody Broadway: Plays of Menace, Murder, and Mystery, Volume II.

Synchronicity Theatre to Launch STRIPPED BARE Arts Incubator Series for 2026-27
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 1, 2026

Synchronicity Theatre announced its 2026-27 STRIPPED BARE Arts Incubator series, featuring four new works performed at its Atlanta Annex space, with free performances open to the public by reservation.

Lauren Yee and More to be Honored at PlayGround's 2026 Four-City Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 17, 2026

PlayGround will present a simultaneous four-city gala honoring Margo Hall, Jessica Kubzansky, Emily Shooltz, and Ericka Ratcliff, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the June Anne Baker Prize for women and non-binary playwrights.

Dito van Reigersberg, Pig Iron Theatre Co-Founder and Martha Graham Cracker Performer, Dies at 53
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 2, 2026

Dito van Reigersberg, co-founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Pig Iron Theatre Company and the performer behind drag persona Martha Graham Cracker, has died at 53 following complications from a bone marrow transplant.

PERFORMA LIVE ON BROADWAY to Feature Julio Torres, Barbara Kruger & More at Town Hall
by A.A. Cristi - May 22, 2026

Performa will present a one-night-only variety show at The Town Hall in New York, featuring twelve acts spanning music, dance, comedy, and performance, hosted by Casey Jost. The fundraiser includes Julio Torres, Barbara Kruger, Anne Imhof, and Yvonne Rainer.

Harlem9 Reveals Six Playwrights for 48HOURS IN…HARLEM Tribute to Woodie King Jr.
by Stephi Wild - May 15, 2026

Obie Award-winning Harlem9 announced six playwrights, including Kermit Frazier, Kristen Adele Calhoun, and Naomi Lorrain, for 48HOURS IN…HARLEM®, marking 15 years of the festival with a tribute to the late Woodie King Jr.

BENJAMIN BUTTON, James Ijames' WELCOME TABLE, and More Set For The Public's 2026-27 Season
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026

The Public Theater has announced the lineup for The Public’s Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 season. The season lineup will include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, plus works from James Ijames, Ryan J. Haddad, Richard Nelson, Taylor Mac, and more.

Literature to Life Will Host Free THE GREAT GATSBY Performances in Paterson
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2026

Literature to Life will present two free performances of THE GREAT GATSBY at Passaic County Community College's Founders Theater in Paterson, featuring a one-actor staging adapted and directed by Kelvin Grullon.

HARLEM9 Will Return for 15th Year, Honoring Woodie King Jr.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 17, 2026

After a one-year hiatus, HARLEM9 will present 48HOURS IN…HARLEM®, honoring the late Woodie King Jr. and New Federal Theatre, with six new 10-minute plays inspired by NFT's catalog.