Jim Hankins

The Mosaic Theater Company ignites its third season with a sure hit, a proven crowd-pleaser about the Empress of Blues.

Mosaic Theater Company of DC, the 2017 Helen Hayes Award-winning theatre for Outstanding Emerging Company, will begin its 2017-2018 season with the Off-Broadway hit The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith. Written by Angelo Parra and performed by the indomitable Miche Braden (who also directed and arranged the music) and directed by Joe Brancato, this boisterous show featuring thirteen songs tells the story of Bessie Smith's final performance after she and her band are turned away from a whites-only theatre in 1937 Memphis. Previews begin August 24 with a press opening of Monday, August 28, and the show runs through September 24, with a potential extension week through October 1.

Rubicon Theatre Company celebrates Black History Month with THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIFE AND BLUES OF BESSIE SMITH, starring singer and actress Miche Braden of the original Off-Broadway production (named one of the 10 Best Off-Broadway productions of the year by the N.Y. Daily Times). Described by CBC as a, "bawdy, bluesy, boozy rollicking night out at the theatre," the show follows the life, loves and career of blues and jazz singer Bessie Smith, called the "Empress of the Blues." 

Based upon the Greek legend, after betraying her family to get the Golden Fleece for the hero, Jason, he brings Medea and their sons to Corinth where he unexpectedly decides to marry the princess. Faced with the ultimate betrayal, Medea exacts her revenge.

The Greek tragedy Medea by the irreverent Euripides slashes across the stage with the revenge of a woman scorned, starring nationally-acclaimed classical actress, Franchelle Stewart Dorn in the title role. The production runs at the Long Center for the Performing Arts (701 W. Riverside Drive), February 17-March 6, 2016 and is presented by Austin Shakespeare.

The blues may be cool, but Miche Braden and the music are hot in this lively production of playwright Angelo Parra's THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIVE AND BLUES OF BESSIE SMITH at Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell. Even if you don't know much about Smith, you'll walk out of the show feeling as though you've just spent the evening in her company. A trio of outstanding musicians joins the actress on the richly-rendered set by James J. Fenton. Don't miss this!

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) presents The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith by Angelo Parra and directed by Joe Brancato, January 9- February 2, continuing the theater's 35th season with the soulful blues. The play will be performed in the recently-renovated Nancy L. Donahue Theatre, located at 50 East Merrimack Street in historic downtown Lowell. Tickets range from $60 - $20 and are on sale now through www.mrt.org or by calling 978-654-4678.

THE DEVIL'S MUSIC is a very entertaining evening of theatre, highlighted by the performance of Miche Braden, but is somewhat burdened by the format of the script.

Penguin Rep Theatre (Joe Brancato, Artistic Director, and Andrew M. Horn, Executive Director) and Edmund Gaynes, in association with Don and LizAnne Mitchell, presents The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, a musical by Angelo Parra, conceived and directed by Joe Brancato. Miche Braden stars as Bessie Smith, along with Aaron Graves, Jim Hankins, Keith Loftis, and Anthony E. Nelson, Jr. Performances began June 7th Off-Broadway at St. Luke's Theater (308 West 46th Street). Tracie Bennett, currently starring in END OF THE RAINBOW on Broadway, stopped by the show with her co-star Tom Pelphrey. View photos below!

Penguin Rep Theatre, in Association with Edmund Gaynes, will present The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, written by Angelo Parra, conceived and directed by Joe Brancato. Miche Braden stars as Bessie Smith, along with Aaron Graves, Jim Hankins, Keith Loftis, and Anthony E. Nelson, Jr.

Penguin Rep Theatre (Joe Brancato, Artistic Director, and Andrew M. Horn, Executive Director) and Edmund Gaynes, in association with Don and Lizanne Mitchell, will present The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, a musical by Angelo Parra, conceived and directed by Joe Brancato.

Penguin Rep Theatre (Joe Brancato, Artistic Director, and Andrew M. Horn, Executive Director) and Edmund Gaynes, in association with Don and Lizanne Mitchell, will present The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, a musical by Angelo Parra, conceived and directed by Joe Brancato.

Playing May 6-22 with discounted previews on May 3, 4 and 5, The Devil's Music tells the thrilling life story of one of America's most beloved entertainers, and stars Miche Braden, who originated the role of Bessie Smith Off Broadway.

Playing May 6-22 with discounted previews on May 3, 4 and 5, The Devil's Music tells the thrilling life story of one of America's most beloved entertainers, and stars Miche Braden, who originated the role of Bessie Smith Off Broadway.

Playing May 6-22 with discounted previews on May 3, 4 and 5, The Devil's Music tells the thrilling life story of one of America's most beloved entertainers, and stars Miche Braden, who originated the role of Bessie Smith Off Broadway.