Aretha Franklin News

Atlantic Records and Dear Evan Hansen producer Stacey Mindich announced today that the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the new musical Dear Evan Hansen will be released on Atlantic Records this winter.

Irish Arts Center will welcome back Bessie Award-nominated Darrah Carr Dance in Celtic Jazz Tryst, November 18-20.

CEK Productions presents the World Premiere of WHEN JAZZ HAD THE BLUES, book by Carole Eglash-Kosoff, musical direction and arrangements by Rahn Coleman, choreography by Cassie Crump and direction by John Henry Davis.

The Rob Mathes Holiday Concert, a tradition since 1993, finally comes to Manhattan this December for one concert only! Don't miss an afternoon with Emmy winner and Grammy, Tony and Drama Desk Award nominated Rob Mathes as he lights up the Schimmel stage with his all-star six-piece horn section and a backing band filled with studio legends from SNL, David Letterman's Late Show, and Paul Simon's band. Celebrated vocalists Vaneese Thomas and James 'D-Train' Williams round out the powerhouse cast. Expect an afternoon filled with high-energy reimaginings and a celebration of the holiday spirit!

Celebrate the Holiday Season with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love when she returns to The Ridgefield Playhouse onSunday, December 18 at 8 p.m.  Love's classics and holiday songs are all delivered with her signature dynamic vocal delivery that theNew York Times has hailed as 'a thunderbolt voice embedded in the history of rock n' roll…' and Rolling Stone has called 'a rare instrument sturdy enough to vault over Phil Spector's 'Wall of Sound.'  She returns as part of the Ridgefield Magazine Broadway and Cabaret Series after sold-out performances in 2014 and 2015.  From her first No. 1 recording, "He's A Rebel," through her string of hits with the legendary "Wall of Sound" hit factory ("Da Doo Ron Ron," "He's Sure The Boy I'm Gonna Marry" and "Christmas Baby Please Come Home"), to the countless songs she sang backup on for artists like Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Dionne Warwick, Cher and Aretha Franklin, Darlene Love is still blazing a trail of success in the music industry!  It's the perfect event for dinner and a show - visit Bernard's (20 West Lane, Ridgefield) on the day of the show for a great Prix Fixe Menu when you present your tickets to this performance - Reservations suggested.  The show is partially underwritten by Adam Broderick Salon & Spa with media sponsor is WEBE 108fm.

CEK Productions presents the World Premiere of LUSH LIFE, book by Carole Eglash-Kosoff, musical direction and arrangements by Rahn Coleman, choreography by Cassie Crump and direction by John Henry Davis. LUSH LIFE begins previews Today, November 11, 2016 and opens Today, November 18 at 8pm. The production runs through Sunday, December 18 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.

The stunning collaboration is a heartfelt appeal to the world to recognize and address inequality and impoverishment, a cause incredibly personal and important to all the amazing artists involved. 'Wake Up' will be featured on Saran's third album, produced and co-written by Narada Michael Walden, which will be released in early 2017.

American singer/songwriter Jordan Hurwitz is releasing her latest EP with 3-time Grammy, Emmy, and Oscar winning producer Narada Michael Walden arranging and producing six new original songs that showcase her evolving musical maturity and depth in her songwriting.

The Martina Arroyo Foundation's 12th Annual Fundraising Gala, a celebration of Prelude to Performance, Role Class and Outreach Programs, will be held on Monday, November 7, 2016 beginning with a cocktail hour and silent auction at 6:30pm in the Grand Salon of the JW Marriott Essex House,160 Central Park South, NYC.

One of Australia's finest vocalists and performers, Paulini, will play the leading role of Rachel Marron in the international award-winning hit musical. Australia first fell in love with Paulini and her impressive five octave range during the inaugural series of Australian Idol.

The 2017 MusiCares Person of the Year gala will begin with a reception and silent auction offering an exclusive and unparalleled selection of luxury items, VIP experiences, and one-of-a-kind celebrity memorabilia for bidding guests.

CENTRIC today announced Bobby Brown, Anderson .Paak, D.R.A.M., MA$E, Blackstreet, Guy, Doug E. Fresh, Yuna, Eric Benet, BJ the Chicago Kid, Ro James, Wreckx-n-Effect, Candice Boyd, MAJOR., Carl Thomas and Total have been added to the star-studded lineup of performances for SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2016.

Charlie Blum, president and CEO of Star Productions, today announced that plans to shutter the Star Plaza Theatre have been reversed; the iconic theater with a decades-long history of presenting concerts, comedians and arts programming, will continue operating as it has in the past.

The Martina Arroyo Foundation's 12th Annual Fundraising Gala, a celebration of Prelude to Performance, Role Class and Outreach Programs, will be held on Monday, November 7, 2016 beginning with a cocktail hour and silent auction at 6:30pm in the Grand Salon of the JW Marriott Essex House, 160 Central Park South, NYC.

Bee & El and Sony Masterworks Broadway announced today that Tony & Grammy Award-Winner Billy Porter will release a new studio album, Billy Porter Presents The Soul of Richard Rodgers, in April 2017.

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts have announced THE SIXTIES SHOW today, October 29 at 8 pm.

When it was released as a CD box set in 2013, Rounder Records' deluxe collection, Skydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective, was a critical and commercial success.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham and Lythgoe Family Panto have announced a very special holiday event, Cozi Zuehlsdorff ('Dolphin Tale' Films), Joely Fisher (Broadway: Cabaret, 'Desperate Housewives'), Barry Pearl ('Grease'), The Book of Mormon's Benjamin Schrader, Jeff Sumner (Genie in Disney's Aladdin-A Musical Spectacular), 'American Idol' finalist Vonzell Solomon and Conor Guzman (Pasadena Playhouse; The Fantasticks) starring in SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT, book by Kris Lythgoe, choreography by Spencer Liff, musical supervisor Michael Orland, musical direction by Michael Sobie and directed by Linda Goodrich.

CEK Productions presents the World Premiere of LUSH LIFE, book by Carole Eglash-Kosoff, musical direction and arrangements by Rahn Coleman, choreography by Cassie Crump and direction by John Henry Davis. LUSH LIFE begins previews Friday, November 11, 2016 and opens Friday, November 18 at 8pm. The production runs through Sunday, December 18 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.

Producers John Frost, Michael Harrison and David Ian today announced that one of Australia's finest vocalists and performers, Paulini, will play the leading role of Rachel Marron in the Australian Premiere of the international award-winning hit musical THE BODYGUARD.