Aretha Franklin News

Jennifer Hudson will soon make her Broadway debut in the upcoming Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE. And according to web site Trackingboard.com, the musical may not be the only major project on the Oscar winner's schedule.

MenAlive, the Orange County Gay Men's Chorus, returns to the Hollywood Bowl to once again open for ABBA: The Concert on Saturday, September 19, at 7 pm.

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN is now in its final performances at The Pasadena Playhouse and must close Sunday, August 23, 2015. The production was extended by popular demand, and became a summer smash, garnering milestone numbers at The Pasadena Playhouse box office.

Michael McDonald will bring his This Christmas, An Evening of Holiday & Hits Tour to the Fabulous Fox Theatre Saturday, November 28 at 8:00 p.m. The night will include some of his hits as well as holiday favorites that will surely put you in the spirit.

Acclaimed trumpeter Wynton Marsalis will perform a 'Tribute to Clark Terry' with the New Jersey City University Alumni Jazz Big Band conducted by NJCU Professor Richard Lowenthal. 

Next spring, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Joshua Henry will star in SHUFFLE ALONG Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, a striking new production that presents both the 1921 musical itself, and additionally details the events that catalyzed the songwriting team of Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, and librettists F.E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles to create this ground-breaking work.

?Bistro Award winning and MAC Award nominated singer-songwriter Nathan Chang continues his run of NAILING IT! (SONGS AND STORIES OF NAILS AND FAILS) at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on Sunday, August 23rd at 7pm

The summer of fun continues as the Eagle Theatre presents Stand-Up Comedy tonight, August 8th, 2015, featuring nationally recognized comedian Jay Black.

'Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me...' You can't help singing along when Aretha Franklin asks for some "Respect," and this year the iconic tune turns 50. Though originally written and recorded by Otis Redding in 1965, Franklin reimagined the song as a declaration from a strong and confident woman, which is why it is one of the featured songs in The Arundel Barn Playhouse production of Beehive: The '60's Musical.

Acclaimed singer, actor and impressionist Christina Bianco returns to Edinburgh Festival Fringe for her solo show Party of One! at Assembly George Square Gardens Spiegeltent Palazzo from tonight 6 - Sunday 16 August, 19.20 (ends 20.20).

Blue Saint Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co have announced the cast for this stunning musical to be presented at Hayes Theatre Co in Nov/Dec 2015.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College announces its 2015-16 Season of music, dance, theater, and family programming, reflecting the multicultural diversity of Brooklyn. Hailing from Austria, Russia, China, Canada, and across the United States, the awards-winning artists include both Brooklyn Center premieres and returning favorites. Tickets go on sale exclusively to Brooklyn Center Members on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 1pm, with general sales beginning on Thursday, May 14. Tickets can be purchased at BrooklynCenter.org or by calling the box office at 718-951-4500 (Tue-Sat, 1pm-6pm).

Aretha Franklin visited "The Talk" to discuss her latest album “Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics” and her upcoming show in Los Angeles.

Baby boomers don't normally show their approval at the theater by leaping to their feet and giving standing ovations during a performance… unless they happen to be seeing A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN at Pasadena Playhouse. The power of remembrance combined with the powerhouse performances of Mary Bridget Davies (as Janis Joplin) and her crew - four dynamic supporting female vocalists and an eight piece kickass rock band - prove that the Queen of Rock 'n Roll can still conjure up a revolution in the hearts of her fans and get them on their feet in spite of themselves.

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Maceo Parker with Special Guests at the Fox Theatre tonight, July 31st, 2015.

Ballet Memphis, under the artistic direction ofDorothy Gunther Pugh, will return to New York City's Joyce Theater (175 Eighth Avenue) for the first time since 2007 for a limited run this October.  Performances begin Tuesday, October 27th and run through Sunday, November 1st.  Tickets start at $10.

Following a two-and-a-half week summer concert tour of England and France, Electric Youth (EY) will perform another free outdoor concert tonight, July 29, from 6-8 p.m. on Franklin Town Common.

The Pasadena Playhouse has extended by popular demand A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, which will now play through August 23, 2015. The Pasadena Star News said of A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, "Fearsome energy…a musical treat" and Beacon Media said "Truly amazing…a DO-NOT-MISS play!" The production stars Mary Bridget Davies, following her Tony Award nominated Broadway run.  Pasadena native Kacee Clanton, also from the Broadway production of A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, alternates the role of Janis Joplin with Davies.  The production is conceived, written and directed by Randy Johnson, with choreography by Patricia Wilcox and musical direction by Tyler Evans.

Theatre Under The Stars' (TUTS) Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT) proudly presents the inspiring, all-teen production of Rent September 18 & 19 at The Hobby Center.  Winner of the TONY Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. 

Renowned recording artist Tony Bennet will perform for one night only at The Orpheum Theatre on Friday, December 18th at 8:00 PM. The Theatre is proud that this will be Mr. Bennett's third Orpheum engagement, the most recent being in February of 1997. Tickets will go on sale to the public Friday, August 7th at 10:00 AM and will be available for purchase online at the official Orpheum Theatre website, www.orpheum-memphis.com, The Orpheum Box Office (901.525.3000), the ticket counter at The Booksellers at Laurelwood, and all Ticketmaster centers (901.743.ARTS).