Aretha Franklin News

ON KENTUCKY AVENUE, a musical revue based loosely on fact and mostly fiction about the people and performers who took the stage and filled the tables at the majestic Club Harlem 'on Kentucky Avenue' in the north section of Atlantic City from the 1930s until the late 1980s, will make its NYC commercial stage debut at STAGE72/THE TRIAD, 158 West 72nd Street, on Sunday, February 2, with performances at 3pm and 7pm and Monday, February 3 at 7pm in honor of Black History Month.

The legendary Darlene Love, who's become a Late Show with David Letterman holiday staple, returned to the hit show this week for her annual performance of 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)' with Paul Shaffer. Love, who's appeared in Broadway's HAIRSPRAY and GREASE, first took to Letterman's stage in 1986. Check it out below!

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond, including Jennifer Holliday, Chita Rivera, Jeff Daniels, Steve Kazee, After Midnight Swings the Holiday and more. Details below!

Mary Bridget Davies, star of the new Broadway musical A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, appeared on ABC's "World News Now" late last night. In a backstage interview, she chatted about preparing for the role of a lifetime and teaching Broadway audiences through her performance about the blues singers who influenced Janis's music so deeply. Check out her interview below!

A backstage interview with Mary Bridget Davies, star of the new Broadway musical A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, will appear on ABC's "World News Now" late tonight, December 18 (early Thursday morning, December 19), between 2:30-4:00am. "World News Now" airs from 2:30-4:00am EST on channel 7 (WABC). Check local listings.

Chicago Children's Theatre has announced casting for its world premiere of Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, an all-new, rhythm and blues family musical playing January 18 - March 2, 2014 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn, Chicago. Press opening is Friday, January 24 at 7 p.m.

Performances by multi-GRAMMY®-winning artists Jakob Dylan, Amy Grant, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Jason Mraz, Jennifer Nettles, Pink, James Taylor, Steven Tyler, and will.i.am will be featured.

With a catalog of hit songs that have served as the soundtrack to the lives of legions of music fans worldwide, the incomparable Valerie Simpson will grace the stage at Queens College's LeFrak Concert Hall tonight, December 14th at 8:00 PM.

Regina Carter and Nnenna Freelon will replace the previously announced Tony and Grammy winner Dee Dee Bridgewater in today's December 14, 2013 concert celebrating the 90th birthdays of Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan. The Royal Conservatory congratulates Ms. Bridgewater on her role in the upcoming off-Broadway production of Lady Day, in which she will portray legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday. The production begins September 12, which is the reason Ms. Bridgewater had to cancel her Conservatory appearance in December.

Singer, comedian and celebrity impressionist, Terry Fator has entertained countless audiences on live television and the Las Vegas Strip. Now he is making his way to the Fox Theatre for two side-splitting performances tonight, December 14 and Sunday, December 15.

Jennifer Holliday is undeniably one of R&B and Broadway's greatest voices. Endowed with a commanding and irresistible voice, immeasurable range and artistry that few can rival, Holliday has long stood in a class by herself. The dynamic songstress' now legendary show-stopping, heart-wrenching performance of the torch ballad "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going" in the smash hit Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, made her a household name and introduced her big soulful voice to the world. Her portrayal of Effie "Melody" White, a role she co-created, not only brought theatergoers to their feet for eight performances a week, but also garnered her a Tony-Award for Best Actress in a Musical and her first Grammy-Award for Best R&B Female Vocalist. From Broadway to major TV appearances including (Ellen, Ally McBeal and Touched By An Angel) and half-a-dozen soundtrack credits, Jennifer Holliday is one of the most distinctive, enviable and revered voices in modern music. Through the years, Holliday has collaborated with everyone from Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, David Foster and Paul Simon, to Michael Jackson, Maurice White and Foreigner. She has also sung with the Boston Pops and The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra with Peter Nero, among numerous other esteemed orchestras. She considers herself to be a Broadway Baby and theater continues to be a significant part of her career. Her illustrious resume includes such theatre credits as Sing Mahalia Sing: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Downhearted Blues: The Bessie Smith Story, Harlem Suite (with Aretha Franklin), Chicago (starring as "Mama Morton"), Grease (starring as "Teen Angel") and Black Nativity (starring as the "Angel of God"). The in-demand star has also been invited to participate in Chaka Khan's induction into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame ceremony to take place June 10 at the Apollo Theatre and broadcast later on BET. Considering herself a "bi-partisan songbird," Jennifer is both honored and grateful to have performed at the White House for President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, the new Broadway musical, performed live on "THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW" on Tuesday, December 10. Mary Bridget Davies, critically acclaimed for her portrayal of Janis, was joined by Taprena Michelle Augustine,De'Adre Aziza, Nikki Kimbrough, and NaTasha Yvette Williams as Aretha Franklin to perform the show-stopping Act One finale "Spirit in the Dark." Check out their performance below!

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, the new Broadway musical, will perform live on 'THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW' tomorrow morning, December 10 between 10-11am. Mary Bridget Davies, critically acclaimed for her portrayal of Janis, is joined by Taprena Michelle Augustine, De'Adre Aziza, Nikki Kimbrough, and NaTasha Yvette Williams to perform the show-stopping Act One finale 'Spirit in the Dark.'

NYC rock singer Samia is releasing her smoldering new single 'Soul On Fire' with a full band show this Friday the 13th, 8:30pm, at Arlene's Grocery (95 Stanton St between Ludlow & Orchard.)

NBC will celebrate the lighting of the world's most famous Christmas tree with a live broadcast from Rockefeller Center in New York City tonight, Dec. 4 (8-9 p.m. ET). The star-studded holiday special is hosted by 'Today' anchors Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Natalie Morales, and will feature performances from Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds, Goo Goo Dolls, Ariana Grande, Jewel, Leona Lewis, Audra McDonald and The Rockettes.

With an all-time total of 16 Grammy Awards between them, multi-platinum superstars Toni Braxton and Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds have finally teamed up for their first album of duets together, 'Love, Marriage & Divorce', arriving in stores December 3rd on Motown Records.

Bergen Performing Arts Center located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood New Jersey announces 3 new shows for 2014! Travis Tritt with Lindsey Highlander Sunday, March 9th 2014, Kanas in concert Friday, May 30th 2014 and Happy Together featuring The Turtles, Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night, Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels Sunday, June 22nd at 7PM.

MSG Entertainment and The Bowery Presents announced today that Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul," will play Radio City Music Hall on Friday, January 17, 2014 at 8:00PM andSaturday, January 18, 2014 at 8:00PM of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 6, 2013 at 11:00AM.

The special will feature performances from Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Goo Goo Dolls, Ariana Grande, Jewel, Leona Lewis, Audra McDonald and The Rockettes.

Marty Thomas presents DIVA is a weekly show at Industry Bar in midtown Manhattan. Featuring a cast of Alexa Green (WICKED, COMPANY), Kelly King (Babyface, Michael Bolton) and Marissa Rosen (MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING), it is hosted and produced by Marty Thomas (XANADU, WICKED, THE SECRET GARDEN). DIVA celebrates fabulous female vocalists paying tribute to some of histories most over the top icons! The cast performs a brand new show every week with exciting new guests rotating.