Aretha Franklin News

Halfway through her opening night at 54 Below on Monday, Laura Benanti unveiled the evening's showstopper, a multi pop-song mix titled 'Inappropriate Medley.' No, Benanti didn't faux strip her way through the songs as if she was replaying her past role as Gypsy Rose Lee, but she frantically ripped through eight songs, including Beyonce's 'All the Single Ladies,' 'Old Man River,' Sonny & Cher's 'I Got You Babe,' Aretha Franklin's 'Respect,' and culminated the riff by boogying like Tina Turner on 'Proud Mary,' and playing a tambourine tossed over by her Musical Director/pianist Todd Almond. As the audience commenced with raucous cheering, an almost out-of-breath Benanti quipped, 'I can't wait to read the review tomorrow that says Laura Benanti is an idiot.' Well, Laura Benanti may be a lot of things, but idiot is not one of them.

LA-based singer-songwriter Beth Hart, known for her raw and powerful blues-rock sound, wraps her expressive vocals around classic soul covers on “Seesaw”, the second album that grew out of her musical ties with the acclaimed blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa.

LA-based singer-songwriter Beth Hart, known for her raw and powerful blues-rock sound, wraps her expressive vocals around classic soul covers on 'Seesaw', the second album that grew out of her musical ties with the acclaimed blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa. The album is released on Deluxe CD+DVD and Double Vinyl in the UK/Europe today 20th May by Provogue Records (followed by US release on Tuesday 21st May).

AMERICAN IDOL's dueling divas showdown came to an exhilarating close last night as Candice Glover was crowned the winner during the live two-hour season finale on FOX.

Past Idol Adam Lambert and Top 3 Finalist Angie Miller team up to performed 'Titanium' by David Guetta and Sia on last night AMERICAN IDOL finale. Relive their amazing performance below!

On last night's finale of AMERICAN IDOL, Candice Glover and past Idol Jennifer Hudson stepped to the stage to perform an show-stopping duet of 'Inseparable.' Watch their phenomenal performance!

Let's set the scene: It's the 1960s. Soul and R&B saturate the air-waves and major record labels like Motown, Stax and Atlantic are churning out incredible dance records, hit after hit, year after year. Aretha Franklin, Ike & Tina, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, The Temptations and Stevie Wonder are the kings and queens of soul who go on to be legends. Everyone wants to be part of it. No-one can refuse. It's time to get aboard the Soul Train!

Greek mythology meets burlesque, puppetry, and a modern Americana score in the latest original piece from acclaimed ensemble Liars & Believers, creators of last year's gritty hit, 28 Seeds. Minnie's Menagerie, a peculiar Depression-era sideshow, is raking it in with the help of Daedalus's whimsical technology. But when Daedalus's son falls in love with Minnie's daughter, the star attraction, their passion and plans to escape threaten to bring it all crashing down.

It was Kree vs. Candice on last night's AMERICAN IDOL. The ladies had to step it up and perform for the largest crowd they've seen all year at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. In the end, it was Candice Glover who took the Season 12 crown during the May 16th live results show! According to The Hollywood Reporter, Glover cried as she sang 'I Am Beautiful' and confetti rained down on her onstage.

Brian Thomas Tichy and his partner Joe Sutton have decided to bring their John Bonham celebration, 'Bonzo Bash', to Long Island commemorating the life of rock's ultimate drummer - the drummer for Led Zeppelin, John Bonham. The show has been booked for Friday May 31st at Revolution 140 Merrick Rd in Amityville to pay tribute to John Henry Bonham on what would have been his 65th birthday.

The Centenary Stage Company will host a tribute to one of the most exciting musical artists of our time, Ray Charles, with 'Forever Ray', a stellar 13-piece lineup of powerhouse musicians. Members of the band have toured or recorded with Ray Charles, Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart, Levon Helm, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Kelly Clarkson, Patti LaBelle and Frank Sinatra to name a few.

Due to her doctor's recommendation for treatment during the time frame of May 20 & 26, Ms. Aretha Franklin has regretfully withdrawn from her scheduled performances at Foxwoods Resort & Casino and with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) on Monday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. celebrating the 24th annual Corporate Night. Ms. Franklin states she has no further comment on the matter at this point in time.

Joe's Pub at The Public welcomes world premieres, highly-anticipated debuts and the return of many esteemed performers this May and June. Funny girl JULIE KLAUSNER makes her debut with two evenings of cabaret. Legendary downtown performance artist JOHN KELLY returns to premiere Rebel Songs. The 60s-inspired flight attendant PAM ANN returns for five nights in the Cockpit. Elsewhere: Tony Award-winners TONYA PINKINS and LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA, Once star CRISTIN MILIOTI, TAYLOR MAC'S epic exploration of popular music, a special appearance from Justin Vivian Bond, JOEY ARIAS, the greatest rapper in the world, CHAMPAGNE JERRY and more. Read on for more May and June cabaret, comedy, Broadway and musical theater highlights at Joe's Pub at The Public.

A Drama Desk Award, an OBIE Award, a multiple Tony-nominated play, a one-man show by a Tony-nominated actor, and the return of a new musical by an award-winning team are all part of Philadelphia Theatre Company's stellar season next year. Philadelphia Theatre Company announces its five-production 2013/2014 mainstage season - 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog, Nerds with book and lyrics by 3-time Emmy nominated Jordan Allen-Dutton and Erik Weiner and music by Hal Goldberg, Tribes by Nina Raine, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang, and A Boy and His Soul written and performed by Colman Domingo.

An All Star tribute to Led Zeppelin's John Bonham featuring the top drummers in rock music today.

Award-winning blues rock star and guitar hero Joe Bonamassa will return to Detroit's Fox Theatre for an intimate 'Evening with' performance tonight, May 3 at 8 p.m. The one-night-only show is in support of his brand new solo album, Driving Towards The Daylight, which made its debut at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, the eighth time a Bonamassa album has debuted at #1.

With a voice like whiskey and a laugh like pure joy, Janis Joplin took the music scene by storm. Simultaneously rough and vulnerable, Joplin was dubbed the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll, proving music wasn't just a man's world anymore. Now, in a new musical event featuring more than a dozen singers and band members, playwright-director Randy Johnson creates 'a compelling portrait of an artist' (Culturemob) through the words, inspiration and music of one of America's greatest rock 'n' roll originals. One Night With Janis Joplin is a full-on concert experience and musical journey into the life and inspirations of one of rock 'n' roll's greatest legends and it runs in The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse from tonight, May 3 - June 2, 2013 and opens on Monday, May 6, 2013. Packed with classic songs ('Piece Of My Heart,' 'Summertime,' 'Mercedes Benz'), One Night With Janis Joplin also shines the spotlight on trailblazers who influenced Janis - like Bessie Smith, Etta James and Aretha Franklin.

Six friends attend their ten year high school reunion and relive the tumultuous, colorful and dynasix of them have lived very different lives since their graduation, the music of their youth brings the back together for one unforgettable night in Feeling Alright! Written by Houston playwright Michael Weems, and with music by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker and many more, Feeling Alright! is a whirlwind of music that defined an era.

Stage Entertainment USA and Sylvester Stallone have announced that the new musical, ROCKY, will come to Broadway in 2014, beginning preview performances in February and officially opening in March at Broadway's historic Winter Garden Theatre. ROCKY received its world premiere in fall 2012 in Hamburg, Germany.

Greek mythology meets burlesque, puppetry, and a modern Americana score in the latest original piece from acclaimed ensemble Liars & Believers, creators of last year's gritty hit, 28 Seeds. Minnie's Menagerie, a peculiar Depression-era sideshow, is raking it in with the help of Daedalus's whimsical technology. But when Daedalus's son falls in love with Minnie's daughter, the star attraction, their passion and plans to escape threaten to bring it all crashing down.