Aretha Franklin News

Tonight on American Idol the remaining 8 contestants took on the songs of Detroit artists. The mentor was the legendary Smokey Robinson.

Audra McDonald as the 'Queen of Soul'? If a report in this morning's New York Daily News is correct, the five-time Tony Award winner may soon take on the role of legendary singer Aretha Franklin in Taylor Hackford's upcoming biopic.

TV One's popular reality series R&B DIVAS ATLANTA returns to the network for its second season premiere Wednesday, May 1, 10PM/ET. In celebration, TV One is branding the month of April 'Destination Divas' and will pack the network's schedule with a mix of new original specials, iconic movies and sitcoms, plus encores of R&B Divas season one.

By the time the final notes of Aretha Franklin girl-power anthem 'Respect' die down, after Friday's opening night crowd whooped and cheered as Anne Chamberlain juggled, flipped and successfully caught an errant microphone, you're totally, completely, utterly in love with the 'Marvelous Wonderettes.'

Mama, I Want To Sing, the classic 1983 gospel musical created by Vy Higginsen, will celebrate its 30th anniversary tonight, March 23, 2013 with a very special performance of Mama, I Want To Sing: The Next Generation at The Dempsey Theater, located in Harlem at 127 West 127th Street, between Lenox and 7th Avenues.

Regina Carter and Nnenna Freelon will replace the previously announced Tony and Grammy winner Dee Dee Bridgewater in a 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.

ZACH- Austin's Theatre and Texas' longest running theatre, produced in partnership with Todd Gershwin and Daniel Chilewich of One Night Productions, LLC, the Estate of Janis Joplin, and Jeffrey Jampol of JAM, Inc., present the Texas premiere of ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, created, written and directed by Randy Johnson.

American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez will guest star as a legendary singer from a rival high school on FOX's hit musical comedy GLEE on Thursday, May 2 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and the season finale on Thursday, May 9 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), the network announced today.

Tune in to American Idol tonight (8:00-9:00PM ET/PT on FOX) to see Jessica perform "Tonight" with special guest Ne-Yo by her side

The Pasadena Playhouse, in association with Todd Gershwin and Daniel Chilewich of One Night Productions, LLC, the Estate of Janis Joplin and Jeff Jampol of JAM, Inc., announced that ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN enjoyed a record-breaking day of sales yesterday, March 19, 2013. Tickets for the limited engagement, which runs through April 21st, are going fast and select performances are nearing sold-out status.

The Pasadena Playhouse in association with Todd Gershwin and Daniel Chilewich of One Night Productions, LLC, and in further association with the Estate of Janis Joplin and Jeff Jampol of JAM, Inc. presents ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN. The show arrives in Pasadena after having left audiences clamoring for tickets in Portland, Cleveland and Washington D.C. Performances have been extended through April 21, 2013. BroadwayWorld has photos from opening night below!

ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN is a musical journey into the inspirations of one of rock 'n' roll's greatest legends. 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. ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN explores the life and inspirations of Joplin in this musical journey packed with classic songs including "Piece of My Heart, "Summertime," and "Mercedes Benz." The show also shines the spotlight on the musical trailblazers who influenced Joplin, including Bessie Smith, Etta James, and Aretha Franklin.

The Pasadena Playhouse, in association with Todd Gershwin and Daniel Chilewich of One Night Productions, LLC, and in further association with the Estate of Janis Joplin and Jeff Jampol of JAM, Inc., presents tonight's opening night performance of ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, March 17, 2013. ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN arrives in Pasadena after having left audiences clamoring for tickets in Portland, Cleveland and Washington D.C. Performances have been extended through April 21, 2013.

Mix together mathematics, medicine, and music and you get... an album? Why not? Temporary Hero is born out of the cliched story of loving music with influences ranging from Columbia records based Aretha Franklin to how to destroy angels and Apparat to the non-cliched story of a journey from a completely non-musical background into becoming a DIY artist/photographer/writer/physician/author/father/activist/human. Blasphemous? Not in the least. So why is the album called 'Blasphemy.'?

Strike up the (big) band for a one-of-a-kind concert experience as Pacific Symphony Pops celebrates the greatest team of collaborators in American music history: George and Ira Gershwin. 'The Gershwins: Here to Stay' is a unique multimedia event that illuminates the lives and music of the composer and his lyricist brother with home movies, original photos and rare audio and video footage.

Magnolia Pictures has acquired U.S. rights to the documentary MUSCLE SHOALS. The film explores the history of the famous Alabama recording studio that launched some of the most famous songs in the world.

People's Light & Theatre announces its 39th season with eight productions that will stir emotions, warm hearts, and inspire the music lover in you. The season opens with Philadelphia native N. Richard Nash's breakthrough hit The Rainmaker, followed by The Devil's Music which has received raves throughout New York, Connecticut and Florida for Miche Braden's incredible performance as Bessie Smith. Highlights include a dance-filled adaptation of Jane Austen's romantic Pride & Prejudice, Itamar Moses' innovative comedy, Bach at Leipzig, and the revival of our multi award-winning holiday panto, Cinderella. Our season also includes Dear Elizabeth, Sarah Ruhl's lyrical and whimsical portrait of the relationship between acclaimed American poets, Robert Lowell and Elizabeth Bishop and Henrik Ibsen's scandalous Ghosts.

MUSE/IQUE, an innovative cross-genre music organization curated by noted artistic director/conductor Rachael Worby, continues its popular Uncorked Series with 'Powerhouse from the Firehouse: The Legendary Tena Clark Backstage,' including special guests Patti Austin and Mary Wilson, tonight, March 11, 2013, 7 pm, in an intimate setting on the Pasadena Civic Auditorium stage.

According to Showbiz411.com, Clive Davis announced during a reading for his book at the 92nd Street Y last night that his top pick Bartlett Sher has signed on to direct the 2014 Broadway revival of MY FAIR LADY. Sher's recent credits include South Pacific, Golden Boy, and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.

The West Coast premiere of DIVORCE PARTY THE MUSICAL continues at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood through April 14. Whether you have been through a divorce or not, I guarantee you will be swept into the fun created onstage by the very talented cast of five.