Aretha Franklin News

Down to just nine performers, American Idol's remaining contestants have proven week after week that they make up perhaps the most talented bunch of finalists in the show's 10 season history. No complaints there, but such a statistic also means that even excellent performances tonight could warrant a ticket home.

The Ailey Extension welcomes dance and theater enthusiasts to participate in a Contemporary dance workshop series with The Lion King cast member, Ray Mercer, on April 11th, 18th and 25th at the Joan Weill Center for Dance, located at 405 West 55th Street (at 9th Avenue).

PHILADANCO, the Philadelphia Dance Company, hot on the heels of a celebratory 40th Anniversary season, will return to The Joyce Theater for a week-long engagement this spring from March 29 - April 3.

Lampkin Music Group is proud to announce 'What He Did for Love: A Chicago Musical Menu' presented April 3-6, 2011 at Stage 773 (formerly the Theatre Building) in Chicago.

April at The Metropolitan Room

It's hard to believe that over 40 years have flown by since Donnie "Mr. Downchild" Walsh and his late brother, Hock formed the renowned group that would be the inspiration behind the blues in Canada and the world famous Blues Brothers.

The stars of Broadway's new hit PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL will appear at a special live performance at Barnes & Noble's upper east side flagship location (150 East 86th Street at Lexington Avenue) on Thursday, April 7 at 5:00pm to celebrate the release of the musical's Original Broadway Cast Recording.

Negin Farsad and Amy Albert present the brand new weekly standup show, Comedy School Dropout.

PHILADANCO, the Philadelphia Dance Company, hot on the heels of a celebratory 40th Anniversary season, will return to The Joyce Theater for a week-long engagement this spring from March 29 - April 3.

Prior to a West End run opening summer 2011, Ghost The Musical will have a strictly limited 7 week season at the Opera House, Manchester, running from 28 March - 14 May 2011.

American Stage Theatre Company's Susan R. Hough Cabaret, "After Hours" series and Hot Off the Press play reading series in the Raymond James Theatre continue with eight productions in March, STILL HOT FOR PEGGY LEE; ME, MYSELF AND I…MUSICAL MEMOIRS; 321; I AM A CUBAN SANDWICH; PRIVATE PROCEEDING; PATRICK MCINNIS COMEDY HYPNOSIS EXPERIENCE; ARETHA FRANKLIN BIRTHDAY BASH and THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES.

What a surprise it was to see a photo of E. Faye Butler in the March 18, 2011 edition of the national publication 'The Week' in which she stars in the musical Working at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place in Chicago.

Four performing troupes from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) have been selected to perform at Walt Disney World during the upcoming April school vacation week.

So far as I can tell, the best way to handle the situation - on Monday night, March 28, five of Nashville's most talented young divas aka Cori Laemmel, Erin Parker, Laura Matula, Megan Murphy Chambers and Melodie Madden Adams will be performing a cabaret entitled FIVE - is to send five other young divas (I'd suggest sequestering Laura Thomas Sonn, Heather Trabucco, Stacie Riggs, Jennifer Richmond and Erica Haines Cantrell, just off the top of my head) to an undisclosed location - there's got to be a bunker around here somewhere, what with Oak Ridge so close by - just in case someone drops a bomb on Street Theatre Company

The Tony Award-winning actress and singer Melba Moore makes her Café Carlyle debut in an exclusive two-week engagement from April 26 to May 7.

BEEHIVE THE 60's MUSICAL closes out the season for the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, providing a refreshing and cheery dose of 1960's sunshine, and filling the theatre with the sounds of classic pop tunes from that era. This jukebox musical focuses on the contributions that women made to music during those turbulent times, and features six supremely talented singers who bring these familiar favorites to life while being backed by a superb band. The Rep's current production is a sheer delight, conjuring up memories of days gone by with an energetic cast who may have been too young to have heard these songs the first time around, but who do wonderful work with this material, nonetheless.

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater debuted in October 1998 and has quickly became one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance.

Negin Farsad and Amy Albert present the brand new weekly standup show, Comedy School Dropout.

Earlier today I spoke to one of America's most beloved comedians - screen, stand-up or otherwise - the Emmy-winning Wanda Sykes about her upcoming appearance headlining Monday's GayFest Spring At Last! Gala to benefit The Harvey Milk School and she shared with me her message of hope to the next generation, what she wishes for in the equal rights movement in the near future, as well as personal stories of herself being bullied and how she remained resilient in the face of adversity. Additionally, she clues us in on what her character arc will involve this season on HBO's CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - hint: it involves Cheyenne Jackson - when it makes its highly-awaited return in the Summer; plus, we take a look back at her TV specials, various series and film roles and she offers up a glimpse of what we can expect from her in 2011 and beyond. All of this is, of course, in addition to a thorough discussion of her recent essaying of the role of Miss Hannigan in ANNIE in Philadelphia and if she would consider taking on the role in the upcoming James Lapine-directed revival aimed at Broadway. Plus, news about the forthcoming big-screen MUPPET MOVIE - and much more!

Intiman Theatre Artistic Director Kate Whoriskey announces a production shift in the previously announced 2011 Season. A Boy and His Soul, written and performed by Tony Award-nominated Colman Domingo and directed by Tony Kelly, will replace The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.