Aretha Franklin News

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Hartt celebrates its alumni this spring with two alumni reunion concerts. On Monday, April 21, three alumni of the Vocal Studies Division perform at 7:00 PM in Wilde Auditorium on the University of Hartford's main campus, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford.

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.

April at The Metropolitan Room

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents Beehive The 60's Musical by Larry Gallagher. This rafter-raising musical will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, March 16 through April 10, 2011.

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.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, will continue its Winter 2011 season with the return of "American Idol" finalist, MELINDA DOOLITTLE from February 22 to March 5.

The Cleveland Blues Festival, a high-energy concert event featuring world-class blues entertainers, celebrates its 4th Anniversary with a return to PlayhouseSquare's State Theatre March 5th at 7 pm.

UK chart-topper Adele serenades American audiences during her 'VH1 Unplugged' performance proving that soulful sounds have no boundaries. Debuting online at Unplugged .VH1.com on Thursday, March 3, at 7PM*, Adele's powerhouse performance includes 'Someone Like You,' 'Don't You Remember,' 'Chasing Pavements,' 'Rolling In The Deep,' and Carol King's 'Natural Woman' made popular by Aretha Franklin. 'Turning Tables,' off of her sophomore album '21,' will be available as an online-exclusive track. 'VH1 Unplugged: Adele' will premiere on VH1 on Friday, March 4 at 11PM* and on Palladia, MTV Networks' high-definition music channel on March 5 at 9PM*. The online premiere on March 3 will be accompanied by a Live Viewing Party at Unplugged.VH1.com and on Starburst's Facebook page where fans can watch and chat with one another.

Morgan James will return to NYC for two more nights after her initial sold out performance of Morgan James/Live. On Monday, February 21 and 28, Ms. James will take center stage at Dominion (428 Lafayette St).

The 50th anniversary of Aretha Franklin's arrival on the popular music scene is set for a major celebration in 2011.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents Beehive The 60's Musical by Larry Gallagher. This rafter-raising musical will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, March 16 through April 10, 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.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, will continue its Winter 2011 season with the return of "American Idol" finalist, MELINDA DOOLITTLE from February 22 to March 5.