Aretha Franklin News

Opera Memphis has been awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant as part of the America250 initiative. The funding will support two performances honoring American cultural figures during the company’s 2025–2026 season.

Florida Studio Theatre has announced its 2026 Stage III Series, featuring EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND, GRANDMA GATEWOOD TOOK A WALK, and A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN.

The newly opened Teatro YouTube launches its inaugural season on December 18 with Hip Hop Hamlet, a bold contemporary musical that fuses Shakespeare’s classic tragedy with the aesthetics and rhythms of hip-hop culture. The production blends live performance, immersive lighting, videocenography and a soundtrack featuring Aretha Franklin, Racionais MC’s, Kanye West, Jorge Ben Jor, Toni Tornado and Tim Maia.

As part of their Sounds of the World Series, The Winter Park Playhouse has teamed up again with Barbara Chandler Productions to present Soul Train Live on Thursday, February 5 at 7:00 pm.

Amas Musical Theatre and Jack Lewin will present the World Premiere of Going Bacharach: The Songs Of An Icon, a musical revue featuring the many songs of Burt Bacharach.

Paul Anka is developing a Broadway musical about his life with writer Rupert Holmes. The project comes after the release of his hit new documentary, Paul Anka: His Way, which traces the Canadian’s musical journey.

Music Worcester's 2025- 2026 season continues, spanning seven centuries of music offering performances from 15th century early music to contemporary jazz.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will offer a very special gift to the community: a Weekend of Soul, featuring the Soul Crooners and Sistas of Soul. Learn more here!

Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald will play a one-night-only concert at bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) in May. Learn more and get tickets here!

Two of South Florida's most loved musicians and powerhouse performers will celebrate their musical roots at the historic landmark and magnificently restored Sunset Lounge in West Palm Beach.

The Phil Collins Story, a new docu-concert celebrating the life, career, and music of Academy Award, Grammy, and Golden Globe-winning performer and songwriter Phil Collins, will play BroadwaySF’s Curran Theatre.

Many of the pioneers of the media and art we see today were Black. Period.

The award-winning choir brings their all-new concert, PEACE, to Queens as part of their 60-City North American Tour. The inspirational concert also features spirited music by Aretha Franklin, Harry Belafonte, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Leonard Cohen, and more.

Rufus Wainwright has shared I’m a Stranger Here Myself – Wainwright Does Weill, a new tribute album that explores the songbook of German-American composer Kurt Weill. Listen to it now.

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater will present a full slate of performances from November 17–30, including appearances by Eliane Elias, Steve Ross, Tatiana Eva Marie, Ken Peplowski, and the Charles Mingus Orchestra.

On Thursday, Broadway legend Patti LuPone returned to Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. During her visit, the three-time Tony winner reacted to a variety of pop culture happenings, including Wicked: For Good, Masquerade, Broadway's Stranger Things, and more. Watch videos from the episode now!

Award-winning playwright and actor Brian Copeland’s family-friendly holiday show The Jewelry Box ushers in the season with two special performances at The Marsh.

For her first-ever solo concert at Carnegie Hall, Shoshana Bean didn’t just perform, she transformed the room. The historic space became something intimate and alive, a mix of reverence and release.

In the end, the choir’s music prevailed over any language barrier. The cavalcade of different voices kept the mostly full theatre dancing, raising their arms in agreement, and being moved by the power of things they couldn’t understand.

Actor/comedian Rhonda 'Passion' Hansome will be among the performers featured at Eat Drink Laugh live comedy showcase on Saturday, November 1st @ Pangea Restaurant-Cabaret in Manhattan’s East Village.