Ariana Grande News

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: Ain't Too Proud opens its pre-Broadway run in Toronto tonight, and more!

Ariana Grande took to Twitter to share that she will be singing 'The Wizard and I' during the NBC event, 'A Very Wicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway.'

As the weather begins to cool down, the year is heating up for singer-songwriter Cazzi Opeia. With no less than four #1 hits on the Billboard US World Albums within the past year, she has returned with her latest offering, 'Rich'. Only just beginning to transform her career from singer to songwriter, Cazzi Opeia has proved to be one of Sweden's most successful songwriters in the mix.

According to Billboard, joining in the festivities are Wicked alum Adam Lambert (national tour) and Lidisi. 

On Today, Oct. 12, 6:30 pm, Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series will honor award-winning filmmakers JT Takagi, the Executive Director of Third World Newsreel, and Terence Nance, creator of HBO's Random Acts of Flyness, with the Reel Sisters Trailblazer award for their outstanding contributions to the film industry. Jules And The Jinks, a winner of AfroPunk's 2018 battle of the bands competition, will pay tribute to our honorees.

MTV today confirmed that Academy Award®-nominated actress and recording artist Hailee Steinfeld will host and perform at the "2018 MTV EMAs" airing live globally from Bilbao Exhibition Centre, Spain on Sunday, November 4 at 9:00pm CET.

Breaking News! Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, announce additional casting for their newest production, the world premiere of THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 15 through December 30. Singer, actress and dancer Mackenzie Ziegler (Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, Dance Moms) as Dorothy, Phil LaMarr ("Mad TV" and "Pulp Fiction") as The Tin Man, Jared Gertner (Broadway's The Book of Mormon) as The Scarecrow, and Hailee Payne and Valerie Rockey of So You Think You Can Dance join previously announced Kermit The Frog as the Wizard of Oz and Tony-Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur (Celebrity Big Brother Winner and Broadway's Hairspray) as Glinda. The official press opening will be held on December 14, 2018 at GIVE KIDS PANTO, a benefit to raise monies for the student matinee performance serving Title One schools in the PUSD and LAUSD.

It's been 10 years since Spotify officially launched for fans. Since October 2008, fans all over the world have enjoyed a decade of music discovery, finding new artists and tracks to fall in love with and rediscovering old favorites. Spotify now has 180 million monthly active listeners across 65 countries. And as of August 31, 2018, they've paid over 10 billion euros to rights holders since launch. Spotify has a music library of over 40 million songs and podcasts, and 3 billion-plus user-created playlists. And to date, over 2,000 genres have been identified on Spotify, among them Wonky (electronic music characterized by synths with unusual time signatures), Shimmer Pop (a Swedish cousin of indie pop and indietronica), and British Blues (the blues … with a British flavor).

On Friday, October 19th world-renowned singer, songwriter and actress, Shoshana Bean, will launch this season's LIVE! from the Rainbow Room concert series with an intimate performance inside one of New York's most glamorous and iconic settings. Set 65 stories above the landmark Rockefeller Center with panoramic views in every direction, Shoshana will host a one-night only performance backed by a 13-piece band for 250 guests.

'Legendary,' an affirming anthem and music video that supports girls' great potential everywhere and heralds the United Nations' International Day of the Girl Child (Oct. 11), will debut MONDAY, OCT. 8, on Disney Channel and DisneyMusicVEVO. Made for Kids and Tweens age 6-14, 'Legendary' encompasses the spirit of camaraderie and delivers the powerful message that when girls and young women support each other and work together, nothing is out of reach. This initiative further amplifies Disney Channel's brand promises: 'Express Yourself,' 'Believe in Yourself' and 'Celebrate Your Friends and Family.'

Tuesday, October 30th, the blockbuster musical, WICKED, will celebrate its 15th Anniversary on Broadway, a milestone achieved by only five other Broadway productions in history. To mark this landmark occasion, WICKED has planned a month of special promotions and events.

America's sweethearts Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross aka Ashlee + Evan have delivered the goods once again with a brand new track titled 'I Want You,' which dropped today and is available on all digital platforms worldwide.

When I read that Studio Theatre would be presenting playwright Steven Levenson's IF I FORGET I was very excited. Why? Levenson won a Tony Award for his great book for hit musical DEAR EVAN HANSEN. Then I read the play won the Drama Desk Award for Best Off-Broadway play at the Roundabout Theatre in New York (see their informative study guide). Then when I saw what the play was about I really got excited.

The 2018 MTV EMA nominees have been revealed. Camila Cabello is the most nominated artist with nods in six categories including 'Best Artist' and 'Best Video' for 'Havana' featuring Young Thug. Ariana Grande and Post Malone are very close behind with five nominations each. Drake, Shawn Mendes and Dua Lipa also snagged an impressive number of nods with nominations in four categories each.

It's hard to imagine a 12 year old belt out powerful vocal runs, but that's what secured Lynn Hayek's title as the first winner of The Voice Kids in 2016. Today at 14, the Lebanese songstress still boasts power vocals that defy her years and brings technical melisma to a song. Out today, “Party Language”, is the budding star's latest single and debut into the U.S. market.

The Madison Square Garden Company (NYSE: MSG) announced today that the 2018 production of the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, presented by Chase, will be technologically transformed with the addition of an all-new finale scene and redesigned elements. Directed by Tony, Drama Desk and Olivier Award-nominated director Sam Buntrock (Broadway and West End productions of Sunday in the Park with George), the new finale will include 100 drones that take flight to create a groundbreaking magical holiday light show, and new digital projections from Obscura Digital. The finale joins several of the production's beloved numbers, which will showcase new, state-of-the-art digital projections from Obscura to combine next-level technology with awe-inspiring artistry that extend the show beyond the stage.

The Madison Square Garden Company (NYSE: MSG) announced today that the 2018 production of the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, presented by Chase, will be technologically transformed with the addition of an all-new finale scene and redesigned elements. Directed by Tony, Drama Desk and Olivier Award-nominated director Sam Buntrock (Broadway and West End productions of Sunday in the Park with George), the new finale will include 100 drones that take flight to create a groundbreaking magical holiday light show, and new digital projections from Obscura Digital. The finale joins several of the production's beloved numbers, which will showcase new, state-of-the-art digital projections from Obscura to combine next-level technology with awe-inspiring artistry that extend the show beyond the stage.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical if given a memorable presentation.

On Friday, Oct. 12, 6:30 pm, Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series will honor award-winning filmmakers JT Takagi, the Executive Director of Third World Newsreel, and Terence Nance, creator of HBO's Random Acts of Flyness, with the Reel Sisters Trailblazer award for their outstanding contributions to the film industry. Jules And The Jinks, a winner of AfroPunk's 2018 battle of the bands competition, will pay tribute to our honorees.

Join Celine Dion, Adele, Barbra Streisand, Shirley Bassey, Britney Spears & more of your favorite female vocalists, on stage together in the singular form of Christina Bianco!