Ashanti J'Aria News

Nearly two years since its original inception, Jacob Langfelder and Broadway The Hardway presented a sold out encore performance of FREEDOM, a Concert Celebrating the Music of George Michael and WHAM!on Wednesday, January 18th at The Cutting Room in New York City.

Arriving on stage in a tear-away USA tracksuit to wow the crowd with 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' Kevin Smith Kirkwood looked every bit the part of Whitney Houston in the return of CLASSIC WHITNEY: ALIVE! at Joe's Pub on August 31. But as everyone knows, a diva is more than just clothes (although the jumpsuit underneath was admittedly stunning as well). In less adept hands, the show's concept--- that Houston came down on a cloud for a repeat performance--- might have felt awkward or, worse, exploitative. Fortunately, Kirkwood, who is no stranger to glam and larger-than-life performers following his run in KINKY BOOTS, truly embodied the late icon on every level. Opening the show, he addressed the audience with a coy, 'Ladies and gentlemen, it's so good to be back.'

KEVIN SMITH KIRKWOOD - now appearing on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots - will bring CLASSIC WHITNEY: ALIVE! back to JOE'S PUB at The Public by popular demand. 

KEVIN SMITH KIRKWOOD - now appearing on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots - will bring CLASSIC WHITNEY: ALIVE! back to JOE'S PUB at The Public by popular demand. 

This year's BROADWAY BACKWARDS (#broadwaybackwards) took the stage last night at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street, NYC), home to the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Kinky Boots. The evening is produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and benefits BC/EFA and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York. BroadwayWorld was there to celebrate with the theatre community on the big night and you can check out photos below!

Kevin Smith Kirkwood, who is now appearing on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots, is bringing CLASSIC WHITNEY: ALIVE! back to New York by popular demand. Hot on the heels of its sold-out debut at Joe's Pub last year, Kirkwood will once again channel the voice, look and spirit of the late legend Whitney Houston at The Cutting Room on Wednesday, March 2 at 7:30 PM. In honor of the upcoming performance, Kevin took a moment to reflect on five Whitney performances that he finds have helped inspire him and his performance for the show. BroadwayWorld brings you his selections, from classics to medleys, below! 

KEVIN SMITH KIRKWOOD - now appearing on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots - is bringing CLASSIC WHITNEY: ALIVE! back to New York by popular demand.

The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity presents Black Hole Wedding, a new musical fueled by shimmying electrons, with script and lyrics by Katherine Brann Fredricks and script and music by Paul Edward Nelson. Katherine Brann Fredricks directs a cast of eleven including Tommy Alsip*, Hadley Cronk*, Sean Hayden*, Ashanti J'Aria*, Anthony Michael Lopez*, David Marmanillo*, Meg McWhorter*, Rebecca Odorisio*, Aaron Riesebeck*, and Ravi Roth*. Four performances for Black Hole Wedding will be staged at the Paradise Factory, Upstairs Theatre, 64 E. 4th St., NYC from tonight, June 26-July 10 as part of The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. The Festivity will take place June 15 - July 12 at the Paradise Factory in New York City.

The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity presents Black Hole Wedding, a new musical fueled by shimmying electrons, with script and lyrics by Katherine Brann Fredricks and script and music by Paul Edward Nelson. Katherine Brann Fredricks directs a cast of eleven including Tommy Alsip*, Hadley Cronk*, Sean Hayden*, Ashanti J'Aria*, Anthony Michael Lopez*, David Marmanillo*, Meg McWhorter*, Rebecca Odorisio*, Aaron Riesebeck*, and Ravi Roth*. Four performances for Black Hole Wedding will be staged at the Paradise Factory, Upstairs Theatre, 64 E. 4th St., NYC from June 26-July 10 as part of The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. The Festivity will take place June 15 - July 12 at the Paradise Factory in New York City.

FUNNY...SHEESH has announced the production of Jason S. Grossman's LOVE ME, directed by Rachel Klein. LOVE ME will play a limited engagement at The 4th Street Theatre, (83 East 4th Street, New York, NY). Performances begin Thursday, April30 and continue through Today, May16. Opening Night is Today, May2 (7:30 p.m.).

FUNNY...SHEESH has announced the production of Jason S. Grossman's LOVE ME, directed by Rachel Klein. LOVE ME will play a limited engagement at The 4th Street Theatre, (83 East 4th Street, New York, NY). Performances begin tonight, April 30 and continue through Saturday, May16. Opening Night is Saturday, May2 (7:30 p.m.).

FUNNY...SHEESH has announced the production of Jason S. Grossman's LOVE ME, directed by Rachel Klein. LOVE ME will play a limited engagement at The 4th Street Theatre, (83 East 4th Street, New York, NY). Performances begin Thursday, April30 and continue through Saturday, May16. Opening Night is Saturday, May2 (7:30 p.m.).

On Monday, September 22, 2014, The Innovative Theatre Foundation, the organization who for the past 10 years has been dedicated to celebrating Off-Off-Broadway, announced the 2014 recipients at its annual event. Celebrating ten years and thousands of nominees, the New York Innovative Theatre awards took place at Mason Hall at Baruch Performing Arts Center, 17 Lexington Avenue. Scroll down for photos from the festivities!

When it comes to the annual Fringe Festival in New York City, everyone gets excited. Why? It's simple. New works! Erik Ransom's COMING: A ROCK MUSICAL OF BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS enjoyed a 2011 premiere and is now having its own second coming at Fringe. With humor that ranges from tongue-in-cheek camp to witty panache, this irreverent rock musical is sure to make your Rock of Gibraltar roll.

Libertine Idol Productions has announced that COMING: A ROCK MUSICAL OF BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS, an irreverent, darkly comedic view of the Biblical Book of Revelation, with book, lyrics and music by Erik Ransom, direction by Rachel Klein and music direction and arrangement by Charles Czarnecki, will begin performances on August 8 - 22, at Theatre 80 (80 St. Mark's Place), as part of the New York International Fringe Festival. www.comingthemusical.com

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) and Mount Elise Entertainment, in association with Kim Vasquez / Gray Lady Entertainment, present the American premiere of DEPLOYED the musical. With a book, music and lyrics by Jessy Brouillard, music direction by Martyn Axe, and direction by Mindy Cooper, DEPLOYED begins its limited engagement in The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 W. 42nd Street) on Wednesday, July 16th, 2014. Featuring Natalie Toro, (Les Miserables, A Tale of Two Cities), Janice Landry, Nina Negron and Bryant Martin, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look of the DEPLOYED cast suited up and in action below!

Recently the NYMF production of DEPLOYED the musical gave fans a sneak peek into their rehearsal process. With a soaring pop rock score and set against the epic backdrop of a military base in Baghdad, DEPLOYED follows Emily's emotional journey. Our heroine develops an unlikely friendship with her interpreter, Laila, as she trains Iraqi women. Laila teaches Emily to appreciate others' suffering and to realize the enemy she's fighting is herself. When Emily finally lets go of her inner demons, a secret from the past comes back to wreak its revenge. They cannot forget...but can they forgive?

DEPLOYED the Musical is set to open at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre on July 16 as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and here's a glimpse of the actors in the rehearsal studio in the final stages of production. Watch the video below!

THE NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL (NYMF) and Mount Elise Entertainment, in association with Kim Vasquez / Gray Lady Entertainment, are pleased to announce the American premiere of DEPLOYED the musical. With a book, music and lyrics by Jessy Brouillard, music direction by Martyn Axe, and direction by Mindy Cooper, DEPLOYED begins its limited engagement in The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 W. 42nd Street) on Wednesday, July 16th, 2014.

DISASTER!, the 1970s disaster movie musical comedy, will play its final performance Off-Broadway tonight, April 11th, after a smash six-month run at the St. Luke's Theatre (308 W. 46th Street). Disaster! began previews on October 14th, 2013 and opened to critical acclaim on November 4th, 2013. The musical, which performs in repertory with other productions at the St. Luke's Theatre, will have played 11 previews and 86 performances at the time of its closing.