Bessie Smith News

Jubilee Theatre Artistic Director Ed Smith announces the theatre's 2009-2010 season, a lineup that opens with the sole North American production this year of The Dance on Widow's Row by Samm-Art Williams.

BLUES IN THE NIGHT is a delightful compilation of material that celebrates the many styles associated with the music known as the blues. As conceived by Sheldon Epps, this musical follows three women and a saloon singer as they recall memories from their past in song form. The Black Rep's current production showcases four superb vocalists who bring their own unique talents to the work, creating a marvelous and uplifting experience, filled with enough genuine warmth and good humor, that it may well redefine how you feel about the blues.

Hailed by critics and audiences as one of New Jersey's most energetic and captivating live performers, Christine Martucci presents a special Sneak Peek and Launch Party for her original new musical Breakfast with Janis. Special guests include the Bob Burger Band, the Mike Montrey Band, the Linda Chorney Band, and guest host comic Amy Beckerman.

Jubilee Theatre continues its celebration of the African-American experience with its 2008-2009 season and a new musical conceived by Jubilee Artistic Director Ed Smith. The Gospel Queen, featuring Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, focuses on the life of one of gospel music's greatest sensations, Mahalia Jackson.

MANHATTAN THEATRE CLUB will present its Annual Spring Gala on Monday, May 18, 2009, at Cipriani 42nd Street, 110 East 42nd Street. The show will include numbers from this season's most celebrated Broadway shows, including Billy Elliot, Hair, Shrek The Musical, and West Side Story as well as numbers from the fantastic musicals Ain't Misbehavin' and The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith. The

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) announces the final show of its 2008-09 season: Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo, staged by acclaimed director Rebecca Bayla Taichman (world premieres of Theresa Rebeck's The Scene and Mauritius and Sarah Ruhl's Dead Man's Cell Phone). This new spellbinder by the master playwright who also penned Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and A.C.T.'s The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, is a meticulously calibrated and dangerously brutal look at relationships intimate and unexpected. The story opens with Peter, a tweedy book editor, and his wife, Ann, whose everyday conversation takes an unexpected turn into dangerously personal territory. It's the kind of conversation that can drive a husband out for a walk-to Central Park, where Jerry, a desperate outcast, awaits. An unforgettable pairing of Albee's original The Zoo Story with a freshly penned prequel, At Home at the Zoo (formerly titled Peter and Jerry) bares its teeth to threaten the delicately balanced world its characters inhabit. Artistic Director Carey Perloff has put together an all-star artistic team on this production, featuring Tony Award-nominated actor Manoel Felciano (Ragtime at The Kennedy Center, A.C.T.'s Rock 'n' Roll, and Sweeney Todd on Broadway) as Jerry and scenic designer Robert Brill, who received a Tony Award nomination last week for his work on Guys and Dolls on Broadway. Hailed by critics as 'a thoroughly satisfying package of jagged-edged provocation' (Newsday) and 'an essential and heartening experience' (The New York Times), Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo plays at A.C.T. June 5-July 5, 2009. Opening night is Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at 8 p.m. Tickets-starting at $14-are available by calling A.C.T. Ticket Services at 415.749.2228, or at www.act-sf.org.

Following a six week sold-out run earlier this year, Brooklyn's famed Billie Holiday Theatre will present a nine week return engagement of THE HIGH PRIESTESS OF DARK ALLEY, a new play by playwright/director Jackie Alexander.

Jubilee Theatre continues its celebration of the African-American experience with its 2008-2009 season and a new musical conceived by Jubilee Artistic Director Ed Smith. The Gospel Queen, featuring Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, focuses on the life of one of gospel music's greatest sensations, Mahalia Jackson.

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky. The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.

Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans announce the final selection for the 2009-2010 Northlight Season, the world premiere of Low Down Dirty Blues, by Randal Myler and Dan Wheetman, the creators of It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues and Fire on the Mountain. The production will feature two-time Jeff Award winner Mississippi Charles Bevel.

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky. The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.

Brooklyn?s famed Billie Holiday Theatre will present the world premiere of THE HIGH PRIESTESS OF DARK ALLEY, a new play by playwright/director Jackie Alexander. The production will play a strictly limited engagement February 19 through March 22, 2009. Previews are Thursday, February 19 through Saturday, February 27. Opening night is Saturday, February 28. The performance schedule is Thursdays ? Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and Sundays at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $15-$23, with additional discounts available for seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased online at www.zerve.com/BHolidayInc/DrkAlley by phone at 212.209.3370, or at the theatre?s box office at Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton Street.

Winner of the 1967 Pulitzer Prize, Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance comes to Arena Stage in a contemporary and provocative new staging under the direction of experienced Albee collaborator Pam MacKinnon. Featuring Broadway stars Kathleen Chalfant (Wit, Angels in America), Terry Beaver (Henry IV, The Last Night of Ballyhoo), Ellen McLaughlin (Angels in America) and Carla Harting (Eurydice),joined by Helen Hedman and James Slaughter, A Delicate Balance runs February 6-March 15, 2009 at Arena Stage in Crystal City. The press opening performance is Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. 'Albee is fearless about writing stories that get us in the solar plexus, and he does so with his brilliant wit, dynamic storytelling and rigorous use of language,' shares Artistic Director Molly Smith. 'His work draws the best artists, and with this production audiences are fortunate to have an enormously strong cast and creative team-approved by Albee himself.' A frequent director of Albee plays, MacKinnon has directed The Play About the Baby, the world premieres of Peter and Jerry: Homelife and The Zoo Story (now titled At Home at the Zoo) and Occupant, as well as the U.S. regional and European premieres of The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky. The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.

In honor of Apollo's 75th Anniversary there will be a Kick-Off Amateur Night's 75th Birth Day Party with Special Guest Ron Browz. The Party will be held Wednesday, January 28th, 7:30PM Anniversary Special - The First 750 tickets, only $7.50! The night will honor the starting place for some of our most famous and treasured artists like Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, George Clinton and Stevie Wonder. The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization established in 1991, is dedicated to the preservation and development of the legendary Apollo Theater through the Apollo Experience of world-class live performances and education programs that: Honor the influence and advance the contributions of African-American artists; and Advance emerging creative voices across cultural and artistic media. It all started in 1914 when the theater was constructed on 125th Street, the heart of Harlem. Originally, it was named Hurtig and Seamon's New Burlesque Theatre and African-Americans were not allowed in the audience. In 1934: Ralph Cooper, Sr. decided to do a live version of his already popular radio show, Amateur Nite Hour at the ApolloTM, at the Apollo Theater, then owned by the Schiffman family. Ella Fitzgerald, who invented the vocal technique known as 'SCAT', was one of the first Amateur Night winners. That same year, Cooper, Benny Carter and '16 Gorgeous Hot Steppers' dazzled the crowds with the theater's first 'Colored Revue.'

In honor of Apollo's 75th Anniversary there will be a Kick-Off Amateur Night's 75th Birth Day Party with Special Guest Ron Browz. The Party will be held Wednesday, January 28th, 7:30PM Anniversary Special - The First 750 tickets, only $7.50! The night will honor the starting place for some of our most famous and treasured artists like Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, George Clinton and Stevie Wonder. The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization established in 1991, is dedicated to the preservation and development of the legendary Apollo Theater through the Apollo Experience of world-class live performances and education programs that: Honor the influence and advance the contributions of African-American artists; and Advance emerging creative voices across cultural and artistic media. It all started in 1914 when the theater was constructed on 125th Street, the heart of Harlem. Originally, it was named Hurtig and Seamon's New Burlesque Theatre and African-Americans were not allowed in the audience. In 1934: Ralph Cooper, Sr. decided to do a live version of his already popular radio show, Amateur Nite Hour at the ApolloTM, at the Apollo Theater, then owned by the Schiffman family. Ella Fitzgerald, who invented the vocal technique known as 'SCAT', was one of the first Amateur Night winners. That same year, Cooper, Benny Carter and '16 Gorgeous Hot Steppers' dazzled the crowds with the theater's first 'Colored Revue.'

Winner of the 1967 Pulitzer Prize, Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance comes to Arena Stage in a contemporary and provocative new staging under the direction of experienced Albee collaborator Pam MacKinnon. Featuring Broadway stars Kathleen Chalfant (Wit, Angels in America), Terry Beaver (Henry IV, The Last Night of Ballyhoo), Ellen McLaughlin (Angels in America) and Carla Harting (Eurydice),joined by Helen Hedman and James Slaughter, A Delicate Balance runs February 6-March 15, 2009 at Arena Stage in Crystal City. The press opening performance is Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. 'Albee is fearless about writing stories that get us in the solar plexus, and he does so with his brilliant wit, dynamic storytelling and rigorous use of language,' shares Artistic Director Molly Smith. 'His work draws the best artists, and with this production audiences are fortunate to have an enormously strong cast and creative team-approved by Albee himself.' A frequent director of Albee plays, MacKinnon has directed The Play About the Baby, the world premieres of Peter and Jerry: Homelife and The Zoo Story (now titled At Home at the Zoo) and Occupant, as well as the U.S. regional and European premieres of The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?

The York Theater Company presents the Developmental Reading Series GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK BOOK BY MELBA THOMAS, MUSIC BY DAVID FRIEDMAN, LYRICS BY MURIEL ROBINSON Based on the wonderful short story by Grace Paley, set on Manhattan's lower east side during the era of the Yiddish theatre, Goodbye and Good Luck tells the story of Rosie Lieber, whose life is upended and set on a new track when she loses her job in a sweatshop because she wants to sit by a window. Her search for her 'window' leads to a job as cashier at a famous Second Avenue theatre and a livelong involvement with its charismatic and considerably older star. This is the story of an 'ordinary' girl who makes 'extraordinary' choices that lead to a life full of surprises, twists and turns.

Passage Theatre Artistic Director June Ballinger has announced the 2008-2009 season, which will include the world premieres of Amber Kain's darkly comic thriller The Summer House, and Caridad Svich's Instructions for Breathing; as well as the 7th Annual Solo Flights Festival: Passage's popular festival of one-person shows, music and dance.

Angelo Parra's The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith will be performed at the New Brunswick Playhouse, running March 3?29. Miche Braden, who portrayed Bessie Smith in the previous productions of the play, will recreate the title role once more.