Bessie Smith News

New Brooklyn Theater announces the cast and guest speakers for its site-specific production of a new adaptation of Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard in Istanbul, Turkey. The show, performed in Turkish at the endangered Yedikule Gardens, addresses the ongoing issue of sacrificing cultural history and for the sake of development. Performances begin Wednesday, August 13, 2014 and run through Saturday, August 30, 2014. Jonathan Solari, Artistic Director of New Brooklyn Theater, directs the production, which is designed by Courtney Nelson.

On Sunday July 27 powerhouse vocalist Jeanne Page made a stylish return to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal for a marvelous evening of standards done her way, entitled Reboot. This lady has a unique brand of humor that is intoxicating and infuses every song she sings with the true colors they deserve. She is about to release a CD of her work, so Reboot was a preview of the album. Believe me, it's a knockout!

The Peccadillo Theater Company presents Penguin Rep's production of DROP DEAD PERFECT, a new comedy starring the legendary Everett Quinton at the Theatre at St. Clements (423 W 46th St - between 9th and 10th Avenue), which began previews Tuesday, July 15th. The comedy will open tonight, July 20th at 7PM.

The Peccadillo Theater Company presents Penguin Rep's production of DROP DEAD PERFECT, a new comedy starring the legendary Everett Quinton at the Theatre at St. Clements (423 W 46th St - between 9th and 10th Avenue) beginning tonight, July 15th, with opening set for Sunday, July 20th at 7PM.

In celebration of one year since the release of her debut CD entitled 'Except Sometimes' on Concord Records, Molly Ringwald who launched her CD release at Rockwell last year and has since performed over 150 concerts in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and widely across the United States in major Concert Halls, Performing Arts Centers and Jazz Festivals. Back by popular demand Ringwald performs live in Hollywood for the third of three Tuesdays, tonight, July 15th at Rockwell Table & Stage.

The Peccadillo Theater Company presents Penguin Rep's production of DROP DEAD PERFECT, a new comedy starring the legendary Everett Quinton at the Theatre at St. Clements (423 W 46th St - between 9th and 10th Avenue), which begins previews Tuesday, July 15th. The comedy will open Sunday, July 20th at 7PM. Written by Erasmus Fenn and directed by Joe Brancato, DROP DEAD PERFECT is laced with double-entendres and allusions to 1950s television and Hollywood melodramas. With adult language and situations, this outlandish production is recommended for adults only -- particularly those with a slightly twisted sense of humor.

Oscar(R) nominee Queen Latifah ('Chicago') stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in HBO Films' BESSIE

Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah (“Chicago”) stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in HBO Films' BESSIE, written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees (“Pariah”). Currently in production in Atlanta and debuting in 2015, the film focuses on Smith's transformation from a struggling young singer into “The Empress of the Blues,” one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and an enduring icon today. The cast also features Michael K. Williams, Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps, Tika Sumpter, Tory Kittles, Oliver Platt, Bryan Greenberg, Charles S. Dutton and Mo'Nique. BESSIE is executive produced by Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Lili Fini Zanuck, Shelby Stone and Randi Michel.

Performance Artist and lover of tight jeans, James Jackson, Jr. has teamed with long time friend and hair-changing Diva-About-Town, LaDonna Burns (Rent Nat'l Tour, Seussical Nat'l Tour) for a show they've written based on the early years of their friendship and careers singing behind several New York City acts.

Deadline reports that Oliver Platt, Bryan Greenberg and Tory Kittles will now star alongside leading lady Queen Latifah in HBO's BESSIE, a biopic about legendary blues singer Bessie Smith.

In celebration of one year since the release of her debut CD entitled 'Except Sometimes' on Concord Records, Molly Ringwald who launched her CD release at Rockwell last year and has since performed over 150 concerts in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and widely across the United States in major Concert Halls, Performing Arts Centers and Jazz Festivals. Back by popular demand Ringwald will perform live in Hollywood for three Todays to include June 17th; July 1st; and July 15th at Rockwell Table & Stage.

Penguin Rep Theatre presents the New York premiere of Sex and Education, a comedy by Lissa Levin, directed by Joe Brancato, and starring award-winning actress Lizbeth Mackay, from today, June 27 through July 20 in Stony Point, New York.

Performance Artist and lover of tight jeans, James Jackson, Jr. has teamed with long time friend and hair-changing Diva-About-Town, LaDonna Burns (Rent Nat'l Tour, Seussical Nat'l Tour) for a show they've written based on the early years of their friendship and careers singing behind several New York City acts. The pair will bring THE BLACK UPS to Joe's Pub on Sunday, Aug. 10th @ 7PM (doors open at 6:00PM).

Comedian Mike Epps and Live Nation have come together for Mike's 2014 fall tour deemed 'The Mike Epps: After Dark' which will cover over 20 cities nationally including a special New Year's Eve performance at the Fox Theatre on Wednesday, December 31 at 9 p.m.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) will be celebrating its 35th season with a black-tie gala tonight, June 21. Congresswoman Nicola Tsongas will present the Paul Tsongas Award to UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan in recognition of his long-time personal support and his continued work to build and expand MRT's partnership with UMass Lowell. The event will also feature the Reduced Shakespeare Company presenting 'The Complete History of MRT (abridged),' a 10-minute sketch created especially for this event.

Local singer Keisha D will make her second appearance at the Arthur Newman Theater at the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert in an all-new cabaret style concert on Sunday, July 13, 2014 at 2 PM. The show entitled; "Born To Sing", will feature Jazz, Swing, and everything in between with a few of her fan's favorites as well as Keisha's own favorites from a few of her inspirations like Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Bessie Smith, and more. She has also invited another Valley favorite; Charles Herrera to join her, along with local sax players Michael Bolivar and John Bolivar, in addition to her musical director Charlie Creasy who'll accompany Keisha on the baby grand piano.

"Shades of Blue" is another first-class invitation for the versatile Bufford to show her many sides. The material -- an odyssey of blues made famous by the likes of Bessie Smith, Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin, Dinah Washington, John Legend, and The Animals -- reels from deep in its southern roots to its far-flung northern heights. Shadowing Bufford on this kaleidoscopic journey is her music director Ian Herman on piano.

Performance Artist and lover of tight jeans, James Jackson, Jr. has teamed with long time friend and hair-changing Diva-About-Town, LaDonna Burns (Rent Nat'l Tour, Seussical Nat'l Tour) for a show they've written based on the early years of their friendship and careers singing behind several New York City acts.

In celebration of one year since the release of her debut CD entitled 'Except Sometimes' on Concord Records, Molly Ringwald who launched her CD release at Rockwell last year and has since performed over 150 concerts in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and widely across the United States in major Concert Halls, Performing Arts Centers and Jazz Festivals. Back by popular demand Ringwald will perform live in Hollywood for three Todays to include June 17th; July 1st; and July 15th at Rockwell Table & Stage.

Penguin Rep Theatre presents the New York premiere of Sex and Education, a comedy by Lissa Levin, directed by Joe Brancato, and starring award-winning actress Lizbeth Mackay, from June 27 through July 20 in Stony Point, New York.