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Birth Place: Chattanooga, TN, USA

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A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN Cast Album Gets 1/17 Digital Release

Broadway Records just announced the release of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the critically acclaimed, A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN on the occasion of the iconic musician's birthday celebration. The album will be available digitally on January 17, and the CD is currently available at the Lyceum Theatre. The album is also available for pre-orders at Amazon.com and the official show website.

BWW Review: THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIFE AND BLUES OF BESSIE SMITH Brings on January Thaw

The blues may be cool, but Miche Braden and the music are hot in this lively production of playwright Angelo Parra's THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIVE AND BLUES OF BESSIE SMITH at Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell. Even if you don't know much about Smith, you'll walk out of the show feeling as though you've just spent the evening in her company. A trio of outstanding musicians joins the actress on the richly-rendered set by James J. Fenton. Don't miss this!

Merrimack Repertory Theatre Announces Ladies Night at the Theatre

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) is introducing the first in a series of 'Ladies Nights' at the theatre. The event, which takes place on Thursday, January 23 includes seats for the 7:30 pm performance of The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith by Angelo Parra and directed by Joe Brancato. Tickets also include a pre-show dessert reception beginning at 6:00 pm and a post-show discussion. The desserts will be provided by Dessert Yurt, a new Lowell-based specialty chocolate and dessert creator. Tickets for the event range from $48-23 and are all inclusive. They can be purchased online at www.mrt.org or by calling 978-654-4678.

Cast Announced for New Brooklyn Theater's Site-Specific THE DEATH OF BESSIE SMITH, 1/9-19

New Brooklyn Theater has announced casting today for its site-specific production of Edward Albee's The Death of Bessie Smith at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn. This rare revival will run for eight performances between January 9 and 19, 2014. Each performance will be followed by talkbacks or panel discussions with leaders in the arts, government, labor, and health. These discussions are intended to raise critical questions about health access, race, class, and the arts in New York.

AUDIO: First Listen - Jennifer Holliday's THE SONG IS YOU, Out Jan 21

On January 21, 2014, Shanachie Entertainment/Euphonic Records will release Jennifer Holliday's highly anticipated label debut, The Song Is You, an enchanting collection of R&B and Jazz numbers that showcase Holliday at her best. Listen to a sampling of the album below!

MRT to Present 'THE DEVIL'S MUSIC,' 1/9-2/2

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) presents The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith by Angelo Parra and directed by Joe Brancato, January 9- February 2, continuing the theater's 35th season with the soulful blues. The play will be performed in the recently-renovated Nancy L. Donahue Theatre, located at 50 East Merrimack Street in historic downtown Lowell. Tickets range from $60 - $20 and are on sale now through www.mrt.org or by calling 978-654-4678.

STAGE TUBE: Mary Bridget Davies Talks A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN on ABC's WORLD NEWS NOW

Mary Bridget Davies, star of the new Broadway musical A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, appeared on ABC's "World News Now" late last night. In a backstage interview, she chatted about preparing for the role of a lifetime and teaching Broadway audiences through her performance about the blues singers who influenced Janis's music so deeply. Check out her interview below!

Jennifer Holliday to Release First Solo Album in 23 Years- THE SONG IS YOU

Jennifer Holliday is undeniably one of R&B and Broadway's greatest voices. Endowed with a commanding and irresistible voice, immeasurable range and artistry that few can rival, Holliday has long stood in a class by herself. The dynamic songstress' now legendary show-stopping, heart-wrenching performance of the torch ballad "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going" in the smash hit Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, made her a household name and introduced her big soulful voice to the world. Her portrayal of Effie "Melody" White, a role she co-created, not only brought theatergoers to their feet for eight performances a week, but also garnered her a Tony-Award for Best Actress in a Musical and her first Grammy-Award for Best R&B Female Vocalist. From Broadway to major TV appearances including (Ellen, Ally McBeal and Touched By An Angel) and half-a-dozen soundtrack credits, Jennifer Holliday is one of the most distinctive, enviable and revered voices in modern music. Through the years, Holliday has collaborated with everyone from Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, David Foster and Paul Simon, to Michael Jackson, Maurice White and Foreigner. She has also sung with the Boston Pops and The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra with Peter Nero, among numerous other esteemed orchestras. She considers herself to be a Broadway Baby and theater continues to be a significant part of her career. Her illustrious resume includes such theatre credits as Sing Mahalia Sing: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Downhearted Blues: The Bessie Smith Story, Harlem Suite (with Aretha Franklin), Chicago (starring as "Mama Morton"), Grease (starring as "Teen Angel") and Black Nativity (starring as the "Angel of God"). The in-demand star has also been invited to participate in Chaka Khan's induction into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame ceremony to take place June 10 at the Apollo Theatre and broadcast later on BET. Considering herself a "bi-partisan songbird," Jennifer is both honored and grateful to have performed at the White House for President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre to Celebrate its 35th Season With a Black-Tie Gala, 6/21

Lowell, MA - Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) will be celebrating its 35th season with a black-tie gala onSaturday, 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.

STAGE TUBE: Cast of A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN Performs 'Spirit in the Dark' on 'WENDY WILLIAMS'

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, the new Broadway musical, performed live on "THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW" on Tuesday, December 10. Mary Bridget Davies, critically acclaimed for her portrayal of Janis, was joined by Taprena Michelle Augustine,De'Adre Aziza, Nikki Kimbrough, and NaTasha Yvette Williams as Aretha Franklin to perform the show-stopping Act One finale "Spirit in the Dark." Check out their performance below!

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN's Mary Bridget Davies to Perform on THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW Tomorrow

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, the new Broadway musical, will perform live on 'THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW' tomorrow morning, December 10 between 10-11am. Mary Bridget Davies, critically acclaimed for her portrayal of Janis, is joined by Taprena Michelle Augustine, De'Adre Aziza, Nikki Kimbrough, and NaTasha Yvette Williams to perform the show-stopping Act One finale 'Spirit in the Dark.'

STAGE TUBE: A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN's Mary Bridget Davies Rocks GOOD DAY NEW YORK

Mary Bridget Davies of A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, the new Broadway musical, performed live on FOX5's "Good Day New York" this morning, November 14. Davies wowed co-hosts Greg Kelly and Rosanna Scott with stories of growing up on Janis's music and a live in-studio performance of "Me and Bobby McGee' - check out her interview and peformance below!

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