Billie Holiday News

Carnegie Hall today announced that actor Richard Gere is set to host its 125th anniversary gala benefit concert on Thursday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Entertainer, vocalist and jazz aficionado Keith A. Dames presented his annual Billie Holiday birthday celebration 'Homage To Eleanora' on Friday, April 8 & Saturday, April 9th at Manna House Workshops in East Harlem.

Corky Hale presents I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU - The Life and Lyrics of Al Dubin, at the Montalban Theatre, 1615 Vine St. in Hollywood. This new musical, features lyrics by Al Dubin, music mostly by Harry Warren, book by Jerry Leichtling and Arlene Sarner, and musical direction by Gerald Sternbach. The production is directed and choreographed by Kay Cole.

'Sistas,' written by Dorothy Marcic, makes its Michigan premiere at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester from April 20 through May 15, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast below!

In anticipation of the big event, BroadwayWorld is checking in with some of the performers. Today, check out what Montego Glover had to say...

?In one of D.C.'s social events of the year, the Kennedy Center pays tribute to America's immortal Motown hit-maker, the late singer Marvin Gaye, at the 2016 Kennedy Center Spring Gala on Sunday, June 5, 2016 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The evening's program celebrates Gaye's enigmatic and innovative contributions to the Motown sound during the peak of his career in the 1970s and 1980s, and his musical influence that spans generations. Hosted by actress, comedian, and television host Whoopi Goldberg, the gala performance is headlined by multi-Grammy Award-winning artist Michael Buble, and features a talented, all-star cast including Andra Day, Ledisi, and Jussie Smollett, star of the FOX hit show, Empire.

With its continuing success both nationwide and here in Chicago, the smash hit Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin is extending its return to the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St. Chicago, until Sunday, May 22, 2016. The Chicago presentation will immediately be followed by a special One-Night-Only New York Presentation at The Town Hall on June 6, 2016, broadcast internationally by the WFMT Radio Network with the entire Berlin family in attendance.

Actress/singer Rumer Willis returns to New York City with her spellbinding debut at Cafe Carlyle. Having previously wowed New York audiences as Roxie in Broadway's CHICAGO and at Feinstein's/54 Below, Willis' sultry instrument and chanteuse aura melds her youthful energy with the reverence for music that is associated with this historic venue.

Entertainer, vocalist and jazz aficionado Keith A. Dames presents his annual celebration of Billie Holiday at 'Homage To Eleanora'  on Friday, April 8 & Saturday, April 9th at Manna House Workshops  (338 E. 106th Street)  in East Harlem at 7:30pm.  Tickets are $15 in advance and can be ordered via: http://homagetoeleanora.brownpapertickets.com

The Lyric Stage Company of Boston's 2015-16 Season continues today, April 8 with MR. BURNS, a post-electric play by Anne Washburn, with a score by Michael Friedman and lyrics by Anne Washburn. Directed by A. Nora Long, the production also features music director Allyssa Jones and choreographer Yo-El Cassell. MR. BURNS runs through May 7, 2016, with the official opening slated for April 10.

Continuing to break all box office records during its National Tour, the smash hit Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin is returning to Chicago for a limited, four-week engagement starting Thursday, April 7, 2016 in Felder's Chicago theatrical home, the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted Street, Chicago. The show will run through Sunday, May 8, 2016 with a press opening on Sunday, April 10 at 2:00 p.m. The Chicago presentation will immediately be followed by a special One-Night-Only New York Presentation at The Town Hall on June 6, 2016, broadcast internationally by the WFMT Radio Network with the entire Berlin family in attendance.

Carnegie Hall's season-long 125th anniversary celebration reaches its pinnacle on Thursday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m.- exactly 125 years to the day that the Hall first opened its doors in 1891-when many of the world's most beloved musicians take to the Hall's legendary stage for an all-star gala benefit concert.

Madeleine Peyroux, a blues and jazz singer often compared to Billie Holiday, will perform live in concert at Gala 2016, Syracuse Stage's major annual fundraiser. The event will take place on Friday, June 10 in Goldstein Auditorium at Syracuse University's Schine Student Center.

Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley recently announced the 2016-17 ZACH Theatre Season at an event for ZACH's Trustees, annual donors, and Season Sponsors. ZACH is thrilled to produce Hamilton composer/playwright Lin Manuel Miranda's extraordinary, Tony award winning, Broadway musical In The Heights.

As one family gathers to celebrate the life of their matriarch, they have a lot to say about the role of women-especially African-American woman-in history…and they do it through songs you already know. With songs ranging from "Oh Happy Day" to "I Will Survive" and the music of artists from Billie Holiday to Beyonce, you'll be tempted to sing along.

Joe's Pub at The Public has announced its nightly performances, April 6-17, 2016. Scroll down for more details and visit www.joespub.com for a complete list of shows!

With the historic New York premiere of Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD just days away, The Apollo Theater and Opera Philadelphia today announced a multi-year partnership that will continue the staging of contemporary operas at the Apollo in future seasons. The next co-production between the two institutions will be the New York premiere of We Shall Not Be Moved, set for the fall of 2017.

With the historic New York premiere of Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD just days away, The Apollo Theater and Opera Philadelphia today announced a multi-year partnership that will continue the staging of contemporary operas at the Apollo in future seasons. The next co-production between the two institutions will be the New York premiere of WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED, set for the fall of 2017.

Asolo Rep continues its record-breaking 2015-2016 season and the fourth season of its five-year American Character Project with the thrilling and poignant Tony-nominated and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama: DISGRACED.

"I'm a black woman in America; breathing is political," stated Natalie Douglas, wryly, early in her March 21 concert at Birdland to celebrate the release of her excellent new recording Human Heart. I felt myself inwardly fist pump-yes! Douglas dared to acknowledge the contemporary political circus-which I, for one, am completely obsessed with-on the cabaret stage! Okay, I can relax-I will make it through this show without listening to a political podcast or reading a David Brooks New York Times opinion column after all. Phew! I have not entered a purely escapist fantasyland, but surrendered to the capable musical ensemble on stage. Douglas wore a long white gown (chosen out of the pile when her husband made an approvingly bawdy comment as she tried it on for him) and her band-all six of whom appear on the record-wore all black. The appearance was a study in contrast, but the group, was most assuredly a cohesive instrument.