Billie Holiday News

Barbra Streisand's longtime collaborator Richard Jay-Alexander is scheduled to appear on QVC Thursday, September 20 at 7 AM and noon (ET) to offer the singer's upcoming album 'Release Me,' which has been specially packaged with a bonus DVD for the multimedia retailer.

Join us as Bay Street presents the all new LEGENDS OF AMERICAN MUSIC, hosted by Joe Lauro, on Friday, September 21 at 8 pm. After the film, MAMALEE ROSE will perform a live set of music. $15 at the door. Some of the proceeds benefit the Sag Harbor Music Festival.

'Pretty House' showcases Mitchell's ability to draw the listener in with her dreamy vocal quality and lyrics that really speak from the heart. Tracks such as "Rain Came Down" and "Tommy and Angela" bring a full range of emotion in her smooth vocal lines, contrasting dynamics, and clean mezzo-soprano tone. "Rain Came Down," the opening track sets the tone for the album with a feeling of hope and new beginnings, as she sings "but sweet is the sound of the rain, I let it wash all my trouble away." On the other side of the spectrum, "Tommy and Angela" is an honest recollection of two people struggling with alcohol and drugs. The melancholy chorus sings, "if you see them on the street, look the other way. It's not likely that you'll meet any other day." It is certain that Mitchell is a true songwriter, both musically and in her authentic lyrical style.

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), New York's landmark theatre and concert venue, is pleased to announce the Eighth Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival, which takes place over three consecutive weeks in October. The Broadway Cabaret Festival begins on Saturday, October 13th at 8pm with Linda Eder: A New Life, and continues on Sunday, October 21st at 3pm with Broadway Originals!. The Festival concludes on Friday, October 26th at 8pm with The Best of Broadway by the Year. The Broadway Cabaret Festival is created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall.

The Whitefire Theatre, celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season, presents the world premiere of Andy Bloch's The Bellflower Sessions directed by Bryan Rasmussen, produced by Scott Disharoon.

The Sheldon Art Galleries in St. Louis announces a major retrospective exhibition of the work of St. Louis-born artist Al Hirschfeld to open as part of The Sheldon's 100th anniversary celebration. Accompanying program: In Conversation: David Leopold and Louise Hirschfeld, today, September 8, 10:30 a.m., admission free.

Morris Day and The Time with special guest and Teaneck's own, Regina Belle, a favorite contemporary will be at The Bergen Performance Arts Center at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey.

The Sheldon Art Galleries in St. Louis announces a major retrospective exhibition of the work of St. Louis-born artist Al Hirschfeld to open on Friday, September 7, 2012 as part of The Sheldon's 100th anniversary celebration. Accompanying program:?In Conversation: David Leopold and Louise Hirschfeld, Saturday, September 8, 10:30 a.m., admission free. David Leopold, Archivist, Al Hirschfeld Foundation, and curator of the exhibition Al Hirschfeld's Jazz and Broadway Scrapbook will share stories and with Al Hirschfeld's wife and historian Louise Hirschfeld, illuminating the life and career of the illustrious artist. The exhibition is made possible by Mary Strauss and Terry Schnuck.

Barbra Streisand's private music vault holds all the master tapes she's recorded for five decades. Now, she's sharing 11 previously unreleased songs, spanning a cross-section of her career from 1963 to the present. The collection, titled Release Me, will be available on vinyl (Tuesday, September 25) and on CD (Tuesday, October 9).

The Kennedy Center hosts its 11th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival from today, September 1, 2012 to Monday, September 3, 2012, featuring more than 40 theaters from the D.C. metropolitan area, all with a mission to produce and support new work. The three-day, Center-wide event offers a series of free readings and open rehearsals of plays and musicals being developed by local, regional, and national playwrights, librettists, and composers.

The Whitefire Theatre, celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season, presents the world premiere of Andy Bloch's The Bellflower Sessions directed by Bryan Rasmussen, produced by Scott Disharoon.

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street) has announced the Eighth Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival, which takes place over three consecutive weeks in October.

The Sheldon Art Galleries in St. Louis announces a major retrospective exhibition of the work of St. Louis-born artist Al Hirschfeld to open on Friday, September 7, 2012 as part of The Sheldon's 100th anniversary celebration.

The Castillo Theatre continues its presentation of four winning scripts from the 2012 Mario Fratti-Fred Newman Political Play Contest, selected from more than 200 entries including submissions by playwrights from around the world. The plays are being directed by distinguished theatre professionals and the final production plays tonight, August 27 at 7:00 p.m.

Azuka Theatre's 13th Season continues the company's tradition of introducing thought-provoking new works to the region. This season will include two World Premieres and one East Coast Premiere.

Barbra Streisand's private music vault holds all the master tapes she's recorded for five decades. Now, she's sharing 11 previously unreleased songs, spanning a cross-section of her career from 1963 to the present. The collection, titled Release Me, will be available on vinyl (Tuesday, September 25) and on CD (Tuesday, October 9).

Madeleine Peyroux takes the stage at Three Stages. Opening the concert is Rebecca Pidgeon. The evening takes place tonight, Aug 23, 2012.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The 2012 Equity Jeff Award nominees, 'Xanadu' at Drury Lane, upcoming shows at Porchlight and Theo Ubique, dueling 'Assassins,' a summer theater surprise and more!

The Kennedy Center hosts its 11th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival from Saturday, September 1, 2012 to Monday, September 3, 2012, featuring more than 40 theaters from the D.C. metropolitan area, all with a mission to produce and support new work. The three-day, Center-wide event offers a series of free readings and open rehearsals of plays and musicals being developed by local, regional, and national playwrights, librettists, and composers.

Michael Weber, Artistic Director of Porchlight Music Theatre, announced casting for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, February 2 - March 10, 2013 and Pal Joey, April 20 - May 26, 2013, both at Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont and the naming of new Artistic Associates and members to the Advisory Board. Alexis J. Rogers will play "Billie Holiday" in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, by Lanie Robertson to be directed by Porchlight Artistic Associate Rob Lindley.