Billie Holiday News

The world premiere of Big Maybelle: Soul Of The Blues, featuring the incredible Tony Award winner Lillias White, is off to a great start at the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor. Now playing through September 2, this tells the story of the American jazz singer as she rises to the top and her heart wrenching fall from glory.

TVGuide reports that Billy Dee Williams has been cast in the CBS drama NCIS. In the episode airing this October, the actor will portray LJ, described as 'a World War II veteran and close friend of the Gibbs clan.'

It was a soulful force of nature that shook the music memorabilia on the walls of the Iridium on the night of August 7. From her opening number-a song from her recently released debut CD 'Listen, I Mean It'-veteran R&B singer Lauren Robert gave her musical testimony through her intense interpretation of blues, gospel and rock songs. She meant it. And everyone gladly listened.

The Castillo Theatre is presenting four winning scripts from the 2012 Mario Fratti-FrEd Newman Political Play Contest, selected from over 200 entries including submissions by playwrights from around the world. The plays are being directed by distinguished theatre professionals and will be presented on Mondays, beginning tonight, August 6 and continuing August 13, 20 and 27 at 7:00 p.m.

One of the break-out releases of 2012, UK electro-acoustic ensemble Auburn's 'Indian Summer, has been garnering rave reviews worldwide. Featuring singer/songwriter Liz Lenten, Auburn reunited in 2011 after an almost 10-year hiatus! The group released their critically acclaimed CD 'Indian Summer' on May 7, 2012, on Scarlet Records, distributed through Gonzo MultiMedia.

The Town Hall, New York's landmark theatre and concert venue conclude the Sixth Annual Summer Broadway Festival, with Liz Callaway's new show, Even Stephen (with Jason Danieley, Joshua Henry and Norm Lewis) last night, July 30th. BroadwayWorld was there for the concert and we bring you photos below!

The Town Hall, New York's landmark theatre and concert venue concludes the Sixth Annual Summer Broadway Festival, with Liz Callaway's new show, Even Stephen (with Jason Danieley, Joshua Henry and Norm Lewis) tonight, July 30th. The Summer Broadway Festival is created, hosted and written by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. Tickets for Liz Callaway in Even Stephen are $55. Tickets are available through TicketMaster, (800) 982-2787 www.ticketmaster.com, or at The Town Hall Box Office (123 West 43d Street) between noon and 6pm (except Sundays) at 212-840-2824.

The Town Hall, New York's landmark theatre and concert venue concludes the Sixth Annual Summer Broadway Festival, with Liz Callaway's new show, Even Stephen (with Jason Danieley, Joshua Henry and Norm Lewis) on July 30th. The Summer Broadway Festival is created, hosted and written by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. Tickets for Liz Callaway in Even Stephen are $55. Tickets are available through TicketMaster, (800) 982-2787 www.ticketmaster.com, or at The Town Hall Box Office (123 West 43d Street) between noon and 6pm (except Sundays) at 212-840-2824.

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

The Town Hall, New York's landmark theatre and concert venue continued the 6th Annual Summer Broadway Festival, with Broadway's Rising Stars last night, July 23rd at 8pm. The next generation of Broadway performers were chosen during auditions throughout the spring and come from theatrical institutions across the country, including AMDA, CAP21, Steinhardt, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Carnegie Mellon, Marymount and The New School. These young future performers then made their auspicious debut on The Town Hall stage in what has now become regarded as the country's national showcase. BroadwayWorld was there for the concert and we bring you photo coverage below!

The Town Hall, New York's landmark theatre and concert venue continues the 6th Annual Summer Broadway Festival, with Broadway's Rising Stars tonight, July 23rd at 8pm. Liz Callaway's new show, Even Stephen (with Jason Danieley, Joshua Henry and Norm Lewis) follows on July 30th, concluding The Summer Broadway Festival. The Summer Broadway Festival is created, hosted and written by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. Tickets for Broadway's Rising Stars are $40, and tickets for Liz Callaway in Even Stephen are $55. Tickets are available through TicketMaster, (800) 982-2787 www.ticketmaster.com, or at The Town Hall Box Office (123 West 43d Street) between noon and 6pm (except Sundays) at 212-840-2824.

Edmund Gaynes in association with Daryl Sledge/Mother's Boy LLC will present the Off-Broadway premiere of Rain Pryor's one-woman show, Fried Chicken and Latkes, beginning an open-ended engagement on Saturday July 21st at the Actors Temple Theater (339 West 47th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). BroadwayWorld brings you exclusive photo coverage of Pryor in rehearsal for the show below!

The Castillo Theatre is presenting four winning scripts from the 2012 Mario Fratti-Fred Newman Political Play Contest, selected from over 200 entries including submissions by playwrights from around the world. The plays are being directed by distinguished theatre professionals and will be presented on Mondays, August 6, 13, 20 and 27 at 7:00 p.m.

The Town Hall, New York's landmark theatre and concert venue kicks off the 6th Annual Summer Broadway Festival, with Frank Sinatra Jr. in Sinatra Sings Sinatra tonight, July 16th at 8pm. Presented on three consecutive Monday nights at 8pm, The Summer Broadway Festival continues with Broadway's Rising Stars on July 23rd, and concludes with Liz Callaway's new show, Even Stephen (with Jason Danieley, Joshua Henry and Norm Lewis) on July 30th.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub, will welcome back KIM NALLEY - awarded 'Most Influential African American in the Bay Area" - for a special two week engagement from tonight, July 11 to 22.

Edmund Gaynes in association with Daryl Sledge/Mother's Boy LLC will present the Off-Broadway premiere of Rain Pryor's one-woman show, Fried Chicken and Latkes, beginning an open-ended engagement on Saturday July 21st at the Actors Temple Theater (339 West 47th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). The show runs 70 minutes.

The Town Hall, New York's landmark theatre and concert venue continues the 6th Annual Summer Broadway Festival, with Broadway's Rising Stars on July 23rd at 8pm. Liz Callaway's new show, Even Stephen (with Jason Danieley, Joshua Henry and Norm Lewis) follows on July 30th, concluding The Summer Broadway Festival. The Summer Broadway Festival is created, hosted and written by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. Tickets for Broadway's Rising Stars are $40, and tickets for Liz Callaway in Even Stephen are $55. Tickets are available through TicketMaster, (800) 982-2787 www.ticketmaster.com, or at The Town Hall Box Office (123 West 43d Street) between noon and 6pm (except Sundays) at 212-840-2824.

The Town Hall, New York's landmark theatre and concert venue kicks off the 6th Annual Summer Broadway Festival, with Frank Sinatra Jr. in Sinatra Sings Sinatra on July 16th at 8pm. Presented on three consecutive Monday nights at 8pm, The Summer Broadway Festival continues with Broadway's Rising Stars on July 23rd, and concludes with Liz Callaway's new show, Even Stephen (with Jason Danieley, Joshua Henry and Norm Lewis) on July 30th.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub, will welcome back KIM NALLEY - awarded 'Most Influential African American in the Bay Area" - for a special two week engagement from July 11 to 22.

Chris Isaacson has announced that Upright Cabaret's AMERICAN ICON Series ends another stunning season with VIVA LAS VEGAS - a presentation of personality and pop that honors the flashiest performers of all time: Elvis, Cher and Elton John. Joining the group of all-star performers will be Patrick Cassidy.