Billie Holiday News

The Castillo Theatre (Dan Friedman, artistic director, Diane Stiles, managing director) held the first full cast rehearsal today for Fred Newman's MR. HIRSCH DIED YESTERDAY, which runs Friday, January 21 to Sunday, February 20 with an official press preview on Thursday, January 20. Directed by Woodie King, Jr. (founder and producing director of the New Federal Theatre).

YESTERDAYS: An Evening with Billie Holiday by Reenie Upchurch runs February 17 - 27

YESTERDAYS: An Evening with Billie Holiday, the musical drama capturing the final performance of jazz vocalist Billie Holiday comes to the Tony-Award® winning Crossroads Theatre Company's stage from February 17-27.

The 50th anniversary of Aretha Franklin's arrival on the popular music scene is set for a major celebration in 2011.

The Castillo Theatre (Dan Friedman, artistic director, Diane Stiles, managing director) held the first full cast rehearsal today for Fred Newman's MR. HIRSCH DIED YESTERDAY, which runs Friday, January 21 to Sunday, February 20 with an official press preview on Thursday, January 20. Directed by Woodie King, Jr. (founder and producing director of the New Federal Theatre).

Following the success of Harold Sanditen's cabaret show Thoughts ‘Round Midnight last autumn in both London and New York, he's reprising it in London and taking it to Chicago and New York, before returning to perform in the UK.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration at Seattle Center offers awards and entertainment in honor of this inspirational leader, Saturday, Jan. 15, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. in Center House.

The Seattle Center Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Youth Awards will be presented on Saturday, January 15 at the Center House's Main Stage from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. This event is a co-production of Seattle Center and the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative and Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas. Mayor Mike McGinn will participate in the award presentation.

Back by popular demand, The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd St.), Times Square's landmark concert venue, presents CAPITOL STEPS, back by popular demand, on Friday, February 25th at 8PM.

According to a recent casting notice, the upcoming revival of BORN YESTERDAY will open in mid-April in a Broaway theatre that has not yet been determined.

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), Times Square's landmark concert venue, presents Ben Vereen in a concert on Friday, February 18 at 8:00PM that coincides with the release of his new CD "Stepping Out With Ben Vereen" on the Ghostlight Records label.

Three esteemed Harlem cultural organizations - the Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile - have joined forces to present the first Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival May 9-15, 2011.

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), Times Square's landmark concert venue, presents Ben Vereen in a concert on Friday, February 18 at 8:00PM that coincides with the release of his new CD 'Stepping Out With Ben Vereen' on the Ghostlight Records label. Ben Vereen is a Tony Award winning stage veteran and Broadway star.

This January, Noble Fool Theatricals will launch their new Fox Valley Repertory name witha variety of musical tributes and comedic combat, including: Chicago's finest songbirds The Pin Ups, some of the best comedic swordplay in the country, The Swordsmen, and a weekend of the popular Beatles band, American English at Pheasant Run Resort (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; 630-584-6342).

According to the NY Times, both Jim Belushi and Nina Arianda are currently in talks to star in the spring 2011 Broadway revival of Garson Kanin's BORN YESTERDAY.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration at Seattle Center offers awards and entertainment in honor of this inspirational leader, Saturday, Jan. 15, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. in Center House.

The award-winning Billie Holiday Theatre launches its 39th season on October 15, with the world premiere of Jackie Alexander's play Brothers from the Bottom. The Equity production, also directed by Jackie Alexander, will open October 28 and run through December 19 at the 200-seat Billie Holiday Theatre, Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn; Thursday - Saturday at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 3:00pm, and Sundays at 4:00pm, with tickets $15 - $25, available at zerve.com/BHolidayInc/Brothers.

The Billie Holiday Theatre, Brooklyn's premiere off-Broadway company, opens its 39th Season with the world premiere of Jackie Alexander's play Brothers from the Bottom. Two more Equity productions of original plays by Alexander will follow: The Legend of Buster Neal and The Right Reverend Dupree in Exile.

This January, Noble Fool Theatricals will launch their new Fox Valley Repertory name witha variety of musical tributes and comedic combat, including: Chicago's finest songbirds The Pin Ups, some of the best comedic swordplay in the country, The Swordsmen, and a weekend of the popular Beatles band, American English at Pheasant Run Resort (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; 630-584-6342).

As 2010 comes to a close, Brooklyn Public Library would like you to end the year on a good note.