Billie Holiday News

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Monday, March 9, 2009.

Though The Paper Mill Playhouse has just opened Master Class and still has productions of 1776 and The Full Monty geared up for their current season, plans are zipping along for the four musicals and one straight play that will make up their 2009-10 campaign. The official announcement comes this Friday afternoon, but they've released these five pictorial clues as hints. See if you can guess what the gang at Millburn has in store next season.

Herbie Hancock calls her 'a wonderful song stylist,' Melba Moore says that 'She's a reincarnation of Ella Fitzgerald,' and Aretha Franklin proclaims 'If you're looking for good entertainment and very hip music, be sure to check out Nnenna Freelon.' Following up on its sold-out January concert by Tony winner Christine Ebersole and its wildly popular first-time collaboration with City Arts and Lectures in December when Barbara Cook appeared in concert and in conversation with Steve Winn, Bay Area Cabaret continues its 5th season on Sunday, March 8 at 5pm with Nnenna Freelon and her jazz quartet at the Marines Memorial Club Crystal Ballroom (609 Sutter Street@ Mason). Individual tickets to this show, and to a May 17th show by multi-platinum jazz singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway, are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

Crowns is back in town, and with direction and choreography by Kenneth Lee Roberson (Broadway's Avenue Q, Arena's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill) and musical direction by Grammy nominee e'Marcus Harper, this soulful musical will be bigger than ever in the Lincoln Theatre. Arena favorites Marva Hicks (The Women of Brewster Place) and E. Faye Butler (Dinah Was, Ain't Misbehavin') are joined by NaTasha Yvette Williams (Broadway's The Color Purple), Mary Millben, Kara Tameika Watkins, Phillip Boykin and Zurin Villanueva. Howard University student Villanueva was discovered in Arena's January 'Finding Yolanda' one-day casting search, and this production marks her debut professional performance.

Critically-acclaimed and renowned Jazz Pianist, Harpist and Vocalist, Corky Hale, will appear with Her Jazz Trio featuring Jazz Guitarist John Chiodini at Vibrato Grill Jazz...Etc.; 2930 N. Beverly Glen Circle; Bel Air, CA 90077-1724 on Sunday, March 1, 2009 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Club hours on Sunday evening are from 5:30 - 10:30 p.m. There is No Cover Charge. There is a $20 Minimum for seating at the Bar. For dinner reservations and further information, please call 310-474-9400 or visit online at www.vibratogrilljazz.com. Complimentary Valet Parking is available. To learn more about Corky Hale, please visit the website, www.corkyhale.com

Frist Center announces their Calendar of Events March 1-May 17, 2009 Free Jazz on the Move Series Continues, March 15 and April 19 The Nashville Jazz Workshop and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts present the popular series, Jazz on the Move, that feature a combination lecture and performance, presented by some of Nashville's top jazz artists and educators. The programs take place on a series of Sunday at 3 p.m. in the auditorium. All performances are free and open to the public. This series is made possible by an Arts Builds Communities (ABC) grant from the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission in cooperation with the Tennessee Arts Commission.

After receiving rave reviews and playing to sold out audiences & standing ovations in over 200 performances, Marion J. Caffey's 3 Mo' Divas (www.3MoDivas.com) has been awarded its first PBS television special. '3 Mo' Divas (Smashing Musical Barriers)' will air nationally March 1st-10th and June 1st-15th. (check local listings for exact dates and times). In celebration of the PBS Special, 3 Mo' Divas will also release their debut CD 'Smashing Musical Barriers' on March 1st and a Hi-Def & Blu-Ray DVD recording of the PBS special on May 12th. 3 Mo' Divas brings down the house with thrilling performances of an amazing 10 styles of music, including Opera, Broadway, Jazz, Blues, R&B, Soul, Disco, Rock & Roll, Spiritual & Gospel. The show begins with the classical sounds of Puccini then segues into songs from hit Broadway musicals like Wicked, Ragtime and Rent. This is soon followed by hot and familiar tunes of Billie Holiday, Whitney Houston and Tina Turner. By the end of every performance, the Divas have audiences up out of their seats rockin', singing and dancing in the aisles. 3 Mo' Divas is an extraordinary musical event - all music, all passion and all fun. 3 Mo' Divas performs 10 styles of music, spanning 233 years and sung in 3 languages.

Frist Center announces their Calendar of Events March 1-May 17, 2009 Free Jazz on the Move Series Continues, March 15 and April 19 The Nashville Jazz Workshop and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts present the popular series, Jazz on the Move, that feature a combination lecture and performance, presented by some of Nashville's top jazz artists and educators. The programs take place on a series of Sunday at 3 p.m. in the auditorium. All performances are free and open to the public. This series is made possible by an Arts Builds Communities (ABC) grant from the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission in cooperation with the Tennessee Arts Commission.

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), Times Square's landmark concert venue, is pleased to present award-winning and Grammy-nominated fiddler Natalie MacMaster on Saturday, March 14 at 8:00PM. Tickets are on sale now for $50 and $45. All tickets for The Town Hall shows are available through TicketMaster, 212-307-4100, or www.ticketmaster.com, or by visiting The Town Hall Box Office between noon and 6PM (except Sundays) at 123 West 43rd Street, 212-840-2824.

Monday evening February 23rd kicked off the ninth season Broadway By The Year, known for great singing and spectacular Broadway dancing. The series is created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall.

Marion J. Caffey?s 3 Mo? Divas has been awarded its first PBS Television Special! After receiving rave reviews and playing to sold out audiences & standing ovations ?3 Mo? Divas (Smashing Musical Barriers)? will air nationally March 1st-10th and June 1st-15th (WLIW in NYC on March 10th @ 8pm - check local listings for exact dates and times in other areas). In celebration of the PBS Special, 3 Mo' Divas will also release their debut CD ?Smashing Musical Barriers? on March 1st and a Hi-Def & Blu-Ray DVD recording of the PBS special on May 12th.

The Town Hall (Executive and Artistic Director Lawrence Zucker) is pleased to announce that the ninth season of the Broadway by the YearTM series will kick off with Broadway Musicals of 1924 on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd.

James Barbour (Tale of Two Cities) and Kerry O'Malley (White Christmas) will join the cast of Broadway Musicals of 1924 on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd. The Town Hall (Executive and Artistic Director Lawrence Zucker) is pleased to kick off the ninth season Broadway By The YearTM, known for great singing and spectacular Broadway dancing. The series is created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. Broadway Musicals of 1924 will be directed by Jeffry Denman and will also star previously announced Broadway by the YearTM favorites Marc Kudisch and Sarah Jane McMahon. They will be joined by the show's director/choreographer, Jeffry Denman, who will also star, as well as exciting talents Kendrick Jones, Melinda Sullivan, Erin Denman, Jason Graae, Kevin Worley, special guest The Howard Fishman Quartet and more to be announced.

It is with great pleasure that The West Bank Caf? announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre. The West Bank Caf? is located at 407 West 42nd. St., at Ninth Avenue. For reservations, please call 212.695.6909.

Julie Wilson will return to the Metropolitan Room with her brand-new cabaret act A Tribute To Billie Holiday. Show times for the shows are March 4-7 and March 11-14 at 7:30pm. The Metropolitan Room is located in Manhattan at 34 West 22nd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenue. There is a $25 cover charge and a two-drink minimum. For reservations call (212) 206-0440. For more information visit www.metropolitanroom.com.

James Barbour (Tale of Two Cities) and Kerry O'Malley (White Christmas) will join the cast of Broadway Musicals of 1924 on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd. The Town Hall (Executive and Artistic Director Lawrence Zucker) is pleased to kick off the ninth season Broadway By The YearTM, known for great singing and spectacular Broadway dancing. The series is created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. Broadway Musicals of 1924 will be directed by Jeffry Denman and will also star previously announced Broadway by the YearTM favorites Marc Kudisch and Sarah Jane McMahon. They will be joined by the show's director/choreographer, Jeffry Denman, who will also star, as well as exciting talents Kendrick Jones, Melinda Sullivan, Erin Denman, Jason Graae, Kevin Worley, special guest The Howard Fishman Quartet and more to be announced.

Herbie Hancock calls her 'a wonderful song stylist,' Melba Moore says that 'She's a reincarnation of Ella Fitzgerald,' and Aretha Franklin proclaims 'If you're looking for good entertainment and very hip music, be sure to check out Nnenna Freelon.' Following up on its sold-out January concert by Tony winner Christine Ebersole and its wildly popular first-time collaboration with City Arts and Lectures in December when Barbara Cook appeared in concert and in conversation with Steve Winn, Bay Area Cabaret continues its 5th season on Sunday, March 8 at 5pm with Nnenna Freelon and her jazz quartet at the Marines Memorial Club Crystal Ballroom (609 Sutter Street@ Mason). Individual tickets to this show, and to a May 17th show by multi-platinum jazz singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway, are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

The Town Hall (Executive and Artistic Director Lawrence Zucker) is pleased to announce that the ninth season of the Broadway by the YearTM series will kick off with Broadway Musicals of 1924 on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd.

Brooklyn?s famed Billie Holiday Theatre will present the world premiere of THE HIGH PRIESTESS OF DARK ALLEY, a new play by playwright/director Jackie Alexander. The production will play a strictly limited engagement February 19 through March 22, 2009. Previews are Thursday, February 19 through Saturday, February 27. Opening night is Saturday, February 28. The performance schedule is Thursdays ? Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and Sundays at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $15-$23, with additional discounts available for seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased online at www.zerve.com/BHolidayInc/DrkAlley by phone at 212.209.3370, or at the theatre?s box office at Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton Street.

Critically-acclaimed and renowned Jazz Pianist, Harpist and Vocalist, Corky Hale, will appear with Her Jazz Trio featuring Jazz Guitarist John Chiodini at Vibrato Grill Jazz...Etc.; 2930 N. Beverly Glen Circle; Bel Air, CA 90077-1724 on Sunday, March 1, 2009 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Club hours on Sunday evening are from 5:30 - 10:30 p.m. There is No Cover Charge. There is a $20 Minimum for seating at the Bar. For dinner reservations and further information, please call 310-474-9400 or visit online at www.vibratogrilljazz.com. Complimentary Valet Parking is available. To learn more about Corky Hale, please visit the website, www.corkyhale.com