Branford Marsalis News

The LYRIC THEATRE was built in 1925 as a silent movie house and was operated until the depression when it was closed and eventually sold. Over the next 50 years it was bought and sold to various concerns and used in a variety of manners.

The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson (DR. Martin Luther King, Jr.,) and Angela Bassett, directed by the Tony-nominated Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun), opened last night, October 13, 2011 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. BroadwayWorld was there for the starry arrivals and celebratory after party and brings you photo coverage below!

Producers Jean Doumanian and Sonia Friedman announced today that tonight's performance of The Mountaintop, by Katori Hall, will be dedicated to civil rights pioneer and longtime Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. confidant Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth. Reverend Shuttlesworth passed away on Wednesday, October 5 at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of extraordinary work on behalf of the civil rights movement.

New York's jazz heart wasn't always located downtown. Once it was found on 52nd Street and before that on 125th, and for many decades its most powerful radio voice has been WKCR-FM on the campus of Columbia University. Just a few yards away, jazz finds an uptown home at Columbia's Miller Theatre. This season, Melissa Smey has programmed groups from the top of her wish list in a Jazz series that begins with the inventive Lionel Loueke Trio and the Renee Rosnes Quartet.

The Metropolitan Museum concert lineup for October 2011 begin

The 2012 US Bank Portland Jazz Festival presented by Alaska Airlines will be held Friday, February 17 through Sunday, February 26 at venues throughout Portland. The 9th annual 11 day festival will include jazz education and outreach along with a series of concerts featuring an eclectic mix of internationally recognized and local musicians playing a wide-range of jazz styles.

Les Enfants de Paris hosted an evening of cabaret featuring performances by Mira Stroika, The Hot Sardines, and the cast of the upcoming NYMF show Les Enfants..., including Jed Resnick (Avenue Q), Nadine Malouf (York Theatre's Only A Kingdom) and Fleur herself, Megan Reinking (Million Dollar Quartet, Hair, Boardwalk Empire).

The Broadway premiere of the 2010 Olivier Award® winning Best Play, The Mountaintop, by Katori Hall, begins performances tonight, September 22, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th Street). The play's official opening night is set for October 13.

Yestersay, the company of The Mountaintop, including stars Samuel L. Jackson (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,) and Angela Bassett, met the press to talk all about Katori Hall's highly anticipated new work. Directed by Tony Award® nominee Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun), the play features original music by Grammy Award®-winner and Tony Award® nominee Branford Marsalis. BroadwayWorld was there and introduces you to the crew below!

The Mountaintop stars Samuel L. Jackson as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Angela Bassett, and is directed by Tony Award® nominee Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun). The play features original music by Grammy Award®-winner and Tony Award® nominee Branford Marsalis. Yesterday, the company visited the Brooklyn Academy of the Arts to address 100 high school students on the challenges and payoffs of being a working artist. BroadwayWorld met up with the crew there after, and brings you full photo coverage of the event below!

The Broadway premiere of the 2010 Olivier Award® winning Best Play, The Mountaintop, by Katori Hall, will begin performances this Thursday night, September 22, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th Street). The play's official opening night is set for October 13.

Les Enfants de Paris is hosting an evening of cabaret featuring performances by Mira Stroika, The Hot Sardines, and the cast of the upcoming NYMF show Les Enfants..., including Jed Resnick (Avenue Q), Nadine Malouf (York Theatre's Only A Kingdom) and Fleur herself, Megan Reinking (Million Dollar Quartet, Hair, Boardwalk Empire).

The 15th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival (www.urbanworld.org), presented by BET Networks, announced today that the world premiere of Diane Paragas' and Nelson George's Brooklyn Boheme (Spike Lee, Chris Rock, Branford Marsalis, Rosie Perez, Saul Williams) will serve as Opening Night selection for the festival, which will take place September 14-18, 2011 in midtown Manhattan at AMC 34th Street.

The Metropolitan Museum announces their concert lineup for October 2011

Producers Paula Herold and Alan Wasser announced today that the complete cast from the acclaimed off-Broadway production of Lysistrata Jones will transfer with the musical when it opens on Broadway this fall. Beginning previews November 12, 2011, Lysistrata Jones will officially open on December 14, 2011 at Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre.

The Orange County Great Park's 2011 Flights and Sounds Summer Festival continues with its free to the public performances until September 3rd. The Festival, which began with Grammy Award winner Branford Marsalis, includes Grammy Award nominated Lucinda Williams (August 13) and closes with world renowned Preservation Hall Jazz Band (September 3).

The 15th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival (www.urbanworld.org), presented by BET Networks, announced today that the world premiere of Diane Paragas' and Nelson George's Brooklyn Boheme (Spike Lee, Chris Rock, Branford Marsalis, Rosie Perez, Saul Williams) will serve as Opening Night selection for the festival, which will take place September 14-18, 2011 in midtown Manhattan at AMC 34th Street.

Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, announced that Joe's Pub at The Public Theater has been approved for a grant to support New York Voices at Joe's Pub, a series celebrating New York City's diversity in performance and culture, presenting collaborations between artists from sound and stage.

Saxophonist Paul Carr plays Fri., Aug. 12 & Sat., & Aug. 13 at 9pm & 11pm sets for Twins Jazz Club

Saxophonist Paul Carr plays Fri., Aug. 12 & Sat., & Aug. 13 at 9pm & 11pm sets for Twins Jazz Club