Brian Stokes Mitchell News

This year's 10th Anniversary edition of Broadway Backwards (#bwaybackwards) will feature some of the most memorable numbers from previous years and will be held at 8 pm tonight, March 9, 2015, at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). The evening is produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and benefits BC/EFA and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York. Honeymoon in Vegas star Rob McClure will share hosting duties with Julie Halston from the current hit revival of You Can't Take It With You.

An extremely limited number of tickets remain available for Monday's 10th anniversary edition of Broadway Backwards, the annual celebration where gays and lesbians experience their stories as told through the great songs of musical theatre and performed by their favorite Broadway stars.

Ravinia's 2015 season, jam-packed with more than 120 events from June 16 through Sept. 10, was announced today by Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman. The season features 60 artist debuts and 55 classical works never before performed at Ravinia. More than 35 programs will feature works by new and 20th-century composers.

Yesterday, February 25, author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide…, War Horse), was joined by Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), and acclaimed director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Blues in the Night), for a conversation with Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect…, Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) at Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street, to discuss the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Today, February 25 at 7PM, Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street hosts author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide..., War Horse), Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), acclaimed Broadway director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Play On!, Blues in the Night), and author Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect..., Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) in a discussion about the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way.

On Wednesday, February 25 at 7PM, Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street hosts author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide…, War Horse), Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), acclaimed Broadway director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Play On!, Blues in the Night), and author Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect…, Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) in a discussion about the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way. This special Black History Month event celebrates the release of Lane's new book Black Broadway: African Americans on The Great White Way.

Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner Lily Tomlin will make a special guest appearance next month in the 10th anniversary edition of Broadway Backwards. Also joining the lineup is Honeymoon in Vegas star Rob McClure, who will share hosting duties with Julie Halston from the current hit revival of You Can't Take It With You.

The School of Theatre at Florida State University presents Ragtime, written by Terrence McNally with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and based on the novel 'Ragtime' by E.L. Doctorow. Ragtime will be directed by Fred Chappell, head of the MFA Directing program at Florida State University. The show features a musical selection as diverse as New York City, from the ragtime rhythms of Harlem to the bold brass band and up-tempo banjo tunes characterizing America at the turn of the century.

More of Broadway's best performers have joined the lineup for next month's 10th anniversary edition of Broadway Backwards. The one night only benefit will now include performances by Tony Award winners Lena Hall and Lillias White, Tony nominees Charles Busch, Mario Cantone, Robin de Jesus, Norm Lewis, LeeRoy Reams and Douglas Sills and favorites Telly Leung, Maureen McGovern and Micah Stock.

The Actors Fund's annual gala on Monday, May 11, 2015 will honor entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg LP, for his longstanding support of the arts as an individual, a corporate leader and Mayor of New York City. Mr. Bloomberg will receive The Fund's Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the 133-year old non-profit human services organization serving everyone in performing arts and entertainment. The event begins with 6 pm cocktails followed by 7:15 pm dinner and tribute at the New York Marriott Marquis.

?The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Conductor John Morris Russell are delighted to announce the Pops' 2015-2016 season at Cincinnati Music Hall, the fifth under the direction of Mr. Russell. The season, presented by PNC along with the Pops Artist Series Sponsor, The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation, features exciting guest artist debuts, alongside the return of the best genres and artists that have built the Pops into an American icon.

New York City is a mecca for arts lovers and performing artists alike. Continuing its commitment to bringing arts programing to the New York metro area community, WNET has announced that it will debut the new local series 66th & Broadway.

On Monday night, the Drama League's 31st Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway honored legendary Emmy®, Grammy®, Oscar® and Tony® Award (EGOT) winner James Earl Jones at The Pierre Hotel. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from inside the ceremony!

Just last night, the Drama League's 31st Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway honored legendary Emmy®, Grammy®, Oscar® and Tony® Award (EGOT) winner James Earl Jones at The Pierre Hotel. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photo coverage from the starry red carpet!

New York City is a mecca for arts lovers and performing artists alike. Continuing its commitment to bringing arts programing to the New York metro area community, WNET has announced that it will debut the new local series 66th & Broadway.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) today announced that Jen Bender has been named as the new Director of Programming and Artist Services for the organization. Jen returns to NYMF after having served as a founding producer of the Festival in 2004.

The School of Theatre at Florida State University presents Ragtime, written by Terrence McNally with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and based on the novel "Ragtime" by E.L. Doctorow. Ragtime will be directed by Fred Chappell, head of the MFA Directing program at Florida State University. The show features a musical selection as diverse as New York City, from the ragtime rhythms of Harlem to the bold brass band and up-tempo banjo tunes characterizing America at the turn of the century.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This weekend's big news: BROOKLYNITE begins off-Broadway, THE NETHER starts at the Duke of York's in London, and PHANTOM marks 27 years on the Great White Way!

The 10th annual edition of Broadway Backwards will celebrate some of the most memorable numbers from previous years and feature the return of many of the show's most popular performers. The one-night-only performance is produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and benefits BC/EFA and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York.