Debbie Allen News

As a super-special Spring extension of BroadwayWorld's SOUND OFF column, every day until the Tony Awards on June 12 we will be presenting a spectacular new entry in the SPOTLIGHT ON THE 2011 TONY AWARDS series featuring a particularly entertaining, interesting, relevant and exciting Tony Awards-related clip from the last sixty-three years of the ceremonies (and subsequent seasons on Broadway) with a rundown and commentary on the sights, sounds and showmanship on display in each carefully chosen selection - all, of course, coming in anticipation of Broadway's biggest night, which will be broadcast on CBS this year, as always. Once again this year, BroadwayWorld is the official home of the 2011 Tony Awards and we will also be featuring exclusive interviews, articles, photos, video content, interactive features and more in the coming days and weeks leading up to the event so be sure to check back daily for your theatre fix!

The AUDELCO and Obie Award-winning Billie Holiday Theatre concludes its 39th season and trilogy of new Jackie Alexander plays with the world premiere of The Right Reverend Dupree in Exile.

Summer's hottest dance series, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, returns for its eighth season with auditions from Atlanta and the Bay Area on a two-hour premiere Thursday, May 26 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

According to an audition notice, the musical revival of CARRIE will hold a development lab at MCC from May 25, 2011 through June 7, 2011. Stafford Arima will direct, Matt Williams will choreograph, and Mary Mitchell-Campell will musical direct.

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special Gala at the historic Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) last night, May 22nd. This special event saluting NFT, for 40 years a seminal force in Black Theater, was co-hosted by Randall Pinkston (CBS News) and Lynn Whitfield. Chairmen for the event were Laurence Fishburne, John Morning and Susan Taylor. The Honorary Chair was Dr. Maya Angelou. BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities, and brings you coverage of the starry arrivals below!

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special Gala at the historic Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) last night, May 22nd. This special event saluting NFT, for 40 years a seminal force in Black Theater, was co-hosted by Randall Pinkston (CBS News) and Lynn Whitfield. Chairmen for the event were Laurence Fishburne, John Morning and Susan Taylor. The Honorary Chair was Dr. Maya Angelou. BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities, and brings you coverage of the event below!

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special Gala at the historic Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) on Sunday evening, May 22nd. This special event saluting NFT for 40 years a seminal force in Black Theater, will be co-hosted by Randall Pinkston (CBS News) and Emmy Award-winner Lynn Whitfield.

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special Gala at the historic Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) on Sunday evening, May 22nd. This special event saluting NFT, for 40 years a seminal force in Black Theater, will be co-hosted by Randall Pinkston (CBS News) and Lynn Whitfield. Chairmen for the event are Laurence Fishburne, John Morning and Susan Taylor. The Honorary Chair is Dr. Maya Angelou

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special Gala at the historic Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) on Sunday evening, May 22nd. This special event saluting NFT, for 40 years a seminal force in Black Theater, will be co-hosted by Randall Pinkston (CBS News) and Lynn Whitfield. Chairmen for the event are Laurence Fishburne, John Morning and Susan Taylor. The Honorary Chair is Dr. Maya Angelou.

The Pasadena Playhouse has announced that full casting is complete for the west coast premiere of the new musical TWIST - An American Musical by William F. Brown and Tina Tippit (book), Tena Clark (lyrics and music) and Gary Prim (music). Golden Globe and multi-Emmy Award-winner Debbie Allen directs a cast of 31 performers led by Tamyra Gray ('American Idol,' Rent and Bombay Dreams) and Cleavant Derricks (Tony Award-winner, Dreamgirls). The five-week limited engagement performs June 14 - July 17, 2011 with the official press opening on June 26, 2011 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue).

Summer's hottest dance series, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, returns for its eighth season with auditions from Atlanta and the Bay Area on a two-hour premiere Thursday, May 26 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

The tour of the current smash hit Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Pittsburgh, Penn. WEST SIDE STORY will open at the Benedum Center on Tuesday, May 11, 2011. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents' Broadway direction will be recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway.

Move over Victor Borge, it's "Ludwig Live!" at the Berkshires' newest performing arts venue, Seven Hills Inn Cabaret (40 Plunkett Street, Lenox, Mass).

The tour of the current smash hit Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to PlayhouseSquare May 3 through 15.

The tour of the current smash hit Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to PlayhouseSquare May 3 through 15.

Cameron Mackintosh's new 25th anniversary production of Les Misérables welcomes J. Mark McVey to the role of Jean Valjean beginning in Tempe, AZ, at ASU Gammage June 7-12, 2011. The all new production of Les Misérables features glorious new staging and spectacular reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo.

John Henry Redwood's The Old Settler, directed by Kenetha carr, runs May 13-29 at the Amun Ra Theatre Playhouse, 2508 Clifton Avenue, in North Nashville.

The AUDELCO and Obie Award-winning Billie Holiday Theatre concludes its 39th season and trilogy of new Jackie Alexander plays with the world premiere of The Right Reverend Dupree in Exile.

The AUDELCO and Obie Award-winning Billie Holiday Theatre concludes its 39th season and trilogy of new Jackie Alexander plays with the world premiere of The Right Reverend Dupree in Exile.

John Henry Redwood's The Old Settler, directed by Kenetha carr, runs May 13-29 at the Amun Ra Theatre Playhouse, 2508 Clifton Avenue, in North Nashville.