Debbie Allen News

The producers of THE COLOR PURPLE are proud to announce that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise her starring role of Celie for the Atlanta engagement. Theater of the Stars will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for two weeks, September 15-27. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com and 800-982-2787.

James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad are set to reprise their recent Broadway roles of Big Daddy and Big Mama in the West End production of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Debbie Allen will once again direct and acclaimed UK actor Adrian Lester will play the role of Brick. The production will begin December 1st at a theater yet to be announced.

Nominations for the 2009 Astaire Awards were announced last night at Elaine?s Restaurant by Michael Riedel of the New York Post. These selections were made by this year?s Nominating Committee; Sylviane Gold (Theater Columnist for Dance Magazine), Anna Kisselgoff (former Chief Dance Critic of The New York Times), Wendy Perron (Editor in Chief of Dance Magazine), Linda Winer (Chief Theater Critic of Newsday) and Damian Woetzel (Former Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet). The producers of the 2009 Astaire Awards, which recognizes excellence in dance on stage and in film, are Patricia Watt and Ron Glucksman.

EVN Productions and Old Timey Productions, in association with The ATTIC Theatre and Film Center will present the World Premiere of 'NIGHTS OF NOIR!' - 'Marked For Love' & 'Of Dicks And Dames,' an evening of two 40's themed one-act whodunits hosted by Burlesque Goddess, Honey Ima Home. Written and directed by Kasey Wilson, performances will be given on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. from May 22 - June 27, 2009 at The ATTIC Theatre and Film Center; 5429 W. Washington Boulevard (between Fairfax and Hauser Streets), Los Angeles, CA 90016.

The Kennedy Center today announced a one week and final extension for the touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE. The musical will now run in the Opera House June 30 through August 9, 2009. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the film by Steven Spielberg, Fantasia Barrino reprises her critically acclaimed role as Celie in the Kennedy Center performances of THE COLOR PURPLE.

The Nevada Conservatory Theatre at UNLV is pleased to present the classic musical, 'The Music Man,' May 1-10 in the Judy Bayley Theatre. Directed by Michael Barakiva and choreographed by Brodway's Mimi Quillin, the production features Brodway veterans Patrick Ryan Sullivan as Harold Hill and Teri Bibb as Marian Paroo.

Patricia Watt and Ron Glucksman, Producers of the 2009 Astaire Awards, have announced that this year's Nominating Committee, Sylviane Gold (Theater Columnist for Dance Magazine), Anna Kisselgoff (former Chief Dance Critic of The New York Times), Wendy Perron (Editor in Chief of Dance Magazine), Linda Winer (Chief Theater Critic of Newsday) and Damian Woetzel (Former Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet), will announce this year's nominees from the best of Broadway and film performances and choreography this season on Monday, May 4 at 7:00pm at Elaine's Restaurant (1703 2nd Avenue at 88th Street). The Astaire Awards recognize excellence in dance on stage and in film.

The producers of THE COLOR PURPLE are proud to announce that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise her starring role of Celie for the Chicago Engagement. Returning to its debut home of Chicago, THE COLOR PURPLE will make its home at The Arie Crown Theater for two weeks, September 2 -13, 2009. Tickets

The Nevada Conservatory Theatre at UNLV is pleased to present the classic musical, 'The Music Man,' May 1-10 in the Judy Bayley Theatre. Directed by Michael Barakiva and choreographed by Brodway's Mimi Quillin, the production features Brodway veterans Patrick Ryan Sullivan as Harold Hill and Teri Bibb as Marian Paroo.

The nine-time Grammy nominee received a series commitment from the network for a show, as yet untitled, that will premiere in early 2010 reports the Hollywood Reporter.

For over forty years George Faison has reigned as one of the dance and theatre world's most respected director/choreographers. This season, AILEY II, the young and gifted second company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will feature Mr. Faison?s highly acclaimed ballet 'Movin' On.' The AILEY II's anticipated two week season premieres Wednesday, April 15th at The Ailey Citigroup Theater (405 West 55th Street). The season will run through Sunday, April 26th.

For over forty years George Faison has reigned as one of the dance and theatre world's most respected director/choreographers. This season, AILEY II, the young and gifted second company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will feature Mr. Faison's highly acclaimed ballet 'MOVIN' ON.'

For over forty years George Faison has reigned as one of the dance and theatre world?s most respected director/choreographers. This season, Ailey II, the young and gifted second company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will feature Mr. Faison?s highly acclaimed ballet ?Movin' On.?

A reinvention of the original Oscar-winning hit film, Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors, and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, a diverse, creative powerhouse where students from all walks of life are given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame!

For over forty years George Faison has reigned as one of the dance and theatre world's most respected director/choreographers. This season, AILEY II, the young and gifted second company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will feature Mr. Faison's highly acclaimed ballet 'MOVIN' ON.'

For over forty years George Faison has reigned as one of the dance and theatre world's most respected director/choreographers. This season, AILEY II, the young and gifted second company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will feature Mr. Faison?s highly acclaimed ballet 'Movin' On.' The AILEY II's anticipated two week season premieres Wednesday, April 15th at The Ailey Citigroup Theater (405 West 55th Street). The season will run through Sunday, April 26th.

IN THE HEIGHTS star Mandy Gonzalez is set to play Lauren Hoffman, a representative from a drug treatment center on the ABC soap opera 'One Live To Live' beginning March 26th. The actress is currently set for four episodes as drug counselor Hoffman on the fabled daytime drama.

The producers of THE COLOR PURPLE are proud to announce that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise her starring role of Celie for the Washington, D.C. engagement. The Kennedy Center will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for five weeks, June 30 - August 2, 2009. Tickets are on sale now.

BroadwayWorld is proud to present the third webisode in our exclusive series 'Betty's Back.' This week shows Buckley reminiscing of her short-lived stint in the Broadway musical Carrie, before launching into the song 'When There's No One.'

A reinvention of the original Oscar-winning hit film, Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors, and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, a diverse, creative powerhouse where students from all walks of life are given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame...the kind that comes only from talent, dedication, and hard work. FAME opens in theaters on September 25, 2009