Debbie Allen News

BroadwayWorld spoke with Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. about this incredible time in their career, what inspired them to record their new album, how it felt to perform at the Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969, and much more! 

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts announced it plans to resume live indoor performances beginning in October with an eclectic array of entertaining and groundbreaking programming for the first half of its 2021/2022 Season that encompasses produced and presented works in dance, theater, music, and cinema.

The evening will celebrate Emmy Award-winning icon, Debbie Allen; Clean Tech Investor, Real Estate Developer and  Philanthropist Niko Elmaleh; Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning producer Stacey Mindich; and creators of the talk show “Stars in the House,” Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley, as they receive The Actors Fund’s Medal of Honor.

She receives the award “for her unprecedented achievements in television and her commitment to inspire and engage marginalized youth through dance, theater arts and mentorship.”

Read all about the late, great Jonathan Larson’s semi-autobiographical musical “Tick, Tick… Boom!” and how it's getting the movie musical treatment, helmed by “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda!

The Tony Awards Administration Committee has announced that they will present the 2020 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre to four outstanding contributors to the Broadway industry - Fred Gallo, President of PRG Scenic Technologies; Broadway press agent Irene Gandy; stage manager Beverly Jenkins and New Federal Theatre, Woodie King, Jr. Founder.

Brian Jordan Jr., who stars as Maurice Web on Tyler Perry’s hit BET series 'Sistas,” has returned to his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana to produce a first-ever developmental concert version of his new musical Riley, which takes place at the fictitious Riley College, a historical public black school in the bayou. 

Brian Jordan Jr., who stars as Maurice Web on Tyler Perry’s hit BET series Sistas, now in its third season, will return to his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana this week to produce a first-ever developmental concert version of his new musical Riley, which takes place at the fictitious Riley College, a historical public black school in the bayou.

The 2020 Kennedy Center Honors, which traditionally is held in early December each year, was postponed until May 2021 due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about the upcoming ceremony here!

All YoungArts award winners will receive financial awards of up to $10,000, opportunities to work with leading artists and will become eligible for exclusive creative and professional development support throughout their careers.

The Oakland Symphony announces its 2021-2002 concert season that will celebrate the 30-year-anniversary of Conductor and Music Director Michael Morgan leading. The season will run October 15, 2021 to May 20, 2022 and will present eight performances at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, CA. Since 1991, Michael Morgan has led the Oakland Symphony and has transformed the organization's international presence, personified the City Of Oakland's diversity, and become a trailblazer and pioneer in modern music.

Broadway’s Best Shows musical extravaganza “Show of Titles” will premiere on Sunday, June 13, 2021 at 7pm ET and be available for four days only.  The show features dozens of Broadway stars performing the title songs from over 20 beloved musicals. 

Broadway’s Best Shows musical extravaganza “Show of Titles” will premiere on Sunday, June 13, 2021 at 7pm ET and be available for four days only.  The show features dozens of Broadway stars performing the title songs from over 20 beloved musicals. 

Today's top stories: Bruce Springsteen will return to Broadway, Nick Jonas will lead an upcoming streaming performance of Jersey Boys, watch the first eight minutes of In The Heights, and more!

Watch the vibrant performance honoring Allen here, featuring a professional ensemble that mirrors the energy and precision of the dancers in the iconic original film.

In an additional honor, Derek Hough, Laura Osnes, Aaron Tveit, Pentatonix, and a vibrant danse ensemble recreated 'Step In Time' from Mary Poppins.

Debbie Allen is one of those arts types that simply doesn’t fit into one category. I think it is safe to say she is an all-around goddess of the arts. Her list of achievements includes being directed by Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins, directing Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on Broadway, choreographing the Oscars, being an executive producer and actress on the long running Grey’s Anatomy, and running a dance academy that bears her name.

Tony and Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth and 16-time GRAMMY Award winner David Foster celebrate the 43rd Kennedy Center Honorees—Debbie Allen, Joan Baez, Garth Brooks, Midori, and Dick Van Dyke—with an original song, “Human Spark Divine.” Check out their performance here!

In 2018 Ann Reinking came to Paris to train the cast for the French-language version of Chicago. I had the pleasure of chatting with her.

Howard University has announced the appointment of Phylicia Rashad as dean of the recently reestablished College of Fine Arts, effective July 1, 2021. In this role, she will report to Provost Anthony K. Wutoh. An alumna of Howard University, Rashad graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in fine arts.