Debbie Allen News

Netflix, the world's leading internet entertainment service, and Shondaland today announced the first slate of series being developed by Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers and their team to premiere exclusively for Netflix members around the world.

Performers from Broadway's Hamilton, Mean Girls and Carousel will be among the professional mentors for the Great American Songbook Foundation's 2018 Songbook Academy, the nation's only summer youth music intensive focused on the timeless standards of jazz, pop, Broadway and Hollywood.

Porchlight Music Theatre's Mainstage 2018 - 2019 season launches with Gypsy, A Musical Fable, October 12 - November 25, at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

REPRISE 2.0 (led by Producing Artistic Director Marcia Seligson), in association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television's Department of Theater (UCLA TFT) chaired by Brian Kite, presents its inaugural production of Sweet Charity.  Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall with musical direction by Gerald Sternbach, the classic Broadway hit plays through July 1 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. Take a look at photos from the show's opening night below!

Summer unofficially began with the Hollywood Bowl ushering in its 2018 season during its Opening Night Concert featuring Diana Ross, Saturday, June 16, at 8 pm. The living legend with an impressive career spanning nearly six decades performed a unique set featuring her favorite and most memorable songs accompanied by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (HBO), led by Principal Conductor Thomas Wilkins.

Singers, dancers, actors, models, instrumentalists and variety artists will compete at the 22nd Annual World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) July 6 - 14, 2018 in Long Beach, California. This international meet is often cited as the official 'Talent Olympics' for performers and is the only event of its kind!

The south of the border hotties, Chico's Angels, will make their Palm Springs debut with their hour-long variety show VIVA LAS CHICAS!: Chico's Angels Variety Hour. The show stars the heavenly trio Kay Sedia, Frieda Laye, Chita Parol & Bossman. VIVA LAS CHICAS opens tonight, June 12, and runs for three very special performances only (through the 14th) at Oscar's Cafe & Bar in downtown Palm Springs. VIVA LAS CHICAS is a flashback and flashforward variety show, featuring the Angels performing sketches and beloved musical numbers. 'The combined talents of these three Angels will capture the audience and take them on a tour across the border they will not soon forget!' I had the chance to chat with the ANGELS on their road trip to the desert as they were winging their way toward tonight's important desert debut. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation:

Registration is now open for Broadway Dance: Fosse Adult Master Class at Playhouse on Park. All performers (ages 16 and up!) who have a vested interest in the performing arts are encouraged to attend these classes to learn from the 'pros'. Stephanie Pope, who stars as Camilla in Playhouse on Park's current production of In The Heights, and seasoned Broadway Actor, will instruct this class onMonday, July 9 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) has announced that applications to become a 2019 YoungArts winner will be accepted beginning today, June 5, through October 12, 2018. YoungArts identifies and nurtures the nation's most accomplished emerging artists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts between the ages of 15 and 18 or in high school grades 10-12.

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts announced today the 2018/2019 season, delivering ten months of groundbreaking produced and presented works in dance, music and theater from locally, nationally and internationally renowned artists and companies. The season begins September 21, 2018, marking the third year of programming under the leadership of Artistic Director Paul Crewes and Managing Director Rachel Fine and the sixth for the institution. Michael Nemeroff, Chairman of the Board of The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, begins the second year of his term.

HB Studio, one of New York's legendary institutions for theater training and practice, is pleased to announce the appointment of actor, writer, and producer Paul Pryce as Director of The Hagen Summer Intensive, a 6-week summer conservatory for actors.

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts announced today the 2018/2019 season, delivering ten months of groundbreaking produced and presented works in dance, music and theater from locally, nationally and internationally renowned artists and companies. The season begins September 21, 2018, marking the third year of programming under the leadership of Artistic Director Paul Crewes and Managing Director Rachel Fine and the sixth for the institution. Michael Nemeroff, Chairman of the Board of The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, begins the second year of his term. 

Casting is now complete for the inaugural REPRISE 2.0 production of Sweet Charity. Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, the classic Broadway hit plays from June 20 to July 1 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. 

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is teaming up again with Los Angeles  magazine to present Center Stage:  Mapping the Ecology of Dance in Los Angeles, a dynamic discussion with both established and emerging leaders in LA's dance world on May 17, 2018 at 9:00 am. This two-part panel will explore the exciting and explosive growth of dance in Los Angeles in recent years and the influences that have made it possible. Admission is free, but reservations are required.This special event, taking place in advance of Dance USA's 10thAnnual Conference in Downtown Los Angeles, will also be available as a Facebook Live stream on The Wallis' Facebook page.  

'Grey's Anatomy' (8:00-9:00 p.m. - 7.3 million and 1.8/8 in AD18-49): Despite facing the high-rated 'Big Bang Theory' finale on CBS starting off Thursday night at 8:00 p.m., ABC's 'Grey's Anatomy' built for the 2nd straight weekin Total Viewers (+9% - 7.3 million vs. 6.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (+13% - 1.8/8 vs. 1.6/7), hitting 6-week highs on both measures - since 3/29/18.

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the final extension of its latest production, Memphis. Memphis must close Saturday, June 16, following that evening's 8 p.m. performance. Now playing through June 16 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, features  book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music and lyrics by David Bryan and  is directed by Daryl D.  Brooks, assistant directed and choreographed by Christopher Carter, music directed by Jermaine Hill and assistant choreographed by Reneisha Jenkins.

Single tickets are now on sale for the inaugural REPRISE 2.0 production of Sweet Charity. Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, the classic Broadway hit plays from June 20 to July 1 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. REPRISE 2.0 is led by producing artistic director Marcia Seligson.

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is teaming up again with Los Angeles  magazine to present Center Stage:  Mapping the Ecology of Dance in Los Angeles, a dynamic discussion with both established and emerging leaders in LA's dance world on May 17, 2018 at 9:00 am. This two-part panel will explore the exciting and explosive growth of dance in Los Angeles in recent years and the influences that have made it possible. Admission is free, but reservations are required.This special event, taking place in advance of Dance USA's 10thAnnual Conference in Downtown Los Angeles, will also be available as a Facebook Live stream on The Wallis' Facebook page.  

In just two weeks, Capezio Dance Foundation presents: Capezio celebrates 130 years of excellence in a one-night only special Awards and show on Monday, May 14, 2018 at 7:30 pm at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Avenue, Las Vegas NV 89106. A glorious production will highlight some of the magical history of Capezio with numerous dance legends and stars of stage and screen saluting this milestone. Savion Glover the Tony Award winner dancer, choreographer and actor joins this special event. The show is produced and directed by Ann Marie DeAngelo. The show benefts The Actors Fund and Future Dance (a program sponsored by Nevada Ballet Theatre).

MTC's powerful new production of Saint Joan, opened on Broadway last night, April 25, at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Check out photos below of all of the stars arriving at opening night!