George Gershwin News

'There's a thin line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.'

This year's New York City Center Encores! production of LADY, BE GOOD!, featuring Tommy Tune and more, is getting a cast recording, and BroadwayWorld has a first listen below!

BroadwayWorld has just learned that six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, who will star next spring in Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, will take a break from the show next summer. An official show rep commented: 'Due to a pre-existing commitment, Audra McDonald will not appear in Shuffle Along from Tuesday, June 21 to Sunday, September 25, 2016.  Miss McDonald will return to Shuffle Along beginning Tuesday, September 27 and is currently contracted to stay with the production through  Sunday, June 11, 2017.'

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, September 13, 2015 - Sunday, September 13, 2015.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Saturday, September 12 for SHUFFLE ALONG Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, the striking new production that presents both the landmark 1921 musical itself, and additionally details the events that catalyzed the songwriting team of Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, and librettists F.E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles to create this ground-breaking work. 

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 9/11/2015.

Today in 1943, Porgy and Bess opened at the 44th Street Theatre, where it ran for 24 performances. First performed in 1935, with music by George Gershwin, libretto by DuBose Heyward, and lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, it was based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and subsequent play of the same title, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward. All three works deal with African-American life in the fictitious Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina, in the early 1920s. Originally conceived by George Gershwin as an 'American folk opera', Porgy and Bess premiered in New York in the fall of 1935 and featured an entire cast of classically trained African-American singers-a daring artistic choice at the time.

Continuing to bring exciting stories and new productions to beloved Chicago audiences, 'Hershey Felder Presents' (George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, Louis and Keely 'Live' at the Sahara) now brings a brand new production of the award-winning and internationally acclaimed play JAMAICA FAREWELL, written and performed by Debra Ehrhardt and directed by Joel Zwick, to Chicago's Royal George Theatre. Based on her true life story, writer-performer Ehrhardt's JAMAICA FAREWELL chronicles her escape from revolution-torn Jamaica in the 1970's to fulfill her lifelong dream of coming to America. Performances began at Chicago's Royal George Theatre 1641 North Halsted, 60614, on September 8 and continue through Sunday October 11th in a strictly limited engagement. Scroll down for photos from the opening night festivities!

Beth Williams (Grove Entertainment), Barbara Whitman Productions and Hazy Mills Productions are pleased to announce the development of a new play based on the life of the legendary performer Oscar Levant.

Continuing to bring exciting stories and new productions to beloved Chicago audiences, 'Hershey Felder Presents' (George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, Louis and Keely 'Live' at the Sahara) now brings a brand new production of the award-winning and internationally acclaimed play JAMAICA FAREWELL, written and performed by Debra Ehrhardt and directed by Joel Zwick, to Chicago's Royal George Theatre. Based on her true life story, writer-performer Ehrhardt's JAMAICA FAREWELL chronicles her escape from revolution-torn Jamaica in the 1970's to fulfill her lifelong dream of coming to America. Performances began at Chicago's Royal George Theatre 1641 North Halsted, 60614, last night September 8, and continue through Sunday October 11th in a strictly limited engagement. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Ehrhardt onstage below!

A cast recording of Encores! production of George and Ira Gershwin's LADY, BE GOOD will hit shelves later this fall!

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 9/4/2015.

Great news! The Tony Award-winning new Broadway musical An American in Paris just announced it will perform on THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT on Friday, September 18 at 11:35pm ET/10:35pm CT on CBS, marking the first Broadway performance on the new late night show.

The vintage photo appears on sheet music covers for selections from GEORGE WHITE'S SCANDALS OF 1928.

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 8/28/2015.

Award-winning NYC-based artist and MPress Records founder Rachael Sage will release the Deluxe Reissue of her latest album 'Blue Roses' via MPress today, August 28th. The album, featuring five new tracks including the new single 'Coloring Book', will be the label's first release through a new distribution deal with Independent Label Services, which is partnered with Caroline Distribution & Universal Music Group.

The woman who popularized The Black Bottom for white audiences is featured in the new production's artwork.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Today's fire at The Second City, and last week's Jeff Award nominations! Plus 'Glory Days' and the Refuge Theatre season, new musicals in focus with Schonberg and Boublil, Chicago Children's Theatre and more, Joan Curto, Hershey Felder, 'Bat Boy,' and Theatre At The Center's 2016 season!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present Klea Blackhurst in her return to the Birdland stage with EVERYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL ALLOW, on Monday, August 24. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!