Gregory Hines News

Blue Note Jazz Festival presents Savion Glover with special guests McCoy Tynor, Jack DeJohnette, and Roy Haynes from June 12th through 17th at 8 & 10:30 p.m.

Ben Vereen returns to The RRazz Room to with his show 'Steppin' Out with Ben Vereen,' a high energy tribute to the music of Broadway, along with musical selections made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. Audiences can expect to hear classics such as 'Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries,' 'Mr. Bojangles' and 'Defying Gravity.' Well known to theatre audiences for his Tony Award and Drama Desk winning performance in Pippin, Vereen has also appeared on Broadway in Wicked, Chicago, Fosse and Jelly's Last Jam. He is currently celebrating the release of his CD 'Steppin' Out Live.'

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (Lincoln Center) and The Philhallmonic Society present 'Swingin' On A Star'--a musical celebration of the 1940s on Saturday, June 23rd, 2012, 2:30 p.m. at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center (entrance on 65th and Amsterdam Avenue). The concert is free with general seating.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series welcomes Ty Stephens & SoulJaazz to the stage tonight, May 7 at 7pm.

TAP!, Dancers Over 40's final event of their 2011 - 2012 season brings the world of tap center stage for a discussion and performance by DO40 members and guests. This May's event is hosted by Mercedes Ellington, (Sophisticated Ladies, No, No, Nanette!) and begins with a discussion of the history of tap by DO40 members Mercedes and Lee Roy Reams (42nd Street).

Omaha Performing Arts recently announced its 2012/2013 Season, which includes Blockbuster Broadway hits, critically acclaimed dance companies, family-friendly entertainment, comedians and world-class musicians. With five great series - Broadway, Dance, Family, Jazz and Showcase (formerly Popular) - as well as a broad selection of Season Extras, Omaha Performing Arts offers a variety of world-renowned artists and ensembles with more than 100 performance dates.

The Annenberg Theatre presents Upright Cabaret's RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT tonight, April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret's "American Icon" Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). I had the chance to chat for a few minutes with Rogelio Douglas Jr. He was NOT at a loss for words!! Here are a few highlights from that interview.

The Annenberg Theatre will present Upright Cabaret's RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT on April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret's "American Icon" Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). I had the chance to chat for a few minutes with Rogelio Douglas Jr. He was NOT at a loss for words!! Here are a few highlights from that interview.

The American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF) presents the Spring Gala 2012 at the Peter Norton Symphony Space - Leonard Nimoy Thalia, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, NYC tonight Tuesday, April 24th at 6:30 pm. Tommy Tune hosts the evening of Fun, Film and Fancy Footwook that is honoring the Tap Dance Faculty of the organization.

Last night, Jim Caruso's Cast Party was once again packed with extraordinary talent from all segments of the entertainment scene! Ukulele sensation Jake Shimabukuro dazzled the audience after his in-store appearance in The Apple Store, Birdland regular Gabrielle Stravelli and legendary jazzer Lodi Carr both offered swinging tunes, Giles Terera (from the West End's Avenue Q and The Rat Pack: Live At The Sands) sang from the heart, and theater composer Micah Young debuted a new song performed by singers Matt Leisy and Whitney Basher, both currently in The Fantastiks off-Broadway.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series today announced that Ty Stephens & SoulJaazz will be returning to the stage on Monday, May 7 at 7pm.

Rachel York will join Megan Hilty in the Encores! production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, opening May 9 at New York City Center. York will play the brunette, Dorothy Shaw, best friend of Lorelei, the diamond-loving blonde played by Hilty. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes will be directed by John Rando with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Randy Skinner and will play for seven performances, May 9 - 13, at New York City Center, 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.

The American Tap Dance Foundation have announced that Tommy Tune will host their Spring Gala 2012 at the Peter Norton Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, on Tuesday, April 24th at 6:30 pm.

Nickelodeon has ordered 20 episodes of the original scripted comedy series, Daddy's Home (working title), starring Scott Baio, it was announced today by Marjorie Cohn, President, Original Programming and Development, Nickelodeon Group.

The American Tap Dance Foundation have announced the line up for their Spring Gala 2012 at the Peter Norton Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, on Tuesday, April 24th at 6:30 pm.

Following last year's sold-out inaugural season, Dance Under the Influence returns with a schedule 'packed with groundbreaking newcomers and icons of contemporary dance.'

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) has announced the cast that will lead their production of ANNIE, running March 20 - April 1 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts.

Through a collaborative effort in support of the new critically acclaimed CD release titled 'What The Funk?' that is receiving radio global airplay, '2012 Artists In Music Awards Winner as Best Jazz Artist' Stevie Hawkins, and Asteroid Funk will perform a live music experience and show on their "What The Funk? Tour 2012".

Rehearsals have begun at Milton High School for their production of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. This show will perform March 14-17, directed by Renee Denney and music directed by Leigh Ann Shaw. The cast is full of experienced high schoolers, some of whom also appeared in Milton's successful production of HAIRSPRAY in spring 2011. It will feature choreography by the Off-Broadway choreographer and acclaimed tap dancer Jen MacQueen, who choreographed the recent Atlanta production of A Chorus Line at Aurora Theatre, for which she received a BroadwayWorld (Atlanta) Award Nomination for Best Choreography in a Musical.

The American Tap Dance Foundation will present their Spring Gala 2012 at the Peter Norton Symphony Space - 2537 Broadway at 95th Street - on Tuesday, April 24th at 6:30 pm. The evening of Fun, Film and Fancy Footwook will be honoring the Tap Dance Faculty of the organziation. This benefit supports the Gregory Hines Youth Scholarship Fund. The evening begins with a reception, and there will be a live silent auction.