J. Thompson News

 Following a 5-week run at Stone Nest in London’s West End, the american vicarious's Five-Borough NYC Tour of Debate: Baldwin vs Buckley will conclude with two performances on May 13 at the Bronx River Art Center.

DOL PRODUCTIONS and PIVOT PRODUCTIONS have announced the world premiere production of Alexander Kaletski’s DARKNESS OF LIGHT: Confessions of a Russian Traveler, directed by Michael Mailer in his legit debut.

DOL PRODUCTIONS and PIVOT PRODUCTIONS have announced the world premiere production of Alexander Kaletski's DARKNESS OF LIGHT: Confessions of a Russian Traveler, directed by Michael Mailer (The Minute You Wake Up Dead with Morgan Freeman, Heart of Champions with Michael Shannon, Blind with Alec Baldwin and Demi Moore) in his legit debut.

DOL PRODUCTIONS and PIVOT PRODUCTIONS have announced the world premiere production of Alexander Kaletski's DARKNESS OF LIGHT: Confessions of a Russian Traveler, directed by Michael Mailer (The Minute You Wake Up Dead with Morgan Freeman, Heart of Champions with Michael Shannon, Blind with Alec Baldwin and Demi Moore) in his legit debut. DARKNESS OF LIGHT will play a limited engagement at The 36th Street Theatre (312 W 36th St. 4th floor, New York, NY 10018). Performances begin Thursday, March 30, and continue through Sunday, April 16. Opening Night is Saturday, April 1 (8 p.m.). Tickets are $25 and available darknessoflight.com.

Rising star jazz pianist Isaiah J. Thompson has been making waves in the jazz scene with his unique sound and virtuosic playing. With a deep respect for the jazz tradition and a forward-thinking approach to improvisation, Thompson has established himself as one of the most exciting young musicians of his generation.

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Andrew Lloyd Webber has been chosen to compose King Charles III's Coronation Anthem.

Isaiah debuts the first single from the upcoming record, “The IT Department.” It is a play on his initials, but also a tribute to his father. His first live album—The Power of the Spirit—will be released on Jazz at Lincoln Center’s record label. It was captured in front of a rapturous audience at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy’s Club.

the american vicarious will present the UK Premiere along with additional details for its Five-Borough NYC Tour of their production of Debate: Baldwin vs Buckley, a staging of the historic clash between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley Jr.

The genius of John Pizzarelli, Jessica Molaskey, and the songs of the Great American Songbook (with a hat tip to Stephen Sondheim) were on the stage of the Eissey Campus Theatre last night.  The outstanding musical event was presented by the RRAZZ ROOM for the 9th Anniversary of Dick Robinson’s Legends Radio. 

Harlem Stage has announced full programming for Spring 2023, continuing its Black Arts Movement: Examined series examining the 1960s/70s cultural movement led by Black artists, activists, and intellectuals.

Ballet Hispánico will host an NYC Arts in Education Roundtable with Paul Thompson, Executive Director of the NYC DOE's Office of Arts and Special Projects, on December 5, 2022 at 10 a.m.

There is one place on the modern East Side where that world of NY cognoscenti is as alive and vibrant as it ever was. Café Carlyle is the perfect setting for John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey’s show EAST SIDE AFTER DARK. They serve up tune after tune from that 50s and 60s scene where life didn’t begin until after sunset and jazz was the currency of the smart set. Pizzarelli, son of jazz great Bucky Pizzarelli, is a world-class guitarist who has worked with a long list of luminaries including Rosemary Clooney, James Taylor, and Paul McCartney. He has recorded 20 solo albums and has appeared on at least twice that number for other artists. Jessica Molaskey, a Broadway baby if ever there was one, has appeared in a dozen or more hit shows including Sunday in the Park With George, Cats, Crazy For You, Chess, Oklahoma!, City of Angels, Parade, A Man of No Importance, and Songs For a New World to name only a few.

Queens Theater will present Debate: Baldwin vs Buckley from the american vicarious. Adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Christopher McElroen, this staging of the historic clash between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley Jr. will take place on November 11 at 8pm and 12 at 3pm & 8pm.

the american vicarious will present a Five-Borough NYC Tour (5BT) of their critically acclaimed production of Debate: Baldwin vs Buckley, a staging of the historic clash between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley Jr.

On September 13, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, Materials for the Arts (MFTA) Executive Director Tara Sansone, and NYC Department of Education Office of Arts and Special Projects Executive Director Paul Thompson officially kicked off MFTA's annual Back to School Shopping Spree. 

George Benson, Billy Eckstine and Phyllis Hyman, are but a few of the extraordinary singers that had roots in Pittsburgh and enriched the vocal jazz tradition. The vocalists who will sing at the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF), which runs from September 16-18, will expand and extend on the legacy of their Steel City forebears.

Being at a John Pizzarelli performance at Birdland is like having your best friend, who also happens to be a world class jazz guitarist/singer plus one of the funniest guys on the planet, entertain in your living room.   You never want an evening with John to end. His extraordinary musicianship, song selection, and conversation create one of the most entertaining jazz shows you’ll ever experience.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) announced that Silvia M. Perez has been elected by the Board of Directors to serve as the theatre's Chair of the Board of Directors. Professionally, Perez serves as the President of 3M Commercial Solutions Division.

The John Pizzarelli opened their show STAGE AND SCREEN and extended it, all in the same week.

Jazz at Lincoln Center announced its May and June 2022 programming at Dizzy’s Club, featuring a diverse lineup of club favorites and rising stars alongside the launch of a new concert series, special events, and celebrations of giants of jazz history from Slide Hampton and Ralph Peterson to Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, and Thelonious Monk.