James Brown News

Back in 2015, I caught a solo performance play Mutant Olive, created and performed by Mitch Hara. I decided to speak with him about his revamped play, Mutant Olive 2.0, soon to begin performance at the Hudson Theatre in Hollywood, to ask about the new show, it’s title, and what’s been going on during the 8 years since Mutant Olive in its original form premiered.

Dreamgirls opens at the Omaha Community Playhouse on Friday, March 3.  A trio of women soul singers catch their big break during an amateur competition. But will their friendship—and their music—survive the rapid rise from obscurity to pop super stardom? With dazzling costumes and powerhouse vocal performances, this Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical is inspired by some of the biggest musical acts of the 1960s—The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson and more.

I remember the day when I first saw the cover for “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan. I would soon consume that book in a matter of days. When I heard that THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL was being produced in Houston, I knew I had to go, and the show proved to be everything that little me always dreamed of.

Lesher Center for the Arts will host the return of Dance Theatre of Harlem to the West Coast, presenting the globally acclaimed company for two nights only.

Voyageur, the new album from the legendary African guitarist and singer Ali Farka Touré, is out next month on World Circuit Records. In anticipation of the forthcoming record World Circuit is debuting the new track “Cherie” featuring acclaimed Malian diva and longtime friend of Touré’s Oumou Sangaré.

Ramin Karimloo’s hit podcast “The Hang” has returned with a brand new season of conversations with his showbiz friends on the Broadway Podcast Network. The first episode, featuring Andrew Kober is now available.

We had the pleasure of speaking to Charlie Bryant III who plays Seaweed J. Stubbs in the current tour of HAIRSPRAY. He shared his thoughts and insights about the current tour and his personal take on what makes this show so special. 

Howard Bomar was a man who slipped through everybody’s fingers. His artistry escapes that fate with the release of I, Who Have Nothing, available from Sundazed Music on LP and CD with bonus tracks. The 13-track collection features his 1960s 45 soul sides and five previously unreleased recordings, including a cover of Prince's 'Purple Rain.'

Based on the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, and Jackie Wilson, Dreamgirls tells the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois called 'The Dreams,' who become music superstars. Through gospel, R&B, smooth pop, disco and more, this musical explores themes of ambition, hope, and betrayal, all set in the glamorous and competitive world of the entertainment industry.

The performance was brilliantly executed, thoroughly engaging, and utterly beautiful.

Jon Arons brought the brass to the Triad with his all singing, all dancing, all trombone playing evening of music dedicated to the brass band sound of the music of Chicago, Kool & The Gang, Brian Setzer, Ricky Martin, Sinatra, and Beyonce! (among others) The 8 piece band supported Jon in bringing the JOY of live entertainment to the hip and happy crowd.

The Apollo has announced that Fatima Jones has been named the organization’s first Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, effective immediately. Ms. Jones has been a part of the institution’s marketing and communications team since 2018.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) will present the second programs of its 45th anniversary season: Elements, featuring several World and Company Premieres and acclaimed revivals. The 2022/23 Season 45: Sapphire Season continues with HSDC's Spring Series at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (220 E. Chicago Ave.) which will run March 23–April 2 with two mixed repertory performances, each performed four times. 

On Wednesday, February 22, Amateur Night will return to The Apollo with a dynamic new group of artists who will battle it out over the course of 32 shows in front of the theater’s notoriously tough “Be Good or Be Gone!” audience.

The winners have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Cincinnati Awards, honoring the best in regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.

Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast for Sunday in the Park with George, the first production of the theater’s six-month-long celebration of Stephen Sondheim. See performances dates and how to purchase tickets!

The winners have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards, honoring the best in regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022. The audiences have voted and made their selections for the best theatre and performances.

Comedienne Rita Rudner will star in the upcoming World Premiere of STAGED, written by Martin Bergman & Rita Rudner and directed by Martin Bergman at Laguna Playhouse. See how to purchase tickets!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Sacramento Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Cincinnati Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.