James Taylor News

Last night I had the particular privilege of discussing the intricacies and intrigue of William Shakespeare's legendary history play RICHARD III with one of the greatest actors of our age and a true patron of the arts - two-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey. Discussing the finer points of his characterization of the hunchback antihero, Spacey paints a vivid portrait of his experiences in reteaming with his AMERICAN BEAUTY collaborator, director Sam Mendes, on bringing a truly 21st century take on the classic play to the stage - and then bringing the production all the way from the hallowed ground of Spacey's own The Old Vic in London, to the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City to a whirlwind worldwide tour spanning the globe. NOW, a compelling new documentary following the project from rehearsal through to opening night and ensuing world tour is set to be released next month and is highlighted by the fly-on-the-wall intimacy and access it provides viewers, as well as offering copious performance footage of Spacey and company in action onstage. Additionally, Spacey and I address and analyze the undeniable connections between RICHARD III and his super-successful Netflix dramatic series HOUSE OF CARDS, touching upon not only the dramatic parallels, but the lucky sequence of events that made the entire endeavor possible in the first place. After all, Frank Underwood is the modern Richard III in many ways - bloodlust, ambition, ego, humor and darkness included; but, also, the humanity. Plus, Spacey expresses his enthusiasm for starting work on Season Three of the series now that they have been granted Maryland filming tax breaks once again, which was holding up production until this week. Besides all of that, Spacey also clues us in on his future endeavors of interest, mentioning his spate of recent musical performances and his desire to pursue a musical role once again sometime soon following his acclaimed turn as Bobby Darin in musical biopic BEYOND THE SEA. FOLLIES, perhaps?! A wide-ranging conversation with a stage and screen mega-star like none other awaits in today's special spotlight.

Trying to describe the music of Venice, the band created by and consisting of members of the Lennon Sisters family, is a little like trying to describe a perfect sunset or the feeling of first love. It transcends words -- you just know it's great. They will be at The Grove one night only - on May 18th at 6 pm.

LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER debuted last night, Sunday April 27th on HBO. The show featured an exclusive interview with former NSA Head Keith Alexander.

Presenting a satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events, LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER debuts TONIGHT, APRIL 27 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Presenting a satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events, LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER debuts SUNDAY, APRIL 27 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Exploding onto the pop scene with her infectious breakout hit 'My Another Day,” Holland, Mich.-based pop songstress Kanisha K (www.kanishakmusic.com) is teaming up with Grammy-winning producer and four-time nominee Jason Miles for a forthcoming single 'Stupid Boyfriend.”

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its May 2014 schedule, featuring Steve Kuhn Trio, Joey DeFrancesco Organ Quartet, Karrin Allyson, BOSSABRASIL Festival, and more.

The cast and creative team of the hit Off-Broadway musical Murder for Two are teaming up with some of New York's brightest up and coming composers and BroadwayWorld.com on select Monday nights for their spring concert series, Murderous Musical Mondays. Featured on Monday, April 21, 2014 will be the Pace New Musicals Writers' Room (curated by Ryan Scott Oliver), immediately following the 7pm performance of Murder for Two at New World Stages (Stage 5 - 340 West 50th Street). Meet the new composers below!

National Youth Music Theatre will present an exciting season of work for summer 2014, including a new commission to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War. The company of over 150 actors, musicians, creative and backstage teams aged between 11 and 23 will stage The Ragged Child at the Rose Theatre, Kingston (23 - 27 July), The Hired Man at the St. James Theatre, London (13 - 16 August) and Brass at the City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds (20 - 23 August).

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for April 21 - April 27, featuring James Carter Organ Trio, Donna Vivino in 'Beautiful Dreamer,' David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, Karen Oberlin in Secret Love: A Tribute to Doris Day, and more.

A dream cabaret pairing comes to Segerstrom Center for the Arts when Grammy® Award-winning artist Jimmy Webb and Grammy and Drama Desk-nominated vocalist Maureen McGovern perform three concerts in their Cabaret Series debuts today, April 11 - 13 in Samueli Theater. This will also be Webb's Center debut, while McGovern appeared at the Center during the 2004 - 2005 Broadway Series as Marmee in the national tour of Little Women. The New York Times proclaims McGovern as 'blessed with a vocal technique second to none' and says that Webb is 'at the top of his game.'

Tom Wopat, star of stage, screen and TV will perform in support of his latest critically-acclaimed recording I've Got Your Number at the Stage at Rockwells on Friday, May 9, 2014.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its great line-up of talent for April 14 - April 20, including: Pat Martino Organ Quartet, Amanda Green's Spring Trunk Show With Jenn Colella, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Greg Naughton, Kathleen Monteleone, Ryann Redmond & Janet Krupin, David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, and more. Details below!

Southern bred and now NY-based Riley Etheridge, Jr. is thrilled to partner with revered music journal AMERICAN SONGWRITER to premiere the video for his new single “Another Time, Another Place,”

After taking a break for many years, award-winning country-pop vocalist Sylvia is returning to the stage.

Birdland Jazz Club is pleased to announce their great line-up of talent for April 7 - April 13, featuring: Jane Monheit with The MSM Big Band, Ben Rimalower Presents 'The Lady's Got Potential,' Jay Leonhart Duo, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more.

Men Are From Mars - Women Are From Venus LIVE!, the one-man fusion of theatre and stand-up starring Peter Story will play the City Theatre from today, March 28 through Sunday, March 30. The show is a light-hearted theatrical comedy based on the New York Times #1 best-selling book of the last decade by John Gray. Moving swiftly through a series of vignettes, the show covers everything from dating and marriage to the bedroom.

LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER will debut SUNDAY, APRIL 27

Face the Music Benefit with Jeff Pitchell & Texas Flood, Roomful of Blues, Eight to the Bar at Bridge Street Live is set for Thursday, April 10th, 2014 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $35 GA, $45 VIP, and available at http://41bridgestreet.inticketing.com/events/FACEtheMUSIC.

John Pizzarelli once again expertly switches (musical) hats at Cafe Carlyle with his new concert of bossa nova music. The evening is titled "Strictly Bossa Nova" and it features Daniel Jobim, grandson of the seminal Antonio Carlos Jobim and an ensemble of Brazilian musicians.