James Williams News

OPERA America has announced the third cycle of IDEA Opera Grants (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access), an initiative that supports teams of composers and librettists who identify as African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and/or Native American in the development of new operatic works and the advancement of their careers in the opera industry.

The most magical pantomime adventure is back! Join Dick Whittington and His Cat as they follow their dreams on an unforgettable journey to London and beyond.

After a highly successful performance run in 2019, Bright Star returns to The Firehouse Theatre this September as a concert production! Bright Star features over 20 beautiful songs and tells a beguiling tale that unfolds in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina between 1923 and 1945. Billy Cane, a young soldier just home from World War II, meets Alice Murphy, the brilliant editor of a southern literary journal.

Following the storyline of Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden, The Secret Garden Experience starts when a 'Secret Box' arrives in the post. Each box contains eight envelopes with eight unique audio episodes and accompanying activities.

Written by Lesley Ross & James Williams, and based on the show of the same name, this quirky retelling of the famous fairytale touches on friendship, acceptance and how dangerous it is to fall under the spell of a Spider's dark web. 

ABC today announced that “Abbott Elementary,” “Maggie,” “The Wonder Years” and “Queens” have received series orders. Additional information can be found below. 

Watford Palace Theatre is about to reopen and has used the lockdown as an opportunity to build exciting new collaborations and fresh thinking, bringing the company back bigger and better than ever.

On Site Opera is bringing music back to the streets of New York City with The Road We Came, a three-neighborhood musical walking tour that explores Black music history, May 1-July 31, 2021, in collaboration with Kenneth Overton, Kevin J. Miller, and Eric K. Washington.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has announced that The Prince of Wales has accepted an invitation to become the Orchestra’s Patron.

Two new members have been appointed to the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) Board: Leslie Kwan, Founder and Managing Director, Lionsgate Music and Chris Loughran, Senior Policy & Advocacy Advisor, The HALO Trust.

The full-list of nominees for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards were announced today in a special virtual event on NAACP Image Awards’ Instagram channel hosted by Tony-award winning actress and singer Anika Noni-Rose, actress and singer Chloe Bailey, actress Erika Alexander, actor, dancer, and choreographer Nicco Annan, and actor and singer TC Carson.

Hulu announced today that the streaming platform has acquired the U.S. rights to Lee Daniels’ THE UNITED STATES vs. BILLIE HOLIDAY, which will debut as a Hulu Original film on Hulu on February 26, 2021. Sierra/Affinity will continue to handle international sales on the film.

Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre announces today an exciting programme of live and online content for their annual LGBTQIA+ theatre festival Turn On Fest which will return between 18th and 31st January 2021.

Today the NAACP announced that the 52nd NAACP Image Awards will broadcast live on BET Saturday, February 20, 2021, at 8:00 PM ET.

Bounce, the first and only multi-platform entertainment network focusing on African Americans, today announced the addition of two popular series, Greenleaf and Everybody Hates Chris.

The team behind the new comedy movie The Argument (starring Dan Fogler, Emma Bell, Maggie Q, Danny Pudi, Cleopatra Coleman, Tyler James Williams and Charlotte McKinney and directed by Robert Schwartzman) is creating a multi-sensory movie-watching experience with the launch of The Argument wine, a Sonoma Pinot Noir, to be enjoyed as a bundle with the movie. 

Award-winning viral spoken word poet Patrick Roche presents a one-of-a-kind solo show interweaving his poems with stories and scenes from throughout his life. This show takes audiences on a journey through pop culture, queer identity, body image, a mental breakdown, sudden internet fame, therapists (both good and very bad) and more, balancing heartfelt explorations of mental health and grief with all the humor and unexpected levity that accompany his experiences. A Socially Acceptable Breakdown challenges everyone to understand, connect to, and laugh with each other even in the face of all of our many breakdowns.

The 48th season of the popular Highlights In Jazz series gets off to a roaring start on Feb. 13, 2020, when producer Jack Kleinsinger presents the Highlights In Jazz 47th Anniversary Gala. Featured performers include bassist Jay Leonhart, pianist Tomoko Ohno, drummer Bobby Sanabria, saxophonist Steve Wilson, percussionist/drummer Memo Acevedo, violinist/mandolinist Aaron Weinstein, and drummer Vito Lesczak. And, in keeping with the beloved HIJ tradition, a surprise special guest will be on hand for the concert, held at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

The 48th season of the popular Highlights In Jazz series gets off to a roaring start on Feb. 13, 2020, when producer Jack Kleinsinger presents the Highlights In Jazz 47th Anniversary Gala. Featured performers include bassist Jay Leonhart, pianist Tomoko Ohno, drummer Bobby Sanabria, saxophonist Steve Wilson, percussionist/drummer Memo Acevedo, violinist/mandolinist Aaron Weinstein, and drummer Vito Lesczak. And, in keeping with the beloved HIJ tradition, a surprise special guest will be on hand for the concert, held at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

Tune in to WFAA's Midday News on Channel 8 Thursday, November 14 at 11 AM to see Mirette stars Emma Grace Freeman and Christopher J. Deaton.