Jay Z News

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Cumming takes on MACBETH, Broadway plays Bryant Park, ALADDIN opens at the Muny, and so much more!

Shawn 'JAY Z' Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson and The National Theatre of Great Britain present the return of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Broadway and National Theatre of Great Britain production of Fela!, which just opened last night, July 12, for a limited run of 32 performances only at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). BroadwayWorld was there for the big openeing night, and we bring you photos from the first curtain call below!

Shawn 'JAY Z' Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson and The National Theatre of Great Britain present the return of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Broadway and National Theatre of Great Britain production of Fela!, which just opened last night, July 12, for a limited run of 32 performances only at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). BroadwayWorld was there for the big openeing night, and we bring you photos from the star-studded arrivals below!

Pianists and Artistic Directors Blair McMillen and Pam Goldberg present the Rite of Summer Music Festival, taking place Summer 2012 on Governors Island, New York City. This marks the return of the first classical-contemporary concert series on Governors Island. The aim of the Festival is simple: to present the highest quality live performances, and to bring free contemporary classical music to as many people as possible in a relaxed, fun, outdoor setting.

Actor Samuel L. Jackson, declared the highest grossing movie actor of all time according to the Guinness Book of World Records, will be this year's BET AWARDS 12 host. In addition, the members of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly are the prestigious recipients of the 'Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award;' and Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj were revealed as the first confirmed performers.

Pianists and Artistic Directors Blair McMillen and Pam Goldberg present the Rite of Summer Music Festival, taking place Summer 2012 on Governors Island, New York City. This marks the return of the first classical-contemporary concert series on Governors Island. The aim of the Festival is simple: to present the highest quality live performances, and to bring free contemporary classical music to as many people as possible in a relaxed, fun, outdoor setting.

Live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, July 1st, BET AWARDS 12 kicked off with a bang when G.O.O.D. Music artists Kanye West, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and Pusha T exploded onto the stage for a medley of their hits 'Mercy' and 'Cold'

Steve Walters and Heath Gage are not gangsters - not even close. And the bits of rap they "busted out" for me at the Pearl Cup the afternoon before "The Bomb-itty of Errors" dress rehearsal would most aptly be described as "nerdcore."

Official times and details have been revealed for the The Flaming Lips' upcoming quest to break the Guinness World Records title for the Most Live Concerts In 24 Hours (Multiple Cities) during the groundbreaking and Webby Award-winning O Music Awards, part of the Viacom Music Group, which includes MTV, VH1, CMT and Logo networks. www.omusicawards.com, is a digitally driven event that celebrates and honors the artists, fans and innovators impacting digital music culture.

Palladia announced it will air the ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL 2012 and simulcast with VH1 Classic with limited, commercial interruption tonight, June 24th at 9 PM-12 AM/6 PM-9PM PT.

The London 2012 Festival, a 12-week nationwide celebration bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK, opens with five spectacular events taking place in Stirling, Derry~Londonderry, South Wales the Lake District, and Birmingham, today, 21 June 2012.

Official times and details have been revealed for the The Flaming Lips' upcoming quest to break the Guinness World Records title for the Most Live Concerts In 24 Hours (Multiple Cities) during the groundbreaking and Webby Award-winning O Music Awards, part of the Viacom Music Group, which includes MTV, VH1, CMT and Logo networks. www.omusicawards.com, is a digitally driven event that celebrates and honors the artists, fans and innovators impacting digital music culture.

The London 2012 Festival, a 12-week nationwide celebration bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK, opens with five spectacular events taking place in Stirling, Derry~Londonderry, South Wales the Lake District, and Birmingham on Thursday 21 June 2012.

Palladia announced today it will air the ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL 2012 and simulcast with VH1 Classic with limited, commercial interruption on Sunday, June 24th at 9 PM-12 AM/6 PM-9PM PT.

The Broadway run of Fela! this summer at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre begins previews for its limited four-week run on Monday, July 9, with an official opening set for July 12, and will play through Saturday, August 4, 2012. The marquee is up! See below for a first look.

Tickets for the Broadway run of Fela! this summer at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre will go on sale to the general public on Saturday June 16 via telecharge.com and phone (212) 239-6200.

BET Networks, winner of the '2011 Best App Ever' award for its 106 & PARK App (Entertainment Category, Android), took another bold step today in electrifying live television with the launch of the BET AWARDS 12 App for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android devices available for download today.

Fuse, the national music television network of The Madison Square Garden Company, announced that pop vocal sensations, The Wanted, would return to the U.S. for a special performance at the Beacon Theatre tonight, June 14th at 8 pm ET. For fans who can't make the show, Fuse is bringing The Wanted live and in HD to TV screens across the nation. "Fuse Presents: The Wanted Live from the Beacon Theatre" will feature songs from the band's US self-titled debut EP, including the hit singles "Glad You Came" and "Chasing the Sun."

Spike TV's hit reality series BAR RESCUE returns for another round on Sunday, July 22 at 9:00 PM, ET/PT. Get a sneak peek below!

Producers Shawn 'JAY Z' Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson and The National Theatre of Great Britain today announced the return of the critically acclaimed, award-winning production of Fela!, currently on a multi-city world tour, for a limited run of 32 performances ONLY at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street) from July 9 - August 4. Exploring the extravagant world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, this provocative hybrid of dance, theatre, music, biography and a party like no-other is directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Bill T. Jones, with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones. The world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson, again perform Kuti's rousing music live onstage. Recipient of three 2010 Tony Awards (Best Choreography, Best Costumes, Best Sound Design), Fela!, featuring the music and lyrics by Fela Kuti, was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel, features additional lyrics by Jim Lewis, and additional music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean. The musical is inspired by the authorized biography Fela: This Bitch of a Life by Carlos Moore. The press opening for this engagement is scheduled for Thursday, July 12 at 7 PM.