Jennifer Holliday News

Philly's biggest rock band turns it on again in POPS Rocks Phil Collins, March 6-8, 2020.

Crown & Anchor Cabaret Series 2020 in Provincetown, MA will return this summer at The Crown & Anchor's Paramount Theatre and Cabaret Room and at Town Hall Auditorium. 

Tony and Olivier Award-winning Bob Avian's dazzling life story, Dancing Man: A Broadway Choreographer's Journey, is a memoir told in three acts.

After a lifetime overthinking every second of every day, cabarettist Molly Pope sets up camp at the Duplex to search for the one thing that has always escaped her: a good time.  Armed with the two things absolutely necessary for a good timea?"a gay man and a piano a?" she draws on a trove of old songs, new songs, and why-the-hell-not songs in changing mostly sets.

Come to the Birdland Theater (315 West 44th street NYC 10036) for a Benefit for the Australian Bushfire Disaster. Matt Baker Hosts 'Oz-Relief 2020.' This is an all-star fundraising concert benefitting victims of the Australian bushfires on Tuesday, February 18 at 7pm (doors open at 5:30pm). The performers will soon be announced for this musical special event. Tickets ar $30 Bar seating; $40 General Admiussion table seating (these are 1st come 1st seated); $50 for VIP Table seating. There is a $10 minum for all. www.BirdlandJazz.com or 212-581-3080

This February, Lincoln Center will present a plethora of music, dance, theater, and panel events across the campus and beyond. David Rubenstein Atrium continues to offer free programming, consisting of diverse live performances, and panel conversations. The 2019-20 season of LC Kids (October 5a?"June 7, 2020) is in full swing with free and ticketed events developed for toddlers, children, and teenagers stepping into young adulthood. The ongoing Great Performers series (October 29a?"May 16, 2020) brings an array of beloved musicians and up-and-coming artists to the Lincoln Center stage. American Songbook (January 22a?" February 29) concludes its latest season with artists performing Broadway, folk, classical, and more. 

'Dear Mom summer camp isn't fun anymore, everyone is dying.' 'Dear Ron things haven't been the same since we found out we were related.' 'I, Becka McNeil state herein that upon my death Drew Kopel has all legal rights to my skull.' IAMA Theatre Company presents the West Coast premiere of Found, a new musical inspired by Davy Rothbart's popular Found magazine, which features scores of actual discarded notes and letters that have been 'found' in the real world by everyday people.

The Muny announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2020 season, which opens June 15 with Kander and Ebb's internationally-acclaimed Chicago. Among the talented list are a mix of Muny favorites and newcomers. In addition to casting, a comprehensive list of design teams for each production will be released later this spring. Telsey + Company is the official casting partner for Muny.

City Winery Chicago has released its schedule (1200 W. Randolph St) for the month. All City Winery Chicago events are open to all ages and start at 8:00 p.m., unless noted.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 312-733-WINE (9463) or by visiting www.citywinery.com/chicago.

Deck the halls, trim the tree, and spin the dreidel. BroadwayWorld is continuing our tradition of celebrating the holiday season with a 12 Days of Christmas countdown. This year we've invited the incomparable Norm Lewis to share his favorite holiday performances. Check out Norm's full list of selections

I would be remiss if I did not include this angel in my 12 Days Of Christmas choices. Yes, the singular voice of Karen Carpenter. Arguably the most perfect pop voice of all time. Effortless. Full of pathos. Perfect. I remember hearing her beautiful voice ringing throughout our house during the holiday season. It always made me feel like I was being wrapped by a warm blanket whenever she sang.

'On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...' the opportunity to share some real joy with you, from my heart. I'd be crazy not to include this video in my choices of 12, on the penultimate day of this fun feature from BroadwayWorld. Yes... it's ME! Last year, my first ever Christmas album was released and this was truly a dream I had fantasized for quite a while, coming to fruition. Richard Jay-Alexander and I produced it (during August), like most holiday albums, and Richard played me this song written by Jay Landers and Walter Afanasieff. He insisted we had to do it and I certainly loved it, but wasn't sure I had the right voice for it. Walter, of course, wrote and produced 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' with Mariah Carey and, now, here was a song written by the same guy, this time with Jay Landers.

On Day 9, I am thinking of all the holiday movies that were on television and in our homes every single year. WHITE CHRISTMAS was always one of my favorites. I was in awe of the costumes, the dancing, the singing, the story of love and romance and also seeing everyone pull together to put on a grand show. And the reveal of the soldiers and snow actually falling at the end never failed to fill my heart... no matter how many times I saw it!

I had a blast curating BroadwayWorld's 12 Days of Christmas. It went by so fast... and now, Christmas is here! This song is 25 years old and I wanna GIVE IT UP for our girl, Mariah Carey, because this year, her song FINALLY made it to #1 on the Billboard Charts. I say , a?oeIt was worth the wait, Mariah.a?? It already was a classic but, now, the deal is sealed... in history!

OK...this just makes me HAPPY! In junior high school I found a new Christmas Song I love to play every year. I'm even smiling as I write this :)

This song always reminds me of my father. He Loved B.B. King and this was always on rotation with our many Christmas albums. I found this rare live performance of the legend doing his version that is so embedded in my heart.

On this sixth day of the 12 days of Christmas, I need to thank BroadwayWorld, Robert Diamond and Nicole Rosky for asking me to curate this year's edition. I never dreamed it would be so much fun and bring back so many memories of holiday seasons past. Here's an iconic group, The Temptations, singing 'Silent Night.' We had many albums in our home by the legendary Motown group, but this one was definitely played over and over during the holidays. I immediately flash to my high school and college years when I hear it. Magic.

Today's top stories: We've got your first listen to Jennifer Hudson singing 'Memory' from the new Cats film, and more!

I loved cartoons on Saturday mornings growing up, but I looked forward to watching them in primetime during the holidays. Some of my favorites were Frosty, Rudolph, The Little Drummer Boy, and A Charlie Brown Christmas (especially the dance and Linus' speech). Even though they were the same stories told over and over again, I was riveted every year. I guess because in my mind both the fictional stories and the religious stories were all real to me. I loved the music and would sing along with so much joy.