Jennifer Holliday News

What happens when you cram together the star quality of Barbra, the riffs of Beyonce, Whitney, and Mariah, the sass of Stevie, and the deep, emotional soul of Aretha? You get Broadway star and old-school soul revivalist Shoshana Bean. A gifted powerhouse vocalist, Ms. Bean is one of those entertainers you just have to listen to live on a stage. When she sings, it's not just a performance---it's a full-bodied experience. Bean will perform one final free outdoor concert at the Americana at Brand on Sunday, June 2, from 3-6pm.

Dallas Theater Center announced the complete cast and creative team for the world premiere of Fly, a new musical based on J.M. Barrie's novel, Peter Pan. Three-time Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights) makes his directorial debut with this production.

It was announced today that Nicholas F. Manos has resigned as President of Theater of the Stars. Current Vice President/General Manager Brian D. Frey and CFO Robert A. Browne, Jr. will be leading the organization through this transition. Christopher B. Manos will continue in his role as Producer.

The National Symphony Orchestra Pops will present three performances of The Wizard and I: The Musical Journey of Stephen Schwartz May 16-18 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, the performances feature performances by Jeremy Jordan, Norm Lewis, Julia Murney, Jennifer Laura Thompson, and The Washington Chorus. The performances celebrate Stephen Schwartz's 65th birthday as well as the 10th anniversary of the perennially 'popular' Wicked, and Mr. Schwartz will make a special appearance in each of the three programs, performing and sharing stories of the creation of Wicked.

And this Monday, May 20th, John Bantay will do his farewell SPIN as he leaves to continue pursuing his career and becomes a stage manager at the long-running musical, Avenue Q. Speaking to John Bantay, I, of course, was curious as to what his favorite video clips have been over the years. He was reticent to put them in 'Top 10' format because, to him, he considers them all number 1's. So here's his hit list, in no particular order:

Theater of the Stars' production of Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID will now entertain Atlanta audiences on September 7 - 15 at the Fox Theatre.

VJ John Bantay will play his final night at Spash's Musical Mondays next Monday May 20th after 10 smash years. Bantay leaves to join Avenue Q as stage manager.

The National Symphony Orchestra Pops will present three performances of The Wizard and I: The Musical Journey of Stephen Schwartz tonight, May 16-18 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, the performances feature performances by Jeremy Jordan, Norm Lewis, Julia Murney, Jennifer Laura Thompson, and The Washington Chorus. The performances celebrate Stephen Schwartz's 65th birthday as well as the 10th anniversary of the perennially 'popular' Wicked.

The Muny announced principal casting for the fifth show of its fantastic 95th season, Les Miserables. Broadway veterans Hugh Panaro and Norm Lewis make their Muny debuts starring as Jean Valjean and Javert, respectively. Also starring is Michael McCormick as Thenardier. The production is directed by Richard Jay-Alexander, who served as the associate director and executive producer of the original Broadway, touring and Canadian companies of Les Miserables.

AMERICAN IDOL's newest breakout star, Jessica Sanchez, discusses her recent duet with original Tony Award-winning DREAMGIRLS star Jennifer Holliday in a new chat.

Acclaimed writer/performer Candice Guardino appears in the outrageous premiere of ITALIAN BRED Off-Broadway, produced by Bull By The Horns Productions & 22Q Entertainment LLC.

The National Symphony Orchestra Pops will present three performances of The Wizard and I: The Musical Journey of Stephen Schwartz May 16-18 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, the performances feature performances by Jeremy Jordan, Norm Lewis, Julia Murney, Jennifer Laura Thompson, and The Washington Chorus. The performances celebrate Stephen Schwartz's 65th birthday as well as the 10th anniversary of the perennially "popular" Wicked.

Tonight, April 12, 2013, The New York Pops continues its 30th season with an evening celebrating the 65th birthday of Stephen Schwartz and the 10th anniversary of his hit musical Wicked with The Wizard and I: The Musical Journey of Stephen Schwartz. Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke will lead the orchestra as they perform highlights from some of the composer-lyricist's most beloved works. The concert features Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan (Newsies), Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis (The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess), Drama Desk Award nominee Julia Murney (The Wild Party), Tony Award nominee Jennifer Laura Thompson (Urinetown), and Judith Clurman's Essential Voices USA.

On April 12, 2013, The New York Pops continues its 30th season with an evening celebrating the 65th birthday of Stephen Schwartz and the 10th anniversary of his hit musical Wicked with The Wizard and I: The Musical Journey of Stephen Schwartz. Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke will lead the orchestra as they perform highlights from some of the composer-lyricist's most beloved works. The concert features Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan (Newsies), Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis (The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess), Drama Desk Award nominee Julia Murney (The Wild Party), Tony Award nominee Jennifer Laura Thompson (Urinetown), and Judith Clurman's Essential Voices USA.

Acclaimed writer/performer Candice Guardino appears in the outrageous premiere of ITALIAN BRED Off-Broadway, produced by Bull By The Horns Productions & 22Q Entertainment LLC.

TV One will premiere the 21st Annual Trumpet Awards, hosted by TV and Radio One personality Rickey Smiley and acclaimed actress Essence Atkins on Easter Sunday, March 31, 8PM/ET, with an encore presentation at 11 PM/ET.

TV One will premiere the 21st Annual Trumpet Awards, hosted by TV and Radio One personality Rickey Smiley and acclaimed actress Essence Atkins on Easter Sunday, March 31, 8PM/ET, with an encore presentation at 11 PM/ET.

Herbert Fox Productions presents a fashion show featuring designer Joan M. Kelly, Cosmik Souls Handcrafted Jewelry and Couture Accessories, at The Empire Hotel Rooftop tonight, March 22 at 9pm. The fashion show will also feature designs by Alina Lal and hairstylings by Anthony DeFranco Salon and Spa.

Herbert Fox Productions presents a fashion show featuring designer Joan M. Kelly, Cosmik Souls Handcrafted Jewelry and Couture Accessories, at The Empire Hotel Rooftop on March 22 at 9pm. The fashion show will also feature designs by Alina Lal and hairstylings by Anthony DeFranco Salon and Spa.

MUSE/IQUE, an innovative cross-genre music organization curated by noted artistic director/conductor Rachael Worby, continues its popular Uncorked Series with 'Powerhouse from the Firehouse: The Legendary Tena Clark Backstage,' including special guests Patti Austin and Mary Wilson, tonight, March 11, 2013, 7 pm, in an intimate setting on the Pasadena Civic Auditorium stage.