Josephine Baker News

Celebrating the legends who changed the course of music and entertainment forever, Centaur Theatre presents DARK DIVAS, a musical journey honouring the lives of iconic black female entertainers of the jazz age, created and performed by beloved Montreal jazz singer Ranee Lee.

Ohio State Murders will be the first show to play at the newly renamed James Earl Jones Theatre when it begins previews tonight, Friday, November 11, 2022 ahead of an opening on Thursday, December 8, 2022. Meet the cast of Ohio State Murders here!

Olivier award-winning, genre-defining, and world-renowned cabaret, La Clique is opening this week on London's glittering West End.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present acclaimed vocalist Carole J. Bufford in the New York debut of her concert “Vintage Pop!” for a special six-show run from Friday, December 9 through Sunday, December 11, with performances each night at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM.

Vincent Victoria Presents will begin their new season with the World Premiere of the film 'The Colored Folks Goodtime Hour'. The film takes a satirical and fictional look at a 1950's all black variety show and its controversial gay host Cherry Cola Pitts.

Birdland Jazz Club will present Billy Gilman – the platinum-selling country music artist known for his run on NBC’s “The Voice” — in “A Billy Gilman Christmas” on Monday, December 5 at 7:00 PM.

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this November with a full slate of nightly performances! 

Birdland Jazz Club will present the New York concert debut of actress and vocalist Maddie Baillio – best known for her appearances in the Amazon film Cinderella and NBC’s “Hairspray Live!” – on Monday, November 21 at 7:00 PM.

The complete cast for the Broadway premiere of Ohio State Murders by Adrienne Kennedy is now announced. Joining Emmy, Grammy, and Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham, and Drama Desk nominee Lizan Mitchell.

Asolo Repertory Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for the opening show in its 64th season, CABARET. Broadway and Asolo Rep favorite Josh Rhodes returns to direct this classic musical with a book by Joe Masteroff, based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.

Birdland Theater will present Nashville vocalist Wendy Moten – best known for her 2021 run on NBC’s “The Voice” – in an exclusive six-show concert engagement from Friday, November 18 to Sunday, November 20 with performances at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM each night.

Hanrahan’s script provides a nostalgic look at St. Louis through the 1900s and the compelling lives of incredibly talented woman. His script is more than just a historic look at some famous St. Louis Women. It is an important lesson in St. Louis Black history, examining the lives of strong African American women who helped shape and improve this world for all women, especially women of color. Laka’s effective portrayal of more than a half-dozen real live artists is due to her ability to disappear into these women, allowing their spirit to inhabit her body. Her versatility allows her to span a century of music performing gospel, jazz, blues, R&B, and rock-and-roll. When she rips into the Music of Tina Turner, Fontella Bass and Ann Peebles at the beginning of the second act, her vocals blow the roof off the theater.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present vocalist Christian Holder in his new show “Dreams and Inspiration” – featuring a special appearance by Donna McKechnie – on Monday, November 7 at 8:30 PM.

This production, directed by Lynette Linton is nothing short of mesmerising - combining music, movement, and powerful performances to create a production that evokes truly visceral reactions within the audience.

PostClassical Ensemble (PCE) will kick off their 2022-23 season on November 9 at 7:30pm with Paris at Midnight: Jazz and Surrealism in the 1920s. The performance, which will feature guest-curator Harry Cooper (Senior Curator at the National Gallery of Art), will take place at The Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater, as will the rest of their exciting season. 

Playwrights Horizons has announced costume designer Nicole Wee as the new Director of Playwrights Horizons Theater School. Wee, who has been a faculty member since 2019 and a member of the Faculty Leadership Committee, and has served as Interim Director since May 2022, will oversee all academic and artistic activities at the School.

Playwrights Horizons has announced costume designer Nicole Wee as the new Director of Playwrights Horizons Theater School.

ST. LOUIS WOMAN honors the enduring legacy of some amazing female artists who put St. Louis on the map with their timeless music, dance and poetry. LAKA will portray legendary artists Josephine Baker, Tina Turner and Katherine Dunham. In her roles she will also present the poetry of Maya Angelou, the song stylings of chart-toppers Fontella Bass and Ann Peebles, and the Gospel classics of the legendary Willie Mae Ford Smith. Most of these women were either born in St. Louis or came here when they were young, with the exception of Katherine Dunham’s who moved here during the height of their career to continue her momentous work. 

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts launches their 2022-2023 Theatre season featuring four hot new shows that promise to take audiences through a full range of emotions and supports regrowth of the local theatre community by highlighting the very best that Montreal has to offer. 

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.