Josephine Baker News

The Tony Award-winning theatre has announced a fresh season of work – on its various stages in the East Village - that explores new rituals of our time from a multiplicity of perspectives and speaks to the epic changes of the 21st century.

Rochester's internationally renowned PUSH Physical Theatre will perform live and in-person for the first time in more than a year and a half at the tenth annual KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival (September 14-25) at the CenterStage Theatre at JCC's Hart Theatre (1200 Edgewood Ave.) for three performances.

Created with Shine Cancer Support UK, this compelling new opera includes an original libretto based on a collection of stories of people living with cancer, by Olivier Award nominee and Off West End Award winner Becca Marriott, set to the beautiful and haunting music of Claude Debussy.

The 12-time Tony Award winning musical Cabaret is currently taking the stage at Circle Theatre in Grand Rapids, under the direction of Will Gearring the newly reimagined staging runs through July 31. BroadwayWorld caught up with Gearring and actress Jaelyn Raiford who takes on the role of Sally Bowles to learn more about the show.

The theme of the season is Radicals, Groundbreakers and Heroes. Says Victoria 'All of the protagonists in each of the plays could be considered either a radical because of their political views or social stances or at the same time deemed  a groundbreaker and a hero for the same reasons just depending on the lens in which you view them. 

Seeing Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen on stage is a good lesson in star power. It feels like she doesn't have to try - she just does, and she does it magnificently. Commanding the audience’s attention, never losing it during those ninety minutes of splendor.

In our new series, 'Where Are They Now?' we're taking a look back at some of our favorite original Broadway casts, and catching up with their careers! Next up, the original cast of Legally Blonde the Musical!

Watch the full conversation from these singers and Broadway veterans, as they talk about Juneteenth and more!

Stars in the House continues tonight (8pm ET) with Guest Host Brenda Braxton and friends!

This week (June 7-13) in live streaming: Matthew Morrison visits Backstage Live, the Next on Stage Season 3 finale, Show of Titles premieres, and so much more!

In addition to the widely available standard 3-LP edition, a limited pressing on translucent vinyl with black and gold marble will be available exclusively via the official Madeleine Peyroux or Craft Recordings webstores (1,000 available worldwide).

The latest offering in 42nd Street Moon’s 2021 Moonbeams series is a new virtual production of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill starring Doris Bumpus as the legendary Billie Holiday. Written by Lanie Robertson and directed by Brandon Jackson with musical direction by Marcus McCauley, the play is both a celebration of Holiday as a musical icon and an exploration of her experience as a Black woman in America. Ultimately, it is a testament to the power of the human spirit to persevere in spite of incredible adversity. Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill is available to stream through May 30, 2021. For further information and to purchase tickets, visit 42ndstmoon.org/moonbeams. BroadwayWorld caught up with Ms. Bumpus earlier this week in Miami, where she was celebrating her 28th wedding anniversary. The Michigan native grew up singing in church, taking on her first solo at the tender age of five. The actor/singer/producer has her own production company, D’Sunflower Productions, and also has a pair of EP’s on iTunes, including her most recent release, “God Bless the Child,” which pays tribute to Billie Holiday. Her wide-ranging Bay Area theater credits include playing Dorothy Gale in 'The Wiz' and Effie White in 'Dreamgirls,' receiving a Pan Arts Award for Best Lead Actress for both. 42nd Street Moon audiences will remember her as Jewel in 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.' In conversation, Bumpus is easily chatty and ebullient, and her joy in being a working actor is palpable.

Starting on April 23, DACAMERA will be rebroadcasting select streams of the organizations' most popular and distinctive virtual programming presented over the past year.

Stars in the House continues tonight (8pm ET) with Guest Host Brenda Braxton with Dustin Cross, Donna Moore, Mary Mossberg and Babs Winn!

'Close (But Not Too Close!)' is a new musical created for theatre-lovers longing for that 'live' theatre vibe, while simultaneously reveling in the ease of watching a show in pajamas at whatever time they want. This comedic new musical takes audiences on a journey into the world of a new dating website designed for the times we are living in.

If you love looking back at Ella, Lady Day, Sassy and The Queen then consider how much you will love looking forward with Norm, Natalie, Latrice and La Tanya. This time history pays it forward.

With forty six episodes of PAJAMA CAST PARTY under his belt, Jim Caruso shows no signs of slowing down, as his guest lists continue to impress.

Based on the original book of the 1921 musical revue Shuffle Along, the story focuses on the challenges of mounting the original production of Shuffle Along and its effect on Broadway and race relations.

Today it's all about history-making performer, choreographer, director, costume designer, composer and visual artist, Geoffrey Holder.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that legendary Broadway company and general manager Gary Gunas passed away today in his London home after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer.