Lavern Baker News

Memphis the musical will be playing at the Artisty Theater. This musical will blast you out the door humming! Inspired by actual events in the turbulent south of the 1950s, Memphis is the story of Felicia Farrell and Huey Calhoun - one a Black singer, talented and determined to share her voice; the other a white radio DJ whose passion for music transcends race lines. As their love of music and each other grow, their lives and communities intersect, causing encounters with prejudices that challenge them to reconsider their relationships, priorities, and dreams. Featuring an original score with music by David Bryan, founding member of Bon Jovi, this show will have you dancing in your seat.

Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers  retired member Terry M. Lilly. Terry was a Press Agent on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and across the country, who came into membership in September of 1977. He passed away peacefully at home on November 24, 2021 after a long illness, surrounded by loved ones.

The Beach Boys were in a career low, and Maharishi had begun to fade from his media darling days as the Indian 'guru' to the Beatles, Mia Farrow, the Beach Boys and others. With photos andheadlines of the hip and famous at his ashram in India, Maharishi had burst into the spiritual mythology of media hype, creating a worldwide market for similar gurus, endless lines of clothing and Indian music of the brilliant Ravi Shankar, among others.

Linda Gail Lewis released “Oh Pandemic”, a soulful, blues-filled track that laments contemporary experiences of living during the global pandemic.

Jamie deRoy's quality television programming provides a fourth installment of looking back.

Folk-country pop singer-songwriter Crystal Bowersox, an American Idol finalist who was the first contestant in the program's history to have one of her original songs played on the show, returns to Club Helsinki Hudson on Thursday, July 16, at 8pm.

On Friday, November 22nd, 2019, Progressive Theater in Maplewood, NJ will host the 1st Annual Black & Blue Fundraising Gala at The Woodland: Great Hall from 6:00pm to 11:00pm.

There is a lot to like packed into this production directed by Randal Myler. The action is well paced and well-staged. The use of turntables, tiering, and scrims are particularly effective elements of the scenic design by Tim Mackabee. The choreography by Brian Reeder, and costumes designed by Leon Dobkowski present a feast for the eyes. The entire 19-members of the cast deliver in acting, singing, and dancing. It would be an oversight not to call out the performance of Richard Crandle. His portrayal of Little Richard is brassy, sassy, and all kinds of Woooooooo. The audience is noticeably energized when Crandle is on stage and few wish he would 'shet-up' as if that were even remotely possible.

Berkshire Theatre Group presents Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield

The Berkshire Theatre Group cast of Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story had their first read through earlier this week in New York City! Rock and Roll Man is being presented by Berkshire Theatre Group, in association with five-time Tony Award-Winning Caiola Productions (Once on this Island, Dear Evan Hansen, The Color Purple, All The Way, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf). Rock and Roll Man has a book by Gary Kupper, Larry Marshak and Rose Caiola, with original music and lyrics by Gary Kupper.

Berkshire Theatre Group (Kate Maguire, Artistic Director/CEO) in association with five-time Tony Award-winning Caiola Productions (Once on this Island, Dear Evan Hansen, The Color Purple, All The Way, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf) presents Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story, directed by Tony Award-nominee Randal Myler (It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues) at The Colonial Theatre as part of their 2019 Summer Season. The production is in development for a Broadway run and a national tour.

The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Jeff Lindberg, kicks off the company's 40th anniversary season with A CJO Salute to Nancy Wilson, Saturday, October 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago's Fine Arts Building. Single tickets are $35 (balcony) and $45 (floor). Or, save with a CJO 2018-19 season package - the Nancy Wilson tribute concert, CJO's holiday ELLAbration on December 21 and a major concert event on May 18, 2019 celebrating 40 years of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, all at the Studebaker - for just $85 (balcony) or $115 (floor). Single tickets and season packages are on sale now at chicagojazzorchestra.org.

The original producers of Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller, Broadway's longest running musical revue, announced today that the show will return to New York this summer following a limited engagement at Maine's Ogunquit Playhouse. Preview performances will begin at New York's Stage 42 (422 West 42nd Street) on July 6 and opening night is set for July 22. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, March 12 through telecharge.com and the box office will open on June 25. Casting is to be announced.

Today, Grammy-nominated powerhouse Beth Hart and guitar hero Joe Bonamassa, release their new collaborative album Black Coffee. The duo's previous album, Seesaw, was critically acclaimed, Grammy nominated, and hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Top Albums chart.

In time for the 2018 National Association of Music Merchant (NAMM) 2018 tradeshow in Anaheim, singer songwriter Gussie Miller has released his debut album 'Forever Plan' on CD. The album had previously been available on streaming services only, earning the distinction of being one of the first 'digital only CDs' to appear on the Grammy ballot in the history of The Recording Academy. In conjunction with the release of the CD, Miller who has collaborated with artists including Cher, Seal, Gino Vannelli, Lavern Baker, Cher, Marcus Miller, Keb' Mo', Cleto Escobedo, Jay Gore and Mindi Abair is preparing to release his second album's single 'Sunshine,' for 2019 Grammy consideration.

It has been 4 years since 2013's critically acclaimed, Grammy nominated, and number 1 Billboard Blues album Seesaw was released by singer-songwriter and blues-rock powerhouse Beth Hart and guitar hero Joe Bonamassa.

Published every Monday, BroadwayWorld Cabaret writers will pick their top recommendations for shows throughout NYC during the upcoming week.

Since first achieving fame as a teen pop sensation in the 1950s, Neil Sedaka has kept America singing for six decades. He brings the timeless hits of his storied career to Heinz Hall to perform with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra during the PNC Pops weekend May 12-14.

Broadway In Chicago has announced Tony and Olivier Award-nominated Euan Morton will play the role of Hedwig, and Hannah Corneau will play Yitzhak in the National Tour of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the 2014 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival. Hedwig and the Angry Inch will play Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph) March 7-19, 2017.