Les Davis News

The 20th Season of Broadway Onstage Live Theatre and the 33rd, and final, season of Dennis Wickline Productions opens on Friday, July 19 with the Alan Ball Comedy FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS. The production will run Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Select Sundays at 2pm through Saturday, August 17.

With overwhelming fan demand continuing for Josh Groban's No. 1 album released earlier this year, one of the most powerful voices in modern popular music is returning to the big screen in a special edition of 'Josh Groban: All That Echoes Artist Cut.' This special event, a personal collaboration between Josh Groban, Warner Bros. Records and NCM Fathom Events, will hit select movie theaters nationwide on Tuesday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. local time, with an updated welcome message to movie theater audiences from the singer. Groban was up-close and candid with fans during the original February 4 premiere event, broadcast from New York's famed Lincoln Center, where he performed hits and selections from his just-released album 'All That Echoes,' which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. In addition to his original February Q&A session with fans who texted and tweeted from around the country, updates to this special encore will include a very special behind-the-scenes journey through the creative process of the making of 'All that Echoes' as seen through the eyes of Groban himself.

Miki Purnell recently made her notable recording debut with Swingin' To The Sea. Musically, the CD is full of joy, high musicianship, versatility, infectious enthusiasm, and memorable singing. But when one considers that Miki is a fulltime doctor who practices in the San Diego area, it is particularly remarkable that her singing is so professional, fresh and inventive, never sounding like this is her second career.

The fact that Carmen Souza and Theo Pas'cal complement each other musically in an ingenious way has already been shown in their successful cooperation over the last few years. The latest studio-album called Kachupada, that was recorded in London and Lisbon to be released in June 2013, continues this tradition. The title of the album was inspired by the favorite Cape Verdean dish Kachupada that, with its wide variety of ingredients and spices, reflects the multiplicity of influences in Carmen Souza's music.

World-renowned guitarist John McLaughlin, announces his first U.S. tour in three years, set for this June. The tour will begin tonight, June 11th in Durham, NC and will hit Asheville, DC, Bethlehem, Boston and a 3-night stand in New York City at the Blue Note before ending in Toronto on June 23rd. McLaughlin and his legendary 4th Dimension band will also make a special appearance at this year's Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, Tennessee on June 14th.

Miki Purnell recently made her notable recording debut with Swingin' To The Sea. Musically, the CD is full of joy, high musicianship, versatility, infectious enthusiasm, and memorable singing. But when one considers that Miki is a fulltime doctor who practices in the San Diego area, it is particularly remarkable that her singing is so professional, fresh and inventive, never sounding like this is her second career.

When Sly and The Family Stone hit the scene back in the late '60s, the world - socially, culturally and politically - was in a state of upheaval. And their music perfectly evangelized the moment. Today, we stand dangerously at the edge of a similar precipice - and that message of celebratory potential and jubilant clarity is sorely needed. With that concept squarely implanted in his mind's eye, visionary conceptualist, producer, arranger, composer and keyboard wizard Jason Miles has created the extraordinary Sly Reimagined on the Zoho Roots label. With his groundbreaking, genre-defying borderless mothership Global Noize providing the vehicle, Miles takes on eight classic Sly Stone journeys into the wilds of a reality nearly half a century beyond their point of inception.

Yoshi's San Francisco announces updated calendar for club and restaurant through July 7, 2013.

The Town Hall is proud to announce the season finale of Broadway by the Year featuring The Broadway Musicals of 1988, includingThe Phantom of the Opera, Chess, Legs Diamond, Romance Romance, Carrie, and More! Scott Siegel, the creator, writer, and host of Broadway by the Year has selected a half dozen performers to star in the concert, including Howard McGillin, who holds the record for playing 'The Phantom' longer than any other actor in Broadway history. He will be joined by one of his Christines, Jennifer Hope Wills. Drama Desk Nominees Farah Alvin (The Marvelous Wonderettes) and Kevin Earley (Death Takes a Holiday) return toBroadway by the Year. Lisa Brescia, who starred on Broadway in Twyla Tharp's The Times They Are A-Changin', as Elphaba in Wicked, and as Donna in Mamma Mia! makes her Broadway by the Year debut and favorite Scott Coulter will direct and star in the concert. The cast will be joined by the Broadway by the Year Chorus.

From May 28 to June 7, 2014, the New York Philharmonic will present the inaugural NY PHIL BIENNIAL, a kaleidoscopic exploration of today's music by a wide range of contemporary and modern composers that will showcase an array of curatorial voices through concerts presented with partners in venues both on and off the Lincoln Center campus.

The Town Hall is proud to announce the season finale of Broadway by the Year featuring The Broadway Musicals of 1988, includingThe Phantom of the Opera, Chess, Legs Diamond, Romance Romance, Carrie, and More! Scott Siegel, the creator, writer, and host of Broadway by the Year has selected a half dozen performers to star in the concert, including Howard McGillin, who holds the record for playing 'The Phantom' longer than any other actor in Broadway history. He will be joined by one of his Christines, Jennifer Hope Wills. Drama Desk Nominees Farah Alvin (The Marvelous Wonderettes) and Kevin Earley (Death Takes a Holiday) return toBroadway by the Year. Lisa Brescia, who starred on Broadway in Twyla Tharp's The Times They Are A-Changin', as Elphaba in Wicked, and as Donna in Mamma Mia! makes her Broadway by the Year debut and favorite Scott Coulter will direct and star in the concert. The cast will be joined by the Broadway by the Year Chorus.

Broadway producer Rocco Landesman was born and raised in St. Louis, where his family owned the Crystal Palace, a Gaslight Square cabaret that featured cutting edge theater and performers. Landesman developed and produced the Broadway musical Big River, which won 7 Tony Awards in 1985.

Coming up at 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launched its series of late night events. Joining Tuesday nights' popular "Backstage" with Susie Mosher is the "54 Piano Bar," a new vocal competition - 'The Callback," and more, including: stage and television star Laura Benanti, High Fidelity in Concert, WGBO Jazz Series: Karrin Allyson Quartet, Tony winner Frances Ruffelle, Charlie Rosen's Broadway Big Band, Sondheim Unplugged and Simply Streisand.

Matt Cusson will play a show at The Garage on June 13 at 7pm.

The Hartt School will welcome acclaimed tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson as Associate Professor of Jazz and Chair of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz. Jackson, who's appointment begins in August, will serve as the educational and administrative leader for the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, and will teach, work with ensembles, assist in recruitment and development efforts, and represent the Institute and The Hartt School both internally and externally.

To learn early about just-booked shows, become a Palladium "Friend." Learn more about the Friends with Benefits membership program, by visiting www.mypalladium.org, drop by or call the Box Office (727) 822-3590, Wednesdays -Fridays, noon to 3 p.m. and three hours prior to every performances.

The fact that Carmen Souza and Theo Pas'cal complement each other musically in an ingenious way has already been shown in their successful cooperation over the last few years. The latest studio-album called Kachupada, that was recorded in London and Lisbon to be released in October 2012, continues this tradition. The title of the album was inspired by the favorite Cape Verdean dish Kachupada that, with its wide variety of ingredients and spices, reflects the multiplicity of influences in Carmen Souza's music. Listen to the sampler below!

According to author Charles R. Davis, The Sermon on the Mount is much more than a sermon. In The Surpassing Righteousness, he argues that it characterizes the core principles for those who would be disciples of Christ.

Rain Pryor has had many television roles. Most notably, you might remember her on the ABC series 'Head of the Class.' She's now a mom and calls Baltimore home. Nevertheless, New York welcomes her with open arms. Her autobiographical one-woman show, Fried Chicken and Latkes is running now at the Actors Temple Theatre (339 W. 47th Street).

Award-winning blues rock star and guitar hero Joe Bonamassa will return to Detroit's Fox Theatre for an intimate 'Evening with' performance tonight, May 3 at 8 p.m. The one-night-only show is in support of his brand new solo album, Driving Towards The Daylight, which made its debut at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, the eighth time a Bonamassa album has debuted at #1.