Leslie Odom, Jr. News

Upcoming offerings include: Ailey All Access, a returning online initiative featuring a series of performance broadcasts January 31 – June 20; a virtual educational performance experience will introduce young audiences to the magic of Ailey; Ailey Extension's dance and fitness classes program invites fans around the world to join in the dance with new workshops; and viewers are encouraged to explore the life and work of a brilliant and enigmatic genius through feature-length documentary portrait, AILEY.

In a first look at the second half of the new season, Josh Gad and Rory O’Malley reunite for a catchy musical number called “You are the Music.' The song is written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez and also features Tituss Burgess and Emmy Raver-Lampman. Watch the new music video now!

The Ailey organization committed to furthering the pioneering vision of its founder Alvin Ailey continues to find ways to build community, inspire, and celebrate the indomitable human spirit through dance with a new slate of digital programing in conjunction with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's national tour marking Artistic Director Robert Battle's 10th anniversary and 50 years of Cry.

I was fortunate enough to get to head down to DeVos Hall for the first live event I have been to there in over two years, the last being to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the week the tour was put on pause due to Covid.   I was very excited to come back for a very special event, to not only hear a great concert but to help send off someone whom I’ve gotten to see quite a bit since starting BroadwayWorld Detroit back in 2018.  Grand Rapids Symphony, Associate Conductor John Varineau, retired in May 2021. He was recognized at an outdoor event on August 1, 2021. This concert marked his farewell, where he lead the orchestra Grand Rapids Symphony Adult Chorus.

The series features the voices of Keke Palmer, Billy Porter, Kyla Pratt, Tommy Davidson, Paula Jai Parker, JoMarie Payton, Cedric the Entertainer, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Chance the Rapper, Normani, Leslie Odom Jr, Tiffany Haddish, Lena Waithe, Anthony Anderson, Gabrielle Union, Debbie Allen, Tina Knowles, Al Roker, and more.

Although it may be a new year, several classics are returning to streaming services, giving Broadway fans the perfect throwback binge list, along with HBO's star-studded The Gilded Age series and new additions to Seth Rudetsky's online concert series. Check out what you should stream this January!

What better way to celebrate a new year than with the most popular song of New Year's Eve? 'Auld Lang Syne' has long been considered the official tune of the holiday, but do you know why? Let's break it down...

This festive concert experience features uplifting performances of seasonal favorites by Lauren Alaina, Michael Bublé, Kelly Clarkson, Gavin DeGraw, Brett Eldredge, Cyndi Lauper, Maddie & Tae, Reba McEntire, and more and holiday greetings in video messages from Sofia Carson, Lester Holt, Katy Perry, Olivia Rodrigo, and others.

Billy Porter has revealed his official music video for “Children”. The visual is Porter's first video with his new team at the Island/Republic record label. “Children” is a high-energy dance floor anthem co-written with GRAMMY® Award-nominated songwriter MNEK [H.E.R., Dua Lipa] and Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall.

In comes Company! Just last night, the much anticipated revival of Company, starring Tony winner Katrina Lenk and two-time Tony winner Patti LuPone, opened on Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and you can check out photos from the star-studded red carpet!

Artist, visionary, and entrepreneur, Joan Myers Brown is the founder of the world-renowned Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO) and the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts.

Kelly Clarkson has shared a performance from her recent NBC Christmas special. Brett Eldredge, Ariana Grande, Jay Leno, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Odom Jr., Amy Poehler and the one-and-only Santa Claus join Clarkson and some special everyday heroes with life-changing surprises in the new Holiday special.

The 'And Peggy' touring company of Hamilton officially reopened in San Francisco on August 10.

CAA Amplify, Broadway Advocacy Coalition, and The Movement Theatre Company co-hosted a celebration of this fall’s eight Black playwrights on Broadway. The event was held on Monday, December 6th at the Paradise Room at The Times Square EDITION. 

Leslie Odom, Jr. was a guest-voice on a recent episode of Blue's Clues & You as his character 'Mo Snow' sang 'The Snowflake Song!' The popular Nickelodeon children's series also stars Aladdin alum Josh Dela Cruz. Odom Jr. was seen on Broadway in Hamilton, Rent, and Leap of Faith. Hear Leslie Odom Jr. sing in a new clip from the episode now!

Find out the best new Broadway holiday albums for 2021! Tis the season for holiday tunes! From festive favorites to brand-new bops, Broadway isn't disappointing this year, with a huge variety of new holiday albums from your favorite artists to put under the tree.

Kelly Clarkson offers a sneak peek at her new Christmas special on NBC! Brett Eldredge, Ariana Grande, Jay Leno, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Odom Jr., Amy Poehler and the one-and-only Santa Claus will join Clarkson and some special everyday heroes with life-changing surprises. Watch the new performance now!

Leslie Odom Jr., Melissa McCarthy, Amy Poehler,and Brett Eldredge shared some of their favorite holiday memories backstage with Kelly Clarkson before her new Christmas special on NBC. “Kelly Clarkson Presents: When Christmas Comes Around” is a new holiday special celebrating the release of Clarkson's latest Christmas album.

In a recent interview on CNBC, Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda revealed that the film capture of the Broadway production amplified the demand for ticket sales to the show on Broadway. Miranda went on to encourage other producers to release filmed pro-shots of Broadway productions moving forward. 'Hamilton' is now streaming on Disney+.

Check out our mega-playlist of holiday songs from Broadway shows like White Christmas, Elf, Rent, She Loves Me and more, as well as classics sung by some of Broadway's biggest stars, such as Billy Porter, Julie Andrews, Kristin Chenoweth, Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, Leslie Odom, Jr., Norm Lewis, Idina Menzel, Angela Lansbury, Linda Eder, Matthew Morrison and many more.