Leslie Odom, Jr. News

Focus Features has released a new trailer for Harriet, starring Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo. Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, HARRIET tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

There are so many ways you can absorb theatre but one of the most important and underrated ways is through television. We all know about Glee and the success it had, but most people aren't aware of the other genius musical shows such as Crazy Ex Girlfriend, Galavant, and even Smash, which is probably the most well-known of the three.

National Geographic, with Imagine Television Studios and Fox 21 Television Studios, announced today that Tony®-, Emmy®- and Grammy® Award-winning Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet,” Broadway's “The Color Purple”) will star as Aretha Franklin in the next installment of the Emmy-winning global anthology series Genius: Aretha. This upcoming season will be the first-ever, definitive and only authorized scripted limited series on the life of the universally acclaimed Queen of Soul. Filming will start this November for a spring 2020 premiere on National Geographic channels in 172 countries and 43 languages.

Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, HARRIET tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. HARRIET stars Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., and Janelle Monae.

Elsie Fest, New York City's first music festival featuring stars and songs of the stage and screen, will return for its 5th year this fall! A line-up has not yet been announced, but pre-sale begins today for tickets to the October 5th event.

The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus is thrilled to announce its 2019/20 season, including the imaginative Family Discovery Series, storied Broadway season, star-studded Jazz selection, captivating & educational National Geographic Live Explorer nights, and inviting free community events. Packages and select single tickets are on sale now. All Cultural Campus programming enables the Center to move forward in its mission to engage the Philadelphia region's diverse communities with art through performance and education.

ODC/Dance is pleased to announce that company dancer Mia J. Chong has been honored with a Princess Grace Award in Dance, and will receive the Princess Grace Foundation's prestigious Chris Hellman Dance Award.  

Leslie Odom, Jr. is back at it, hard at work on a new album. The performer announced on Twitter that he will be releasing a new single September 13th, followed by a full album in November!

BalletX, led by Artistic & Executive Director Christine Cox, is proud to announce that company dancer Stanley Glover is the recipient of a 2019 Princess Grace Award in Dance. The Princess Grace Foundation-USA (PGF-USA) enlisted one of its most illustrious Award winners, Leslie Odom Jr., to announce the winners on August 13, 2019. The Awards will be presented at the Foundation's annual Gala and continue the legacy of Princess Grace (Kelly) of Monaco, who helped emerging artists pursue their artistic goals during Her lifetime. Since 1982, the Foundation has awarded nearly 800 artists with grants totaling over $1 million annually in theater, dance and film. In the presence of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, this year's Gala will be held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on November 25, 2019.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Conductor John Morris Russell announced Damon Gupton as Principal Guest Conductor starting in the 2019- 2020 season.

Breakout band Lawrence debuts the video for their song, “Casualty,” which was produced by rapper, singer and songwriter Jon Bellion. Of the video, Lawrence says, “For the 'Casualty' music video, we wanted to set up a fun live-action video game with an obstacle course that is timed to the massive musical hits that make up the song's foundation. A bunch of cool lights and paint balloons later, we had a pretty cool music video.”

Today's top stories: a film adaptation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is in the works, Six will sail the seas on Norwegian Cruise Line, A Christmas Carol is returning to Broadway, and more!

Today's top stories: The Little Mermaid Live, Grand Horizons on Broadway, and more!

It's officially been four years since audiences first entered the room where it happens with the opening night of Hamilton at Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre! In honor of the occasion, we're taking a look at the original cast of young, scrappy, and hungry cast members that brought the show to Broadway. Check out what Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, and more have been up to in their nonstop careers with our guide!

Today's top stories: New casting has been announced for Tina, two new cast members are set for Dear Evan Hansen, and more!

Focus Features has released the first trailer for HARRIET, starring Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., and Janelle Monae. Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, HARRIET tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. 

Broadway is coming to the big screen! Thirteen movie musicals are currently in development and are set to delight audiences in the coming months and years, from long-awaited movie adaptations to remakes and sequels of fan favorites. With such a variety to look forward to, we're getting you prepared by giving you a peek at each of the movies officially announced to receive the silver screen treatment! Take a peek at all the excitement, and be sure to check back in as even more are announced!

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA has announced that it is establishing a new award to support emerging theater professionals in any discipline for his/her "Unique Contribution to Theater."  This award is being funded by a $1,000,000 charitable gift from the John Gore Organization with a goal of identifying and supporting extraordinary young talent in the theater field.  The award will be presented annually, beginning in 2019.

Across the board, from masterpieces to movies, it's going to be a big, fun 201920 season for the Kansas City Symphony.

All aboard! Murder on the Orient Express will take off at Theatre Tallahassee Oct. 24 and run through Nov. 10, 2019.