Louis Armstrong News

Fox's THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW has found its Dr. Everett Scott.

The Wilbury Theatre Group New Works program proudly announces the world premiere of a new commissioned work by Providence performance artist Christopher Johnson and slam poet Vatic Kuumba, Invisible UpSouth, February 26-March 6. Commissioned by The Wilbury Group in response to the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the ongoing discussion of race in America, and inspired by Ralph Ellison's masterpiece novel Invisible Man, Invisible UpSouth aims to challenge the way traditional theater-going audiences think about race and humanity and how they move through the world; how one can be well-educated and still blind to the world around them. 

American Conservatory Theater continues its 2015-16 seasonwith THE UNFORTUNATES (tonight, February 3, through April 10, 2016), a darkly comic musical that uses a unique mix of early 20th century American blues and gospel stylings fused with modern and syncopated rhythms to transport audiences to a world of memory and mythmaking.

IN THE MOOD: SONGS OF THE GREAT BAND LEADERS runs now through February 21, 2016 at Quality Hill Playhouse. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

This February for Black History Month, the Louis Armstrong House Museum will honor the most influential band in jazz history, Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five through its new exhibit: Hotter Than That - 90 Years of Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five. The Hot Five began recording in November 1925 but really hit their stride with their records of February 1926, including hits such as 'Heebie Jeebies' and 'Cornet Chop Suey.'

The Louis Armstrong House Museum is calling on volunteers that are 18-118 years old to join its museum docent-training program. The volunteer position serves a vital link between the historic house and the museum's visitors by interpreting this extraordinary historic site for them.

Due to overwhelming demand, Court Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert, announces an extension to its critically-acclaimed production of Terry Teachout's Satchmo at the Waldorf, directed by Charles Newell and featuring Barry Shabaka Henley. Satchmo at the Waldorf now runs through February 14, 2016 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. Tickets can be purchased online at www.courttheatre.org or by calling the box office at (773) 753-4472.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Brian Gallagher & Friends; Ben Vereen at 54 Below; New Musicals at 54: An Americain Boy by Amanda Green & Richard Thomas; Elizabeth A. Davis at 54 Below; and Linda Lavin in 'My First Farewell Concert.'

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its upcoming performances for February 1-7, 2016, featuring the Monterey Jazz All-Stars, Linda Lavin, Barbara Carroll, and more. Scroll down for details!

One of Broadway's most beloved musicals looked like a disaster in out-of-town previews.

Five moments when Broadway songwriters risked shocking and angering patrons with discomforting truths.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its February 2016 lineup, featuring Jane Monheit, Monterey Jazz Allstars, Nicolas King, The Birdland Big Band, Showbiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, John Pizzarelli Quartet, Birdland Jazz Party, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!

Hailing from West Coast Canada and now living in New York City, award winning trumpeter, vocalist and composer BRIA SKONBERG is 'poised to be one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation.' (Wall Street Journal). Now she joins Centenary Stage Company's January Thaw Music Festival on Saturday, January 23 at 8pm in the Lackland Center.

? The legendary Ben Vereen, who recently co-starred with Richard Gere in the film TIME OUT OF MIND, will return to Feinstein's/54 Below (254 W 54th St, Cellar, New York, NY 10019) with his acclaimed one man show, STEPPIN' OUT WITH BEN VEREEN, January 25 through 30.

Dale Head (dalehead.net), a jazz and blues powerhouse vocalist and trumpet player, today announced that he will be performing his blues and jazz tunes at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference (APAP) accompanied by a ten-piece orchestra. 'APAP is the world's largest forum for performing arts professionals with attendees coming from all around the world,' said Dale Head. 'I am passionate about my music and can't think of a better setting to bring back the amazing songs of some of our music legends.'

Ben Vereen, Debbie Gravitte, and Scott Coulter celebrate the incredible songbook of a legendary Broadway composer and lyricist in Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz at Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre in Malibu on February 2 at 8 p.m.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for January 11-24, 2016, including Stacy Sullivan, Merman's Apprentice, Stacey Kent, ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, and more. Scroll down for details!

Australian Pianist Matt Baker has performed at jazz festivals, clubs and concert halls in Australia, Europe, USA and the Pacific. Aside from performing as a solo artist, he is fast becoming one of the most sought after accompanists, sidemen and Musical Directors on the New York scene.  Now he joins Centenary Stage Company to close out the January Thaw Musical Festival with 'An Oscar Moment' on Saturday, January 30 at 8pm in the Lackland Center. 

Tenor and soprano saxophone virtuoso and visionary composer Matt Parker made a vivid impression with his 2013 debut recording, 'Worlds Put Together.' "Restlessly inventive" (Down Beat), Parker is "a fully formed artist with his own unique voice [who] sounds comfortable promenading down multiple paths" (All About Jazz).

Hailing from West Coast Canada and now living in New York City, award winning trumpeter, vocalist and composer Bria Skonberg is 'poised to be one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation.' (Wall Street Journal).  Now she joins Centenary Stage Company's January Thaw Music Festival on Saturday, January 23 at 8pm in the Lackland Center.