Luther Vandross News

'Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations' opened March 21, at Broadway's legendary Imperial Theatre. However, many fans of the Temptations music may not know the group's long and complicated history. 

In his life, he won eight GRAMMY awards, sold over 35 million records worldwide, and filled arenas around the world. On Sunday, April 7, The American Pops Orchestra will bring the music and style of the legendary Luther Vandross back to the nation's capital.

The Hit Men, starring musicians and singers who performed and recorded with Elton John, Cat Stevens, Journey, Jim Croce, Three Dog Night, The Rascals, The Turtles, Carly Simon and more, perform music from the 60s and 70s at Mayo Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 8 pm. Tickets are $39-$59. 

It was announced today (Friday 15 March 2019) that renowned stage, film and TV performer Peter Polycarpou will play Don Quixote's squire, Sancho Panza in Man of the Mancha at the London Coliseum; the first West End production of this multi-Tony award-winning Broadway musical for 50 years.

Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison's first novel comes to life at the Wells Theatre. The Bluest Eye, directed by Khanisha Foster, follows the story of young Pecola in 1940's Ohio who is pregnant at her father's hands. She is taken in by a loving family and cared for by brilliant and kind sisters, Frieda and Claudia. The character-driven play, both poetic and daringly funny, illuminates the destructive powers of racism and class dynamics while exploring the power of community through exquisite storytelling. The Bluest Eye is produced in collaboration with Norfolk State University Theatre Company.

Lauded Broadway and recording artist Telly Leung will be bringing this cabaret show SING HAPPY for one-night-only to Vitello's March 18, 2019. SING HAPPY will include songs from Telly's various musical roles, tunes from his vocal idols, and some simply for personal significance.

Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison's first novel comes to life at the Wells Theatre. The Bluest Eye, directed by Khanisha Foster, follows the story of young Pecola in 1940's Ohio who is pregnant at her father's hands. She is taken in by a loving family and cared for by brilliant and kind sisters, Frieda and Claudia. The character-driven play, both poetic and daringly funny, illuminates the destructive powers of racism and class dynamics while exploring the power of community through exquisite storytelling. The Bluest Eye is produced in collaboration with Norfolk State University Theatre Company.

Imagine seeing Stefani Germanotta perform before she became Lady Gaga. Or Beyonce sing before she was famous. That's the vision for The American Pops Orchestra's 'NextGen: Finding the Voices of Tomorrow.'

Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison's first novel comes to life at the Wells Theatre. The Bluest Eye, directed by Khanisha Foster, follows the story of young Pecola in 1940's Ohio who is pregnant at her father's hands. She is taken in by a loving family and cared for by brilliant and kind sisters, Frieda and Claudia. The character-driven play, both poetic and daringly funny, illuminates the destructive powers of racism and class dynamics while exploring the power of community through exquisite storytelling. The Bluest Eye is produced in collaboration with Norfolk State University Theatre Company.

The intimate, indoor Event Gallery at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts will host 1969 Woodstock festival alumnus (who performed with Paul Butterfield as part of the Butterfield Blues Band) and Grammy-award winner David Sanborn on November 7th at 8:00 p.m. Reserved seating tickets will go on-sale to the general public on Friday, February 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org  

Today, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts announced that London's The Kingdom Choir will perform in Helzberg Hall on October 1, as part of the 2019-2020 Kauffman Center Presents series.

Tony-nominated Broadway actress Loretta Ables Sayre returns to Blue Note Hawaii in Waikiki on Feb. 24, with a show at 8 p.m. Ables Sayre's performance will feature jazz standard selections from the Great American Songbook. Joining Loretta will be Hawaii-based musicians Jim Howard on piano, Dean Taba on bass and Darryl Pellegrini on drums.

Back by popular demand, KINGS AND QUEENS OF SOUL: A TRIBUTE CONCERT TO THE PIONEERS OF SOUL MUSIC will be performed exclusively April 7th at 3:00pm. Powerhouse vocalists will include Jacqueline B. Arnold (Moulin Rouge, An Evening With Phyllis Hyman), Anthony Wayne (Tootsie, Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical, City Center's A Chorus Line), Durrell Wells, Recording Artist Annette Taylor, model and singer Ryan Love (A Soulful Christmas), Burgandy Williams (X Factor UK, 2018), Lady Pepper (A Soulful Christmas), Milah Jae, Vincent Hale (A Soulful Christmas), Kareema Khouri (Queens of Soul) and many more surprise guests as well.

Victoria Theatre Association's Universal 1 Credit Union VIC150 Music Series presents RUBEN SINGS LUTHER, featuring American Idol winner, Ruben Studdard as he pays tribute to Grammy Award - winning, R&B singer and songwriter, Luther Vandross, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the historic Victoria Theatre. Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. at Ticket Center Stage, by phone at 937-228-3630, (toll-free) 888-228-3630 or online at ticketcenterstage.com.

It was announced today that the BAFTA award-winning actor Nicholas Lyndhurst and West End star Cassidy Janson have joined Kelsey Grammer and Danielle de Niese in the acclaimed musical Man of La Mancha which opens at the London Coliseum on 26 April 2019.

'Bring it On' meets 'Dreamgirls' in the girl-group musical, 'Betty and the Belrays' by William Electric Black aka Ian Ellis James, which will be presented by Theater for the New City January 31 to February 17. The piece tells the story of three white female singers from Detroit who struggle to change a racially divided society by singing for a black record label. Book and lyrics are by William Electric Black. Music is by Black, Valerie Ghent (arranger/keyboards for Ashford & Simpson) and Gary Schreiner. Choreography is by Jeremy Lardieri. Director is Mr. Black.

'Bring it On' meets 'Dreamgirls' in the girl-group musical, 'Betty and the Belrays' by William Electric Black aka Ian Ellis James, which will be presented by Theater for the New City January 31 to February 17. The piece tells the story of three white female singers from Detroit who struggle to change a racially divided society by singing for a black record label. Book and lyrics are by William Electric Black. Music is by Black, Valerie Ghent (arranger/keyboards for Ashford & Simpson) and Gary Schreiner. Choreography is by Jeremy Lardieri. Director is Mr. Black.

James & Frei come to Rockwood Music Hall on Monday December 17th at 8PM.

In a career that spans more than three decades, legendary and Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz returns to the road this holiday season for his 21st annual Dave Koz Christmas Tour. Special guests joining Dave this year will be Mindi Abair, pop/blues saxophonist/singer who makes her first Christmas tour appearance; South African guitarist/singer Jonathan Butler; and Japanese keyboard sensation Keiko Matsui.

The Apollo Theater announced today that it is undertaking the initial phase of the iconic Theater's transformation into the Apollo Performing Arts Center through two new theaters within the Victoria Theater Redevelopment Project at 233 West 125th Street.