Marvin Gaye News

On Monday, April 21 at 7:30pm, theBestArts.com will present its fifth Broadway benefit cabaret in Atlanta, THE LION SINGS TONIGHT. The evening will feature performances by cast and crew members of the Broadway national touring company of DISNEY'S THE LION KING at the Woodruff Arts Center's Rich Theatre in midtown Atlanta. 100% of ticket revenue from this event will go directly to JOINING HEARTS and BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS (BC/EFA).

If Prince hand selects you to be in his band, chances are you're at the top of your game. Such was the case in 1978 when Prince tapped Sheila E. to record on the Purple Rain album, where she lent vocals to 'Let's Go Crazy' and 'Erotic City'. From there on out, their musical lives have often been intertwined. On her own, Sheila E's R&B and jazz-fusion roots have solidified her in the annals of rock history as a dynamic singer/songwriter, percussionist and drummer. This amazing artist will be in concert at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Sunday, June 1, at 8 p.m. performing from her songbook, which includes 'The Glamorous Life', 'A Love Bizarre' and the 'We Are the World' session. Her latest record Icon (March 2014) features catchy hooks, dynamic percussive performances and even a collaboration with Prince.

Great Performances presents a look at the British invasion 50 years after both the Dave Clark Five and the Beatles hit our shores. The Dave Clark Five and Beyond Glad All Over features newly filmed interviews with Tom Hanks, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt of The E Street Band, Stevie Wonder, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, Gene Simmons of Kiss, Whoopi Goldberg, Dionne Warwick, '60s fashion icon Twiggy and Sir Ian McKellen, all sharing their memories of how the music of the 60s and the cultural revolution of 1964 changed their lives forever.

It is Theatre Development Fund's belief that future audiences are built by engaging students, first-hand, in the vital and exciting activity of the creative process, as well as providing opportunities to see live performances of great theatre. To that end, 1,500 New York City public high school and middle school students from 20 schools (and one school from East Orange, NJ), who are participating in TDF's Stage Doors Program, attended a special matinee performance of Broadway's smash hit, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL today, April 3 at 1pm at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street, NYC). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the special event below!

'Happy birthday to you,' MOTOWN THE MUSICAL! The smash hit, which celebrates its first Broadway anniversary on April 14, has released a new montage of show clips set to legendary Motown classics from the musical, including 'I Want You Back,' 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours,' 'Get Ready,' 'Dancing In The Street,' and 'Do You Love Me.' Check it out below!

It is Theatre Development Fund's belief that future audiences are built by engaging students, first-hand, in the vital and exciting activity of the creative process, as well as providing opportunities to see live performances of great theatre. To that end, 1,500 New York City public high school and middle school students from 20 schools (and one school from East Orange, NJ), who are participating in TDF's Stage Doors Program, will be attending a special matinee performance of Broadway's smash hit, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL on Thursday, April 3 at 1pm at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street, NYC).

World-class drummer and percussionist Sheila Escovedo's first CD in 13 years, ICON, is available today at all major digital stores. 'We are excited about the release, particularly of the multi-genre format that reflects Sheila E.'s broad artistry and experience,' stated manager Gilbert Davison. '2014 marks Sheila's 40th anniversary in the music business and what better way to celebrate than to release a new CD.'

The Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts has announced DR. K'S MOTOWN REVUE presented by JJK Productions, LLC on Saturday, May 3 at 8:00 PM. Paul Korman, aka Dr. K, in his visionary quest to create the ultimate Motown tribute band has put together an array of seasoned musicians and singers to form the Dr. K's Motown Revue Band (DKMRB), a professional self contained 11 piece Motown tribute band. Taking you through the Motown experience of the 60s, they perform hits by the Supremes, Temptations, Martha and the Vandellas and many other Motown artists including a special segment each performance devoted to Diana Ross hits as well as the memorable duets of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Dr. K's Motown Revue Saturday, May 3 at 8:00 PM The Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 E. Main St., Patchogue, NY 11772 Tickets: $20-$40 plus fee; available at patchoguetheatre.com, the box office, or by phone 631-207-1313 Audiences of Dr. K's Motown Revue Band are enthralled because it is not just the songs but the memories associated with them that have left an indelible stamp on the hearts and souls of generations of Motown fans around the world. The dynamic and versatile sound of the DKMRB is the most authentic Motown sound since the original Motown studio band, the Funk Brothers. The band further engages the audience by integrating bits of Motown trivia into the show, offering giveaways, and getting the audience on their feet dancing and singing along to the music ensuring a delightful time for all!

World-class drummer and percussionist Sheila Escovedo is scheduled to release her first solo album in twelve years, 'Icon,' today, March 25 as part of the celebration of her 40th anniversary in the music business,

Rock & Roll and Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee Felix Cavaliere brings his Rascals to the Suncoast Showroom, this weekend, March 22 and 23.

As previously announced, Clifton Oliver and Allison Semmes will star in the leading roles of Berry Gordy and Diana Ross. Portraying groundbreaking Motown artists, Nicholas Christopher will play Smokey Robinson and Jarran Muse will play Marvin Gaye. Leon Outlaw, Jr. and Reed L. Shannon will portray Berry Gordy's boyhood counterpart and the roles of young stars Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.

As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, the smash hit Queen & Ben Elton musical We Will Rock You is due finally to close on 31 May 2014, and rumors are circulating that the Tony Award-nominated Motown will open at the theatre in early 2015 to fill the void.

Having rocked over 6.5 million people in a record-breaking 12 years at the London's Dominion Theatre, the smash hit Queen & Ben Elton musical We Will Rock You is due finally to close on 31 May 2014, as BroadwayWorld reported yesterday. Now the longest running show ever at the Dominion by a margin of nine years, the show takes its rightful place in West End history, sitting proudly in the Top 10 longest running musicals of all time. Now according to the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, the Tony Award-nominated Motown will open at the theatre in early 2015 to fill the void.

Producers Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris and Berry Gordy have announced that Clifton Oliver and Allison Semmes have been cast in the leading roles of Berry Gordy and Diana Ross in MOTOWN THE MUSICAL. The First National Tour begins performances April 22, 2014 at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago before continuing to cities across the country.

Great Performances presents a look at the British invasion 50 years after both the Dave Clark Five and the Beatles hit our shores.

World-class drummer and percussionist Sheila Escovedo is scheduled to release her first solo album in twelve years, 'Icon,' on March 25 as part of the celebration of her 40th anniversary in the music business,

'Let's Get It On' opens on 13 May at The Athenaeum Theatre and celebrates the life and music of the multi-talented musician, singer and songwriter Marvin Gaye, whose records sold in the millions and who continues to influence a legion of artists the world over.

Music Director and Conductor Michael Krajewski, the nationally recognized Pops conductor who performs with orchestras throughout the country, brings back his innovative programming and lighthearted approach with the 2014-2015 concert season of The Philly POPS. Encore Series, Inc, the presenter of The Philly POPS, is pleased to introduce this exciting series of concerts which begins in October, 2014 with the Era of ABBA, followed by Classic Soul. It continues with a salute to the American Songbook Then and Now and a visit to the movies with Epic Hollywood Soundtracks. The season ends with the Legends of Rock.

Norm Lewis makes his eagerly anticipated solo debut at American Songbook on Saturday night at 8:30pm. The show is SOLD OUT, and has been for weeks, and he has been in what he calls 'training' for the last few months. His musical director is Joseph Joubert (Motown, The Color Purple, Violet, Leap of Faith) and the evening is directed by Richard Jay-Alexander., for whom Norm did 'Javert' along with Hugh Panaro as 'Valjean' in last summer's blockbuster success of LES MISERABLES at The Muny in St. Louis.

World-class drummer and percussionist Sheila Escovedo is scheduled to release her first solo album in twelve years, Icon, on March 25 as part of the celebration of her 40th anniversary in the music business, it was announced today by Manager Gilbert Davison. 'We are excited about the release, particularly of the multi-genre format that reflects Sheila E.'s broad artistry and experience,' Davison expresses.