Marvin Gaye News

Anaheim Hills, California…Chance Theater is thrilled to present the third show of its 2012 season with the legendary musical of our time, like you have never seen it before, WEST SIDE STORY, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents, musical direction by Robyn Wallace, choreography by Kelly Todd and directed by Chance Theater's Artistic Director Oanh Nguyen. WEST SIDE STORY will preview on Friday, July 6 & Saturday, July 7 at 8pm; Sunday, July 8 at 2pm; Thursday, July 12 & Friday, July 13 at 8pm and will open on Saturday, July 14 at 8pm and continue through Sunday, August 12 at the Chance Theater, 5552 E. La Palma Ave. in Anaheim Hills.

In case you missed it in the "Showtune Mosh Pit" column last week, here is my full listing of musical theater shows (plus three special concert events) happening in Chicago this summer. Click on the name of each show for a link to more information. And enjoy!

Carole J. Bufford made her entrance on the New York cabaret stage in the Metropolitan Room's MetroStar Talent Challenge. Immediately following, she was asked to perform at the 2009 Cabaret Convention at Jazz@Lincoln Center presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation. In addition, Ms. Bufford has been featured in numerous Broadway By The Year concerts, both at The Town Hall and in California. She has also performed in All Singin', All Dancin' as well as the recent Tribute to Judy Garland and The Art of American Dance at The Town Hall where she shared the stage with Lorna Luft and Susan Stroman in an all-star cast.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The non-Equity Jeff Awards are Monday night, and we've compiled our first ever Summer Musical Theatre Guide! Here are 35 listings for your viewing pleasure....

Cabaret chronicles author Jenna Esposito interviews rising star William Blake about his upcoming tribute to Etta James, his performance in the new Air Supply musical and more in a cabaret chronicles exclusive article!

Kingsley Leggs, currently performing in Sister Act on Broadway, appears in Take Me Back - an unplugged 'Just a Piano' Concert at The Triad Theater, 158 West 72nd Street, tonight, May 28th, 2012 at 9:30pm. The evening will feature Jeff Waxman on piano with special guest Tony Winner LaChanze, with whom Mr. Leggs shared the Broadway stage in The Color Purple.

Kingsley Leggs, currently performing in Sister Act on Broadway, appears in Take Me Back - an unplugged 'Just a Piano' Concert at The Triad Theater, 158 West 72nd Street, Monday, May 28th, 2012 at 9:30pm. The evening will feature Jeff Waxman on piano with special guest Tony Winner LaChanze, with whom Mr. Leggs shared the Broadway stage in The Color Purple.

Black Ensemble Theater's production of THE MARVIN GAYE STORY celebrates its press opening tonight, May 20, 2012. The show runs now through July 29 at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street.

Fast-Rising Cabaret Stars Will Dazzle Royal Room Fans from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day: Carole J. Bufford, Nicolas King, Jennifer Sheehan, Wayne Hosford & Ariana Savalas The Colony Hotel - which The Palm Beach Post has hailed as "probably the best place for cabaret on the planet" - plans another sizzling, song-filled summer with some really hot and fast-rising performers straight from Manhattan's leading cabarets - several of whom are making their Royal Room debut and other performers who are returning favorites for loyal fans of the Royal Room Supper Club. The Colony Hotel's world famous Royal Room is widely celebrated for presenting "immaculately staged cabaret performances" by well known Grammy- and Tony-winning stars (Conde Nast Traveler, February 2011).

Celebrating the day of his birth at the place of his tragic death, Riffs on Race and War, a one-woman show with live music, honors the legacy of Malcolm X on his 87th birthday. Riffs… examines universally resounding realities such as social inequality and the need for unity across humanity.

Fast-Rising Cabaret Stars Will Dazzle Royal Room Fans from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day: Carole J. Bufford, Nicolas King, Jennifer Sheehan, Wayne Hosford & Ariana Savalas The Colony Hotel - which The Palm Beach Post has hailed as "probably the best place for cabaret on the planet" - plans another sizzling, song-filled summer with some really hot and fast-rising performers straight from Manhattan's leading cabarets - several of whom are making their Royal Room debut and other performers who are returning favorites for loyal fans of the Royal Room Supper Club. The Colony Hotel's world famous Royal Room is widely celebrated for presenting "immaculately staged cabaret performances" by well known Grammy- and Tony-winning stars (Conde Nast Traveler, February 2011).

Black Ensemble Theater presents the World Premiere of The Marvin Gaye Story (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend), written, produced and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor. The Marvin Gaye Story will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center from tonight, May 11 to July 29, 2012.

THE RRAZZ ROOM, San Francisco's premiere nightclub, presents the debut solo engagement of Valerie Simpson running now through May 13. Ms. Simpson wrote some of the greatest love songs of a generation with her husband and writing partner, Nick Ashford, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "You're All I Need To Get By," "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" and "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing." But when he died of throat cancer in August at the age of 70, Simpson was cast adrift. After spending more than four decades together, she didn't know if she would ever get back on stage. Valerie performs all their greatest hits in this moving concert experience. See below for photos of Valerie's opening night performance!

The Rrazz Room, a San Francisco nightclub, presents the debut solo engagement of Valerie Simpson from tonight, May 8 to May 13. Ms. Simpson wrote love songs with her husband and writing partner, Nick Ashford, including 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' 'You're All I Need To Get By,' 'Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)' and 'Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing.' He died of throat cancer in August at the age of 70. Valerie will perform all their greatest hits in this moving once in a lifetime concert experience. The RRazz Room has been the Bay Area 'home' of Nick & Val since its inception.

Fast-Rising Cabaret Stars Will Dazzle Royal Room Fans from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day: Carole J. Bufford, Nicolas King, Jennifer Sheehan, Wayne Hosford & Ariana Savalas The Colony Hotel - which The Palm Beach Post has hailed as 'probably the best place for cabaret on the planet' - plans another sizzling, song-filled summer with some really hot and fast-rising performers straight from Manhattan's leading cabarets - several of whom are making their Royal Room debut and other performers who are returning favorites for loyal fans of the Royal Room Supper Club. The Colony Hotel's world famous Royal Room is widely celebrated for presenting 'immaculately staged cabaret performances' by well known Grammy- and Tony-winning stars (Conde Nast Traveler, February 2011).

The Rrazz Room, a San Francisco nightclub, will present the debut solo engagement of Valerie Simpson from May 8 to May 13. Ms. Simpson wrote love songs with her husband and writing partner, Nick Ashford, including 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' 'You're All I Need To Get By,' 'Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)' and 'Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing.' He died of throat cancer in August at the age of 70. Valerie will perform all their greatest hits in this moving once in a lifetime concert experience. The RRazz Room has been the Bay Area 'home' of Nick & Val since its inception.

Yoshi's Jazz Club on Fillmore Street announced upcoming performances at the San Francisco venue.

Black Ensemble Theater's production of THE MARVIN GAYE STORY celebrates its press opening Sunday, May 20, 2012. The show runs now through July 29 at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Jessie Mueller, 'Cats,' '[title of show],' David Cromer's 'Rent' 'The Marvin Gaye Story,' 'Fame' seeks a tenor and more....

Pop vocalist and international performer Curtis Winchester's CD, "Do the Natural Thing" is now available on iTunes and CD Baby. Three years in the making, "Do the Natural Thing" features the talents of some of Westchester New Yorks' musicians including Grammy nominated guitar legend Gil Parris and former NY Yankee and Grammy nominated guitarist Bernie Williams.