Melba Moore News

Rapacon (https://www.facebook.com/rapacondjcon) is a first of its kind hip-hop experience. Founded by Curtis Sherrod, the annual event has grown to become a staple in honoring the hip-hop culture, while offering artful performances, mindful panel discussions, and priceless networking opportunities. With particular emphasis on celebrating the role of DJs in the culture, the essence of hip-hop is explored via 'unending' cyphers, through the companion event titled DJ-Con.

Michael Boyd's SOLDIERS AND OTHER LIVING THINGS Co-Presented by The Theater at the 14th Street Y and Andy Gordanier, running September 27 - October 7, 2018 in a limited engagement at The Theater at the 14th Street Y, 334 East 14th Street.

Geva Theatre Center presents Hair, with book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, music by Galt MacDermot, directed by Melissa Rain Anderson, with musical direction by Don Kot, and choreography by Liz Ramos in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage from September 4 through October 7.

Geva Theatre Center presents Hair, with book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, music by Galt MacDermot, directed by Melissa Rain Anderson, with musical direction by Don Kot, and choreography by Liz Ramos in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage from September 4 through October 7.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the Super Showcase performance of OWEN & MZEE: THE TRUE STORY OF A REMARKABLE FRIENDSHIP the #1 New York Times best-selling children's book about the friendship between a tortoise and an orphaned hippopotamus written by father and daughter team Craig and Isabella Hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu . The musical features book and lyrics by Michelle Elliott and music and lyrics by Danny Larsen. Stanley Mathis is the Director/ Choreographer and Costume Designer.

DeEtta West is featured in the role of Idella Landy in the production of Purlie, opening at the Orange Box Theater on September 29. DeEtta accepted the role as a personal tribute to her late brother, Cleavon Little, winner of the Tony Award in 1970 for his performance as Purlie in the hit show. The show runs through October 7, 2018 (Orange Box Theater @ Mark SQuared Studios, 1804 Montreal Court, Ste B, Tucker, GA 30084)

Legendary actor, director, singer & choreographer Maurice Hines is set to play The Triad (158 West 72nd Street) on Saturday 8/25 at 7pm. Hines is the brother of the late dancer Gregory Hines and best known for starring in Frances Ford Coppola's 'The Cotton Club', Broadway's 'Sophisticated Ladies,' 'Eubie' 'Jelly's Last Jam' & 'Uptown. He will be joined by The Diva Orchestra starring Sherrie Maracle; tickets are $25-$150 and can be purchased online at www.TriadNYC.com. Lee Summers and Peter Martin are producers.

Geva Theatre Center presents Hair, with book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, music by Galt MacDermot, directed by Melissa Rain Anderson, with musical direction by Don Kot, and choreography by Liz Ramos in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage from September 4 through October 7.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the Super Showcase performance of OWEN & MZEE: THE TRUE STORY OF A REMARKABLE FRIENDSHIP the #1 New York Times best-selling children's book about the friendship between a tortoise and an orphaned hippopotamus written by father and daughter team Craig and Isabella Hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu . The musical features book and lyrics by Michelle Elliott and music and lyrics by Danny Larsen. Stanley Mathis is the Director/ Choreographer and Costume Designer.

To acknowledge the Summer of 2018, Young Pals Music has released the new single 'Where Do You Want To Be Tomorrow' along with its music video (click here). This marks the eight release accompanied by the music video from the upcoming album 'Pop,' the first full-length namesake collection from New York City-based songwriter & producer Ayhan Sahin. The joyous chug-along song hints at the best of 70's acoustic rock, with the insistent snap of percussion, a cascading fan of acoustic guitars, and a surprising injection of horns that help propel the infectious beat to toe-tapping bliss. Hearing 'Where Do You Want To Be Tomorrow,' ELO's Jeff Lynne would most certainly offer an affirming thumbs up. The album 'Pop' features 12+ diverse vocalists & musicians across a myriad of styles, including R&B & soul, dance, jazz, country and of course...pop. All songs are co-written and co-produced by Sahin with hit songwriter Bernadette O'Reilly, who has also worked for three decades in artist relations, management and song placement. Among the songs released under 'Pop' are Randy Jones' dance club anthem, 'Hard Times' that launched at No. 42, as the second-highest entry among five new songs on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, for the week of August 26, 2017 with Jones being the only member of the Village People to score a solo hit. Previous single 'Another Bad Mistake' featured lead vocals from beloved disco act Anita Ward, renowned for her seminal No. 1 'Ring My Bell,' which hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100, Disco, and Soul Singles charts in 1979. The album 'Pop' is the first namesake project for award-winning Turkish-born songwriter & producer Sahin. In April, he was awarded The Akademia Music Award for Best Rock Song for 'Pop' single 'Drink' as well as the best music video for 'L.A. Nights.' Meanwhile, he has achieved notoriety in a range of musical genres, from pop, rock and dance to musical theater, while working with Olivia Newton-John, Mexican superstar & Broadway actress Bianca Marroquín, Melba Moore, Phoebe Snow, Turkish superstars Sezen Aksu and Sertab Erener, Sandra Bernhard and five 'American Idol' finalists. He has appeared on Telemundo, while his music has been featured on CNN, The Los Angeles Times, Playbill, MTV, Yahoo! Music and 'The Wendy Williams Show'; and heralded by USA Today, New York magazine, MTV and The New York Daily News.

BroadwayWorld reported on June 29th that Tony winner Liliane Montevecchi passed away at 85 years old. Take a look back on some of our favorite memories of Montevecchi, in the photos below.

Richard Skipper Celebrates Richard Barclay featuring Frank Basile, Julie Budd, Eileen Fulton, Richard Holbrook, Ilene Kristen, with Musical Director, Rolf Barnes. October of last year, the entertainment industry lost a powerful friend. Richard Barclay, a celebrated singer/actor and producer/director ended his eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Richard Skipper Celebrates Richard Barclay featuring Frank Basile, Julie Budd, Eileen Fulton, Richard Holbrook, Ilene Kristen, with Musical Director, Rolf Barnes. October of last year, the entertainment industry lost a powerful friend. Richard Barclay, a celebrated singer/actor and producer/director ended his eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Melba Moore is live in concert at the Bartlett Performing Arts Center.

Refusing to end their 2017/2018 season, Delaware Theatre Company reprises their hit production Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life. Happy to be performing for Wilmington audiences again, tap dancing legend Maurice Hines will wow audiences for one weekend only, Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 3, 2018.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Porter Carroll, Jr in The Evolution of Cabaret. On March 23rd 2017, at 7:00pm. Porter Carroll, Jr. founder of Atlantic Starr the Rhythm and Blues Hit machine from the 70's and 80's and performing world wide in his brand new roll with the number one selling duo in Music history Hall & Oates as their percussionist and vocalist returns to Feinstein's/54 below by popular demand in 'The Evolution of Cabaret', featuring a tasty musical panoply that runs the gamut from R& B and improvisational Jazz to soul, funk, blues, Rock & Roll and more.

Steven Ferezy and Byron St. Cyr return to The Duplex stage together in Sondheim and the City on Monday March 19th at 9:30pm.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Porter Carroll, Jr in The Evolution of Cabaret. On March 23rd 2017, at 7:00pm. Porter Carroll, Jr. founder of Atlantic Starr the Rhythm and Blues Hit machine from the 70's and 80's and performing world wide in his brand new roll with the number one selling duo in Music history Hall & Oates as their percussionist and vocalist returns to Feinstein's/54 below by popular demand in 'The Evolution of Cabaret', featuring a tasty musical panoply that runs the gamut from R& B and improvisational Jazz to soul, funk, blues, Rock & Roll and more.

Melba Moore Owns The Stage in WBTT Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Director Edgar Dobie are pleased to announce that Broadway legend Maurice Hines will serve as the Master of Ceremonies and international touring artist and global humanitarian Mary McBride will headline the 2018 Arena Stage Gala honoring Mayor Muriel Bowser on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St., SW). As previously announced, the Gala features the presentation of the third annual Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and will recognize Jessica Stafford Davis as an Emerging Leader. The Gala is helmed by event chairs and Arena Stage Trustees Lavern Chatman and Maggie FitzPatrick.