Michael Buble News

The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts has announced Tony Bennett: Live In Concert as part of the continuing series Marcus Center Presents.

SMASH is out for blood - wolf's blood, that is. So, go howl! In the climax of the series so far - at least since that thrilling finale to the pilot episode - the wildly talented cast of characters that inhabit SMASH were joined in purpose and performance for the first time onscreen all together, singing "I Never Met A Wolf That Didn't Like To Howl" - well, at least the current top choices for Marilyn Monroe (Megan Hilty) and Joe DiMaggio (Will Chase) by the songwriting duo (portrayed by Debra Messing and Christian Borle) behind the show-within-the-show; guest appearance by prospective investor portrayed by pop idol and current Broadway star Nick Jonas notwithstanding. Yet, Katharine McPhee shone bright in her secondary storyline, bringing defiant joie de vivre to a karaoke cover of Adele's soulful earworm "Rumor Has It" at the close of the show. Nick Jonas got a moment in the musical spotlight, as well, in a self-played piano accompanied cover of Michael Buble's "Haven't Met You Yet". On the dramatic side of SMASH, the twists and turns of the theatre-centric musical series are beginning to create intriguing complexities for the individuals caught in the tumult - none the least being the budding romances between Derek (Jack Davenport) and Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty), but also the secret liaison rekindled of one half of the songwriting duo (Messing) and Joltin' Joe (Chase) himself. Plus, the other half of the team behind the Marilyn musical, Tom (Christian Borle), finally got his own romantic plotline and sudsy, soap-ish moment. It seems to be a prerequisite that each cast member have a post-coital scene at some point, so, one supposes Eileen (Anjelica Huston) and her ex husband, Jerry (Michael Cristofer), may re-team behind the scenes - or, maybe not. Eileen was given finest material of the night as far as I'm concerned and Huston's delicate portrayal of a woman conflicted was artful in its attentiveness and believability. She imbues the material with a grace and gravitas that few stars can consistently achieve as she has done throughout her career and continues to do so here on SMASH. Episode Four cleanly and clearly displayed the attributes we came to love about the pilot - natural integration of fabulous Marilyn-themed musical numbers into the drama, as in "Howl"; superlative new renditions of modern-day pop hits, such as "Rumor Has It"; and a specialty song or two, too, like Nick Jonas and his Michael Buble party accompaniment. While it did not break new ground as far as where the show is heading as a series like last week's show, this episode gave us an inkling of the entertainment experience coming in the next few weeks as we anticipate the arrival of many new and exciting guest stars, such as Bernadette Peters and Uma Thurman, in addition to the pain, passion, ecstasy and As for the rest of the drama, music and comedy, read on!

In an absolutely uncannily coincidental occurrence last night, the Valentine's Day episode of GLEE included among its song-stack the all-time most memorable Whitney Houston ballad of all time, originally sung by Dolly Parton in 1974 but made famous by Houston on the soundtrack of the 1992 film THE BODYGUARD, in which she also starred, "I Will Always Love You". While this episode was filmed weeks ago - long before Houston's sudden passing, of course - the fact that this was the moment GLEE finally tackled one of the biggest songs ever - a single that originally stayed atop the chart for more than 3 months - comes as a definite shock and surprise; and, also, somehow, a fitting tribute. The tasteful "We Will Always Love You" card at the end of the program dedicated the episode to Houston's memory, in a last minute addition to the long-wrapped show by the powers-that-be. It hit just the right chord - as did the effervescently enjoyable if slight episode. Amber Riley wrought the high emotion out of the Houston barn-burner in a manner that surely would do the gospel singer of Whitney's own roots more than merely proud and the overall show was a sure success as far as knockout musical numbers go. As for the rest of the "Heart" Valentine's show, we were treated to a number of well-played guest appearances, such as Rachel's two dads, essayed all-too-deliciously by Jeff Goldblum and Brian Stokes Mitchell, in addition to THE GLEE PROJECT winner Samuel Larsen's much ballyhooed debut on the show. Former TGP finalist and Season Three GLEE featured player Damian McGinty also got more focus than usual, as did Amber Riley, who emerged as the star of this particular episode. Courtesy of a lively and raucous "Love Shack", Darren Criss made his welcome return after a few episodes out. The rest of the songs added to the overall candy-coated allure of the sweet and sugary confection of a show. No, "Heart" was not an episode that will linger forever in the memory like some in GLEE's past, but the music made the night - and, in the case of "I Will Always Love You", made it really pack a punch when we needed it. It most closely resembled the wedding episode from last season, I thought - which is certainly a compliment. Plus, "Heart" featured the return of Karofsky - in gorilla suit, no less - and many dramatic twists for the gleeks we have all come to know and love. And, just how adorable is Sugar Motta?!

Sony Music Entertainment will release TONY BENNETT DUETS II: The Great Performances on DVD on March 6th which is a stunning companion to the singer's celebrated DUETS II CD (on RPM/Columbia Records), which has been nominated for three Grammy Awards.

Nederlander Presentations, Inc. has announced that the JEKYLL & HYDE will return to Broadway in Spring 2013 following a 25-week National Tour starring Tony Award Nominee Constantine Maroulis in the dual title role of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde. The tour will launch at San Diego's Civic Theatre in San Diego, California on October 2, 2012.

Carolyn Griffin has announced that MetroStage will be presenting the premiere of a new musical, Josephine Tonight, with book and lyrics by Sherman Yellen, and music by Wally Harper, Jan. 26-Mar. 18, 2012.

Carolyn Griffin has announced that MetroStage will be presenting the premiere of a new musical, Josephine Tonight, with book and lyrics by Sherman Yellen, and music by Wally Harper, Jan. 26-Mar. 18, 2012.

Live Nation Europe, a division of Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., today announced the appointment of John Reid as President of Concerts.

The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts has announced Tony Bennett: Live In Concert as part of the continuing series Marcus Center Presents.

Grammy Award-nominated recording artist Drake, British superstar Jessie J, NBC's 'The Voice' musician coach and three-time Grammy nominee Blake Shelton, 'The Voice' musician coach and Grammy Award-nominated artist Cee Lo Green, NBC's 'Smash' star Megan Hilty, four-time Grammy-winning band The Roots and 15-time Grammy Award winner Tony Bennett will help usher in 2012 on 'NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly.'

Wednesday night's broadcast of FOX's THE X Factor was a big ratings win for the network. Here are the highlights of the 15 ad-sustained programs that aired in primetime on the broadcast networks last night:

Lythgoe Family Productions and Magic Pictures International announce the second run of "A Cinderella Christmas," the second show in the 2011 holiday season of traditional British family Panto.

NBC will air a special encore presentation of 'A Michael Bublé Christmas' on Wednesday, December 21st from 9-10 pm ET. The star-studded special features the multi-Grammy Award-winning Canadian singing songs from his Number 1 album, 'Christmas,' alongside guest stars Justin Bieber, Kellie Pickler, Thalia, Oscar the Grouch, the Puppini Sisters and Naturally 7. The show also includes special appearances by NBC stars Tracy Morgan ('30 Rock') and Ed Helms ('The Office').

Grammy Award-nominated recording artist Drake, British superstar Jessie J, NBC's 'The Voice' musician coach and three-time Grammy nominee Blake Shelton, 'The Voice' musician coach and Grammy Award-nominated artist Cee Lo Green, NBC's 'Smash' star Megan Hilty, four-time Grammy-winning band The Roots and 15-time Grammy Award winner Tony Bennett will help usher in 2012 on 'NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly.'

Grammy Award-nominated recording artist Drake, British superstar Jessie J, NBC's 'The Voice' musician coach and three-time Grammy nominee Blake Shelton, 'The Voice' musician coach and Grammy Award-nominated artist Cee Lo Green, NBC's 'Smash' star Megan Hilty, four-time Grammy-winning band The Roots and 15-time Grammy Award winner Tony Bennett will help usher in 2012 on 'NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly.'

The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts has announced Tony Bennett: Live In Concert as part of the continuing series Marcus Center Presents.

NBC will air a special encore presentation of 'A Michael Bublé Christmas' on Wednesday, December 21st from 9-10 pm ET. The star-studded special features the multi-Grammy Award-winning Canadian singing songs from his Number 1 album, 'Christmas,' alongside guest stars Justin Bieber, Kellie Pickler, Thalia, Oscar the Grouch, the Puppini Sisters and Naturally 7. The show also includes special appearances by NBC stars Tracy Morgan ('30 Rock') and Ed Helms ('The Office').

It was make it or break it time at last night's semi-finals as Melanie Amaro, Marcus Canty, Josh Krajcik, and Chris Rene sang two songs each to secure a place in next week's season finale. The judges even made a few predictions of who would make it onto next week.

According to the Primetime Ratings Report For the week of December 5, 2011 (Based on National Live + Same Day Program Ratings), the ABC network aired 6 of the week's Top 20 Entertainment Shows in Adults 18-49.

NBC offers something for everyone during the holidays as it unveils a lineup of original seasonal programs that includes the new holiday variety special 'A Michael Buble Christmas' on Tuesday, December 6 (8-9 p.m. ET), 'The Sing-Off Holiday Special' on Monday, December 5 (8-10 p.m. ET) and 'William & Kate: Inside the Royal Marriage' on Tuesday, December 13 (8-9 p.m. ET).