Michael Jackson News

MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL leading lady Valisia LeKae, who stars as Diana Ross in the new hit musical based on the life of Motown founder Berry Gordy, will visit Bravo host Andy Cohen live tonight in the 'Watch What Happens Live' clubhouse following being nominated for a 2013 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical today.

Sony Masterworks releases Gloria Estefan's The Standards on September 10, 2013. Celebrating great tunes from the American Songbook, The Standards reaches out to Estefan's global fan base via international song classics sung in English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and French, some with new lyrics written by Estefan herself. The album also features collaborations with world class, award-winning artists like singer songwriter Laura Pausini, violinist Joshua Bell and saxophonist Dave Koz.

The Piano Guys: Hailing from Utah, The Piano Guys became an Internet sensation by way of their immensely successful series of strikingly original self-made music videos. They've made 35 since joining forces a little more than a year ago, including their most recent hit video, an innovative 10-handed version of One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful." But it's the Guys' highly original blend of classical music with pop that has really been the cause of an Internet phenomenon that has now brought them to their major label debut album, The Piano Guys, to be released on Sony Masterworks on October 2nd, 2012. The album features more of the imaginative mash-up arrangements that The Piano Guys are already famous for, including sources ranging from Michael Jackson to Mozart, The Bourne Identity to David Guetta. It also includes an original song and innovative takes on hits by One Direction, Adele and Christina Perri.

Broadway In Chicago has announced The Australian Bee Gees Show will make its Chicago premiere at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 East Chestnut) for a limited four-week engagement, July 9 to Aug. 4, 2013.

American Airlines, which has served the New York market for more than 80 years, has been named the Official Airline of MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL. With a keen understanding of the needs of New York customers, the airline offers a long-standing commitment to the Greater New York community. American's sponsorship highlights its support of arts and entertainment and complements its portfolio as the Official Airline of more than 30 Broadway theaters in New York City.

Who are the great Mavericks in the world today? Is Google damaging our capacity to think originally? How can we channel the maverick in all our lives? In a series of events, talks and performance lectures, Mark Borkowski will answer all these questions and more. Drawing on his personal experience of working with some of the most inspiring, innovative and downright impossible thinkers, Mark will lift the lid on the role of mavericks in the 21st Century: and why they might be more vital now than ever before.

LIGHT– the state-of-the-art nightclub by Cirque du Soleil and The Light Group– will open at Mandalay Bay this weekend, beginning April 26 with headliners Nicky Romero and Axwell.

The CW announced the impending season finale dates for its current programming lineup, as well as the upcoming May sweeps episodes. Check out the full listings below!

Beginning in April, 2013, 1812 Productions will present the world premiere comedy It's My Party: The Women and Comedy Project, created and directed by 1812 Productions' Artistic Director, Jennifer Childs, and featuring a diverse ensemble of Philadelphia actresses. A production which will use physical comedy, storytelling, and music in a one-of-a-kind theatrical event, the creative process for It's My Party: The Women and Comedy Project began in 2010 with two questions: how do women use comedy and how does that usage change as they age. With these pointed inquiries as her guides, Ms. Childs embarked on three inclusive and ongoing initiatives which, together, would form the core of the Project.

It was the best of musicals, it was the worst of musicals.  It was a score of wisdom, it was a book of foolishness.  It was the epoch of belief in the entertainment value of songs like 'Dancing In The Streets' and 'My Girl,' it was the epoch of incredulity in hearing lines like 'Your little Stevie is a wonder' and 'You built a legacy of love.'  We had everything before us, we had nothing before us.

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents Broadway Encore on Saturday, May 4 at 6 p.m. at the Putnam Club, Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. FPAC's Gala fundraiser features Broadway headliners Sara Jean Ford, Tyrick Wiltez Jones and NaTasha Yvette Williams in an exclusive one-night-only show that brings the magic of 42nd Street to Boston's MetroWest suburbs. The evening also features silent and live auctions, performances by Electric Youth and the Franklin Performing Arts Company, special guests and dancing until midnight with Boston's popular R&B band, Soul Kitchen.

Broadway San Jose, a partnership between the Nederlander organization of New York and Team San Jose, announced the six shows in its 2013-14 Season today at an event attended by approximately 500 Subscribers and community leaders at the San Jose Center for Performing Arts in downtown San Jose. Headlining the Broadway San Jose season will be a three-week run of WICKED, the Tony Award winning musical that maintains its position as the top selling musical on Broadway, nine years after its premiere.

Taking up from where iconic bands like Deep Purple and Bad Company have left off, HEAVEN & EARTH is on a mission to resurrect the sanctity of classic rock in its purest, most accessible form on their third studio album titled Dig. Due out today, April 23rd on Quarto Valley Records

Broadway stars Sarah Uriarte Berry (Taboo/Beauty and the Beast) and Tony Vincent (The Voice/American Idiot) will sing in Broadway Pops International's concert production of I HEART THE 80's with Robert Moody conducting the Portland (Maine) Symphony Orchestra in two performances April 27th and 28th.

Discovered by Michael Jackson's choreographer while freestyling at a California club, the brothers Rich and Tone Taluega went on to become two of the most successful and talented choreographers in the business. The list of artists they have worked with is a veritable Hall of Fame, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, Chris Brown, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, Kylie Minogue, Missy Elliot, Black Eyed Peas, The Backstreet Boys, Monica, Pink, and Dirty Vegas. In addition to their many music videos, they recently choreographed Madonna's Super Bowl halftime show. On Friday, April 26, 2013 at 7:00 p.m., Rich + Tone will present some highlights from their remarkable body of work, and will give a live demonstration of their choreography.

iLuminate Productions today announced tickets are now on sale for the return of their live show in New York City. iLuminate wowed the nation with their groundbreaking light suits and inventive dance moves on America's Got Talent and then debuted in New York City last November for a successful limited run over the holidays. The show has relocated to a new, larger venue at New World Stages, 340 W. 50th Street, and begins previews June 24, 2013, with a July 18, 2013 opening.

Eight remaining couples hit the dance floor and pay tribute to singer, songwriter and legend Stevie Wonder, MONDAY, APRIL 22 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET). Stevie Wonder takes over the ballroom as "Dancing with the Stars" devotes, for the first time, an entire evening to one artist. He will perform some of his classic songs, including "Sir Duke" and "My Cherie Amour," and the celebrities will dance to his greatest hits, including "I Just Called to Say I Love You," "For Once in My Life" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)." Special guest country superstar Hunter Hayes will perform with Stevie Wonder in a spectacular opening performance. The night will also showcase two team dances featuring the celebrities and their pro partners.

FOX has ordered two more seasons of the genre-defying musical sensation GLEE, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.

Dr. Rennie Harris, Alvin Ailey Award recipient and renowned choreographer, returns to the New Victory stage (Legends of Hip-Hop, New Vic 2004, 2006; Puremovement, New Vic 1999) to inspire the next generation of hip-hoppers with Rennie Harris Awe-Inspiring Works-RHAW. Featuring a hip-hop dance theater company of talented young dancers, RHAW delivers straight- up Philly soul and fresh spins on classic street dance styles, creating depictions of city life and young love. Rennie Harris' RHAW, will run at The New Victory Theater, 209 West 42nd Street from May 17 through 26.

Columbia Stages will present NEW PLAYS NOW, the annual festival of new plays by emerging artists from the MFA Theatre Program at Columbia University School of the Arts. NEW PLAYS NOW will run from tonight, April 17 to May 11 and will feature original works by Paulina Barros, Keith Boynton, Talya Chalef, Angelica Cheri, Pei-Chieh Chiang, Paola Lazaro Muñoz, Alessandra Most, Christina Quintana, Torrey Townsend, and Zhao Binghao.