Michael Jackson News

In response to hundreds of messages from Adelaide fans, the Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil announced today that Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World TourTM will now come to Adelaide in October this year as part of its Australian tour. This once-in-a-lifetime electrifying production uses Cirque du Soleil creativity to give fans worldwide a unique view into the spirit, passion and heart of the artistic genius who forever transformed global pop culture. Written and directed by Jamie King, the show includes 49 international dancers, musicians and acrobats. Since its world premiere in Montreal in October 2011, the enormously successful arena production has thrilled audiences across North America, Europe and Asia.

Last night I had the privilege of taking a look back on an incredibly impressive recent string of major musicals starring the phenomenally talented Brandon Victor Dixon with the leading man himself, ranging from his work last year Off-Broadway in RENT as well as the Williamstown Theatre Festival mounting of FAR FROM HEAVEN, both directed by Michael Greif, through to his acclaimed performance in Kander & Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS through to his new role portraying music titan Berry Gordy himself in the audience hit of the 2012-2013 season, MOTOWN. In addition to eloquently expounding on his various starring roles in those four major musicals and reflecting upon his time spent in each production, Dixon also opens up about his passion for performance in general and the importance of collaboration in the creation of any musical from the ground-up. Dixon also comments upon his experiences originating a role in Oprah Winfrey's recent stage venture THE COLOR PURPLE as well as recounts his association with COTTON CLUB PARADE - set to premiere on Broadway under a new title later this year - as well as the various incarnations of his stage piece based on the life and career of Ray Charles. Most importantly, besides all about MOTOWN and his work with Gordy and the cast on the hit show, Dixon also previews what we can expect from the cast of the show on tonight's A CAPITOL FOURTH PBS concert extravaganza, featuring Dixon alongside MOTOWN standout Saycon Sengbloh. All of that, first news on Dixon's upcoming self-penned solo album project, memories of working on THE GOOD WIFE, thoughts on GLEE and the modern performing arts revolution and much, much more!

After selling out shows in South Africa, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand, 'Michael Jackson HIStory' starring Kenny Wizz, recently arrived in the US for the first time and landed for a near sold-out concert at THE SHOW at The Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa on June 29. (The SHOW, by the way, is arguably one of the top concert venues in the Western United States). This 'musical biography' featured hit after hit, over twenty songs in all, and tells the story of one of the greatest pop icons the world has ever known -- all performed live by what many consider to be the World's #1 Michael Jackson Impersonator, Kenny Wizz. Together with a live band of talented musicians, fully choreographed dancers, authentic costumes and a light and screen show, HIStory is the recreation of a Michael Jackson concert experience. I had the chance to chat with Kenny Wizz and his line captain, Clasina Van Grinsven , just thirty minutes before curtain. Here are a few highlights from the interview.

E! News reports that Naya Rivera has confirmed that she will return as a series regular on the fifth season of GLEE.

ole is pleased to announce that it has acquired a music publishing catalog comprised of music from Sony Pictures Entertainment's film and television releases between 1993 and 2012.

Nearly 270 Michael Jackson tracks will bepacked into the exclusive iTunes digital anthologies (iTunes.com/MichaelJackson) The Indispensable Collection and The Ultimate Fan Extras Collectionto be released today by Epic/LegacyRecordings in collaboration with The Estate of Michael Jackson.

From the WIZARD OF OZ/WICKED opening number right through the encores, the gorgeously refurbished Hamer Hall resounded with appreciation for Idina Menzel in this, her first Melbourne show, and the last concert of her first ever Australian tour.

Dallas Theater Center presents the world premiere of Fly, a new musical based on J.M. Barrie's novel, Peter Pan. Three-time Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights) makes his directorial debut with this production.

The 33rd annual broadcast of A CAPITOL FOURTH on PBS will feature over thirty cast members from Broadways' new smash hit MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, including Tony Award nominee Brandon Victor Dixon, Saycon Sengbloh and 2013 Tony Award nominee Valisia LeKae. The company's medley of legendary Motown hits from the Broadway musical will include "Stop in the Name of Love," "Get Ready" and "Dancing in the Street" arranged and orchestrated for the majestic National Symphony Orchestra by 2013 Tony Award nominees Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook.

According to the Las Vegas Sun, cast member of Cirque du Soleil's KA Sarah Guillot-Guyard died yesterday, June 29, after a fall during her performance at the MGM Grand. A mother of two, Guillot-Guyard was 31. This is the first fatality resulting from an onstage accident in Cirque du Soleil's 30-year history.

Only six months after launching the company in Nashville, HitShop Records President Skip Bishop today announced the signing of an exclusive recording agreement with dynamic new talent, Natalie Stovall and The Drive.

Just yesterday, the stars of Broadway's biggest box office hit of the year MOTOWN THE MUSICAL appeared at a special live performance at The Apple Store in SoHo to celebrate the Universal Music Enterprises (UME) new Original Broadway Cast Recording. BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out photos below!

Richard Eyre will direct the world premiere of Stephen Ward, opening in the West End later this year. Tickets go on sale on 28 June 2013 for the production which will preview at the Aldwych Theatre from 3 December 2013 with press night on 19 December 2013 and is currently booking to 1 March 2014.

Put 97Nine and American English together, and you have a rockin' double bill for the first of threeDowntown Alive! concerts this summer at the new RiverEdge Park, 360 North Broadway in Aurora. 97Nine and American English will perform tonight, June 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets are only $5. Children 12 and under are free with an accompanying ticketed adult.

THE BELLE BRIGADE KICKS OFF THE SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER'S

Art has so many forms in which is can be expressed and perceived. Pierre Kenal Louis is a visual artist born in Haiti who offers original artworks for sale online though his website Kenalsworld. Among his most recognized pieces online include drawings of Frank Ocean and Artworks of singer/songwriter Miguel.

The New York Philharmonic will present A Dancer's Dream: Two Works by Stravinsky, a multidisciplinary, theatrical reimagining of the ballets The Fairy's Kiss and Petrushka, created by Giants Are Small. Sara Mearns, New York City Ballet principal dancer, will star in the production, which will be conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert, directed and designed by Doug Fitch, choreographed by Karole Armitage, and produced by Edouard Getaz - tonight, June 27, 2013, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, June 28 at 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, June 29 at 8:00 p.m.

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce their annual FREE BROADWAY IN CHICAGO SUMMER CONCERT will take place on Monday, August 5, 2013 at 6:15 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park (201 E Randolph St). Hosted by ABC 7 Chicago's Janet Davies, Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini, the headlining performance will feature cast members from the smash hit Broadway musical MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, as well as Broadway's biggest blockbuster WICKED, and showcase additional cast performances from ELF, EVITA, FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL, GHOST THE MUSICAL, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, ONCE and WE WILL ROCK YOU. The Broadway In Chicago Summer Concert at Millennium Park is sponsored by ABC 7 Chicago and produced in partnership with The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.