Nina Simon News

With warmer weather and sunny days, New York City is ready to shake off the doldrums of winter. Luckily for the city that never sleeps, Canadian superstar Gregory Charles is bringing his revered piano man skills and keen ear for music to a truly unique concert experience. In a mindboggling pop-up on Pier 97 in the Hudson River Park, audiences are invited to take in VINTAGE LIVE, where Gregory Charles and his skilled band play a fascinating set of audience requests.

The Pasadena Playhouse announces the return engagement of A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN with Mary Bridget Davies, following her Tony Award nominated Broadway run. The acclaimed musical will perform July 21 - August 16, 2015 with the official press night on Wednesday, July 22, 2015. Tickets for A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN are now on sale to the public.

Broadway composer Charles Strouse, who has written scores for over 30 stage musicals, including 14 for Broadway, and is a three-time Tony Award winner, a two-time Emmy Award winner, and whose cast albums have earned him two Grammy Awards will visit the school and lead a 'Talk-Back' with students. The Teaneck Community Charter school will present a production of the recently created 'Bye Bye Birdie Young Performers Edition.' The Talk-Back event will feature the student cast and crew of the show and will lead into the Opening Night performance at 8pm.

Stacy Sullivan brought her new show, "Since You've Asked' to The Metropolitan Room last night and broadwayworld was there. Whether you're a fan of The Great American Songbook or VH1, you'll find something to love within this eclectic evening of music and story. With musical director Troy Fannin on guitar, Matthew Watanabe on piano, and Jaime Mohamdein on bass, Sullivan has created her most personal, thought-provoking evening to date. With music by Randy Newman, Nina Simone, Ray LaMontagne, Hoagy Carmichael, Judy Collins, Ed Sheeran, Woodie Guthrie, Stevie Nicks, Cole Porter, George Harrison, Noel Coward, David Hajdu, Fred Hersch, Jonsi, Stephen Schwartz...and others.

When doing an interview with an artist I am in awe of their love and dedication for their craft. This month I had the pleasure to meet American mezzo-soprano Briana Hunter and our conversation went from traditional interview to old friends talking about their love for the classics. Our mutual love for Bizet's masterpiece CARMEN and love for Audra McDonald made this interview go very quickly.

Midway through its first season producing on two stages, Park Square Theatre shows no sign of slowing down with its 2015-2016 theatre season. In addition to a range of area and regional premieres, the company is commissioning two brand new works - one for each stage - from Joel Sass (Great Expectations) and Christina Ham and Regina Marie Williams (Nina Simone: Four Women). The line-up also includes the first Midwest licensed production of an ingenious miniature musical that will delight mystery lovers, two family-friendly holiday treats, and new productions by two of Park Square's Theatres in Residence, Sandbox Theatre and Theatre Pro Rata. The season will conclude with a flash of mature flesh as nine leading actresses bare all in Calendar Girls by Tom Firth.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) welcomes Australian actor Anthony Warlow in the role of 'Don Quixote' in the company's production of Man of La Mancha, under the direction of STC Associate Artistic Director Alan Paul. Man of La Mancha will play at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from tonight, March 17-April 26, 2015.

Famed Mexican singer Eugenia Leon made her Kennedy Center debut this weekend and put succinctly, at least musically, it proved to be a debut to remember.

According to Deadline, Mike Epps has landed the lead role in ABC's upcoming UNCLE BUCK pilot. The project is a modern take on John Hughes' original film starring John Candy.

American Dance Theater is one of the most ingenious innovations of New York and African-American arts. Through a glass facade, downstairs from the larger-than-life iconic photograph of Alvin Ailey, choreographer Iquail Shaheed opened his arms to a warm audience at Ailey Citigroup Theater on the evening of Valentine's Day.

The Crazy Coqs has announced is February 2015 program at the Brasserie Zedel, Piccadilly, London W1, featuring: Purdy (February 3,4 & 5); Phil Ryan (February 6 & 7); Jeff Harnar & KT Sullivan (February 10-14); Anne Reid & Stefan Bednarczyk (February 17-21); and Liliane Montevecchi (February 24-28).

There is a very good possibility that many of you have seen or heard of the terrific musical collective known as Postmodern Jukebox across one or more of your preferred social media platforms. This group of clever and talented viral-video/YouTube sensations is the brainchild of arranger/pianist/musical genius Scott Bradlee, whose primary objective has been to repurpose contemporary radio hits and infuse them with the vintage sounds that are more likely to be found in your grandfather's old vinyl record collection. The results? Refreshingly educational, absolutely irresistible, and, most important of all, genuinely entertaining.

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its nightly performances from January 29 - February 8, 2015. Details below!

Joffrey Ballet School, a world-renowned dance center offering the most versatile and highest quality training, will present the Jazz & Contemporary Program's annual Winter Concert. The celebrated group of performers will take the stage on Sunday, February 15, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Ailey Citigroup Theater. The program will feature eight new and restaged works from cutting-edge choreographers Ryan Daniel Beck, Lauren Cox, Tyler Gilstrap, Darrell Grand Moultrie Matthew Powell, Michael Susten, and Nathan Trice.

Two superb jazz singers will share the stage at Segerstrom Center as four-time Grammy winner Dianne Reeves and rising vocalist and Grammy winner Gregory Porter perform tonight, January 16 in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) observes its Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, "Keeping the Dream" on Friday, January 16 and Saturday, January 17 with performances, a Ninth Annual Girl Scout Sleepover, and student/family arts education workshops.

Oscar nominee Queen Latifah ('Chicago') stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in the HBO Films drama BESSIE, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees ('Pariah') from a screenplay by Rees and Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois. With a story by Rees and Horton Foote, the film focuses on Smith's transformation from a struggling young singer into 'The Empress of the Blues,' one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and an enduring icon today.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) announced today that acclaimed Australian actor Anthony Warlow has accepted the role of Don Quixote in the company's production of Man of La Mancha, under the direction of STC Associate Artistic Director Alan Paul. Man of La Mancha will play at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from March 17-April 26, 2015.

The Crazy Coqs has announced is February 2015 program at the Brasserie Zedel, Piccadilly, London W1, featuring: Purdy (February 3,4 & 5); Phil Ryan (February 6 & 7); Jeff Harnar & KT Sullivan (February 10-14); Anne Reid & Stefan Bednarczyk (February 17-21); and Liliane Montevecchi (February 24-28).

This month, ?Joe's Pub at The Public presents showcases from a range of artists including writer Dan Hoyle to orchestral indie band Mother Falcon to downtown darling Erin Markey to a slew of French jazz musicians, as part of the Paris Jazz Club's French Quarter Festival, coinciding with APAP|NYC, the annual Association of Performing Artists Presenters conference. The performances will occur nightly from tonight, January 8 through Tuesday, January 13.