Norm Lewis News

The Houston Symphony will celebrate more than 50 years of soul influence Feb. 17-19 with a brand-new show featuring the best of Motown legends as well as today's hottest R&B entertainers.

The Tooting Arts Club production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Hugh Wheeler from an adaptation by Christopher Bond, directed by Bill Buckhurst, begins performances tonight, February 14, 2017 and officially opens on March 1, 2017 at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street).

On Monday, February 13th, Theater People podcast welcomes Tony-winner LaChanze. For the episode, LaChanze talks about how growing up in Connecticut afforded her the opportunity to make frequent trips into New York City where she saw such shows as the original CHICAGO and EVITA with Patti LuPone.

Philanthropist Adrienne Arsht (as in the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami) hosted a glamorous 75th Birthday Party on Saturday night at the Plaza. Many Broadway and Metropolitan Opera performers, all of whom are Adrienne's close friends, performed for her as their birthday gift. Scroll down for photos!

The Houston Symphony will celebrate more than 50 years of soul influence Feb. 17-19 with a brand-new show featuring the best of Motown legends as well as today's hottest R&B entertainers.

Rehearsals are underway for the Tooting Arts Club production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Hugh Wheeler from an adaptation by Christopher Bond, directed by Bill Buckhurst. The production begins performances on February 14, 2017 and officially opens on March 1, 2017 at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street). Tickets are now on sale through August 13, 2017.

On March 20, 2017, Virginia's Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor legendary Broadway producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh (The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Les Misérables) with the company's eighth Stephen Sondheim Award.

World-famous string quartet WELL STRUNG returns to The Abbey in downtown Orlando for one performance only today, January 21 at 8pm. 

Are you ready for a new and improved version of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA? I love the original, which I first saw in California, when Robert Guillaume (star of Benson) played the role. Of course, I saw it in London's West End and on Broadway, but it's really fun to see the new version right here in Detroit. I know it's hard to believe that PHANTOM could ever be improved upon, but they've worked some magic. The chandelier is more spooky, the catacombs look more like a person actually lives there, the costumes are different, especially the stairway costume in part two - but in this version there is no grand staircase. This phantom uses a lot of pyrotechnics to accompany his magic. You will like the way they descend into the Phantom's lair; that bridge scene what shifted like a teeter totter has been replaced by really cool steps that protrude from dungeon walls. And the best part is at the very end, when the phantom vanishes; it's in a very different way, and I have no idea how he pulled it off.

BREAKING NEWS: The votes are in and the results are official for the fifth annual BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards. More than 32,000 votes were cast this year for the excellent performers and shows in 16 categories. BroadwayWorld would like to extend congratulations to all of this year's winners and nominees.

VH1 today announced a plethora of guest stars joining DAYTIME DIVAS including Star Jones, Tamera Mowry-Housley ('The Real') and the co-hosts of 'The View.'

The producers of the new musical Bandstand, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton) and featuring music by Richard Oberacker and a book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker, have just announced compete casting and an award-winning design team.

Brent Barrett, who will be in concert Saturday at the Garner Performing Arts Center, is a prime illustration of how Broadway extends beyond countries' borders.

Rehearsals begin today for the Tooting Arts Club production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Hugh Wheeler from an adaptation by Christopher Bond, directed by Bill Buckhurst.

Known for her powerful and riveting vocals, Broadway's Darling N'Kenge (Motown: The Musical and Sondheim and Sondheim) will grace the stage in a Broadway Diva's collaboration with Naples Philharmonic, under the direction of conductor, Jack Everly for six concerts. Performances at the Francis Pew Hayes Hall in Artis-Naples will be Today January 10-13th at 8:00PM and January 14th at 2:00PM and 8:00PM located at 5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard Naples, FL 34108.

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has announced the complete cast for the New2NY presentation of the new musical Mark Felt, Superstar with book, music and lyrics by Joshua Rosenblum (Bush Is Bad, Fermat's Last Tango).

Known for her powerful and riveting vocals, Broadway's Darling N'Kenge (Motown: The Musical and Sondheim and Sondheim) will grace the stage in a Broadway Diva's collaboration with Naples Philharmonic, under the direction of conductor, Jack Everly for six concerts. Performances at the Francis Pew Hayes Hall in Artis-Naples will be Tuesday January 10-13th at 8:00PM and January 14th at 2:00PM and 8:00PM located at 5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard Naples, FL 34108.

Stephen Sondheim's new songs have stumped a seasoned performer, writes the Los Angeles Times.

Today's big news: Max von Essen stars in YOURS UNFAITHFULLY, beginning tonight Off-Broadway, and Stephen Colbert returns as host of the 39th KENNEDY CENTER HONORS!

I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is what Norm Lewis named his show this year, his 2nd consecutive holiday booking, at Feinstein's / 54 Below.