Peter Nero News

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) has announced the launch of a 2014 winter concert series, kicking off with the World Premiere of JUSTIN GUARINI LOVESICK, a new show from Justin Guarini and directed by Gordon Greenberg.

The Columbus Symphony presents Peter Nero: The Gershwin Project at the Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.) on Saturday, February 8, at 8pm. Tickets are $25-$68 and can be purchased at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 228-8600 or (800) 745-3000.

Philadelphia-based The Jost Project is performing two concerts with music from their CD Can't Find My Way Home (Dot Time Records, based in New York and Europe). On Friday January 24 at 9 pm they will be at Steel City Coffee House, 203 Bridge Street in Phoenixville with Phyllis Chapell opening for them at the Steel City concert at 8 pm. On Friday, January 31 from 8 to 11:30 p.m. they will be at Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street in Philadelphia.

According to a post on Jennifer Holliday's Facebook page, the Broadway star and singer will appear at the Barnes & Noble Upper East Side (86th and Lexington) to sign copies and celebrate the release of her new album 'The Song Is You' on Friday, January 24, 2014.

On January 21, 2014, Shanachie Entertainment/Euphonic Records will release Jennifer Holliday's highly anticipated label debut, The Song Is You, an enchanting collection of R&B and Jazz numbers that showcase Holliday at her best. Listen to a sampling of the album below!

The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has announced its March 2014 events. Details below!

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Ilene, Randy, and Todd Graff, and Nikka Graff Lanzarone in 'The Graff Family Holiday Special,' tonight, December 14th at 11 P.M., and in a sold out show on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 7 P.M. This talented family will perform a host of holiday favorites and tunes from their various forays on the Great White Way in the tradition of the Andy Williams Christmas specials that mesmerized them as children. Expect tight, four-part harmonies, color coordinated hats and mufflers, indoor sleigh rides, audience participation, mistletoe, and plenty of high belting.

Jennifer Holliday is undeniably one of R&B and Broadway's greatest voices. Endowed with a commanding and irresistible voice, immeasurable range and artistry that few can rival, Holliday has long stood in a class by herself. The dynamic songstress' now legendary show-stopping, heart-wrenching performance of the torch ballad "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going" in the smash hit Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, made her a household name and introduced her big soulful voice to the world. Her portrayal of Effie "Melody" White, a role she co-created, not only brought theatergoers to their feet for eight performances a week, but also garnered her a Tony-Award for Best Actress in a Musical and her first Grammy-Award for Best R&B Female Vocalist. From Broadway to major TV appearances including (Ellen, Ally McBeal and Touched By An Angel) and half-a-dozen soundtrack credits, Jennifer Holliday is one of the most distinctive, enviable and revered voices in modern music. Through the years, Holliday has collaborated with everyone from Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, David Foster and Paul Simon, to Michael Jackson, Maurice White and Foreigner. She has also sung with the Boston Pops and The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra with Peter Nero, among numerous other esteemed orchestras. She considers herself to be a Broadway Baby and theater continues to be a significant part of her career. Her illustrious resume includes such theatre credits as Sing Mahalia Sing: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Downhearted Blues: The Bessie Smith Story, Harlem Suite (with Aretha Franklin), Chicago (starring as "Mama Morton"), Grease (starring as "Teen Angel") and Black Nativity (starring as the "Angel of God"). The in-demand star has also been invited to participate in Chaka Khan's induction into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame ceremony to take place June 10 at the Apollo Theatre and broadcast later on BET. Considering herself a "bi-partisan songbird," Jennifer is both honored and grateful to have performed at the White House for President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.

54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Cabaret and Broadway favorites Jeff Harnar, Linda Hart, Nicolas King and Jennifer Sheehan in 'COME FLY WITH ME' tonight, November 21, 2013.

Kimmel Center Education Department's new Show Stoppers after-school musical theater program is gearing up for its inaugural winter revue in Perelman Theater on December 13 at 7 p.m. The public is invited to experience this free community concert that celebrates the musical theater, dance and vocal talents of over 40 regional students, grades 9 to 12, who after a series of weekly after school instruction sessions with renowned teaching artists, will showcase their skills in a culminating performance. The evening program is an original work by teaching artist Jennifer Blaine in collaboration with the staff that showcases the many talents of the students as they express their concerns and solutions to the existing problems of budget crisis and the arts. The concert concludes Show Stoppers Fall session.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Ilene, Randy, and Todd Graff, and Nikka Graff Lanzarone in "The Graff Family Holiday Special," on Saturday, December 14th at 11 P.M., and in a sold out show on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 7 P.M. This talented family will perform a host of holiday favorites and tunes from their various forays on the Great White Way in the tradition of the Andy Williams Christmas specials that mesmerized them as children. Expect tight, four-part harmonies, color coordinated hats and mufflers, indoor sleigh rides, audience participation, mistletoe, and plenty of high belting.

"If he weren't such a superb musician, Peter Nero might be easy to dismiss as a mere great entertainer" (Philadelphia Inquirer). Harris Center at Folsom Lake College welcomes the legendary Peter Nero to Stage One for two separate programs over two nights with bassist Michael Barnett. Hailed as one of the premier interpreters of Gershwin, will perform The Gershwin Project, and Classic Connections, an evening dedicated to showing how jazz and classical standards are more closely related than people might think.

54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Cabaret and Broadway favorites Jeff Harnar, Linda Hart, Nicolas King and Jennifer Sheehan in 'COME FLY WITH ME' on November 21, 2013. The evening is a centenary celebration of the lyrics of Sammy Cahn and the music of Jimmy Van Heusen and was conceived and directed by Grammy and Emmy Award winner, John McDaniel, during his first season as artistic director of the O'Neill Theater Center's Cabaret and Performance conference. Mr. McDaniel makes his New York directorial debut with this show.

Former 'Phantom' actress Rebecca Caine confirmed the news today on Twitter, posting: 'Distraught to tell you that my precious Byron Nease was found dead last night. The bravest man I'll ever know is at peace.'

It's a new era for The Philly POPS and a chance for audiences to share in the excitement of this first season under the baton of new music director Michael Krajewski. The Philly POPS opens its 2013-14 season with the theme 'Viva Philadelphia!' - a celebration of the City and of Philadelphia's Italian spirit as well as a demonstration of the maestro's special love for vocal music. It's a fitting theme, as the new maestro celebrates the City that will be another POPS home for this nationally recognized conductor. It's also fitting as this first series of The POPS 35th season falls on Columbus weekend, a time of special significance in a city with a rich Italian heritage. With performances tonight, October 11 through Sunday October 13, POPS concerts will continue to be presented in a series of Friday evenings at 8 p.m., followed by Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. at Verizon Hall of the KimMel Center for the Performing Arts on Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents Kiss Me Kate with Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter and Book by Samuel and Bella Spewack. Directed and Choreographed by James Brennan with Musical Direction by Leo P Carusone the show runs thru November 3, 2013, starring Jeannie Shubitz as KATE /LILLI. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Shubitz onstage below!

Tonight, October 4 and October 5 & 6, Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski alongside superstar guest vocalists Capathia Jenkins and Darius de Haas will join the Houston Symphony for an evening of smooth grooves, easy rhythms and timeless top 40 hits.

On October 4, 5 and 6, Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski alongside superstar guest vocalists Capathia Jenkins and Darius de Haas will join the Houston Symphony for an evening of smooth grooves, easy rhythms and timeless top 40 hits. Audiences will hear music from the kings and queens of classic soul, including Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, James Brown, Roberta Flack, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. With songs like 'Natural Woman,' 'You are Everything,' 'Respect,' 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours' and 'I Heard it Through the Grapevine,' Jones Hall is sure to be full of rhythm from this iconic musical era. Showcasing local talent, Houston-based vocalists Kam Franklin, Lisa Harris and Lucas Gorham will perform as back-up singers on many of the evening's hit songs.

It's a new era for The Philly POPS and a chance for audiences to share in the excitement of this first season under the baton of new music director Michael Krajewski. The Philly POPS opens its 2013-14 season with the theme 'Viva Philadelphia!' - a celebration of the City and of Philadelphia's Italian spirit as well as a demonstration of the maestro's special love for vocal music. It's a fitting theme, as the new maestro celebrates the City that will be another POPS home for this nationally recognized conductor. It's also fitting as this first series of The POPS 35th season falls on Columbus weekend, a time of special significance in a city with a rich Italian heritage. With performances on Friday, October 11 through Sunday October 13, POPS concerts will continue to be presented in a series of Friday evenings at 8 p.m., followed by Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. at Verizon Hall of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Acclaimed trumpeter Jon Faddis will perform as a special guest with the NJCU Alumni Jazz Big Band in Six Decades of Jazz at NJCU, a free concert series launched in celebration of the inauguration of Dr. Sue Henderson as New Jersey City University's 12thpresident. The concert will take place at the J. Owen Grundy Pier, Exchange Place in Jersey City on Friday, September 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.