Russell Simmons News

Building on over 40 years of producing powerful contemporary theatre, Studio Theatre is pleased to announce its largest class ever of commissioned artists to Studio R&D, its incubator to support the creation of new work. Studio will award grants to 10 artists-playwrights, directors, and multidisciplinary creators-investing in its future while supporting theatre-makers and expanding the idea of what it means to be a generative artist. For the first time, Studio R&D commissions are being awarded to support the creation of audio plays, as Studio explores alternate modes of theatrical storytelling in response to the present moment.

WarnerMedia today announced that its highly anticipated streaming platform HBO Max will officially launch May 27th, 2020 and has unveiled its slate of premium Max Originals that will be available to viewers on DAY ONE.

 HBO Max has acquired U.S. rights to Impact Partners' and Jane Doe Films' widely acclaimed On The Record following the film's premiere at this year's Sundance Film Festival, marking the streamers first festival acquisition. The film received high praise from critics across the board, enjoyed three standing ovations following its premiere screening, and has been lauded by The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and multiple outlets as one of the top films coming out of this year's festival.

Today, BET Networks announced new original scripted miniseries 'Uptown.' The three-part television event will tell the comprehensive story of Andre Harrell's iconic New York City record label, Uptown Records. Launched in 1986, following a joint venture deal with MCA, Andre Harrell's Uptown Records played a vital role in the careers of some of the most influential voices in hip hop, soul and R&B, including Heavy D & The Boyz, Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen, Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Father MC, Al B. Sure, Christopher Williams, Teddy Riley, Notorious B.I.G., Sean 'Diddy' Combs and many more. Each gripping episode will take viewers from the label's inception to current day, featuring the music and powerhouse hit-makers that helped mold what would come to be known as the Uptown 'sound' and define a musical era that would impact generations to come. 'Uptown' is scheduled to premiere on BET in 2020.

SJ Presents announces the Thanksgiving Comedy Fest on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 8:00 p.m.

The Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour has played sold-out shows across the United States and now they're coming to the entertainment capital of the world for a one-night-only tour stop on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020 in the Paris Theater at Paris Las Vegas. Celebrity host Nene Leakes leads an all-star lineup of talent including Adele Givens, special guests Loni Love, Sherri Shepherd, Kym Whitley and B Simone a?' a cast of comediennes sure to leave audiences cracking up.

Lavell Crawford will perform at Comedy Works Downtown in Larimer Square, November 15 - 17. Comedian Lavell Crawford is quickly climbing the comedic ranks and becoming one of the hottest stars in the biz today.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents an unhinged diverse comedy line-up celebrating contemporary stars and rising voices.

Multi-GRAMMY Award-winning composer/pianist/educator Arturo O'Farrill and the non-profit The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA) announce the kick-off to their 18th Anniversary live performance season with an unprecedented program of progressive artists banding together for change: SONGS OF LOVE & RESISTANCE.

The legendary stars of the hip hop classic, KRUSH GROOVE, Darryl 'D.M.C.' McDaniels and Kurtis Blow, are Tom Needham's special guests on Thursday, August 25th at 6 pm on WUSB's THE SOUNDS OF FILM.

The legendary stars of the hip hop classic, KRUSH GROOVE, Darryl 'D.M.C.' McDaniels and Kurtis Blow, are Tom Needham's special guests on Thursday, August 25th at 6 pm on WUSB's THE SOUNDS OF FILM.

SJ Presents announces the Thanksgiving Comedy Fest on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 8:00 p.m.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Thanksgiving Comedy Fest on Friday, November 29th at 8:00 p.m.

Whether it's the boom of the double bass, the pulse of the cello or the soulful strains of the guitar, the Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Investment Managers has showcased the best and brightest artists on those instruments, from its inception to this year's edition.

Calling all ladies!!!! Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour featuring ADELE GIVENS, SHERRI SHEPHERD, LONI LOVE, KIM WHITLEY, and hosted by Bravo's leading lady NENE LEAKES makes a stop at Kings Theatre on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 8 p.m.   

Calling all ladies! Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour featuring ADELE GIVENS, SHERRI SHEPHERD, LONI LOVE, KIM WHITLEY, and hosted by Bravo's leading lady NENE LEAKES makes a stop at Kings Theatre on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 8PM.   

On Monday, April 29, 2019 ArtsConnection's Spring 2019 Benefit will celebrate the Art2Art: Dear Evan Hansen partnership at the IAC Building in Chelsea. The evening will be hosted by MSNBC journalist Nicolle Wallace and include a special performance by the Dear Evan Hansen cast. The event will be styled by acclaimed event designer and ArtsConnection Board Member David Monn.

Calling all ladies!!!! Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour featuring ADELE GIVENS, SHERRI SHEPHERD, LONI LOVE, KIM WHITLEY, and hosted by Bravo's leading lady NENE LEAKES makes a stop at Kings Theatre on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 8PM.   

The NAACP today announced that mass media icon Tom Joyner will be honored with the Vanguard Award at the 50th NAACP Image Awards. The Vanguard Award is presented to a person whose groundbreaking work increases our understanding and awareness of racial and social issues. To date, the special award has been presented to Aretha Franklin, Clive Davis, surviving Memphis Sanitation Workers, Prince, Russell Simmons, Stanley Kramer, Steven Spielberg and Wyclef Jean. The 50th NAACP Image Awards will air during a LIVE TV special on TV One on Saturday, March 30, 2019 from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Anthony Anderson.

Carnegie Hall today announced that street dance pioneer Drew Dollaz will join longtime collaborators spoken word artist Marc Bamuthi Joseph and composer/violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain as they reunite for the world premiere of The Just and the Blind, a pressing and poignant new work commissioned by Carnegie Hall that explores fatherhood, racial profiling, and the justice system, in Zankel Hall on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. The performance will be followed by a post-concert discussion with the artists, hosted by Justus Jones of the Arts for Incarcerated Youth Network (AIYN).