Sammy Davis, Jr. News

CENTRIC, BET Network's signature channel kicks off auditions for its new original series APOLLO LIVE.

Las Vegas entertainer Kelly Clinton brings her kaleidoscope of talent in "Freckled For Life" to the Suncoast Showroom tonight, April 28 and tomorrow April 29, each evening at 7:30 p.m

Surflight Theatre, under the leadership of award-winning Broadway Producers Timothy Laczynski (The Pee-wee Herman Show, A Christmas Story), Executive Producer and Roy Miller (West Side Story, The Drowsy Chaperone, Ragtime, and the upcoming new musical Animal House) Artistic Director, kicks off its 63rdAnniversary Season of 'Broadway at the Beach' with the Surflight Premiere of The Rat Pack Revue from tonight, April 18 through May 6, 2012.

Omaha Performing Arts recently announced its 2012/2013 Season, which includes Blockbuster Broadway hits, critically acclaimed dance companies, family-friendly entertainment, comedians and world-class musicians. With five great series - Broadway, Dance, Family, Jazz and Showcase (formerly Popular) - as well as a broad selection of Season Extras, Omaha Performing Arts offers a variety of world-renowned artists and ensembles with more than 100 performance dates.

Sal Viviano (City of Angels, The Full Monty), Nat Chandler (The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Phantom of the Opera) and Eric Jordan Young (Ragtime, Chicago) will appear in concert with Maestro Joseph Young and the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra on Friday, April 27th at 8pm, Saturday, April 28th at 8pm, and Sunday, April 29th at 2pm.

INDIA JAZZ SUITES will perform in Three Stages on Friday, May 11 at 8 pm. This show is a brilliant collaboration between Pandit Chitresh Das, one of the world's foremost masters of the of the barefoot, bell-bedecked North Indian dance called Kathak, and Emmy award-winning Jason Samuels Smith --one of the world's fastest tap dancers.

Surflight Theatre, under the leadership of award-winning Broadway Producers Timothy Laczynski (The Pee-wee Herman Show, A Christmas Story), Executive Producer and Roy Miller (West Side Story, The Drowsy Chaperone, Ragtime, and the upcoming new musical Animal House) Artistic Director, kicks off its 63rdAnniversary Season of 'Broadway at the Beach' with the Surflight Premiere of The Rat Pack Revue from April 18 through May 6, 2012.

On Sunday, April 8th, the largest housing unit of the historic Surflight Theatre suffered extensive damage when a blaze broke out at The Gables, a neighboring establishment. No one was injured in the fire. Although the severity of the damage is still being assessed, the housing unit that provides a home to production personnel sustained enough damage to render the unit uninhabitable for at least a portion of the 2012 season.

On June 12, 2012, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) releases DEAN MARTIN - COLLECTED COOL.

Next Theatre Company announces their 32nd main stage season. The season begins with Iphigenia 2.0 by Charles Mee, directed by David Kersnar; followed by the Midwest premiere of Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter written by Julie Marie Myatt and directed by Jessica Thebus. The United States premiere of Everything is Illuminated, by Simon Block adapted from Jonathan Safron Foers' novel and directed by Devon DeMayo begins 2013, and the season will conclude with a co-production with the Theatre and Interpretation Center at Northwestern University, and in partnership with The Center on Wrongful Convictions, The Exonerated, by Jessica Blank and Eric Jensen, directed by Cat Miller and presented at the Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive, Northwestern University. The first three main stage productions are presented at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street in Evanston. To find out information about subscribing to the season, visit the website at www.nexttheatre.org or call the box office at 847-475-1875 x2.

The Howard Theatre, the historic arts landmark that launched the careers of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye and The Supremes, announces their grand re-opening after a $29 million renovation and a 32-year hiatus. The Howard Theatre will re-open the week of April 9 with an opening lineup that includes Wale, Wanda Sykes, The Roots, Robert Randolph, Taj Mahal, Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), Meshell Ndegeocello, Bad Brains, Chuck Brown, Chuck Berry, Esperanza Spalding and a weekly Sunday Brunch featuring the Harlem Gospel Choir. The full schedule is available at www.thehowardtheatre.com.

On Tuesday night at the Iridium Jazz Club, precocious, yet polished 20-year-old crooner Nicolas King conquered a packed room filled with freshly-minted MAC Award winners, veteran cabaret performers, a burgeoning legion of fans, beaming family members, and his mentor and friend Liza Minnelli (who attended the show with actor Tony Danza).

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Stephanie Kramer will guest star on the CBS drama series CSI on April 4th in an episode entitled 'Split Decisions'. The actress will join previously announced guest star Jackson Pace in the episode.

Nashville's Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) will play host this summer to the world premiere of The Nutty Professor, a new musical comedy directed by the King of Comedy himself, Jerry Lewis. The Broadway at TPAC Special Event will run from July 24 to August 19 in TPAC's James K. Polk Theater. Featuring music by Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Marvin Hamlisch (A Chorus Line) and a book and lyrics by three-time Tony Award winner Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), The Nutty Professor is based on the classic 1963 film in which Lewis starred and co-wrote.

Nashville's Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) will play host this summer to the world premiere of The Nutty Professor, a new musical comedy directed by the King of Comedy himself, Jerry Lewis. The Broadway at TPAC Special Event will run from July 24 to August 19 in TPAC's James K. Polk Theater. Featuring music by Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Marvin Hamlisch (A Chorus Line) and a book and lyrics by three-time Tony Award winner Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), The Nutty Professor is based on the classic 1963 film in which Lewis starred and co-wrote.

To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, Louis Armstrong House Museum (LAHM) Historic House Tours will highlight one-of-a-kind portraits featured in Louis and Lucille's home by noted artists: Calvin Bailey, Tony Bennett, Samuel Countee and LeRoy Neiman throughout the month of April.

Kate Ceberano has secured an impressive line-up of acclaimed international, national and local artists in her debut year as Artistic Director of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

Experience The Rat Pack at The State Theatre on Saturday, March 31 at 8 PM.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY will continue its Spring 2012 season with the debut of Broadway and Hollywood star, JANIS PAIGE for two nights only on May 20 and May 21. For her one-woman show, Paige shares favorite songs and recounts tales from her lifetime in show business -- from achieving a dream of Hollywood stardom to her leading roles on Broadway, the famous people who influenced her life and career, her personal and professional triumphs, and the losses and laughs of a long and highly-successful career. Ms. Paige will appear for two shows only at the Loews Regency Hotel.

Feinstein's at Loews Regency will continue its Spring 2012 season with the debut of Broadway and Hollywood legend, Janis Paige for two nights only on May 20 and May 21.