Saycon Sengbloh News

Beyond the Music, a new musical with book and direction by Tony Award winner Andy Sandberg (Hair; The Last Smoker in America) and music by 13­-time Emmy Award winner Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz, will have an invitation­-only reading in New York today.

Now gracing the cover of the latest Billboard Magazine, Beyonce reveals that her upcoming ablum, entitled 4, is largely inspired by the late Fela Kuti - subject of last season's Broadway hit Fela! produced by her husband Jay-Z. The album is set for release next month.

Off-Broadway's The Play Company will feature superb entertainment by Broadway performers and succulent foods prepared by some NYC's top chefs at its 8th annual gala CABARET GOURMENT 2011, set for Monday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at the American Airlines Theatre Penthouse (227 W. 42 St.) in Manhattan.

Broadway Speaks OUT and Dixon Place presented 'Broadway Sings for Japan' on Monday March 28th at 7:30pm. This benefit concert for Japan earthquake and tsunami relief was be free admission with a $10 suggested donation to help out in the relief efforts. The concert helped raise over $1,000 for Japan clean water relief.

The Manhattan Theatre Club opened the New York Premiere of THE WHIPPING MAN, the acclaimed new play by Matthew Lopez, directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes, last night, February 1. The show has extended twice and is now selling through March 27. The show runs at New York City Center-Stage I. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening and brings you coverage below.

BroadwayWorld offers highlights of the several productions which will complete their Broadway runs in January.

Directed and choreographed by Tony®Award-winner Bill T. Jones, FELA! opened in LonDon Starring Sahr Ngaujah, who originated the role and currently appears in the Broadway production. Kevin Mambo, who shares the role with Mr. Ngaujah in NYC, will also join the otherwise all-British cast for a limited run. The Broadway production will continue its open-ended run.

The National Theatre, one of the world's most prestigious venues, opens FELA!, this season's most heralded new musical on Broadway, on November 16 at The National's Olivier Theatre. Directed and choreographed by Tony®Award-winner Bill T. Jones, FELA! will open in LonDon Starring Sahr Ngaujah, who originated the role and currently appears in the Broadway production. Kevin Mambo, who shares the role with Mr. Ngaujah in NYC, will also join the otherwise all-British cast for a limited run. The Broadway production will continue its open-ended run.

The National Theatre will be bringing Broadway's Fela! to London's Olivier Theatre for a November 6 premiere. The show will be joined by Michael Grandage's Danton's Death and new plays by Moira Buffini and Mike Bartlett. Also announced by the National, Desmond Barrit and Malcom Sinclair will be joining the cast of The Habit of the Art beginning July 14.

It was announced today that in November 2010, The National Theatre, one of the world's most prestigious venues, will produce FELA!, this season's most heralded new musical on Broadway. Performances at The National's Olivier Theatre are slated to begin Saturday, November 6, with an official Opening Night set for Tuesday, November 16, 2010.

Pop icon Deborah Cox headlined a star-studded cast featuring performances and presentations by Sandra Thurman, former AIDS Czar under President Bill Clinton and current President and CEO of International AIDS Trust, the cast of FELA!, Dancing With The Stars finalist and N'SYNC star Lance Bass, Tony Award winners Alice Ripley, Chuck Cooper, Melba Moore, and TV stars Graham Phillips (The Good Wife) and Ariana Grande (Nickelodeon's Victorious), for the third annual Broadway in South Africa (BSA) benefit concert last night, October 4. Nearly the entire show featured world-premiere songs, created for the evening, by such composers as Grammy Award winners Desmond Child and Julie Gold. This year's honoree was producer Michael Butler. He is one of the most successful theatrical producers, lauded for bringing HAIR to Broadway in 1968, and an active proponent of youth creating positive global social change.

On Sunday, September 12, Broadway performer Marty Thomas (XANADU, WICKED, THE SECRET GARDEN) and New York socialite Aubrey Mae Davis celebrated their special day together in style at the second annual Glitter Ball (The Disco Edition). BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below.

Multi-Grammy Award-winner and international recording superstar Patti LaBelle opened in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Fela! last night, September 14. LaBelle will perform in Fela! through its scheduled closing on January 2, 2011. BroadwayWorld was on hand for LaBelle's opening night curtain call and after party and brings you photo coverage below!

Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010 - 8:30 Party, 10:30 Concert - Marty Thomas and Aubrey Mae Davis THE GLITTER BALL (The Disco Edition) at the Monster

Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010 - 8:30 Party, 10:30 Concert - Marty Thomas and Aubrey Mae Davis THE GLITTER BALL (The Disco Edition) at the Monster

Camille A. Brown and Andrea Miller and Kate Weare and Monica Bill Barnes present two programs from August 9-14, 2010 at The Joyce Theater. 175 Eighth Avenue, NYC. Ms. Brown's new ensemble and Ms. Miller's company Gallim Dance share the first program. The second program features the Kate Weare Company and Monica Bill Barnes & Company. On Saturday, August 14 at 2pm, all four choreographers will present a family-friendly program featuring excerpts of works in the regular programs. Tickets start at $10 and are available at 212-242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Camille A. Brown and Andrea Miller and Monica Bill Barnes and Kate Weare present two programs from August 9-14, 2010 at The Joyce Theater. 175 Eighth Avenue, NYC. Ms. Brown's new ensemble and Ms. Miller's company Gallim Dance share the first program.

Photographer Marilyn Nance is suing the musical FELA! for unauthorized use of one of her photographs, the New York Post reports.

The cast and crew of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Fela!, based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will be honored by New York City Council Members Jimmy Van Bramer and Julissa Ferreras on the Steps of City Hall on Thursday, July 29.

Camille A. Brown and Andrea Miller and Kate Weare and Monica Bill Barnes present two programs from August 9-14, 2010 at The Joyce Theater. 175 Eighth Avenue, NYC. Ms. Brown's new ensemble and Ms. Miller's company Gallim Dance share the first program. The second program features the Kate Weare Company and Monica Bill Barnes & Company. On Saturday, August 14 at 2pm, all four choreographers will present a family-friendly program featuring excerpts of works in the regular programs. Tickets start at $10 and are available at 212-242-0800 or www.joyce.org.