ABC has acquired the television rights to 'BAD25,' a documentary film by the award-winning director Spike Lee. Airing at Thanksgiving (details to be announced at a later date), 'BAD25' shares fresh insights into the King of Pop's creative vision that resulted in his landmark 'BAD' album, this year marking its 25th anniversary.
The only show with producers and cast members who have real ties to the real Rat Pack, 'Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show" has entertained millions of people worldwide. The most successful show of its kind, with over 70 performance dates across the country last year while maintaining its home base in Las Vegas, the talented ensemble (in association with Orin Wolf/OBB NYC - Off Broadway Booking) kicks off its 2012-13 U.S. Theatre Season and Casino tour at the Spirit Lake Casino in Spirit Lake, N.D. on August 31, 2012.
According to the New York Times, MOTOWN The Musical, based on the life of iconic Motown founder Berry Gordy, will start previews at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater on March 11, with opening night set for April 14. The cast will be led by Brandon Victor Dixon (The Color Purple) as 'Berry Gordy Jr.' and Valisia LeKae (Ragtime, The Book of Mormon) as 'Diana Ross.' Additional casting has not yet been announced.
The North Carolina Symphony honors an American original with its season-opening Pops Series concert, "The Music of Ray Charles," at downtown Raleigh's Meymandi Concert Hall, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28-29, 8:00 p.m. Charles's protege, friend and fellow Georgia native Ellis Hall joins the orchestra and Symphony Resident Conductor William Henry Curry for an evening of R&B and soul classics.
VH1 has announced the newest artist lineup of its critically-acclaimed original music franchise VH! STORYTELLERS. This season will continue to deliver intimate stories and live performances from some of the most popular and influential artists of our time.
The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) has announced its 2012-13 schedule of major events. From September through May, CCM will present a series of 50 performances spanning the spectrum of the performing and media arts.
Today we are talking to a multi-talented performer who has performed on Broadway in everything from BROOKLYN to WICKED who made her most recent Broadway bows standing by in both ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER and PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT - the dynamic and compelling Julie Reiber. Talking all about her new solo album, LOVE TRAVELS, and its various inspirations as well as casting a look back at her many Broadway, touring and regional roles thus far in her eclectic career - ALL SHOOK UP, SWEENEY TODD and many more included - Reiber and I attempt to illustrate her unique place on Broadway and what she would like to pursue in the future, both on the stage and in the recording studio. Additionally, Reiber opens up about her exhaustive song selection process for LOVE TRAVELS and shares candid stories of the recording process of her solo debut, including providing some background on the songs that did not make the cut, how the sterling arrangements arose out of the material and the process of becoming a singer-songwriter in her own right over the project's three-year-long creation. Also, Reiber outlines her experiences performing in the out-of-town tryout of the new musical adaptation of Armistead Maupin's TALES OF THE CITY penned by rock super group Scissor Sisters and expresses her desire to continue with future iterations of the 70s-set Broadway-bound tuner as she looks ahead to her new roles of recording artist, and, also, she is happy to announce, mother. Plus, Julie offers details on her role in the heretofore little-known Meat Loaf-inspired movie musical ECLIPSE OF THE HEART (hopefully released some red moon soon), expresses her thoughts on GLEE and SMASH, compared Broadway now versus a decade ago - and much, much more!
Gordon Bahary, New York-based singer, multi-instrumentalist and composer, has been making music for more than three decades. Now is he releasing his debut album. Unbreakable (Lasting Treasure), available digitally online on Aug. 28th and in an exclusive deluxe version with three bonus tracks at Barnes & Noble (retail and online) on the same date, with CDs to follow, is the culmination of a lifetime's worth of creativity and innovation. Bahary will embark next month on his first-ever series of live performances, beginning in the Northeast. His first confirmed appearance is scheduled for the Barnes & Noble store in the Palisades Center in West Nyack, New York, September 13 at 6:30 p.m. The Barnes & Noble edition of the album, available at all of Bahary's appearances, will feature bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.
So many cabaret shows, so little time . . . to write reviews that is. During his almost two years as a cabaret reviewer, BroadwayWorld.com critic Stephen Hanks managed to do a pretty good job of writing critiques during a show's run or soon after the run ended. But this summer he just couldn't keep up. Finally, here are observations on 10 performances over the past two months.
Paul McCartney's Live Kisses captures the magical night of February 9 in the City of Angels - coincidentally, the 48th anniversary of The Beatles' U.S. TV debut on The Ed Sullivan Show no less --when Paul McCartney decided to bring Kisses On The Bottom, his newly released collection of pop standards and two originals, to life at the very same Capitol Studios where much of the album was created. The very special event will air on GREAT PERFORMANCES, Friday, September 7 at 9 p.m. on PBS.
Multi-Platinum selling, Grammy-nominated recording artist Drake, previously announced that the 3rd annual OVO FEST is geared up to take place tonight, August 5th at Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. The hip-hop summer festival will also feature special guests The Weeknd, A$AP Rocky and 2 Chainz. The annual event will see Drake bring Hip Hop's most buzzed about artists to his home town following his sold out 27-city Club Paradise Tour.
On Tuesday August 7th, 2012 Global Rhythm Group and Urban Lifestyle Media in conjunction with Music Choice will bring a fusion of Hip Hop and Jazz to Rooftop760 (Copacabana's rooftop)! Igmar Thomas is an expert at linking these two genres together. He is not only a composer but an arranger, bandleader and of course a remarkable trumpet player! Thomas will be sharing his talent on stage along with The Cypher featuring the Curtis Brothers. Additional good beats will be provided by BET'S very own 'Master of the Mix' DJ Mell Starr.
The Highline Ballroom has announced its lineup for today, July 30 through August 13, 2012. The venue is located at 431 West 16th Street between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue.
According to an Equity casting notice, MOTOWN The Musical, which is set to open on Broadway in the Spring of 2013, will hold a workshop September 10-30. The show is set to begin Broadway rehearsals in January, with previews set for March 11.
Today, July 24th, award-winning keyboardist/composer/author Kevin Toney releases an inspired project that blends traditional acoustic jazz trio music with the compositional expanse of classical movements. Titled New American Suite, the album introduces the artist's dynamic new group, The Kevin Toney 3 (a.k.a. "KT3" featuring Kevin Toney on piano, Michael Bradford on bass and Chris Coleman on drums).
On July 24th, award-winning keyboardist/composer/author Kevin Toney will be releasing an inspired project that blends traditional acoustic jazz trio music with the compositional expanse of classical movements. Titled New American Suite, the album introduces the artist's dynamic new group, The Kevin Toney 3 (a.k.a. "KT3" featuring Kevin Toney on piano, Michael Bradford on bass and Chris Coleman on drums).
The Highline Ballroom has announced its lineup for July 30 through August 13, 2012. The venue is located at 431 West 16th Street between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue.
Producers Kevin McCollum (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights, The Drowsy Chaperone), Doug Morris (Chairman and CEO of SONY Music Entertainment) and Berry Gordy will present MOTOWN The Musical, based on the life of iconic Motown founder Berry Gordy, will open in the Spring of 2013 on Broadway at a Nederlander Theatre to be announced. Music legend Berry Gordy is looking for a super-talented African-American young man (age 8-11) to play the multiple roles of young MICHAEL JACKSON, little STEVIE WONDER and pre-teen BERRY GORDY in MOTOWN The Musical, coming to Broadway in 2013.
