Sting News

Actor and comedian Tracy Morgan, best known for his performances on 'Saturday Night Live' and for his role on the hit series '30 Rock,' will host the star-studded 2013 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas TONIGHT, MAY 19 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network, sponsored by Chevrolet and Las Vegas.

A star-studded lineup of the world's top-selling artists will come together to perform their biggest hits on “The 2013 Billboard Music Awards.”

In addition to the fully loaded roster of talent slated to perform at “The 2013 Billboard Music Awards,” Cee-Lo Green, Shania Twain, Celine Dion, Kelly Rowland, Hayden Panettiere, Kid Rock, Chloe Grace Moretz, Miley Cyrus

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Sting's new stage musical, THE LAST SHIP, which has been buzzed about for an upcoming Broadway run, just had a staged reading, which was directed by Joe Mantello. Now according to the Star, the reading was led by Louise Pitre, who is hoping to bring the show to Broadway, revealing: 'It was incredible to work with this team.' A source also told Pitre that 'by the end of the second reading, they had all the money they needed for their production in 2014. Amazing!'

Closing Aurora Theatre Company's 21st season is the Bay Area Premiere of Neil LaBute's dark, edgy comic drama THIS IS HOW IT GOES, directed by Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross (A Delicate Balance). Ross helmed LaBute's The Shape of Things, the first LaBute play produced in the Bay Area, in 2003. Featuring Aldo Billingslea (Collapse), Gabriel Marin (Collapse, Jack Goes Boating), and Carrie Paff (A Delicate Balance, Collapse, Betrayal), THIS IS HOW IT GOES presents a one-two punch after LaBute's Fat Pig (staged at Aurora in 2009). Tweaking perspectives of truth and interpretation to broach sharp questions about race, love, and manipulation,THIS IS HOW IT GOES, about which the Chicago Tribune raved "Highly recommended! LaBute's play has a lot of sting and nothing is as it seems!" plays June 14 through July 21 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($35-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Closing Aurora Theatre Company's 21st season is the Bay Area Premiere of Neil LaBute's dark, edgy comic drama THIS IS HOW IT GOES, directed by Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross (A Delicate Balance). Ross helmed LaBute's The Shape of Things, the first LaBute play produced in the Bay Area, in 2003. Featuring Aldo Billingslea (Collapse), Gabriel Marin (Collapse, Jack Goes Boating), and Carrie Paff (A Delicate Balance, Collapse, Betrayal), THIS IS HOW IT GOES presents a one-two punch after LaBute's Fat Pig (staged at Aurora in 2009).

The 2013 Billboard Music Awards will be honoring Madonna with the Top Touring Artist Award for her 2012 MDNA tour. Madonna will take the stage to accept the prestigious award which recognizes the highest grossing concert touring act of the year.

Rose & The Nightingale, a new, all-woman ensemble, announces its NYC CD release concert for SPIRIT OF THE GARDEN (Sunnyside Records, 5/7/13 Release) at Subculture NYC tonight, May 8, 2013.

Barter Theatre is busy making preparations to open what critics are calling 'a bona fide gut-busting laugh-a-thon.' The fun of 'Unnecessary Farce' begins tonight, May 8 at Barter Stage II. It's the hot new comedy that has audiences raving across the country.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has announced the second season for the 2013-2014 TRUST Cabaret Series. Enjoy the rare opportunity to experience the finest cabaret artists at the intimate Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, in downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District. The 2013-2014 TRUST Cabaret Series will showcase performers Marilyn Maye, Maureen McGovern, Carol Woods, Liz Callaway and Clint Holmes.

Joe Satriani confirms the release of his 14th studio album, Unstoppable Momentum, today, May 7, 2013 through Epic Records. The album was recorded at Skywalker Sound in the Bay Area and produced by Satriani and Mike Fraser (AC/DC). The album features an amazing array of talented players including Vinnie Colauita (Sting, Jeff Beck) on drums, Chris Chaney (Janes Addiction) on bass and on keyboards, Mike Keneally (Dethklok).

From Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, LIFE'S TOO SHORT SPECIAL will wrap up the story of actor Warwick Davis, a little person trying to hustle his way back into the spotlight, when it debuts FRIDAY, JULY 5, exclusively on HBO. Davis reprises his role as a fictionalized version of himself in the follow-up to the HBO comedy series.

The nail-biting firsthand account of being under siege in Tehran and the risky cover plan to smuggle them out using a fake science-fiction movie is profiled in the episode LOCKED UP ABROAD: THE REAL ARGO tonight, May 5, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on National Geographic Channel

After more than seven months of playing to packed houses in Santa Monica and North Hollywood, Smoke and Mirrors - a heartfelt comedy-drama with mind-bending magic that has been named 'Critics Choice' in the Los Angeles Times - has extended its run again at The Road on Lankershim, 5108 Lankershim Blvd in NoHo. Smoke and Mirrors is now set to run through Sunday, June 30.

Lead by Helen Carey and Larry Bryggman, Jon Robin Baitz's OTHER DESERT CITIES at Arena Stage boasts strong performances and clear direction by Kyle Donnelly.

Award-winning Canadian jazz pianist, vocalist and songwriter Laila Biali, who has toured with Suzanne Vega, Chris Botti and Paula Cole, recorded with and supported Sting, and played all over the world at Tokyo's Cotton Club, Peru's El Festival Internacional de Lima, and Carnegie Hall in New York City, will be taking over SubCulture for a residency in May!

2013 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS announce more star-studded acts to their already loaded performers list, including Jennifer Lopez, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Ed Sheeran, David Guetta, Ne-Yo, Akon and Icona Pop.

After a highly successful bout on Broadway, Mike Tyson takes his acclaimed one-man show, 'Mike Tyson: UNDISPUTED TRUTH,' on a national tour. Helmed by renowned director Spike Lee and producer James L. Nederlander, the tour began in February 2013. He will perform at Philadelphia's Academy of Music tonight, May 2.

Bay Area Cabaret will conclude its 2012-2013 season by honoring the memory and legendary career of composer Marvin Hamlisch. Selections from his work (A Chorus Line, The Way We Were, They're Playing Our Song) will be performed by special guests including Broadway stars Lisa Vroman (The Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd) and Karen Mason (Mamma Mia!, Sunset Boulevard), Grammy Award winner Billy Stritch, 2012 Bay Area Teen Idol winner Bobby Conte Thornton, Academy Award-winning songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and other guest artists to be announced. Having performed with Bay Area Cabaret for the grand re-opening of the Venetian Room in 2010, Mr. Hamlisch will always hold a special place in Bay Area Cabaret's history. This tribute to his legacy will take place on the late composer's 69th birthday, Sunday, June 2, 2013, at 8pm in the historic Venetian Room of the Fairmont San Francisco (950 Mason Street). Tickets ($75 - $100) are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or by phone at City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

Vika Bull, one of Australia's most respected, powerful soul singers, is set to tell the story of one of the most influential soul singers of all time: Etta James.