The Supremes News

Bloodshed is par for the course during Tony Awards season, especially as it reaches its peak in the last handful of weeks leading up the big annual ceremony feting theatre's best, so today we take a look back at some of the absolute most brutal and tight Tony Award races for Best Musical in history. Although comparing a group of musicals - alike as dissimilar as they may be - may be an unfair proposition in practice, there is only one way a winner is decided when the Tony Awards rolls around and it unfortunately always finds fan favorites, critical darlings and a few commercial hits vying for top honors. There can only be one Best Musical - well, except for 1960 when there were actually two mainstage entertainments given the prize; THE SOUND OF MUSIC and FIORELLO, with no less than GYPSY ending up an also-ran. Who will claim the trophy on June 7? Tune in then to see!

Tickets for the West End production of Motown the Musical, opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre in February 2016, are released for sale today (15 May 2015).  With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Motown the Musical is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright.  London previews will begin on 11 February 2016 with press night on 8 March 2016 with the show booking to 22 October 2016.  Casting and further information about Motown the Musical will be released shortly.

Tickets for the West End production of Motown the Musical, opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre in February 2016, are released for sale today (15 May 2015).  With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Motown the Musical is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. London previews will begin on 11 February 2016 with press night on 8 March 2016 with the show booking to 22 October 2016.  Casting and further information about Motown the Musical will be released shortly.

Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation announced that Brian Hyland will be joining Dick Fox's DOO WOP EXTRAVAGANZA on Sunday, June 6 at 7pm. Brian Hyland is known for a slew of iconic hit songs including 'Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini' and 'Sealed With a Kiss.'. Dick Fox's DOO WOP EXTRAVAGANZA is a celebration of Doo-wop, the iconic sound that caused a sensation in the 1950's and early 1960's.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has today announced it has signed a worldwide deal with alternative rock band WALK THE MOON.

Art & culture are vital to our existence and Seattle Theatre Group's 2015-2016 season features ample offerings of live performance experiences from arts provocateurs, global masters, cultural icons, and contemporary legends.

Celebrate 60 years of theatre history when Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) presents a glittering production of DREAMGIRLS, the dazzling Tony and Oscar award-winning musical. DREAMGIRLS will electrify audiences beginning on Tuesday, June 2 and will play thru Sunday, June 14. Press night is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3 at 7:30 pm

 Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) has announced the complete cast for its production of Les Miserables beginning later this month.  Directed by Terrence Mann, Les Miserables will star Mann as Inspector Javert, a role he originated on Broadway and for which he received his first Tony Award-nomination.  Performances of Les Miserables begin on May 28, 2015 and continue through June 7, 2015 at Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre.  Tickets are now onsale at crt.uconn.edu or 860-486-2113.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has further strengthened its Neighbouring Rights division with the addition of a series of high-profile signings to the roster, including Mark Ronson and Snoop Dogg.

Turning a profit in the theatre business is challenging at best but it isn't surprising that MOTOWN THE MUSICAL easily recouped its initial investment during its run on Broadway, or its outlay for the First National Tour, now playing at the Hollywood Pantages. The popularity of the Motown sound is undeniable. Even if you wanted to, it's impossible to keep from being carried away by the irresistible groove of the music. And why would you even want to try?

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has announced a long-term, worldwide deal ex- North America with hip hop pioneer and “Godfather” Afrika Bambaataa.

The Spire Center for Performing Arts, the entertainment mecca of Plymouth, presents a eclectic season of summer entertainment at The Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth. 

Atlanta Lyric Theatre, now in its 36th year as the metro area's only professional musical theatre company, is pleased announced its upcoming 2015-16 season of musicals at the 600-seat Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (548 S. Marietta Pkwy., Marietta).  With five fantastic shows -- Broadway's timeless classic Peter Pan, Mel Brooks' hilarious Young Frankenstein, the raucous The Full Monty, the sensational story of Dreamgirls, and the greatest musical drama of our time West Side Story -- we look forward to delivering an unforgettable theatrical experiences to our patrons!

The Daily Mail writes that SOMETHING ROTTEN! director Casey Nicholaw will officially be directing DREAMGIRLS in its UK debut.

Skyline Theatre Company will present one of Broadway's most thrilling musical hits, DREAMGIRLS, April 24-26 and May 1-3 at the George Frey Center for Arts and Recreation in the Fair Lawn Community Center. Tickets are $29 for adults, $24 for seniors, and $20 for students.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has adopted a pioneering approach among major music publishers by installing an A&R executive to work in Nashville and specialize in non-country music.

Tonight, Cutting Edge Theater opened musical GOING TO THE CHAPEL, which centers on leading lady Betty Lou and her bridesmaids the week of her wedding. I find the content of this show incredibly timely and fitting for the beginning of spring in the New Orleans area as many deem this time of year 'wedding season.' And who doesn't get a kick out of all of the goofy traditions that ladies go through together to make sure their friend has the wedding celebration of the century? GOING TO THE CHAPEL is a jukebox musical featuring music of the 1960s, and more specifically the 'girl groups' of the 1960s such as The Chiffons, The Shirelles, and The Supremes. Featuring a cast of four amazing ladies, this show is sure to keep you laughing and bopping along to some great tunes!

NICA's talented second-year students will have no trouble fishing for compliments when they feature in this quirky aquarium of circus, cabaret and comedy. PESCADO - A Circus Cabaret Fusion will be performed in the National Institute of Circus Arts' intimate studio space from 13 to 16 May 2015.

GABRIELLE STRAVELLI - the acclaimed pop/jazz vocalist called 'ingenious' by The Wall Street Journal and known from her tours with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, appearances at the 92nd Street Y and her long-running Soho jazz brunch - will join tenor saxophonist Ed Finkel as he brings a group of well-known New York jazz artists to the Heinz W. Otto Gallery at the Watchung Arts Center in Watchung, NJ tonight, March 28 at 8 PM. A dessert reception will follow the performance.

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL recently opened at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha, taking the packed house captive for 2 hours and 45 minutes with nonstop songs covering 25 years of emerging superstars.