Tommy Tune News

The Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) hosted its Jubalee Gala July 21 at the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, which included honoring The Chicago Community Trust and its President and CEO Terry Mazany with the JUBA! Award for Extraordinary Contributions to the Cultural Community in Chicago. Past JUBA! Award recipient, the Honorable Mayor Rahm Emanuel, served as Honorary Chair. With nearly 600 people in attendance, CHRP raised $175,000, including a $75,000 leadership gift from guests Philip and Marsha Dowd, from a combination of ticket sales, sponsorships, contributions and a raffle.  Following a preshow reception in CHRP's American Rhythm Center, guests gathered in the packed Studebaker Theater for the presentation of the JUBA! Award and the JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance performance that highlighted CHRP's 27th annual Rhythm World summer festival. The concert featured Chicago Human Rhythm Project performing a world premiere by Artist In Residence Dani Borak and three classics by African-American choreographers Buster Brown, Lon Chaney and Harold 'Stumpy' Cromer; STOMP alumna and Broadway hoofer (Shuffle Along) Lisa LaTouche performing her masterpiece Love Me or Leave Me with Tre Dumas and Nico Rubio; STOMP cast members Ali Bradley and Jeremy Price; North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble; solo performances by Lee Howard and Jumaane Taylor; a trio performance by Star Dixon, Donnetta Jackson and Imania Fatima Detry; scholarship students from Tokyo directed by Yukiko Misumi; and more. A VIP champagne reception onstage with the artists followed the performance.

Kean Stage, a presenter of world-class performances, continues to bring an impressive line-up of award-winning artists, engaging family events, dynamic dance companies and multicultural music and shows to Kean University as part of its 2017-18 Season.

After several difficult months of rehab and recovery, talented star Joey Pero finally stepped on the stage of the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Friday, June 30th to make his Broadway debut. Today, the actor speaks with BWW about his journey.

ASCAP Award-winning writer/director Chip Deffaa is releasing a second cast album of his show 'Mad About the Boy' today. The new album - which follows on the heels of the cast album of his recently released 13th Street Theater production - mixes performances by stars of Deffaa's original festival production, plus some very special surprise guests.

Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP), which creates community through American tap and contemporary percussive arts in world-class, innovative performance, education and outreach programs, hosts its 27th Jubalee Gala.

The world of a charming songwriter is on the rocks in Daniel Zaitchik's contemporary new musical Darling Grenadine.

As such television programs as 'So You Think You Can Dance' and 'World of Dance' convince more and more people to appreciate dance as an art form, they also create a higher barrier for local companies to leap. With such superb choreographers as Tony winning Mia Michaels, Travis Wall, Sonya Tayeh and Tyce Diorio creating visual marvels, and national and world-wide dancers modeling what is 'good' in dance, expectations for local companies rise.

Principal Pops Conductor Michael Feinstein puts down the conducting baton and picks up the microphone for one night only to celebrate Swing, the Rat Pack and more on Saturday, July 29 at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.

Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - will launch their all-star third season with a special benefit event featuring a rare DC-area appearance of vocal legend Marilyn Maye.

Tonight, July 12th, 6-7pm, International Goodwill Cultural Ambassador/performing artist Ronald Rand will be joined by legendary film star Brian Cox, stage and screen actress Nicole Ansari, one of America's greatest sculptors Carolyn D. Palmer, singer extraordinaire Julie Budd, Encompass New Opera Theatre artistic director Nancy Rhodes, Broadway and film director Michael Pressman, historian Louise Hirschfeld, and legendary portrait painter Everett Raymond Kinstler for an exciting panel discussion about creativity in film, theater, music and art at Barnes & Noble-Union Square, 33 East 17th Street, NYC.

???????A magical adventure is in store for audiences at Peninsula Players Theatre when its production of "Peter and the Starcatcher" by Rick Elice ("Jersey Boys," "Addams Family") opens July 5.  Based on the novel by humorist David Barry and suspense novelist Ridley Pearson, "Peter and the Starcatcher" is a grown-up's prequel to Peter Pan featuring swashbuckling pirates, mischievous mermaids, spirited seafarers, a trunk full of magic starstuff and the adventures of a nameless orphan boy and his new friend Molly.  This Tony Award-winning play will light up the theatre-in-a-garden with its stardust and transport audiences to a Neverland they never knew through July 23.

The Fresh Fruit Festival - now in its 15th year - is presented by All Out Arts to celebrate the LGBTQ community's unique perspective, creativity & diversity, and to build links between the LGBTQ artistic communities, be they local or international. 

Dana Moore, having appeared in twelve Broadway musicals, is the true embodiment of a 'Broadway Gypsy.' She's worked with some of Broadway's most influential choreographers including Michael Bennett, Bob Fosse, Tommy Tune, Twyla Tharp, and Graciela Daniele. Dana currently teaches musical theater dance in New York City at Marymount Manhattan College and Steps on Broadway.

Mario Lamar Hunter and his Laid Back Jazz Ensemble: Powerful Jazz Winds project is a unique blend of Jazz Standards that offer the listener a nostalgic musical experience through Mario's interpretations that sound like a natural choice for his soulful expression' says Jaijai Jackson of The Jazz Network Worldwide.

Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, has announced early casting for Half Time, a new musical, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell. Five-time Emmy nominee Georgia Engel (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Drowsy Chaperone) and Tony and Emmy Award winner Lillias White (The Life, Sesame Street) will lead the cast in this uplifting true story of ten New Jersey seniors with extraordinary dreams who audition to dance at halftime for a major basketball team.

With great excitement, Teatro ZinZanni today announced the highly anticipated return of their production of 'Love, Chaos, and Dinner,' the beloved original show combining the best of cirque, cabaret, spectacle, live music, comedy, and fine dining. The iconic institution found an ideal location and perfect partner to present its truly one-of-a-kind experience at King County's Marymoor Park near Redmond, Washington.    

On July 12th, 6-7pm - International Goodwill Cultural Ambassador/performing artist Ronald Rand will be joined by legendary film star Brian Cox, stage and screen actress Nicole Ansari, one of America's greatest sculptors Carolyn D. Palmer, singer extraordinaire Julie Budd, Encompass New Opera Theatre artistic director Nancy Rhodes, Broadway and film director Michael Pressman, historian Louise Hirschfeld, and legendary portrait painter Everett Raymond Kinstler for an exciting panel discussion about creativity in film, theater, music and art at Barnes & Noble-Union Square, 33 East 17th Street, NYC.

THE JIMMY AWARDS have announced that 74 high school students from across America will compete for the award for Best Performance by an Actor and Actress as well as other honors and scholarships at the ninth annual awards ceremony. The presentation will take place on Monday, June 26th at 7:30PM at the Minskoff Theatre, 200 West 45th Street in Manhattan.

CBS SUNDAY MORNING, the nation's #1 Sunday morning news program, posted year-to-year audience gains, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings for June 11.

Inside Broadway presented it's Beacon Awards last night at it's 35th anniversary season Gala  and BroadwayWorld was inside the JW Marriot Essex House for the festivities.