Mahalia Jackson News

Recently named in the '100 Greatest Singers of All Time' list by Rolling Stone magazine, soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples possesses one of the most recognizable and treasured voices in contemporary music. From her early days sharing lead vocals with her groundbreaking family group, The Staple Singers, to her powerful solo recordings, Mavis Staples is an inspirational force in modern popular culture and music. Her last appearance at Massey Hall was with the Blind Boys of Alabama in December of 2004. This concert marks the debut of James Hunter.

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky. The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky. The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.

Returning to Cleveland after acclaimed performances in The Color Purple on Broadway and Gone with the Wind in London?s West End, NaTasha Yvette Williams takes the stage in the lead role of The Cleveland Play House production of Mahalia: A Gospel Musical. Since 1997, when she performed in The Play House production of (I Could) Stop On a Dime and Get Ten Cents Change, Williams has also played in several Broadway national tours and performed her gospel music all over the world. Kent Gash, Associate Artistic Director of The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA, is directing Williams in this musical tribute to the most celebrated gospel singer of all time. Mahalia: A Gospel Musical begins in the Bolton Theatre at The Cleveland Play House on Friday, January 30 and runs through Sunday, February 22, 2009. Tickets are on sale now at The Cleveland Play House box office by calling 216.795.7000 ext 4 or online at www.clevelandplayhouse.com. Mahalia: A Gospel Musical is presented in promotional partnership with Time Warner Cable and The Kulus Foundation. The media sponsor for Mahalia: A Gospel Musical is 107.3 FM The Wave WNMV.

Florida Studio Theatre opens its Cabaret Winter Season with Steppin' Out, October 21st, featuring a jazz and modern day influence on Berlin favorites such as 'Puttin' On The Ritz,' 'Anything You Can do,' 'Cheek to Cheek' and 'Always.'

Florida Studio Theatre opens its Cabaret Winter Season with Steppin' Out, October 21st, featuring a jazz and modern day influence on Berlin favorites such as 'Puttin' On The Ritz,' 'Anything You Can do,' 'Cheek to Cheek' and 'Always.'

The Cleveland Play House will present the following productions throughout their 2008-09 season:

The Festival is a tasting menu of the best Jazz, Blues and Vocals.

More casting has been announced for Atlanta's Theater of the Stars's 25th Anniversary production of Dreamgirls, with Jennifer Holliday reprising her iconic Tony-winning performance as Effie.

WHO: Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore WHAT: Grease WHEN: Through August 19. Schedule varies. HOW MUCH: Go to www.tobysdinnertheatre.com or call 1-866-99TOBYS.

'American Idol' and Rent star Frenchie Davis will headline Hartford Stages's production of Mahalia, Tom Stolz' musical about legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson

BroadwayWorld.com presents the sixth in a series of Broadway profiles leading up to the 12th Annual 'Nothing Like a Dame' benefit, presented by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on March 19, 2007 at 8:00 PM at the Marquis Theatre (1565 Broadway). 'Nothing Like a Dame' benefits the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative of The Actors' Fund of America

Tony Award-winning rhythm and blues singer Ruth Brown has passed away at the age of 78

The ASCAP Foundation Children Will Listen program, which is designed to introduce the American Musical Theater to youngsters who might otherwise not have the opportunity to experience it, will go into high gear today, Wednesday, November 15, as one hundred fifth grade students from P.S. 123, the Mahalia Jackson School located in Harlem, attend the Broadway matinee performance of Wicked