Bobby Watson News

A winning powerful tribute to James Brown from those who sang and played with him.

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the global leader in music rights management, has announced that the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop is now accepting applications for its first year composer/lyricist class. The application deadline is end of day on Monday, August 15, 2016.

Virginia Repertory Theatre's DREAMGIRLS opened June 24 at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street. The production runs through August 7, 2016. With music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book byTom Eyen, this megawatt Broadway crowd-pleaser electrifies the stage with Motown dreams and powerhouse voices. Loosely based on Diana Ross and the Supremes, the story follows the turbo-charged rise to fame of the Dreams. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the opening of Dreamgirls on June 24 at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street. The production runs through August 7, 2016. With music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, this megawatt Broadway crowd-pleaser electrifies the stage with Motown dreams and powerhouse voices. Loosely based on Diana Ross and the Supremes, the story follows the turbo-charged rise to fame of the Dreams.

Acclaimed classical actor Kathryn Hunter received the Samuel H. Scripps Award for Extraordinary Commitment to Promoting the Power of Language in Classical and Contemporary Theatre at Theatre for a New Audience's Spring Gala Celebrating Shakespeare's 452nd Birthday, last night at Capitale on the Lower East Side. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Acclaimed classical actor Kathryn Hunter received the Samuel H. Scripps Award for Extraordinary Commitment to Promoting the Power of Language in Classical and Contemporary Theatre at Theatre for a New Audience's Spring Gala Celebrating Shakespeare's 452nd Birthday, last night at Capitale on the Lower East Side.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will host JAZZ AT THE WHITE HOUSE airing on International Jazz Day, SATURDAY, APRIL 30 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network.

SATCHEL PAIGE AND THE KANSAS CITY SWING, an exciting and inspirational new drama by playwrights Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan, heads to the mound to close the Playhouse's 2015-16 Marx Theatre lineup April 23 through May 21 … just in time for baseball season in Cincinnati. Their collaboration about the Tuskegee Airmen, Fly, was a smash Playhouse hit in 2013.

With spring training winding down, and the approach of another baseball season approaching, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis closes their 49th season with a terrific selection; SATCHEL PAIGE AND THE KANSAS CITY SWING. Set after the end of World War II, at a time when race relations were beginning to show small, incremental signs of progress, this story offers us an entertaining and thoughtful look at a time in our history when a beloved pastime could become one of the catalysts for the civil rights movement that would follow years later. It's a snapshot of an era which also reminds us that we still have issues that remain unresolved or fully addressed. And, it's told through the eyes of legendary pitcher Satchel Paige, who played in the Negro Leagues before making his debut in the majors as its oldest 'rookie'. Full of tension, disappointment, and Paige's own rascally sense of humor, the Rep's lovingly crafted production is a true must-see, and deserves a game ball!

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Swing by Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan and directed by Ricardo Khan. This freewheeling take on one of baseball's greatest personalities runs March 16-April 10 on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts. Curtain times are Tuesdays at 7 pm; Wednesdays-Fridays at 8 pm; selected Wednesday matinees at 1:30 pm; Saturday matinees at 4 pm; selected Saturday nights at 8 pm; Sunday matinees at 2 pm; and selected Sunday evenings at 7 pm.

Four dynamic bandleaders make this season at Miller an exhilarating world tour of jazz. Drawing inspiration from Rio and Puerto Rico, Southern India and Harlem, these artists breathe new life into a uniquely American art form. Together, they show us the endless possibilities and infectious energy of jazz. Stefon Harris & Sonic Creed come to the Miller Theatre (2960 Broadway at 116th Street) today, January 30, 2016 at 8:00 p.m.

Four dynamic bandleaders make this season at Miller an exhilarating world tour of jazz. Drawing inspiration from Rio and Puerto Rico, Southern India and Harlem, these artists breathe new life into a uniquely American art form. Together, they show us the endless possibilities and infectious energy of jazz. Stefon Harris & Sonic Creed come to the Miller Theatre (2960 Broadway at 116th Street) on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 8:00 p.m.

Legendary jazz composer Billy Strayhorn's music takes center stage when the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia (JOP) plays tribute in the Perelman Theater tonight, May 9 at 8p.m. Presented by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and under the artistic direction of renowned Philadelphia trumpeter Terell Stafford, the performance celebrates Strayhorn's 100th birthday with a special program including 'Take the 'A' Train,' 'Satin Doll,' and Strayhorn's most famous ballad, 'Lush Life.'

Adrienne Haan, one of Europe's and America's most electrifying concert and cabaret stars, debuted her new show, Rock Le Cabaret! at The Cutting Room on April 18. Haan was joined by her five-piece rock band for a rock version of French chansons from the 1920s and 30s. Check out photos from the show below!

Legendary jazz composer Billy Strayhorn's music takes center stage when the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia (JOP) plays tribute in the Perelman Theater on Saturday, May 9 at 8p.m. Presented by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and under the artistic direction of renowned Philadelphia trumpeter Terell Stafford, the performance celebrates Strayhorn's 100th birthday with a special program including "Take the 'A' Train," "Satin Doll," and Strayhorn's most famous ballad, "Lush Life."

Adrienne Haan, one of Europe's and America's most electrifying concert and cabaret stars, will debut her new show, Rock le Cabaret!, a rock version of French chansons newly arranged for Haan and her five piece rock band at the Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street, New York City tonight, April 18 at 4pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the show, with a $20 food/drink minimum, and can be purchased online at http://tickets.thecuttingroomnyc.com/event/764151-rock-le-cabaret-new-york/, by phone at 212 691 1900, or in person at The Cutting Room box office.

Miller Theatre at Columbia University School of the Arts presents the 2014-15 Jazz series finale: AARON DIEHL QUARTET featuring Aaron Diehl, piano, Peter Washington, bass, Pete Van Nostrand, drums, and Warren Wolf, vibes. Tonight, March 7, 2015, 8:00 p.m. at the Miller Theatre at Columbia University (2960 Broadway at 116th Street).

The Nash celebrates the legacy of Art Blakely and The Jazz Messengers with an all-star line up of Messenger alums arriving in Phoenix to perform March 29 for two shows: 6:30 pm and 8:45pm at The Nash, 110 E. Roosevelt.

Adrienne Haan, one of Europe's and America's most electrifying concert and cabaret stars, will debut her new show, Rock le Cabaret!, a rock version of French chansons newly arranged for Haan and her five piece rock band at the Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street, New York City on Saturday, April 18 at 4pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the show, with a $20 food/drink minimum, and can be purchased online at http://tickets.thecuttingroomnyc.com/event/764151-rock-le-cabaret-new-york/, by phone at 212 691 1900, or in person at The Cutting Room box office.