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Angela Bofill, the singer-songwriter behind hits “I Try,” “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter” and “I’m On Your Side,” has died. She was 70.

The Cuban-Puerto Rican musician died on Thursday at her daughter’s home in Vallejo, California, her friend and rep Rich Engel told People. A cause of death was not immediately available. Engel also shared the news of her passing on Bofill’s Facebook page in two separate posts.

“On Behalf Of My Dear Friend Angie, I Am Saddened To Announce Her Passing On The Morning Of June 13th,” he wrote in the first social media post, before sharing funeral information.

In the second post, he added, “Just To Clear Up The Confusion. On Behalf Of Shauna Bofill, Husband Chris Portuguese, We Are Saddened But Must Report That The Passing Of Angela Yesterday Is Indeed True. We Thank Melba Moore And Maysa For Their Early Condolences. Thanks For Your Many Posts.

Angela Bofill, who had numerous hits on the R&b charts in the 1970s and 1980s, died Thursday at her daughter’s home in Vallejo, California at 70. No cause was given by her manager and on her personal Facebook account.

Her hits included I Try, This Time I’ll Be Sweeter, and Angel of the Night.

“On Behalf Of My Dear Friend Angie, I Am Saddened To Announce Her Passing On The Morning Of June 13th,” the first post Facebook post read.

A second update added, “Just To Clear Up The Confusion. On Behalf Of Shauna Bofill, Husband Chris Portuguese, We Are Saddened But Must Report That The Passing Of Angela Yesterday Is Indeed True. We Thank Melba Moore And Maysa For Their Early Condolences. THANKs For Your Many Post.”

The message was signed by her friend and manager, Rich Engel.

The singer had two strokes, in 2006 and 2007, and had...

When the Tony Award nominations dust settled “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Stereophonic” received the most nominations with 13 each, followed by “The Outsiders” with 12, followed by the revivals of “Cabaret” with nine and “Appropriate” earning eight. Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose returns as host of the third consecutive year of the Tony Awards which CBS and Pluto will telecast June 16th from Lincoln Center.

How well to you know your Tony history? Here are some fun facts about the latest crop of nominees.

The revival of Stephen Sondheim’s 1981 musical “Merrily We Roll Along” earned seven nominations including best revival of a musical, best performance by an actor in a musical for Jonathan Groff, featured actor for Daniel Radcliffe, featured actress for Lindsay Mendez and best director for Maria Friedman (her sister Sonia Friedman is nominated for outstanding play for “Stereophonic”). The troubled original production of “Merrily We Roll Along’ only received a Tony nomination for original score.

Maurice Hines, the Broadway dancer, choreographer and actor who famously showcased his skills alongside his late younger brother, Gregory Hines, in a Nicholas Brothers-like act featured in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Cotton Club, has died. He was 80.

Hines died Friday of natural causes at the Actors Fund Home in Englewood, New Jersey, his cousin and rep, Richard Nurse, told The Hollywood Reporter. He lived there for a couple of years.

The elegant, Harlem-born Hines received a Tony Award nomination in 1986 for best actor in a musical for Uptown … It’s Hot and starred again on Broadway in 2006’s Hot Feet. He conceived, directed and choreographed both productions.

In his THR review of the 2019 documentary Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back, Frank Scheck wrote that the Hines brothers had a falling out and didn’t talk for 10 years “for reasons that Maurice refuses to discuss to this day. He provides no explanation in the film,...

Legendary singer Melba Moore is back with a new album, titled Imagine, but she recently sat for a conversation reflecting back on her iconic hit “This Is It” with uInterview founder Erik Meers. “After I got into Hair, I didn’t really have a manager or anything,” she said. “It was really providence that brought me there. The singer […]

The post Video Exclusive: Melba Moore On How She Created Her Hit “This Is It” appeared first on uInterview.

Iconic singer Melba Moore is back with her new album Imagine. She recently sat down for an exclusive with uInterview founder Erik Meers to discuss the making of the album and how her music has evolved. “It’s a family project. It’s not the first one, but it’s the first one since moving into the future […]

The post Video Exclusive: Melba Moore On Her New Album ‘Imagine’ – And How She’s Evolved As A Singer appeared first on uInterview.

Uma Thurman, Lenny Kravitz, Mindy Kaling and the Jonas Brothers are among those receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023.

Ludacris, Bill Pullman, Thurman, Vince Vaughn and John Waters will receive stars in the motion pictures category, along with posthumous stars for Juanita Moore and Walker. In the television category, stars will be given to Jon Favreau, Kaling, Martin Lawrence, Ralph Macchio, Garrett Morris and Ellen Pompeo. The music and recording category will see the Jonas Brothers receive a collective star, alongside a posthumous star for Jenni Rivera and stars for Marc Anthony, Irving Azoff, Sheila E, Lenny Kravitz, Blake Shelton and Charlie Wilson. Lang Lang, Melba Moore, and the a cappella group Pentatonix will receive stars in the live theatre and live performance category.

The selections were announced by radio host Ellen K, the chair of the Chamber’s Walk of Fame selection panel, on Friday.

John Dexter directed this story about at a disaffected young cabbie, an older but no wiser incarnation of The Graduate’s Benjamin Braddock. Singer-actor Jordon Christopher plays Jonathan, the misanthrope who bullies his fares and any pigeons that get under foot. Jill O’Hara plays his sometime girlfriend and the terrific supporting cast includes William Redfield and Lois Nettleton. Melba Moore and a pre-Rocky Sylvester Stallone show up on the sidelines.

The post The Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon Kicker appeared first on Trailers From Hell.

By Susan King

Audra McDonald is the most lauded Broadway performer winning a whopping six Tony Awards in both musical and dramatic categories. And she may be receiving her seventh for the revival of “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair du Lune” when the 74th annual Tonys take place Sept. 26th at the venerable Winter Garden Theatre.

Despite that record, it took a long time for Black artists to be acknowledged by the Tonys, which were first handed out in 1947. It wasn’t until 2004 that a Black actress won for a lead performance in a play: Phylicia Rashad broke this barrier with her win for a revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun.” Hansberry was the first Black artist to be nominated for Best Play in 1960 for the original production of “A Raisin in the Sun” as were its director Lloyd Richards and stars, Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil.

Paul Johnson, the Chicago producer and DJ whose ferociously melodic style of house music yielded a series of classic singles and inspired producers in his hometown and beyond, died on Wednesday at age 50, his agent confirmed to Rolling Stone. While a cause of death was not specified, Johnson had been battling Covid-19 and was put on a ventilator in the hospital, according to a series of videos he posted on Instagram.

Johnson developed his fearsome skills in Chicago’s flourishing house music scene during the late 1980s. But even in...

Welcome back to Let’s Scare Bryan to Death, where this month we’re joined by multi-multi-multi-hyphenate horror journalist Zena Dixon, a.k.a. The Real Queen of Horror. For those few of you who aren’t familiar with Dixon, let me see if I can get through her list of bona fides in one paragraph: (deep breath) in addition to her website that features news in the horror genre, Dixon hosts a YouTube channel that celebrates all of her favorite flicks. She’s also one of the hosts of the Bloody Disgusting Podcast, and, when she gets a few minutes here and there she also makes her own short films.

Dixon selected this month’s film, James Bond III’s Def by Temptation, for a pretty simple reason: she adores it. And after giving it my first watch, I have to say I get the love for this cult...

A line-up of nearly 30 stars – from Glenn Close, Patti LuPone, Darren Criss, Kelsey Grammar and David Alan Grier to Jake Gyllenhaal, Joshua Henry and Phillipa Soo – will perform title songs from more than 20 musicals for a special livestreamed musical event next month benefiting The Actors Fund.

The event, called Show of Titles, will feature title songs of Broadway musicals spanning nine decades, from “Lady Be Good” to “The Light in the Piazza.” In addition to the above-mentioned performers, the line-up includes Annaleigh Ashford, Len Cariou, Santino Fontana, Isabelle Huppert, Norm Lewis, Rob McClure, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Melba Moore, Jessie Mueller, Eva Noblezada, Kelli O’Hara, Laura Osnes, Steven Pasquale, Michael Rupert, Ernie Sabella, Lea Salonga, Will Swenson, Aaron Tveit, Leslie Uggams, Vanessa Williams and Patrick Wilson.

Making special appearances will be Broadway Inspirational Voices, Candice Bergen, Danny Burstein, Bryan Cranston, Sheldon Harnick, John Kander, Angela Lansbury, John Lithgow, Lindsay Mendez, Phylicia Rashad,...

Timothy Graphenreed, a longtime musical and dance arranger who composed two numbers for the beloved Broadway musical The Wiz, died March 1 at New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital. He was 68.

Graphenreed’s death was first reported today by Broadway World. A cause of death was not announced.

Last year Graphenreed completed work on an upcoming album by Broadway star and singer Lillias White. The album, titled Get Happy!, features White’s interpretations of standards, Motown hits, jazz and rock songs, and is described by Vermont’s Old Mill Recording Studio label as the “culmination of a 30-year friendship and professional collaboration between Lillias White and her musical director/accompanist, Timothy Graphenreed.” The album is dedicated to his memory.

Graphenreed provided dance arrangements for Broadway’s Leader of the Pack (1985) and Comin’ Uptown (1979), the latter a short-lived retelling of A Christmas Carol with a Black cast headed by Gregory Hines as Scrooge.

Women of Color on Broadway, a non-profit dedicated to supporting women of African, Latin, and Asian descent pursuing careers in musical theater, will present its Purple Crystal Honorary Awards in The Cooper Union's Great Hall on February 10, 2020. This year's honorees are Tony-award winners Lachanze and Melba Moore. The award celebrates the heroines of African, Latin, and Asian descent who paved the way for the next generation of women of color in theater.

In commemoration of World AIDS Day, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (Ahf), the world’s largest, non-profit HIV/AIDS service organization, partnered with Debbie Allen, to host “Keeping the Promise – 1,000,000 Lives in Care: Celebrating Icons of Dance,” a free, star-studded event, which took place at the historic Apollo Theater on this past Friday, November 30th.

“As Ahf continues its global mission to provide cutting-edge medical care to those living with HIV and AIDS regardless of their ability to pay, the World AIDS Day event at the Apollo recognized a momentous milestone for Ahf: as we now have over one million lives in care!” said Michael Weinstein, President of Ahf. "As part of the evening, we were pleased to also honor, recognize and celebrate the exemplary work of icon, Debbie Allen, who throughout her career has been a strong and steadfast voice in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Ms. Allen was presented Ahf’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award,...

In October, the entertainment industry lost a powerful friend, Richard Barclay, a celebrated singer/actor and producer/director who passed away after an eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer. On May 26, Richard Skipper is presenting a celebration of Barclay's life and reuniting two soap opera legends in the progress. The Richard Barclay Memorial show will feature Frank Basile, Julie Budd, Eileen Fulton, Richard Holbrook, Ilene Kristen sharing memories and musical entertainment, led by musical director Rolf Barnes.

The Saturday night show will start at 8 p.m. at Don't Tell Mama in New York (343 W 46th St). There is a $25.00 cover charge and a 2 drink minimum per person. Proceeds will benefit Career Bridges. Reservations can by made after 4 p.m. daily at (212) 757-0788 after 4 Pm or online at donttellmamanyc.com.

Barclay was more than a great artist ... he was a kind, compassionate, and generous mentor.

Richard Barclay started his long career in...

Shortly before “Hair” opened at Broadway’s Biltmore Theater on April 29, 1968 — 50 years ago this month — Variety reported, “The musical is vehemently anti-establishment and pro-dissenting youth.” Before then, most plays, films and TV shows had avoided antiwar protests and the sexual revolution, or mentioned those topics as a way of reasserting middle-class values. Variety reported another radical aspect: The show “includes a scene of total nudity, with several men and femmes facing downstage.” Police raids and arrests were common with nude shows, though “New York City authorities have adopted a hands-off policy re sexually extreme legit fare,” Variety said. While “Hair” was safe in Gotham, it was vulnerable in other cities: In Mexico, the show was shut down after one performance and the cast album was banned in some countries.

The “American tribal love-rock musical,” as it was billed, was originally produced off-Broadway by the New York Shakespeare Festival, then moved to the Cheetah,...

We all know that February is Black History Month, but did we all take a moment to reflect and celebrate Well we did just that, Broadway-style, at Sessions on February 23rd. Not only did we invite a starry roster of Broadway's best and brightest to share music representing the influence, importance and impact of African American legacy on Broadway, but we also paid homage to some Broadway trailblazers like Diahann Carroll, Ben Vereen, Stokes and more. We even challenged our audience to name that African American Tony winner,which of course gave us the opportunity to bask in the glorious voices of Melba Moore, Hinton Battle, Heather Headley, Ted Ross, Jennifer Holiday and many more. Check out these amazing performances by Aisha de Haas, Kenita Miller, Daisy Hobbs, Imari Hardon, Zurin Villanueva, Ta'Rea Campbell, Marcus Paul James, Nora Schell, T. Oliver Reid, Charity Angel Dawson and more...

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including Neil Bartram 'New Songs for a New Year' Broadway Is A Drag Celebrating Drag Queens for Bcefa Lorna Luft at 54 Below 54 Sings Kiss Me Kate and Melba Moore I Got Love.

On December 28th, here in NYC at Symphony Space, I am very excited to be one of the guest stars along with the great Melba Moore and some of the best singers and dancers in this town in a very special tributebenefit to Luigi 1925-2015, the man who revolutionized jazz dance in America. Years ago, when I was practically a kid, studying to move to New York City and break into the biz, I had a dance scholarship in the Luigi technique. And when I came to New York I studied with him. He changed my life, but then again, he seems to have changed everyone's life that was lucky enough to know him.

Singer Melba Moore has nothing but love for Bill Cosby, saying he's a kind human being and adding, "nobody's perfect." Moore was leaving the Gramercy Park Theatre in NYC Friday night and told our photog Cosby has done wonderful things for her, providing support on many personal family issues. As for the sexual assault allegations, she says she doesn't know, but her support is strong. Read more...

An all-new Theater Talk looks at a major cast change for a hit Broadway musical plus a new illustrated history of Black performers and shows on Broadway. This week's episode boasts a cast of famous names that includes actors Taye Diggs and Rebecca Naomi Jones - the new leads in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway - in addition to producer Stewart Lane, author of the new book Black Broadway, accompanied by director Kenny Leon and performer Melba Moore, all with rich Broadway histories.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including Melba Moore Live Covering Iconic Legends Patti LuPone The Lady with the Torch Seth Sikes Is Still Singing Judy Garland The Wedding Singer Reunion Concert Reefer Madness Reunion Concert.

A music producer who worked with stars including Tom Cruise and the late Whitney Houston has been convicted of ripping off investors in gold and diamonds. Charles Huggins was convicted Friday of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Federal Judge Sidney Stein ordered Huggins held at least until his sentencing. It’s set for January. The 68-year-old Huggins lives in Edgewater, New Jersey. He once was married to soul singer Melba Moore. See more Stars Behaving Badly: From Justin Bieber to Reese Witherspoon, Hollywood's Recent Mugshots Huggins was accused of cheating dozens of investors of millions of dollars in a Ponzi scheme. Ex-

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On Twitter Watch, Sierra Boggess wrote 'Just did our photo shoot for NOH8Campaign with normlewis777 NOH8 The Phantom of the Opera, which is now in its 26th year on Broadway, celebrated yet another in a long line of milestones last evening, as it welcomed former Little Mermaid co-stars Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess to the cast on Monday, May 12, at the Majestic Theater. BroadwayWorld was there for their first curtain call and below, you can check it out, along with their backstage meeting with Andrew Lloyd Webber himselfThe audience erupted in cheers last night, as history was made when Norm Lewis became the first African-American performer to star as The Phantom in the Broadway production. In attendance were stars ranging from Lea DeLaria, to Sherie Rene Scott and icons like Andre De Shields and Melba Moore, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and director Hal Price. They were joined by with friends,...

The Phantom of the Opera, which is now in its 26th year on Broadway, celebrated yet another in a long line of milestones last evening, as it welcomed former Little Mermaid co-stars Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess to the cast on Monday, May 12, at the Majestic Theater. The audience erupted in cheers last night, as history was made when Norm Lewis became the first African-American performer to star as The Phantom in the Broadway production. In attendance were stars ranging from Lea DeLaria, to Sherie Rene Scott and icons like Andr De Shields and Melba Moore, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and director Hal Price. They were joined by with friends, family, press and of course the show's usual, sold-out audience.

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre will celebrate its 44th anniversary with a special fundraising campaign, 'Love For New Federal Theatre.' Celebrity participants and supporters of Nft themselves, including Phylicia Rashad, Spike Lee, Alicia Keys, Melba Moore, Marla Gibbs, Robert Hooks, Roscoe Orman, Ruby Dee, Avery Brooks, Glynn Turman, Kene Holiday, Chadwick Boseman, Petri Hawkins Byrd, Impotep Gary Byrd, Debbie Allen, Lynn Whitfield, Lamman Rucker, John Amos, Robert Townsend, Leslie Uggams, Ted Lange, Andre DeShields, Mike Tyson and Danny Glover, among others, will fans will have the opportunity to order a limited number of personalized Valentine's Day messages. These celebrity messages will be available for purchase on a first come, first served basis.

'I'm delighted to bring the hit comedy play Good God A'Mighty to Atlanta for a special two-week engagement,' states playwright Lolita Snipes. 'It's my Valentine's gift to the city. Starring Tony Award winning actress and legendary singer Melba Moore, this electrifying comedy will give audiences a behind-the-scenes look inside an African-American church in the midst of change. Featured in the cast of memorable characters are nationally known comedians Just June and Dante Carter. Make plans to bring your family and friends to join us at the intimate 14th Street Playhouse from, February 14-24.'...

'I'm delighted to bring the hit comedy play Good God A'Mighty to Atlanta for a special two-week engagement,' states playwright Lolita Snipes. 'It's my Valentine's gift to the city. Starring Tony Award winning actress and legendary singer Melba Moore, this electrifying comedy will give audiences a behind-the-scenes look inside an African-American church in the midst of change. Featured in the cast of memorable characters are nationally known comedians Just June and Dante Carter. Make plans to bring your family and friends to join us at the intimate 14th Street Playhouse from February 14-24.'...

Since its debut in 2008, TV One's hour-long music series, "Unsung," has been one of the network's crown jewels, covering the sometimes tragic careers of an array of celebrated music acts such as Teddy Pendergrass, DeBarge, Teena Marie, Melba Moore, Alexander O'Neal, Minnie Ripperton and Phyllis Hyman. Earlier this year the NAACP Image Award-winning series earned its highest rated, most successful season to date as it started airing in 27 percent more homes via various cable carriers.

Though the African-American targeted network is set to premiere the show's sixth season with Sly and the Family Stone on June 25, one veteran music act who viewers will never see on the series is Stephanie Mills.

The Brooklyn-bred songstress, who catapulted to the top of music charts in the 1980s and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Michael Jackson and Pendergrass after acclaimed stints on Broadway in "The Wiz" and "Maggie Flynn," seems to have...

Since its debut in 2008, TV One's hour-long music series, "Unsung," has been one of the network's crown jewels, covering the sometimes tragic careers of an array of celebrated music acts such as Teddy Pendergrass, DeBarge, Teena Marie, Melba Moore, Alexander O'Neal, Minnie Ripperton and Phyllis Hyman. Earlier this year the NAACP Image Award-winning series earned its highest rated, most successful season to date as it started airing in 27 percent more homes via various cable carriers.

Though the African-American targeted network is set to premiere the show's sixth season with Sly and the Family Stone on June 25, one veteran music act who viewers will never see on the series is Stephanie Mills.

The Brooklyn-bred songstress, who catapulted to the top of music charts in the 1980s and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Michael Jackson and Pendergrass after acclaimed stints on Broadway in "The Wiz" and "Maggie Flynn," seems to have...

Bobbi Brown's limited-edition Dress for Success Makeup Collection.Maureen Case and Bobbi Brown at the Dress for Success Gala. From PatrickMcMullan.com.Last week, I was lucky enough to be invited by Bobbi Brown and Maureen Case (respectfully speaking, president of Estee Lauder group’s La Mer, Jo Malone, and Bobbi Brown Cosmetics) to join their table for the Dress for Success Gala at Pier Sixty in New York. This is a charitable cause that’s been very close to both Bobbi’s and Maureen’s heart. Together, they have been the biggest cheerleaders for the not-for-profit organization, which has been providing interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women for more than 10 years, donating more than $1 million in makeup and funds to the women's-empowerment organization. And on that very special night on Tuesday, Bobbi, Maureen, and friends of D.F.S. drew more than 1,000 attendees and raised more than $1.75 million.

"What Would Jesus Do?" was the question of the night at the 38th Annual Vivian Robinson-Audelco Recognition Awards for Excellence in Black Theatre. "Jesus," a play about HIV/AIDS written by Yvette Heyliger, took home seven awards, including dramatic production of the year. Close behind it was "Langston in Harlem," receiving four awards, including musical production of the year.The event took place at the Harlem Stage Aaron Davis Hall on Monday night. The ceremony began at 7:30 p.m. with an opening performance of "We Are Family" by Impact Repertory Theatre, in accordance with the evening's theme. Host Ron Lucas then took the stage and called out for his co-host, Melba Moore. Instead, after some silence, and a bit of giggling from the audience, actress Joyce Sylvester, appeared with a, "Sorry Ron, I'll be your co-host tonight." It appeared that Moore could not make the event. The first award...

Michael Jackson's hometown is planning a birthday tribute to the singer. The late "Thriller" hitmaker, who died of acute Propofol intoxication at his home in Los Angeles on June 25, 2009, will be honored with a special "This Is It" birthday party outside his childhood home in Gary, Indiana on Saturday, August 28, the day before what should have been his 52nd birthday.

"The passing of our favorite son, Michael Jackson, is still fresh in our hearts," Gary Mayor Rudy Clay said. "A year later, on the day before his birthday, we honor his memory as a great and giving person and as the world's greatest entertainer." Michael's father, Joe Jackson, will attend a cake cutting ceremony at the tribute, which will also feature a group "Thriller" dance.

As well as the birthday celebrations, a separate four-day MJFanvention begins in the town on Thursday, August 26. The main attraction at the fan event...

Lee Summers' Just A Piano Concert Series has presented numerous top artists such as Broadway/TV's, Roz Ryan, Tony Award Winner, Lillias White, Tony Award Winner, Adriane Lenox, recording sensation Alyson Williams ("Just Call My Name"), Marva Hicks (Caroline or Change), Julie Reiber (Wicked), Crystal Mone Hall (Rent) Shoshana Bean (Hairspray/Wicked), Kevin-Anthony, co-founder of "Black2 Broadway" Opera's diva Shirley Verrett's vocal protégé Erika Banks - The Little Mermaid's, Zakiya Young Mizen (Featuring Norm Lewis) - Drowsy Chaperone's Kecia Lewis-Evans featuring Tony Award Winner, Lachanze and Tony Award Winner/3 Time Grammy Nominee, Melba Moore.

Last night I was fortunate enough to attend the red carpet for the premier of the Broadway revival of “Hair.” For those of you who don’t know much about the show, it was responsible for defining the rock musical genre when it first hit the Broadway stage back in 1968. The story revolves around a group of politically active youths fighting against the Vietnam War in New York City.

The red, or in this case, orange carpet, was packed with star power. I spoke with Melba Moore, who played Dionne in the original Broadway show and Rosie O’Donnell, who told me about an HBO project she’s working on. Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, who are celebrating the one-year anniversary of their show next week, belted out a quick tune and Tim Robbins even helped me do some camerawork while telling me about his experience with the original show.

Herbie Hancock calls her "a wonderful song stylist," Melba Moore says that "She's a reincarnation of Ella Fitzgerald," and Aretha Franklin proclaims "If you're looking for good entertainment and very hip music, be sure to check out Nnenna Freelon." Following up on its sold-out January concert by Tony winner Christine Ebersole and its wildly popular first-time collaboration with City Arts and Lectures in December when Barbara Cook appeared in concert and in conversation with Steve Winn, Bay Area Cabaret continues its 5th season on Sunday, March 8 at 5pm with Nnenna Freelon and her jazz quartet at the Marines Memorial Club Crystal Ballroom (609 Sutter Street@ Mason). Individual tickets to this show, and to a May 17th show by multi-platinum jazz singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway, are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

Melba Moore stars in "Still Standing" - on March 6th and March 13th at 9:30pm at The Triad Theatre, 158 West 72nd Street (between Broadway & Columbus). Co-Produced by the Triad and Lee Summers, Still Standing, will feature standards, pop, R&B and Broadway. Ms. Moore began her career in the ground breaking musical "Hair," where she originated the role of Dionne. During her 18 months in the show, she eventually replaced Dianne Keaton; becoming the first black actress to replace a white actress is a lead role on Broadway.

Herbie Hancock calls her "a wonderful song stylist," Melba Moore says that "She's a reincarnation of Ella Fitzgerald," and Aretha Franklin proclaims "If you're looking for good entertainment and very hip music, be sure to check out Nnenna Freelon." Following up on its sold-out January concert by Tony winner Christine Ebersole and its wildly popular first-time collaboration with City Arts and Lectures in December when Barbara Cook appeared in concert and in conversation with Steve Winn, Bay Area Cabaret continues its 5th season on Sunday, March 8 at 5pm with Nnenna Freelon and her jazz quartet at the Marines Memorial Club Crystal Ballroom (609 Sutter Street@ Mason). Individual tickets to this show, and to a May 17th show by multi-platinum jazz singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway, are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

Opens

Friday, Sept. 19

Director Jonathan Lynn plants the spotlight firmly on the singing in "The Fighting Temptations". It would be a waste to do otherwise, with such powerhouses of R&B, gospel and hip-hop on board as Beyonce Knowles, the O'Jays, Melba Moore, Faith Evans, the Rev. Shirley Caesar, Montell Jordan and T-Bone. Exuberant musical numbers and comic characters bolster the film's time-honored premise: Small-town native reconnects with his roots after a spell in the big, cold city.

This culture-clash romantic comedy, scripted by Elizabeth Hunter and Saladin K. Patterson, goes exactly where you'd expect, but helmer Lynn, a comedy vet, gets it there with such infectious energy that you don't much mind the story's predictability. The pairing of Cuba Gooding Jr. and Knowles, who is natural and confident in a more down-to-earth role than her screen debut as Foxxy Cleopatra in "Austin Powers in Goldmember", generates a believable friction/attraction. Gooding makes a credible linchpin to the shenanigans -- and his dance moves are a joy to behold. His marquee clout and the draw of the many musicians on hand will ensure harmonious, if not chart-busting, boxoffice returns for Paramount.

Gooding plays Darrin, an up-and-coming New York ad exec saddled with credit card bills. His rise through the corporate ranks has rested in part on a loose way with the facts. Yes, he attended Yale -- but he was kicked out for faking an Andover diploma. And yes, he grew up in Monte Carlo -- that being the name of the Georgia town where he spent the first five years of his life. He and his mother (Evans) hit the road when she was forced out of the church choir for her "secular" R&B singing.

Darrin finds himself on the train back to the Southern burg and that very same Beulah Baptist Church. At loose ends after being fired for his fabrications ("We're in advertising!" he responds with deadpan amazement), he's summoned back for the funeral of his Aunt Sally, his only relative since his mother died.

After a rousing musical tribute at the funeral, led by Caesar, Darrin learns that he'll inherit his great-aunt's stock holdings, worth $150,000, if he assumes her work as director of the Beulah choir and leads it to a victory in the regional Gospel Explosion. Debt-strapped Darrin has all the motivation he needs. And the Rev. Lewis (Wendell Pierce) could sure use the $10,000 contest prize to make desperately needed repairs on the church.

Challenging Darrin every step of the way is the bossy, universally despised Paulina (LaTanya Richardson), the woman who instigated Darrin's mother's ejection from the church back in 1980. Now she has turned her jealous attention to Lilly (Knowles), single mother, soulful singer and, in Paulina's eyes, an "unrepentant sinner." Lilly's a woman of strong inner resources, and she's on to Darrin every step of the way as he woos her to join the choir and rekindle their childhood romance.

It turns out the choir that raised the roof at Sally's funeral was just visiting, and Darrin, who's passing himself off as a record producer but doesn't know an upbeat from a downbeat, has six weeks to shape the town's singers into a competition-worthy gospel group. Auditions produce a string of astoundingly bad performers, and eventually the call goes out even to atheists. The final lineup includes a trio of prison inmates, among them the falsetto-voiced Jordan and the speed-rapping T-Bone, and the town's barbers (the O'Jays, who perform a swinging version of "Loves Me Like a Rock").

Among the many colorful residents of Monte Carlo, Mike Epps and Steve Harvey deliver standout comic turns. Production and costume design capture the feel of a real community while underscoring the spirited playfulness of the material. It will surprise no one that comeuppance and reward are delivered to the appropriate parties or that Darrin learns the errors of his deceptive ways and find true happiness -- that is "The Great Gatsby" he's reading in an early scene.

THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS

Paramount Pictures

MTV Films

Credits:

Director: Jonathan Lynn

Screenwriters: Elizabeth Hunter, Saladin K. Patterson

Producers: David Gale, Loretha Jones, Jeff Pollack

Executive producers: Van Toffler, Benny Medina

Director of photography: Affonso Beato

Production designer: Victoria Paul

Music: Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, James "Big Jim" Wright

Executive music producers: Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, James "Big Jim" Wright, Loretha Jones

Co-producers: Susan Lewis, Momita Sengupta

Costume designers: Mary Jane Fort, Tracey A. White

Editor: Paul Hirsch

Cast:

Darrin Hill: Cuba Gooding Jr.

Lilly: Beyonce Knowles

Lucius: Mike Epps

Maryann Hill: Faith Evans

Miles Smoke: Steve Harvey

the Rev. Lewis: Wendell Pierce

Paulina: LaTanya Richardson

Bill: Dave Sheridan

Alma: Angie Stone

Nancy: Rue McClanahan

Bessie: Melba Moore

Aunt Sally: Ann Nesby

Homer: Lou Myers

Scooter: Mickey Jones

Johnson: Montell Jordan

Bee-Z Briggs: T-Bone

Lightfoot: Chris Cole

Rosa: Lourdes Benedicto

Mr. Fairchild: Dakin Matthews

Frank: Walter Williams Sr.

Samuel: Eric Nolan Grant

As Themselves: the Rev. Shirley Caesar, the Blind Boys of Alabama

Running time -- 123 minutes

MPAA rating: PG-13...