‘The Rosie O’Donnell Show’ to Return for One-Night Special to Fundraise Amid Coronavirus Pandemic – “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” is returning for one night only, featuring some of the biggest names in Broadway. O’Donnell will live-stream a special on Sunday, March 22 at 7 p.m. ET, to benefit The Actors Fund, which provides resources to those in the entertainment community in need. The special comes after Broadway canceled all of its performances through April 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The performers, who will all participate from home, include Sebastian Arcelus, Skylar Astin, Beth Behrs, Erich Bergen, Nate Berkus, Stephanie J. Block, Matthew Broderick & Sarah Jessica Parker, Tituss Burgess, Norbert Leo Butz, Kristin Chenoweth, Gavin Creel, Darren Criss, Gloria Estefan, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Harvey Fierstein, David Foster, Morgan Freeman, Neil Patrick Harris, Megan Hilty, Judith Light, Barry Manilow, Rob McClure, Audra McDonald, Katharine McPhee, Alan Menken, Idina Menzel, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kelli O’Hara, Lauren Patten, Ben Platt, Billy Porter, Randy Rainbow, Andrew Rannells, Chita Rivera, Seth Rudetsky, Lea Salonga, Miranda Sings, Jordin Sparks, Ben Vereen, Adrienne Warren and James Wesley. – Read more at Variety.com
Adam Lambert on the queerness and liberation of his new album Velvet – “I’ve leaned really far into my queerness on this,” he tells EW of the new album. “I’m very much marching to the beat of my own drum, but my hope is that I’ve written things in such a way where people realize that they can all find themselves in these songs no matter who you are.” Ahead of Velvet’s release, the singer spoke about his throwback influences, why it’s taken him nearly five years to drop new solo music, and why velvet was the right fabric to lend the record its title. – Read more at Entertainment Weekly
With new album ‘Velvet,’ Adam Lambert reveals ‘most authentic version of myself’ – In “Velvet,” his new album out Friday, the singer who rose to fame on “American Idol” shifts his focus. This time around, he’s performing for himself — not cranking out songs aimed at catching the ears of music and radio executives. “‘Velvet’ reflects all parts of my personality when it comes to love: loving yourself, looking for love, love lost,” he told USA TODAY. “It’s the most authentic version of myself I’ve ever been.” – Read more at USAToday
‘The Voice’ Winner Jake Hoot is Still on Team Kelly [Interview] – The Clarkson connection succeeded in part because she, too, excelled as a contestant on a popular singing competition. “More than anything, I think her experience of having gone through the same thing, going through American Idol, and being where she is now, she knows what it takes and she knows the grind you have to go through,” Hoot says. “It was a really good and educational experience.” Per Hoot’s description of Clarkson, she’s as funny, sarcastic and kind as fans would hope. “If you saw her off-camera, you’d never think she’s at the level she’s at just because she’s so genuine and down to earth,” he adds. – Read more at WideOpenCountry
Up to 2,200 TV and Stage Technician Jobs Being Lost on a Daily Basis – As the coronavirus pandemic continues to weaken the economy, the entertainment industry is also reeling from job losses. The shutdown of TV productions and postponement of major entertainment events have resulted in the loss of 1,600 to 2,200 jobs a day over the last two months. “This outbreak and stoppage of entertainment venues could not come at a worse time for our members who service recently postponed or canceled shows such as ‘Kids’ Choice Awards,’ E3 Gaming, ‘Hamilton,’ concerts at Staples Arena, Microsoft Theatre, and the famous Inglewood Forum,” he wrote. The postponement in taping major TV shows such as “America’s Got Talent,” “American Idol,” “The Masked Dancer” and iHeartRadio Music Awards also affected its members. As previously reported, an estimated 120,000 below-the-line entertainment jobs have been lost due to the coronavirus crisis. That number represents 80% of the 150,000 members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. – Read more at Variety
