Josh Groban on SOUNDSTAGE

Soundstage: Josh Grobin airs Thursday, June 26 at 11 p.m. on WPBT/Channel 2 in Miami

Josh Groban belongs on stage. An internationally renowned performer who has sold more than 23 million albums worldwide, Groban has thrilled a legion of devoted fans with his powerful, flawless baritone and extraordinary stage presence. The 27-year-old Los Angeles native first broke through in 2001 with his self-titled double-platinum debut, followed by 2003’s multi-platinum Closer, featuring the smash hit “You Raise Me Up,” and 2006’s double-platinum Awake. In 2007, the Grammy-nominated star became the best-selling recording artist of the year thanks to sales of Awake and his blockbuster Christmas album, Noel – now the best-selling holiday album of all time. Groban has recently released his third live DVD, entitled Awake Live, from which this special Soundstage presentation is taken. The segment, filmed in front of 15,000 screaming fans at Salt Lake City’s Energy Solutions Arena during Groban’s 81-city Awake tour, includes electrifying versions of “You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up),” “Machine,” and “Awake.”

Celia Cruz Musical at Adrienne Arsht Center

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami presents the New York hit musical Celia: The life and music of Celia Cruz. uVu was at the premiere and got an interview with the bilingual stars of the cast.

Celtic Thunder

NOTE: For a limited time you can become a member of CHANNEL 2/WPBT and receive tickets to Celtic Thunder in concert.  Visit this link

I went to New York City on Monday and Tuesday to meet the producers and cast of Celtic Man. Only they aren't Celtic Man anymore. They changed their name and I didn't get the memo! But we had a good laugh about. The program and the group are "Celtic Thunder". Musical Director Phil Coulter and Producer Sharon Browne decided the original name "Celtic Man in Celtic Thunder" was unwieldly and shortened it to "Celtic Thunder." And I think it's a good choice because it captures the guys perfectly.

Celtic Man

From the producers who brought us the chart-topping female ensemble "Celtic Woman", we will soon have "Celtic Man". This new Irish ensemble feature five guys from Ireland. They range in age from 14 to 39, and they all have fantastic voice. I've been invited to meet them next week in New York and tape interviews with them for our March pledge drive. But you can test drive them by checking out the "Celtic Man" website at www.celticman.ie.

A HOLLY JOLLY POPS HOLIDAY WITH BARENAKED LADIES

On Thursday, December 20 at 10pm on WPBT/Channel 2 in Miami, it is time to get into the spirit of the Christmas season with conductor Keith Lockhart, the Boston Pops Orchestra and special guests in A HOLLY JOLLY POPS HOLIDAY WITH BARENAKED LADIES. During the special, irreverent hitmakers Barenaked Ladies put their own special twist on seasonal tunes, including "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Three Ships" and "Green Christmas." Later, Lockhart and the orchestra perform perennial Pops holiday favorites "Gloria," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "White Christmas," "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" and "Sleigh Ride."

Baryshnikov’s The Nutcracker

The timeless holiday classic returns to WPBT/Channel 2 in Miami
on Thursday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m.

The American Ballet Theater dances Tchaikovsky’s classic under
the direction of Tony Charmoli.  This is the 1977 studio rendition
that has become a holiday favorite, both on public television
broadcast and through home video. The Nutcracker is Mikhail
Baryshnikov’s breathtaking and critically acclaimed, Emmy-nominated
production.
This spectacular performance is danced by the magnificent team of
Baryshnikov, one of the greatest classical dancers of the century,
and Gelsey Kirkland – both showcased at the peak of their careers.

Celebrated by critics and public alike, Baryshnikov’s The Nutcracker
delivers a brilliant and sparkling adaptation of the famous E. T. A. 
Hoffmann tale along with Tchaikovsky’s classic score, conducted with
lilt and vigor by Kenneth Schermerhorn.

The Nutcracker is the magical and lighthearted story of little Clara’s
(Kirkland) dream on Christmas Eve. Alexander Minz is Drosselmeyer, the
wizard who conjures up the dream and eventually dispels it. Baryshnikov
is the toy Nutcracker-turned-Prince.   

The fairy tale plot helps keep the attention of young and old alike and
Boris Aronson’s production design is a series of lavish dioramas. 
Baryshnikov chose to concentrate on the adult dancers, turning the Moorish
dance sequence into one of the finest, most exciting dances ever to be caught on film. 

Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

From the series GREAT PERFORMANCES by way of the LA Opera comes 'Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny' premiering Monday, December 17 at 9pm on WPBT/Channel 2 in Miami.
Four-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald stars in a new production of Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny , one of the great 20th-century operas. From composer Kurt Weill and playwright Bertolt Brecht — creators of The Threepenny Opera — comes a savage and lyrical satire told in a highly entertaining blend of opera and raucous music hall songs conducted by music director James Conlon. Tony Award-winners Patti LuPone and John Doyle, the star and director of Broadway’s highly acclaimed revival of Sweeney Todd , re-team for their LA Opera debuts, joined by acclaimed tenor Anthony Dean Griffey. It’s every man for himself in the newly founded city of Mahagonny, devoted to life’s illicit pleasures, where anything goes and the only crime is to run out of money. The brilliant score, featuring the classic song “Moon of Alabama,” masterfully creates a vivid picture of determination, desperation and debauchery.