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Hit me, Britney, one more time? In 2005, the Lady of the Lake in Monty Python’s Spamalot lamented, “I’m constantly replaced by Britney Spears.” These days, a lot of composers trying to get their scores onto Broadway stages could sing the same lyric: Spears’s music burst onto Broadway in Moulin Rouge in 2019 (“Toxic” appears in a mashup alongside Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance”) and five of her songs appear in the jukebox musical & Juliet, including “…Baby One More Time,” “Oops!…I Did It Again,” and “Stronger.”

All four of those songs feature in the first all-Britney musical, Once Upon a One More Time, a frivolously delightful entry into the jukebox genre. Even though recent Broadway seasons have brought pro forma biographical musicals like Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Mj, and A Beautiful Noise, there’s been far greater pleasure in shows like Moulin Rouge, & Juliet, and the delirious...

Judging from her historically impressive line-up of pop clients choreographer James Alsop is more than game for a challenge. But the Peacock comedy Girls5Eva presented a singular challenge: crafting believable routines for a fictitious girl group coming out of obscurity after a peak in the 1990s.

“Please forgive me for name-dropping, but it absolutely rings true to having worked with Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams”, says Alsop, referring to how female pop groups were often treated as cogs in a machine, which the show frequently and satirically depicts. “They’re so amazing. To see how this show really shines a light on what it was like to be in a group like that, now I completely understand why they recorded “Independent Women”.

It didn’t hurt that Alsop had some previous experience with key members of the Girls5Eva team. “[Executive producers] Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond brought me...

In early 2001, newly appointed A&m Records president Ron Fair was summoned to a meeting with Baz Luhrmann. Fair had produced several hit soundtracks, including Pretty Woman and Reality Bites, and Luhrmann was riding high after the crossover success of 1996’s Romeo + Juliet. Preparing for the release of Moulin Rouge!, the director wanted to commission a cover of Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade” that would unite a handful of A-list pop divas and lend the movie a smash single. Fair’s boss, Jimmy Iovine, tasked him with bringing it to life.

Janet Jackson delivered a nostalgia-tinged speech after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her family members in the Jackson 5 were inducted in 1997, and her brother Michael being inducted as a solo artist in 2001.

“It was my father’s dream. He wanted me to become this wonderful performer,” Jackson said of the beginnings of her music career. “He encouraged me. He was the first one to encourage me. Music became my passion.”

Jackson has had a storied career that inspired multiple generations of pop artists, from Britney Spears...

16 movies later, Ivan “Flipz” Velez is a dancer with a resume to die for. Appearing in some of the most watched dance movies made including “Step Up 3D,” “Stomp The Yard,” “You Got Served,” “Idle Wild,” “B-Girl,” “Honey” and the upcoming “Honey 2,” his credits are flippin’ insane! Ivan was first influenced by Michael Jackson and Bruce Lee. He said that at the age of 7 years old, he would recreate the moves to “Billy Jean,” “Thriller” and “Beat It” by Michael Jackson. After his parents grounded him from dancing for a while after they thought his dancing was just a “waste of time,” he got the bug again on October 19, 1995. Ivan said, “I met a guy who is now my best friend in the entire world. His name is Abstract. He was a house dancer who came from New York to Florida and he inspired me. We did a little talent...

'The Making of Janet Jackson's Vma Tribute Performance' airs Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday on MTV.

By Amy Wilkinson

Janet Jackson performs at the VMAs on September 13, 2009

Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

Though Janet Jackson had not performed the choreography from "Scream" since she and her brother Michael shot the video in 1995, it couldn't have been a more fitting tribute to him. Jackson talked about the making of that video along with how she prepared for the Video Music Awards in the half-hour special "The Making of Janet Jackson's Vma Tribute Performance," which aired Saturday (September 19), and re-airs Sunday at 12:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Tuesday at 7 p.m. on MTV.

According to Janet, "Scream" was a turning point for Michael, who used the video to express frustration over his legal troubles. " 'Scream,' there was so much going on at that time," Jackson recalled. "That's when the — I hate...

'The Making of Janet Jackson's Vma Tribute Performance' airs Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday on MTV.

By Amy Wilkinson

Janet Jackson performs at the VMAs on September 13, 2009

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic

It was one of the most memorable and touching moments from Sunday night's Video Music Awards: Janet Jackson and a crew of renowned choreographers dancing alongside images of Michael Jackson from his 1995 video with his sister, "Scream," in tribute to the late pop icon.The process was an emotional one for Janet, who shared her story in the special "The Making of Janet Jackson's Vma Tribute Performance," which aired Saturday (September 19), and re-airs Sunday at 12:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Tuesday at 7 p.m. on MTV.

"I know he was watching. I know he was looking down," Jackson said of the performance. "I hope he enjoyed it."

The half-hour special began with day one of training in a Burbank,...

'The Making of Janet Jackson's Video Music Awards Tribute Performance' airs on MTV Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

By Eric Ditzian

Janet Jackson performs at the 2009 Video Music Awards

Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images

About four minutes into the tribute to Michael Jackson at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards, Janet Jackson burst onstage to jam to "Scream," the duet they recorded together in 1995. It was the crowning moment in an all-star homage to Mj that included a dance number helmed by renowned choreographers.

If you enjoyed watching the tribute, Janet enjoyed performing just as much.

"This is the most fun -- from my mouth to God's ears -- the most fun I have ever had working on a project for TV," Janet told MTV.

But how did the whole tribute come together? On Saturday at 12:30 p.m., MTV will air "The Making of Janet Jackson's Vma Tribute Performance,...

Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Pink and more will also perform during action-packed show, airing at 9 p.m. on MTV!

By MTV News staff

Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty Images

It's hard to believe that all the action of the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards can possibly be contained in just a few hours of prime time — especially considering that the first half hour alone will feature a hotly anticipated performance from Lady Gaga, another from Taylor Swift, a show-opening tribute to Michael Jackson featuring sister Janet Jackson, plus appearances from Eminem, Pete Wentz, Justin Bieber, Jack Black, Shakira, "Twilight" star Taylor Lautner and Kristin Cavallari.

A year after he needled the Jonas Brothers, Madonna and then-President George W. Bush, host Russell Brand has promised a kinder, gentler hosting stint for his second go 'round. This time, he says, it's all about the love — we'll see!

The action will take place at the historic Radio City Music Hall,...

Janet and dancers re-create classic Mj video routines after Madonna's speech.

By Gil Kaufman

Janet Jackson performs at the 2009 VMAs

Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images

Sunday night's 2009 MTV Video Music Awards got off to a glittering start thanks to the first family of the VMAs: the Jacksons. Janet Jackson helped lead a tribute to brother Michael, who died in June at the age of 50. And while the tribute to Jackson was previously announced, it opened with a huge surprise: a moving, nearly eight-minute speech by Madonna, who fondly recalled her first private meeting with Michael.

Walking onto the darkened stage wearing a conservative black jacket and skirt, a solemn Madonna told the crowd, "Michael Jackson was born in August 1958. So was I. Michael Jackson grew up in the suburbs of the Midwest. So did I. Michael Jackson had eight brothers and sisters. So do I. When Michael Jackson was 6, he...

Days before 2009 MTV Video Music Awards is kicked off, more stars are added to its line-up, joining previous performers and attendees. Among those confirmed to come to the event are Kid Cudi, Solange Knowles, Pete Wentz and Shakira.

Solange and Kid are set to make collaboration with house band Wale and Ucb. Meanwhile, Pete and Shakira are only scheduled to make appearance. Other big names set to attend the awards either to perform or just make appearance include Jack Black, Kristin Cavallari, Justin Bieber, Miranda Cosgrove as well as two members of The All-American Rejects, guitarist Nick Wheeler and frontman Tyson Ritter.

Previously, it was confirmed that Alicia Keys indeed will make a duet with Jay-z in "The Blueprint 3" single "Empire State of Mind". And, Eminem will show his face at the event.

The 26th Annual MTV Video Music Awards will take place at Radio City Music Hall on September...

Wade Robson, Cris Judd and more will take the stage for a dance tribute to the late King of Pop.

By Eric Ditzian

Michael Jackson in 1987

Photo: Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Since he won his first Moonmen at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards in 1984, Michael Jackson has graced MTV's biggest stage time and time again with his eye-poppingly inventive dance moves — kicks, spins and moonwalks that continue to influence the world of contemporary dance. Though Mj's gone, the music industry's biggest choreographers have not forgotten the King of Pop's impact on their craft.

That's why some of the hottest names in choreography from the last 15 years will be joining the tribute to Michael Jackson that will kick off the VMAs on Sunday.

Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos

The creative director for the tribute is Gil Duldulao. Joining him as dancers will be choreographers Dave Scott,...

More than 50 years after it opened at the National Theatre, the new production West Side Story , under the direction of the legendary Arthur Laurents, returned to the National in preparation for its Broadway opening. DC audiences thrilled to Cody Green's dynamic performance as 'Riff' in the production. Before Cody left Washington for New York, he spoke to DCTheatreScene.com. Cody Green was chosen as the winner in last years finale episode of Bravo's "Step It Up & Dance," winning the $100,000 grand prize. The 27-year-old dancer from Surrey, Canada beat out 11 other contestants as they competed in weekly dance challenges from some of the top performers and choreographers in the industry including: Tina Landon, Jordi Caballero, Lee Martino and Jason Alexander.