Showbiz411

Aretha Franklin‘s show at Jones Beach tomorrow night is her debut at the fabled outdoor music venue on Long Island. The Queen of Soul has never before performed at this great spot, and she’s looking forward to it. Over lunch yesterday at Manhattan’s Le Petit Maison she told me she’s putting on a full show, with “all the hits” from “Respect” to “Daydreaming” and “Rock Steady.” Franklin’s performance Monday morning on the 10am segment of the “Today” show with Hoda and Kathie Lee was  a killer by the way–her voice has never sounded better and Aretha’s never looked better. In between “Today” and lunch, the Queen stopped by Tiffany & Co. and checked out–but didn’t buy–several amazing baubles…

…”One Night Stand” premiered the other night in New York. It’s a lively documentary about the making of “The 24 Hour Musicals.” Elisabeth Sperling and Trish Dalton traced the one day planning and executing of four 20 minute musicals put together by New York pros. Standouts are Richard Kind, Cheyenne Jackson and Rachel Dratch, with lots of humor. Perfect for a PBS fundraising night!

Tonight: Julia Fordham and Paul Reiser at the Highline Ballroom, 8pm. Don’t miss it!

Roger Friedman

Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News. Friedman previously wrote the Intelligencer column at New York Magazine, He writes for Parade magazine and has written for Details, Vogue, the New York Times, Post, and Daily News and many other publications. He is the writer and co-producer of a film about R&B Music called “Only the Strong Survive,” which was released by Miramax in 2003 and was a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals.