Audra McDonald News

On last night's LATE NIGHT, guest Savion Glove talked about choreographing the new Broadway musical SHUFFLE ALONG.

VIVIAN REED, the two-time Tony Award-nominated Broadway star and concert artist called 'remarkable and ferocious' by The New York Times, returned to New York on Saturday April 2 at 9:30 PM, with the opening night of her new show 'Standards and More' at The Metropolitan Room. BroadwayWorld brings you an exclusive look below!

In an all-new episode of the popular series, OPRAH: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Oprah Winfrey sits down with Mackenzie Phillips for an in-depth update on the former child star's life today, following the media frenzy surrounding her tell-all autobiography in which she revealed a ten-year consensual intimate relationship with her own father.

Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Josh Kight in Concert on April 30, 2016 at 11:30pm. 

The Drama League (Executive Director, Gabriel Shanks) has announced that Zachary Levi ('Chuck') and Megan Hilty ('Smash') will host the upcoming 82nd Annual Drama League Awards on Friday, May 20, 2016 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square in the Broadway Ballroom (1535 Broadway)beginning at 11:30 a.m. Both Levi and Hilty are celebrated this season for their acclaimed performances in the Roundabout Theatre Company productions of She Loves Me and Noises Off, respectively.

On this week's episode of OPRAH: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?, Audra McDonald talks candidly about depression and her attempted suicide while attending Julliard, how she nearly left New York before getting her first big role, and what she finds most challenging about acting for television versus Broadway.

Have a backstage visit with Audra McDonald after enjoying SHUFFLE ALONG from house seats.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Managing Director Jeff Griffin, today announced that acclaimed actors (and married couple) Becky Ann Baker (currently featured on "Girls") and Dylan Baker (currently featured on "The Americans") have joined the cast of its upcoming production of Henrik Ibsen's PEER GYNT, directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, who becomes the company's new Artistic Director in July. 

As if winning DANCING WITH THE STARS and making her Broadway debut as Roxy Hart in CHICAGO weren't enough, Rumer Willis will now bring her jazzy vibe to New York City's famed Carlyle Cafe at the Carlyle Hotel.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Jay Armstrong Johnson, currently starring on ABC's smash-hit drama 'Quantico' and recent star of Broadway's acclaimed 2014 revival of On The Town, will make his Feinstein's / 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) solo debut on April 27, 29 and 30. Singing everything from Sondheim to Dixie Chicks, Johnson will be joined all three nights by a full eight-piece all star-band and special guests Billy Lewis Jr. ('Glee') and Lindsay Mendez (Wicked). On April 30th only, Todrick Hall (MTV's 'Todrick') will be guest-starring alongside Lewis Jr. and Mendez. Tickets are on sale now at www.54Below.com.

The Dramatists Guild Fund presented their Madge Evans and Sidney Kingsley Award to actress Audra McDonald and playwright Craig Lucas just last night. McDonalad was unable to attend the event due to her SHUFFLE ALONG schedule, but the show went on and BroadwayWorld was also there for the festivities. Check out photos below!

There were no original cast albums in 1921, so this scene by scene synopsis of the original SHUFFLE ALONG is augmented by various recordings of songs from the score.

PFLAG National-the nation's largest organization uniting families, allies, and people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ)-honors Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth, speaker/author Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry, and Wells Fargo at the 8th Annual Straight for Equality Awards Gala.

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: Nick Adams Hosts Broadway for Africa; Greg Hildreth at 54 Below; 54 Sings Chaka Khan Featuring LaChanze, Lindsay Mendez, and More; Paulo Szot at 54 Below; and The Cast of Broadway's Phantom of the Opera Sings the Music of Frank Wildhorn.

Second Stage Theatre will begin the 2016 Uptown Series with the world premiere of Sofia Alvarez's FRIEND ART, directed by Portia Krieger. FRIEND ART will feature ZOE CHAO, AARON COSTA GANIS, ANABELLE LEMIEUX and Tony Award nominee CONSTANTINE MAROULIS (Rock of Ages, "American Idol"). FRIEND ART will begin previews on Tuesday, May 17th and will officially open on Thursday, May 26th. 

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its April 2016 schedule, featuring: Pharoah Sanders Quartet, Yellowjackets, Showbiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, The Birdland Big Band, Karrin Allyson, The Matt & Brian Show, Arturo O'Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!

VIVIAN REED, the two-time Tony Award-nominated Broadway star and concert artist called "remarkable and ferocious" by The New York Times, will return to New York on Saturday April 2 at 9:30 PM, with the opening night of her new show "Standards and More" at The Metropolitan Room. Her special guests for this performance will be Metropolitan Opera soprano Janinah Burnett and Broadway star Raun Ruffin, who appeared in The Civil War. Reed will also appear at The Metropolitan Room on May 23, June 17 and July 21, backed by a four-piece band led by Billy McDaniel. The evening will include unique arrangements of classic standards by Duke Ellington, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter and George Gershwin in a dazzling blend of pop, jazz, soul and R&B.

 Producer Mark Cortale has announced the world premiere of "Party in the USA," a brand new show by the internationally acclaimed singing string quartet Well-Strung, and directed by New Orleans' own drag superstar, Jeffery Roberson (aka Varla Jean Merman).

How to Be Amazing is an in-depth interview show, hosted by comedian, author and actor Michael Ian Black.  Black sits down with some of today's most provocative writers, entertainers, artists, innovative thinkers and politicians for humorous, thought-provoking conversations that dive into the creative process and the intricate minds of some of the most influential voices of our time. Today, he sits down with the dazzling Audra McDonald. 

With the April 28th Tony Award eligibility deadline looming, there are seven big new shows to get excited about.