Audra McDonald News

BroadwayWorld is excited to report that the world premiere of a New York-bound musical, a revival of a favorite American comedy and a bio-musical of one of rock n' roll's most influential artists are the first three productions set for Bucks County Playhouse's 2016 theater season.

Tonight, December 1st at 7 pm at at Barnes & Noble located at 150 East 86th Street, Ann Hampton Callaway will perform selections from THE HOPE OF CHRISTMAS, a new collection of Christmas songs interpreted by the multiplatinum-selling singer, Tony nominated actress, pianist and leading champion of the American songbook, with lyrics by two-time Emmy Award winner William Schermerhorn. Schermerhorn will join Callaway in the discussion, with Alex Rybeck on piano.

Broadway's biggest star, Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winning performer Audra McDonald, comes to London as she plays an intimate show at the Leicester Square Theatre on 17th January 2016.

Well-Strung kicks off the tour of their Christmas Show tonight in New Orleans. After New Orleans, the group will visit Batavia, New York City, Woodstock, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando. 

Voting has opened for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 27th. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.

Voting has opened for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 27th. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Stage greats Stephen Sondheim and Barbra Streisand are honored at the White House and more!

On December 8, Palm Beach Dramaworks launches the third season of its highly successful Dramalogue - Talking Theatre! series with Paul Gemignani: Musical Theatre's Master Maestro. The program features the esteemed Broadway musical director in conversation with Sheryl Flatow. Gemignani, recipient of the 2001 Lifetime Achievement Tony Award, will discuss a remarkable career still going strong after more than 40 years, and talk about how he helps shape a show and bring a score to life. The program will be presented twice, at 2pm (limited seating available) and 7pm at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre.

Schools That Can, a national nonprofit focused on improving urban education, will hold a benefit concert to honor the life and legacy of jazz singer and civil-rights activist Lena Horne on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. at New York City's Symphony Space.

In what has become an annual ritual, a total of 36 established and emerging composers, lyricists, and librettists will converge on the Goodspeed campus from mid-January through mid-February 2016 to participate in the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing 19 new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration. BroadwayWorld is excited to report that Goodspeed has announced its 2016 participants. Scroll down for details!

The six time Tony winner is also a tireless advocate for New York City's children.

Contra Costa Civic Theatre (CCCT) continues its 56th season with the Tony award-winning musical, The Secret Garden, directed and choreographed by Roger Welch in his Bay Area debut, with music direction by Kevin Roland. The Secret Garden plays from November 20 through December 20; performances are Todays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm at the theatre.

Mark Gerrard's tragicomedy is packed with musical theatre quotes and barbs, but not much plot.

The New Group presents the world premiere of STEVE, a new play by Mark Gerrard. Directed by Cynthia Nixon, this production features Ashlie Atkinson and Francisco Pryor Garat, and as announced, Mario Cantone, Jerry Dixon,Malcolm Gets and Matt McGrath. A limited Off-Broadway engagement plays now through December 27 at The Pershing Square Signature Center, with Opening Night set for tonight, November 18. Let's see what the critic had to say...

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Sarah Hammond and Adam Gwon's STRING will receive readings this week at Playwrights Horizons.

Photos were snapped at Bow Bridge of the recent CHICAGO star wearing a 1940s-style ensemble.

 On the heels of their Billboard Top 10 Classical Crossover album, Well-Strung returns to New York with a "A Well-Strung Christmas" at 54 Below on December 9, 10, and 14.  The new show has been devised by Well-Strung, Mark Cortale and director Richard Jay-Alexander, and features the group's own unique pop-classical spin on some of the most beautiful and traditional holiday favorites, such as 'Silent Night' and irreverent newly-observed versions of songs like 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus' and 'Sleighride,' all the way to George Michael's 'This Christmas' and everything in between.   For tickets and information please visit http://54below.com/artist/well-strung/.

Earlier this month, DRESS CIRCLE PUBLISHING hosted a special celebration of the new book by Sirius XM radio host Seth Rudetsky. The launch event for SETH'S BROADWAY DIARY, VOLUME 2, featured Stephanie J. Block, Andrea Burns, Ana Gasteyer, Mandy Gonzalez, Jackie Hoffman, and Christopher Sieber, who performed excerpts and some of Seth's favorite songs. BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out exclusive highlights below!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in New Jersey, Salt Lake City, Sydney, and more. Check out our top 10 spooky stories around our Broadway World below, which include the National Tour of BULLETS OVER BROADWAY in Nashville, BUYER & CELLAR in Salt Lake City, and Audra McDonald in Sydney, just to name a few.

Justin Utley surprised Craig Nielson on November 7 with an ASPECTS OF LOVE-themed proposal in the heart of Lincoln Center Plaza. Below, watch the Stonewall Chorale perform 'Love Changes Everything' from the musical as Utley gets down on one knee!