Audra McDonald News

Live From Lincoln Center - the pioneering, award-winning performing arts series - continues its 40th anniversary season with another concert from Lincoln Center's American Songbook series, featuring Billy Porter tonight, April 3, in BROADWAY AND SOUL. Tony Award-winning actress and singer Audra McDonald hosts the broadcast.

I sat down with Colin Hanlon, currently performing in the world premiere of The 12 with Denver Center Theatre Company.

Josh Groban shares a sneak peek of his musical theatre album!

Chapin and Queens councilman Jimmy Van Bramer received awards at the Astoria Performing Arts Center's annual gala.

Joanna Murray-Smith's Switzerland -- already extended one week -- will extend yet another eight performances by popular demand with a final closing date of April 26, 2015. A world premiere with the Sydney Theatre Company, Switzerland is a Los Angeles Times Arts Editors' "Essential Arts and Culture" Pick and features Laura Linney (Broadway World said she is "pure gold") and Seth Numrich (called "outstanding" by the Los Angeles Times).

This week it was announced that NBC would be following up its successful broadcasts of THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! and PETER PAN LIVE! with an all-star new production of popular 1970s R&B musical THE WIZ and today we celebrate some of the most tantalizing aspects of the entertainment event. Given the fact that THE WIZ is based on one of the most cherished and timeless stories ever written, L. Frank Baum's THE WIZARD OF OZ, the potential for this new live presentation of THE WIZ to become a widely-viewed take on one of the most well-known tales of all time, poised to introduce a classic to a whole new generation, is doubly stacked.

The Drama League will recognize three outstanding stage luminaries at this year's 81st Annual Drama League Awards, set for Friday afternoon, May 15, 2015 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway).

There is still some casting that is yet to be announced, but much of the cast has now signed on to take part in the much-anticipated film. Below, get to know the company and the roles that they will be playing!

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: It's an evening of galas and benefits for Vineyard, MCC, York and more!

Any theatre fan (and/or 9th grade literature student) will tell you that William Shakespeare had a true gift for coining beautiful phrases such as 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day,' or 'It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.' But what are debatably better than his love poetry are his insults.

Today we are talking to one of the biggest stars to break out of Broadway and make a major mark on the music scene in recent years thanks to her hit album HUNTER and an ever-expanding series of incredibly impressive viral music videos, the soulful and passionate Morgan James. Discussing the impetus behind many of the selections on HUNTER as well as sharing stories of how the album all came together, James generously details the process in creating her first album of original material while looking ahead to this week's live concert event at the Highline Ballroom which will showcase many of the standouts from the album as well as some special surprises. Furthermore, James opens up about her growing series of music videos covering many classic pop and R&B songs, both vintage and brand new, as well as the worldwide acclaim she has received for them - enough to inspire a recent European tour with innovative music collective Postmodern Jukebox, as matter of fact. Plus, James gives the 411 on her theatre background and Juilliard training while also reflecting on some of her Broadway appearances in musicals such as MOTOWN, GODSPELL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY and WONDERLAND while also commenting on some dream roles she would ideally enjoy pursuing in the future, near and far. All of that, thoughts on social media, favorite albums and much, much more!

Josh Groban offers a fascinating backstage look at his first musical theatre album!

I could probably write a one sentence review of Audra McDonald's concert at Bethesda's magnificent Music Center at Strathmore that would sum up my reaction quite well. It would read something like this: Audra is perfection and can do anything.

The Collegiate Chorale announces that Ron Rifkin will join the cast of the US Premiere of Kurt Weill's The Road of Promise on May 6, 2015 at 8pm and May 7, 2015 at 7pm at Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, 881 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10019.

This just in! According to the Hollywood Reporter, Audra McDonald is in final talks to join the cast of Disney's upcoming remake of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. The six-time Tony winner will take on the role of 'Garderobe,' the wardrobe.

On Twitter Watch, Audra McDonald wrote '@GovPenceIN Or MAYBE I donate the money I make in your state while Im there to organizations that will combat your hateful legislation.'

Today we are celebrating the many stage and screen iterations of CINDERELLA.

When doing an interview with an artist I am in awe of their love and dedication for their craft. This month I had the pleasure to meet American mezzo-soprano Briana Hunter and our conversation went from traditional interview to old friends talking about their love for the classics. Our mutual love for Bizet's masterpiece CARMEN and love for Audra McDonald made this interview go very quickly.

BroadwayWorld.com has learned this morning that HBO's LOOKING has sadly been cancelled. For the past few days, there have been endless articles after Sunday night's season finale of the show as to whether or not HBO would pick up the show for a third season. The show's amazingly talented cast, led by Broadway's Jonathan Groff (currently in HAMILTON at the Public Theater) has been praised for their frank storytelling. The show has been compared to a 21st century version of Armistead Maupin's TALES OF THE CITY.