Audra McDonald News

Continuing its commitment to timely and thought-provoking programming, HBO will debut a diverse array of documentaries in coming months, including: THE JINX: THE LIFE AND DEATHS OF ROBERT DURST, the highly anticipated Sunday-night series from Oscar nominee Andrew Jarecki; Oscar winner Alex Gibney's GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF, a look inside the controversial religion; and Brett Morgen's KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK, the first fully-authorized documentary about the iconic leader of Nirvana.

The Drama League has announced the roster of special guest performers for the 31ST Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring the legendary Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award (EGOT) winner James Earl Jones to be held on Monday evening, February 2, 2015 at the famed Pierre Hotel (2 East 61st Street).

Seth Rudetsky's Broadway Concert Series at the Parker Playhouse produced by Mark Cortale will welcome Audra McDonald -- the historic six-time Tony winner and star of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Porgy and Bess, Ragtime, and Master Class as well as TV's Private Practice, tonight, January 8, 2015.

On February 2, 2015, Square One Publishers releases Black Broadway: African Americans on The Great White Way by six-time Tony Award winning producer and author Stewart F. Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide..., War Horse).

LA MaMa Experimental Theatre Club and Sheryl Lee Ralph and The D.I.V.A. Foundation present MAMA ROSE (A Solo Musical). This show gives a glimpse of Mr. Waits' life growing up in Buffalo, New York with his own MAMA ROSE, Rose Waits. In this dark comedy you'll find out that this 'southern belle' could have ruled the world...if they had only let her.

Alysha Umphress, currently starring in the new Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN, and Tony Award-nominated composer and performer Jeff Blumenkrantz celebrate the release of their new album, 'I've Been Played: Alysha Umphress Swings Jeff Blumenkrantz.' The pair appeared in a release concert at Birdland last night.

Alysha Umphress, currently starring in the new Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN, and Tony Award-nominated composer and performer Jeff Blumenkrantz just celebrated their new album, I've Been Played: Alysha Umphress Swings Jeff Blumenkrantz with a concert at Birdland (315 W. 44th Street, New York, NY 10036). Check out photos from te special night below!

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) welcomes GFour Productions, winners of 54 Drama Desk and 44 Tony Awards who have officially announced their cast of leading ladies for the production of the international hit show Menopause The Musical. Best described as a groundbreaking celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of or have survived 'The Change', Menopause The Musical is sure to leave audiences inspired and laughing long after the show.

Disney's Aladdin is still bringing audiences to their feet at the New Amsterdam Theatre, where it opened on March 20, 2014. Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald just visited the production, and you can check out photos of the star backstage below!

With Disney's adaptation of INTO THE WOODS earning the largest box office figures for any movie musical adapted from a Broadway show in history, legendary stage, TV, and film producer Craig Zadan took to Twitter to confirm that he and partner Neil Meron will next be helming the big screen adaptation of Stephen Schwartz's classic musical PIPPIN.

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Austin Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!

At the end of every 'backstage' interview, BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge asks his guest, 'What is the best bit of advice that you've been given that you still live by?' Below, we've rounded up all the sage responses from the stars of 2014!

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge has moderated some fascinating discussions throughout 2014, including interviews with dynamic, best-friend duo Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, leading ladies Audra McDonald, Kelli O'Hara, Estelle Parsons, Vanessa Redgrave, and more. Scroll down for links and stills from this year's interviews!

It's Christmas at last, and BroadwayWorld is celebrating the season in the best way we know how- with a special roundup which highlights videos that combine our two favorite things: Broadway and Christmas. Composed of Christmas songs performed by the very best of the Great White Way, as well as holiday songs from actual Broadway shows, we're here to get you into the holiday spirit! Below, check out our full video roundup, which includes tunes by Angela Lansbury, Mandy Patinkin, Idina Menzel, Jeremy Jordan, Audra McDonald, and many more!

Tony nominee Jeff Blumenkrantz chats with BroadwayWorld about his upcoming album I'VE BEEN PLAYED: ALYSHA UMPHRESS SWINGS JEFF BLUMENKRANTZ.

Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Austin Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!

This January, Live From Lincoln Center-continuing its 40th anniversary season-will broadcast one of the most celebrated opera events of the year, the Richard Tucker Music Foundation's annual gala concert.

Ted Sperling will conduct the New York Philharmonic and vocalists Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana in A Broadway Romance, a one-night-only Valentine's Day concert, Saturday, February 14, 2015, at 8:00 p.m. The program will feature songs from popular musicals ranging from Bernstein's West Side Story and Gershwin's Girl Crazy to Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel and Stephen Sondheim's Company, woven together to tell a unified narrative of a romance from beginning to end, from meeting to first date to falling in love to marriage.

Today we are revisiting the very best theatre-related items released in 2014 in honor of the holiday shopping season being upon us.

As we count down the last days of 2014, New York City's top theatre critics have been taking stock of the theatre season- deciding on their choices for their favorite productions of the year. With so many stellar plays, musicals, revivals and new works, both on Broadway and off, a slew of shows have gained recognition from the critics. Below, check out our roundup of 'Best of' lists for theatre this year. Be sure to check back later for new additions as they're released!