Audra McDonald News

Alysha Umphress, currently starring in the new Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN, and Tony Award-nominated composer and performer Jeff Blumenkrantz will celebrate 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) on January 5, 2015 at 7pm. Tickets are available now at www.birdlandjazz.com.

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: Roundabout welcomes INTO THE WOODS tonight, Billy Magnussen and his band rock for charity, and WE MUST BREATHE responds to the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Gardner in Chicago!

The Muny announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for the Muny's 2015 Season, which opens on June 15 with My Fair Lady. 'This is a thrilling roster of artists,' said Muny Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson. 'We look forward to bringing their vision and talent to our grand stage.'

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: 'WOMEN ON THE VERGE', with Tamsin Greig and more, begins tonight in the West End, the Von Trapp kids come together at 54 Below, and Michael Buble brings Christmas to New York!

Happy Birthday, Adam Guettel! Adam Guettel is an American composer-lyricist of musical theater and opera. He is best known for the musical 'The Light in the Piazza,' for which he won two Tony Awards for Best Score and Best Orchestrations, and two Drama Desk Awards for Best Music and Best Orchestrations. His early works include 1996's 'Floyd Collins,' 'Love's Fire,' and 'Saturn Returns.' Guettel's songs have been recorded by such artists as Audra McDonald and Brian d'Arcy James. He also contributed original scores to several documentary films, including 'Arguing the World and Jack: The Last Kennedy Film.' In 1999, he performed a concert evening of his own work at New York's Town Hall.

The Collegiate Chorale presents the New York City premiere of Eric Idle and John Du Prez's Not The Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) at Carnegie Hall, tonight and tomorrow, December 15-16, 2014 at 8pm.

With PETER PAN wrapped, NBC is bringing back THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Austin Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This weekend's big news: THE SOUND OF MUSIC nuns gather at 54 Below, Billboard celebrates Idina Menzel and Ariana Grande, and EVERY BRILLIANT THING opens on Sunday!

54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents 'The Sound Of Music Nuns' Christmas Party' tonight, December 12, 2014 at 9:30 pm.

For the first time on Live From Lincoln Center, the curtain will be drawn back on one of the world's premier ballet academies - the School of American Ballet - with the presentation of the School's 50th Annual Workshop Performance.

Earlier today it was announced that The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, will present the world premiere of Waitress- a new musical directed by Diane Paulus and featuring book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. This wasn't the only big news from Nelson though. Nelson, who wrote, directed, and produced Corrina Corrina with Whoopi Golberg, is in the process of writing a musical version for Audra McDonald, with Alan Menken and Brian Yorkey. She is also co-writing Alice By Heart with Steven Sater, music by Duncan Sheik.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, led by Artistic Director Diane Paulus, just announced the world premiere of Waitress. Opening theA.R.T.'s 2015-16 Season, this new musical will be directed by Diane Paulus and feature book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. The production will begin performances at the Loeb Drama Center on Saturday, August 1, 2015. Additional creative team and casting will be announced at a later date.

Dress Circle Publishing has announce a partnership with Theatre Development Fund (TDF). Part of the proceeds of The Untold Stories of Broadway, Volume 2 by Jennifer Ashley Tepper will benefit education programs at TDF, one of the nation's largest not- for profit performing arts service organizations dedicated to the audience.

With millions of recordings sold, the Cincinnati Pops, performing at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall tonight, December 11, is one of the world's most admired ensembles.

With ANNIE returning to the big screen this week, we've rounded up the musical's leading ladies -- both onstage and off -- since 1977!

The Collegiate Chorale presents the New York City premiere of Eric Idle and John Du Prez's Not The Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) at Carnegie Hall, December 15-16, 2014 at 8pm.

The Public Theater announced the return of Public Forum's holiday tradition, a one-night-only Drama Club reading and discussion of THE LONG CHRISTMAS DINNER on Sunday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Joe's Pub at The Public. Just in time for the holidays, this exciting evening will feature a reading of Thornton Wilder's 1931 one-act featuring Tarell Alvin McCraney, Ethan Lipton, Andrew Solomon, and Tappan Wilder. Wilder's ingenious, heartbreaking play traces 90 years in the life of an American family, and will spark a discussion about family and storytelling in a society that's rapidly accelerating.

The best of this year's Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS holiday gift guide, through the eyes of Broadway's biggest fan.