Audra McDonald News

According to a new audition listing, a workshop of Tony Award nominee Michael John LaChiusa and Ellen Fitzhugh's new musical THE NINE FATHERS OF ARIEL will begin October 6 in New York City. The production will continue performances through November 7.

Bucks County Playhouse is proud to welcome Adrienne Warren to the cast of AIN'T MISBEHAVIN, running today, August 14 through September 7, 2014.

Bryan Batt - star of TV's "Mad Men" and the Academy Award Winning film "12 Years A Slave," and Broadway's "La Cage Aux Folles,' 'Sunset Boulevard,' 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,' 'Starlight Express,' and 'Cats.' Bryan will be joined by Michael Lavine at the piano, for one show only, on Sunday, August 24. For tickets please visit www.ptownarthouse.com, or call 508-487-9222.

Multi-award-winning stage and screen star Audra McDonald lends her support to a noble cause via a social media campaign supporting World Elephant Day.

The Public Theater announced the 2014 Fall Public Forum season, featuring an exciting line-up of one-night-only readings and discussions that connect dramatic literature to society. Celebrating its fifth year, the popular Public Forum series presents the theater of ideas: conversations and performances with leading voices in politics, media, and the arts.

As BWW reported earlier this evening, comedian and Academy Award-winning actor Robin Williams died this morning, August 11, 2014, of an apparent suicide. He was 63. A slew of stars took to Twitter following the announcement to express their gratitude to the performer and wish him well. Scroll down to see what they had to say, and check back for updates later tonight and tomorrow morning!

Join O'Neill Center artistic directors Wendy Goldberg, of the National Playwrights Conference, and Paulette Haupt, of the National Music Theater Conference, distinguished alumni Adam Gwon, Sarah Hammond and Deborah Zoe Laufer, and moderator Anne G. Morgan, for a look at the O'Neill's influential role as a theatrical laboratory over the last 50 years.

Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald has announced that she will sleep outside in solidarity with homeless youth one night this summer as part of Sleep Out: Broadway Edition 2014.

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: DOGFIGHT makes its European premiere, the 2014 Edinburgh International Festival kicks off in Scotland, Broadway stars join together for FROM MARKY MARK TO MICHAEL at 54 Below and more!

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, the musical play starring record breaking six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, has announced that it will extend its limited engagement for a final time through October 5th, 2014.

On Twitter Watch, Laura Bell Bundy wrote 'Saw Lady Day tonight. She was unreal...And was reunited with my 'Bruiser' Chico. I wept like a baby… ' Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill recounts Holiday's life story through the songs that made her famous. 1959, in a small, intimate bar in Philadelphia, Holiday puts on a show that unbeknownst to the audience, will leave them witnesses to one of the last performances of her lifetime. Through her poignant voice and moving songs, one of the greatest jazz singers of all-time shares her loves and her losses.'

Carnegie Hall has announced its December 2014 calendar. Scroll down for details!

Megan Hilty, was a breakout star of NBC's "Smash" and starred on Broadway in "Wicked" and "9 to 5: The Musical." She most recently starred as Liz on NBC's "Sean Saves The World" with Sean Hayes of "Will & Grace" fame. She returns to the original Broadway @ The Art House series this month by popular demand after her sold-out debut run at the theater last summer. She will be joined by husband and fellow Broadway star Brian Gallagher on guitar August 13, 14, 15 & 18, and will be joined by series host and SiriusXM star Seth Rudetsky at piano on August 16 & 17. For tickets please visit The Art House website, or call 508-487-9222.

Last night, on ABC World News, Audra McDonald marked the second African-American Broadway actor to be featured as a PERSON OF THE WEEK on the popular telecast this year. The program is hosted by Diane Sawyer, who soon leaves that chair to 'create innovative specials' for the network. On the broadcast, McDonald discussed how she prepares to become Billie Holiday each night, as she continues to strive bettering her 'Lady Day' for every performance. This production, directed by Lonny Price, earned her the distinction of being the only actress in history to receive a record 6th Tony Award earlier this year.

The original cast recording of Broadway's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill continues to hold on to it's Number One spot on the Cast Album chart, according to Billboard.com

At a time when so many opera companies find themselves forced to cut back, Palm Beach Opera has succeeded instead in breaking new ground, presenting the first world premiere in its 53-year history. Set to a libretto by Nahma Sandrow, Ben Moore's Enemies, A Love Story - a dark comedy based on Nobel laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer's eponymous novel and the subsequent Academy Award-nominated film adaptation - marks a major new addition to the repertoire. Starring bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch, now creating his fourth leading role in a Hollywood-inspired opera, Enemies, A Love Story will debut on February 20, with conductor David Stern leading Sam Helfrich's new production.

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: SEX WITH STRANGERS opens at Second Stage, Rick Bayless brings a theatrical feast to Lookingglass and more!

This summer, the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival marks its 31st season in the beautiful seaside setting of Long Island's East End. The Island's longest-running classical music festival this year features 12 concerts from today, July 30 to August 24, featuring the signature mix of renowned and up-and-coming artists and classic and new music that has made it one of the most noteworthy summer music festivals in the country.

This summer, the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival marks its 31st season in the beautiful seaside setting of Long Island's East End. The Island's longest-running classical music festival this year features 12 concerts from today, July 30 to August 24, featuring the signature mix of renowned and up-and-coming artists and classic and new music that has made it one of the most noteworthy summer music festivals in the country.