Audra McDonald News

This summer, TNT and Hyundai are coming together to reward viewers eagerly awaiting the August 13 premiere of the TNT original series Legends, starring Screen Actors Guild Award(R) winner Sean Bean (Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings). Starting August 6, fans can enjoy the full-length, premiere episode a week prior to the series' television debut by accessing TNT Video on Demand (VOD) on their TV, or by logging-in with their TV service provider user name and password via the WatchTNT app on mobile devices or online at TNTDrama.com. The sneak peak and premiere episodes will be presented by the all-new 2015 Hyundai Genesis with limited interruption.

Multi-platinum recording artist Josh Groban releases his new album, entitled STAGES, today, April 28th, 2015, via Reprise Records.

Schmackary's, New York's uniquely gourmet cookie company, will host its 3rd annual BROADWAY BAKES event May 25-29, 2015. Over twenty of the biggest names on Broadway will join together to work behind the counter at Schmackary's selling delicious, freshly-baked cookies to the public in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Theatre Development Fund, the not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, will honor three of the organization's "Unsung Heroes" - Ted Chapin, Jeffrey Gural and Robert Zukerman at TDF's Gala on Monday, June 15 at the Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street).  TDF is honoring these "heroes," as they have assisted the organization in fulfilling its mission of supporting works of artistic merit and helping to make theatre accessible to all.

The Drama League has announced that the star of Broadway's smash production of Hand to God, Steven Boyer, 2015 Drama League Distinguished Performance nominee, will host the upcoming 81st Annual Drama League Awards, alongside his special guest Tyrone.  One of the high points of the season, the Drama League Awards Luncheon will be held on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway) beginning at 12:00 p.m.  Official sponsors for the 81st Annual Drama League Awards include Delta Air Lines, the Official Airline of The Drama League; MAC Cosmetics, the Official Makeup Partner of The Drama League; National Life Group; and GenSpring Family Offices. Tickets for The Drama League Awards, which includes a nominees cocktail reception and the star-studded afternoon luncheon awards presentations, are available by calling (212) 244-9494 or visiting www.dramaleague.org.

Women's Project Theater (WP Theater), under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Lisa McNulty has announced the 30th Annual WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS GALA. The gala will honor Tony Award and six-time Emmy Award winning actress Tyne Daly, President and Vice Chairman, Fairchild Fashion Media Stephanie George and Group President, North America, Procter & Gamble Carolyn Tastad.  Hosted by Two-time Tony & Emmy Award-winner Bebe Neuwirth, with special appearances by Four-time Tony Award & Emmy winner Terrence McNally (It's Only a Play, The Visit), Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid, It Shoulda Been You), Jeb Brown (Beautiful, The Carole King Musical), Margo Seibert (Rocky), and more, the Gala will take place on Monday, June 8, 2015 (6:30pm Cocktails, 8:00pm Dinner/Awards/Performances) at The Edison Ballroom, 240 W 47th Street.

Billboard.com reports that Josh Groban's new album 'Stages' has debuted as the No. 1 album in the UK.

Palm Beach Dramaworks concludes its fifteenth anniversary season with Lanie Robertson's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, a moving and surprisingly joyous look back at the too-short, turbulent life of the legendary Billie Holiday. Lady Day opens at  the Don & Ann Brown Theatre on May 15 and continues through June 7, with specially priced previews on May 13 and 14.

Blumenthal Performing Arts is pleased to announce the 72 nominees - six each in 12 categories - competing in the 4th Annual High School Musical Theater Awards, also known as The Blumey Awards, presented by Wells Fargo on Sunday, May 17, in Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.

Cheryl Allison may not be a household name (yet), but her resume is extremely impressive, to say the least. With credits on Broadway, in Japan, several national tours, and endless regional theatres, Cheryl has made an impressive career out of theatre, which she first discovered as a child in Dallas. Not only is Cheryl starring in numerous roles this season at Casa Mañana in Fort Worth, but she just finished shooting her first feature film in July 2014, NO LETTING GO (co-starring Kathy Najimy and Alysia Reiner), set to be released in 2016.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) announces 'Galavant In The Garden,' a spring garden party benefiting the theater on May 9, featuring a special preview performance of Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming's new one-man show at Dark Hollow Farm, a private Bucks County gentleman's estate.

Below, get a first listen to multi-platinum recording artist Josh Groban perform the 'Wizard of Oz' classic, 'Over The Rainbow.'

Composer Jason Robert Brown has built quite a catalog of his own songs, having written the music to such Broadway shows as Parade, Honeymoon in Vegas, The Bridges of Madison County, and many more, but now he is branching out into the works of the Piano Man himself. Brown recently released his own covers of songs from Billy Joel's 'The Stranger' album- check them out below! He writes on his official website:

If you asked me to pick a musical I loved based on nostalgia alone, it would be, without a doubt, Annie. Probably for the same reason most theatre kids will tell you; it was the very first musical I was ever in. I was in 6th grade, and I played Kathy. You probably don't know this character- that's because she doesn't actually exist. She was an addition to the script's gaggle of 6 little orphans (I believe our production had 12).

Josh Groban shares a sneak peek of his musical theatre album, which includes a duet with Audra McDonald.

Disney's live-action BEAUTY AND THE BEAST continues to add to its ranks! According to Variety, Stanley Tucci has joined the star-studded cast as 'Cadenza', a new character -- a grand piano described as 'a neurotic maestro.'

In a unique partnership, HBO and the American Museum of Natural History present SAVING MY TOMORROW PART THREE, the latest installment in a six-part series of family specials about the environment, debuting on Earth Day, TONIGHT, APRIL 22 (7:30-8:00 p.m. ET/PT).

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces a one night only performance of Broadway Showstoppers featuring award-winning performing artists Mandy Gonzalez, Cady Huffman, Telly Leung and Alton Fitzgerald White will take place on Monday, May 4, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, in Pittsburgh's Cultural District. The TRUST Cabaret Series is presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and provides a unique and intimate opportunity for audiences to experience the finest cabaret acts in the entertainment industry. The evening will include these four talented Broadway stars singing songs on their repertoire from shows in which they have performed. Stephen DeAngelis is the creator, producer and host of Broadway Showstoppers, with musical direction and accompaniment by Eugene Gwozdz.

In last week's Olivier Awards- translation, the British version of the Tony Awards, or for film fans, it's the British stage version of the Oscars- an acting legend won the first Olivier of her career, but she's certainly no awards novice. So in celebration of her newest award, take a look back at this acting legend's Tony Award-winning roles!