Audra McDonald News

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.

The producers of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, the musical play starring record breaking six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, just announced that the production in now in profits, after recouping its initial investment of $2.6 million.

Peggy King, one of the most popular TV and recording stars of the 1950's, will make her first Los Angeles appearance in more than 30 years on Sunday, July 27 at 7:30 PM at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. Joining her will be acclaimed pianist, harpist and vocalist Corky Hale, leading an all-star quartet including Lymon Medeiros on bass, Jack LeCompte on drums and John Chiodini on guitar.

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

Tony-nominee and Obie and Theatre World Award winner Adam Pascal, has created some of the most memorable roles in recent Broadway history. He shot to stardom for originating the role of Roger in the Broadway blockbuster 'Rent,' as well as the London production, and starred in the film version. Today and tomorrow, July 26 and 27, he returns to the acclaimed, original Broadway @ The Art House series, where he joins pianist and host Seth Rudetsky for an unforgettable evening of conversation and song.

Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald sat down for a special interview on 'Popcorn with Peter Travers' and revealed how Julliard helped her get through a very dark period in her life.

PS Classics' Original Broadway Cast Recording of Audra McDonald in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill topped four of the Billboard Charts in its first week of release: #1 in Cast Albums, #1 in Jazz, #1 in Traditional Jazz and #1 in Heatseekers. According to Billboard, the album is McDonald's highest-charting solo release ever.

On last night's TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON, 6-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald returned to once again sing some actual Yahoo! Answers. Watch the hilarity below!

Tony-nominee and Obie and Theatre World Award winner Adam Pascal, has created some of the most memorable roles in recent Broadway history. He shot to stardom for originating the role of Roger in the Broadway blockbuster 'Rent,' as well as the London production, and starred in the film version. On July 26 and 27 he returns to the acclaimed, original Broadway @ The Art House series, where he joins pianist and host Seth Rudetsky for an unforgettable evening of conversation and song. This marks his first return to Provincetown stages since debuting with the Art House series in its inaugural season of 2011. Adam also originated the role of Radames in Elton John and Tim Rice's 'Aida,' and was featured as the Emcee in the critically acclaimed revival of 'Cabaret' directed by Sam Mendes. Most recently he's starred on Broadway in 'Memphis' and in 'Chicago.' For tickets please visit The Art House website, or call 508-487-9222.

Alice Ripley won a Tony Award for her leading role in the Pulitzer Prize winning musical "Next to Normal," and was a Tony-nominee for the musical "Side Show" on Broadway. This summer, on August 2 and 3 at 7:00 PM, she joins the star-studded lineup of the celebrated Broadway @ The Art House series, with Jessica Means joining her at piano. For tickets please visit The Art House website, or call 508-487-9222.

92Y celebrates all things Theater -- plays, musicals (including theater's sister, movie musicals), songwriters, actors, playwrights -- even Broadway ghosts!

Announced today at the Television Critics Association Press Tour, the 2014 PBS Arts Fall Festival returns in September with 11 weekly programs featuring classic Broadway hits, music from around the country and a theater performance by award-winning actor Nathan Lane.

An earthquake romance. A genre-defying song play. With a score by leading contemporary composer John Adams and a libretto by the late poet June Jordan, I was looking at the ceiling and then I saw the sky was written as an homage to the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Now, 20 years later, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission presents the Southern California premiere, performed by Long Beach Opera. LBO artistic director Andreas Mitisek conducts a concert staging at the Ford Amphitheatre on Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. as part of the Ford's Zev Yaroslavsky Signature Series.