Audra McDonald News

The Tony Awards Administration Committee meets for the final time tomorrow, April 25, to determine the fates of the 2013-14 season's productions. And if they decide LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL is a 'play with music' rather than a musical, leading lady Audra McDonald, who stars as Billie Holiday, will have the chance to win a Tony for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play -- her only category without a Tony trophy.

The Freeman Studio, the Tribeca-based acting studio led by Scott Freeman, continues to supplement its acting curriculum with an unusual mix of panels, talks and workshops in May. The so-called extracurricular activities, which give actors a rich environment in which to broaden creatively and even experiment, include free industry panels and talks, and low-cost workshops called Saturday Specials. Most of these add-ons are led by notable theatre artists, are either free or low-cost, and are open to the public.

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: the Drama Desk nominees will be announced, the Tonys committee is making its final decisions, and everyone across the country can see Matthew Bourne's reimagining of SLEEPING BEAUTY!

In the special issue, 5-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, who worked with Paulus on the recent Broadway revival of Porgy & Bess, pens a loving tribute to the director.

Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson- Lopez, A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, Amy Adams and Benedict Cumberbatch were among those named to Time's Most Influential People in the WORLD list for 2014.

'Lady Day' Producer Jeffrey Richards and actor Will Swenson (wowing audiences as 'Javert' in the Broadway revival of 'Les Miserables') were sad because the late great Al Hirschfeld was not here to draw Swenson's wife, Broadway superstar Audra McDonald, in her title role in 'Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.' But wait! In stepped Margo Feiden, gallerist to the stars, and exclusive rep for Al Hirschfeld's work.

Co-Hosts Judith Light and Christopher Sieber announced the nominations for the 2014 Drama League Awards, including Distinguished Production of a Play, Distinguished Production of a Musical, Distinguished Revival of a Play, Distinguished Revival of a Musical, and the much coveted Distinguished Performance Award. The 2014 Drama League Nomination announcement begins the month of celebrations leading up to the 80th Annual Drama League Awards, which will be held at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway) on Friday, May 16, 2014 at noon hosted by Broadway veteran Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

The Outer Critics Circle, the organization of writers covering New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers, national publications and other media beyond Broadway announced the nominees this morning for the 2013-14 season.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include a look at the opening night curtain calls for LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL, THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, and OF MICE AND MEN - plus a peek into the festivities at this year's Olivier Awards and a look at the cast of WATER BY THE SPOONFUL in action!

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Lanie Robertson's play with music, starring Audra McDonald, has extended its limited engagement at the Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street, btwn. Broadway and 8th Avenue) through August 10, 2014. Leading lady Audra McDonald just visited Tamron Hall on MSNBC to chat about her Lady Day experience and you can check out the full interview below!

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: ACT ONE opens on Broadway tonight, and THE WILD PARTY plays in concert at 54 Below!

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) announced its 2014-15 Philharmonics and Pops concerts in February, but today reveals the remainder of its 92nd season, presented by Dawn & Jacques Lipson. Subscriptions to OrKIDStra and Sunday Matinees are available today to new and renewing subscribers, and tickets for Specials are now available as add-ons to all 14/15 subscribers. Single tickets for all 14/15 concerts go on sale to the general public on Friday, August 1, 2014.

As a result of strong critical response and public demand Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Lanie Robertson's play with music, starring Audra McDonald, announces that the production will be extending its limited engagement at the Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street, btwn. Broadway and 8th Avenue) through August 10, 2014.

The Celebrity Series of Boston announced its 2014-2015 season today, marking 76 years of bringing the world's greatest performing artists to Boston. The season opens on Sunday, October 5, 2014 with Italian pianist Maurizio Pollini in recital. In total, the 2014-2015 season will include 46 music, dance and entertainment engagements. The 2014-15 season is sponsored by Amy and Joshua Boger.

The Drama League has announced that Judith Light and Christopher Sieber will announce the 2014 Drama League Awards Nominees for Distinguished Production of a Play, Distinguished Production of a Musical, Distinguished Revival of a Play, Distinguished Revival of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Sardi's (234 West 44th Street, 2nd Floor). The nominations ceremony will be broadcast worldwide via live stream here at www.broadwayworld.com.

Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner James Franco and Chris O'Dowd make their Broadway debuts in Of Mice and Men, a new production directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro. Of Mice and Men, one of the greatest and most enduring American classics, has not been seen on Broadway in 40 years.

It's time for the newest episode of BWW's exclusive TV series - CHEWING THE SCENERY WITH Randy Rainbow! In this edition, Randy returns to the CTS Newsdesk to chat about all of the latest news surrounding THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, A RAISIN IN THE SUN, Broadway Bares and more!