Audra McDonald News

In celebration of this extraordinary legacy on the occasion of the series' 40th anniversary on PBS, a stellar roster of diverse alumni gather to share their personal stories of what Great Performances has meant to them, with reminiscences and performances by Julie Andrews, Audra McDonald, Don Henley, David Hyde Pierce, Josh Groban, Itzhak Perlman, Peter Martins, Patti Austin and Take 6, Met Opera star El?na Garan?a and Michael Buble. The evening, taped at Lincoln Center last November, will be televised on Great Performances, Friday, October 18 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings). Click below to watch a preview!

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre will open its 2013-14 season withMaster Class, Terrence McNally's stage biography of legendary opera diva Maria Callas. Inspired by a series of master classes conducted by Callas at the Julliard School, this sparkling, rich play with incidental music by Verdi, Puccini and Bellini puts la diva back onstage as she coaxes and inspires her 'victims' while she rivetingly regales us with secrets professional and personal of her own.

Joseph W. Polisi, President of The Juilliard School, today announced the creation of the Kovner Fellowship Program at Juilliard that will be endowed with a gift of $60 million - the largest single one-time gift to the School - from Bruce and Suzie Kovner, long-time supporters of the School.

Happy Birthday Marin Mazzie! Marin most recently starred in the off-Broadway revival of Carrie. Before that she led the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Next to Normal and in the Broadway production of Enron. She received Tony and Drama Desk nominations and an Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance as Lilli/Katharine in the hit revival of Kiss Me, Kate, and later received an Olivier Award nomination when she made her West End debut in the show. Other Broadway credits include: Monty Python's Spamalot (also West End), Ragtime (Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics nominations), Passion (Tony nomination), Man of La Mancha, Into the Woods, Big River, and Out of this World and Kismet (Encores!).

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Book Of Mormon' and other significant local shows close this Sunday, with two productions of 'The Mikado' on the horizon, Gershwin at Light Opera Works, 'Ruthless!' and Linda Eder in the suburbs, Audra and 'Frog And Toad' downtown, plus 'Once' finally appears!!

Broadway legend Audra McDonald returns to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for a concert on October 26.

'Submissions Only,' the popular web series which aired its second season on BroadwayWorld.com to much acclaim, and major growth, will soon launch its highly anticipated third season. Season Three is 'coming soon,' and will be comprised of eight episodes. The star-studded season will boast such guest stars as Audra McDonald, Kelli O'Hara, Will Swenson, Malcolm Getz, Joanna Gleason, and many more. Series regulars for Season Three will includeKate Wetherhead, Colin Hanlon, Donna Vivino, Santino Fontana, Stephen Bienskie, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Max von Essen, and Marilyn Sokol. Last night, the team celebrated the launch of the new season and you can check out photos from insde the party below!

'Submissions Only,' the popular web series which aired its second season on BroadwayWorld.com to much acclaim, and major growth, has released the trailer for its highly anticipated third season.

Tony Award-winner and vocalist Audra McDonald is coming to Houston Saturday, Oct. 19, at 8 p.m. in the Brown Theater at the Wortham Theater Center, presented by Society for the Performing Arts. Accompanying her on stage will be Houston native Andy Einhorn.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Sting's 'The Last Ship' and the Broadway In Chicago spring season, 'Oz' in 3D, updates on TV's 'The Sound Of Music' and 'Glee,' plus Groff at Ravinia, 'Lanyard Skynerd' at Martyrs, a road trip 'Ragtime' and more!

Rosie's Theater Kids presents the celebration of their 10th anniversary with a star studded Gala in NYC at the Marriot Marquis tonight, September 25, 2013.

The Georg Solti Accademia and The Juilliard School invite the public to attend an historic evening with one of the classical music world's acclaimed elder statesman, Australian conductor and pianist Richard Bonynge, celebrating the Georg Solti Accademia's 10th Anniversary and first master classes in New York City. Maestro Bonynge leads singers from Juilliard's Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts, The public master classes are also the first to be given by Mr. Bonynge in New York City, and the first collaboration between the Accademia and Juilliard.Tickets for this October 9 event are available to the public starting today, September 25, 2013, via the Janet and Leonard Kramer Box Office at Juilliard or via events.juilliard.edu.

Today, September 24th, the First Lady will attend the President's remarks to the UN General Assembly. In the afternoon, she will host a special event for the spouses of Chiefs of State and Heads of Government participating in the UN General Assembly at The Studio Museum in Harlem, a leading institution devoted to artists of African descent. Mrs. Obama will deliver brief remarks at the luncheon.

Live From Lincoln Center will ring in the new year with a special broadcast of the New York Philharmonic's Opening Gala concert from Avery Fisher Hall featuring Music Director Alan Gilbert and special guest cello soloist Yo-Yo Ma. The Opening Gala concert, to be taped on September 25, will feature dance-inspired orchestral works, including Azul by Osvaldo Golijov, a cello concert written for Ma; the world premiere of an arrangement of Astor Piazzolla's La serie del Ángel by Octavio Brunetti, commissioned by the New York Phliharmonic; and two classics by Maurice Ravel,Alborada del gracioso and Bolero. The broadcast-hosted by Audra McDonald and featuring interstitial interviews with Yo-Yo Ma and composer Osvaldo Golijov-will air on PBS stations on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at 8 p.m. (ET) (check local listings).

Talking about the upcoming THE SOUND OF MUSIC on E!'s live red carpet show for the Emmy Award, Carrie Underwood answered host Ryan Seacrest about the upcoming challenge, noting that "That's what I loved about it. They had such respect for the whole project, the whole team. I move to New York in a week so it's going to be crazy. I'm going to be there for a couple of months."

The Development Wing which has dedicated itself to nurturing new musicals via partnerships with regional, not for profit theaters will hold its exclusive, intimate one-night-only benefit concert featuring Broadway stars singing songs from several new musicals at the historic Tewksbury, New Jersey home of Cherie King, President, The Development Wing and her husband composer, lyricist and book writer, Jonathan Brielle, Artistic Director of The Development Wing and Vice Chairman, The Johnny Mercer Foundation.

Bay Area Cabaret, devoted to presenting audiences with top performers who expand the definition of cabaret, enters its 10th season this fall with a gala series at the Fairmont San Francisco's historic Venetian Room. To celebrate this significant milestone, Bay Area Cabaret presents a star-studded lineup of performers making their Bay Area Cabaret debuts, as well as the return of a few favorites from the past decade. Opening the seas tonight, September 21, 2013 with a bang is Broadway's Megan Hilty, known to millions as the powerhouse 'Bombshell' on NBC's television program Smash. The season continues October 20, 2013 with Tony nominee Norm Lewis (The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess) and November 10, 2013 with 'America's romantic piano sensation,' multi-platinum selling recording artist Jim Brickman, joined by special guest Broadway heartthrob David Burnham.