Audra McDonald News

The Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre at the University of Oklahoma welcomes Tony nominee Jeff Blumenkrantz to the Campus Corner Cabaret at 7pm on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at Othello's in Norman.

Last week I began a quest to unite two quintessentially American institutions; sports and musical theatre. Though this might be nothing more than an impossible dream, this is my quest, to follow that goal, no matter how hopeless, no matter how far... I have to take this metaphor. In this week's edition of TRASLATING SPORTS, I will attempt to provide you with enough college football information so that you won't be left with nothing more than a vegetarian bratwurst and a confused look on your face at your neighbor's Labor Day cookout.

Broadway Veteran Sings Pop

An expanded edition of the rapturous and resplendent May LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER broadcast of Audra McDonald's GO BACK HOME is set to premiere tomorrow night on PBS according to a new official online posting.

Click below to watch as Audra McDonald passionately speaks about all of the qualities that make Christine Quinn the perfect mayor for NYC.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra today announced the cast for On Broadway with Kander & Ebb: Celebrating Chicago, Cabaret and All That Jazz, a world premiere pops production of music from legendary and award-winning composers, John Kander (b. 1927) and Fred Ebb (1928-2004). Created by ISO Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, On Broadway with Kander & Ebb opens the Indianapolis Symphony's Printing Partners Pops Series for the 2013-2014 season on Friday andSaturday, Oct. 4 and 5, at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis.

The Broadway community mourns the loss of celebrated stage, screen and television actress Julie Harris, who passed away on Saturday at age 87. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in her memory tomorrow night, Wednesday, August 28th, at exactly 7:45 p.m. for one minute.

Rosie's Theater Kids has just announced the celebration of their 10th anniversary with a star studded Gala in NYC at the Marriot Marquis onWednesday, September 25, 2013. RTKids will commemorate this incredible milestone with a tribute to an extraordinary and deserving individual and longtime supporter: Sheila Nevins, President, HBO Documentary Films. They are thrilled to recognize Sheila for her unwavering commitment to the arts. RTKids will also be awarding the Inaugural Velvet Seat Award to none other than their founder - multiple Emmy Award winning television host and actress - Rosie O'Donnell - whose commitment to the students of RTKids knows no bounds.

Goodspeed Musicals, the first two time Tony Award-winning theatre in the country, announced today that the wildly popular Hello, Dolly! has been extended and will now play to enthusiastic audiences for 12 additional performances. This beloved American musical will now run through September 14, 2013. Check out the photos below of some star-studded visitors!

Megan Hilty, who starred on NBC TV's Smash and in Wicked and 9 to 5 the Musical on Broadway, will make her Provincetown debut tonight and tomorrow, August 24 and 25 for four shows only, with shows at 5PM & 7PM each date.

Growing up, I had three passions, theatre, sports, and pro wrestling; today, in my inaugural “Translating Sports” column, I am going to discuss all three. Now, I can either look at this as the culmination of all of my childhood hopes and dreams, or as if my tastes and maturity level has not progressed since I was 12-years-old. I will let you determine which after reading the column.

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff/Artistic Producer) will present two free staged readings of 'notes to MariAnne', a new musical by David Rossmer and Dan Lipton, directed by Leigh Silverman. The readings will take place on Thursday, September 12th at 1:00pm and 4:30pm, at The Steve and Marie Sgouros Theatre (formerly The Players Loft), 115 MacDougal Street. Tickets are free and reservations are available via email at boxoffice@amasmusical.org or by calling212-563-2565.

Megan Mullally is a two-time Emmy-winning star of TV's Will & Grace, and recent star of Broadway's Young Frankenstein. On August 28 & 29 she returns to Provincetown by popular demand - for two shows only - after her sold-out Art House debut last summer. Patti LuPone won her second Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, as well Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, for her performance as Rose in the most recent Broadway production of Gypsy, and created the title role in Evita on Broadway with her now legendary performance, for which she won her first Tony and Drama Desk Awards. On August 31 and September 1 she makes a triumphant Provincetown return for 4 shows only, after debuting at The Art House last summer. Chita Rivera is a living Broadway legend and a two-time Tony winner as Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman and Anna in The Rink. She originated the Broadway roles of Anita in West Side Story, Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie, Velma in Chicago, and appeared in the original casts of Guys and Dolls, Can Can, Seventh Heaven, Mr. Wonderful, Jerry's Girls, and many others. She makes her Provincetown debut on Sept. 7 & 8 with two shows only. Series host and SiriusXM radio star Seth Rudetsky joins each of these three leading ladies at the piano. For tickets please visit www.ptownarthouse.com, or call 1-800-838-3006.

Infinity Theatre Company (Anna Roberts Ostroff & Alan Ostroff) and Perry Street Theatricals (Martin Platt & David Elliott) have just announced that the first Broadway production of DAMES AT SEA will set sail on Broadway in 2014. With a book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller, music by Jim Wise, and musical direction byRob Berman (The Pajama Game, Finian's Rainbow), DAMES AT SEA will be directed and choreographed by three time Tony Award nominee Randy Skinner (42nd Street, Irving Berlin's White Christmas). Design team, casting, production dates and Broadway theatre to be announced at a later date.

Carnegie Hall announced today that it will stage a one-night-only concert performance of Frank Loesser's beloved Broadway musical Guys and Dolls on Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage.

Today we are talking a phenomenally talented performer known for his decades treading the boards in a number of featured and lead roles, most recently wowing crowds with his turn as one of the title characters in THE GERSHWINS' PORGY & BESS - the engaging and golden-voiced Norm Lewis. Discussing many of his most celebrated roles as well as some more obscure, Lewis paints a vivid picture of his career trajectory thus far and shares compelling and candid stories of working on productions as varied and diverse as the original Broadway versions of THE WHO'S TOMMY, SIDE SHOW, THE WILD PARTY, AMOUR, THE LITTLE MERMAID and SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM as well as his sensational work regionally in projects such as his recent essaying of Javert in LES MISERABLES at The Muny (to say nothing of the 25th Anniversary live at the 02) as well as turns in SWEENEY TODD and THE WIZARD & I: THE MUSIC OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ among many others. Additionally, Lewis sheds some light on his recent onscreen work, clueing us in on how he became involved with hit nighttime soap SCANDAL and how he enjoyeds working with co-stars Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn on it - and if we will possibly see him in Season Three, perhaps. Plus, Lewis opens up about his upcoming solo gigs and performing plans - including first news on his starring part in the upcoming Public Theater musical version of THE TEMPEST - as well as touches upon a host of topics ranging from his appearances at spectacular special events - DREAMGIRLS: IN CONCERT, HAIR: IN CONCERT, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA in the Park - to his appearance in SEX & THE CITY 2 (opposite Liza Minnelli) to recording studio work, dream projects, future goals, favorite workshop/reading experiences and much, much more!

On Sunday, August 11, Steve Kazee, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning star of ONCE, took to the Birdland stage with his band, The Shiny Liars (Lora Faye on guitar and Anthony Taddeo on percussion). Scroll down for photos from the concert!

Megan Hilty, who starred on NBC TV's Smash and in Wicked and 9 to 5 the Musical on Broadway, will make her Provincetown debut on August 24 and 25 for four shows only, with shows at 5PM & 7PM each date. Series host and Sirius/Radio star Seth Rudetsky will join her at the piano.

On the heels of its successful first season in 2012/13, the Broadway @ NOCCA concert series has already updated the lineup for its second season. Five of New York theater's leading ladies (one of whom is famously a man in disguise) will perform in New Orleans in 2013/14 as the popular series leaps again to NOCCA's Lupin Hall from its original summer home at The Art House in Provincetown, MA. The series is hosted again by Sirius/XM radio star Seth Rudetsky at piano. The 2013 - 2014 Broadway @ NOCCA Season is made possible by the generous support of The New Orleans Hotel Collection and Gambit.

Seth Rudetsky and Mary J. Davis have announced that Broadway alum and Drama Desk nominee Jennifer Simard will join the critically acclaimed play Unbroken Circle, written by James Wesley, with direction by Jason St. Little. Ms. Simard will take over the role of Edna (originally played by Anika Larsen) beginning tonight, August 7th, at St. Luke's Theatre on West 46th Street.