Audra McDonald News

BroadwayWorld Congratulates Rick Fisher, 2009 Tony Award Winner, 'Best Lighting Design of a Musical'

Additional performances for the 63rd Annual Tony Awards® Telecast were announced today. Dolly Parton along with the cast of 9 to 5: The Musical; Elton John with the cast of Billy Elliot, The Musical; Liza Minnelli; Stockard Channing; and the band Poison along with the cast of Rock of Ages, will be taking the stage, joining previously announced performances by this year's Tony-nominated Best Musicals and Best Musical Revivals, including: Billy Elliot, The Musical; Guys and Dolls; HAIR; Next to Normal; Pal Joey; Rock of Ages; Shrek the Musical; and West Side Story.

The Tony Administration Committee revealed the names of a quartet of honorees who are to be recognized in the four non-competitive Tony categories. Composer/lyricist Jerry Herman, Virginia's Signature Theatre, and longtime press agent Shirley Herz will be honored at the 63rd annual Tony Awards ceremony on June 7. Actress/writer Phyllis Newman will receive the newest Tony Award for her volunteer work as an advocate for women's health.

The Dramatists Guild of America has issued a stern statement regarding the presumed omission of the 'Best Book of a Musical' award from the Tony Award Ceremony this Sunday. The full statement from the D.G.A. President, noted Composer Stephen Schwartz, is as follows:

SIRIUS XM Radio's On Broadway channel will feature extensive Tony Awards programming now through the 63rd annual ceremony on Sunday, June 7. Listeners will hear a special live Tony Awards broadcast hosted by SIRIUS XM hosts Seth Rudetsky and Julie James. In addition to play-by-play commentary and music from the award-winning shows, the special will include exclusive comments from Sir Elton John, composer of the music of Billy Elliot The Musical, which received fifteen nominations, in addition to the premiere of a performance of ?Electricity? by Sir Elton John himself.

Laura Benanti and Brian Stokes Mitchell will host the Creative Arts portion of the 2009 Tony Awards. At 7pm, viewers will be able to login at TonyAwards.com to watch the Creative Arts categories immediately prior to the CBS Broadcast. It is not yet known which awards will fill this segment, however last year's categories included Best Orchestrations and the Design awards.

Tony Winner Audra McDonald has released a statement in regards to The New York Daily News' incorrect report regarding her personal life.

Tony Award winner Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Flower Drum Song) and Anika Larsen (Xanadu, All Shook Up, Avenue Q)

Chance and Chemistry: A Centennial Celebration of Frank Loesser, a concert to benefit The Actors Fund will take place at a Broadway theatre to be announced on Monday, October 26, 2009. The event will be co-chaired by Jo Sullivan Loesser and Sir Paul McCartney.

The American Theatre Wing presented its annual spring gala, last night, Monday, June 1, 2009 at Cipriani 42nd Street (110 East 42nd Street). As in years past, the American Theatre Wing Spring Gala will brought together the best of Broadway. Tony Award winner Hugh Jackman served as the evening's Honorary Chair and Mrs. Schuyler G. Chapin, Lucia Hwong Gordon and Anthony D. Leeds served as Gala Co-Chairs. The entertainment portion of the evening was produced by Class Productions and directed by Lauren Class Schneider. All proceeds benefit the education and outreach programs of the American Theatre Wing.

Additional performances for the 63rd Annual Tony Awards® Telecast were announced today. Dolly Parton along with the cast of 9 to 5: The Musical; Elton John with the cast of Billy Elliot, The Musical; Liza Minnelli; Stockard Channing; and the band Poison along with the cast of Rock of Ages, will be taking the stage, joining previously announced performances by this year's Tony-nominated Best Musicals and Best Musical Revivals, including: Billy Elliot, The Musical; Guys and Dolls; HAIR; Next to Normal; Pal Joey; Rock of Ages; Shrek the Musical; and West Side Story.

Broadway legend Barbara Cook will return to the New York Philharmonic - Saturday, May 30 at 8:00 p.m. - with the Philharmonic conducted by her acclaimed music director, Lee Musiker

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin previews on Wednesday, June 10 for the Shakespeare in the Park production of TWELFTH NIGHT, directed by Daniel Sullivan.

Featured performances for the 63rd Annual Tony Awards were announced today. The Tony Awards telecast on Sunday, June 7th will feature performances by each of the Tony-nominated Best Musicals and Best Musical Revivals, including: Billy Elliot, The Musical; Guys and Dolls; Hair; Next to Normal; Pal Joey; Rock of Ages; Shrek the Musical; and West Side Story. Additionally, The Tony Awards will feature special performances from three touring shows - Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde The Musical and Mamma Mia!

Salt Lake City's Deseret News reports that four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald and 2009 Tony Nominee Will Swenson are set to star in the Hale Center Theater Orem's production of 110 in the Shade. The production will be a fundraiser for the community theater and will from June 28th to August 7th, 2010.

Presenters for the 63rd Annual Antoinette Perry Tony Awards® were announced today. Presenters will not only introduce the evening's various performances, but will also present the Tony Awards to the winners in each of the 27 competitive categories. Lucie Arnaz, Kate Burton, Kristin Chenoweth, Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, Edie Falco, Will Ferrell, Carrie Fisher, Jane Fonda, Hallie Foote, James Gandolfini, Lauren Graham, Colin Hanks, Marcia Gay Harden, Nicole Kidman, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Lange, Frank Langella, Angela Lansbury, Audra McDonald, David Hyde Pierce, Piper Perabo, Oliver Platt, Susan Sarandon, Kevin Spacey, John Stamos, Chandra Wilson, and many others will take the stage in celebration of Broadway's biggest night.

Broadway legend Barbara Cook will return to the New York Philharmonic for a one-night-only performance Saturday, May 30, at 8:00 p.m., conducted by her acclaimed music director, Lee Musiker. Ms. Cook plans to bring to the Avery Fisher Hall stage songs she has never before performed with the New York Philharmonic, such as Stephen Sondheim's 'Send in the Clowns' from A Little Night Music, selections from Meredith Wilson?s The Music Man, and Sondheim?s ?No One Is Alone? from Into the Woods.

The 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards were held tonight, Sunday, May 17, 2009 in the LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. Drama Desk nominees received their official Nomination Certificates at a cocktail reception on Friday, May 1st at Il Bastardo restaurant, 191 Seventh Avenue (between 21st and 22nd Streets).

On Sunday, May 17th, Broadway Impact will present a rally in support of love, peace, and marriage equality for all people. The event will be held from 5pm to 7pm and will take place at Sixth Avenue and 44th Street.

Hunter Foster and Titus Burgess will join SIRIUS XM Radio host Seth Rudetsky for SIRIUS XM Live on Broadway, an exclusive SIRIUS XM musical series that invites Broadway artists to perform live and speak candidly with fans.