Heather Hill News

As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, Audra McDonald, the five-time Tony winning star of PORGY & BESS, will indeed be returning to the show today following a 2-week doctor-mandated hiatus.

A devout theater fan knows no holiday, and thankfully, many of Broadway's most beloved shows and performers nationwide don't either. So what's a theater enthusiast to do on this Independence Day? Check out a sampling of this year's most exciting 4th of July offerings and click below to revisit some of your favorites saluting our nation in song!

Producers of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS, the 2012 Tony Award winner for Best Revival of a Musical, announced today that Audra McDonald has been ordered on a period of complete vocal rest by her doctor through the end of the month. As a result of performing with a respiratory infection last week, her vocal cords have become inflamed to a point where she cannot sing. She is scheduled to return to the production on Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

THAT PLAY: A Solo Macbeth, starring Tom Gualtieri, has extended its Off-Broadway Run through July 12 at Stage Left Studio. Check out the trailer video below, which features Lady Macbeth planning interior decoratation for the castle.

Last night, June 10, Audra McDonald took home her 5th Tony Award for for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role of 'Bess' in THE GERSWIN's PORGY AND BESS. Though we'd think she'd be used to the feeling of winning by now, McDonald spoke with BroadwayWorld just moments after her win only to reveal how it still feels 'out of body'. Click below to hear from the Broadway darling herself!

At midtown's Stage Left Studio, it's all about the writing. Producer Cheryl King has selected five critically acclaimed plays on a variety of subjects: Cuban refugees, 1930's biracial lesbian love, surviving cancer, rent stabilization, and a solo Macbeth.

Audra McDonald is the recipient of this year's Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role of 'Bess' in THE GERSWIN's PORGY AND BESS. The award marks McDonald's fifth Tony award win.

THE GERSHWIN'S PORGY AND BESS is this year's recipient of the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

View members of the cast at yesterday's Barnes & Noble cast recording performance and signing below!

At midtown's Stage Left Studio, it's all about the writing. Producer Cheryl King has selected five critically acclaimed plays on a variety of subjects: Cuban refugees, 1930's biracial lesbian love, surviving cancer, rent stabilization, and a solo Macbeth.

At midtown's Stage Left Studio, it's all about the writing. Producer Cheryl King has selected five critically acclaimed plays on a variety of subjects: Cuban refugees, 1930's biracial lesbian love, surviving cancer, rent stabilization, and a solo Macbeth.

At midtown's Stage Left Studio, it's all about the writing. Producer Cheryl King has selected five critically acclaimed plays on a variety of subjects: Cuban refugees, 1930's biracial lesbian love, surviving cancer, rent stabilization, and a solo Macbeth.

PS Classics will release the New Broadway Cast Recording of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, currently available for pre-order, on May 22. Additionally they are offering a first listen of some of the tracks on their website. Click here to check them out! The full track list is as follows:

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess is now on Broadway with a cast led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, 'Private Practice') as Bess, Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Porgy and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier (Race, 'In Living Color') as Sporting Life. In the video below, the audience got a special surprise when the cast welcomed a couple onstage for a heartwarming marriage propsal. Click below to check it out!

The revised book of The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess has been the subject of much discussion since it's debut at A.R.T. last August, and according to Patrick Healy of the New York Times, there is still debate over its Tony eligibility. Last week, when the Tony administration committee made a decision regarding David Alan Grier's eligibility as a featured actor, they 'took no action' with the musical's updated book (by Suzan-Lori Parks and Diedre Murray), thus making it ineligible for a 'Best Book' Tony Award.

Nikki Renée Daniels, who is currently starring as Clara in The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS, will release her debut solo recording today, March 27, 2012. Entitled 'Home,' the recording will be available on cdbaby.com and iTunes. The CD features an eclectic mix of gospel, pop and Broadway favorites. For more information and to hear song samples visit www.nikkireneedaniels.com.