Nikki M. James News

Yesterday, May 21, the Actor's Fund held its annual gala at the New York Marriott Marquis, honoring Tony and Emmy Award winning artist and activist Harry Belafonte, acting duo Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller, and real estate developer David Steiner. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you photo coverage below!

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation previously announced that theater and film stars Julie White ("Transformers," "Little Dog Laughed") and Tony Goldwyn ("Ghost," ABC's new hit series "Scandal") would host the third annual Born for Broadway benefit, which takes place at the American Airlines Theatre, 227 West 42nd Street, tonight, May 21, 2012 at 8 PM.

Several Tony Award-winners are teaming up to bring an adaptation of the 1988 musical "Lucky Stiff" to the screen. The show, based on Michael Butterworth's 1965 novel "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo," was written by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty and first performed at New York's Playwright's Horizons where it won the Richard Rogers Production Award before going on to London and hundreds of international productions. Ahrens & Flaherty went on to win the Tony for their musical "Ragtime" as well as two Academy Award nominations. Other notable credits include "Once On This Island" and "Seussical." Ahrens has adapted the play for the screen, while Flaherty and Ahrens have written additional songs.

Among the former Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre nominees and winners are Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway, Tony award winner Laura Benanti and 2011 Tony Award winner, Nikki M. James.

A free concert celebrating the release of Over The Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project, a multi-media charity project that includes a two-CD set of original lullabies composed and sung by Broadway's brightest stars, a lavishly-illustrated hardcover book of 17 songs from the album, a corresponding e-book encompassing the entire collection, and a documentary film. The project gathers many of contemporary theater's greatest composers and vocalists, as well as award-winning illustrators and set designers, all of whom donated their talent to this endeavor.

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation has announced that theater and film stars Julie White ("Transformers," "Little Dog Laughed") and Tony Goldwyn ("Ghost," ABC's new hit series "Scandal") will host the third annual Born for Broadway benefit, which will take place at the American Airlines Theatre, 227 West 42nd Street, on Monday, May 21, 2012 at 8 PM.

Monday, April 30, The New York Pops marked its 29th birthday with a grand gala evening titled 'Journey On' honoring Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the Tony Award-winning and Oscar-nominated songwriting team of such renowned Broadway musicals as Ragtime, Once On This Island, Seussical, My Favorite Year, A Man of No Importance, The Glorious Ones and the feature film Anastasia.

On Monday, April 30, The New York Pops marked its 29th birthday with a grand gala evening titled 'Journey On' honoring Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the Tony Award-winning and Oscar-nominated songwriting team of such renowned Broadway musicals as Ragtime, Once On This Island, Seussical, My Favorite Year, A Man of No Importance, The Glorious Ones and the feature film Anastasia.

Transport Group, the Drama Desk and OBIE award-winning theatre company, launched its spring 2012 online auction earlier this week.

The Skin Cancer Foundation Presents: A Night The Stars Shine On, Thursday, April 26, 2012. The event will be an evening of fine flavors and spirits at Ristorante Barolo in SoHo. Guests will enjoy beats by Jarrell Entertainment, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, as well as the cherry blossoms blooming in the restaurant's charming back garden. The evening offers a unique opportunity to socialize and network in New York City's famous SoHo neighborhood. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Skin Cancer Foundation's research and education initiatives.

On Monday, April 30, The New York Pops marks its 29th birthday with a grand gala evening titled 'Journey On' honoring Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the Tony Award-winning and Oscar-nominated songwriting team of such renowned Broadway musicals as Ragtime, Once On This Island, Seussical, My Favorite Year, A Man of No Importance, The Glorious Ones and the feature film Anastasia.

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation has announced the cast for the third annual Born for Broadway benefit, which will take place at the American Airlines Theatre, 227 West 42nd Street, on Monday, May 21, 2012 at 8 PM. Tony nominated director Marcia Milgrom Dodge (Ragtime) will direct; Lawrence Yurman (On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, Grey Gardens) is the Musical Director.

A free concert celebrating the release of Over The Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project, a multi-media charity project that includes a two-CD set of original lullabies composed and sung by Broadway's brightest stars, a lavishly-illustrated hardcover book of 17 songs from the album, a corresponding e-book encompassing the entire collection, and a documentary film. The project gathers many of contemporary theater's greatest composers and vocalists, as well as award-winning illustrators and set designers, all of whom donated their talent to this endeavor.

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: SEMINAR gets a new cast, HOW TO SUCCEED celebrates first birthday, NEWSIES takes a Broadway bow, and so much more!

Two-time Tony Award nominee Gavin Creel will star as Elder Price in the First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON, the production announced today. THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony®Awards including Best Musical, will launch the First National Tour in Denver from August 14-September 2 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Additional casting will be announced soon.

MCC THEATER presented the company's highly anticipated annual gala, Miscast, last night, March 26 at the Hammerstein Ballroom. The starry line up of participants included Jonathan Groff ("Glee," Spring Awakening), Megan Hilty ("Smash," 9 to 5), Tony® Award-winner Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), Josh Gad ("Modern Family," The Book of Mormon), Norm Lewis (The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess), Jan Maxwell (Follies, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Rory O'Malley (The Book of Mormon), Constantine Maroulis ("American Idol," Rock of Ages), Nicole Parker ("Mad TV," a Miscast favorite returning for her 4th time).

MCC Theater presented the company's highly anticipated annual gala, Miscast last night, March 26, at the Hammerstein Ballroom. The starry line up of participants included Jonathan Groff ("Glee," Spring Awakening), Megan Hilty ("Smash," 9 to 5), Tony® Award-winner Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), Josh Gad ("Modern Family," The Book of Mormon), Norm Lewis (The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess), Jan Maxwell (Follies, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Rory O'Malley (The Book of Mormon), Constantine Maroulis ("American Idol," Rock of Ages), Nicole Parker ("Mad TV," a Miscast favorite returning for her 4th time). Check out photo coverage of the arrivals below!

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey and William Cantler, Artistic Directors; Blake West, Executive Director) will tonight present the company's highly anticipated annual gala. Complimenting the glittering, previously announced Miscast will be Josh Gad ("Modern Family," The Book of Mormon), Norm Lewis (The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess), Jan Maxwell (Follies, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Rory O'Malley (The Book of Mormon), Constantine Maroulis ("American Idol," Rock of Ages), and Nicole Parker ("Mad TV," a Miscast favorite returning for her 4th time). The event will be held Monday, March 26, 2012 at The Hammerstein Ballroom (311 West 34th Street).

Broadway's brightest stars, composers, and musicians are teaming up to create OVER THE MOON: The Broadway Lullaby Project. A 2-CD set of original lullabies plus 48-page children's book and ebook illustrated by America's best-loved artists. The project, executive produced by Kate Dawson and Jodi Glucksman, benefits breast cancer research, support and education. BroadwayWorld is bringing you exclusive videos of some of your favorite Broadway stars inside the recording studio, contributing their talents to the album. In this episode, we bring you Tony Award-winning actress & singer Nikki M. James (Book of Mormon) recording 'All New' (Music by Marisa Michelson, Lyrics by Joshua H. Cohen). This original lullaby features Fred Hersch on piano and Dave Eggar on cello, produced by Matt Pierson. These are original scenes from the upcoming documentary and web series by Out of The Blue Films, Inc. (www.outofthebluefilms.com).