Shuffle Along To Close On Broadway July 24

Producer Scott Rudin has announced his Broadway show Shuffle Along will close on July 24th despite receiving rave reviews.

Strangely, Rudin seems to put the onus of closing on leading lady, six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald. McDonald recently announced that she is pregnant and would be leaving the production soon.

However, she was already scheduled to depart the show to appear in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill in London. So, I'm not sure what the difference is between her leaving for a pregnancy or for a previously scheduled commitment in London.

In addition, Shuffle Along has two other Tony Award winners, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter. Plus, Tony Award winner Savion Glover was set to join the cast. So there's no lack of star power on the stage.

See the announcement below via BroadwayWorld:

Producer Scott Rudin has just announced that SHUFFLE ALONG will play its final Broadway performance on Sunday, July 24, 2016. As was previously announced Audra McDonald, the six-time Tony winning star was already set to depart the production on July 24 for what was planned as a multi-month maternity leave. The news comes after reports of both Rhiannon Giddens having been cast and starting rehearsals as her replacement, and after news of choreographer Savion Glover being slated to join the show as well.

"Audra McDonald is the biggest star on Broadway, and audiences have been clamoring to see her in this role since the first preview of Shuffle Along in March of this year," said Scott Rudin in a statement to the press. "She is absolutely extraordinary in the show, and I am filled with gratitude for both her exemplary partnership on Shuffle Along and also for her remarkable resilience and fortitude in doing everything possible to play as many shows as she can, despite the circumstance of her pregnancy.

We are thrilled that she and her husband, Will Swenson, are experiencing the opportunity to expand their family - and we wish them all good things as they approach the birth of their child this fall. It has, however, become clear that the need for Audra to take a prolonged and unexpected hiatus from the show has determined the unfortunate inevitability of our running at a loss for significantly longer than the show can responsibly absorb, and we have decided to close the show when she leaves on July 24. On behalf of myself and George C. Wolfe, I want to say how deeply grateful we are to her for everything she gave and continues to give the show. There is simply nobody like her."

SHUFFLE ALONG began performances on March 15, 2016 and officially opened, to rave reviews, on April 28. It went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for Best Musical, along with the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Choreography (Savion Glover), Outstanding Costume Design (Ann Roth), and Outstanding Wig and Hair Design (Mia M. Neal). It was nominated for ten 2016 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It will have played 38 previews and 100 regular performances by the time it ends its run.

Saturday Show Tune: Audra McDonald, Megan Hilty, Kelli O'Hara "At The Ballet"

People sometimes forget that in the midst of all that brilliant staging and choreography in A Chorus Line lies a Pulitzer Prize-winning score.

Somehow, I had never seen this performance of "At The Ballet" with Audra McDonald, Megan Hilty, Kelli O'Hara.

According to several sources, this song was the first segment of ACL that really gelled. Once director/choreographer Michael Bennett "found" this, things really began to click.

Superbly sung here.

Trailer: Ricki And The Flash Starring Meryl Streep

Ricki And The Flash - starring Meryl Streep, Audra McDonald, Kevin Kline and Rick Springfield.

I think that covers just about every demo you could want, amiright?

Meryl Streep takes on a whole new gig – a hard-rocking singer/guitarist – for Oscar®-winning director Jonathan Demme and Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody in Ricki and the Flash.

In an original and electrifying film loaded with live musical performances, Streep stars as Ricki Rendazzo, a guitar heroine who made a world of mistakes as she followed her dreams of rock-and-roll stardom. Returning home, Ricki gets a shot at redemption and a chance to make things right as she faces the music with her family. Streep stars opposite her real-life daughter Mamie Gummer; Rick Springfield, portraying a Flash member in love with Ricki; Kevin Kline as Ricki’s ex-husband; and Audra McDonald as Kline’s new wife.

Hits theaters August 7.

Audra McDonald Tweets Indiana Governor Over Anti-Gay "Religious Freedom" Law

Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed sweeping anti-gay "religious freedom" legislation into law today.

And with concerts coming up in the Hoosier state, six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald took to Twitter to school the conservative governor over the anti-gay law.

This made my night...

.@GovPenceIN Some in my band are gay & we have 2 gigs in your state next month. Should we call ahead to make sure the hotel accepts us all?
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) March 26, 2015

.@GovPenceIN or could you maybe send us a list of where its okay for us to go? Might the law apply to me?(I'm black).
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) March 26, 2015

.@GovPenceIN or maybe I should fire my gay band members just to be on the safe side.
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) March 26, 2015

.@GovPenceIN Or MAYBE...we need to stick to singing in states that don't legislate hate?
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) March 26, 2015

.@GovPenceIN Or MAYBE I donate the money I make in your state while Im there to organizations that will combat your hateful legislation.

— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) March 26, 2015

Audra McDonald Will Return To Broadway In "Shuffle Along"

Next spring, six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald will return to Broadway to star in Shuffle Along, Or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed.

Produced by Scott Rudin, the piece tells the backstory of Shuffle Along, the 1921 musical comedy by Flournoy Miller and Aubrey Lyles with music and lyrics by Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle.

Arriving on Broadway seemingly doomed to fail, the work bucked the odds to become a runaway success that helped to launch the careers of Lottie Gee — who will be portrayed on Broadway by Audra, Josephine Baker, and Paul Robeson, among others.

Opening on April 21, 2016 at the Music Box Theater, Shuffle Along is a collaboration between Audra, George C. Wolfe, and Savion Glover, with music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Daryl Waters.

Audra won her sixth Tony Award for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill last season. The performance has been filmed by HBO with an air date yet to be announced.

(via Audra McDonald official website)

Audra McDonald lands at #1 on four Billboard Charts with "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill" Cast Recording

From Billboard:

Audra McDonald, Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill (No. 156): McDonald's Tony Award-winning turn as Billie Holiday arrives in album form, as the original Broadway cast recording sings out with 2,000 sold and debuts at No. 156 on the Billboard 200.

The six-time Tony winner also bows at No. 1 on four other charts: Heatseekers Albums, Jazz Albums, Traditional Jazz Albums and Cast Albums.

Tweet of the day: Audra McDonald on Michael Sam

As they froth at the mouth over on FOX News about the fact that Michael Sam kissed his boyfriend after getting the call that he was being drafted by the St. Louis Rams, five-time Tony Award winner brings some common sense to the conversation:

"It's the biggest day of ur life.  A call confirms ur dream has come true.  U turn 2 the love of ur life & ... shake their hand? NOPE.  #MICHAELSAM"

Brilliant.

Audra McDonald sings "God Bless the Child" on The Colbert Report

Five-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald dropped by The Colbert Report to sing "God Bless the Child" from her Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Award-nominated performance in Broadway's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill.

Entertainment Weekly said Audra gives "One of the most exquisite and haunting performances of the year."

The Colbert Report
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Oprah considers Broadway debut opposite 5-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald

Oprah Winfrey (L) and Audra McDonald (R)

Ok. If you REALLY want to sell out the run of a play, you need to get a big star.

Even better - TWO big stars.

Two BIG stars.

And that just may happen.

The New York Times has the story:

Oprah Winfrey is in talks to make her Broadway debut in a revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “’night, Mother,” starring opposite Tony-Award winner Audra McDonald as a mother struggling to stop her daughter from killing herself, according to two theater executives familiar with the plans.

The Tony winner George C. Wolfe (“Lucky Guy”) would direct the production, which is being aimed for the 2015-16 Broadway season.

Read more at the New York Times.

DVD: "The Sound of Music" starring Carrie Underwood & Stephen Moyer

Released today - the DVD of "The Sound of Music - LIVE!" starring Carrie Underwood and Stephen Moyer, featuring Audra McDonald, Laura Benanti and Christian Borle.

I know a lot of people were critical of the endeavor, but many championed the live telecast as getting musical theater in front of a bigger audience.  Plus, many of our Broadway tribe members were employed by the production.

You can check it our on Amazon.

Before the SOM telecast - Audra McDonald sings "Climb Evr'y Mountain"

Just exquisite. Gorgeous connection to what she's singing.

There's a reason she has 5 Tony Awards.

(h/t Dave T)

Audra McDonald sings Billy Idol's "White Wedding"

Stephen Colbert's Government Shutdown Wedding of the Century

After Colbert pronounced the couple husband and wife - "by the power vested in me by the state of New York and the entire Viacom family of entertainment networks,"

And for the first dance, the couple was serenaded by five-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald singing Billy Idol's White Wedding.

Legit performances of pop songs always get me. And when you can deliver like Audra, it's just a comedy home run.

NBC's "The Sound of Music" gets three Broadway heavy-hitters

According to the Hollywood Reporter, NBC's upcoming live broadcast of The Sound of Music will feature even more theater star power in addition to previously announced Carrie Underwood ("Maria") and Stephen Moyer ("Captain Von Trapp").

Audra McDonald, Laura Benanti and Christian Borle have signed on to play Mother Abbess, Elsa Schrader and Max Dettweiler respectively.

The three-hour production is based on the original 1959 Broadway production of The Sound of Music.

The Sound of Music, produced by Universal TV, is executive produced by Neil Meron and Craig Zadan. The production will be directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and Rob Ashford.

Audra McDonald to host 7 broadcasts of "Live From Lincoln Center"

Winner of five Tony Awards and two Grammy Awards will host seven broadcasts of "Live From Lincoln Center."

I got to meet Audra during her first Broadway show - Carousel, which was playing at Lincoln Center - and she was as charming and connected as you would wish.

She still is. And damn if she doesn't make everything look easy. And we all know that it's not.

You have to be happy for her and everything that comes her way.

Audra McDonald supports President Obama on marriage equality

Four time Tony Award winning singer and actress Audra McDonald tells why she supports President Obama's announcement of his support for the freedom to marry.

Audra is nominated for a Tony for her role in the Broadway smash "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess."

Audra McDonald & Norm Lewis: "I Loves You Porgy" from Porgy and Bess

.

How much do I love these two performers? Doesn't get any better.

Congrats to both Audra and Norm for the success of Porgy and Bess.

Promo video for new Broadway "Porgy and Bess"

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS officially opened on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street).

The cast is led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald as 'Bess,' Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis as 'Porgy' and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier as 'Sporting Life.'

Audra is brilliant in everything she does - rave reviews all over the place.

And I always love me some Norm Lewis. Go see the show on Broadway.

Strong NY Times review for new "Porgy and Bess" starring Audra McDonald

The NY Times review: "The hurricane that’s said to be headed for Catfish Row has yet to arrive early in the second act of “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” which opened on Thursday night in a new, slimmed-down reincarnation at the Richard Rodgers Theater. The climate so far might be described as mostly cloudy and mild, as might this version of the show. But suddenly an elemental force takes possession of the stage, and its tremors course through the audience."

"That’s the storm raging within a woman who’s tearing herself to pieces before our eyes, fighting with her infernal attraction to a man she knows she should be fleeing. For devastating theatrical impact, it’s hard to imagine any hurricane matching the tempest that is the extraordinary Audra McDonald’s Bess at the moment she is reunited with her former lover, Crown, played by Phillip Boykin. And no matter what they’re calling it these days — a musical, I believe — “Porgy and Bess” has suddenly risen to its natural heights as towering, emotion-saturated opera."

"Mr. Norm Lewis, a Broadway veteran (“Sondheim by Sondheim,” “The Little Mermaid”), combines modesty and dignity as the crippled Porgy. His singing voice is supple and smooth, and his “I Got Plenty of Nothing” is rendered with a charming nonchalance."

Read the entire review at NY Times.

"Heavy" from Dreamgirls Concert 2001 - Audra McDonald, Lilias White and Heather Headley

The original cast of Dreamgirls was the best Broadway show I ever saw.

This concert in 2001 - also starring Billy Porter ("Jimmy Early") and Norm Lewis ("Curtis") - was a fantastic 'dream cast' event.

I just found this clip on youtube. All three ladies are fantastic to begin with, and then there's the terrific material.

Enjoy!

Porgy and Bess heading to Broadway

A revamped version of George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess,” starring Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis and David Alan Grier, will go to Broadway soon after it completes its run, previously announced, at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass.

Producers announced on Wednesday that the show — which plays down its roots as an opera and features a reworked book by the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and new arrangements by Diedre Murray — will open at the Richard Rodgers Theater on Jan. 12, with previews beginning on Dec. 17.

Diane Paulus, the artistic director at the A.R.T., will direct “Porgy and Bess.” Kicking off the company’s season, the show is slated to run from Aug. 17 to Oct. 2, with an opening night on Aug. 31.

The casting of Ms. McDonald as Bess, Mr. Lewis (“Sondheim on Sondheim”) as Porgy, Mr. Grier (“Race”) as Sportin’ Life, and Joshua Henry (“The Scottsboro Boys”) as Jake made clear this was unlikely to be just a short regional run. And the producers, Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel, expressed optimism about Broadway after workshops and a developmental performance for investors in May.

Read more at NYtimes.com