Behind the Curtain: Understudy to replace Audra at 'Porgy,' more
Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis in “Porgy and Bess.” (Michael J. Lutch) Credit: Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis in “Porgy and Bess.” (Michael J. Lutch)
'Porgy'
Audra McDonald, who recently won her fifth Tony for her acclaimed performance in "Porgy and Bess," has missed numerous performances since December due to vocal strain and illness. The show's producers announced Wednesday that her understudy, Alicia Hall Moran, will now play Bess at all Wednesday night performances.
Mike Tyson's one-man show set for Broadway
Mike Tyson's one-man show, "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth," which he's already performed in Las Vegas, will come to Broadway next month for six performances. Spike Lee will direct and is expected to shorten the show's length. A $299.50 ticket comes with the chance to meet Tyson.
'JCS' and 'Sister Act' post closing notices
Unless business picks up soon, the Broadway revival of "Jesus Christ Superstar" will close on July 1. While Des McAnuff's staging is quite good (and the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice score sounds better than ever), it's been overshadowed by the simultaneous revival of Webber and Rice's "Evita." "Sister Act" will also close up, with its last show on Aug. 26. While the show's grosses were never all that great, it did manage to eke out a yearlong run. A North American tour will kick off in the fall and other productions of it are already being staged all over the world.
'Bare' to finally open Off-Broadway
Eight years ago, "Bare," a vigorous rock musical about gay teens at boarding school, was supposed to inaugurate the Off-Broadway complex New World Stages, which was then named Dodger Stages. ("Altar Boyz," which opened in its place, ran for five years.) With a new creative team onboard, a revised version of "Bare" is finally going to open at New World this fall.
Borle to exit 'Starcatcher' on June 30
Christian Borle, who received a Tony Award for his hammy performance in "Peter and the Starcatcher," will exit the production on June 30 in order to film the next season of the television series, "Smash." Matthew Saldivar, who is currently in the Broadway cast of "A Streetcar Named Desire," will take over as Black Stache.
'Charlie' headed for London debut
The stage musical version of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" - which will be directed by Sam Mendes and feature new songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman ("Hairspray") - is on track to premiere in London next summer.
Geoffrey Rush to do 'Forum' in Australia
Geoffrey Rush, whose recent stage performances in "Exit the King" and "Diary of a Mad Men" were all marked by dramatic insanity, is going for something lighter. He will star in an Australian production of the Sondheim musical farce, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," to be directed by Simon Phillips ("Priscilla Queen of the Desert"). Stephen Sondheim himself is said to be attending.
Spotted ...
Julianna Margulies at opening night of "Harvey" ... Jane Krakowski, Joy Behar and Mandy Patinkin at Patti LuPone's new cabaret show at Below 54 ... Joel Grey and Tommy Tune at opening night of Laura Osnes' cabaret show at the Carlyle ... Gregg Allman at "Jesus Christ Superstar"
