While you were enjoying your short work week, here’s what was happening this week In the Wings.
The performers are set for the 68th Annual Tony Awards. The CBS broadcast, which will be presented June 8 at Radio City Music Hall, will feature selections from all the Best Musical and Best Revival of a Musical categories, as well as performances from “Bullets Over Broadway,” “Rocky,” “Cabaret,” and “If/Then.” Music legends Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Fantasia Barrino will take the stage together for a performance from “After Midnight.” Sting will also be on hand to perform a song from his upcoming Broadway musical, “The Last Ship.” And as a special treat, the cast of “Wicked” will perform to celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary. The Tonys air at 8 p.m. and will be hosted by Hugh Jackman. [More info]
Will Elisabeth Moss headline "The Heidi Chronicles" revival? According to The New York Times, the "Mad Men" actress is in negotiations to star in the Wendy Wasserstein-play. The production is eyeing the late winter or spring of 2015. Moss was last seen on Broadway in 2008's revival of David Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow." [More info]
Gloria Estefan's "On Your Feet" a sure thing for Broadway. The musical, based on the life of Gloria and her husband Emilio, will feature new songs by the pair and a catalog of Estefan-hits, including "The Rhythm is Gonna Get You," "Conga," "1, 2, 3," "Coming Out of the Dark" and the Oscar-nominated "Music Of My Heart." Tony winner Jerry Mitchell will direct the show, which will premiere in Chicago next summer before congaing to Broadway for Fall 2015. [More info]
Audra McDonald will record “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” live. Rather than heading into the studio to lay down her renditions of Billie Holiday’s classics, McDonald will do it live during performances the week of May 27-31 at the Circle in the Square Theatre. The two-disc set will be released on PS Classics on July 15. Way to ignore that “any recording devices are strictly prohibited” announcement, guys. [More info]
Original Pippin returns to “Pippin.” Tony winner John Rubinstein, who made his Broadway debut and created the title role in the original 1972 production of “Pippin,” will join the Tony-winning revival this summer. Rubinstein will play Charles, Pippin’s father, in a limited run from June 20-27. Time to start practicing that knife-throwing, John! [More Info]
Broadway contributed nearly $12 billion to NYC during 2012-13 season. The Broadway League has released their biennial report measuring the full economic impact of spending by Broadway production companies, theater operators and those visitors drawn to NYC by Broadway. And for the 2012-13 season, the full contribution of Broadway Tourists amounted to $9.6 billion; shows contributed $2.2 billion; and theatres $17 million, for a total of $11.9 billion to NYC’s economy. In total, Broadway supports 87,000 jobs and generates $500 million in taxes to NYC. [More info]
