Brief 4/16: NYTW Gala, Broadway Benefit Concert for Parkland, and More!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Scroll down for the latest news. Want our morning reports delivered via email? Subscribe here!

1) VIDEO: Saturday Night Live Parodies LES MISERABLES...With Lobsters
by Stage Tube - April 15, 2018

On last night's Saturday Night Live, the cast performed an epic medley of songs from Les Miserables. But instead of Jean Valjean, Cosette, and the rest of the characters we know and love, the cast was made up of...lobsters?. (more...)

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2) SMASH Lives On! Megan Hilty Visits Katharine McPhee at WAITRESS
by Stephanie Wild - April 15, 2018

We're glad to see Ivy and Karen still keep in touch! Megan Hilty went to see her SMASH costar Katharine McPhee as Jenna in Waitress last night.. (more...)

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3) BWW TV: Go Inside Rehearsals for David Henry Hwang & Jeanine Tesori's SOFT POWER!
by BroadwayWorld TV - April 15, 2018

The upcoming world premiere of 'Soft Power' by David Henry Hwang (play and lyrics) and Jeanine Tesori (music and additional lyrics) will be produced by Center Theatre Group at the Ahmanson Theatre from May 3 through June 10, 2018. Directed by Leigh Silverman and choreographed by Sam Pinkleton, the opening of 'Soft Power' is set for May 16. Following its run at the Ahmanson, 'Soft Power' will play San Francisco's Curran from June 20 through July 8, 2018.. (more...)

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4) BWW's On This Day - April 15, 2018
by - April 15, 2018

Here are the Broadway, Off-Broadway and West End shows which opened on April 15 along with all of the upcoming show openings, closings and special events! . (more...)

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5) Kentwood Players Announces Auditions For DADDY'S DYIN' WHO'S GOT THE WILL?
by BWW News Desk - April 15, 2018

Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for DADDY'S DYIN' WHO'S GOT THE WILL?, by Del Shores, on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 10:00am to 1:00pm and Sunday, May 13 from 6:00 to 9:00pm. Callbacks will be held on Monday, May 14 at 7:00pm by invitation only. This is a non-equity, non-paid production directed by Kirk Larson and produced by Alison Boole and Elizabeth Summerer for Kentwood Players with rights secured from Samuel French, Inc.. (more...)

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Today's Call Sheet:

-New York Theatre Workshop's 2018 Gala, honoring John Tiffany and Barbara Cutler Emden, will be held tonight!

-Matthew Morrison, Rachel Bloom, Noah Galvin, and more unite in Sunrise, FL for the FROM BROADWAY WITH LOVE benefit concert for Parkland!

-NYU Tisch School of the Arts holds its 2018 gala tonight!

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BWW Exclusive: University of Alabama shows what they've got at Broadway Sessions!

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What we're geeking out over: Watch Caissie Levy chat being the first pants-wearing princess with Rachael Ray!

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What we're watching: Check out a preview of MY FAIR LADY!

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Social Butterfly: Bonnie Milligan took us behind the scenes of HEAD OVER HEELS on BWW's Instagram! Follow BroadwayWorld on Instagram and check out the updates if you missed them!

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And a Happy Birthday shout-out to Kelli O'Hara, who turns 42 today!

Kelli O'Hara has unequivocally established herself as one of Broadway's great leading ladies. Her portrayal of Anna Leonowens in the critically acclaimed revival of "The King and I" recently garnered her a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, along with Drama League and Outer Critics nominations. In 2014, her performance as Francesca in the musical adaptation of "The Bridges of Madison County" earned her Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle nominations. Also that year, she starred as Mrs. Darling in NBC's live telecast of "Peter Pan" alongside Allison Williams and Christian Borle, and on New Year's Eve, Kelli made her Metropolitan Opera debut in the production of "The Merry Widow" with Renee Fleming.

A native of Oklahoma, Kelli received a degree in opera, and after winning the State Metropolitan Opera Competition, moved to New York and enrolled in the Lee StrasbergInstitute. She made her Broadway debut in "Jekyll & Hyde" and followed it with Sondheim's "Follies," "Sweet Smell of Success" opposite John Lithgow, and "Dracula." In 2003 Kelli committed to a production of "The Light in the Piazza" at Seattle's Intiman Theatre. The show landed on Broadway in 2005 and earned Kelli her first Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations. She moved from one critical and commercial success to another when she joined Harry Connick on Broadway in the 2006 Tony award-winning production of "The Pajama Game," for which Kelli received Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Award nominations. Kelli starred in the Tony Award-winning revival of "South Pacific" at Lincoln Center, enrapturing audiences and critics alike with her soulful and complex interpretation of Nellie Forbush, and garnering Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Award nominations. She later teamed up with Matthew Broderick in Broadway's musical comedy "Nice Work if You Can Get it," earning Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle nominations, as well as the Fred AstaireNomination for dance.

Among her film and television credits are "Sex & The City 2," Martin Scorsese's short "The Key to Reserva" opposite Simon Baker; "The Dying Gaul," "Blue Bloods" (NBC pilot), "All Rise" (NBC pilot), "Alexander Hamilton" (Maria Reynolds) starring Brian F. O'Byrne (PBS), "NUMB3RS" (CBS), "All My Children," the animated series "Car Talk," and numerous live performances on national television shows.

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See you bright and early tomorrow, BroadwayWorld!