Wake Up With BWW 4/3: Idina Menzel Headlines Kennedy Center Gala, and More!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Get over the hump today by catching up on the latest Broadway news!

First, we've got your photos from the red carpet at MCC's Miscast 2019, featuring Laura Linney, Bernadette Peters, Kelli O'Hara, Beth Leavel, Stephanie J. Block, and more!

Patti LuPone has officially tweeted! What sassy comment has she made this time? Find out in the story below!

We also have an exclusive first look at Ahrens and Flaherty's Marie, Dancing Still! Check out all of the photos below!

Learn more about these and other stories by scrolling down! Want our morning reports delivered via email? Subscribe here!

1) Photo Coverage: Kelli O'Hara, Beth Leavel, Stephanie J. Block, and More at MCC's MISCAST 2019
by Walter McBride

MCC Theater's annual Miscast gala is one of the most exciting and unique theater events in town. Broadway's hottest stars perform songs from roles in which they would never be cast.. (more...)

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2) Patti LuPone Makes Her First Appearance On Twitter

Last week, Broadway Twitter got a wonderful and unexpected treat when Tony Award-winner Patti LuPone made her first official appearance on the social networking site. Working under the handle @PattiLuPone, LuPone joined the social network with an immediately verified account - but had yet to tweet, like, quote, or grace us with any content whatsoever.. (more...)

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3) Production Has Wrapped on Tom Hooper's CATS Film
by TV News Desk

Working Title has announced that production has wrapped at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire, UK for the big screen adaptation of Cats, which is set to hit theatres on December 20, 2019!. (more...)

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4) Gillian Anderson, Ian McKellen, and More Will Lead World Premiere Of WHODUNNIT [UNREHEARSED]

In the first glimpse of Park Theatre's new season, the theatre can reveal initial star casting for their World Premiere murder mystery Whodunnit [Unrehearsed], in association with Avalon. Every night, a different guest performer will step onstage to join the rehearsed ensemble of a scripted murder mystery play, having attended no rehearsals, read no script, nor received any direction. Armed only with a hidden earpiece to receive instructions, they will endeavour to solve the crime in real time.. (more...)

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5) VIDEO: Randy Rainbow Tackles 'Cruella DeVos' in Latest Song Parody
by Stage Tube

In his latest hilarious video, Randy Rainbow is taking on Betsy DeVos, and channeling his inner Disney villain. Watch the video for 'Cruella DeVos' below!. (more...)

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Today's Call Sheet:

Idina Menzel will headline the Kennedy Center Gala tonight!

Arts patrons will come together tonight for The Kennedy Center Gala Celebrating the Human Spirit, honoring philanthropists Patrick G. Ryan and Shirley W. Ryan of Chicago, and actor, producer, and humanitarian Forest Whitaker, the recipients of the 2019 Kennedy Center Award for the Human Spirit. The evening features an intimate dinner and awards presentation, a Gala Performance by Tony Award-winning icon Idina Menzel, and an after-party.

Tony Yazbeck-led THE CRADLE WILL ROCK opens tonight at Classic Stage Company!

A Depression-era indictment of rampant capitalism told almost entirely in song, The Cradle Will Rock maintains a twinkle in its eye while bearing sharp fangs. The 1937 premiere of this story of American class tensions-directed by Orson Welles-was famously shut down on the eve of opening night by federal authorities over so-called "budget cuts," commonly considered a thin veil for fears of the play's pro-labor stance. The artists involved rebelliously circumvented its cancellation, making for one of the most memorable stories in 20th Century Theater history.

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BWW Exclusive: First Look At Ahrens & Flaherty's MARIE, DANCING STILL At 5th Avenue Theatre

5th Avenue Theatre presents Marie: A New Musical. Tony Award-winning authors Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once On This Island), five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman (The Producers, Contact), and acclaimed New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck.

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Set Your DVR...

-John Lithgow will appear on THE LATE SHOW WITH Stephen Colbert tonight!

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What we're geeking out over: Meet New WAITRESS Stars Shoshana Bean and Jeremy Jordan!

The pie shop is filled with new faces this spring as Shoshana Bean and Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan take over the roles of Jenna and Dr. Pomatter in Waitress on Broadway. Bean can currently be seen alongside Joey McIntyre as Dr. Pomatter, who plays his final performance on April 7. Jordan will take over the role on April 8 through May 12, 2019.

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What we're watching: MEAN GIRLS Stars Channel Their Inner Jersey Boys at MCC's Miscast!

MCC Theater recently presented its annual Miscast gala, where Broadway's hottest stars performed songs from roles in which they would never be cast.

Check out an exclusive video featuring the ladies of Mean Girls (Krystina Alabado, Taylor Louderman, Kate Rockwell & Barrett Wilbert Weed) as they channel their inner Jersey Boys with a medley of songs from the show!

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Social Butterfly:

The Broadway transfer of Beetlejuice began previews on March 28th and is now on stage at the Winter Garden Theatre. The show welcomes back original members of the Washington DC company including Alex Brightman in the title role, Sophia Anne Caruso as Lydia, Kerry Butler as Barbara, Rob McClure as Adam, Adam Dannheisser as Charles, and Leslie Kritzer as Delia.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at the Maitlands - the ghosts that haunt the home of Lydia Deetz! Check out the photo below!

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And a Happy Birthday shout-out to David Hyde Pierce, who turns 60 today!

Pierce most recently starred as Horace Vandergelder in the revival of Hello, Dolly! for which he received a Tony nomination, a Drama League Award nomination, and an Outer Critics' Circle nomination. More of Pierce's Broadway credits include: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Tony Award®, Drama League nomination), La Bête, Accent on Youth, Curtains (Tony®), Spamalot (Drama Desk nomination), The Heidi Chronicles, Beyond Therapy. Off-Broadway: A Life, White Rabbit Red Rabbit, The Landing, Close Up Space, Elliot Loves, The Author's Voice, The Maderati, Zero Positive, Summer, That's It Folks!, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, Peter Brook's production of The Cherry Orchard. Film: The Perfect Host, Wet Hot American Summer, Down with Love, Isn't She Great, Wolf, Treasure Planet, A Bug's Life, Nixon, Sleepless in Seattle, Crossing Delancey. Television: "When We Rise," "The Good Wife," "Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp," "The Powers That Be," and "Frasier" (Emmy®, SAG® Awards).

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See you bright and early tomorrow, BroadwayWorld!