Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 10, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 10, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours: 

But first...

JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING to Launch Multi-City Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz
Following a successful, twice-extended run, Manhattan Theatre Club's Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Whitney White will be presented at three theatres across the country. Learn more about the tour and see how to purchase tickets!. (more...) 

Aaron Tveit Extends Residency at Cafe Carlyle This June
by Stephi Wild
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Tony winner Aaron Tveit will make his Café Carlyle debut with a residency at the iconic venue this June. It has now been announced that the residency has extended, with performances now running from June 11 - 25, 2024.. (more...)

THE LORD OF THE RINGS - A Musical Tale to Have US Premiere This Summer
by Chloe Rabinowitz
Paul Hart's production of THE LORD OF THE RINGS – A Musical Tale will make its U.S. Premiere this summer at The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Learn more about the show!. (more...) 

Lauren Samuels, Austen Danielle Bohmer & More to Join WICKED Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz
The national tour of Wicked is welcoming new cast members. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!. (more...)

New STAGE Act Legislation Seeks to Support Struggling Nonprofit Theatres
by Nicole Rosky
A new bill has officially been proposed by lawmakers in Congress to help struggling nonprofit theatres across the country. The Supporting Theater and the Arts to Galvanize the Economy (STAGE) Act of 2024 seeks to provide funds for theaters and artists to continue to stimulate economic activity on the local level. Check out all of the details!. (more...) 

Laura Bell Bundy 

Laura Bell Bundy has originated the stage roles of Tina in Ruthless (Outer Critics/ Drama Desk Nominations), Amber in Broadway’s Hairspray, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical (Tony Nomination), played Glinda in Wicked. She received an Ovation nomination for her role of Charity in Reprise 2.0’s ‘Sweet Charity.’

She’s appeared in over 100 hundred episodes of Television including roles on Perfect Harmony, Good Behavior, American Gods, How I Met Your Mother, The Guest Book, Angie Tribeca, Idiotsitter, Hart of Dixie, Fuller House, Documentary Now, AJ & The Queen, and Anger Management, and over a dozen television pilots that were not picked up! Films include Dream Girls, Jumanji, Life With Mikey, Adventures of Huck Finn, After The Reality, and the award-winning Beauty Mark among others.

Laura Bell has toured in concert worldwide since 2010. She's penned hundreds of songs as an EMI/Sony songwriter (2009-2016) including her Universal Records album, Achin’ & Shakin’ which debuted on Billboard’s Top 5 Country Music Chart, and has a gold record in Norway. She was nominated for CMT Breakout Video for Giddy On Up. Her Big Machine album “Another Piece Of Me” received rave reviews in 2015 with all four music videos written, directed, & produced by Bundy. Her music has been featured in several video games including Just Dance 3, Just Dance Now, and Guitar Hero.

In 2018, Laura Bell wrote and directed music/comedy videos for a Barefoot Wine campaign featuring Anna Ferris, Tituss Burgess, Cecily Strong, Chrissie Fit, and Yvonne Orji.

Laura Bell was the director/creator of Double Standards at The Town Hall, a sold-out concert for the advancement of women featuring Broadway stars, comedians, and pop artists including Sara Bareilles and Rosie O’Donnell. Double Standards was later founded as a charitable organization to benefit and empower women.

Laura Bell is the creator, composer and lyricist for Netflix’s “Mashville”. She is recently developed ‘Girl Time’ — a women’s history sketch comedy show for Free Form as creator, writer and executive producer.

Other birthdays on this date include:

Alexandra Socha
David Harbour
Harry Hadden-Paton
Robert E. Nederlander

See you bright and early tomorrow, BroadwayWorld!