Odds & Ends: Viola Davis Returns to the Stage, Laura Benanti Battles Bullies, Donna Murphy Judges & More

Here's a quick roundup of stories you may have missed today.

Viola Davis...For One Night Only!
Two-time Tony winner and Oscar nominee Viola Davis will return to the stage for a one-night-only reading of Intimate Apparel on June 15. Davis appeared in the off-Broadway premiere production of the show in 2004, and will reunite with fellow original cast members at the Laura Pels Theatre for the benefit reading. Proceeds will go to Roundabout Theatre Company’s New Play Initiative.

Laura Benanti & More Combat Bullies by Singing
What better way to stop bullying than by listening to your favorite performers belt it out? Tony winner Laura Benanti, Grammy-winning opera mezzo Joyce DiDonato, Robin de Jesus and more will take part in Broadway Battles Bullying. The April 14 benefit concert will support the Michael Morones Foundation, which works to educate communities about youth suicide prevention and the effects of bullying.

Donna Murphy's All Over Your TV
Two-time Tony winner Donna Murphy will guest star on the April 13 episode of CBS’s The Good Wife, taking on the role of Judge Alice Adelson. Broadway.com recently reported that Murphy will also appear in the upcoming season of USA’s Royal Pains. Is Donna Murphy taking over primetime show by show? If so, we don’t hate it!

Is It Cloudy in Your Neighborhood? Blame Vanessa Williams
Tony and Emmy nominee Vanessa Williams is back on Broadway as the latest guest star to take the stage at After Midnight. Have a look below as she performs the torch song, “Stormy Weather.” You sound great, Williams, but we’re just starting to move past a brutal winter! Is there a jazz hit about sunshine and green grass you could serenade us with?