Odds & Ends: Jessie J Flies to Neverland, Robert Sean Leonard Follows Benedict Cumberbatch's Lead & More
Here's a quick roundup of stories you may have missed today.
Jessie J Flies to Neverland
Former West End star and singer-songwriter Jessie J will join Jennifer Hudson on the upcoming concept album for the Broadway bound Finding Neverland. According to the New York Post, the Brit will sing the track “Stronger.” The record is also rumored to feature Taylor Swift and Alicia Keys. The tuner, which features music and lyrics by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy and a book by James Graham, is currently running at A.R.T. and has recently reached the highest attendance record for a single production in the theater's 34-year history. The production, which began previews on July 23, stars Jeremy Jordan and Laura Michelle Kelly and is running through September 28.
Robert Sean Leonard Will Heat Up the Barbican Before Benedict Cumberbatch
The Barbican is certainly going to be the hottest venue in London town next summer. Tony winner Robert Sean Leonard (The Invention of Love) will headline the transfer of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Barbican Theatre, immediately prior to popular prince Benedict Cumberbatch treading its boards. The acclaimed production, directed by Timothy Sheader, originally opened Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 2013 season. The Barbican incarnation will run June 24, 2015 through July 25, with opening night set for July 2.
A Broadway Baby for Jessica Rush & Eric Anderson
Broadway alums Jessica Rush and Eric Anderson welcomed a baby girl to the world on August 27. Elliot Elizabeth Anderson weighed a healthy 8.3 lbs, was 20 inches long, and the proud parents declared on Facebook: “We are over the moon, and so in love!” Congratulations to them and we’re looking forward to seeing Anderson in The Last Ship, which starts Broadway previews on September 29.
Laura Osnes & Santino Fontana Reunite for An Enchanted Evening
Cinderella Tony nominees Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana will reunite for the Oscar Hammerstein Festival at the Bucks County Playhouse. On September 27, the pair will team up with Mandy Gonzales (In the Heights) and Lewis Cleale (The Book of Mormon) in a benefit performance, Getting to Know You: An Enchanted Evening of Oscar Hammerstein II. Pennsylvania will certainly be alive with the sound of music that night!
David Hyde Pierce to Appear in The Good Wife
David Hyde Pierce will appear as a respected cable news legal commentator in The Good Wife. Deadline reports that the role will be recurring during the sixth season of the hit CBS series. Hopefully this won’t prevent the Tony winner from helming It Shoulda Been You next spring—we're looking forward to finally seeing the show on the Great White Way.