Odds & Ends: Get a Sneak Peek of Sara Bareilles' Waitress, Rockettes' Spectacular New Name & More

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

Get a Sneak Peek of Sara Bareilles' Waitress
Curious about what Sara Bareilles' new Broadway musical Waitress will be serving up? Well, the five-time Grammy nominee will perform a special album release show for one night only, What’s Inside: Songs from Waitress, on November 5 at New York City Center. We're sure it'll be to pie for. (Sorry.) Waitress, starring Tony winner Jessie Mueller, will begin previews on March 25, 2016 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.

Rockettes' Spectacular New Name
New York Spring Spectacular will be renamed Rockettes New York Spectacular. This makes perfect sense, bearing in mind the new production will run June 15, 2016 through August 7, in other words not in the spring. We’re still waiting for cast and creative team for next year's incarnation—2015's was led by Laura Benanti and Derek Hough. Interestingly, producers are hinting that Rockettes New York Spectacular “is poised to become a perennial favorite to complement the long running and beloved Radio City Christmas Spectacular.” If so, the Tony Awards may be finding a new permanent home.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Gift to Public Schools
After "Sticking it to the Man" with that 360 video, Andrew Lloyd Webber is continuing to make us smile. The legendary composer will provide $150,000 toward musical instruments for 20 public middle schools across New York City as part of a new program called Rock the Schools. In a statement, Lloyd Webber said that his foundation “has pioneered a scheme in problem public schools in Britain where every child receives a free musical instrument and free music tuition for their entire school career. 3,000 children are now part of this scheme and their academic achievements as a result have been transformed.” Empowering kids through music is the core message at the heart of Lloyd Webber’s upcoming new Broadway show, School of Rock—The Musical, which is set to begin previews on November 9 at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Joel Schumacher Moves From Screen to Stage
Speaking of Lloyd Webber, one of his former collaborators, Joel Schumacher, has an interesting project in the works. The director of The Phantom of the Opera movie will stage Jennifer Haley's Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom off-Broadway. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the play, about the collision of virtual and real worlds, is set to begin previews at Tribeca’s Flea Theater on November 9 and officially open on November 16.

Revolting Children Charm Will & Kate
It pays to be a little bit naughty! A performance of “Quiet” in Mandarin from Matilda The Musical was the highlight of the Society of London Theatre’s presentation at a creative showcase on October 21 for the President of The People’s Republic of China, Mr. Xi Jinping. Other notable attendees included Their Royal Highnesses The Duke And Duchess of Cambridge (aka Will and Kate). Check out below an adorable photo of West End cast member and magical maggot Anna-Louise Knight with one or two dignitaries you might recognize…



P.S. Manhattan Theatre Club's fall benefit will honor two-time Tony winner Christine Baranski. Scheduled for November 2 at 583 Park Avenue, the evening is set to feature appearances by Baranski friends and colleagues including Nathan Lane and Meryl Streep.