Odds & Ends: Hamilton's Open Auditions, Laura Bell Bundy Set for Honeymooners Workshop & More

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

Have Your Shot: Hamilton to Hold Open Auditions
Think you can blow us all away on stage? The gargantuan hit that is Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton will hold open auditions (i.e. you don’t have to be a member of Actors Equity right now) in San Francisco on April 10, L.A. on April 16 and New York City on May 3 for both the “current Broadway company and upcoming National Tours.” Those looking to apply should be “extremely skilled” (duh) rappers, singers and actors. We hope to see you in the room theater where it happens soon! P.S. Check out below the latest epic #Ham4Ham from the White House; it channels The West Wing!


Laura Bell Bundy Enlisted for The Honeymooners
The Honeymooners remains on course for Broadway! Directed by John Rando and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse, an industry lab will take place on April 7 and 8, featuring Laura Bell Bundy as Trixie Norton, Michael McGrath as Ralph Kramden, Hank Azaria as Ed Norton and Leslie Kritzer as Alice Kramden. Megan Hilty played the role of Trixie in a previous workshop; the others are returning to the project. The stage adaptation of the classic 1950s sitcom will feature a book by Dusty Kay and Bill Nuss, music by Stephen Weiner and lyrics by Peter Mills. We’re keeping a close eye on this one!

Beth Malone to Star Opposite Aaron Tveit
Fun Home’s Beth Malone will join your Broadway boyfriend Aaron Tveit in CBS’ BrainDead. Deadline reports that the Tony nominee is set to take on a recurring role as Claudia, a super-smart—and liberal—newscaster for a very liberal news network (any ideas who the character could be based on?!). The D.C.-based series about politics and extraterrestrials will premiere on June 13.

Ken Howard Dead at 71
Ken Howard, who won a Tony in 1970 for his work in Child’s Play, died on March 23, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 71. Best known for his work on CBS’ The White Shadow and NBC’s 30 Rock, the current national president of SAG-AFTRA’s additional Broadway credits included Rumors, 1776, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and The Norman Conquests.

Lucille Lortel Awards Date Set
Mark your calendars! The 31st Annual Lucille Lortel Awards, which honor outstanding achievement off-Broadway, will be handed out on May 1 at NYU Skirball Center. Among the special honors to be presented this year: the Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Signature Theatre Founding Artistic Director James Houghton, while Suzan-Lori Parks will be inducted onto the Playwrights’ Sidewalk in front of the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Nominations are set to be announced on March 30.

Catch Frances Ruffelle in D.C.
She’s on her own! Les Miz Tony winner Frances Ruffelle will perform solo at the Kennedy Center on March 25, where the U.S. version of the classic tuner started before transferring to the Great White Way. “It’s going to be emotional returning and very exciting,” the British star told Broadway.com about the upcoming concert. Check out below Ruffelle's recent update of her signature number below; you can buy tickets to the event here.