Odds & Ends: Spring Awakening Tony Nominee Michael Arden Takes On Merrily, Wicked Alum Christine Dwyer Back in Green & More

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

Michael Arden Will Roll Along to L.A.
Tony nominee Michael Arden will return to Los Angeles’ Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts as the 2016-17 artist in residence. The venue was the pre-Broadway home of Deaf West’s Broadway.com Audience Choice Award-winning revival of Spring Awakening, and next season, Arden will helm Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along and Alexi Kaye Campbell’s The Pride. Also on tap is a staging of Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo from Deaf West, directed by Coy Middlebrook. Check out the full season here!

Release Date Slated for Paint Your Wagon Album
Miss out on the Encores! production of Paint Your Wagon last year? Never fear, Masterworks Broadway will release the cast recording of Lerner & Loewe’s classic, starring Keith Carradine, Justin Guarini and Alexandra Socha, on May 27. Set in the Gold Rush-happy America of 1853, the album features standards such as “They Call the Wind Maria,” “I Talk to the Trees,” and “Wand’rin’ Star.”

Christine Dwyer Defies Gravity Once More
Former Elphaba Christine Dwyer went back into the green recently to perform “Defying Gravity” at the 2016 Hannover Messe opening ceremony. The annual convention drew an impressive crowd, including President Barack Obama and Chancellor Angela Merkel. Check out her soaring take on the Wicked anthem below!



Date Set for Public Memorial to Doris Roberts
A public memorial tribute will be held for Everybody Loves Raymond's Doris Roberts on May 16 at 12:00 PM at Broadway's Ambassador Theatre; general admission seating will be available to the public on a first come, first serve basis from 11:30 AM. Hosted by Ray Romano, a special performance will be given by Barbara Cook. Roberts passed away on April 17 aged 90; last seen on the Great White Way in 1978’s Cheaters, she made her debut in 1955’s The Time of Your Life.

Rob Reiner Talks Princess Bride Musical
Way back in 2013, we reported that The Princess Bride musical was in the works. Rob Reiner helmed the beloved 1987 film version of the 1973 novel and Tony winner James Corden couldn't help but ask the director about the project on The Late Late Show on May 10. "I think it lends itself," said Reiner about the prospect of a stage adaptation, before informing Corden his dream role was probably not going to happen. Check out the video below; Corden is set to host Broadway's biggest night on June 12.