Wicked Fun for Jeremy Jordan and Matilda & Motown Make Magic in This Week’s Datebook
To borrow a line from State Fair, it might as well be spring! Even though the weather hasn’t exactly been cooperating, there are so many Broadway-related events this week, you’ll barely notice you’re still wearing a scarf. From starry opening nights for Matilda and Motown to a Wicked birthday party, this week's calendar is packed!
MONDAY, APRIL 8
ADAM PASCAL & CHRISTINE PEDI ENTER THE SLAMMER
Chicago is welcoming two new stars to the cellblock! Rent alum and Broadway.com Audience Choice Award winner Adam Pascal will defend the merry murderesses as lawyer Billy Flynn while Christine Pedi takes on the role of their saucy caretaker, Matron “Mama” Morton. See the duo strut their stuff in the big house (a.k.a. the Ambassador Theatre).
ALSO: Chita Rivera, Clive Davis & more unite for a memorial event honoring the late producer Marty Richards at Edison Ballroom; Caissie Levy, Emma Hunton and more headline Play It Again: The Music of Zoe Sarnak at Joe’s Pub; Tony Sheldon headlines Songs of Sam Willmott at the York Theatre; Pasek & Paul songs are featured at Emerging: A Broadway Composers Cabaret; last chance to catch Liliane Montevecchi at 54 Below.
TUESDAY, APRIL 9
JONATHAN GROFF IS THE BOSS
Great news, Spring Awakening fans! You don’t need a Starz subscription to watch Broadway.com Audience Choice Award winner Jonathan Groff over and over (and over) again—just pick up Boss Season 2 on DVD. The suspenseful drama series stars Tony nominee Kelsey Grammer as Chicago mayor Tom Kane, with Groff as his ambitious aide, Ian Todd.
ALSO: ‘70s and Sunny: Andrea McArdle Live at 54 Below and Molly Ringwald: Except…Sometimes released on CD, John Pizzarelli jazzes up the Cafe Carlyle.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
JOAN RIVERS GOES LIVE
You've seen Joan Rivers knock Anne Hathaway on Show People With Paul Wontorek. Now check her out on Live With Kelly and Michael! The legendary funny lady will chat about her new stand-up show Joan Rivers Live in Times Square and undoubtedly sling some outrageous one-liners, too. See her shtick on TV, then catch her live at the Laurie Beechman Theatre through April 16.
ALSO: Linda Eder begins her concert engagement at 54 Below (details below).
THURSDAY, APRIL 11
MATILDA MAKES BROADWAY MAGIC
After snagging a record-setting seven Olivier Awards across the pond, Matilda has found a new home on Broadway, with Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro alternating in the title role. See Matilda take a stand against that nasty old Miss Trunchbull (Bertie Carvel) at the Shubert Theatre!
ALSO: Alec Baldwin talks Orphans on Late Show with David Letterman.
FRIDAY, APRIL 12
JEREMY JORDAN & NORM LEWIS HAVE A WICKED PARTY
Celebrate the forthcoming 10th anniversary of Wicked and composer Stephen Schwartz’s 65th birthday with Broadway.com Audience Choice Award winners Jeremy Jordan and Jennifer Laura Thompson, Norm Lewis, Julia Murney and more in The Wizard and I: The Musical Journey of Stephen Schwartz at Carnegie Hall. The stars are teaming up with the New York Pops to perform Schwartz’s iconic tunes, including “Magic to Do” from Pippin, “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas and of course, a Wicked song or ten. We’re tickled green!
ALSO: Josh Groban croons at Live From Lincoln Center; Bollywood musical Bunty Berman Presents dances onto the off-Broadway stage.
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
LINDA EDER BELTS AT 54 BELOW
After a bout of the flu forced Linda Eder to postpone her 54 Below engagement in January, the (now healthy!) Broadway songstress returns for six performances at the midtown hotspot, from April 10 through April 13. We're keeping our fingers crossed for a few tunes from Jekyll & Hyde, and if we're really lucky, a little Man of La Mancha?
SUNDAY, APRIL 14
MOTOWN GROOVES ONTO THE GREAT WHITE WAY
Break out your dancing shoes! Motown the Musical, a new jukebox tuner celebrating the rise of the legendary record company and its founder, Berry Gordy, opens at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. There ain't no mountain high enough to keep us from getting to the big celebration of Motown, starring Brandon Victor Dixon as Gordy and Valisia LeKae as Diana Ross.
ALSO: Rita Wilson debuts at 54 Below; Barry Manilow headlines New York Theatre Barn benefit; last chance to see The Mound Builders off-Broadway.