Aaron Tveit’s Graceland Debut, Cast Album Extravaganza & Tony Night Excitement Top This Week’s Datebook
We’re heading into Tony Awards week, which means it’s time to plan parties, see shows and listen to a gazillion new cast recordings before filling out your Tony ballot. How to fit everything in? Consult this week’s jam-packed Datebook for seven days of stageworthy fun.
MONDAY, JUNE 3
TONYA PINKINS PULLS THE PLUG AT JOE'S PUB
Get the skinny on Tony winner Tonya Pinkins’ magical musical career—and hear the songs she wishes she’d done on Broadway—in Tonya Pinkins Unplugged, the star’s new cabaret show at Joe’s Pub. (“Defying Gravity,” anyone?)
ALSO: The 2013 Theatre World Awards are bestowed in a private ceremony; Broadway.com Senior Editor Kathy Henderson interviews Patti LuPone for the Oral History Project at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; Neil Patrick Harris talks Tonys with David Letterman.
TUESDAY, JUNE 4
MOTOWN, CINDERELLA, PIPPIN, GIANT AND DOGFIGHT RELEASE CAST RECORDINGS
Take the day off! You’ll need to, if you want to catch up with the original cast album releases of Motown the Musical, Cinderella, Pippin (digital only), Dogfight and Giant. Enjoy a mix of 27 R&B hits (Motown), classic scores from Rodgers & Hammerstein (Cinderella) and Stephen Schwartz (Pippin) and two exciting new scores (Giant and Dogfight). We’re getting excited just thinking about it!
ALSO: More CDs to savor: Matthew Morrison’s Up Close and Personal, Laura Osnes’ If I Tell You and Judy Kuhn’s All This Happiness are released; Harry parody Potted Potter reopens at the Little Shubert Theatre; the underside of reality TV is unearthed in Good Television at Atlantic Stage 2; Kathleen Chalfant and Kate Mulgrew head Somewhere Fun at the Vineyard Theatre.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5
TWO AND A HALF MEN SCRIBE PENS BLACK COMEDY
After successful productions in Chicago and L.A. Rantoul and Die is gets an off-Broadway debut at the Cherry Lane Theatre. Written and directed by Two and a Half Men producer Mark Roberts, the play is described as “a romantic comedy wrapped in razor wire.” Sounds dangerous—and fun!
ALSO: A revival of Sidney Howard’s melodrama The Silver Cord begins previews at Theatre at St. Clement’s; Stephen King and John Mellencamp chat about their Ghost Brothers of Darkland County tuner on David Letterman.
THURSDAY, JUNE 6
AARON TVEIT’S GOING TO GRACELAND
After much hype, the crime series Graceland debuts on the USA Network, starring fan favorite Aaron Tveit and Broadway vet Daniel Sunjata as the FBI’s hottest undercover cops. Head to the title beach house filled with equally good-looking government agents for a little crime-solving and (we hope) a dash of romantic tension.
ALSO: Stephen King and John Mellencamp continue their talk show tour on The Colbert Report.
FRIDAY, JUNE 7
NORBERT LEO BUTZ MAKES “MEMORY & MAYHEM” AT 54 BELOW
Fresh from the pre-Broadway run of Big Fish, two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz returns to 54 Below in an acclaimed show that combines favorite pop songs of his Midwestern youth with new arrangements of his Broadway hits. Don’t miss this ultimate showman in action!
ALSO: Joss Whedon's modern-day black-and-white film version of Much Ado About Nothing hits theaters.
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
LAST CHANCE TO SEE THE INSPIRED COMEDY OLD HATS
After several extensions, Old Hats, the season’s funniest, most magical comedy, must close this weekend at the Signature Theatre. Beg, borrow or steal a ticket to see the inspired clowning of Bill Irwin and David Shiner and the unique (and hilarious) songs of Nellie McKay.
SUNDAY, JUNE 9
IT’S TONY NIGHT!
All eyes are on Radio City Music Hall for the 67th annual Tony Awards, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris on CBS at 8:00PM ET. If you’re in New York, head to Times Square for a big-screen outdoor simulcast, or check out the more intimate Tony Viewing Party at 54 Below. To meet the 2013 nominees, click here.