Carol Lawrence Takes Flight, Sierra Boggess Is 'Sublime' and Carrie Underwood Gets Ready for Her Closeup in This Week’s Datebook

Still eating Thanksgiving leftovers? We’ve got some exciting Broadway happenings to help get rid of your turkey coma! West Side Story legend Carol Lawrence begins performances off-Broadway, Sierra Boggess is back at 54 Below and we finally get to see The Sound of Music Live! So wake up, it’s December on Broadway!


MONDAY, DECEMBER 2
THINK OF HER FONDLY
When Andrew Lloyd Webber says you’re "sublime" and have "perfect pitch," then duh, you should get your own show at 54 Below—and record it, too! Broadway’s silky soprano Sierra Boggess returns to nightspot for five shows. And if you want to be part of her world, but can’t catch her in person, Boggess' live album Awakening will be released on December 6.

ALSO: Orlando Bloom talks about playing Romeo and previews The Hobbit on Jimmy Kimmel Live.


TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3
SHE LIKES TO BE IN AMERICA!
Tony nominee and West Side Story’s original Maria Carol Lawrence is still talking about coming to America in off-Broadway’s new romantic comedy Handle With Care. The love story about an Israeli girl who travels with her grandmother to America and falls in love despite language barriers begins performances at the Westside Theatre Downstairs. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you might even learn the language of love!

ALSO: The Sound of Music TV soundtrack is released; Katie Thompson opens Christmas with a K at 54 Below.


WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4
SIN CITY SOPRANOS
Viva Rigoletto! Tonight is your last chance to see Tony winner Michael Mayer’s updated production of Verdi’s tragic opera Rigoletto, at the Metropolitan Opera. This vibrant retelling of the story of a daughter who sacrifices herself for love is set among mobsters in 1960s Las Vegas . Even harsh critic Perez Hilton loved its neon fabulousness, so this evening at the opera is not a gamble!

ALSO: Mandy Gonzalez takes over 54 Below.


THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5
THE RATINGS ARE ALIVE
What will this show be like, we wonder? In one of the most talked about events of the fall, The Sound of Music Live! goes up tonight on NBC. Carrie Underwood, Stephen Moyer, Audra McDonald, Christian Borle and Laura Benanti take the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic to the only venue it's never played before, live television. They’ve got Julie Andrews’ blessing, so we have confidence this production will be one of our favorite things!


FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
WILL OSCAR WIN AN OSCAR?
The Coen Brothers’ latest film Inside Llewyn Davis is released in theaters today, starring Broadway alums Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan, not to mention Justin Timberlake. Former Shakespeare in the Park Romeo Isaac gets gritty in his big break as the title character Llewyn Davis, a folk musician trying to make his way in NYC in the 60s. Watch for Broadway vets Robin Bartlett, Max Casella, Adam Driver and Kinky Boots' Stark Sands in this Oscar-bait release.

ALSO: Sierra Boggess’ Awakening: Live at 54 Below gets a digital release.


SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW
Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other may be infinite, but your chance to see Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad as star-crossed lovers in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is coming to an end tomorrow! The stars have great chemistry, so head to the Richard Rodgers Theatre for their final death scenes. Never was there a story of more woe than the ending of this lovely Juliet and her Orlando.

ALSO: James Barbour: The Holiday Concert opens at 54 Below; Broadway vet Paul Rudd hosts Saturday Night Live.


SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
HERE’S TO YOU, MADAME ROBINSON
Lust, jealousy and heartbreak are taking over off-Broadway as Cheri opens at the Pershing Square Signature Center. Martha Clarke's production follows a young man who scandalously falls in love with an older courtesan, much to his mothers’ disapproval. Set to French music, dance and poetic text, the production stars ballet dancers Herman Cornejo as Cheri and Alessandra Ferri as Lea, and Oscar nominee Amy Irving as Cheri’s mother Charlotte.

ALSO: Anthony Warlow takes his final bow as Daddy Warbucks in Annie, The Good People of Szechwan closes as the Public Theater; It’s Today…54 Sings Mame at 54 Below