Odds & Ends: NPH Wants to Give You the Best Time Ever, Stage Faves Tapped for Red Nose Day & More

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

NPH Wants to Give You the Best Time Ever
Neil Patrick Harris’ variety series has been named! The Tony winner’s upcoming NBC weekly show will be called Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris, according to Vulture. As previously reported, the hour-long episodes will be based on the British variety show Saturday Night Takeaway; the Peacock network has ordered ten episodes, which will air this fall.

Stage Faves Tapped for Red Nose Day
Tony winners Ian McKellen, Neil Patrick Harris (again!) and Eddie Redmayne, Olivier winner Benedict Cumberbatch, along with Broadway alums Sienna Miller, Orlando Bloom and Julia Roberts, are just some of the stars who will join the fun-raising NBC special Red Nose Day. The three-hour live May 21 entertainment event will also include cast members from Game of Thrones and Orange is the New Black. The show will help 12 charity organizations lift children and young people out of poverty, in the U.S. and throughout the world.

Long Live the Queens! Pageant Album Release Date Set
Dragtastic tuner Pageant’s previously reported cast album will be available digitally and in stores from June 22, when the recent revival’s cast, including John Bolton and Nick Cearley, will come together at 54 Below to celebrate. Hosted by co-author Bill Russell (Side Show), the launch party will feature highlights from the album, including the opening number “Natural Born Females,” the evening gown competition “Something Extra” and several of the contestants’ talents. So sashay on down to the Times Square hotspot for some summer fun!

Beth Leavel & More Slated for MUNY Season
After the news that Bryan Batt will headline Hairspray and Heather Headley is set to lead Into the Woods, we have more incredible casting from The MUNY’s upcoming 97th season! Alexandra Silber and Anthony Andrews will star in the classic tuner My Fair Lady (June 15—June 21), directed by Marc Bruni. Joining Batt in Hairspray (June 23—June 30) will be Ryann Redmond and Christopher J. Hanke; the production will be helmed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges. Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (July 6—July 12) will star Patti Murin, Colin Donnell and Nancy Opel; they will be directed by Gordon Greenberg. Headley will be joined by Erin Dilly, Ken Page, Ryan Silverman and more in Into the Woods (July 21—July 27); the production will be directed by Gary Griffin. The season will wrap up with Ben Davis, Alexander Gemignani and Beth Leavel leading Oklahoma! (August 10—August 16, directed by Rob Ruggiero and choreographed by Susan Stroman. Other productions include Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story and Disney’s Beauty and The Beast. Sounds like a summer trip (or three!) is in order!