Odds & Ends: Hamilton is Heading to the White House, Ken Watanabe's Surprise B'way Return & More

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

Hamilton is Heading to the White House
After conquering Broadway, the Billboard charts and the Grammys, what comes next for Hamilton…? Well, First Lady Michelle Obama will welcome the Broadway cast to the White House on March 14 to host a student workshop, Q&A and a performance of musical selections from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s gargantuan hit. Of course, the Obamas have a long history with the show—in May 2009, the President and First Lady hosted an event where Miranda performed “The Hamilton Mixtape,” which was later renamed “Alexander Hamilton” and became the opening number of the tuner; they have also made multiple trips to the production. Check out the company announcing the news in today’s #Ham4Ham below.



Ken Watanabe's Surprise The King and I Return
Audience members at The King and I were in for a surprise switcheroo on March 8, when the present King of Siam, Hoon Lee, called out sick. Tony nominee Ken Watanabe, whose latest engagement with the production was delayed a few weeks while he was treated for stomach cancer, happened to be rehearsing in the vicinity and stepped in for him. We're whistling a happy tune that Watanabe was well enough to perform; he is set to officially return to Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theater on March 17.

Alex Brightman Play to Bow this Spring
From his School of Rock vlogs, we knew that Alex Brightman was busy writing as well as climbing to the top of mount rock at the Winter Garden, and now one of his projects is hitting the stage. He’s penned Everything in its Place: the Life and Slimes of Marc Summers, which will play at Indiana’s Bloomington Playwrights Project this April. Directed by Chad Rabinovitz, with music by Drew Gasparini and starring Summers himself, the show is a guided tour through the TV star’s life, from an early obsession with magic to his screen career and his struggles with OCD.

NPH Magic Project Circling Off-Broadway
Speaking of magic, we're all aware of Neil Patrick Harris’ penchant for the discipline, and he’s now planning an immersive theater production around it. According to the New York Times, the Tony winner has teamed up with the producers of Queen of the Night for the project, which is aiming to open at 311 West 57th Street this fall. The event (which Harris is not set to star in) will also involve a meal—wonder who he will call to conjure up the menu?!

Norbert Leo Butz is a Hit With PBS
Good news for two-time Tony winners Norbert Leo Butz and Donna Murphy, Broadway alum Josh Radnor and McKinley Belcher III—their Civil War era series Mercy Street has been renewed for a second season by PBS. The original drama premiered on January 17 to an audience of 5.7 million viewers. Miss it? Check out the doctors on the show (including Butz) below.