Reviewing the Drama: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Ballet, Movies, and TV Reviews

Royal Baby News I don't typically include artists' personal or lifecycle event information in these posts, but I'm making an exception. Shuffle Along... leading lady, Audra McDonald , and her husband, Will Swenson , are expecting a child! (Both actors have a child/children from their respective previous marriages.) Of course, this means that a casting shuffle is due at Shuffle Along... The pregnant McDonald will continue with the show through July 24 before going on maternity leave; she intends to return to the show this winter. (This also means that the Lady Day... West End production is postponed. Broadway.com has more about that.) Filling McDonald's tap shoes will be Rhiannon Giddens , making her Broadway debut. In addition, over the summer, the show's Tony-nominated choreographer, Savion Glover , will appear in the show, though, as Broadway.com reports , it has not been announced which track he'll take on. Congratulations to McDonald and Swenson!!! ...

Noises Off , Michael Frayn 's backstage farce, has been one of my favorite plays since I was about 11. I remember first being exposed to the movie, and, ever since, I can't get Carol Burnett saying, "Take the sardines" out of my head. (This is a good problem.) I had the pleasure of seeing a production in DC several years ago, and now Roundabout and director Jeremy Herrin are bringing the hilarity to Broadway with a cast that is simply an embarrassment of riches. At rise, it's the final dress rehearsal before opening night of Nothing On , and director Lloyd ( Campbell Scott , a roguish frayed knot) is exasperated. (Herrin has Scott stalking around the theatre, even making his way into the mezzanine so one of Lloyd's cries of despair was delivered right next to me!) Nothing On , the show within the show, is, itself, a farce, and Lloyd's actors and stagehands aren't quite helping the cause. Dotty (Andrea Martin) can't get her stage directions ...

(Scroll down for some Muppets news.) Casting News Broadway — Marlee Matlin has joined the company of the Spring Awakening revival. Matlin will play Adult Woman. Matlin won an Oscar for Children of a Lesser God , and was memorable as Joey Lucas on The West Wing . This will be her Broadway debut. Spring Awakening begins previews on September 8, with opening night set for September 27. The strictly limited engagement, playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, will conclude on January 9, 2016. Broadway —An unbelievable roster of stars is assembling for the Roundabout revival of Noises Off , one of my favorite plays. Joining the previously announced Tony winner Andrea Martin are Tracee Chimo ( Circle Mirror Transformation , The Heidi Chronicles ); Kate Jennings Grant ( The Country House ); Megan Hilty ( 9 to 5 , Smash ); Rob McClure ( Chaplin , Honeymoon in Vegas ); and Jeremy Shamos ( Dinner with Friends , The Qualms ), among others. The Michael Frayn play begins previews D...