The Great Broadway Diva Showdown

With Audra McDonald as our reigning Queen of Broadway, and Julie Andrews the Queen of Movie Musicals, we will be now and forever returning to the stage.

[broadwaydivastournament]

Broadway Divas Tournament Winner

"Gorgeous," from The Apple Tree, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. Audra McDonald at the London Palladium. And yes indeed, she is gorgeous.

Congratulations to our six-time Tony, two-time Grammy, Emmy winner Audra Ann McDonald, reigning Queen of Broadway. Audra has swept every one of her polls (one for every Tony on her shelf), and it took Christine Baranski herself before any opponent could earn more than thirty votes at all. Standing ovations for Audra and my deepest condolences to all her opponents, who would surely have polled better against literally anyone else.

Audra McDonald vs. Rebecca Luker (146 to 23) Audra McDonald vs. Laura Linney (196 to 28) Audra McDonald vs. Carolee Carmello (119 to 13) Audra McDonald vs. Stephanie J. Block (143 to 29) Audra McDonald vs. Christine Baranski (187 to 123) Audra McDonald vs. Bernadette Peters (363 to 277)

Fun fact: Audra McDonald has more competitive Tony Awards than all six of her opponents combined.

Rules and Guidelines

Semifinal Winners

Round 4 Winners | Round 3 Winners

Round 2B Winners | Round 2A Winners

Round 1D Winners | Round 1C Winners | Round 1B Winners | Round 1A Winners

[droughtofapathy]

FALLEN ANGELS Will Stream Upcoming Performance Live on BroadwayHD

Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Fallen Angels by Noël Coward will stream an upcoming performance live on BroadwayHD! Learn more abou

Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Fallen Angels by Noël Coward will stream an upcoming performance live on BroadwayHD! Fallen Angels is directed by Scott Ellis and stars Academy Award Nominee and Golden Globe-winner Rose Byrne and Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara, both of whom are currently Tony-nominated for their performances in this show. Fallen Angels will stream live for subscribers of BroadwayHD during the 7 pm performance on Friday, June 5, 2026.

[droughtofapathy]

PBS Sets Premiere Date for Broadway's Leading Ladies Concert

A host of Broadway's best performed at the filmed NYC concert in March.

PBS will premiere Broadway's Leading Ladies, an all-star concert filmed at NYC's The Town Hall in March, beginning November 28. The special will air on local PBS stations (check local listings) and stream via PBS Passport.

[droughtofapathy]

Photos: Emmy-Winner Jean Smart Stars In CALL ME IZZY On Broadway Photo Credit: Emilio Madrid/Marc J. Franklin

[broadwaydivastournament]

Congratulations to the 2025 Drama Desk Winners

Drama Desk Award Winners 2025: The Full List

Maybe Happy Ending led the pack with six wins, including Outstanding Musical.

Reigning Queen of Broadway Divas, Audra McDonald has won her eighth Drama Desk Award for Gypsy, sharing the award with rising star Jasmine Amy Rogers for BOOP! The Musical. Beginning in 2023, the Drama Desk Awards have gone genderless in performance categories and instead award two winners, leading to "ties". However, this is not Audra's first shared Drama Desk. In 2007, she legitimately tied with fellow Sondheim Lady in Red Donna Murphy. They each won for 110 in the Shade and LoveMusik, respectively, though they lost out on the Tony to Christine Ebersole, who had won the Drama Desk the year prior.

[droughtofapathy]

TIME Magazine 06.09.25 Edition: Broadway's Greatest Audra McDonald

[broadwaydivastournament]

You heard it here first. While the official press release will drop later today, I've been stalking the Carnegie Hall page after a teaser email blast late yesterday. After the triumph of last year's Follies in Concert Transport Group’s annual Broadway Celebration Concert at Carnegie Hall, will present Hello, Dolly! on Monday, June 23 at 8:00PM. "A cast of 50 Broadway stars, backed by a full 30-piece orchestra, performs the show’s original orchestrations and recreates Gower Champion’s distinctive choreography, restaged by Randy Slovacek. The evening is hosted by Tony nominee Lee Roy Reams and directed by Transport Group Artistic Director Jack Cummings III, with Music Director Joey Chancey. Hannah Oren serves as Creative Producer. Casting by Merri Sugarman, CSA."

[droughtofapathy]

Highlights from Ring Them Bells: A Birthday Celebration for John Kander

Visit Original Link

Visit Original Link

Visit Original Link

Visit Original Link

Visit Original Link

Visit Original Link

Full Setlist:

"Willkommen," Cabaret: Alan Cumming "Cell Block Tango," Chicago: Denise Faye, Mamie Duncan-Gibbs, Mary Ann Lamb, Mindy Cooper, Bebe Neuwirth, Caitlin Carter (ft. Jim Borstelmann) "Colored Lights," The Rink: Jessie Mueller "City Lights," The Act: Tony Yazbeck "Willing to Ride," Steel Pier: Karen Ziemba Song written by Kander to his husband: David Hyde Pierce "Ring Them Bells," Liza with a Z: Jinxx Monsoon "So What?" Cabaret: Bebe Neuwirth "Everybody's Girl," Steel Pier: Debra Monk "But the World Goes Round," New York, New York: Anna Uzele "Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag," Chicago: Bianca Marroquin, Charlotte d'Amboise (ft. Jim Borstelmann) "I Miss the Music," Curtains: Victoria Clark "Commencing in Chattanooga," The Scottsboro Boys: Josh Breckenridge, Derrick Cobey, DeMarius R. Coopes, E. Clayton Cornelious, Brandon Victor Dixon, Jeremy Gumbs, John-Michael Lyles, Aaron James McKenzie, Antoine L. Smith (ft. Sharon Washington) "A Quiet Place," Flora, the Red Menace: Kelli O'Hara The Skin of Our Teeth: Ramin Karimloo "Maybe This Time," Cabaret: Lillias White "Love and Love Alone," The Visit: Alan Cumming "Kiss of the Spider Woman," Kiss of the Spider Woman: Jennifer Lopez "Show People," Curtains: David Hyde Pierce, Karen Ziemba, Debra Monk, Alan Cumming

In memory of Tina Paul, one of the original 1996 Merry Murderesses.

[broadwaydivastournament]

‘Is Betty Buckley Still Alive?’ Trump Asked. She Certainly Is.

“What’s happening these days,” the singer said at the start of a Joe’s Pub residency, “is weird, and not cool.”

“While I’m honored whenever my performance resonates with an audience member, I find it deeply troubling that this praise coincides with actions that undermine the very foundation of the arts in America,” she wrote. “I urge President Trump to recognize that his genuine appreciation for the arts requires more than personal enjoyment — it demands support, protection, and the courage to uphold the freedom of expression for all artists.”

[frodo-of-the-nine-fingers]

which is your favorite?

raindrops on roses

whiskers on kittens

bright copper kettles

warm woolen mittens

brown paper packages tied up with strings

cream colored ponies

crisp apple strudels

doorbells

sleigh bells

schnitzel with noodles

wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

silver white winters that melt into springs

Voting ended onMay 19, 2025

[broadwaydivastournament]

PBS' Great Performances currently has the pro-shot "Next To Normal" available to stream through the PBS app or website, just thought you might like to know and spread the word. Also, while people are at it they should support PBS since it's under attack by the current administration.

This is true, and I won't get into why I was desperate for this production to transfer to Broadway in the fall because it has nothing to do with the production itself and everything to do with what it would mean for another revival's casting. But I digress.

Next to Normal is currently streaming on PBS through 6/30/2025. It is the first of several shows to be airing in May. It was filmed in the West End and stars Caissie Levy in a heavily modified/censored presentation (specifically done for the broadcast).

Yellow Face premieres this Friday, May 16, 2025. Daniel Dae Kim stars as an Asian American playwright who protests “yellowface” casting in the musical “Miss Saigon” only to mistakenly cast a white actor as the Asian lead in his own play. Kim is nominated for a Tony this season and is the first AAPI actor in his category to have this honor.

On May 18, Tosca with Lise Davidsen and Freddie De Tommaso will premiere. This is a Met Opera production and was first filmed as part of the opera's Live in HD series.

Girl from the North Country premieres on May 23. This proshot was filmed in April 2022 (I was there). The production opened and closed on Broadway three times due to pandemic-related reasons. It stars Mare Winningham, Luba Mason, Jeannette Bayardelle, and many others.

Another West End show, Kiss Me, Kate starring Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar premieres May 30. This production was directed by Bartlett Sher and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast, and ran in the West End last summer.

Recently, the current administration head has signed an executive order “to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS." A reminder that executive orders are NOT policy in and of themselves. That's not how any of this works. However, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting said last week that the Department of Education has ended a federal grant that would have funded vital children's programs.

PBS and NPR have stated that they will be fighting these orders in court. At this time, please support these services in any way you can, including just by watching their programming. A demonstrated interest and "value" is imperative.

[broadwaydivastournament]

For anyone outside PBS's broadcasting zones, an anonymous person has been nice enough to upload the full show (and subtitles) to a google drive folder.

[broadwaydivastournament]

Maybe Happy Ending Leads 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards; See the Full List of Winners

The Tony-nominated show picked up four wins, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical.

Congratulations to the OCC Awards winners this season. "This year's winners will be honored with an awards ceremony May 22 at Lincoln Center's New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Natalie Venetia Belcon (Buena Vista Social Club), Victoria Clark (Kimberly Akimbo), Andrew Durand (Dead Outlaw), Steve Guttenberg (It Takes Two), and Thom Sesma (Dead Outlaw) will present."

OCC Awards are not necessarily indicative of other theatre awards, however a few notable surprises and facts:

Jasmine Amy Rogers, BOOP! The Musical, beat out stiff competition in Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical, including the two Tony favorites this season.

BOOP!'s Gregg Barnes also took home costumes over Death Becomes Her's Paul Tazwell.

Frances Jue won for Yellow Face's featured performance in a role he originated in the original off-Broadway production in 2008. At that time, he won the Lortel and Obie awards and is easily my personal favorite for the awards this season as well.

In the now-gender-neutral performance categories, women took home two out of eight awards compared to last year's 6/10 (ties). (Excluding Solo, which has always been gender-neutral).

Out of the fourteen design winners (categories that have always been mixed-gender), only two women were awarded. Miriam Buether won for her design work as part of a multi-person team for Stranger Things, and Danya Taymor won for her direction of John Proctor is the Villain.

None of the women who won anything are over fifty, which is devastating for this blog.

[broadwaydivastournament]

well now I want to ask about KMK (I wish they’d filmed the broadway cast instead)

Have I got semi-good news for you, Anon. They filmed the 1999 Broadway direction and staging for Great Performances and released it in 2003. It was, however, the West End transfer production with Brent Barrett and Rachel York, and they are wonderful. I cannot rave enough about Rachel York's rendition of "So In Love." I have yet to formalize my rankings for this song, but hers is easily in the top five.

I am forever devastated that Marin Mazzie did not stay with the production for the filming. Her role had two replacements, including Carolee Carmello, who also performed on Broadway, and Rachel York (who closed the production and was in the taping). And if only we had a proper Brian Stokes Mitchell/Marin Mazzie recording... oh...

[broadwaydivastournament]

PBS' Great Performances currently has the pro-shot "Next To Normal" available to stream through the PBS app or website, just thought you might like to know and spread the word. Also, while people are at it they should support PBS since it's under attack by the current administration.

This is true, and I won't get into why I was desperate for this production to transfer to Broadway in the fall because it has nothing to do with the production itself and everything to do with what it would mean for another revival's casting. But I digress.

Next to Normal is currently streaming on PBS through 6/30/2025. It is the first of several shows to be airing in May. It was filmed in the West End and stars Caissie Levy in a heavily modified/censored presentation (specifically done for the broadcast).

Yellow Face premieres this Friday, May 16, 2025. Daniel Dae Kim stars as an Asian American playwright who protests “yellowface” casting in the musical “Miss Saigon” only to mistakenly cast a white actor as the Asian lead in his own play. Kim is nominated for a Tony this season and is the first AAPI actor in his category to have this honor.

On May 18, Tosca with Lise Davidsen and Freddie De Tommaso will premiere. This is a Met Opera production and was first filmed as part of the opera's Live in HD series.

Girl from the North Country premieres on May 23. This proshot was filmed in April 2022 (I was there). The production opened and closed on Broadway three times due to pandemic-related reasons. It stars Mare Winningham, Luba Mason, Jeannette Bayardelle, and many others.

Another West End show, Kiss Me, Kate starring Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar premieres May 30. This production was directed by Bartlett Sher and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast, and ran in the West End last summer.

Recently, the current administration head has signed an executive order “to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS." A reminder that executive orders are NOT policy in and of themselves. That's not how any of this works. However, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting said last week that the Department of Education has ended a federal grant that would have funded vital children's programs.

PBS and NPR have stated that they will be fighting these orders in court. At this time, please support these services in any way you can, including just by watching their programming. A demonstrated interest and "value" is imperative.

[droughtofapathy]

'Redwood' Starring Idina Menzel Announces Broadway Closing Date - The Arts Shelf

'Redwood' Starring Idina Menzel Announces Broadway Closing Date by The Arts Shelf

Redwood is officially closing May 18 after 127 performances, meaning that the dream of having 41 open Broadway theatres has ended. We miss it by six days. I'm devastated. Having been shut out of the Tonys this season, and attracting poor audience attendance, this show is the first of the post-nomination casualties.

[broadwaydivastournament]

Audra McDonald Reacts to Her Historic 11th Tony Nomination, Reflects on “Tornado” of a Role in ‘Gypsy’

The star became the most Tony-nominated performer in history May 1 for her role as the ultimate stage mom.

"Everything that Rose goes through in his story is something that a Black woman knows and understands and has experienced in some way, shape or form in her life."

[broadwaydivastournament]

Congratulations to the 2025 Tony Award Nominees

2025 Tony Award Nominations: Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending Lead the Pack

Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce will announce this year's nominees for Broadway's top honors beginning at 8:30 AM ET.

Extra kudos to all the wonderful Divas over fifty who were nominated this season.

Mia Farrow, The Roommate LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Purpose Audra McDonald, Gypsy Jennifer Simard, Death Becomes Her Jessica Hecht, Eureka Day Natalie Venetia Belcon, Buena Vista Social Club Justina Machado, Real Women Have Curves: The Musical