New York Snapshots: Audra McDonald returns, Wolf Hall transfers

1. Tony Queen Audra McDonald is coming back to Broadway.

Audra McDonald, who made history at last year's Tonys by winning her sixth performance Tony, the most won by any actor, has already announced her triumphant return to the Broadway stage. She'll be starring along with George C Wolfe and Savion Glover in a new musical about the making of the groundbreaking show Shuffle Along. In other Audra news, the musical theatre star is reportedly in talks to take on a role in Disney's upcoming live-action Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma Watson.

2. Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth made a triumphant Broadway return.

For the first time since 2010's Promises, Promises, Broadway darling Kristin Chenoweth is back on the Great White Way. The pint-size triple threat is currently starring in the revival of the Comden and Green classic On the Twentieth Century. Though the show's opening was slightly delayed, we were there documenting the big night with photo and video. If you can't make it to Broadway during the show's limited run, you can take solace in the fact that a cast album will be released next month.

3. Bruce Willis has plans for a Broadway debut.

Emmy winner Bruce Willis, of blockbuster action-movie fame, has been officially announced to make his Broadway debut this fall. Willis will star opposite Elizabeth Marvel in a new stage adaptation of the 1990 film thriller Misery, directed by Will Frears. No Broadway house has been announced yet.

4. Cabaret has closed, but it's going on tour.

After a year back on Broadway at Roundabout Theatre Company's Studio 54, Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall's 1998 Tony-winning production of Cabaret has said auf wiedersehen once again. In commemoration, we spoke to Kit Kat Girl Kristin Olness, who appeared in both the original production and the recent remount. Fortunately, this goodbye isn't once and for all. The production will hit the road for a US national tour early next year.

5. Radio City Music Hall's opulent New York Spring Spectacular had its premiere.

The New York Spring Spectacular, the vernal season's answer to Radio City Music Hall's beloved Christmas Spectacular, opened on March 27. The new show, which is the first of its kind, stars Broadway favourite Laura Benanti and Dancing With the Stars's Derek Hough – and an animatronic Lady Liberty.

6. Three London transfers opened on Broadway.

Broadway is pleased to welcome three London productions to the Broadway stage this season. The Audience, starring Helen Mirren, celebrated a sparkling opening night on March 8, while Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy opened their Broadway production of David Hare's Skylight on April 2. And the cast of the Broadway transfer of Wolf Hall were We enjoyed getting to know the team in action this week for their 9 April opening. when we attended the meet-and-greet event at New York's British Residence at the British Consulate.

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