Wilkie Ferguson News

As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, Audra McDonald, the five-time Tony winning star of PORGY & BESS, will indeed be returning to the show today following a 2-week doctor-mandated hiatus.

Producers of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS, the 2012 Tony Award winner for Best Revival of a Musical, announced today that Audra McDonald has been ordered on a period of complete vocal rest by her doctor through the end of the month. As a result of performing with a respiratory infection last week, her vocal cords have become inflamed to a point where she cannot sing. She is scheduled to return to the production on Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Last night, June 10, Audra McDonald took home her 5th Tony Award for for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role of 'Bess' in THE GERSWIN's PORGY AND BESS. Though we'd think she'd be used to the feeling of winning by now, McDonald spoke with BroadwayWorld just moments after her win only to reveal how it still feels 'out of body'. Click below to hear from the Broadway darling herself!

Wilkie Ferguson, III, currently performing in the ten-time Tony Award nominated The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess on Broadway, makes his NYC solo concert debut at The Triad Theater (158 West 72nd Street) tonight, June 11th, 2012 at 9:30pm. Special guests include Tony Nominee Joshua Henry.

Wilkie Ferguson, currently appearing on Broadway in the Tony Award-nominated production of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS, will give a solo concert performance at The Triad Theater (158 West 72nd Street) at 9:30pm on June 11, 2012.

Wilkie Ferguson, III, currently performing in the ten-time Tony Award nominated The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess on Broadway, makes his NYC solo concert debut at The Triad Theater (158 West 72nd Street) on June 11th, 2012 at 9:30pm. Special guests include Tony Nominee Joshua Henry. Watch the promo videos below!

Wilkie Ferguson, III, currently performing in the ten-time Tony Award nominated The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess on Broadway, makes his NYC solo concert debut at The Triad Theater (158 West 72nd Street) on June 11th, 2012 at 9:30pm. Special guests include Tony Nominee Joshua Henry.

Audra McDonald is the recipient of this year's Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role of 'Bess' in THE GERSWIN's PORGY AND BESS. The award marks McDonald's fifth Tony award win.

THE GERSHWIN'S PORGY AND BESS is this year's recipient of the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

Lee Summers' "Just A Piano" Concert Series presents the May-June 2012 line up, including JERSEY BOYS' Russell Fischer, LEAP OF FAITH's Maurice Murphy, SISTER ACT's Kingsley Leggs, THE GERSHWIN'S PORGY AND BESS' Wilkie Ferguson and more.

Lee Summers' "Just A Piano" Concert Series presents the June line-up, featuring THE GERSHWIN'S PORGY AND BESS' Wilkie Ferguson and more. See details below.

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, along with the City of New York and the United States Navy, celebrates the 25th annual Fleet Week, now through May 28, 2012. Fleet Week is America's premier tribute and "thank you" to the men and women who serve in the armed forces. As part of the festivities, Peter and the Starcatcher's Teddy Bergman and Greg Hildrethof hosted a Fleet Week Broadway showcase, featuring performers from Anything Goes, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, Memphis, Ghost, Sister Act, Godspell, Chicago and Rock of Ages. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you photos from the event below!

View members of the cast at yesterday's Barnes & Noble cast recording performance and signing below!

Lee Summers' "Just A Piano" Concert Series presents the May-June 2012 line up, including JERSEY BOYS' Russell Fischer, LEAP OF FAITH's Maurice Murphy, SISTER ACT's Kingsley Leggs, THE GERSHWIN'S PORGY AND BESS' Wilkie Ferguson and more.

Wilkie Ferguson III, currently performing in the ten-time Tony Award nominated The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess on Broadway, makes his NYC solo concert debut at The Triad Theater (158 West 72nd Street) on June 11th, 2012 at 9:30pm. Special guests include Tony nominee Joshua Henry.

PS Classics will release the New Broadway Cast Recording of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, currently available for pre-order, on May 22. Additionally they are offering a first listen of some of the tracks on their website. Click here to check them out! The full track list is as follows:

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess is now on Broadway with a cast led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, 'Private Practice') as Bess, Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Porgy and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier (Race, 'In Living Color') as Sporting Life. In the video below, the audience got a special surprise when the cast welcomed a couple onstage for a heartwarming marriage propsal. Click below to check it out!

The revised book of The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess has been the subject of much discussion since it's debut at A.R.T. last August, and according to Patrick Healy of the New York Times, there is still debate over its Tony eligibility. Last week, when the Tony administration committee made a decision regarding David Alan Grier's eligibility as a featured actor, they 'took no action' with the musical's updated book (by Suzan-Lori Parks and Diedre Murray), thus making it ineligible for a 'Best Book' Tony Award.

ROCK OF AGES on Broadway wanted him to stay for another six months. In spite of that, after more than 500 shows, which began in his swing job at ROCK OF AGES' first national tour two years ago and ended up in his last performance as the musical's male romantic lead, Drew, on Broadway last Sunday, Dan Domenech has opted for some time off instead. BroadwayWorld.com brings you exclusive photos of Domenech's farewell party, in which ROA cast members, some theater friends, and family members joined the intimate gathering, recently held at Pazza Notte Restaurant & Lounge on Avenue of Americas.

Nikki Renée Daniels, who is currently starring as Clara in The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS, will release her debut solo recording today, March 27, 2012. Entitled 'Home,' the recording will be available on cdbaby.com and iTunes. The CD features an eclectic mix of gospel, pop and Broadway favorites. For more information and to hear song samples visit www.nikkireneedaniels.com.