Audra McDonald is just so darn normal – not that outrageous beauty and talent are normal. But the point is, she could be a raging diva if she so chose. And maybe she is offstage (though I doubt it), but onstage, she’s funny, self-deprecating and comfortable, just as you’d expect of a girl from Fresno. McDonald was back in the Bay Area Sunday afternoon...

Every year around the Fourth of July, I like to celebrate something entirely American: the musical. I’m a little late this year, but it’s my patriotic duty. So here, better late than never, are some show tune suggestions to get you through the summer. Of course the original cast album of the moment is Spring Awakening (Decca Broadway). The Duncan...

(all photos Associated Press) “Musical theater rocks,” so said Duncan Sheik with a sly smile and a twinkle in his award-drunk eyes during Sunday’s Tony Awards. Here’s Sheik on the red carpet before the event. That’s the smile of someone who knows he’s going to win two Tonys (for best score and orchestration for Spring...

OK, people, time to start planning those Tony Award viewing parties for Sunday, June 10 on CBS. We’ve got to get those dismal ratings up, so if you’re having people over, make sure they’re still setting their TiVos (and VCRs if you’re archaic) to record the telecast. If you’re a Nielsen family, do some creative figuring and say you...

Things I’m excited about at the moment: - The new Chorus Line cast recording (stay tuned for more on that one), which came out last week. - Two off-Broadway musicals making their way to Broadway: Spring Awakening and Grey Gardens. The good folks at Broadway.com have posted a world-premiere video from Spring Awakening, a musical by Steven Sater and popster...