May 2019 Highlights on Broadway and Beyond

Check out our guide to the biggest theatrical events of the month...

It's May time, but no time for play time for the Broadway community as we find ourselves slap, bang in the middle of the 2019 Awards Season! Yes, all of the 2018-2019 Broadway productions have officially opened and the nominations for The 73rd Annual Tony Awards have now been announced, but you'd be a fool to think that this month doesn't have anything new to offer theatre fans in New York City. May will mark the return of "Mama Broadway" herself - six-time Tony Award-winning favorite Audra McDonald - to the Great White Way, as well as the beginning of the inaugural In Residence on Broadway series which invites talented performers outside of the world of theatre to play limited residencies on a Broadway stage.

But first, here's a quick reminder of a couple of things we really don't want you to miss out on...

Fans of Christie Brinkley need to head on down to the Ambassador Theatre before May 12 to catch the legendary supermodel on stage as the sassy murderess Roxie Hart in Chicago, whilst fans of Broadway favorite Jessica Vosk have until the same date to see her defy gravity one last time as Elphaba in the hit musical Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre.

And, just because it's one of my all-time favorites - the 2004 Tony Award-winning "Best Musical" Avenue Q is really "only for now" as the curtain is set to fall for the final time on everyone's favorite, politically incorrect puppets at New World Stages on May 26.

And here's what's coming up later this month...

May 2

Irish Blood, English Heart, Broadway-bound!... Making his Broadway debut from May 2 is the acclaimed British alternative-rock artist Morrissey as he offers ardent fans a string of intimate gigs at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (through to May 11). In celebration of the Grammy nominee's upcoming album "California Son," a collection of 1960/70s classic covers, this Broadway residency promises all of Morrissey's signature hits as well as his takes on classics from the likes of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Dionne Warwick, and many more. There is a Light That Never Goes Out...on Broadway!

May 4

Surely the theatrical highlight of the month has to be the Broadway revival of Terrence McNally's celebrated two-hander Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune - the first official show of the 2019/2020 Broadway season - and that's because of this production's 24-karat cast! Yes, six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald and Tony and 2-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon are set to return to the Great White Way and tread through the murky waters of a one night stand that could possibly blossom into a new relationship as Frankie and Johnny... eight times a week! We're sure Mr. McNally is sitting comfortably and resting assured that his play is very much in safe hands. Previews begin at the Broadhurst Theatre on May 4, ahead of an official opening on May 30.

Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune Tickets are available now for performances from May 4 through to August 25, 2019.

May 17

 As we hurtle full-speed towards The 73rd Annual Tony Awards and The 64th Annual Drama Desk Awards in June, one of the biggest stops in Awards season this month is The 85th Annual Drama League Awards on May 17 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. Check out all of this year's nominees for "Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Play," "Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical," "Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play," "Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical," and the coveted "Distinguished Performance Awards" here, and don't forget that Tony Award winner and Kiss Me, Kate! star Kelli O'Hara will be honored with The Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater Award, two-time Tony Award nominee and Beetlejuice director Alex Timbers will receive The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing, and Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus scribe Taylor Mac will receive the Unique Contribution to the Theater Award.

May 28

In Residence on Broadway presents Pure Yanni from May 28 to June 2 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre - a stripped-back, intimate concert event, showcasing the multi-gold and platinum-selling artist Yanni and his piano. Having sold over 25 million albums worldwide and having played in some of the world's most iconic settings, Yanni now adds a Broadway debut to his inspirational list of accomplishments. There will also be a live Q&A session with the celebrated composer during each performance.

And if you're wondering what's going down Off-Broadway this month, we've got you covered...

May 4 - Something Clean begins previews at Roundabout Underground ahead of an official opening on May 30.

May 5 - The biggest night of the Off-Broadway calendar - The 34th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards at NYU Skirball Center. Check out all the nominees here!

May 7 - Audible's Proof of Love begins previews at the Minetta Lane Theatre ahead of an official opening on May 14, York Theatre Company's return engagement of Enter Laughing: The Musical begins previews ahead of a May 16 official opening, and Red Bull Theater's Mac Beth begins previews at the Lucille Lortel Theatre ahead of an official opening on May 19.

May 8 - The 2019 Encores! series continues with High Button Shoes at New York City Center from May 8 to 12,  whilst Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of Continuity begins previews at New York City Center's Stage II on May 8 and officially opens on May 21.

May 9 - The New York premiere of BLKS officially opens at the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space.

May 12 - Atlantic Theater Company's world premiere musical The Secret Life of Bees begins performances at the Linda Gross Theater.

May 13 - Signature Theatre's Curse of the Starving Class officially opens at Pershing Square Signature Center.

May 14 - Second Stage Theater's Dying City begins performances at the Tony Kiser Theater and Manhattan Theatre Club's Long Lost begins performances at New York City Center's Stage I.

May 15 - The Primary Stages production of Little Women begins performances at the Cherry Lane Theatre.

May 16 - The New Group's world premiere of Happy Talk, starring Susan Sarandon and Marin Ireland, officially opens at Pershing Square Signature Center.

May 19 - Signature Theatre's world premiere musical Octet officially opens at Pershing Square Signature Center.

May 20 - The 64th Annual Obie Awards ceremony takes place at Terminal 5.

May 21 - The 2019 Shakespeare in the Park season kicks off with Much Ado About Nothing at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

May 22 - Atlantic Theater Company's New York premiere of Nomad Motel begins performances at Atlantic Stage 2.

May 23 - Roundabout Theatre Company's world premiere of Toni Stone begins previews at the Laura Pels Theatre.

May 24 - The world premiere musical A Strange Loop begins performances at Playwrights Horizons.

Check back in with us next month for our guide to all the theatrical highlights in June... And you know what June means, folks... It's Tonys time!!!