Broadway Friday

– Two-time Tony winner Chita Rivera will receive the Presidential Medal Of Freedom at the White House on August 13th.

– Avenue Q celebrates its sixth year on Broadway today. The show closes on September 13th.

– Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5: The Musical will close on September 6th after a mere three month run.

– The Broadway-bound First Wives Club – The Musical has its world premiere in San Diego today. Tony nominee Sheryl Lee Ralph (Dreamgirls) stars. The show features new songs by Motown legends Holland-Dozier-Holland.

– Hamlet begins previews at the Broadhurst on September 12th for the limited run of 12 weeks. Cast: Jude Law, Ross Armstrong, Harry Attwell,, Ron Cook, Ian Drysdale.

– Howard McGillin exited Phantom Of The Opera this week, taking with him the world record for playing that show’s lead – 2500 performances over ten years.

– Ballroom dance show Burn The Floor opens Sunday at the Longacre Theatre. The show features Maksim Chmerkovskiy of Dancing With The Stars.