Monday, May 25

BY FOOT→ A few weeks ago, while trying to cleverly navigate the crowds in midtown, I found myself inches away from death by pedicab. I can just imagine: "Girl Gets Mowed Over By Wayward Cyclist. News at 11". For all you adventure prone pedestrians like myself, the Department of Transportation has answered our prayers! Starting today, the DOT will shut down Broadway traffic through Times and Herald Squares to create a walkers paradise. And, that ain't all! The Tonys will use that new space on June 7 to simulcast the awards show live on the jumbo screens!

Tuesday, May 26

OFF AND RUNNING→ Phylicia Rashad steps in as Violet in August: Osage County. Tony nominee Amy Morton also returns to the show to reprise her role of Barbara. Ms. Rashad (aka Huxtable) will be in the show until August 23, so be sure to see her while she's there!

Wednesday, May 27 WATCH→In The Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams debuts on PBS. This documentary chronicles the rise of what would become the Tony Award winner for Best Musical. Shameless self promotion alert—I make a cameo. Tune in to Channel 13 (in NYC) at 8 PM.

Thursday, May 28

GO (FREE)→ As part of Lincoln Center's Platform Series, the cast of Joe Turner's Come and Gone will hold court in the lobby of the Vivian Beaumont. Doors open at 5 PM; the talk begins at 5:30 PM (159 West 65th Street).

Saturday, May 30

GO→ Oscar winner and notorious seat jumper Roberto Benigni performs his one-man show, TuttoDante, at the Hammerstein Ballroom. The tour will continue on to Boston and Chicago.

GO→ The fabulous Barbara Cook and the New York Philharmonic play Avery Fisher Hall at 8 PM on Saturday. The previously scheduled June 2 show was just canceled, so if you want to catch Ms. Cook, do it on Saturday.

EAT→ B.B. King's legendary all-you-can-eat Beatles Brunch features good ol' southern grub with a side of the Fab Four. Doors open at 11 AM (237 West 42nd Street, near Seventh Avenue).

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Blake Ross is the editor of Playbill Magazine.