It was all anyone was talking about yesterday (and most likely, today).  At around 3:35pm on Tuesday afternoon the atmosphere in my office shifted as people opened CNN Breaking News emails, calls flooded in and text messages buzzed on Blackberries.  Heath Ledger, 28 year old Oscar nominee and star of Brokeback Mountain, was dead.  It was insane how quickly word spread.  I got 4 emails, 2 texts and a phone call in the span of 5 minutes - not to mention about 20 people in the office saying "did you hear?"  Mr. Ledger was found dead in his NY SoHo apartment by his maid and a masseuse.  He was naked and surrounded by pills.  The police suspect an accidental overdose (they are saying that it does NOT appear to be a suicide).  Bottles of the generic forms of Xanax and Valium, both anti-anxiety drugs prescribed in his name, were found in the house, along with the sleeping pill Ambien.  Theories are surfacing that he was upset by the recent split with his wife and actress Michelle Williams, but that is merely speculation.  Mr. Ledger was on the top of his game, he had just finished filming the Batman sequel and was Hollywood A-lister with a new child; his death is certainly a tragedy.

I know this a Broadway blog, but that is too big a story to ignore today.  Besides, there is a connection - wife Michelle Williams has appeared in numerous B'way plays.  She is a downtown staple in the company The New Group.  I actually saw her in a play of theirs several seasons ago and she was fantastic.  Now, on to other B'way related news.

That's Oscar Nominated Johnny Depp to You!

The Academy Awards were announced yesterday and Mr. Johnny Depp picked up a nomination for Best Actor in Sweeney Todd (directed by Tim Burton).  I am very very excited for Mr. Depp, but disappointed the Todd didn't rack up a few more noms (especially Best Picture or Best Director).  Sweeney did manager to garner nods for Best Costumes and Best Art Direction.  Sadly, I do not think that Mr. Depp will win.  Everyone is talking about Daniel Day Lewis' performance in There Will Be Blood.  He is predicted to bring home the naked golden statue on Oscar night. 

There were a few other B'way nominations.  Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz picked up THREE nominations (all in the same category) for their songs from Enchanted; "Happy Working Song," "So Close" and "That's How You Know" were all recognized by the Academy.  I am excited to see how they will stage these numbers for the telecast (that is IF there is a telecast).  Laura Linney (soon to open on B'way in Les Liaisons Dangereuses) was nominated for her work in The Savages and Amy Ryan was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in the Ben Affleck directed Gone Baby Gone.  Ms. Ryan has been in many many B'way and Off B'way shows - this is a real break through performance for her and I, for one, am thrilled for her!

I [Heart] the New York Post

I just have to call your attention to two fascinating pieces of gossip that have surfaced at the New York Post.  I have to say, the Post is totally a guilty pleasure of mine.  I don't read it all the time, but when I do I always find some juicy tidbit to savor.  Today they have two.  First, an item on Kathleen Turner (the sexy star of movies such as Body Heat) and her new tell-all book.  She dishes about all her former male co-stars.  She has this to say about Nicholas Cage:

"Everything Francis (the director)  wanted him to do, he went against to show that he wasn't under his uncle's wing. Which was ridiculous. Oh, that stupid voice of his and the fake teeth! Honestly, I cringe to think about it. He caused so many problems," Turner writes. "He was arrested twice for drunk driving and, I think, once for stealing a dog. He'd come across a Chihuahua he liked and stuck it in his jacket."

Crazy scandalous, right? Click HERE to read the rest of the article. Ms. Turner is currently directing the B'way revival of Beth Henley's Crimes of the Heart.

Then the Post has Michael Riedel's column today in which Mr. Riedel dishes about Mel Brooks and his whining about why the critics don't like Young Frankenstein.  It is not very complimentary towards Mr. Brooks.  Note to self - do NOT cross Michael Riedel.  Click HERE to see the whole story.

Tales of the City

You have heard that Jeff Whitty, the writer of Avenue Q, has been busy on a new project.  No?  He is working on an adaptation of the Amrmistead Maupin books called Tales of the City.  I love these books.  I moved to San Francisco after college and I read them all in about one week.  I can't believe they might actually come to life in a B'way musical.  Anyhoo, Mr. Whitty has snagged The Scissor Sisters to pen the music for the new project.  Yesterday I found this quote on the Spinner's website (I love the internet) by Jake Shears, the band's frontman:

"Shears said its too soon to set a release date on the next record, in part due to him pulling double duty -- the singer is helping to pen a musical to Armistead Maupin's 'Tales of the City.' Since his pal, Jeff Whitty, sent him a note asking him what he thought of the books a year ago, Shears has been coming up with ideas and melodies."

"Over a year ago, I got a note from him saying, 'What do you think of 'Tales of the City?' I'm crazy about 'Tales!' I grew up on the books," Shears enthuses. "They were a big part of my teenager-hood. They're just great, great books with amazing characters and I love the era. My heart just started racing. I got very excited about it."

"He's spent almost a year working on the project already, amassing 15 numbers. "It's poppy and since there's no arrangement yet, all of our writing is just piano and my voice," he explains. "As it take shape, it's gonna even take on more of a style."

How exciting.  I can NOT wait. 

Tony Technicalities

There is this weird thing that happens every season on Broadway where the committee for the Tony Awards has to get together and vote on a bunch of different things for the Awards.  It is all very technical and there are tons of rules and I don't really get all of it, BUT I do understand that many times the committee has to vote on what categories actors will be nominated in.  The nominators don't just decide who goes in which categories; producers ask to have actors placed in certain categories.  For example, a producer will sometimes put an actor or actress in the "Featured Actress" category in order for that person to have a better shot at winning.  So, yesterday the committee announced some decisions.  One of them is a big one!  It was announced yesterday that my August Osage County girl - Amy Morton will be in the same category as cast mate Deanna Dunagan.  Both will compete in the Best Actress in a Play category.  This breaks my heart.  I hoped one would win Best Featured and the other Best Actress.  Alas, it was not meant to be.  Other decisions were: Max Crumm and Laura Osnes from Grease will compete in the Leading Actor and Actress in a Musical categories.  Rosie Perez from The Ritz will compete in the Featured Actress in a Play category (I think this gives her a better shot than if she was competing with Amy and Deanna from August).  Raúl Esparza, Michael McKean, James Frain and Gareth Saxe will all be considered in the Featured Actor in a Play category for their performances in The Homecoming.  Was that more technical info than you wanted?  Me too!  Wake me up when they are giving out the awards. 

~ See You On The Aisle