I am talking the big G, here folks - GOSSIP.  Dirt.  Innuendo.  Scandal.  I need some, I must have some!  There is simply not enough good juicy stuff going on.  How can I be a good gossipmonger or tattletale or nosy parker (nice one, eh) if I don't have any good G?  It isn't for a lack of digging.  No sir.  It's just that no one is making any controversy.  Where are the cat fights?  The affairs?  The drinking during matinees!  How is a blogger supposed to survive if everyone keeps playing nice? 

Here is my call to all of you B'way performers, directors, producers, stagehands, creative types, etc. etc....go make some DIRT.  Forget about the ART for a minute and make some news I can gossip about!  Please!

Ok, that isn't a good idea.  I get it.  Understood.  The ART is more important.  Yes.  It is.  But a little bit of gossip is ok, right?  Here are a few crumbs for you.  Enjoy...

Will Violet and Daisy Bloom Again?

It wasn't that long ago when a little show named Side Show made its way to the Great White Way.  A new musical about Daisy and Violet Hilton, a pair of conjoined twins.  For those of you out there that do not know about this show and think that it is the most ridiculous thing you have ever heard of.  Think again.  I loved Side Show.  The show was written by Bill Russell (book and lyrics) and Henry Krieger (music), directed by Robert Longbottom and starred uber fierce Alice Ripley (currently in Next to Normal at Second Stage) as Violet and equally fierce Emily Skinner as Daisy.  The show didn't really take off at the box office, but it will go down in history as the first show where actresses were co-nominated for a Tony.  Ripley and Skinner were nominated TOGETHER for their work in Side Show. This show had some huge huge fans.  So what is the gossip?  There are whispers around the rialto that Side Show is coming back.  Insiders say that the Roundabout Theater is in talks to bring the show back next season.  It closed in January of 1998.  Do you think it is too soon?  Naw.  Heck they revived Les Miz after a year.  Anyone out there excited about this?  Appalled?  Let's hear it...

Still Not Dead

I got a bit more info on the whole "last weeks" "not last weeks" issue over at the B'way show Is Head Dead?  The new play by Mark Twain with some re-writes by David Ives,  starring Norbert Leo Butz and directed by Michael Blakemore.  The show has been sputtering for the past few weeks.  Box office is on life support and advance sales are looking nearly catatonic.  However, word is that Blakemore has convinced producers to keep the show alive for just a little while longer.  It looks like they are going to give it a go until April and pump some much needed energy into a new ad campaign featuring the author, good ol' Mark Twain. This means we can ditch the ads with the long dog and the dead painter.  That won't be missed. Click HERE to learn more about the show.

Transfer? No Transfer?

One of the most talked about bits of gossip is about another play by David Ives, New Jerusalem.  This new play about the 17th century philosopher Baruch Spinoza which was recently seen at CSC (Classic Stage Company) downtown may be taking a stroll uptown to The Broadway.  I actually heard about this earlier but had to stay completely mum on the subject (don't you hate when people do that "oh, I knew about that a long time ago" thing).  Well, I should have said something last week because now it is leaking all over town.  Gossip coloumnists and theater blogs are buzzing about a possible transfer.  Apparently it isn't a done deal yet but the nosy parkers are saying that it will take over Circle in the Square Theater and will star Richard Easton (reprising his role) and once again be helmed by Walter Bobbie (director of the B'way musical Chicago).  According to press notes the play, "examines the clash between religion and modernity that Jews, Christians and Muslims are still, some 350 years later, struggling to reconcile,"  It's a romantic comedy.  Just kidding.  I will let you know more when this is all official. 

Long and Winding Road for North

I have been watching the development of a new play called Farragut North.  The play, about politics (a topic I can't resist) is written by Beau Willimon.  I went to school with Beau and had a show produced in a festival with his play Lower Ninth (currently on display at The Flea Theatre) and I just think he is an excellent writer.  Well, Farragut North has had some "action" lately.  You might remember that Jake Gyllenhaal did a reading of the play last year and there was much talk about a production.  Then the play got picked up by Second Stage Theatre Company.  Then came word that there would be a movie version (with Leonardo DeCaprio - possibly).  Wow.  Things were looking awesome. Then Gyllenhaal appeared to move on to other projects, but Mike Nichols indicated that he wanted to direct it on The Broadway.  Now suddenly Beau had a Broadway run on his hands.  But wait, then Nichols was out.  What?  I am getting totally confused.  Well the latest news, as reported in the NY Times, is that Doug Hughes is set to direct a production in the fall and a cast is soon to be announced.  That is quite a whirlwind.  I don't care what it takes, just do the play - because I want to see it.

Am I Really Plugging In The Heights Again?

Yes.  Yes I am.  This is my blog I can do whatever I want.  And I want to show you two videos from the guys are In The Heights.  Click HERE to see the latest installment of Yahoo! Broadway's exclusive video series on the show.  And click HERE to see a hysterical video parody that the gang from ITH's put together - mocking Rihanna's song Umbrella.  Notice the nice substitutes for rain water that they come up with.  This isn't even gossip, but, remember...this is my blog.

On a Sad Note

Dennis Letts, father of playwright Tracy Letts and recent star of the Broadway play August: Osage County (written by his son), passed away on February 22nd.  The 73 year old actor died of lung cancer.  He was diagnosed after the run of August concluded in Chicago, but he decided to follow the show to the rialto to be a part of the Broadway production.  Mr. Letts' single scene at the opening of August was one of my favorite parts of the play; funny and moving - it was like the calm before the storm and showcased Mr. Letts' immense talent.  He will be missed.

Well, this has been a whirlwind of a post.  Kind of "all over the map".  I need to sit down and drink something cool and compose myself.  If you all have ANY gossip, secrets or innuendo - please leave it in the comments section.  Oh, clarification - that is gossip, secrets or innuendo about Broadway...I don't need to hear about personal issues.  Wait, on second thought...

~ See You On The Aisle