News: "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough", the Michael Jackson bio-musical, has cancelled its pre-Broadway run in Chicago to open cold in New York in 2020; "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" with Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon has booked the Broadhurst Theatre for a May opening; critic's pick "Network" (read my review) has extended to June; and Roundabout Theatre Company announces its 2020 Off-Broadway season
Casting: besides a new Ali Hakim, the St. Ann's Warehouse cast of critic's pick "Oklahoma!" (read my review) are transferring to Broadway; Annie Golden will star in "Broadway Bounty Hunter", a new musical by Joe Iconis ("Be More Chill") this summer; and Claybourne Elder and Bryce Pinkham will lead the cast of "Benny & Joon"at Papermill Playhouse this spring
Development: a private reading of "The Prince of Egypt" the musical was held in London; and Rob Zombie floats "House of 1,000 Corpses" for a musical treatment
Controversy: should a musical's orchestrator be allowed to perform in the pit band? Under the current union contract, it's forbidden, which has forced "Be More Chill" orchestrator Charlie Rosen and the show's producers to either fire Mr. Rosen from the pit, where he plays guitar, or violate the contract; both options have now been exercised, resulting in a formal complaint from Local 802
See: Billy Porter's incredible gown on the Oscars Red Carpet
Listen: to this first song from the West End recording of "Heathers: The Musical"
Watch: this amazing new trailer for the FX series "Fosse/Verdon"; this new trailer for "Moulin Rouge! The Musical"; Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes' R&H Pop mashup of "Ten Minutes Ago"/"The Next Ten Minutes"; and John Mulaney talking about his forthcoming "Documentary Now!" satire of D.A. Pennebaker's famous "Original Cast Album: Company" documentary (and this first clip!)
RIP: Mark Bramble, bookwriter of "42nd Street" and "Barnum", among other shows, is dead at age 68, and Stanley Donen, director of the movie musical classics "Singin' in the Rain", "On the Town", "Damn Yankees", and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", among other films, is dead at 94
