broadway: Celebs Rumors

coming to Broadway after all — and, like the main character, she’s getting an extreme makeover.First they’re ditching the title that confused Brits because they associate the princess with Christmas pantomimes and would have stumped Americans because they’d expect Rodgers and Hammerstein or Disney. For its run at the Imperial Theatre beginning Feb. 17, 2023 (one day before Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” shoves the old chandelier in a storage unit), the show has been renamed “Bad Cinderella.” The only other time Lloyd Webber gave a different moniker to a show after a major West End run was when he changed “Jeeves” to “By Jeeves.” But a “By” ain’t a “Bad.” Tell us what you think of the title “Bad Cinderella” in the comments, readers!There will also be a brand-new star.

Three Minutes: A Lengthening,” similarly, is about a recently discovered reel of film that is the only evidence that thousands of murdered Jewish residents of a small Polish town ever lived. Many of their names, even so, are lost to time.The pages of Stoppard’s drama, loosely inspired by the British playwright’s own family, slowly flip like a hefty fading photo album, too, and while that strikes an appropriate tone it also creates a theatrical problem.

actor. “To me, it was just extraordinary.” Sullivan begged her parents to let her audition for a play, too.

during the Broadway Podcast Network’s “The Art of Kindness” podcast on Thursday.“This started before COVID, but now it seems to be back on — and that is that they are building a Broadway version of ‘Hocus Pocus,’ ” said Kirschner.“I just want to pinch myself, and I’m just afraid that I’m going to be 9 years old and on a Little League field again … But it’s just so wonderful just to stand back and watch all of this.”The 67-year-old producer and “Hocus Pocus” creator made the announcement a day before the highly-anticipated sequel is set to fly on Disney+.“It’s not just me. It’s so many people that brought ‘Hocus Pocus’ [to life] — from [director] Kenny Ortega and Mick Garris’ script and John Debney’s score and Bill Sandell’s production design, and now a whole new generation are working on it,” Kirschner said.“Hocus Pocus” and its sequel star Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as the hilarious-yet-sinister Sanderson sisters — who are hellbent on terrorizing modern-day Salem, Massachusetts.

first reported on Friday that the composer’s “The Phantom of the Opera” would close on Broadway this winter after 35 years, the show took in $2 million in ticket sales by 8 p.m., producer Cameron Mackintosh told The Post.“The hills are alive with the sound of the music of the night!,” Mackintosh said on a phone call from London.The producer is pleased the box office boom and outpouring of affection from fans around the world, even though The Post scuttled his announcement plans (the news was set to drop next week.) Still, “Phantom” is definitely coming to an end in New York on Feb. 18, shortly after a lavish bash for its 35th anniversary.“Everyone thinks these shows can go on forever, but you can’t run a big show at these margins anymore,” the producer said, adding that the pre-pandemic running cost of “Phantom,” $800,000, has ballooned to $950,000 today.

flop movie version, starring Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum, was released in 2004.Lloyd Webber also put on an unsuccessful sequel, called “Love Never Dies,” in London in 2010 that toured but never made it to Broadway.“Phantom” continues to play in London at Her Majesty’s Theatre — soon to be renamed His Majesty’s Theatre following the death of Queen Elizabeth II — and recently had some of its original staging revised.That could be a clue to the musical’s future. While this “Phantom” will close for good in December, it would not be shocking to see it return in a much cheaper iteration in a few years.

in “The Music Man” on Broadway. He’s fulfilled that dream — but all things must come to an end.On the red carpet at the Toronto Film Festival, Jackman told The Associated Press that the revival will play its last performance at the beginning of the new year,“Jan. 1 is going to be the last show.

livestreamed.“It’s going to be a night of some favorites of mine from shows that I’ve been in, some Liza stuff, some Broadway stuff, a couple jazz tunes, some mashups,” Rodriguez said.

according to the Hollywood Reporter.“Ali’s examples of grace, passion, strength of spirit, cool under fire and smiling through it all, has been a great model for millions to aspire to live by, myself included,” said producer Richard Willis.“We are excited to honor Ali’s life and legacy theatrically; it makes for an extraordinarily entertaining and impactful new musical for the world to enjoy.”Ali’s wife, Lonnie, also issued her own statement, saying how happy she was to bring her late husband’s legacy to life.“Muhammad has been a muse and continues to be a source of inspiration to so many artists around the world,” Ali said.

made her Broadway “Funny Girl” debut on Tuesday, had audiences roaring with laughter over one particular line.Early in the show, Michele’s character Fanny Brice delivered the line, “I hadn’t read many books.” Fans burst out into hysterics due to the persistent rumor that the former “Glee” star cannot read or write, which Michele recently shot down.The 36-year-old actress was first subjected to illiteracy rumors in 2017 when her late costar Naya Rivera’s memoir revealed that Michele refused to improvise her lines on set.Michele responded to the allegations recently, saying that the comment is sexist and that if she were a man, no one would question it. “There’s a rumor online that I can’t read or write? It’s sad.

an onslaught of dishy stories about the early departure of her predecessor, Beanie Feldstein. Indeed, no Broadway switcheroo has been this dramatic since Andrew Lloyd Webber unceremoniously booted Patti LuPone out of “Sunset Boulevard” and hired Glenn Close instead.In an attempt to give the change-up some breathing room, the production is formally inviting critics to review the show again in three weeks. So, The Post bought its own ticket Tuesday for the best seat in the house — Rear Mezzanine Row Q.Anyway, the delay is needless.

Lea Michele's first night as Fanny Brice was nothing short of a success. According to multiple reports, Michele wowed audiences while making her debut in Broadway's .Michele stepped into the role Tuesday night for the first time, replacing Beanie Feldstein, who left the broadway show sooner than expected in July. Both  and  reported that the  alum received four standing ovations at the August Wilson Theatre from a star-studded audience that included Michele's castmate Jonathan Groff, creator Ryan Murphy and Harvey Fierstein, who added new material to the musical revival. Drew Barrymore and Zachary Quinto were also said to have been in the audience for the show's opening night.Michele reportedly received her first standing ovation upon her entrance, and there were at least three more before the end of the first act.More ovations were said to have followed throughout the evening, including one at the final curtain, which saw a sobbing Michele and co-star Tovah Feldshuh — who also made her  debut Tuesday -- accepting large bouquets of white roses.So far Lea Michele has gotten four standing ovations at this Funny Girl performanceIt’s intermission at #FunnyGirl, and so far Lea Michele has gotten 4 standing ovations also shared footage from the show, including a clip of Michele taking her first bow as Brice.Lea Michele takes her first bow as Fanny Brice at #FunnyGirl on Broadway.

making her debut in the musical “Funny Girl” Tuesday, and she’s already wearing her Fanny Brice best.“This is such a dream come true for me,” Michele told Entertainment Weekly on Monday, revealing first-look photos of herself in costume.“And I cannot wait to take the stage on Tuesday as Fanny Brice on Broadway.”Michele, 36, first announced in July 2022 that she was taking over the role after Beanie Feldstein shocked fans by announcing her departure from the show — after receiving lukewarm reviews from critics and missing several performances. The production is a revival of the 1964 show which starred Barbra Streisand and tells the real-life story of Brice, who rose to stardom as a member of Florenz Ziegfeld’s “Follies.”The “Glee” alum has long coveted the role of Fanny ever since her days on the hit musical TV show.

renamed to honor of the EGOT winner. “The dedication of the James Earl Jones Theatre honors one of the most beloved Broadway and film actors of all time,” Shubert Chairman and CEO Robert E.

takes over the role of Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl” Sept. 6 — infamously replacing former leading lady Beanie Feldstein, who left the production amid a swirl of rumors earlier this summer.Michele addressed the online hate over her casting — as well as past claims she bullied her castmates in a profile published on Thursday.“I feel more ready than I ever have before, both personally and professionally,” the “Spring Awakening” star told the New York Times about coming back to her theater roots.She’s keen for a fresh start two years after her former “Glee” co-stars Samantha Marie Ware and Heather Morris alleged she bullied them both, with Ware accusing her of racist, “traumatic microaggressions.”When the bombshell claims were first dropped in 2020, Michele apologized for her actions, saying in a statement at the time that she “clearly acted in ways which hurt other people.”Now, the “Scream Queens” actress is admitting she had an “intense time of reflection” about her notorious behavior, noting she felt like she was in “semi-robotic state” in an effort to stay perfect.“I have an edge to me.

the tragic “Rust” shooting last year, will star in a revival of the play “Art” by Yasmina Reza.The 64-year-old will be joined by heavy hitters Tony Shalhoub (“The Band’s Visit”) and John Leguizamo (“Latin History for Morons”), while Tony winner Matthew Warchus (“Matilda”), who first staged the acclaimed comedy on the Great White Way back in 1998, has signed on as director. “Art” will likely open in the spring at a Shubert theater. (The production has been promised a house by the Shubert Organization.)The Post has reached out to reps for Baldwin, Shalhoub, Leguizamo and Warchus for comment. The show marks Baldwin’s first job since the fatal 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming of the indie movie “Rust” in New Mexico, which occurred while Baldwin was holding an on-set gun loaded with live ammunition that went off. New Mexico’s Office of the Medical Investigator concluded this month that the shooting was an accident, and Baldwin claimed he did not pull the trigger.

with Insider. “Because she’s the star of the show.”However, Pearce remembered having positive interactions with both “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy, 56, and another co-star, Chris Colfer, 32, who played Kurt Hummel.Murphy said he liked Pearce’s character’s red beret, she remembered, while Colfer told her he was “really excited” they got to film together.

statement from off-Broadway’s MCC Theater, which he founded. “The MCC Theater community mourns the loss of our much loved and uniquely inspiring partner, colleague, and dear friend, Bob LuPone, who lived fearlessly and with great curiosity, good humor, a boundless passion for connection, and a whole lot of heart,” the statement continued.

reports Broadway Journal. The production will see the 41-year-old Groban starring as the demon barber himself while his pie-baking accomplice Mrs. Lovett will be played by Annaleigh Ashford.

said in statement on her website. “I can no longer travel or perform in live concerts.

performance previously ran this spring and scored four Tony nominations, despite the leaked nude photos scandal.The “Grey’s Anatomy” alum, 41, stars as Darren Lemming, a baseball player who comes out as gay, while Ferguson, 46, plays Lemming’s business manager. The “Modern Family” actor won the Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Play earlier this year for his work.“Fran and I are so honored to serve as pinch-hitters and take the show into extra innings,” Barry Weissler, who produced the show, said in a statement.

disastrous new musical version of the Meryl Streep movie. At least not yet.Broadway insiders thought it was dead on arrival after opening to lukewarm-to-scathing reviews in Chicago last week from every major critic — The Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times.

Miranda tweeted. “Now lawyers do their work.”The staging of “Hamilton” performed at the Door Christian Fellowship church in McAllen, Texas, was tweaked to include biblical themes and a sermon at the end that compared homosexuality to addiction, the Dallas Morning News reported.Broadway veteran Miranda is known for his pro-LGBT stance.The paper obtained video of the Aug. 5 performance, which ran for about two hours, and the 15-minute sermon that followed.

CHICAGO — “You’ve got no style or sense of fashion,” viciously observes the fictional magazine editor Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada.”She’s dressing down her dowdy prospective new assistant, Andy, but that same harsh criticism should be lobbed at the bargain-bin new musical adaptation of the film and Lauren Weisberger’s novel that opened Sunday night in Chicago.2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission. At the James L.

her tap dancing rehearsals to her Instagram Story alongside the show’s choreographers, Ayodele Casel and Dre Torres. In the clip, the “Glee” alum — donning a black sports bra, leggings and tap shoes — spins her way into a military salute milliseconds ahead of Casel and Torres. Overjoyed that she stuck the ending pose, all three ladies clap as Michele high-fives Casel.“The great honor of having these two geniuses teach me how to tap for @funnygirl has been so unbelievably incredible and inspiring,” she wrote on a photo with the professionals.

Khaled Hosseini’s 2003 tearjerker novel “The Kite Runner” has no shortage of terrible traumas: deaths, beatings, a rape, the disastrous takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban. To say the very least, it’s a lot.  All that immense pain could prove overwhelming for the reader, yet the author’s gift for writing sumptuous imagery and tender, nuanced relationships softens the blow.

the ABC mockumentary-style sitcom “Abbott Elementary,” about an understaffed school in Philadelphia. And in real life, she embraces an educator’s ethos.

“POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive.”An insider told People that the 74-year-old former senator and presidential candidate brought spectators to their feet, the first time by simply walking to her seat at New York City’s Schubert Theater.The second round of applause came in the first act when a reporter character, played by Lilli Cooper, asked the fictional First Lady on stage, actress Vanessa Williams, why she wasn’t president.“That’s the eternal question, isn’t it?” Williams responded, shifting the audience’s attention to Clinton, who cheered her on for over a minute, according to the outlet. Clinton likely related to the show better than any attendee as “POTUS,” which tells the story of a fictional commander in chief relying on the women of the White House to keep him out of trouble. Clinton was first lady from 1993 to 2001 as wife of former President Bill Clinton.

Deadline reports.He then moved on to become the Vice President of Creative Development for Disney Theatrical Productions.There, he oversaw the Broadway production of Aida as well as the national tour of “High School Musical,” among others.He left Disney in 2013 and went on to begin his own production company, FickStern Productions.One of the first shows he produced was the Tony Award-winning revival of “Dear Evan Hansen.”At the time of his passing, he was working on animated and hybrid films for Warner Brothers Studios, according to reports.Fickinger also served as Executive Producer of the production of “Rock of Ages” at The Bourbon Room in Hollywood.He was also working on developing a handful of shows for Broadway as well as touring productions.A cause of death has not been released.

to Deadline on Wednesday, with a debut sometime in 2023.“Synchronize Your Watches — The Future’s coming to Broadway in 2023!!!,” reads the tweet which includes a clip featuring the West End actors. The West End version of the show — which opened in 2021 — features music and lyrics from Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard as well as a book written by the original “Back to the Future” writer Bob Gale.

according to Deadline. “There was a wonderful warmth in the hippie atmosphere, a sense of freedom,” Rado said in a 2008 interview about the musical for which he co-wrote the book and lyrics with partner Gerome Ragni.

The Hollywood Reporter on Monday and explained she died from natural causes, stemming from a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.“I can’t overstate how important she was to me,” her friend Ilene Graff wrote on Facebook yesterday, TheWrap reported.Graff added, “Her amazing talent and skill were only a small part of who she was. A tireless advocate for children in need, especially those with physical, emotional and/or intellectual challenges, she helped raise countless millions of dollars for them.”“The world is a little less sparkly without her, but I am so glad I got to be her friend.

leaves the role in September, according to Showbiz 411. A representative for Michele declined to comment when contacted by The Post, which has also reached out to show publicists.Michele has publicly manifested her desire to play the Barbra Streisand-original character for years.

broke the news in a statement on Wednesday. “14 weeks left to see Beanie Feldstein & Jane Lynch now through September 25th,” it posted.“Stay tuned for additional casting news to join Ramin Karimloo & Jared Grimes and the company of Funny Girl.”The news comes after Feldstein missed several shows after testing positive for COVID-19 on June 6. The 28-year-old performer reflected on her role in her own Instagram post Wednesday.“I’ll never be able to find the words that could even begin to explain what the experience has been to me,” she wrote.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Tony nominee Corey Hawkins will star in the Broadway play Topdog/Underdog.Written by Suzan-Lori Parks, the play will run for four months; beginning on October 20 at the John Golden Theatre. In 2001, Parks’ Topdog/Underdog won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, making her the first African-America woman to receive that award.The original Broadway production of Topdog/Underdog debuted April 7, 2002.

2022 Tony Awards on Sunday as members of the Broadway community gathered at Radio City Music Hall to celebrate Broadway’s return after the COVID-19 pandemic.Hosted by Academy Award winner and Tony nominee Ariana DeBose, the night was full of performances by the musicals that made up the night’s best musical category.Viewers were also treated to a reunion of the 2007 cast of Duncan Sheik’s “Spring Awakening” as well as a moving tribute to the late Stephen Sondheim, who died in November at 91.DeBose, 31, opened the show with a mash-up of some of Broadway’s greatest hits including the likes of “Cabaret,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Evita,” “The Wiz,” “Chicago,” “Hamilton,” — which included a shoutout to Lin-Manuel Miranda — “Rent” and “Hairspray.”Now THAT is how you kick off the #TonyAwards!