Rialto Chatter - Page 12

According to a report on Billboard.com, the Portland-based rock group, The Decemberists, are considering the possibility of writing a Broadway musical. Says vocalist/guitarist Colin Meloy: 'I grew up doing theater, so in theory, I would love to write a musical. I don't know if I have the stuff -- I always end up just writing little pop songs that stand a better chance on a record than on stage...It happens that the director Michael Mayer, who directed Green Day's 'American Idiot' musical on Broadway, is the guy that got me going about doing a musical...We're still talking and there's potential for a musical down the line, for sure.'

As BroadwayWorld reported last month, the Manhattan Theater Club was in talks to bring the Kennedy Center production of MASTER CLASS, which ran this Spring, starring Tyne Daly to Broadway in the Summer of 2011. The play is aiming for the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in June. An Equity casting notice released today a new production of MASTER CLASS with Tyne Daly is one of the projects under consideration for MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre for the Spring of 2011.

CARRIE is back, according to an Equity casting notice that was just released a few moments ago. A 29-Hour reading is scheduled for February. Exact dates will be determined based on actor's schedules once cast. The notice specifically calls for submission for the roles of Carrie and Sue Snell. Auditions will take place in mid-December.

Deadline.com reports today that Precious mastermind Lee Daniels has his eye on a screen adaptation of Kander & Ebb's SCOTTSBORO BOYS, playing out its final performances at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway. According to the report: 'While The Scottsboro Boys ends its Broadway run on December 12 at the Lyceum Theatre, there are flickers of hope that the last collaboration between songwriting legends John Kander and Fred Ebb will have a feature future. I'm told that Oscar-nominated Precious director Lee Daniels has seen the show several times and is in early conversations to develop it.'

According to Variety, UNCHAIN MY HEART might not move to Broadway this spring after all. The show, which was previously titled RAY CHARLES LIVE!, was to open at the Ethel Barrymore on November 7, but was postponed until spring. Now the production has been put on hold because a producer of the show is suing the show's primary investor. A rep for UNCHAIN MY HEART commented that he 'had no details about a new production timeline, but admitted a spring start doesn't seem viable.'

Roger Friedman's SHOWBIZ411.com is reporting that the cast of BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON was told last night that the show was to close on January 2, 2011.

BwayGirlNYC has spotted a tweet from choreographer and Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin referencing an upcoming Broadway Pussycat Dolls musical! Antin's tweet reads 'Just got my tix for 'West Side Story' at Pantages! Can't wait, (doing my research for my Pussycat Dolls Musical on Broadway!)'

Tonight at approximately 10:15, the first preview of the highly anticipated SPIDER-MAN ended, some 3 hours and 45 minutes after it was scheduled to begin. Message boards and Twitter were abuzz throughout the show, noting that there were 4 technical stops in Act 1, and 1 in Act 2 as well as an elongated intermission, but the show as performed from beginning to end.

As LOVE NEVER DIES returns from its hiatus, what has changed? Don't read on if you don't want spoilers...

Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of Bonnie & Clyde opened on November 19. Jay Handelman reports in today's Herald-Tribune that the show is heading next to Broadway in August of 2011. The article reports that: 'We're planning to go to Broadway in August. We're going to Broadway, absolutely,' said Jerry Frankel, a veteran Broadway producer who is partnered with Jeffrey Richards. They are represented on Broadway by 'Bloody Blood Andrew Jackson,' 'The Merchant of Venice' with Al Pacino and 'A Life in the Theatre.'

Michael Riedel is reporting in today's New York Post that the Manhattan Theater Club is in talks to bring the Kennedy Center production of MASTER CLASS, which ran this Spring, starring Tyne Daly to Broadway in the Summer of 2011. The play is aiming for the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in June.

Already delayed because of safey issues regarding the many flying stunts in the show, SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK will get anoher visit from safety inspectors on Wednesday, according to the NY Times. Inspectors have so far been able to see only 13 of 27 flying stunts for the new show. All 27 must be approved before public performances can begin.

The New York Times reports today that Brittish film actor Matthew James Thomas will likely share the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man with Reeve Carney for the upcoming Broadway production of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Thomas will take on the role twice a week due to the demanding nature of the part. The Times notes that Carney will play all of the production's preview performances. Thomas would step in twice a week beginning after the show's opening on January 11, 2011.

The New York Times reports this morning that Mark Rylance, currently starring in La Bete alongside David Hyde Pierce and Joanna Lumley at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway, may be reprising his role as Johnny 'Rooster' Byron in Jez Butterworth's award-winning play, Jerusalem, on Broadway this season.

BroadwayWorld.com checked with the Driving Miss Daisy team to find out how Vanessa Redgrave who has been out of the show is feeling and have been told that 'Vanessa has the flu and hopes to return to Driving Miss Daisy tomorrow.'

According to Rosie Radio, in a recent interview with Avenue Q and Imaginocean's John Targaglia, Rosie O'Donnell may be filming her new talk show, which will premiere on Oprah's OWN, from Off-Broadway's New World Stages.

BroadwayWorld has learned that a new musical called INNOCENCE just did a low-key reading at The Banff Centre in Alberta last week and now the theatrical community around the world is nosing around. What is INNOCENCE? The days surrounding the assassination and funeral of President John F. Kennedy are the background for the new show, examining the hopes, expectations and emotional significance of that time through the eyes of several people who felt the loss deeply.

As Arena Stage begins a new life in its renovated home at the Mead Center for American Theater in Southwest D.C., it opens its inaugural season with a classic American musical that similarly embraces life on a new frontier. Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! is the first production at the Mead Center and features an all-star cast under the direction of Artistic Director Molly Smith. Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! runs October 22-December 26, 2010 in the Fichandler Stage.

Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that none other than Mike Myers (yes, Austin Powers) may step into Kelsey Grammer's role of Georges alongside Harvey Fierstein in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES after Grammer and Douglas Hodge depart the show in February. Writes Riedel: Hodge's co-star, the excellent Kelsey Grammer, is likely to leave the show in February as well, so the hunt is on for a new Georges...Mike Myers is said to be in the mix.'

According to UK Daily Mail, Brittish film actor Matthew James Thomas is rumored to be the alternate Peter Parker/Spider-Man for the upcoming Broadway production of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Thomas will take on the role twice a week.