Rialto Chatter - Page 12

According to a casting notice on Backstage, Shooting High Productions is casting an AGVA-sanctioned workshop/showcase of the Broadway-bound production of SUGAR BABIES, starring Tony Award winners Michael Mcgrath and Beth Leavel.

Is the Public's Shakespeare in the Park production of INTO THE WOODS headed for 45th Street? The New York Post's Michael Riedel says today that the show is raising money and looking toward the Hirschfeld Theatre, which currently houses a limited return run of FELA!; the Fela Kuti-inspired musical closes August 4 and no other show is lined up as of yet.

James Lapine has reportedly been commissioned for a stage adaptation of Moss Hart's landmark autobiography, ACT ONE, by Lincoln Center Theatre's artistic director Andre Bishop.

According to a recent Equity audition notice, Romeo and Juliet might be heading back to Broadway in the near future, with auditions taking place at the end of the month. The Shakespearan classic might also embark on a national tour in 2013. A production timeline has not been announced.

According to the New York Times, Broadway favorite Nathan Lane will be heading back to Broadway in Douglas Carter Beane's The Nance, a new play about a performer who played the role of the nance in burlesque shows in the early 20th century. Lincoln Center Theater is looking to bring the show to Broadway in spring 2013, with Jack O'Brien attached to direct.

In a recent interview with Showbiz411, stage and screen star Sigourney Weaver revealed that she might be heading back to the stage in another Christopher Durang play at Lincoln Center. Weaver, who previously worked with Durang in 1996's SEX AND LONGING, would join the cast of VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, opening November 12 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. An official casting announcement has not yet been made.

BroadwayWorld.com has learned that casting is now under way for a 29-hour reading of ANASTASIA - A New Musical, based on the hit 1997 animated motion picture from Fox Animation Studios. The musical, which is in its early stages of development will feature the five songs from the film along with fifteen new songs written for the stage.

Producer Scott Rudin, who holds the rights to produce the show on Broadway, has decided not to stage the Goodman Theatre production on the Great White Way.

Speculation is running rampant in California with an announcement expected shortly for the casting of the Hollywood Bowl's summer musical - THE PRODUCERS. Earlier this week, BWW reported that Richard Kind revealed on Kevin Pollak's Chat Show that he was on board for the project. Now, our LA sources are buzzing that Broadway veteran Jesse Tyler Ferguson might play 'Leo Bloom' after recently tweeting: 'I wanna be a producer'. No official casting announcement has been made.

In an interview with thecraptacular.com, David Yazbek revealed that he and Jeffrey Lane have been rewriting WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN ahead of a new production in London next year.

According to an Equity casting notice posted today, it seems the Roundabout Theatre Company will be presenting a revival of Cyrano de Bergerac at the American Airlines Theatre this fall. Previews are listed as begining Sepember 14, 2012 in anticipation of a limited run ending December 9, 2012. Rehearsals will begin August 14, 2012.

Rumours that The Public Theatre's production of INTO THE WOODS will transfer to Broadway have been fueled once more by The New York Post, which reports that extentions to Donna Murphy, Amy Adams and the rest of the cast's contracts are being negotiated.

Thanks to our very perceptive BroadwayWorld message boarders, we have learned that it seems the new revival cast of EVITA, which took their opening night bows last night, April 5, at the Marquee Theatre, will be recording a cast album.

BroadwayWorld's Rialto Chatter was the first to break the news in January that INTO THE WOODS was to play the Delacorte Theatre as part of the 2012 Shakespeare in the Park season.

Comedian, talk show host, producer and star Rosie O'Donnell has made no secret of her desire to play 'Miss Hannigan' in the upcoming Broadway revival of ANNIE. Now, an insider has told the Huffington Post that she will indeed be returning to Broadway in the revival. The source told HP: 'Ro loves Broadway and is super excited about playing the part. The paperwork hasn't been signed yet but the negotiations are well under way. This is a great role that she will be able to sink her teeth into and will get her back to acting and performing live, which has always been her first love."

At the end of January, the producers of REBECCA, the new musical based on the classic novel by Daphne Du Maurier novel (later turned into an Oscar-winning film by Alfred Hitchcock) announced that the production would be postponed until next season. The Village Voice's Michael Musto is reporting that the show might be making its Broadway debut sooner than expected. Musto writes: 'They have started rehearsing again and they plan to take over the Broadhurst Theatre when A Streetcar Named Desire exits.'

The producers of SPIDER-MAN TURN OFF THE DARK are planning to take the show on an arena tour to London and Hamburg, according to Michael Riedel of nypost.com.

According to the dailymail.co.uk, Victoria Beckham has refused to take part in a reality TV casting show for the VIVA FOREVER Spice Girls musical.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Patti LuPone's latest concert, Patti LuPone: The Gypsy In My Soul, which she performs tonight, February 1, at the Overture Center in Madison, Wisconsin will be filmed for an HBO documentary special. Patrons of tonight's concert were alerted via an email today of the HBO filming.

According to the NY Post, Ann-Maragret will be heading to the Great White Way in a play by Sandra Hochman. Cindy Adams writes: 'Debuting on B'way in a comic role, it'll star Ann-Margret. Based on Sandra's old children's book, it's a family show. Now all they need is to raise $3 mil.'