Issue #10: October 27, 1998

• Nicole Kidman, known to many as a film star and Tom Cruise’s stunning wife, has taken London by storm in David Hare’s The Blue Room. The Australian beauty will bring her brilliant performance stateside when she begins previews Friday, Nov. 27 on Broadway at the Cort Theater with the official opening on Sunday, Dec. 13. Chances are tickets will be hard to get since this is a very limited run of 111 performances. Did you know this is Ms. Kidman’s first stage role in 10 years? The London production closes Oct. 31.

• Disney is looking to spin another musical success by teaming Elton John and Tim Rice once again for their newest project Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida. Performances began far from Broadway eyes when it opened at the beginning of October in Houston. The project is a collaborative effort with The Alliance Theater Company, a local and highly respected regional theatre company. Look for this production to hit the Broadway boards in spring.

• The successful revival of Cabaret on Broadway is not only moving digs in the big apple (moving to the former Studio 54 at 254 W. 54th St. on Nov. 12) but is hitting the road on a national tour beginning in February. The first stop will be the Wilshire Theater in Los Angeles, then on to Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Toronto, Minneapolis and San Francisco.

• John Wood’s compelling performance as A.E. Houseman in Tom Stoppard’s The Invention of Love during the National Theatre run will be recreated when the production reopens at the Haymarket Theatre Nov. 3. Based on poet and classics scholar A.E. Houseman’s unrequited love for a friend, the critically acclaimed play may be Broadway bound. This is, however, if the producers can iron out an agreement with the protective American Actor’s Equity Union.

• Australian Judy Davis, best known for her film roles, will debut as a director when the award-winning production of Barrymore makes its way to OZ. The Sydney Theatre Company will present the one-man play next July as part of its 1999 season. Also on the roster at the STC is Ian Judge’s production of Macbeth. The STC will team with super producer John Frost and Sports and Entertainment’s James Erskine to present the Broadway hit Art and a much scaled down Sunset Boulevard. In November the STC will join with another super producer, Cameron Mackintosh, as well as the show’s original producers to bring the multi-award-winning musical Rent to audiences downunder.

• Superman’s girlfriend, Teri Hatcher, is being wooed to star in the Cabaret tour (see above). Best known as Lois in the hit television series Lois and Clark, Ms. Hatcher may lead the 49-week North American tour when it opens in February. I’m sure there’ll be great interest in her Sally Bowles wherever she plays!