Issue #120: December 1, 2003

• The announcement of the return of Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick to The Producers in January broke its own Broadway box office record.  The limited run with the two who originated the roles racked up $3.6 million in the first 12 hours tickets went on sale — the highest one-day take in Broadway history.

• Look for Burt Reynolds to tread the boards in Joel Fields' new play Pitch, which is looking for a spring/summer opening.

• The producers of the highly profitable award winning Urinetown announced they will be shuttering the doors at the Henry Miller Theater on January 18.

• The title role of Aida is currently being played by Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child fame.  Williams took over from musical heavyweight Toni Braxton who had been with the show since June.

• Look for a 2005 Broadway opening of a new musical based on the timeless cartoon character Betty Boop.

• The road production of Chicago will get a little "razzle dazzle" when Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze joins the national company for two stops on the tour.  Playing the sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn, Swayze joins the cast when it opens at San Diego's Civic Center on December 30 to January 4, then onto the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles January 7 to 18.

• Producer Bill Kenwright has secured pop diva Mariah Carey for the lead of upcoming revival The Sleeping Prince.  Best known for its screen adaptation The Prince and the Showgirl, which teamed Sir Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe in the 1957 film you can guess which role Miss Carey will be reviving! The 1956 Terrence Rattigan play ran on the London stage for just 60 performances with Barbara Bel Geddes and Michael Redgrave.  This latest version goes into rehearsal in January however no leading man, director or theatre has been hinted at.

• Before Ally McBeal, Calista Flockhart made her living performing on stage.  That is where she returns to when she takes the lead in Eugene O'Neill's 1921 drama Anna Christie.    The revival is being planned for early 2004 with director Ian Rickson on board.

• The hit cutting edge musical Def Poetry Jam makes its way to the West End in March following the North American and European tours.

• It's that time of year again when the holidays take over and we spend time with friends and family.  When you're looking for gifts remember the gift of theatre is always welcome.  Introduce a young person to the world of live theatre or dance.  Many local ballet companies perform the family friendly The Nutcracker; or if your local theatre company is performing A Christmas Carol you're guaranteed a feel good time.  It's a great way to help nurture our future audiences and keep the live theatre tradition healthy.