Glee Project Update

Playbill has pictures of Damian in Glee up!

So, I thought that Damian's first episode would be in October, but it's really the first episode in November. I didn't take the ALCS and NLCS into consideration nor the World Series because...well... baseball doesn't exist in my house. But I am willing to forgive three weeks of no "Glee" for it. And then I realized FOX pre-empted "Glee" for "The X Factor." No, FOX. No.

Anyway, Playbill reveals that Damian's character is called Rory Flanagan. I knew about "Rory" because someone asked Cameron on Twitter who his favorite Glee character was and he responded it was Rory. It looks like they are giving Rory a real swinger attitude if the hair is anything to go by. Nothing new on the Samuel front, but I'm sure we'll be hearing more soon.

The Princess Diaries: Glee Edition?

Playbill Online is reporting that a Princess Diaries reunion may take place on the popular show. It seems both Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway are rumored to be joining the show. According to the UK Daily Express, Andrews is being considered for the role of Kurt’s grandmother. Hathaway, meanwhile, is being offered the role of Kurt’s aunt according to the newspaper.

While this would be wonderful, I hesitate to believe this is real. When promoting her new movie “Love and Other Drugs,” Hathaway mentioned to one of the late night hosts that she would love to be on Glee. She had even scripted a role for herself. She imagined herself as Kurt’s long lost aunt, his mother’s sister. Who just so happened to be gay herself! She would help her nephew with his journey.

So, while this would be awesome, it is wise to take it with a grain of salt.

Where Are They Now: The Legally Blonde Edition

Oh wow! I realized I let this blog’s anniversary pass without any acknowledgment! I’ve made it to two years! Thanks to all those who’ve read and commented over the years.

When this blog started on June 9, 2008, the very first show I recapped was MTV’s talent search “Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for the Next Elle Woods.” Ten girls from across the country were chosen to compete to be the next Elle Woods in the Broadway production of “Legally Blonde the Musical” once original star Laura Bell Bundy left. Hosted by Haylie Duff (Hilary’s sister), the Elle-wannabes were trained by the ahmahzing Seth Rudetsky and performed each week for Paul Canaan (a Legally Blonde ensemble member), Bernard Telsey (casting director) and Heather Hach (librettist). In the end, the final battle was between Bailey Hanks and Autumn Hurlburt as they performed for not only the judges, but for their families and director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell. Bailey was chosen the ultimate winner and assumed the role the day after the final episode aired on MTV.

The show closed shortly after.

And now I’m revisiting my first recapping venture with an update on our finalists!

Both Bailey and Autumn have been busy on the stage side of things but they will be starring together in an upcoming concert of Maury Yeston’s (Nine) “Titanic.” The show will be performed on June 21st for the New York Society for Ethical Culture. Their exact roles haven’t been defined but the cast calls for many characters, so it is likely they are playing a character and not just part of the ensemble.

Pictures of the two in rehearsal can be find here at Playbill Online.

Break a leg, girls!

Can Glee Get Any MORE Awesome?

Seriously? First, it has a kick-ass cast singing some kick-ass songs. How can you not love Lea Michele’s Type-A, overachieving Rachel? Or Matt Morrison’s idealistic, passionate Will? Or Jayma Mays germaphobe, understanding, pining Emma? Or Chris Colfer’s talented, if a bit the stereotypical gay, Kurt?

And, of course, there is the sheer awesomeness that is Jane Lynch’s Sue Sylvester.

To add to the regular cast, there are the equally talented guest stars: Debra Monk. Victor Garber. Kristin Chenoweth. JOSH GROBAN. And there is the promise of more awesome to come: Idina Menzel, rumors about Neil Patrick Harris and Jennifer Lopez, and the reuniting of Spring Awakening lovers Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff. And Playbill has an article that made me ask the question in this post’s headline. It would seem the producers are now courting West End and BBC star John Barrowman for the show.

Captain Jack on Glee? Yes, please!

If you’ve never had the opportunity to hear Barrowman sing, YouTube him. He’s got a great voice and the credits to back it up: Sunset Boulevard, La Cage aux Folles, Beauty and the Beast, Godspell, etc. And he’d be great no matter what they decide to do with him—so long as it’s a recurring gig and not just for one episode.

Please, Glee producers. You have shown yourselves to be Master of the Awesome. Do not let Barrowman slip through your fingers!

Only For Now

Come September, another Tony-award winning musical will face the final curtain.

Playbill announced today that "Avenue Q," the irreverent look at life in an outerborough often called "the adult Sesame Street," will close Sept. 13th.

"Avenue Q" follows the adventures of new graduate Princeton, optimistic and buying his first apartment. He winds up on Avenue Q, where he meets a wide range of characters, including a closeted gay Republican, his suspicious roommate/object of his desires, a potential love interest and Gary Coleman. The show follows Princeton has he struggles with love, money and the Bad Idea Bears and tries to find his purpose in life.

Some well known songs from the show include "If You Were Gay" and the ever popular "The Internet is for Porn."

"Avenue Q" currently plays at the Golden Theater.

You Can Stop The Beat

According to this Playbill.com article, not only is original Edna Harvey Fierstein returning to the smash musical, he's returning to send it off. It looks like Hairspray is "likely" to be the next victim in the musical-closing marathon. Though the writer of this article makes a good point that it is just a ploy to buoy a sinking box office. When Rent announced it was closing, there was a rush on the box office which kept the musical open until last month. If the same thing happens, Hairspray could stay open another year. Though they can't just keep pulling the "We're going to close" card. Eventually, people will get suspicious and the show will have to close.

But if it's Hairspray's final bow, who will be next? I love Disney, but will they be the only shows on the Great White Way if the economy continues to go down the drain? Or will Disney have to give up its hold on Broadway as well?