Another week has come and gone on Broadway! So what did we learn? Let's enlighten ourselves with these very important lessons from the past seven days on the Great White Way.
The Magic Mike Musical Is No Longer Just a Fantasy
It seems that Magic Mike, the Channing Tatum-tastic flick from last summer, will indeed be gyrating its way to Broadway. We heard rumors last year, but now we know Tony-winning songwriters Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal) and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark) are teaming up for the stripalicious show. In other words, it's really happening. The next fantasy we wish would come true: Channing Tatum will star! Who really cares if he can sing or not? #abs
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together with ABC Family
Bunheads, Amy Sherman-Palladino's wonderfully weird dramedy about ballerinas, spontaneous Vegas marriages and quirky California small town life, starring Tony winner Sutton Foster, has sadly been canceled. ABC Family left the show's fate undecided for a sickening amount of time, and after stringing us along for almost half a year, the network dropped the ax and broke our hearts. Hey Netflix, we're looking for a rebound. Interested?
We're Going to Meet Billy Magnussen in the Woods
Billy Magnussen has had a pretty magnificent year after receiving rave reviews and a Tony nomination for his performance in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, and now he is set to replace Jake Gyllenhaal in the Into The Woods film. Magnussen will play one of two dashing princes in director Rob Marshall's movie musical. Of course, once Billy wraps filming, we're sure we can find a place for him back on Broadway.
Faith Prince Refuses to Work with Ducks
We've all heard the old showbiz adage "never work with children or animals," but Faith Prince is saying phooey to that by starring as the evil Miss Hannigan in the Broadway hit Annie. The Tony winner told us that the little orphans and Sandy the Dog are "incredible," but she draws the line at working with ducks. Yes, ducks. While starring in the wacky off-Broadway musical Scrambled Feet, Prince had to work with a diva duck named Hermione, and the two didn't get along. In the Palace Theatre is where Faith will stay until the prohibition of little ducks.
NYC Tourists Know a Whoopee Spot
Naturally, we're always listening to show tunes around the office. We even went ahead and created a Spotify playlist of some current faves. But when we quizzed the denizens of Times Square to see if they could remember the lyrics to some of Broadway’s best-known hits, only Chicago's "All That Jazz" went unmangled. Tunes from Annie, Mamma Mia! and Newsies didn't fare as well. Come on, babe. We're glad you know one song, but there's a lot more to being a theater geek than rouging your knees and rolling your stockings down.
Joanna Christie Is Not a Fan of Her Famous Co-Stars
Once star Joanna Christie is one lucky Girl: She's headlining a Tony Award-winning Broadway show, she's living the "Sex and the City lifestyle" while she's here in New York City, and she's worked with two of the U.K.'s biggest stars—Daniel Radcliffe and Arthur Darvill. So, did she gush over her love of Harry Potter and Doctor Who when she met her famous colleagues? Not exactly. "I’ve never really watched either," Christie told us. WHAT?! How did she miss the biggest British exports since The Beatles?! Will they even allow her back in the U.K. now that she's admitted this act of treason?
The Cast of It's Just Sex Is Obsessed with the Obvious
There's nothing misleading about the title of the new off-Broadway comedy It's Just Sex. That’s what the show is about, and that's clearly all the cast members of the play are thinking about. Obviously, we were dying to learn more about the seven hot actors in the show, and they didn't hold back from telling us how much they love you-know-what. From showing off their birthday suits to enjoying "hot, ripe, juicy" peaches, we were left blushing. Move over, Justin, these people are truly bringing sexy back.
Hugh Jackman Won't Let Houdini Escape
Hugh Jackman has been touting his planned tuner Houdini from The Wolverine red carpets, and he isn't going to let anything, including the lack of a book writer, stop him from bringing the show to Broadway. The Tony winner said that if the Houdini workshop "goes well," the new musical could end up on the Main Stem next year. If anyone can wave their hands and make a musical magically appear on Broadway, it's definitely Hugh! Who's going to say "no" to the guy who can rock metal claws, gold lamé pants and a wild beard all with the same pizazz?
Kelly & Michael Want to Be Broadway Stars
All week long, Live! co-hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan have been going behind the scenes of some of Broadway's hottest musicals, including Pippin, Motown the Musical, Kinky Boots, Matilda and Cinderella. They've been game for anything—stealing ball gowns, getting naughty, putting sex in the heel, giving in to their best Temptations and working out with the circus. Hmm, if we didnt know any better, we'd say it seems like Kelly and Michael have been auditioning. OK, take it from the top! Five, six, seven, eight! God, we hope they get it.
Cheno is Giving a Real-Life 'Popular' Makeover
We've always thought that Kristin Chenoweth would make a greatest wedding planner ever, and now we get to find out if we're right! The Tony and Emmy winner will launch the 10th season of TLC's Say Yes to the Dress by helping her assistant and best friend, Julie, find the perfect wedding dress. And when someone needs a makeover, Kristin simply has to take over. She knows exactly what they need, even in Julie's case. Though it's the toughest case she's yet to face, don't worry—she's determined to succeed! BTW, those are lyrics from Wicked, NYC tourists.