Holy Moly, it’s been a wild week in theater news. With all the religious imagery, beatific boys, and epistles from on high, I don’t know whether I’m covering Broadway or the Vatican. So say a little prayer for me and let’s get to it:
-
Hunter Parrish. Image via Godspell.com.
Hunter Parrish, the twinktastic cutie from Weeds, has been cast as Jesus in the upcoming Broadway revival of Godspell. (Why do I suddenly feel the need to confess some impure thoughts?) In all seriousness, I saw Mr. Parrish when he stepped into Spring Awakening and can vouch for his music theater skills; this could be interesting.
- Clearly, one Son of God on Broadway isn’t enough. The New York Post reports that talks are under way to transfer the acclaimed Stratford production of Jesus Christ Superstar to New York in the upcoming season. Any day now, I expect to hear that Terrence McNally’s Corpus Christi is being revived; you know, just to complete the trinity.
- God himself, Stephen Sondheim, was in a smiting mood this week, having written a very stern letter to the New York Times concerning the upcoming “reimagining” of Porgy and Bess. Debate ensued. My favorite (and most Sondheim-worthy) response came from the star of the show, Audra McDonald, on her twitter feed, “Here’s what I think…to quote the greatest musical theater composer of our time… ‘Art isn’t easy.'” Indeed.
- Praise the Lord, the ravishing Carla Gugino is returning to Broadway opposite the stellar Rosemary Harris and Jim Dale in Athol Fugard’s The Road to Mecca — starting December 16 at the Roundabout. When she last appeared on the New York stage in the divisive revival of Desire Under the Elms, Gugino’s rivetting, performance made me a believer (and nearly converted me to heterosexuality.) Amen!
-
Broadway's "Mamma Mia". Photo by Joan Marcus.
Speaking of Greek goddesses, the producers of the Abba-riffic Mamma Mia are kicking off ten weeks of ten big events to celebrate the musical becoming the 10th longest-running show in Broadway history and to commemorate its 10th anniversary, October 18. Clearly, they enjoy a good theme. I’ll refrain from making a perfect 10 joke and simply encourage you to check their website for info on ticket giveaways, sing-a-longs and charity benefits.
- Finally, in a move that seems to be tempting the Gods, another Spider-Man is coming to Broadway. According to the Deadline.com, the webslinger in the upcoming film franchise reboot (not to mention accomplished star of The Social Network and Never Let Me Go), Andrew Garfield, will be joining Philip Seymour Hoffman in Death of a Salesman on the Great White Way. The spring 2012 production will be directed by the masterful Mike Nichols and you know what we say to that: OMG.
