<em>Elf</em> and Ricky Martin Coming to Broadway, <em>Hair</em> Leaving
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<p>The movie <em>Elf,</em> about a real man (Will Ferrell) raised among Santa's elves, grossed $170 million in the United States and an additional $50 million overseas. So this Christmas producers will try to milk that teat a little more with a Broadway musical adaptation, scheduled for a limited run during the holidays. <a href="http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/musical-version-of-elf-heading-to-broadway/">Arts Beat reports</a> that Thomas Meehan, a three-time Tony winner for <em>Annie, The Producers</em>, and <em>Hairspray</em>, is co-writing the showâs book with Bob Martin (<em>The Drowsy Chaperone</em>). The music is by Matthew Sklar and the lyrics by Chad Beguelin, who collaborated on the musical adaptation of the movie <em>The Wedding Singer.</em> Ferrell, who made his Broadway debut last year in <em><a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/02/17/pat_ferrell_talks_broadway.php">You're Welcome America: A Final Night with George W Bush</a></em>, is not expected to reprise his role, and one has to wonder how funny this material will be without Ferrell to hold it up.</p>
<p>Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webberâs smash hit musical <em>Evita</em> will be revived for the first time on Broadway since it premiered in 1979. The revival, which transfers from London where it was a success in 2006, will star Latin music superstar Ricky Martin as Ché and Olivier Award Winning Argentinean actress Elena Roger as Eva Peron. Rogers was an unknown outside of Argentina before she was cast in the London production, and critics raved, with The London Evening Standard declaring that Roger was giving "a socking great star performance." So mark your calendars for the spring... of 2012, people! </p>
<p>That big <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/11/06/spider-man_on_broadway_the_atlantic.php">Broadway musical adaptation of <em>Spider-Man</em></a> is still staggering along. Movie actress Evan Rachel Wood recently dropped out of the awkwardly named <em>Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark</em> because the production has been so delayed, and before her Alan Cumming quit. But producers are still throwing money at the thing, and <a href="http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/jennifer-damiano/">the Times reports</a> that Jennifer Damiano, the 19-year-old actress who plays the teenage daughter in the Broadway musical <em>Next to Normal</em>, has signed a contract to play Mary Jane Watson. Reeve Carney (<em>Snow Falling on Cedars</em>) is playing Peter Parker. Producers also promise the show will open this year, but we'll be amazed if they stick to that. </p>
<em><a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/08/18/andrew_kober_interview.php">HAIR</a>: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical</em> will play its final performance on Sunday, June 27th at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. The enthusiastic reviews persuaded us to see HAIR not long after it opened, and after wincing through the first act of ersatz counterculture mincing, we walked out wondering, "Why is everyone so into this manufactured nostalgia trip to a period that's already been navel-gazed to death?" It was annoying, but the kids and boomers ate it up, and the show made a nice little profit, which is what the '60s are all about these days.
<p>Producer Bob Boyett <a href="http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/funny-girl-with-sher-at-helm-aimed-for-broadway-revival/">told Arts Beat</a> that he would be reviving the 1964 musical <em>Funny Girl</em> for a 2012 bow. The Jules Styne-Bob Merrill tuner made Barbra Streisand a star on Broadway and in film with her portrayal of Fanny Brice, the early 20th cenutry "American illustrated song 'model,' comedienne, singer, theatre and film actress" (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_Brice">per Wiki</a>). And since <em>Glee</em> star and Broadway baby Lea Michele gave a memorable performance of "Don't Rain On My Parade" on <em>Glee</em>, naturally there are rumors that Michele is an obvious choice to play Brice. <br/><br/>However, Boyett said, "I think Lea is wonderful, sheâs great, and she would certainly be on anybodyâs list. Sheâs also got a pretty good gig going now," referring to her TV show. He added, "There have been a few Hollywood types who have expressed interest, but weâre also open to going with an unknown actress." Which might make some Vulture commenters happyâ<a href="http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/06/funny_girl_revival_set_for_201.html">one said</a>, "Oh sure, give Lea Michele the role so her head can get even bigger..."<br/><br/></p>
<p>Sandy the dog will be back, along with his red-haired mistress, Annie! Producer Arielle Tepper Madover, whose credits include <em>Hair, A Raisin the Sun</em> and <em>Frost/Nixon</em> <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ghe3fYDGKXYvsjfgOI4H7g7_tI4wD9G6KSN00">acquired the rights</a> to revive the popular 1977 musical about a bold orphan who charms her way into the heart of a millionaire. Apparently <em>Annie</em> also inspired Madover's interest in the theater! The <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0207972/">1999 Rob Marshall-directed TV film</a> had some nice castingâAudra McDonald as Miss Farell and Aan Cumming as Rooster, plus Kristen Chenoweth as Lily and Victor Garber as Daddy Warbucks.</p>