Joe Manganiello Has Manly Meltdowns, Nobody Puts Bebe in a Corner & More Lessons of the Week
It’s our favorite day of the week—Friday! Do you know what that means? It’s time to take a look back at all of the fun, exciting and downright weird things we learned in the last seven days. From Joe Manganiello’s diva tendencies to a new, more serious role for Broadway show pup Macaco, this week sure has been one for the books. Read below to get schooled on some very important lessons!
Ethan Hawke Wants to Bob for Apples with Lady M
Stage and screen fave Ethan Hawke is preparing to take on one of the greatest antihero roles in history, so you’d think he’d be holed away in a darkened room somewhere, learning his lines and creepily rocking back and forth. But instead, the Macbeth star is planning a huge Halloween bash. “I want to wear my costumes,” he told us with a devilish grin. Ooh, sounds bloody and spooky, but we'll be there. Can we come dressed as Troy Dyer?
Broadway Freaks Fantasia Out
After winning raves for her performance as Celie in The Color Purple, we thought Fantasia Barrino would consider herself a jaded theater pro by now. But the American Idol alum, who is gearing up to guest star in the new musical After Midnight, still hasn’t shaken her stage fright. “It feels good, but scary at the same time,” Barrino confessed of her Great White Way return. It’s OK, Fantasia. If Justin Guarini can do Shakespeare, you can sing the music of Duke Ellington on Broadway.
Macaco Is Digging for His Next Big Role
We’re thrilled Sebastian Arcelus has nabbed the role of lawyer Jake Brigance in the new stage adaptation of A Time to Kill, but there’s someone who isn’t so happy: his three-and-a-half-pound pup, former Mystery of Edwin Drood scene-stealer Macaco. “He’s a little jealous right now,” Arcelus told us, joking that his Tony-nominated wife Stephanie J. Block was pulling some strings to try to get the pooch into the courtroom drama. Come on, why can’t Jake Brigance have a four-legged companion? It worked for Annie.
Fans Want to See Gandalf and Captain Picard in Drag
Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are teaming up in No Man’s Land and Waiting for Godot this fall, and since they’re such great pals (McKellen even officiated Stewart’s recent wedding), we polled you to find out which Broadway buddy roles the dynamic duo should take on next. The results are in, and you picked… Albin and Georges from the dragtastic musical comedy La Cage aux Folles! Hmm, we thought they'd made a better Jack and Davey in Newsies, but the French Riviera will do.
Galavant Might Fill the Hole Smash Left In Our Hearts
Our DVRs have been looking mighty empty since Smash was canceled—but a new pilot called Galavant might just be the answer to our TV prayers. Movie musical composer extraordinaire Alan Menken is teaming up with Glenn Slater and Dan Fogelman to write the new small-screen musical comedy about a handsome prince feuding with the king who stole his true love. We can’t wait for the scene where the king takes too many pills and wanders around Times Square in an angel costume.
Broadway Stars Collect Weird Stuff
Why tune in to an episode of Hoarders when you could hang out on the red carpet of The Glass Menagerie? From ticket stubs to Beanie Babies to actual animals, these stars need to do some serious de-cluttering (Keenan-Bolgers, we’re looking at you). Oh, and while you’re at it, Broadway mavens, we’ll happy to take any vintage show jackets, signed original West Side Story programs or any other pesky (read: valuable) Broadway memorabilia you have lying around.
Elphie & Glinda and Are Painting the Town Green
Wicked fans, rejoice! In honor of the 10th anniversary of the blockbuster musical, everything’s coming up Elphie all month long. From limited edition green nail polish at Sephora to emerald cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery, the so-called wicked witch is taking over New York City in full force. We’ve always seen the world through green-colored glasses, and the rest of the city finally will, too. Now if only we can rig up the sparkly New Year’s Eve ball so Lindsay Mendez can “Defy Gravity” above Times Square…
Never Underestimate the Power of Bebe Neuwirth
Bebe Neuwirth isn’t only a two-time Tony winner, legendary Broadway hoofer and Frasier’s ex-wife, thank you very much. In fact, there's a lot more to this triple-threat than we ever thought possible. In her new short film Jerome’s Bouquet, Neuwith is also credited as the co-director, the casting director, the costume designer and she sings during the closing credits. That makes her at least a sextuple threat! Bebe, you're all that jazz, and then some.
Dr. Ruth Knows Sex, Not Tony Awards
Sex therapist, former Jerusalem sniper and overall adorable lady Dr. Ruth Westheimer is super smart—but she doesn’t know the difference between a Tony Award and an Oscar. “I want her to win an Academy Award,” she says of Debra Jo Rupp, who will portray the therapist in Becoming Dr. Ruth off-Broadway. After some coaching from Broadway.com’s Marc Snetiker, she modified her statement to something slightly more accurate, but still wrong: “I want her to win a Tony!” Aww. Dr. Ruth, you're a national treasure.
Joe Manganiello Is the Patti LuPone of Connecticut
When we found out True Blood mega-hunk Joe Manganiello was playing Stanley Kowalski in the Yale Rep mounting of A Streetcar Named Desire, we knew there was bound to be some yelling, cursing and otherwise carrying on in a white tank top, but we never expected a full diva meltdown! Manganiello got all Patti LuPone on a shutter-happy photographer in the audience—but most impressively, he stayed in character. Bravo, what a performance! If Dr. Ruth were here, she'd give you an Oscar.