Odds & Ends: Sarah Brightman Sells a Piece of Phantom History, Rupert Murdoch is Aiming for Broadway & More

Here's a quick roundup of stories you may have missed today.

Sarah Brightman Sells a Piece of Phantom History
Some news for Phantom history buffs from #SarahBrightman, the West End and Broadway’s original Christine and future astronaut. To celebrate the show’s success back in 1987, the musical’s composer Andrew Lloyd Webber bought Brightman, his then wife, the pictured tiger jewelry from the collection of the Duchess of Windsor. (AKA Wallis Simpson, the one Edward VIII gave up the British throne for.) Now the first angel of music is auctioning the two pieces off at Christie’s in Geneva on November 11. Brightman will be giving a portion of the proceeds from the sale to The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, which supports the arts, music in schools and more. Wearing $2 million or so of jewelry in space probably isn't really the done thing.

Rupert Murdoch is Aiming for Broadway
Oscar nominee and Great White Way vet James Cromwell is set to play Rupert Murdoch in David Williamson's bio-play Rupert. The production, which will open in November in Sydney, Australia, is aiming to transfer to the West End in 2015 and Broadway in 2016. Cromwell, perhaps best known for his work in Babe and LA Confidential, told the Sydney Morning Herald: "I like taking on the dragon…And Murdoch is definitely the dragon." We're thinking that the media tycoon might not be quite as supportive to Cromwell about his portrayal as Her Majesty has been to the about-to-return-to-Broadway Dame Helen Mirren with hers.

Lesley Ann Warren Returns to Cinderella
It’s possible! Lesley Ann Warren shall go to the ball—the Oscar nominee will attend Broadway’s Cinderella on September 23 and join the cast during the curtain call for an encore performance of “Ten Minutes Ago.”  Warren played the titular character in the 1965 television version (the original 1957 incarnation was headlined by Julie Andrews). It’s all in celebration of the 50th Anniversary DVD release of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

Brian d'Arcy James Lands Big Screen Role
Two-time Tony nominee Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek, Sweet Smell of Success) has signed up for new movie Spotlight. According to Deadline, the project, about a Boston pedophile priest, will be directed by Tom McCarthy and star Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Liev Schreiber and Rachel McAdams.

London's Evita Finds All Its Star Quality
We now know who will be joining the previously announced Madalena Alberto, Marto Pellow and Ben Forster in the West End’s new production of Evita. Rounding out the cast will be Matthew Cammelle, Sarah McNicholas, Michelle Pentecost, Amira Matthews, Olive Robinson, Verity Burgess, Gemma Atkins, Lizzie Ottley, Joe McCourt, Joe Maxwell, Joel Elferink, Ryan Pidgen, Anthony Ray, Chris Stoddart, Callum Fitzgerald, David Burlin, Stuart MacIver, Peter McPherson, Joseph Connor, Jamie Tyler and Christopher Palmer. The limited engagement will begin previews on September 16 with opening night set for September 22.