Taylor Swift Is a Theater Superhero, Hugh Jackman Has Fleas & More Lessons of the Week

It’s Friday, and you know what that means—it’s time for the Lessons of the Week! We’re bringing you a recap of the craziest stuff that’s happened in the world of Broadway over the last seven days. From the mystery of the missing Room Sheep to Aaron Tveit's history nerd status to Audra McDonald’s twerking abilities, a lot of weird stuff happened. Let’s do this!

Taylor Swift Is a Theater Savior
Grammy winner Taylor Swift hasn’t yet graced us with her presence on Broadway, but she saved the day when she gave a local theater company in Sydney, Australia, permission to use her song “Shake It Off” in their production. Hey Taylor, next do you wanna grant us permission to do a Broadway musical version of 1989, starring you?

Heidi Blickenstaff Can’t Hear You
If you go see Something Rotten!, don’t bother laughing at any of Broadway.com vlogger Heidi Blickenstaff’s lines. She won’t be able to hear you, because her ear has been clogged for the last week. Heidi, have you tried putting headphones in, turning on “A Musical” and cranking up the volume? That song always makes everything better.

Audra Needs Twerking Lessons
Eight-billion-time Tony winner Audra McDonald and her husband, Broadway fave Will Swenson, have left the kingdom of Eggfartopia for the summer to star in A Moon for the Misbegotten. While in Williamstown, Audra has apparently picked up twerking—although she’s not very good at it. Guess she won’t be winning her next Tony for the Miley Cyrus musical Tongues and Teddy Bears. (Don’t worry, that’s not actually a thing.)

Room Sheep Is Missing
When It Shoulda Been You star Sierra Boggess treated us to a final episode of her vlog Going Bridal, we learned some very disturbing news: Their adorable dressing room mascot Room Sheep is missing. Sierra and Lisa Howard have no idea where she is, and they don’t even seem particularly upset about it! Remind us not to get Sierra any live plants for her School of Rock opening night.

Don’t Judge Benedict Cumberbatch (Yet)
Reviewers are supposed to wait until a show’s official opening night before sharing opinions about a show, but London reviewers couldn’t wait longer than the first preview to spill the beans about Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance in Hamlet. Shame on you, reviewers—the next time you feel impatient, just do a page of your Benedict Cumberbatch coloring book. It’s very relaxing.

NPH Makes a Stiff Drink
Tony-winning Hedwig and the Angry Inch alum Neil Patrick Harris and his husband, Broadway alum David Burtka, cooked up a storm on Barefoot Contessa this week. Well, David cooked and NPH provided the booze. We never knew you were such a mixologist, Neil! Can you make us something with edible glitter?

Crazy Eyes Can Cast Spells
The Wiz Live! cast is shaping up to be very starry indeed, and Orange Is the New Black star Uzo “Crazy Eyes” Aduba has been cast as Glinda the Good Witch. Wow, Uzo! We knew you could sing, but you can cast a spell and create magical snow whirlwinds, too? Hmm, we wonder how she’d look in green...

ALW’s Cat Can Doggy Paddle
Andrew Lloyd Webber is Broadway’s resident feline expert, so it’s no surprise that he has a cat of his own. But just like Uzo Aduba, the composer’s cat Fez has magical powers. He’s a Turkish Van Swimming cat, and he regularly takes dips in Webber’s swimming pool. Ooo, can the new revival of Cats have an onstage fountain and a bonus swimming scene?

Pasquale & Tveit Are History Nerds
When we hit the red carpet at the new musical Hamilton, we quizzed opening night guests on their knowledge of the historic Founding Father. Who knew the most? Broadway favorites Steven Pasquale and Aaron Tveit both told us an astounding amount of Hamilton trivia, including how old he was when he died (49). Damn. You guys are the two hunkiest nerds we've ever seen.

Hugh Jackman Chases His Tail
At Sylvia’s recent auditions, Hugh Jackman made a surprise visit and Broadway.com caught it all on tape. He arrived in a carrier, wore his favorite studded collar, ate lots of treats and peed on the floor. Oh wait, you thought we were talking about the actual Hugh Jackman? We were talking about Hugh Jackman the dog, who is equally adorable. Not quite as ripped as our Aussie pal, but still adorable.