Odds & Ends: Jennifer Hudson Eyeing Aretha Franklin Biopic, Patricia Clarkson & Patrick Wilson Talk Stage Stripping & More

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

JHUD Eyeing Aretha Biopic
Respect! The Broadway-bound Jennifer Hudson is in talks to play Aretha Franklin in a biopic. According to The Wrap, the untitled project has been in development for several years and will focus on the singer’s rise to legendary status in the 1960s and ‘70s and her destructive relationship with ex-husband Ted White. The casting would meet the approval of Franklin, who has previously admitted that Hudson is leading the list of names to play her alongside Mama Broadway herself—six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald. We have no doubt that having to pick between these two leading ladies will be making the film's producer, Straight Outta Compton's Scott Bernstein, “Think” long and hard! Hudson begins performances in The Color Purple on the Great White Way on November 10.

Daphne Rubin-Vega Set for Sweeney Todd-Esque Drama
Original Rent star Daphne Rubin-Vega is heading off-Broadway to kick off LAByrinth Theater Company’s upcoming season! The two-time Tony nominee will appear in Aaron Mark’s new one-woman drama Empanada Loca. Inspired by the legend of Sweeney Todd, the show will play at the Bank Street Theatre September 30 through November 8. Opening night is set for October 21.

Donna McKechnie & More Tapped for In Your Arms
Tony winner Donna McKechnie is just one of the Broadway faves enlisted for the previously reported world premiere of dance-theater musical In Your Arms at San Diego’s Old Globe. Comprising 10 dance vignettes written by a starry lineup including Douglas Carter Beane, Carrie Fisher and Terrence McNally, the company will also include West Side Story Oscar winner George Chakiris, Tony nominee Karine Plantadit, Hayley Podschun, Brendon Stimson, Ryan Steele, Marija Juliette Abney, Jeremy Davis and Jess LeProtto. Co-conceived by Christopher Gattelli and Jennifer Manocherian, the production will be directed and choreographed by Gattelli, feature original music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and will run September 16 through September 23.

Full Casting Set for London's Elf
Full casting has been announced for the the previously reported West End production of the Ben Forster-led Elf at the Dominion Theatre. The company will additionally include Katie Bradley, Charlie Bull, Nicola Coates, Alex Fobbester, Anton Fosh, Charlotte Gale, Francis Haugen, Matt Holland, Tash Holway, Paul Hutton, Mark Iles, Ceili O’Connor, Debbie Paul, Joanna Rennie, Barnaby Thompson and Ed White. Harry Collett, Ilan Galkoff, Noah Key and Ewan Rutherford will alternate the role of Michael. Elf is scheduled to play a limited engagement October 24 through January 2, 2016; Forster will then head across town to take on the role of the Phantom over at Her Majesty's Theatre.

Patricia Clarkson on Stripping for Bradley Cooper
Patricia Clarkson stopped by Live! With Kelly & Michael on August 18 and talked about her recently completed runs on both the Great White Way and in the West End in The Elephant Man. “Every night I had to be naked with Bradley Cooper…it’s a tough job,” she joked about starring opposite the screen hunk and Broadway.com Audience Choice Award winner. Check out the fun chat below.



Patrick Wilson Remembers The Full Monty
Speaking of getting naked with stage and screen hunks, two-time Tony nominee Patrick Wilson just appeared on The Today Show, below, to discuss his new movie Zipper. The team couldn't resist reminding him about the time he starred on Broadway in The Full Monty and taught Al Roker to strip, unearthing some classic footage in the process. Which took us back to the time when the number "Let It Go" was best known for featuring naked men not frozen fractals...