Odds & Ends: Kristin Chenoweth's New Film Role, Farewell to Hell’s Belles & More
Here's a quick roundup of stories you may have missed today.
Chenoweth's New Film Role
Good news for our favorite Tony-winning pocket diva! Kristin Chenoweth has been tapped for indie comedy Class Rank as Janet, a TV producer-mom, Deadline reports. Directed by Eric Stoltz and penned by Ben August, the movie follows a pair of teenagers and a pair of grandparents whose worlds are turned upside down when love walks through the door. Chenoweth will join Oscar nominee and Broadway alum Bruce Dern, Tony nominee Kathleen Chalfant, Olivia Holt, Skyler Gisondo and more in the project. Production started this week in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Farewell to Hell’s Belles
Bryan D. Leys and Steve Liebman’s off-Broadway musical Hell’s Belles will close on December 14. Directed by John Znidarsic, the show officially opened on October 24 at the Elektra Theatre at the Times Square Arts Center. Set in the underworld's longest-running club, the cast includes Michael Kirk Lane, Liz Shivener, Laura Daniel, Rachel Erin O'Malley, Ali Gordon and Charles Osborne.
Ben Platt to Lead Workshop From Spring Team
Ben Platt, Anthony Ramos, Mary Testa and more have been tapped for a workshop presentation of new musical Alice by Heart. The previously reported project, penned by Spring Awakening scribes Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, along with Jessie Nelson, is a re-imagining of the classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Directed by Lear Debessonet, the MCC Theater and Kurt Deutsch industry-only event is scheduled to take place on December 18. The company will also feature Riley Costello, Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, David Patrick Kelly, Andrew Mueller, Ashley Park, and Emmy Raver-Lampman.
Ian McKellen Talks Beauty and the Beast
Legendary stage and screen star Ian McKellen stopped by The Today Show, below, on December 2 to discuss two of his recent projects with director Bill Condon. After chatting about Mr Holmes, McKellen revealed that last night he saw the first ever screening of Disney's supremely starry live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, in which he plays Cogsworth. "You're all in for a treat," he assured. "Absolute magic!" The movie musical will be released on March 17, 2017. Which seems like a very long way away. Back to watching this on repeat.
