Odds & Ends: Hairspray Live! Gets Even Starrier, Christian Borle & Sutton Foster Talk Gilmore Girls & More

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

Hairspray Live! Is in for a Tracy Triple Threat
NBC’s eagerly anticipated Hairspray Live! broadcast will include cameos from Marissa Jaret Winokur and Ricki Lake, People reports. Winokur, who took home a 2003 Tony Award for her performance as Tracy Turnblad in the Broadway production, and Lake, who originated the role of in the 1988 John Waters film, are set to join newcomer Maddie Baillio during the live event, which will air on December 7.

Stephen Schwartz's Working Set for European Premiere
Stephen Schwartz’ Working will have its European premiere at Southwark Playhouse in London from June 2, 2017 through July 8. Adapted by Schwartz (the man behind Wicked, Godspell and Pippin) and Nina Faso, Working is a multi-genre musical portrait of the American workday. This production of the musical will also include songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, James Taylor, Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, the late Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead. Roll up your sleeves—opening night is set for June 7.

Christian Borle and Sutton Foster Have Arrived
The first look at Christian Borle and Sutton Foster in Stars Hollow has us more hyped up than five cups of coffee from Luke’s Diner. Variety released a video of the two-time Tony winners (and formerly married couple) discussing the Stars Hollow musical, which is scored by Fun Home Tony winner Jeanine Tesori. We were already excited enough about the return of Gilmore Girls on November 25, but the reunion of these two Broadway faves (in full pilgrim attire, naturally) has got our hearts bursting. Check out the video below!



City Center’s Mr. Rosewater Is Getting a Cast Album
After his exit from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, we are so glad we have more opportunities to hear Santino Fontana’s golden pipes on the way. His Kurt Vonneguts' God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater co-star, the equally heavenly Skylar Astin, took to Twitter to announce that the City Center Encores! run of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's musical will release a cast recording. Stay tuned to hear when the album is set to hit earbuds.

Bruce Norris Adapts Brecht for Donmar’s Spring Season
London's Donmar Warehouse has announced its upcoming spring season. Clybourne Park Pulitzer Prize winner Bruce Norris will produce a new translation of Bertolt Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, in which English comedian Lenny Henry will make his Donmar debut; Simon Evans is set to direct. Olivier-winning director Polly Findlay and Donmar alum Steve Waters join forces for Limehouse, a new play that imagines the events of the formation of the Social Democratic Party. Actor Hadley Fraser, Artistic Director Josie Rourke and composer Tom Deering have teamed up to create a new musical, The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Takes Oral Evidence on Whitehall’s Relationship with Kids Company. The production will be directed by newly-appointed Artistic Director of Nottingham Playhouse Adam Penford.

P.S. Tony nominee and screen favorite Anna Kendrick stopped by The Late Show to discuss the release of her book Scrappy Little Nobody and of course, sing a little Stephen Sondheim. Her rendition of “I’m Still Here” is our new anthem for 2016.