Odds & Ends: Bette Midler's New Album, OITNB's Uzo Aduba Returns to Venice & More

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

Bette Midler's New Album
Stage and screen star Bette Midler is set to release It’s The Girls, her first studio album in eight years. According to Billboard, the record will span seven decades of famous girl groups, with the honorary Tony winner belting classic tunes including “One Fine Day,” “Mr Sandman” and “You Can’t Hurry Love.” Out on November 4, we now know what we will be asking for in our Christmas stocking!

It's a Drag for Jackie Burns & Daniel Torres
The Green Room at New World Stages is currently presenting the fifth season of So You Think You Can Drag and this week’s competition features none other than Broadway favorites Jackie Burns (Wicked and Idina’s current standby in If/Then) and Daniel Torres (Beautiful). Hosted by Paige Turner, So You Think You Can Drag features ten pre-cast queens competing for a $1,000 grand prize and the chance to headline their own show at The Green Room. Burns and Torres will join resident judge Justin Luke of BoiParty on the panel on September 25.

OITNB's Uzo Aduba Returns to Venice
Miss the fusion of musical styles from hip-hop to anthems of love and hope in off-Broadway’s Venice last year? Never fear, Orange Is the New Black’s Uzo Aduba, Jennifer Damiano, Leslie Odom, Jr. and more can be heard in the tuner’s original cast recording. Directed by Eric Rosen with a book by Rosen, music by Matt Sax, and lyrics by Sax and Rosen, as well as additional music by Curtis Moore, the album has just been made available on Ghostlight digitally and will be in stores December 2. Another item on our Santa wish list!

Broadway Community Will Celebrate Seth Popper
The Broadway community will celebrate the life of Seth Popper on September 30 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Popper, who died on May 26, 2014, was Director of Labor Relations for The Broadway League, the trade association representing commercial theater producers, theater owners, and presenters on the Great White Way and around the country. Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of the League commented: "Our dear friend and respected colleague Seth Popper was a special person who we will always remember. Our industry wishes to commemorate Seth’s exceptional passion for life and love of Broadway with musical tributes and the sharing of memories.”