Odds & Ends: Aladdin to Grant New Year's Eve Wishes, Victoria Clark Tapped for Homeland & More

Here's a quick roundup of stories you may have missed today and over the weekend.

Aladdin to Grant New Year's Eve Wishes!
Broadway’s Aladdin will be helping usher in a whole New Year by sponsoring the Times Square New Year's Eve confetti wishes tradition. Adam Jacobs, Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart and Courtney Reed will take part in the Ball Drop celebration and events leading up to the big night. Sounds like a shining, shimmering, splendid—not to mention fitting—idea to us!

Victoria Clark Tapped for Homeland
If you’re a Homeland fan—spoiler alert! Tony winner Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza) will play Carrie Mathison’s (Claire Danes) mom in the series, EW reports. The fourth season of the hit drama is currently airing on Showtime. We can't wait to see who has the better cry face.

China Goes Into the Woods
Not only is Into the Woods about to be on screen and off-Broadway, it’s also in China! Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s classic tuner has been translated into Mandarin Chinese and is playing at Beijing’s Pla Theater through February 1, 2015. It will then embark on a 14-city national tour.

Danny Bernardy Will Join My Big Gay Italian Wedding
Danny Bernardy is set to take on the lead role of Andrew Polinski in the off-Broadway comedy My Big Gay Italian Wedding opposite creator Anthony J. Wilkinson. He will replace Brandon Goins in the production from January 10, 2015. Congratulations to the (new!) groom and groom!

Michael Cera's Youth Directions
Michael Cera recently stopped by The Tonight Show and gave very precise instructions how to see his star turn in Broadway's This Is Our Youth. There was also, thanks to host Jimmy Fallon, the most bizarre conversation about Steppenwolf that you will probably ever witness. Check out the video below and the play at the Cort Theatre through January 4.