Odds & Ends: Steven Pasquale to Lead Comedy Series, Beauty and the Beast Film Gets Updated Score & More

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

Steven Pasquale Tapped for DirecTV Comedy
Swoon alert: Stage and screen favorite Steven Pasquale will lead and executive produce the upcoming DirecTV series Almost There, reports Deadline. The Bridges of Madison County and The Good Wife alum, who currently headlines the Lyric Opera production of Carousel in Chicago (which we need to come to Broadway stat!), will play Jackson Cooper, a chronically single psychiatrist who chases the elusive girl of his dreams. Also featured in the show will be Tony nominee Christopher Fitzgerald. The single-camera comedy is set for a fall 2015 premiere.

Beauty Gets New Tunes; Rehearsals Underway
As if we needed another reason to get excited for the live-action Beauty and the Beast film. Following a meet-and-greet dinner and table read with the cast and crew, the Tony and Oscar-winning lyricist Tim Rice took to Twitter to announce that he and composer Alan Menken have penned new songs for the movie adaptation. We would love to have been a fly on the wall for that read-though; according to Ian McKellen (who will play Cogsworth), the event included a 30-person ensemble, choreography and (of course) the vocal talents of Audra McDonald and Emma Thompson. The movie, set to premiere in March 2017, stars Dan Stevens and Emma Watson.

Betty Buckley Will Return to Joe’s Pub
Tony winner Betty Buckley will return to Joe’s Pub this May with a new show, Dark Blue-Eyed Blues. The Broadway fave, who last played the Public Theater venue in October to celebrate the launch of Ghostlight, will now present an eclectic playlist of standards and contemporary tunes, from serious to silly. The seven shows will take place from May 28 through 31.

Kyle Riabko to Reprise Bacharach Show in London
Broadway alum Kyle Riabko will bring his Burt Bacharach celebration What’s It All About? Bacharach Reimagined to the U.K. The show, which played the New York Theatre Workshop in 2013, will head to the Menier Chocolate Factory from July 3 through September 5. Steven Hoggett directs the tuner, which features several original arrangements of Bacharach’s celebrated songbook arranged by Riabko. The Spring Awakening and Hair star will also lead the cast. 

How is David Burtka Like Bruce Willis?
David Burtka took a break from the wedding festivities in It Shoulda Been You to stop by Live with Kelly and Michael. During his visit, Burtka discussed the big twist of the show and why the comedy is basically “the Sixth Sense of musicals,” but don’t worry; he doesn’t give it away. In the spirit of the wacky comedy, Burtka shared some amusing memories of mishaps from his own wedding with hubby Neil Patrick Harris, during which time he could have been found “going Momma Rose” on his kids. Sing out, Harper and Gideon!