Odds & Ends: Idina Menzel Moves in With New Beau, Samantha Barks Talks Amelie's 'Vocal Fireworks' & More
Here's a quick roundup of stories you may have missed today and over the weekend.
Idina Menzel's New Beau
Idina Menzel and her off-Broadway co-star from back in the day Aaron Lohr have bought a house together! The pair both shared some racy scenes, below, in the Public Theater's 2005 production See What I Wanna See, as well as appearing in the Rent movie. The Los Angeles Times reports that they have splashed out $2.675 million on a gorgeous 4,708-square-foot Mediterranean-style home in Encino. Congratulations to the happy couple! Also in news about your fave Broadway supernova...Make sure you set your DVRs for Menzel's return to cartoon form as a caring therapist named Dr. Paula in PBS' Arthur on September 8 in an episode called "Shelter From the Storm." Which we assume is raging on and now we have that song on the brain again!
Samantha Barks Talks Amélie's 'Vocal Fireworks'
Samantha Barks began performances in Amélie at Berkeley Rep on August 28 and she says that she’s “enjoyed exploring a softer tone of my voice” in the tuner. However, never fear, the Les Miserables star assures The Hollywood Reporter that “there are still moments that are ‘vocal fireworks.’” Directed by Pam MacKinnon, with a book by Craig Lucas and score by Daniel Messé, the production will officially open on September 11. Next stop the Great White Way?
Steven Pasquale Set for Katherine Heigl Pilot
Broadway favorite Steven Pasquale has landed another TV gig! He's been tapped to star opposite Katherine Heigl in the pilot for CBS’ legal drama Doubt. According to Deadline, Pasquale is set to take on the role of pediatric surgeon Billy, who may be guilty of murdering a 15-year-old girl many years before; Heigl will play his defense lawyer Sadie Ellis, and an illicit romance follows. Broadway alums Elliott Gould and Dule Hill are also on board for the project. Missing Pasquale on stage? He’ll next be seen alongside Sierra Boggess at Carnegie Hall on October 9 in My Favorite Things: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein. We'll be there. With bells on.
Nicole Scherzinger Will Be NPH's Sidekick
Olivier nominee Nicole Scherzinger has joined forces with Tony winner Neil Patrick Harris for his upcoming NBC show Best Time Ever. Harris recently tweeted that she was the “newest member of the team” and that Scherzinger was “talented and titillating.” Best Time Ever will premiere on September 15; Scherzinger is still reportedly eyeing making her Broadway debut in Cats next year. Maybe Harris will convince her to prowl onto the Great White Way?
