Idina Menzel Wants You to Start Over, Matthew Morrison's First Crush & More Lessons of the Week

It's Friday, so throw on your Wicked leggings and start your weekend with the Lessons of the Week! Broadway took us on yet another wild ride over the past seven days with myriad belters, geniuses and Broadway.com boyfriends making headlines. We're here to recap it all for you, so let's not waste any more time (are your Wicked leggings on?) and get started.       

If You Belt, Idina Will Listen
Idina Menzel is taking If/Then on the road. That’s right: the cardigan and blazer are coming to a city near you! It’s truly a cause for a celebration, and the most sensible way to do so is to belt your face off. If you record a video doing just that and send it to us, we might a) have Idina Menzel say your name b) fly you out to California to see the show! Now please excuse us while we do some serious warmups.

Don't Send the Platts Schmackary's
Jonah Platt makes his Broadway debut as the ever-so swankified Fiyero in Wicked, and his brother, stage and screen fave Ben, had but one piece of advice for him: “Stay away from dairy and gluten.” OK, there are a few vegan/gluten-free cookies at Schmackary's. But wait sec, Ben? That's all your advice?! You didn’t have any tips about kite-flying?

Joshua Castille's Got Smash-ing Junk
At the opening night of Spring Awakening, we asked the cast and guests what their junk was (because we’ve all got our junk). Lots of love for fiancés, Real Housewives, chocolate and yes, even us (the feeling is mutual, Mientus!). However, Joshua Castille, who plays Ernst in the Deaf West production, won our hearts by enthusiastically signing “Debra Messing.” Same, Joshua. Same.

Matt Morrison Has a Thing for FLOTUS
We all have our “Celebrity Free Pass” lists. For example: “I’m totally into you and promise to stay committed, but if Debra Messing comes along, all bets are off.” We suspect Finding Neverland's Matthew Morrison appears on many people’s lists, but who is on his? None other than First Lady Michelle Obama. Just remember, kids: Matty Fresh may be cute, but no boy is cute enough to keep you from getting an education.

Tevye's Been Ready for 30+ Years
When we took a trip out to Pikes County to catch some R&R with upcoming Fiddler on the Roof star Danny Burstein, the five-time Tony nominee revealed that Tevye’s been in the cards for years. Some 30-35 years, to be exact; he’s had a copy of the book on his shelf for that long. It’s unclear whether he stole it from a high school library, but the checkout card is still intact.

Carly Rae Is a Beautiful Blonde Pineapple
She’s going from pop princess to beauty school dropout! Broadway alum Carly Rae Jepsen will trade Cinderella’s ball gown for a Pink Ladies jacket when she takes on the role of Frenchy in Fox’s live telecast of Grease. Sure, she may be at an all-time high with E•MO•TION, but even that’s not stopping her from living out her musical theater dreams she’s had since the age of seven.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Is a Certified Genius
Lin-Manuel Miranda has racked up 62,500 Hamiltons from the MacArthur Foundation. The Tony winner and Hamilton star/composer is one of the latest individuals awarded a “Genius Grant." Also honored were puppeteer Basil Twist, set designer Mimi Lien and Beth Stevens (the neuroscientist, not the Broadway.com Managing Editor. Although that Beth Stevens deserves a f**king Genius Grant, too.)

Bryce Pinkham Has a 'Genius' Playlist
The Hamilton cast album has been out for one week, and it has already taken over the lives of theater people everywhere. Not even the devilishly charming Monty Navarro is safe. On his final Full Monty episode, Gentleman’s Guide headliner Bryce Pinkham was all about the #Hamiltunes on his commute to the Broadway Flea Market. See? Broadway stars (and First Ladies): they’re just like us!

Tim Minchin Wants to Get Dirty with Lesli
When Matilda composer Tim Minchin was asked who would win in a hypothetical cage match between him, Matilda and Lesli Margherita, he had a proposition: ditch the fictional bookworm and have him mud wrestle with the Dames at Sea queen. We’re not exactly sure what that solves, if anything, but maybe let us know if and when this happens. Can we bring a camera crew? Or can you vlog it?

We Think of Elsie (Fest) to this Very Day
Step aside, Coachella. Do you have Laura Osnes and Aaron Tveit singing “Falling Slowly” or Darren Criss channeling his inner Sally Bowles? We think not. That’s exactly what the Hedwig and Glee alum brought to his show tune-filled outdoor music festival, along with several other gems. The Times Square annual concert Broadway on Broadway is sadly a thing of the past, but Elsie Fest should live on for years to come!