Odds & Ends: Bette Midler Reacts to Idina Menzel's Beaches Casting, Will Chase Roasts Lin-Manuel Miranda & More

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

Bette Midler Finally Reacts to Idina Menzel's Beaches Casting
Idina Menzel can breathe easy…Bette Midler, the original CC Bloom in Beaches, has approved the Broadway supernova taking on the role in Lifetime’s upcoming remake! The Divine Miss M tweeted: “Can’t wait to see Idina Menzel as CC in Lifetime’s Beaches! DON’T TELL ME THE ENDING!” Spoiler alert: she'll need tissues! Meanwhile, Midler herself is keeping busy—she is scheduled to begin previews at the Shubert Theatre in Hello, Dolly on March 13, 2017.

Nikki M. James, Jose Llana & More Set for Twelfth Night
Tony winner Nikki M. James will play Viola, alongside Jose Llana as Orsino, Andrew Kober as Malvolio, Jacob Ming-Trent as Sir Toby Belch and Shaina Taub as Feste in the Public Theater’s upcoming musical adaptation of Twelfth Night. Directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah, who co-conceived the venture with the production's composer and lyricist Taub, 200 New Yorkers from all five boroughs will also share the Delacorte stage for the event. Part of the global 400th anniversary celebration of William Shakespeare’s life and death, the show is scheduled to run September 2 through September 5.

Will Chase Roasts Lin-Manuel Miranda in #Bard4Ham
Speaking of the Bard, at #Ham4Ham on August 3, Shakespeare himself, A.K.A. Something Rotten!'s Will Chase, joined Hamilton's Rory O'Malley to convince Lin-Manuel Miranda to "Take a Break." Check out #Bard4Ham below. Happy hump day!