Cynthia Erivo Is Smashing, Idina Menzel Is Striking & More Lessons of the Week

Happy Friday, and Happy October Eve! We hope you’re celebrating with sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes (if you’re not too cool for them) and filthy stories from Julia Murney’s voiceover past. But first, let’s take a look at what went down on the Great White Way over the past seven days. Catch up on the wildest stories with the Lessons of the Week!


Sutton & Colbert Have a New Jellicle Song
Look out, Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer: There’s a new Jellicle pair vying for the Heaviside Layer. Two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster teamed up with Stephen Colbert to offer an updated take on Cats, complete with belly rubs and curtain cords. We know she’s busy with Sweet Charity and Younger, but we’d love to see Foster show her talents at the Neil Simon. If there’s room for Grumpy Cat...


Let Cynthia Erivo Be Your Star
Fade in on a girl, with a hunger for chairs, with a belt and some pants to remember. The Color Purple Tony winner and our fashion role model Cynthia Erivo recently sported a stunning look on the American Theatre Wing gala red carpet, including a platinum blonde Marilyn bob. We’re not saying she’s officially the new star of Bombshell, but let’s just say we’re prepared to strut down a hall to make this happen.


Nick Adams Has an XXX Voting Campaign
It’s more important than ever to make sure you’re registered to vote, partially because it could lead to some very interesting content from Broadway’s Nick Adams. The man behind Muscles and Mascara tweeted that he’d release a sex tape if Hillary Clinton were elected. We’ll be sure to keep an eye on the polls on November 8 and continue to monitor his Instagram. You know, for journalism purposes.


Carol Channing Has a Jellicle Date
These Jellicle Balls are getting more and more high profile. A few weeks ago, Ricky Ubeda told us he would bring Patti LuPone as his plus one to the feline festivities. Now, his Cats-mate Christine Cornish Smith revealed she would want Carol Channing to tag along. We just double-checked, and cats can eat raspberries in moderation, so this should work out just fine.


Molly Pope's a Humble Gay Icon
Speaking of gay icons, let’s talk about Molly Pope. The actress and club singer describes herself as an “ascendant gay icon,” applying the modifier out of humility (you know, like Idina with idina.) But with a Judy Garland-inspired act and Mame aspirations, we don’t think it’s possible for her not to be a gay icon. Face it, Pope. We’re already constructing a Pride float in your honor.


Ariana DeBose Will Whisk You Away
Ariana DeBose is a woman of many talents, from being a dancing bullet to a Bronx Tale vlogger. She’s also on her way to becoming a travel agent, having returned from Hawaii and ready to give Hamilton’s Lexi Lawson vacation tips. They’re also open to suggestions. Let us know what you decide on, girls! We could use a new spot, too. Our usual trip to the Heaviside Layer is getting exhausting.


"The Circle of Life" Has Come Full Circle
Disney is bringing an assortment of enchanted objects back to life next year with Beauty and the Beast, and they have elephants, mermaids and flying nannies on deck. This week, they added lions to the roster with the announcement of a reimagining of The Lion King. We have a few questions, the first being: Where are you going to find a live meerkat and warthog who can sing Swahili phrases?


Rent Has More than One Line
Nick Blaemire is a great fit for Jonathan Larson’s Tick, Tick…BOOM!, being a composer himself and a massive Renthead. He first heard of Rent in middle school, and it stuck with him. Well, at least the first line did. All he remembered then was “December 24th, 9PM. Eastern Standard Time.” Come on, seventh-grade Nick. There are far more memorable lines than that. Like “Tumbleweeds...prairie dogs...yeahhh” or “Candy bar wrapper!”


We're Gagging Over Courtney's Side Project
Flying around on magic carpets has to be high up on the “fun jobs” list, but sometimes, you just want to do more. Aladdin’s Courtney Reed, for example, is selling Broadway-inspired apparel through her line of chokers, Gagged. As you'll recall, Aladdin’s Steel Burkhardt is selling juice, and Adam Jacobs has a shower full of solo albums. If you need some help, we know a guy who can move product for you.


Idina's Fans Want Her to Stay in Her Lane
We’ve seen our fair share of Broadway stars’ dressing rooms, and we know they treasure gifts from fans. We’ve seen gifted fan art, Schmackary’s orders and unicorn slippers, but we’ve never a bowling ball. Blazing supernova Idina Menzel revealed she received a green one from a fan without caring to elaborate. Let’s hope she uses it on the pins to bring them down (bring them down…ah-ah-ah-ah-ahhh!)