On this day in 1927, the era of talking pictures arrived with the opening of ''The Jazz Singer,'' starring Al Jolson, a movie which featured both silent and sound-synchronized scenes.

Women Who Are Definitely Going Somewhere, Maybe

On Stage and Off: Naughty, Bawdy . . . And Back by Jesse McKinley

Greenbacks & Fran

Go Into Your Dance by Ken Mandelbaum

Still No Millie: Musical Delays at La Jolla To Oct. 6

Lady Cavaliers Present All-Female, All-Out Fight Fantasy Gloria at New City Oct. 5-21

Barrio Babies Will Sing in Spring 2001 Rather Than Fall 2000

Report: Horton Hears Rumors of a Delay
Do you remember the last time 'Horton Hears A Rumor' was a headline on Theatre.com? It was Sean Patrick Flahaven's column from Sept 12. At the time, Sean dismissed what was being said on the web regarding Seussical. Things that have now come to pass.

LaChiusa To Showcase Songs From New Musicals, Little Fish and Rshomon at Joe's Pub, Oct. 16
(Do we not have a better pic of MJL anywhere?)

Tony-winning Black Troupe Cancels Season

Bells Are Ringing for Broadway Revival April 22, 2001

Oedipus Rex: Greek Is the Word by Peter Filichia

Shout! It Out by Peter Filichia

Yahoo/Variety: The Walt Disney Co. is in advanced discussions with Julie Taymor (''Titus'') to direct a stage version of ``Pinocchio,'' with workshopping slated to begin within the next several months.

BackStage: Off-Broadway 2000-01
(Thanks to Talkin'Broadway for the link.)

Blind Email: Working on "Dracula" with Frank Wildhorn -- Des McAnuff and Christopher Hampton.

You may have noticed the subtle changes at Theatre.com. Banners on all the pages, streamlined ledes on the news splash, Ask Jessica moved to a higher traffic area, and links that measure where you have been and where you are going. I guess they are getting around to updating the privacy policy as well.

Off: Strange observation that must be said out loud. Was watching the VP debate last night and it occured to me that Senator Joseph Lieberman reminds me of Max Wright, the actor who played Alf's dad. Not so much in the physical sense, but some way...

Today's birthdays include: Jeff Conaway, Clive Barker, Bob Geldof and Joshua Logan.

Casting Si by Ken Mandelbaum

Jack Goldstein Says Roni Claypool Will Assume "Day-to-Day Management" of TDF

Commercial Advertisers Claim Actors Violate Labor Law By "Shooting" Strike Breakers

Equity Waives Barry Williams' Dues After Actor Requests "Financial Core" Status

After SAG Talks Collapse, Joint Policy Committee Outlines Its Constituency

IATSE Will Represent Touring Personnel in Dancearts' Ice Beyond Cool

Theatre Wing's 'Working In The Theatre' Seminars Scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 2

Attorney Says Barry Williams Supports Union and May Respond to Recent Disciplinary Action

Salute to Broadway on Hollywood Squares - Be in the Audience
(Taping in NYC)

So, last night's premier of NBC's Titans was pretty bad. Actually so beyond bad that NBC must have know that they had to put two hours of The West Wing on to sort of cleanse the palate. I'd imagine that Titans will not last the season. John Barrowman out of work again. Whereas, The West Wing is so great because it is written and performed as though it could be a theatre piece.

Blind email received:

Regarding yesterday's Broadway.com story on Frank Wildhorn -- Who are the two "Oscar winning collaborators"? You want to bet the lyricist is Will Jennings? But who for the book? Any ideas?

Anyone care to guess?

A question for a friend: Does anyone know the names of talent bookers for Rosie, Letterman and Leno? The television world is so foreign to me. If you do, drop me a line. And thanks!

An item to note: West Coast musical theatre recording specialist and all around nice guy, Bill Jennings, is back from his exile of the internet. Mermaniac has a new set of updates for you show music fans.

Today's birthdays include: Anne Rice, Armand Assante and Buster Keaton.

Neil Simon Memories by Ken Mandelbaum

Frank Wildhorn

Rhythm Club Hums Along in Pre-Bway World Preem in VA, to Oct. 22

Thoroughly Modern Millie Delays Again; Begins Previews Oct. 5

Thomas Short Confirmed as IATSE Official Who Spoke at Sept. 27 Meeting Between SAG/AFTRA and JPC

George Black to Step Down as Artistic Director of TheatreVirginia

Four Days After SAG/AFTRA Talks Break Down, IATSE Reaches Pact w/ Indep Commercial Producers

New York Actors Protest at New York Times Offices

42nd Street on 42nd Street by Sean Patrick Flahaven
(They have added Sean's pic to his columns as well.)

Eliot Ness Draws Some Big Musical Guns in Cleveland, Oct. 4. Burke Moses and Alison Fraser star, with Lynn Taylor Corbett (Swing!) doing the choreography.

The Broadway Musical's 50 Most Dynamic First-Act Closers by Peter Filichia

Seussical Loadin Canceled? Creative team meetings with locked doors?

Today's birthdays include: Gore Vidal, Jack Wagner and Emily Post.

The Dinner Party Is Seated for Previews Oct. 3 at the Music Box

The Great Caruso, Jim, Begins Monday Gig at Arci's in NYC Oct. 2

Eleanor's a Must-Listen by Peter Filichia
Hey look at that. If you click on the Eleanor CD cover at the top of this page, you can buy it. Or just check out the CD. And no, I did not arrange this with Peter. Eleanor's been at the top of this page for a few weeks.

Director Joins Cast of MTC's Class Act, Previewing Oct. 3

White Way Emptied. No rush at B’way B.O. amid Jewish holiday

Inside.com: Teen People Staffers Swoon For 'Greg Brady'

Deborah. Cinderella. Eartha. MSG. Ohmigod.

Jane Eyre records their OBC on Thursday and Friday. They are also holding auditions for Young Jane this week. They didn't want to cast someone who will change before opening, I guess. :-)

Today's birthdays include: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Sting, Rex Reed, Rick Rashid, Don McLean, Groucho Marx and Bud Abbott.

A conversation with Annette Niemtzow
Annette is producing Jane Eyre.

The Darwin Awards by Peter Filichia

IATSE Reaches 4-Year Pact With Producers. Includes union jurisdiction of Internet ads

Asian Week: From Ragtime to Riches. Director Stafford Arima aims to inspire through theater.
Thanks to Sarah Chagal for pointing this article out.

The Fynsworth Alley kickoff party at Arci's Place was well attended and a lot of fun. Alice and Emily were there discussing their new respective projects. Emily talking about the warm reception that Full Monty is getting so far and Alice talking about how little she is going to be wearing in Rocky Horror, making the astute observation that at any point on stage at Circle in the Square 1/3 of the audience is going to be staring at her butt! She said that it has inspired her to work out. (As if Alice Ripley needs to work out. I should be in half as good shape.) Judy Kaye and David Green who just got off a cruise in Italy and came in to see Bruce Kimmel's baby take flight. Karen Mason, who's was performing her cabaret act at Arci's, after the Fynsworth party that is, was there too.

Following the Fynsworth party, I headed up to The Genesius Guild's NOW Songwriters at The Triad. A well put together evening with outstanding talent on both sides of the music. Outstanding performances were had by Shauna Hicks, Kim Cra & Jill Geddes in Steven Silverstein and Michael Colby's "Since I Fell". Also, Laura Benanti performing "Wild Bird" by James Valcq showed why she is in high demand these days. The final plug that I am going to do here is for Phillip Officer, whom I have not seen perform (Other than in Side Show, I think?) Phillip really blew the doors off the place. Perhaps it is time to get his CD, which is available through Lee Lessack's LML Music website.

Other stuff to mention since there is not much news from around the internet today:

What's with Sebastian's orange hair? I saw him the other day and it was orange. Time to get Jon Jordan in there to fix it. The line from the show is, "I've been making a man, with blonde hair and a tan..." Orange does not work there. Nothing rhymes with orange.

Shauna and Michael X just got back from their honeymoon. There could not be two nicer people.

Have you seen the new Mercedes Benz commercial with the accapella version of Stayin' Alive? I mention it as Mercedes is the Official Automotive Sponsor of Saturday Night Fever. Is this some sort of cross over advertising?

Idina is being courted to replace Sherie Scott when Sherie leaves Aida in Feb. Dee is minus a T these days. Poor child.

Other former Renters update: Adam Pascal playing at Wetlands on Oct 26th.

The word you are thinking about really is incorrigible.

Today's birthdays include: Tom Bosley, Richard Harris, Julie Andrews and Randy Quaid.

Strike Fears Grip Hollywood as Unions Flex New Muscle

"If you think you'll be shooting in June or July, you're in a state of diminished mental capacity."
-- Scott Rudin

Who Could Be Blue? "The Sondheim Album" Is in Stores Oct. 1 from Fynsworth
Uh... I think that the CD is available from Fynsworth's website, but not in stores until Feb 1. There is a Fynsworth kickoff party tonight at 5PM. We'll let you know who is there!

Broadway Sings Gospel For BC/EFA Oct. 1, 2

A Basic Instinct: Sharon Stone Emcees SF A.C.T. Benefit Oct. 1; Gets, Sills Perform

Jane Eyre Opens Broadway Box Office Oct. 2

"HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME?: Eyre-heads can finally celebrate."

Certainly there could have been a better euphemism.

Theatrical Wyoming by Peter Filichia

Tonight, 8PM, at The Triad Theatre (158 W 72nd Street), is a benefit for The Genesius Guild called 'NOW' Songwriters, featuring an evening of new songs. It is being presented by The Genesius Guild and Sandi Durell Productions. Reservations can be made at 212-362-2590. For more information please call 212-724-3566.

I had homemade brownies for breakfast this morning. Isn't that cool?!

Today's birthdays include: Len Cariou (about to open on Broadway in Neil Simon's The Dinner Party), Barry Williams (who has Equity/Sound of Music troubles), Deborah Kerr, Fran Drescher and Truman Capote.

Gay Man's Death Led to Epiphany for Wyoming Officer

Warrior Princesses Clash Swords, Swashbuckle in OB Gloria, Oct. 5

A Wild Idea for the Tonys by Peter Filichia

Barry Williams Flouts Union, Resumes Sound of Music Tour

Equity Slaps Williams With Charges

New York Mag: The Cowboy Chronicles. Twenty years after riding a mechanical bull to big-screen fortune and fame, the urban cowboy returns as a stage hero -- and the author finds that putting on a show isn't anything like they say it is in the movies.