Today's birthdays include: Lee Strasberg, Gordon Lightfoot, Martin Scorsese, Danny DeVito, Lauren Hutton, Lorne Michaels, RuPaul and Rock Hudson. (What a day to be born!)

'Jane Eyre': Behind the Scenes ... and Above. When "Jane Eyre" opens on Dec. 3, the audience will probably note little about the scenery except perhaps its pleasing soft-focus projections of windows and trees; its elegant 19th-century drawing rooms; the fact that couches and chairs come in and go out.

'The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe': Still Struggling to Make Art of Soup. Even with its crowd-pleasing star in fine, welcoming form, "The Search for Signs" gives off an unmistakable whiff of déjà vu.

On Stage and Off: 'A Class Act' Is Moving Up By Jesse McKinley

SFX Taps Executive Duo

Musicians Gift Garden With 4-Year Contract

How Were the Reviews?: Lily Tomlin's Universe

The Broadway Musical's 50 Most Dynamic 11 O'Clock Numbers -- Part Three by Peter Filichia

Marc Kudisch Takes B'way Bells Are Ringing Lead

New York Pops to Celebrate New Bway Composers Nov. 17 With Mazzie, Skinner

Pan Asian Rep Continues Free Readings with Madwoman in NYC, Nov. 17

26 Hours of Action Cap Goodman Theatre Revamp Fest, Nov. 17-18

3hree at Prince Finishes Royally Received Philly Premiere; NYC Next?

Today's birthdays include: Burgess Meredith, George Kaufman and W. C. Handy

'The Rocky Horror Show': That Sweet Transvestite Doing the Time Warp Again by Ben Brantley
I was surprised by Mr. Brantley's take on it, but I was even more surprised at the placement of the review. There was a feature (by Brantley) on the front page of the arts section, along with a review of 3hree. The Rocky review was buried. Not a good sign. I wonder if The Times will do follow ups like features or a Sunday review. I hope Jordan Roth can make it work among these notices.

'3hree': Hey, They Do Write 'Em Like They Used To

Sontag Is Among Winners of National Book Awards

TIX GLITCH STINGS B'WAY

SCENE AND HEARD: Rocky Horror Cast Party

How Were the Reviews?: The Rocky Horror Show on Broadway

Applause for Betrayal by Peter Filichia

Regarding REEFER by Forrest Mallard

Theatre.com Seeks Interns

Bulletin: Bway's Les Miz Will Cut 14 Minutes From Show to Save Dough

Bart, Beach, Huffman and Orbach Confirmed for Bway Producers
I hear that there will be a few Marinos in it as well!

Ripley, Scott, Pascal and More Go Into Sh-K-Boom Room For Benefit Nov. 16

Lost Tribe Resumes Production at OOB Bank Street in January w/ One Acts by Kelleher

York Developmental Series Has Showgirl of 52nd St. and Family Album, in December

OB’s Second Stage Puts Albee’s Alice in the Hands of Thomas and Robins, Nov. 16-Dec. 24

Henshall to Join Saigon
Once again, Broadway.com scoops everyone. Or is it no one?

Robinson Resigns

Aliens, Transvestites & Virgins by Ken Mandelbaum

Random: Did you ever go to a party and not make it home till the next night? Me neither... Jill, you should definitely have called home!

Today's birthdays include: Sam Waterston, Joseph Wapner, Ed Asner, Petula Clark, Beverly D'Angelo and Georgia O'Keeffe.

Great Caesar's Toast. At 78, Sid Caesar's obsession with comedy - with getting it perfect - is undiminished. But with the discovery of 137 of his scripts, Mr. Caesar is gaining recognition from younger audiences.

'Betrayal': Can Memory or Anyone Be Trusted? Nope. Thinking is not usually classified as a spectator sport. But when it's Liev Schreiber of 'Betrayal' who is doing the cogitation, you tend to sit up, watch closely and suddenly feel like cheering.

To Be or Not to Be Evil, That Is the Question

News site feeding frenzy. If you didn't know that Tobey Maguire had landed the much-coveted role of Spider-Man or what the title to the fourth Harry Potter novel was weeks before the official news hit the streets, you're not logging on to the Internet.

First Rocky Horror Review (I guess they can't read a calendar...)
Boston Herald: Warped and wild: Despite flaws, campy `Rocky Horror' bursts onto stage in NYC
(Thanks Doug E.!)

Broadway Rocky Horror Opens Nov. 15

Overture Company To Launch Nov. 16 With Long Road Home Musical

At the A Class Act Recording Session by Peter Filichia

A Gripe Against USA Today by Peter Filichia

LYPSINKA Speaks by Forrest Mallard

Key West Theatre Festival Folds After Nine Years

Rocky Horror Revival Opens at Bway’s Circle in the Square, Nov. 15

Reefer Madness Still Hovering in Search of OB Joint

Woodbury's Violet and Christmas Make L.A. Evidence Nov. 30

ACO Honors Musical Theatre Advocate John Corigliano and Disney’s Michael Eisner, Nov. 14

Dames at Sea Composer Jim Wise is Dead at 81

Foote Honored at NY Governor's Arts Awards; Ritter, Headley, Guy, Ladd Present Nov. 20

This Was the Moment by Ken Mandelbaum

The Death of Lifegame

The Public Theater Appoints Executive Director

Hey, how about that ticket system going down on Broadway last night?! Patrons were actually asked to use *cash* instead of their credit cards... But the show must go on, so everyone lived through it!

A little bird pointed out to me the Broadway.com picture caption problems:

Photo caption "Robert Cuccioli with significant other Leila Robbins" (first of all, it's Laila Robins, but whatever...) Then, the caption is swapped to "Robert Cuccioli with girlfriend Leila Robbins"... What is that? A demotion? Did Cucc call them up and tell them to change it?

Today's birthdays include: Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Don Stewart and P.J. O'Rourke.

Joseph Papp Public Theater Hires Director to Oversee Finances
Hmmm....

Is There a Dr. in the House for 'Seussical'?

B'Way Polls Show Decisive B.O. Victory. Musicals, new plays, previews help receipts rise

'Rhythm' Strips Beat. Tuner's B'Way bow delayed; 'Hedley' nabs slot

Juliette Binoche Stars in Pinter's B'way Betrayal, Opening Nov. 14

Another Basketball Musical Is in the Works

Putting OZ Together by Forrest Mallard

Say "Graae" by Sean Patrick Flahaven

Me & Mrs. Jones & Lou Rawls In Development for Fall Tour

Ensemble Studio Theatre Runs Armonk Nov. 14-Dec. 19

Karen Mason Appears at Algonquin with Lyricist Alan Bergman, Nov. 28-Dec. 2

Broadway Grosses: November 6-12 - Part 1

The Rhythm Club Won't Play This Spring, Now Aims for Fall 2001

PA's Rockwell Hits Rock Bottom as Media & Grand Candlelight Venues Lose Producing Arm

Rocky Halloween Pics

Broadway Ain't Got Rhythm
It's funny, it doesn't say in this story "...as seen here last on Broadway.com...", hell people in Iowa were talking about this story before Broadway.com had it...

Patience in Playmaking: One Writer's Story by Rob Ackerman

Love Makes the World Go 'Round by Ken Mandelbaum

On this date in 1927, the Holland Tunnel opened to the public, linking New York City and New Jersey beneath the Hudson River. Today's birthdays include: Whoopi Goldberg and Garry Marshall.

Yankee Diary Finds Glory in Dixie. A sampling of meticulous watercolors about the Civil War battles and prison misery of Robert Knox, a lowly Union soldier, has been transformed into a contemporary book -- on display at the New York Historical Society -- and packaged as an adventure odyssey.

Speaking of the War of America, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, of The Sopranos fame, is about to be featured in Eagle Song, a new show symphonic CD centered on these battles. The CD will be released in the first week of December. In early 2001, Jamie-Lynn will take over for Deborah Gibson in the Cinderella tour.

True Stories of Injustice, Drawing Some Big Names

Fizzy Cabaret-Style Toast to the Gershwins' Zaniness

'What the Butler Saw': Now, Doctor, Just Who Are the Sane Ones Here?

Mary Hunter Wolf, Director Undaunted by a Broadway Barrier, Dies at 95

Is the Web a Vehicle to New Riches for Warner Bros.?
This is what Disney is worried about...

Web's A Mousetrap. Net unit drops $249 mil in 4th qtr.
Don't let this fool you. Disney has a plan.

Online Contest Attracts 10,000. Pool to be reduced to 250 finalists.

A Drama Desk Awards Party by Peter Filichia

Bravo For Bravo by Sean Patrick Flahaven

Copenhagen Gets Rare Non-Musical Cast Recording
Bruce Kimmel once again leads the way into a new (old?) Broadway tradition.

Kleban Tribute A Class Act Seeking a B'way House

Alice Isn’t Quite in Bed by Peter Filichia

New Musical, Pollyanna!, Gets Formative Reading in NYC Nov. 17-19

A Child's Garden Grows Off-Broadway at Theatre 3, Dec. 5-Jan. 14

Yale Celebrates Heritage of Drama with Bi-Coastal “Stage Blue,” Nov. 13

LuPone Concert Showcases 'matters of the heart' at LCT's Beaumont, Nov. 13-Dec. 17

Gary Bonasorte, Playwright Who Helped Found Rattlestick Troupe, Dead at 45

Jones, Hughes, O'Shea Celebrate Wilde at NY Public Library, Beginning Nov. 13

OFF: Information Week: Who Wants To Be A Billionaire?
Have fun at Grab.com.

Today's birthdays include: Nadia Comaneci (39), Tonya Harding and Grace Kelly.

Lily Tomlin Resumes Her `Search' on Broadway

Kenneth Lonergan: A Playwright Turned Auteur

Jane Wagner: A Prolific Wit With a Low Profile

Getting Personal About Yale's Drama School

Noises From the Fringe. Look to Off-Broadway for the hot new plays.

Baltimore Sun: The triumph of Everyman. Behind the scenes at Baltimore's best small theater company with founder Vincent Lancisi.

Sneak Peek at the New Cinderella Tour with Gibson and Kitt

Steven Suskin ON THE RECORD: Sweeney Todd Live and The Witches of Eastwick

Rhythm’s Fate by Ken Mandelbaum
It is all old news that we have covered before, except that Brooke Sunny Moriber is Young Heidi in Follies and Paolo Montalban may do Flower Drum Song.

Tom Sawyer Update

Ingredients For Hard Feelings by Neena Beber

So, as SAIGON sails into the sunset, we know that Lea Salonga will be back as Kim. Will Chase will come back to reprise his performance as Chris. But what about Ellen? We hear from two different sources around the world: Ruthie Henshall.

Tom Hewitt's Dr. Frank Whips Up a Frenzy in Rocky Horror

Lily Tomlin Returns to Life on Broadway Nov. 11

RCA Victor To Record Kleban Musical A Class Act

Blast! Considering Marching to Broadway

Tix on Sale Nov. 12 for B'way The Producers

Last Chance to See Lonny Price On Stage by Peter Filichia

Attend the tale of MADAME TUSSAUD by Forrest Mallard

Broadway Producers Have Their Eye on Prince's 3hree

Laramie Project Will Be Seen in Laramie, Two Years After Infamy, Nov. 24-Dec. 2

DIVA TALK: Lawrence Remembered, LuPone at the Beaumont and Lea Returns

League of American Theatres Co-Sponsors Broadway Series with The New York Times

Bernadette Peters Celebrates Goodman's New Theatre at Inaugural Gala, Nov. 11

QTIP Digs Into Musical Jazz Singer Before Possible Spring OB Launch

In Full-Page NYT Ad, Theatre Celebs Join Coalition Seeking New Elections in Florida, Nov. 10
That's a good use of $60,000. Don't they realize that we have a Constitution that addresses these things? I wonder if these people are more concerned with the "process" rather than the "result".

Landlord/Tenant Judge to Review NADA Business Plan for Keeping 167 Ludlow Space Open, Nov. 13

Interesting email received:

"At the end of "Singin' in the Rain" which ends 12/3, Rockwell Productions will cease to exist! According to Jesse Cline and Alice Strine, they have decided that the Milton/Media schedule was "difficult" and closing the production company will "free" the theater up to new and exciting independent programming. "Camelot" was scheduled after "Singin. . ." and that there had already been audition notices."

Sounds like the great karma in the sky. Anything to add to this story?

Hey, anyone out there know Italian? What does "Carissima" mean"? Let me know!

Eppie - I don't know what was more dangerous: surgery or *NSync. Get well soon.