On this day in 1958, The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical ``Flower Drum Song'' opened on Broadway.

'Seussical: The Musical': The Cat! The Whos! The Places They Go! by Ben Brantley

Music Agency Makes Changes in Top Ranks

Rights Sold to Make Harry Potter Items

On Stage and Off: A Tug of War Over 'Long Day' by Jesse McKinley

How Were the Reviews?: Seussical on Broadway
(Why does the story have a dateline of "Chicago"?)

Toronto Star: Sad Seussical. Musical put together by committee, and it shows by Richard Ouzounian

Sounding Off: Theatre.com Writers Tune into Seussical Mania

Monkee Mania Reunion Tour Headed for Broadway

Weisslers Planning South Pacific Revival

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

Here on Who by Ken Mandelbaum

Musicians, SFX Ready To Sit Out Legit Season. Florida's 'Fiddler' first casualty.

Blast to Blast Broadway in April 2001

Play Company Reads Mitchell's Trust in NYC, Dec. 4

Weisslers Will Not Run Chicago in Minneapolis, Long Beach and Boston

Seussical: A moment to reflect. This is where it all began. So here we are on the morning after. What do I have to say? Was Seussical "the show within the show"? To see the life cycle of this show is to understand the hurdles facing a creative team to get a show up. From Garth to SFX/NAMCO -- Ahrens & Flaherty deserved better for their project. There are a few reasons to see the show: Michele Pawk, Kevin Chamberlin, a great cast and score. What is problematic for me is the book and direction. I guess those go hand in hand.

Two Blind Emails Received:

What Designer is about to serve papers in a very sticky situation on B'way?

Word on the street is that with the assured lack of recoupment of SEUSSICAL the corporate bosses at Clear Channel are going to tell SFX to get out of the producing game. With JEKYLL not recouping, CIVIL WAR a total $7 million loss and now SEUSICAL, their talents as original producers are in serious question. They'll probably return to just being the road re-packagers they started as.

I don't think this will come to pass. Yes, Clear Channel/SFX took a bloodbath on Civil War. But J&H, on the road, has been very good to them. They are a corporation that recognizes that risk=reward. And being a Broadway producer as well as a road presenter, puts them in much more control of their own destiny. I don't think that losing about $13 million over the past years on Broadway has put even one job at SFX in danger.

Speaking of Civil War and Jekyll, who is The Scarlet Pimpernel? We will see next week...

Today's birthdays include: David Mamet, Robert Guillaume, Dick Clark, Mandy Patinkin, Jonathan Swift and Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain)

Recalling the Civilized Voice of a Critic, Vincent Canby. Friends and associates of Vincent Canby delivered their reviews of the life and long career of the former film and drama critic for The New York Times.

A New Way to Listen to Radio on the Internet

Directed by....... by Ken Mandelbaum

DeGrazia Returns to Jane Eyre

Kevin Chamberlin

New Bacharach/David Musical at the Roundabout?

Matthew Mabe

I Promise You a Happy Ending

How can they afford to be in FOLLIES?

Rocky III by Peter Filichia

Happy Anniversary to Me by Peter Filichia

Remembering -- and Anticipating -- Flower Drum Song by Peter Filichia

Producers Cancel Chita Rivera National Tour of Chicago
Why is it that this article never identified the producers?

You're a Rock Singer, Anthony Rapp, at Sh-K-Boom Room, Nov. 30

Seussical Opens Nov. 30: Will Horton Hatch a Hit?

Legit Near Comeback At Biltmore. Renovation cost expected to be $18 mil, finished for 2002-2003 season.

Strands: Dutch Treats. '42nd Street' chooga choogas in Holland.

B'Way Stocking Stuffed. Season grosses up 20% over previous year.

Sundance Taps Legit Artists. Participants will spend three weeks at Ucross facility in Wyoming.

Biz Slides; 'Tale' 364G. B'way down 2.7% from previous week.

Atlantic Theatre to Benefit from Screening of Mamet’s New Film, “State and Main,” Dec. 4

Viewers Have Their Say on the Nov. 30 "Theatre Talk"

Philly 3hree Eyeing NYC and Negotiating for Cast CD
I hear DRG is recording it.

League Prez Says Broadway’s “Strong Crop” is Behind Strong Growth at Mid-Season

OOB's Nada Maintains Hope That Landord Will Reverse Nov. 14 Eviction

True confessions: We love the New York Post. We also love Michael Riedel, and we are not afraid to tell anyone. (Someone said it would ruin my career!)

Also, despite rumors to the contrary, yesterday's update (or lack thereof) was not due to my partying with Peter Filichia to celebrate his one year of columns at Theatre.com. Although, I surely owe him a dinner. I get a lot of email that from people telling me that they look forward to reading my website every day. Well, I could not be half as inspired without people on the internet like Peter (and Murdock McBride of Playbill!)

I was not down in Florida counting ballots. I was not having an intervention with Robert Downey Jr. Anyway, there is no story, I just took the day off because I was too busy. Did you know that David Ippolito, whose CD I produced, won $64,000 on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" last night? He was on the show for about 1/2 an hour, talked about the CD and even sang a song to his girlfriend on the air! I couldn't ask for better advertising. This of course leads to a crushing number of orders for his CD this morning. But I will have to put that aside for right now because tonight is the Seussical opening...

Today's birthdays include: Randy Newman, Paul Shaffer and Judd Nelson.

Flattery Will Win 'em Over, No Matter How Big the Star

Spacey Putting His Money Where His Heart Has Been

Kitt-Gibson Cinderella Tour Launches Nov. 28 in Florida

OB "Musicals in Mufti" Series To Revive Carmen Jones

A Country Christmas Carol by Forrest Mallard

Spring Awakes and Sings by Sean Patrick Flahaven

B'Way Thankful For Holiday Season. 'Music Man' hits its highest note as gains are across the board.

Nat'l Snags Legit Kudos. 'Blue/Orange' wins best play, Ejiofor outstanding rookie.

The Shoe Fits: R&H's Cinderella Begins Tour Nov. 28 in FL

Pulse Ensemble Pumps Shaw's Misalliance in NYC, Nov. 28-Dec. 17

Votes Challenged in IATSE Bid to Represent Houston’s African-American Ensemble

Die, George Bailey, Die!: It's a Wonderful Death Returns to L.A. Dec. 4-20

Ehn's Swedish Tales Move to NYC's Ohio Dec. 13-23

We hear that Michael and Maria Rademacher are here in NYC looking for a show to open a new theater complex he's bought in Europe. They were seeing Contact...

On this day in 1939, the play ''Key Largo,'' by Maxwell Anderson, opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York. Also on this day in 1953, Playwright Eugene O'Neill died in Boston at age 65. Today's birthdays include: Fisher Stevens and Jimi Hendrix.

Broadway.com reports that today David Merrick was born in 1911 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Where Men Reveal Their Stories and Souls
Talk about a short article!

Manhattan Theater Club To Restore Biltmore. The landmark Biltmore Theater on W. 47th Street will undergo multi-million dollar restoration and become the Broadway home of the Manhattan Theater Club (MTC), The Post has learned.
What did the NYPost just start reading Broadway.com?

Merrick's Theatrical Scorecard by Peter Filichia

David Hasselhoff and Michele Lee To Light Broadway Holiday Tree, Dec. 13

Union Actors Protest Non-Equity Sound of Music in Pittsburgh

ONE... Singular Performer by Forrest Mallard

Chat with HEATHER HEADLEY by Forrest Mallard

Into The Cold by Sean Patrick Flahaven

B.O. Up; S.F. 'Mamma' Bows. Receipts gains 5.1%
[Road numbers only]

Guys and Dolls Remembered in NYC Museum Exhibit, Nov. 27-June 10

Harris' Belle Moves to MA's CityStage Feb. 1-4, 2001
CityStage does some fine work. Especially in December when they present "A Christmas Survival Guide"! (Yes, I know I have no shame...)

And don't forget that tonight is "A Christmas Survival Guide" at Arci's Place on Park Avenue. You may need this to jump-start your holidays.

Wasserstein, Rich, and Witchel “Open Doors” for HS Kids Through TDF Program

Bway’s Palace Hosts 12th Annual Gypsy of the Year for BC/EFA, Dec. 4-5

Harold & Maude, the Musical, Gets Free Public Reading in NYC Nov. 27

Times Square Businesses to Discuss New Year’s Eve Celebration, Dec. 12

David Campbell fans rejoice as the Australian production of "Shout" releases its cast recording with Mr. Campbell. We are sure that Footlight should have it soon. (So will Colony, but why spend $50 when you can get it for $30?)

Three Mo' Tenors will make their national network TV debut on The Today Show, December 23. The three tenors are: Rodrick Dixon, Jason Oby and Thomas Young. Unfortunately, Victor Trent Cook had to bow out due to his obligation to the "Cinderella" tour.

There is an amusing discussion over at CASTRECL:

"How about a musical called CITY OF ANGELS IN AMERICA, with all the Cohn scenes in black& white, and the Mormon stuff in color, and...? I'd better stop or Lincoln Center might commission it."

Have you discovered The New Yorker's Cartoon Bank? You know those wonderful line drawings that you see in the magazine? Well you can now purchase them (of course). It just may be the Christmas present to get for someone who has everything. Here is one particularly funny one...

I was stalling to see if the major website would have updated by now, but they have not. (7AM) All three were pretty light on updates since last Wednesday. Anyway, I will try to get back to update later on in the day, but I ain't promising nothin'! I may have to go to Florida to kick some ass. (Whoa. Note to self: gotta stop taking those testosterone pills...)

Here are a few quotes that I heard regarding the election last night. It sounds so familiar but I cannot put my finger on it...

"So what happens now?"
"Where am I going to?"
"Don't ask, anymore..."

Today's birthdays include: Tina Turner, Robert Goulet and Charles Schulz.

When Ruth Draper Was Alone Onstage, Everyone Was There

'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' Is Still fresh at 25

Taye Diggs Guests on Ally McBeal

Ricky Martin Swats Away Rumors
What rumors?

Rocky Revitalizes Cavett by Peter Filichia

Tix on Sale for Salonga/Henshall Miss Saigon Farewell

Stokes and Sheri Rene in THE WIZ? by Forrest Mallard

A Very EDER Christmas by Forrest Mallard

PHOTO CALL: Producer Joop Van Den Ende Gets Hung Up With Luker at Sardi's

Back at the de Lys by Ken Mandelbaum

Cleveland.com: Giving voice to Jane Eyre’
Actress devotes five years to musical finally set to open on Broadway

The Washington Post: A Theatergoer's Seasonal Allergy

The Boston Globe: Arthur Miller - the test of time

Newsday: Hats Off, Cool Cat

Today's birthdays include: Ricardo Montalban, Kathryn Crosby, Ben Stein and Andrew Carnegie.

Spitfire Grill Musical Debuts in NJ Nov. 25

Rocky Solid Entertainment by Peter Filichia

Ping Chong Directs New Project Secret History in NYC, Nov. 25-Dec. 10

Fowler and Metz are Serving at The Spitfire Grill in NJ, Nov. 25-Dec. 24

It’s Reigning Men: NJ’s American Stage Has New DiPietro Musical, Nov. 25-Dec. 10

Through a morbid curiosity, I wonder how long Broadway.com will be in business when its parent company, Hollywood.com is doing like this. You see, in the internet economy, the leader in an industry segment is profitable (Playbill). The second and third place companies scrap it out to break even. (Theatre.com and Broadway.com). And the rest die. (Theatremania?) Take into account that they have about $9 million cash (post private placement) on hand to run all their businesses: Hollywood.com, Broadway.com, TDI, ConcertSource, CinemaSource, EventSource and TheaterSource and MovieTickets.com. How long can all those businesses run sharing the $9 million? What is their burn rate? Can more money be raised? With the NASDAQ in the bottom of the barrel with no IPO-friendly market in sight, will Hollywood Media Corp. burn through their little nest egg? We will see.