Kidman-Franco “Sweet Bird” on Broadway: Scooped Here First by Roger Friedman

Yes, James Franco and Nicole Kidman are headed to Broadway this fall for Tennessee Williams’s “Sweet Bird of Youth.” I told you that Franco was joining Kidman back on Novem…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Unthinkable: Frank Rich Leaves the New York Times by Roger Friedman

The unthinkable has happened: after 33 years, Frank Rich is leaving the New York Times. And it’s for New York Magazine, where Adam Moss has successfully led him. Rich was theater criti…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Demi Moore, Glenn Close Daughters Joining Off Broadway Hit by Roger Friedman

What year is it? 2011? I remember when Glenn Close‘s daughter Annie was a baby. Now she’s following in her mom’s hallowed footsteps and joining the cast of Nora Ephron̵…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Jimmy Fallon Gets to Sing with Paul McCartney by Roger Friedman

Last night, Jimmy Fallon got to sing with another Beatle. He had Ringo Starr on this summer, and now Paul McCartney. Since McCartney is going to be on “Saturday Night Live” this …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Six Degrees Between Meryl Streep and Abraham Lincoln by Roger Friedman

Actually, there are fewer than three degrees between Meryl Streep and Abraham Lincoln. Streep’s son-in-law to be, Benjamin Walker, signing on to play “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hu…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Spider Man on Broadway Chugs Along with Talented “B” Team by Roger Friedman

Sunday’s matinee of “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” produced no injuries and only one short stop, in the first act. Otherwise, the well publicized previews of this ambitiou…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Snow Snow Snow in Manhattan: It’s 10PM, Do You Know Where the Snow Plows Are? by Roger Friedman

It’s 10:45pm. I’ve just returned to Greenwich Village from 57th St. and Seventh Avenue. And guess what? Not one street is plowed. My cab driver, a great guy, went very slowly dow…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Spider Man On Broadway Swings As Top Money Maker by Roger Friedman

“Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” turns on the money. Last week, “Spider Man”–still in previews–was the number 1 grossing show on Broadway. The $65 million …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Everyone Goes to Elaine’s, Even the Governor, for a Toast by Roger Friedman

Last night, everyone actually did go to Elaine’s. By 10pm, the entire restaurant on Second Avenue between 88th and 89th Streets was completely full, swollen with insiders, outsiders, r…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Mary J. Blige Joins Tom Cruise for “Rock of Ages” by Roger Friedman

“Rock of Ages,” the Broadway musical about pop and rock music from the 1980s, is getting a surprise addition to its cast. Of course, you’ve read about Tom Cruise taking the…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Jane Fonda: Cher, Anjelica, Colin Farrell Toast Her LA Play Premiere by Roger Friedman

Word is that “West Side Story” director Arthur Laurents-who’s yes, 93 years old, just sent her his new play to star in on Broadway. But Fonda-who’s reading scripts fo…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Broadway Spider Man: Show May Avoid Tony Awards, Open in June by Roger Friedman

That March 15th opening for “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark”? It’s now called a “Hope-ening.” It will not be the official opening night, according to sources. On…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

“Spider Man” on Bway Postpones Again, til March 15th: Beware the Ides of March? by Roger Friedman

“Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” won’t officially open until March 15th, set back from February 7th. And January 11th. And December 21st. At least. Who can remember? The wor…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

“Spider Man” Will Likely Shut Down for Re-tooling; Taymor Sidelined by Producers by Roger Friedman

So: Julie Taymor has been sidelined by the producers of “Spider Man.” Ousted? Yes. Gone altogether? Not quite. “Spider Man” remains her show, no matter what they do t…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

“Spider Man” Civil War: Negotiating Taymor Exit and Saving Troubled Musical by Roger Friedman

Two hours ago, a lead investor for “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” told me: “We want Julie Taymor to stay.” He said that it was his opinion that it would be good for …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Spider Man on Broadway, A Week Later: Show Takes Flying Leap Forward by Roger Friedman

“Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” played its 6th preview yesterday afternoon at the Foxwoods Theater. It’s been a whole week since the first preview. Yesterday’s celebr…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

This Week: Critics Choice Awards, New York Film Critics, Golden Globes, NBR by Roger Friedman

Here comes the big awards week. This is the week when a lot of different groups vie for attention as they hand out movie awards. None of them are the Academy Awards. Those aren’t hande…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Zach Braff Goes Off Broadway Again; John Slattery Waits for “Mad Men,” Too by Roger Friedman

“Scrubs” star Zach Braff is heading back to off Broadway. The “Garden State” director-writer appeared last summer at the Second Stage company in “Trust” a…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Spider Man, Charlie Sheen Top Overnight Headlines by Roger Friedman

“Spider Man: Turn off the Dark”– as I reported on Sunday morning, there’s turmoil within the embattled Broadway show. A source says the show is going to be rewritten …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

The Best of 2010: A Look Back by Roger Friedman

2010? It wasn’t so bad. The worst thing was losing friends and people we admired. I am not through saying goodbye to our dear Elaine Kaufman. None of her friends will ever get over tha…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Paul McCartney Saves “SNL” With Record Four Songs by Roger Friedman

I’m going to go out on a limb here. I don’t think any other act has had four songs on “Saturday Night Live.” Paul McCartney just closed the show with “Get Back.…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

There’s No “Spider Man” Without Julie Taymor; It’s Her Vision by Roger Friedman

No one wants to stand up for Julie Taymor. “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” has played 100 previews, and mostly received poor reviews for its book– or lack of one. But if Ta…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Vanity Fair Snares Oscar Hosts Franco and Hathaway for Cover by Roger Friedman

Vanity Fair should be announcing its cover stars for its annual Oscar issue any minute now. But I am told that the number 1 Hollywood magazine snared Oscar hosts Anne Hathaway and James Fran…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

James Cromwell May Take It With Him to Broadway by Roger Friedman

Happy Birthday, Oscar nominee James Cromwell–beloved star of “Babe.” He turns 71 today and celebrates with a big, big year: he’s directing his first film and he’…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Bono Tells Julie Taymor He’ll Do Spider Man “With Or Without You” by Roger Friedman

Many months after “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” started previews in New York, its composer–Bono of the group U2–is here. Sources tell me that even though he’s…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑