The boys just wanna have fun this WEEK AHEAD. Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin host Hollywood’s biggest night…David Cromer dives into another family drama … Stokes gets “Ugly”… and a new Kander and Ebb musical hits Gotham.
Life is a Cabaret, ‘Ol Chum!
Blake
Friday, March 5th
GO? We feel you Johanna! Sweeney Todd’s original Johanna, Sarah Rice, gives a special birthday performance of her show Screen Gems, a tribute to the songs of old Hollywood including Disney classics like “Some Day My Prince Will Come,” from "Snow White" and “Hindustan,” from the 1921 silent film "The Sheik." (8pm, Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, West of 9th Avenue, $20 cover, call 212.695, 6909 for reservations)
Saturday, March 6th
GO? Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series closes this Saturday with the legendary Chita Rivera performing numbers from her distinguished career which includes turns in West Side Story, Kiss of the Spider Woman and Bye Bye Birdie. (8:30pm and 10:30pm, The Allen Room at Rose Hall, Time Warner Center at 60th Street, 6th floor, info/tickets)
BEFORE IT CLOSES? Real-life husband and wife, Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano, close out the run of their show This Thing Called Love, at the Algonquin hotel. If you’re a sucker for the love songs of yesterday like "Old Devil Moon," "Isn't It A Pity," "In the Still of the Night" and "But Beautiful,” this show is for you. (8:30pm and 11pm, The Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, 59 W. 44th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues, call 212.419.9331 for reservations)
Sunday, March 7th 
WATCH? Hollywood’s finest come out in all their splendor for the 82nd annual Academy Awards. Among those expected to attend are big names from both screen and stage including Meryl Streep, Barbra Streisand, John Travolta and more. Two-time Tony winner Lauren Becall will receive the Academy Honorary Award. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin host with Tony winner Marc Shaiman as musical director. Click here for a downloadable ballot for your Oscar party. (8pm ET/5pmPT on ABC)
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Monday, March 8th
GO? One of the most colorful things about last year’s Finian’s Rainbow was the voice of its leading lady, Kate Baldwin. Baldwin brings those same glorious pipes over to Birdland this Monday for her show Let’s See What Happens. Cross your fingers that she sings “How Are Things In Glocca Morra?” (7pm, Birdland, 315 W. 44th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, $25-$35, info/tickets or call 212.581.3080)
GO?Liza Minnelli, David Hyde Pierce, Kristin Chenoweth, and Chita Rivera are among the big names performing at the Vinyeard Theatre’s tribute to John Kander and the late Fred Ebb. (7:30pm, Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel, 145 W. 44th street, performance tickets $70-95, tickets)
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OPENING? Tony winner Victoria Clark stars in When the Rain Stops Falling, a multi-generational family saga that spans several decades (from 1959-2039). David Cromer, fresh off of two classic family dramas, Our Town and Bright Beach Memoirs, directs. (Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center, 150 W. 65th Street, enter on Amsterdam at 64th Street, info/tickets)
Tuesday, March 9th 
CAST CHANGE? Hair goes "Idol" when it welcomes new tribe members to its Broadway cast including “American Idol” alums Diana DeGarmo (The Toxic Avenger, Hairspray) as Sheila, and Ace Young (Grease) as Berger. Annaleigh Ashford (Wicked, Legally Blonde), Jeannette Bayardelle (The Color Purple), and Kyle Riabko (Spring Awakening) also join the cast. (Al Hirschfeld Theatre, 302 W. 45th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, Click here for Playbill Club discount tickets)
Wednesday, March 10th 
OPENING? The highly anticipated world-premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, featuring the music of John Kander and the lyrics of the late Fred Ebb, opens Off-Broadway. Tony winner Susan Stroman directs this musical based on the infamous 1931 rape case of the same name involving nine black teens. (The Vineyard Theatre, 108 East 15th Street, between 4th Avenues and Irving Place, box office 212.353.0303)
WATCH? Lainie Kazan (Funny Girl) and our buddy Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell (Man of La Mancha, Kiss Me Kate) will guest star on"Ugly Betty" joining the theatre-heavy roster of guest stars including Cheyenne Jackson (Finian's Rainbow, Xanadu) and Aaron Tveit (Next to Normal). (10pm/9c on ABC)
Thursday, March 11th 
OPENING? Fresh off of a critically acclaimed run Off-Broadway, Next Fall debuts on the Main Stem this Thursday. This comic drama by Geoffrey Nauffts is a beautiful humanization of the struggle for equality and acceptance, but ultimately, it’s a show about relationships…no matter the orientation. (Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 W. 44th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenues, Click here for Playbill Club discount tickets)
