By Andrew Gans
18 Apr 2008

	Andrew Lloyd Webber
	photo by Aubrey Reuben

YOUR "AMERICAN IDOL" THOUGHTS
Last week I posted my predictions regarding the Andrew Lloyd Webber songs the remaining "American Idol" contestants might sing on the April 22 broadcast of the FOX singing competition. I received several e-mails with additional suggestions, some of which follow.

Joseph M. suggests "Jesus Christ Superstar" for David Cook, "Buenos Aires" for Carly Smithson, "No Matter What" or "Loves Changes Everything" for David Archuleta, "Memory" for Syesha Mercado, "Herod's Song" for Jason Castro and "With One Look for Carly Smithson.

Kristine K. thought the ALW song list could include "Starlight Express" for David A., "Love Changes Everything" for Jason, "Macavity" for David C., "Memory" for Syesha, "With One Look" for Carly and "Take That Look Off Your Face" for Brooke.

Michael R. suggested "Memory" for Brooke and "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" for Carly.

Billy J. also thought "Starlight Express" would be a good pick for David A.

In a recent interview the just-ousted Kristy Lee Cook said she was set to sing "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" during the Lloyd Webber evening.

The contestants will sing the work of the Tony-winning composer on the April 22 "American Idol," which will also feature footage of Lloyd Webber guiding the singers as they perform his songs on the set of Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. And, the April 23 "Idol" results show will feature Lloyd Webber performing live with the "Idol" gang.

	Bernadette Peters
	photo by Aubrey Reuben

DIVA TIDBITS
Two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters, the author of the forthcoming "Broadway Barks" book, will perform at Prelude to a Dance April 23 at the Hudson Theatre in Manhattan. The evening, which kicks off the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company's 40th anniversary, will also feature performances by American Ballet Theatre principal dancers Julie Kent and Marcelo Gomes. In addition to Peters — who first worked with Lubovitch when he made his Broadway debut choreographing the original production of Into the Woods — attendees can expect to see a sneak preview of a new Lubovitch work-in-progress and the duet from Lubovitch's "Meadow," danced by Kent and Gomes. Prelude to a Dance will begin at 6 PM with a reception, followed by the 7 PM performance and a post-performance supper. The Hudson Theatre is located within the Millennium Broadway Hotel at 145 West 44th Street. Tickets, priced $75-$150 (show only) and $500 and up (reception, show and supper), are available by calling (212) 221-7909 or by e-mailing development@lubovitch.org.

Ashley Brown, who created the role of Mary Poppins for the Broadway production of the hit musical of the same name, will re-create her performance for audiences across the country. Brown will head the cast of the national tour of Mary Poppins, which is scheduled to kick off March 25, 2009, at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre. The Disney/Cameron Mackintosh musical based on both the original stories by P. L. Travers and the beloved Walt Disney film has also been announced for St. Louis' Fox Theatre, Aug. 13-30, 2009.

Julia Murney, acclaimed for her performances on Broadway in Wicked and Off-Broadway in The Wild Party, will tackle another demanding musical theatre role this summer: Eva Peron in Evita. Murney — who will be seen in Playwright Horizons' upcoming production of the new musical Saved (May 9-June 22) — told me earlier this week that she will play the wife of Argentinean dictator Juan Peron in the Music Circus season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion in Sacramento, CA. Glenn Casale will direct the production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical, which is scheduled to run Aug. 12-17 at the California venue. About her newest role, Murney said, "I'm totally intimidated and totally looking forward to it — I've heard it's a great place to work and some girlfriends of mine who have played the role say it's a total blast, so sounds good to me. I've never played the role, and I don't really know the score, so I'm getting on that immediately, as we only rehearse for two weeks. Yay, summer stock!" The Music Circus is located at 1419 H Street in Sacramento, CA. Subscriptions are now available; single tickets will go on sale May 12; call (916) 557-1999 or visit www.californiamusicaltheatre.com for more information.

Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth, who is part of the new ABC series "Pushing Daisies," is currently penning her memoirs. A spokesperson for the actress confirmed that Simon & Schuster will publish Chenoweth's autobiography. The tome, which is due in April 2009, is described by Publishers Weekly as such: "The book will be a candid account of the Oklahoma-born actress's life, from her adoption shortly after birth to her Tony-nominated turn in Wicked to her work in Hollywood. Chenoweth will address the challenges she's faced in balancing her faith, family, private life and public persona."

Karen Akers, who starred in the original Broadway productions of Nine and Grand Hotel, will return to the fabled Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel May 13. Akers' ninth consecutive spring engagement at the famed venue is titled Move On and is described as "a wry and sophisticated, rueful yet hopeful look at the universal challenge of starting over." Through the poetry of Dorothy Parker and the music and lyrics of an eclectic array of composers. Akers, press notes state, will explore "what happens when life's unexpected twists and turns force us to make peace with the past, pick ourselves up, and face the future." Cabaretgoers can expect to hear songs by Stephen Sondheim ("The Glamorous Life"), Cole Porter ("Down in the Depths"), Rodgers & Hart ("This Funny World"), Amanda McBroom and Michele Brourman ("Hope Floats"), Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens ("I Was Here," "My Garden"), Lieber and Stoller ("Ready to Begin Again") and Maury Yeston ("Only With You"). Akers will be accompanied on piano by musical director Don Rebic. Eric Michael Gillett directs. DRG Records has just released Akers' newest recording, "Simply Styne." There is a $65 music charge for all shows plus a $30 minimum. The Oak Room is located within the Algonquin Hotel at 59 West 44th Street. For reservations call (212) 419-9331.

Well, that's all for now. Happy diva-watching! E-mail questions or comments to agans@playbill.com.