More than 1,000 hopeful human felines scratched together for the latest batch of “Cats.” Final purring and meowing gets decided next week in front of big kitty-lover Andrew Lloyd Webber.
“Hello, Dolly!’s” freshest incarnation won’t do the expected accepted mandatory eight weekly performances. Bette Midler will hello us seven times only.
Broadway’s become Boffway. Clashes, bashes. Clinkers at one incoming musical. Everyone’s out of tune, but they’re now trying to make nice. Translation: Nobody is going psycho.
Another soon-due musical’s major investor just backed out. Problem is a big problem. Everyone’s seeing stars since the star is also the Star of the creative team. To quote that old “Guys and Dolls” song, “More I cannot tell you.”
“The Humans.” Before you sit or get a Playbill, ushers say: “No intermission; 90 minutes. If you leave for any reason, there’s no returning to your seat.” So if heading to the Helen Hayes Theatre, pee first.
Nathan Lane’s “Front Page” is making a little front-page news itself. Co-star suggestion is John Slattery, whose “Spotlight” is up for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Popcorn, Best Whatever. But young’uns, arguing he’s too senior, want younger, sexier. They’re panting for Jake Gyllenhaal.
Rick Miramontez, p.r. for Lupita Nyong’o’s “Eclipsed,” about women, for women, enacted by women, says first preview Tuesday at the Golden is before a handpicked selected audience. All VIP women. He did not invite me.
Were they right?
Four months ago, savvy Hollywood know-it-alls handicapped Oscar’s coming race for Best Picture as: “The Revenant,” “Joy,” “The Martian,” “Spotlight,” “The Big Short,” “Bridge of Spies,” “Brooklyn,” “Room” and “Straight Outta Compton.”
Their “major threats” were: “Steve Jobs,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Carol,” “The Hateful Eight,” “The Danish Girl.”
Best Director picks: Ridley Scott (who should have made it), Alejandro González Iñárritu, Tom McCarthy, David O. Russell and “Straight Outta Compton’s” F. Gary Gray.
Actors: Leo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Eddie Redmayne, Will Smith for “Concussion,” Johnny Depp for “Black Mass.” Actresses: Brie Larson, Saoirse Ronan, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Blythe Danner for “I’ll See You in My Dreams.”
Other predictions: Steve Carell, Michael Fassbender, Michael Caine for “Youth,” Tom Hanks, Samuel L. Jackson, Bryan Cranston for “Trumbo,” Jake Gyllenhaal for “Southpaw.” Charlotte Rampling for “45 Years,” Helen Mirren for “Woman in Gold,” Carey Mulligan for “Suffragette,” Lily Tomlin for “Grandma,” Maggie Smith for “The Lady in the Van,” Emily Blunt for “Sicario” and, again, Cate Blanchett for “Truth.” Four months ago.
Going an extra mile
Next season’s movies are already lining up. Sony Pictures Classics’ “Miles Ahead” comes April. This story of jazz man Miles Davis is Don Cheadle’s idea, Don Cheadle’s script, Don Cheadle directing, Don Cheadle starring. Ewan McGregor plays a reporter. At last October’s New York Film Festival screening, Don Cheadle said he’d have been unable to get financing had he not put in a white actor.
Reopened Carnegie Deli. Waiting on line, a British family of four on their final day in New York shouted: “Look, Uncle Junior from ‘The Sopranos’!” Dominic Chianese left his gargantuan pastrami sandwich to greet them and take selfies before inhaling a foot-high NY cheesecake.
And where else can that happen but only in New York, kids, only in New York.