Theater folk are no doubt freaking out this morning, as they’re want to do around early May every year: It’s Tony Nominations Day! The best way to get a good first impression of what’s going here is by nomination count. Check out our numeric breakdown/running commentary after the jump. Spoiler alert: Those three dancing brats from Billy Elliot managed to smoke everyone else’s ass. Read More »

That fashion think-tank-cum-magazine renowned for putting mostly undeservedly famous figures on their covers, NYLON, posted a feature on their site in which they delve into an area of coverage they’re not particularly known for: theatre. While theatre professionals (and publicity-seeking producers) can appreciate newcomers to the game, those who enjoy reading about theatre (or even readers of NYLON, who probably aren’t hosed that easily) are likely to be suspect towards this piece on the cast of Hair, who got their — wait for it — hair done by a Bumble & Bumble stylist during the interview. Oof. Read More »

According to reports (and in spite of some fears to the contrary), the Broadway revival of Hair which opened earlier this week is thriving thanks to rave reviews from critics — in fact, they hit $500,000 in ticket sales yesterday. That’s huge, especially “in this economy.” So what’s it about this musical that has people shelling out their hard-earned bones like they’ve been drinking the Kool-Aid? Let’s explore after the jump. Read More »

Books: Borders gets a reprieve
Dance/Opera: Rufus Wainwright Opera to Get North American Premiere at 2010 Luminato
Design: Jacek Utko: Can design save the newspaper?
Film: First Early Details on Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox
Music: How song, dance and movies bailed us out of the Depression
Television: Postal Service launching ‘Simpsons’ stamps
Theatre: A Frizzy, Fizzy Welcome to the Untamed ’60s
Visual Arts: Acquisition: Thomas Demand’s ‘Oval Office suite’ at NGA
Web: PIRACY SCANDAL: Fox Hunts For Source Of Wolverine Work Print Leaked Onto Internet

Books: Nixon can’t even tell the truth in his memoir.
Dance/Opera: Evolution of Dance 2
Design: Suburban America needs a hero.
Film: How excited are filmmakers who get into Sundance?
Music: The Wrens are back for reals. We think.
Television: Alec Baldwin REALLY likes Galaga.
Theatre: The creator of Hair is dead.
Visual Arts: Should Walt Disney’s work be in museums?
Web: “Cybergeeks” at the New York Times = renegades. Huh.

Books: How a little lie snowballs into a publishing scandal
Design: Play Flute, Name a Tune (or Make a Call)
Dance/Opera: Cambodian monks force nation’s first rock opera off air
Film: Tarantino’s ‘Basterds’ Gets an August Release Date
Music: Big Bopper’s casket to be auctioned
Television: The Real Reason Behind ABC’s Decision to Give New Life to Scrubs
Theatre: ‘Spring Awakening’ Producers Join Broadway’s ‘Hair’ Revival
Visual Art: Alanna Heiss, Founder of P.S. 1, Retiring for Reals
Web: How the internet killed the rap battle

Interesting piece in the New York Times last week on the Public Theater’s new agreement they’re using to help transfer their production of Hair — which appeared this summer in Central Park — to Broadway. To sum it up: the piece discusses the Public’s hits and misses with Broadway transfers, and the great risks associated with either (A) selling the rights to the show (thus potentially compromising the artistic integrity of it) or (B) producing the show with their own cash, which is a huge risk for a nonprofit to take.

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A FLAVORWIRE reader confirms that the HAIR on Broadway rumors are true:

“Producers think the revival will resonate with audiences basking in the glow of optimism inspired by a certain President-elect. Previews start February 13, with an official opening date of March 5.”

Exciting news as we missed the sold-out run this summer at Central Park’s Delacorte Theater.

Can anyone who caught it before tell us what to expect?

Think of it as the RENT rule: even the shows you have memorized will eventually close and be replaced by something new.

As we prefer having time to brace ourselves for change, we’re proud to introduce our new feature, BIRTHS and DEATHS.

Send your whispers on which shows have one foot in the grave to tips@flavorpill.com, and we’ll share the best scoops as they come in. And don’t be shy about telling us about new shows that are opening. We like happy news too.

You’ll find the kind of juicy industry gossip that we’re looking for after the jump.

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