When Jonathan Groff announced he was leaving Just In Time, I mused that the list of “names” who could helm a show about Bobby Darin were few and far between.  Rumors abounded that Hugh Jackman was approached, but I felt the ideal person was Matthew Morrison.  Of course, I always think the ideal person is Matthew Morrison.  Jeremy Jordan got the gig, and I am sure he’ll be great.  But there is something of a hiatus between when Groff leaves (March 29^th) and when Jordan can start (April 21^st).  What to do, what to do?  Enter the magnificent Matty, who will play the role for three weeks.  I expect a surge at the box office.  I’m surging just thinking about it.

A provocative event is headed off-Broadway.  Jesse Tyler Ferguson is returning to the stage in a revival of Jay Presson Allen’s Tru – playing bon vivant Truman Capote.  Most people identify this show with Robert Morse, who helmed the 1989 Broadway production.  While smaller in concept, we are certain that Capote would approve of this new venture since it will be staged in the former home of the great-granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt.  That venue is currently known as the Library of the House of the Redeemer – which sure sounds like a metaphor for something.  The run starts on March 6^th and ends April 12^th, but I suspect that will change.

People, please leave John Lithgow alone.  He was cast in HBO’s Harry Potter series and immediately started getting harassing messages on social media about author J.K. Rowling’s perceived transphobia.  “I take the subject extremely seriously.  She has created this amazing canon for young people, and it has jumped into the consciousness of the society.  It’s about good versus evil, kindness versus cruelty.  I find her views ironic and inexplicable.  I’ve never met her, she’s not really involved in this production at all…It upsets me when people are opposed to me having anything to do with this.  But in Potter canon, you see no trace of transphobic sensitivity.  She’s written this mediation of kindness and acceptance.  And Dumbledore is a beautiful role.”  So there!

Here’s something even I didn’t see coming – Rowling is in the Epstein files!  To be fair, lots of people are in there for non-nefarious reasons.  Apparently, Epstein was invited to the 2018 Broadway premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.  Amusingly enough, it seems that while he did show up, he was turned away at the door.

Jinkx Monsoon is preparing to take London by storm.  She’ll be appearing in a revival of Peter Quilter’s play, End of the Rainbow, portraying the legend that is Judy Garland.  The play focuses on the last months of Garland’s life.  This is a strictly limited run that will open on May 15^th at the Soho Theatre Walthamstow.