Every once in a while, someone asks me what T.R. Knight is doing.  I’m glad to finally have an answer.  He’ll be on Broadway in Stranger Things: The First Shadow.  It’s kind of a prequel to the Netflix series – which means if you’re a newbie, you still can follow along.  Phew!  Previews kick off on March 28^th at the Marquis Theatre.

I have no idea who Betty Gilpin is.  She may be a mighty fine actress.  But the idea of a woman – any woman – taking the lead in Broadway’s Oh, Mary! when Cole Escola leaves the role on January 21^st sounds like a death knell for the sensation.  I am reminded of Ally Sheedy playing Hedwig during the initial off-Broadway run of the Angry Inch.  Nothing against Miss Sheedy, but that was a mistake (I suspect had Sandra Bernhard done it – as she was rumored to – it might have worked).  So catch Mary sooner rather than later!

In other queer casting news, we hear that the latest Emcee in the West End production of Cabaret will be…Billy Porter!  He joins the cast on January 28^th and stays until May 24^th.

Elsewhere in the West End, the Elton John musical The Devil Wears Prada opened last week.  I think the opening night can be summed up in one photo – Vanessa Williams (who plays Miranda Priestly), a virtually unrecognizable Donatella Versace, Elton John (wearing sunglasses for obvious reasons) and Anna Wintour (the basis for Priestly – also in sunglasses).  Would that the level of camp in that group photo was reflected in the show.  After a rocky run in Chicago in 2022, Elton John revamped the show for London, and Williams was hired.  The result?   Critics feel it has something to offer.  Alas, terms like “style not substance” and “forgettable songs” also pop up in most reviews, which is never a good sign.  Would I see it?  Absolutely.  Would I plan a trans-Atlantic trip for it?  Probably not.

Emily Blunt (from the flick) addressed rumors of a sequel.  “There’s rumblings, there’s stuff churning around, but I don’t know if I can confirm anything completely…but we would be all delighted to work together again.”

Someone who showed up on the Prada red carpet was the luscious Luke Evans, alongside his equally hunk beau, Fran Tomas.  He recently talked about his insecurities – reminding us that people who seem to have it all also have demons of their own.  “I still sometimes go to the gym and just feel very anxious.  I look at myself in the mirror and just go, ‘You don’t look good enough’ or ‘You’re letting it go’.”  All that tells me is there’s no hope for any of us!