A different type of show happened at the Broadway production of Sunset Blvd.  A matinee had to be cancelled due to some technical difficulty with the sound system.  What made this a column-worthy item is that the audience was informed of the snafu by Norma Desmond herself.  Nicole Scherzinger told them they could go to the box office and get tickets to an alternate performance or could get a refund.  But before they left, she wanted to give them something for their trouble.  Brandishing a bullhorn and playing a backing track through her cell phone, Scherzy belted out “With One Look” – to considerable applause.  You can see her impromptu performance on BillyMasters.com.

Elsewhere on Broadway, Pirates!  The Penzance Musical opened at the Roundabout Theatre.  While any chance to see Ramin Karimloo unbuckle his swash is OK in my book, we send kudos (whatever they are) to the fantastic Jinkx Monsoon, who is assuming the role of Ruth, played by Angela Lansbury in the Kevin Kline film.  Jinkx is getting rave reviews for her comic turn.  There is even talk that she could snag a Tony nomination.  Stay tuned.

When the Tonys are distributed on June 8^th, someone very special will be getting a very special award.  It’s just been announced that the recipient of the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Tony Award will be…. Harvey Fierstein!  “Harvey Fierstein’s contributions to the American theatre, both as an artist and activist, represent an extraordinary legacy,” said the committee about the four-time Tony winner (in competition, Miss Streisand).