Hot on the heels of winning a Tony Award for Sunset Blvd, Nicole Scherzinger has announced a handful of concert dates.  There’s even talk of a Vegas residency.  But she may not be done playing Norma Desmond.  Rumor has it, she’s the latest frontrunner for a film version of the musical.  To clinch the deal, she’s in talks to bring the stage version to Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre or the Ahmanson.  Stay tuned…

Drama seems to follow some people.  Take Todrick Hall.  Everything is always a nightmare.  This is not meant to disparage his talent, which is abundant.  He’s currently in the live stage version of that Cher flick Burlesque.  Todrick was hired to play the role of Sean by writer and former hottie Steve Antin – who also asked for some songs and choreography.  Due to some skullduggery, Toddy ended up the de facto director.  He issued a long, rambling statement defending the barbs against him.  I don’t know the details, but when you say, “I have never engaged in anything with a minor,” you can bet your ass there’s a story.  One theatre insider quipped, “If ALL of your projects have drama, then YOU may be the problem!”  But Billy, I can hear you cry – what about the show?  Critics seem perplexed.  One reported the journey like this: “Now directed by its star Todrick Hall, the stage musical Burlesque comes to London in much the same way that my parents did some 60 years ago: poor and in need of work.”

Elsewhere in London, my pals the Lythgoes are working on a musical version of To Sir, With Love, which first got an invitation-only reading under the auspices of my beloved Ogunquit Playhouse.  I believe Wayne Brady played “Sir” on that occasion.  I’m told it went very well.  Now Kris Lythgoe tells me they’re trying it out in London’s West End.  The Gillian Lynne Theatre will host two staged readings on November 24^th – at 2:30PM and 7:45PM.  And the incomparable Lulu will be there to sing the song!  Get your tickets at LWTheatres.co.uk.

Just when you thought you’d heard the last of the Jussie Smollett “situation”, a new chapter is in the works.  A documentary is being readied for Netflix which will be called The Truth About Jussie Smollett?  The question mark is notable, particularly since Jussie has committed to giving them an interview and telling the truth – whatever he thinks that is.  “With first-hand interviews from those at the helm, including investigating police, lawyers, journalists and Jussie himself, this compelling documentary invites the audience to decide for themselves who is telling The Truth About Jussie Smollett?”  To coin a phrase, I’ll believe it when I see it.

Then there’s also a new documentary about Joan Rivers in the works.  While most would consider 2010’s Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work to be definitive, this new venture comes ten years after the legend’s death and includes many previously unseen video and audio recordings.