The Broadway production of Chicago likes to rotate people in and out of the role of Roxie – typically in between Charlotte d’Amboise appearances (she’s played Roxie over 2,500 times).  Of course, our pal Roz Ryan has played Matron “Mama” Morton close to two thousand times.  And now, they’re welcoming a new and not particularly matronly Mama.  Our very own Alex Newell will join the Broadway cast on November 17^th.  Newell, of course, made history as the first openly non-binary performer to win an acting Tony back in 2023 for Shucked.  This isn’t one of those hit-and-run gigs.  Alex will be playing Mama through the holidays and depart on January 11^th.

Following up on a trend I noted in a recent column, Ben Platt has announced a residency.  He’ll be playing the Ahmanson Theatre in LA.  From December 12^th through the 21^st, he’ll do 10 performances.  I remember when a residency was weeks or months.  I guess technically this is a residency – but I still say it’s on the cusp.

Rather than tour with her holiday show, this year Mariah Carey will have a “residency” of her own…in Las Vegas.  Mariah Carey’s Christmastime in Las Vegas will also run for 10 performances at the Dolby Live from November 28^th through December 13^th.  If you go, please do me a favor.  I’ve been concerned for Mariah’s well-being.  In the past, I’d note that she’d wear dresses that were about five sizes too small.  This required her to kinda shuffle around – because if she took a normal-size step, she’d burst out of her outfit and take out the first three rows.  Lately I’ve noticed that her head no longer moves.  It’s not like she’s had bad Botox.  It’s more like she’s got a stiff neck.  For her to turn her head, she has to start at her toes and work her way up.  So, if you see her, report back to me.

We’re getting the best Christmas gift courtesy of the BBC – a reunion of Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley!  Ever since the Absolutely Fabulous Inside Out special in 2024, the consensus is that we’d seen the end of the gruesome twosome.  Well, think again.  Alas, they won’t be reprising their AbFab characters.  Joanna is a regular on the BBC series Amandaland, which is a sequel to Motherland (which I realize doesn’t clear up anything for you Yanks!).  Lumley plays Amanda’s glamorous and oppressive mother, Felicity.  For the Christmas special, they will be visited by Felicity’s sister, Joan, played by Miss Saunders.  The character is described as “a ball of country-living, enthusiastic upper-class bluster – very different from Felicity”.  One can only assume hilarity will ensue.