Michael Cera Led This Is Our Youth to Broadway

Following a brief stint at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, Kenneth Lonergan's oft produced This Is Our Youth will receive its first Broadway production. Directed by Anna Shapiro, the production will star Michael Cera, Kieran Culkin, and Tavi Gevinson. The production, produced by Scott Rudin, will begin performances on August 18th for a September 11st opening at the Cort Theater. Those weary of the casting should know Cera and Culkin costarred in a production of the play in a 2012 Australian production.

Oprah and Audra in 'Night Mother?

The New York Times is reporting that media mogul Oprah Winfrey is in talks to make her Broadway debut in a revival of Marsha Norman's 'Night Mother opposite five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald. If schedules line up and the production does happen, it will be directed by George C. Wolfe and debut in the 2015-2016 season. Do you think this is the right show for Oprah to make her Broadway debut in? And most importantly, will she give away free cars at every show?

King Kong to Stomp Onto Broadway in December?

According to Gerry Ryan, chairman of Global Creatures, the production company producing the musical King Kong will be stomping onto Broadway in December 2014. After being a hit in Melbourne, the musical, which features a book by Craig Lucas and music by Sarah McLachlan, Massive Attack, and the Avalanches, will be looking for a home in a big Broadway house, with eyes on the Foxwoods Theater. If the Foxwoods does house the 20 foot tall puppet, it will be the second straight big budget extravaganza in the theater. What do you think? Is Broadway ready for the monkey musical?

Bradley Cooper Will Return to Broadway in The Elephant Man

Though not the best kept secret as previously rumored for months, Hollywood superstar Bradley Cooper will return to Broadway in a revival of The Elephant Man. Cooper will be joined by Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola, all of whom appeared in the Williamstown Theater Festival production of the show. The production will open at a Shubert theater to be announced in the Fall. This will mark Cooper's return to Broadway having previously starred in the 2006 production of Three Days of Rain alongside Julia Roberts and Paul Rudd. Are you excited to see People's Most Beautiful Man play someone not so pretty?

Hugh Jackman Returns to Broadway in The River

Fear not Jackman fans, he shall be returning to Broadway after all! Hugh Jackman, who recently pulled out of the Broadway aimed musical Houdini, tweeted today that he will be returning to Broadway in Jez Butterworth's The River in early 2015. The River, had its world premiere at the Royal Court starring Dominic West, will be directed by Ian Rickson. Are you excited for Hugh to return? It's just too bad that it's not a musical.

Broadway Comings: Radcliffe Returns and New Revivals

It was a busy day of announcements of some new productions joining the Broadway circuit this year. First up, Harry Potter himself Daniel Radcliffe will return to Broadway in the Michael Grandage production of Martin McDonagh's The Cripple of Inishmaan. The transfer of the sold out run will play the Cort Theater beginning April 12 with many of the original cast returning. Radcliffe, who seems to have been bitten by the Broadway bug, will make this third appearance on the Great White Way having previously appeared in revivals of Equus and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Next up is a revival of the Maury Yeston and Peter Stone musical, Titanic. Though no Broadway house has been named as it's home, Titanic will have a pre-Broadway tryout in Toronto this summer. Finally, Roundabout announced a revival of the hit comedy Noises Off will return to Broadway in the winter of 2015 at the American Airlines Theater. Though no casting has been announced yet, the revival will be directed by Jeremy Herrin. So which show are you most looking forward to?

Broadway to Be Frozen?

Disney's hit animated movie musical "Frozen" will be getting the Broadway treatment according to Disney CEO and chairman Bob Iger in an interview with "Fortune." Iger said they are "not demanding speed, we're demanding excellence" so Broadway's "Frozen" (not to be confused with Bryony Lavery play of the same title) could be years away. "Frozen" is Disney's biggest hit since "The Lion King." With so many Broadway veterans involved with the movie (with songs written by Bobby Lopez and actors including Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana, and Alan Tudyk, among others) it begs the question, will they appear as their character on the Great White Way?

Could a Larry David/Jerry Seinfeld Collaboration Appear on Broadway?

According to a Reddit "Ask Me Anything" interview, Jerry Seinfeld revealed that a "big, huge, gigantic" secret project is in the works with Larry David. That project is a play written by David which will Seinfeld will star, direct, or produce. Though no word on what exactly the play is or any timeline, it is rumored to be a priority for David.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is Broadway Bound

Based on the Mark Haddon best selling novel, the London hit The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will arrive on Broadway this Fall. The drama follows Christopher, fifteen year old kid with an antisocial disorder, who solves a neighborhood mystery and comes to a greater understanding of his own family. The play was the recipient of 7 Olivier Awards. What other British plays or musicals do you think should pond hop to Broadway?

Tupac Shakur Musical Coming to Broadway

The music of late rapper Tupac Shakur will be featured on Broadway in Holler If Ya Hear Me, set to debut at the Palace Theater on May 26. Directed by Kenny Leon, choreographed by Wayne Cilento, and featuring a book by Todd Kriedler, the musical is a non-biographical story about "friendship, family, revenge, change, and hope." How do you think Holler If Ya Hear Me will stack up with jukebox musicals of late? And what other musician's songbook do you think needs to done on Broadway?

Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad to Be Star Crossed Lovers in Romeo and Juliet

For the first time in 36 years, Romeo and Juliet is returning to Broadway. In a modern twist on the Shakespeare classic, David Laveaux is set to direct Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad as Romeo and Juliet. Previews are set for August 24th with an Opening Night of September 19th at the Richard Rogers Theater. Are you excited to see one of Shakespeare's most beloved tragedies on Broadway again?

Shia LaBeouf No Longer an Orphan

So I guess there's one less Broadway debut this Spring. The producers of the upcoming Lyle Kessler play Orphans have announced that movie star Shia LaBeouf has departed the drama. Stated as "creative differences," a replacement actor will be announced shortly. So, what do you think the "creative differences" were?

Always...Patsy Cline with Crystal Bowersox on Broadway?

Did you "Fall to Pieces" after reading this "Crazy" headline? Are you still bummed that there won't be an American Idol quote on Broadway after the Bo Bice lead Pump Boys and Dinettes has postponed? Well, there's a chance Always...Patsy Cline is headed to Broadway this summer starring American Idol runner up Crystal Bowersox. Bowersox, known for her sulty voice and dreads, will play the role of the iconic singer. While I think she's a little more suited to play Janis Joplin (anyone remember her "Me and Bobby McGee" on American Idol? pretty killer!), it will be interesting to see her play Cline.

Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz in Betrayal on Broadway?

If the rumors are true, married couple Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz could find themselves as entangled lovers in a new revival of Harold Pinter's Betrayal. The production would come in the fall and be directed by Mike Nichols, recently represented on Broadway with his acclaimed revival of Death of a Salesman. What do you think of this idea? Would you go see Bond again?

Clive Davis to Bring My Fair Lady to Broadway

Clive Davis told the New York Times, "I always wanted to produce a Broadway show and I've never done it." Well, when you're one of the biggest names in the music industry you can! Record Producer Clive Davis is set to produce a new revival of, what he calls the greatest musical ever, My Fair Lady on Broadway in 2014. With Davis at the helm of this ship, what big name singer do you think he will bring in to play Eliza Doolittle? Let the suggestions flow!

Magneto and Professor X to Unite on Broadway

Sci-Fi Nerds and Theater Nerds come together as it's been announced that Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are bound for Broadway in repertory in both Harold Pinter's No Man's Land and Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, the latter having been performed in London in 2009. Though no dates or theater have been announced, Sean Mathias will direct both. Are you excited to see this dynamic duo on Broadway or are you still remembered the dreaded Godot Roundabout did a few years back?

Blazing Saddles the Musical a Reality?

According to the man himself, "Blazing Saddles" may actually get the musical treatment. At a PBS panel, Mel Brooks stated that he's seriously thinking about turning the western comedy into a Broadway musical. He said, "A lot of it is musical already. It has a rather fanciful and fantastic tone to it. and now that "Django Unchained" has literally used the N word, I think I’m in the clear. I don’t look so bad. He really used that word a lot." If it does happen, will it be The Producers hit or Young Frankenstein flop? Are you excited for another Mel Brooks musical? Start casting!

Mary Poppins to Fly Away to Make Room for a Magic Carpet Ride?

If the rumors are true, Disney will have a new show coming to the Great White Way very soon. The New York Times and NY Post are reporting that Mary Poppins will be closing on Broadway so Disney can renovate the New Amsterdam Theater to bring in a new production of their hit movie Aladdin. Though no official announcements were made, previous productions of the Aladdin stage musical at 5th Avenue in Seattle and The Muny in St. Louis could be the form the Broadway production follows. What do you think? Will Aladdin be a The Lion King/Beauty and the Beast hit or a Tarzan/The Little Mermaid flop? Are you still like me wishing the folks at Disney would get their brains churning on a Broadway production of "Hercules"?

Magic to Do This Spring; Pippin to Broadway

The A.R.T. revival of the musical Pippin directed by Diane Paulus is set to head down to New York this Spring. Beginning previews on March 23rd, with an opening on April 25th, the Stephen Schwartz musical will play the Music Box Theater. Though no official casting is announced, the current company includes Patina Miller as the Leading Player and Matthew James Thomas as the title character Pippin. Are you as ecstatic as I am? Glory glory!

A Chilly Winter on Broadway as 3 Shows Post Closings

As the Holidays come into full swing, three Broadway shows have announced closings. Scandalous, the musical by Kathie Lee Gifford starring Carolee Carmello, will close on December 9th after 31 previews and 29 performances. David Mamet's new two-hander The Anarchist featuring Patti LuPone and Debra Winger will end on December 16th after 23 previews and 17 performances. Finally, Chaplin will last a little longer through January 6th after 24 previews and 136 performances. What will be taking their place? Time will tell.