Sad news and wacky news

Do you want the sad news or the wacky news first?

The sad news, okay, grab a box of tissues.

No seriously, get some tissues.

In the Heights is closing on Broadway.

I never thought much of In the Heights until I saw it this summer. I always thought of it as "that rap show." That's not what Broadway's about.

But then I saw it. Go back a few posts and you can read more. And my mind did a 180. This show is amazing. The dancing, the music, the comedy, the drama, everything is extremely well done. It tells the story of the people living in Washington Heights and how their lives change when someone among them wins the lottery jackpot of $96,000. It's heartfelt, hilarious, and visually dynamic. I have the soundtrack in my car stereo right now, and I play it on loop all the time.

Now I'm very sad it's closing on Broadway in January. I feel a little better knowing that there will be a movie version starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show's composer/lyricist and orginal star as Usnavi. Which brings me to another point.

Miranda will be returning to the final two weeks of In the Heights on Broadway to close the run as Usnavi. I'm very happy to hear that because Usnavi replacements have been fine, I was especially impressed with Corbin Bleu when I saw him as Usnavi, but no one quite embodies the part like Miranda, and this show is his baby.

So go see In the Heights while you can and maybe we can pull a RENT and prolong the run a few more months!

Now that we have the sad news out of the way...

Remember that wacky 80s musical I also saw on Broadway named Rock of Ages? You can read more about it by going back a few blog posts to my Broadway review this summer. Long story short its a miniscule plot, big hair, musical with 80s songs and Constantine Maroulis. They're making a movie of it and here's where it gets good...

They're approaching Tom Cruise to be in the cast. No word yet on which role, though we know its a supporting character of some kind, especially since the lead character will be played by Constantine in the film. But wouldn't that be hysterical? Especially if he's the gay narrator Lonny or sex symbol Stacee Jaxx?