Media Morsels 8.26.11

• Gavin Creel, On the Record
  In a new Broadwayworld.com feature, Gavin Creel (Hair) talks about making his own music. This multi-talented artist and activist (he co-founded Broadway Impact, which advocates for marriage equality) says his musical influences are simple: "good beats, great hooks, sex in sound." Amen to that, Gavin! Gavin has already released two solo albums and his third is almost ready to "drop." (And, according to the Gavin Creel Newsletter I received this week, Gavin's working on a musical (of sorts) that was presented over the summer in Williamstown! Stay tuned for details.)
  
  
• Playbill.com Cue & A
  You probably recall that Playbill.com regularly asks those treading the boards to fill out their questionnaire. This week, the lovely Jennifer Damiano (excellent in Next to Normal and currently impressive in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark) answered the questions. Head on over to Playbill.com to learn fun facts about the talented young lady, including the moment she knew she wanted to perform for a living.
  
  
• Welcome [Back] na de Shrine!
  When the first national tour of Fela! launches this fall, Sahr Ngaujah, who created the role both off- and on Broadway, will play the titular role. Ngaujah is currently appearing at Fela in the London production of Bill T. Jones's musical, which chronicles the life, music and activism of Fela Kuti. The tour begins September 13 in Washington, DC, and has stops in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well. Visit FelaBroadway.com/World-Tour for more information
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• [New] Seasons of Love
  Rent is back in New York. After about a three year absence, Rent is once again playing on a New York stage, albeit an off-Broadway one. Starring as Mark in this incarnation is everyone's favorite boyfriend, Adam Chanler-Berat. (He was the sweet Henry in Next to Normal; he was also excellent as Boy/Peter in Peter and the Starcatcher, which played at New York Theatre Workshop, which was, incidentally, the off-Broadway home to Rent before it moved to Broadway.) I haven't seen this production yet - I'll let you know when I do. In the meantime, please enjoy this brief interview with Chanler-Berat, courtesy of Broadway.com.
  
  
• The Muppets
  Jason Segel, co-writer and star of the upcoming Muppet movie, The Muppets, recently spoke with Time Out New York about bringing the Muppets to life. Regarding rebooting the Muppets now, Segel said, "One of the things that’s...unique about the Muppets is [that] they’re not cynical. It’s become very easy to get laughs by making fun of people [these days], and that’s one thing the Muppets never do." I'm really excited for The Muppets, and knowing what a die-hard Muppets fan Segel is makes it even more exciting. (Plus, I love him from his Freaks and Geeks days!)
  
  
• Dig This
• Hotel/Motel, the site-specific double-feature from the Amoralists, will extend its run by three weeks!
  
  
• Meet the cast, including Michael Esper, of the Vineyard Theatre's upcoming production of Nicky Silver's The Lyons.
  
  
• Paul Rudd is interviewed by the AV Club. (Rudd stars in Our Idiot Brother, which hits theaters today.)
  
  
• The Muppets inspire nail polish colors
  
  
• NPR took a look at "Five Broadcast Programming Battles to Watch this Fall."