Media Morsels 11.4.11

• Jason Segel Makes Rolling Stone's Hot List
  The talented and very funny puppet lover makes Rolling Stone's annual Hot List as the magazine (and I!) anticipate the release of The Muppets. (It opens November 23. Get thee to a theater.) In the short profile, Segel says he "just really appreciates puppetry as an art form," which, if you ask me, makes him the perfect choice to return the Muppets to their former glory. I can't wait to see the movie!!!
  
  
• Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
  On the heels of Thespis's special day comes Thanksgiving, and with it the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I don't know about you, dear readers, but snuggling on the couch with loved ones is my favorite way to start my favorite holiday. Of course, my favorite part about the parade is the slate of performances from Broadway shows. This year, we'll see performances from How to Succeed, Priscilla, Sister Act and Spider-Man, in addition, of course, to the Rockettes, the Muppets (!!!) and recording artists, like Mary J. Blige. Visit Playbill.com for the full list of performers, and tune into NBC on Thanksgiving, November 24, at 9am to watch the parade.
  
  
• The Best Man
  A revival of Gore Vidal's The Best Man is heading to Broadway this spring (previews begin in March), and you won't believe the cast. Joining previously announced James Earl Jones are Angela Lansbury (the five-time Tony winner who was great in A Little Night Music a couple years ago), Candice Bergen and Michael McKean (who has several Broadway and off-Broadway credits (I saw him in a reading of Welcome Home, Dean Charbonneau), but you probably know him best from the Christopher Guest movies). The Best Man doesn't have a home yet, but rehearsals begin on January 30; previews start March 6; and the play will officially open on April 1. Visit Broadwayworld.com for more details.
  
  
• My Space with Colin Donnell
  Ever wonder what the handsome star of Anything Goes keeps in his dressing room? Here's your chance to find out. In this installment of Broadway.com's ongoing series, Donnell shows off five things in his dressing room at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre that comfort and inspire him, including a photo of his newborn nephew! (Anything Goes, once a limited run set to close this past summer, is extended through April 29. Visit telecharge.com for tickets.)
  
  
• What to See in New York
  Vogue magazine recently released list of which musicals and plays to see in New York this fall. Among their picks for musicals are Godspell (which I just saw - review coming next week); On a Clear Day, under the direction of visionary Michael Mayer (I saw a lab production this summer); and Lysistrata Jones, an update of the Aristophanes classic that had great buzz when it was off-Broadway. As for plays, they recommend Other Dessert Cities, Dreams of Flying Dreams of Falling, the upcoming Stick Fly, starring The West Wing alumnus Dule Hill, The Lyons and Asuncion. Visit vogue.com for their full lists.
  
  
• Godspell on Letterman
  Speaking of what to see this fall, check out the talented ensemble of Godspell do their thing on Letterman. Check back here on Monday for my review!
  

• Tony Update
  The Tony Awards Administration Committee met this week to discuss eligibility of various shows, performers and creatives. Some rulings: Julie Taymor will be eligible in the Best Direction of a Musical category for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, while the show's second and final director, Philip William McKinley, will not be eligible. In addition, Reeve Carney and Jennifer Damiano will be eligible in the leading actor and actress category, respectively. Visit tonyawards.com for a complete list of rulings.
  
  
• Dig This
• Lin-Manuel Miranda has joined the starry cast of City Centers Encores! production of Merrily We Roll Along. He joins the previously announced Colin Donnell (Anything Goes) and Celia Keenan-Bolger (Peter and the Starcatcher).
  
  
• Milk Like Sugar, a great play that opened this week, has been extended!
  
  
• Check out truetheatergoer.com for the latest user reviews of shows in New York and DC.
  
  
• The Huffington Post released its 2011 Game Changers list and NYC Ballet soloist Chase Finlay scores a slot as the pick for the Culture Game Changer. Visit nycballet.com to learn more about City Ballet's season and to purchase tickets.
  
  
• Speaking of City Ballet, their production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker will be broadcast not only on PBS, but also in movie theaters!
  
  
• My favorite headline of the week, courtesy of rollingstone.com: Detroit Lions Fans Furious About Nickelback Halftime Show Booking. (If Nickelback is playing anywhere I'd be furious, too!)