Media Morsels 2.17.12

• Grammy Wrap Up
  As expected, The Book of Mormon took home the prize for Best Musical Theater Album. (Watch Trey Parker, Bobby Lopez and Stephen Oremus's acceptance speech on Broadway.com.) The Boss performed a rousing rendition of the lead single "We Take Care of Our Own" from his forthcoming album, Wrecking Ball. The Foo Fighters performed twice (!!!), and then Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl joined Sir Paul McCartney on stage for a rock and roll jam session to finish the broadcast. But my favorite part was Dave Grohl's speech upon accepting one of the five Grammys he and the Foos won:
  
  "The human element of making music is what's most important. Singing into a microphone and learning to play an instrument and learning to do your craft, that's the most important thing for people to do. It's not about being perfect; it's not about sounding absolutely correct; it's not about what goes in a computer. It's about what goes on in here (points to heart) and it's about what goes on in here (points to head). Thank you. Long live rock and roll."
  
  Amen, Dave! Grohl later expounded on his comments via Rolling Stone and Facebook. (See the full list of nominees and winners on grammy.com.)
  
  
• Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
  Benjamin Walker, the sexypants POTUS from Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, remains presidential in his new titular role, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter:
  

• Leap of Faith Update
  The complete cast for Leap of Faith has been announced. Joining Raul Esparza and Jessica Phillips will be Hair's Bryce Ryness, Memphis's Tiffany Howard, Next to Normal's Louis Hobson and others. Visit Playbill.com for the complete cast list. And visit leapoffaithbroadway.com for more information about the show and to purchase tickets.
  
  
• Oscar Update
  While the Muppets are still not performing their Oscar-nominated song on the Oscar telecast (boo!), good news came this week: Kermit and Miss Piggy will be presenters! They join a starry list of presenters that includes Tom Hanks, Emma Stone and Penelope Cruz. Of course, I wish that "Man or Muppet" would be performed, but at least it won't be a totally Muppet-less Academy Awards gala. The Oscars will be presented next Sunday, February 26. (Here are some trivia bits about this year's nominees, courtesy of GoldDerby.com.)
  
  
• Playwrights Horizons' New Season
  The venerable off-Broadway theatre company, which prides itself on being, as its name suggests, a playwrights' theatre, has announced the line up for the 2012-2013 season. Included on the bill is a new work from Annie Baker, The Flick. This will reunite Baker with her Circle Mirror Transformation and The Aliens director, Sam Gold. The musical adaptation of Far From Heaven will also be part of the season, (it's being billed as the show's world premiere) and will be directed by Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal). Visit playwrightshorizons.org for more information.
  
  
• Casting News
• Sexypants Vampire Hunter Benjamin Walker may also get litigious: he's in talks to join the cast of HBO's Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight, about the boxer's fight with SCOTUS.
  
  
• As previously rumored, Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts will co-star in the film adaptation of the the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Tracy Letts play August: Osage County.
  
  
• The legendary Carol Kane, as well as the on-the-rise Tracee Chimo (Circle Mirror Transformation, Bachelorette) will join Jessica Hecht and Jim Parsons in the upcoming Roundabout revival of Harvey. Playbill.com has details.
  
  
• Adam Chanler-Berat, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Christian Borle will reprise their roles when Peter and the Starcatcher comes to Broadway this spring. Broadwayworld.com has details.
  
  
• Matthew Perry will join the cast of The Good Wife in a recurring role.
  
  
• Celebs' Favorite Muppets
  Empire Online asked several Hollywood notables to name their favorite Muppets and have graciously shared the answers. Jason Bateman and Inception mastermind Christopher Nolan both dig Statler and Waldorf (and have great reasons, to boot); Gary Busey thinks he is Animal; Carla Gugino likes Janice (part of The Electric Mayhem); and more! (Visit empireonline.com for all the responses. ) They all make good choices, but come on - no love for Dr. Teeth?!?
  
  
• Dig This
• From the queue: Another Happy Day
  
  
• Five things you need to know about Downton Abbey. (The season two finale airs this Sunday.)
  
  
• The BAFTAs loved The Artist. The silent film was the big winner at the BAFTA Awards last Sunday. View the full list of winners at bafta.org.
  
  
• Meet the two newest Romeos at NYC Ballet: Zachary Catazaro and Taylor Stanley.
  
  
• Next week is Broadway week on Jimmy Fallon. Broadwayworld.com reports that we can expect performances from How to Succeed, Porgy and Bess, Sister Act, Anything Goes and the upcoming Ghost.
  
  
• It's no Miraculous Year, but HBO may be going Broadway.