Original Hair Cast Says Goodbye NYC, Hello London

The energetic original cast of the current Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of the classic '60s counter-culture musical Hair has its final performance at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre today, and then the merry band of hippies will head off to England (London, not Manchester) to open the West End production of the hit show. The London Hair, featuring most of Broadway's original cast, will begin performances on April 1 at the Gielgud Theatre with an official opening set for April 14. The new Broadway cast of Hair, which will debut at the Hirschfeld on March 9, includes American Idol finalists Ace Young (who was also a replacement in the recent Broadway revival of Grease) as Berger and Diana DeGarmo (a replacement in the Broadway production of Hairspray) as Sheila.

Kristin Chenoweth To Be Guest Judge on American Idol

It's that time of year again, when Fox's ratings juggernaut American Idol takes over the airwaves and a new slate of aspiring performers become incessant water cooler talk (a select few even go on to superstardom). During the audition episodes of American Idol, several guest judges will be sitting in on the panel, and among them will be a couple of Broadway babies. Kristin Chenoweth (of Wicked fame) will serve as a guest judge on January 20 for the Orlando auditions, and Neil Patrick Harris (who has several Broadway credits but is more recently known for TV's How I Met Your Mother) will join the Dallas auditions on January 26.

Idol Taylor Hicks To Make Broadway Debut

In another case of reality TV show mixing, American Idol winner Taylor Hicks is set to make his first Broadway bow in the Broadway revival of Grease. Season Five Idol winner Hicks will play the Teen Angel in Grease beginning June 6 in an engagement that is expected to go through September 7.

From Broadway To Hollywood: Andrew Lloyd Webber To Mentor American Idol Contestants

On last night's broadcast of American Idol, it was announced that West End/Broadway composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (along with Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond, and Mariah Carey) will serve as a "celebrity mentor" on the hit Fox TV show this season. It's a bit of a surprise, considering judge Simon Cowell frequently uses the phrase "Too Broadway!" as a slam to contestants whose singing sounds more legit than pop. And Lloyd Webber of course has had multiple hits on Broadway, including Evita, Cats, and the still-running Broadway phenomenon The Phantom of the Opera. But maybe Cowell decided to make an exception for a fellow Brit? In any case, Andrew Lloyd Webber's appearance on the show is bound to be a "Broadway week", giving the nation exposure to some (hopefully) terrific Broadway tunes.

Clay Aiken Makes Broadway Debut in Spamalot

American Idol finalist and popular singer Clay Aiken makes his Broadway debut tonight in Monty Python's Spamalot. Aiken is playing the role of Sir Robin, originated on Broadway by David Hyde Pierce. Get tickets now to see if Clay is a worthy "Broadway idol".

Are You the Next Broadway Idol?

For the second year, the New York Musical Theatre Festival is holding its "Broadway Idol" competition, modeled on the hit TV series American Idol. If you're 21 or older and don't have Broadway credits (but you're convinced you've got Broadway-caliber talent), then head to the auditions on September 8. Auditions are held at the Ha! Comedy Club (163 W. 46th) from 10AM to 6PM. Be sure to arrive between 10 and 10:15AM to be assigned an audition time. Callbacks will be held the next day from noon to 3PM. Contestants must be prepared to participate in the competition on the following dates: September 21, September 28, and October 5. For the audition, bring a 16-bar Broadway song that best reflects your style and abilities. The winner of "Broadway Idol" gets to do his or her own solo concert produced by Ars Nova.