Welcome back, theatre lovers! It’s colder than an elevator ride with Bebe Neuwirth here in town. No one should be surprised, of course, that the theatre scene in New York has been buzzing and churning in all the usual winter ways: shows coming in, shows going out, and lots of fun-slash-terrifying announcements. Without further ado, let’s get into some slow-cooked, rich wintery-delish soup items:

By now, you’ve hopefully seen the film adaption of INTO THE WOODS. The soundtrack has actually reached the number 8 spot on the Billboard charts!—this is huge as far as the musical theatre world penetrating the pop culture market.

SIDE SHOW closed in a CAROLINE OR CHANGE-esque cloud of cult fan disapproval. But I suspect this is not the last we’ve heard of this beloved production; it will definitely be the underdog favorite in an already crowded musical revival category this season. Farewell, auf wiedersehen, good night as well to LENNON: THROUGH A GLASS ONION (closing Jan 11 at the Union Square Theater).

The YA novel THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE (a Napoleon Dynamite-like outcast becomes a popular DJ) was optioned for the musical stage by some of the GLEE and Q folks. I’m surprised we’re not seeing an adaption of THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. I mean, the idea is appalling but that’s hardly stopped book writers in the past. May I remind you there was in fact an Anne Frank musical?

Previews begin February 17th for Broadway’s FIRST WIVES CLUB starring Faith Prince, which I think is a pretty inspired casting choice.

Miss Emma Stone extended her stay in the perhaps-a-bit-too-revived CABARET from Donmar Warehouse, opposite Alan Cumming. Sienna Miller will take over the Sally Bowles role afterward and supposedly play out the run.

ELEPHANT MAN is transferring overseas with star Bradley Cooper, who obviously wants an Oliver Award in addition to the Tony. In return, we get CATS. No, really. The reboot of CATS on the West End is apparently doing really well—my pal Jamie swears that, “Nicole [Scherzinger] still nails it as Grizzabella!” Of course, Webber recently claimed that Rum Tum Tugger was the original rap song, appropriately delivered in the show by the street cat of the same name. I’m not so sure my friends in the Bronx would agree but… sure.

Crabby Tituss Burgess—that’s a LITTLE MERMAID reference, he’s actually a doll—will be playing the Witch in a Miami production of INTO THE WOODS. Would love to check that out! Perfect role to play with gender-bending casting. I once saw a production at Dartmouth in which the stepmother and all three stepsisters were played by male actors.

MAD MEN star Elisabeth Moss will star in the Broadway revival of THE HEIDI CHRONICLES. Go, Wendy Wasserstein, go.

Ronald Keaton is set to play Winston Churchill Off Broadway at New World Stages in the play aptly titled CHURCHILL.

I, on the other hand, am preparing for a workshop reading of my Broadway-bound play ISABELLE, writing a film script set on a vineyard, and polishing the latest draft of my book, a virtual rewrite of the entire 90,000 word novel. Yeah… Also, if you’re going to be at Georgia ThesCon, keep an eye out for me at the MTAT booth. I’m teaching a one-night only studio style class for theatre educators. Happy New Year!