STEP IT UP AND DANCE Winner Cody Green Will Star in Broadway's WEST SIDE STORY Revival

The reality television/Broadway connection continues, as it was announced today that Step It Up and Dance winner Cody Green will play Riff in the new Broadway revival of West Side Story.

Green will be joined by A Catered Affair's Matt Cavenaugh as Tony, Josefina Scaglione as Maria, In the Heights' Karen Olivo as Anita and George Akram as Bernardo. Xanadu's Curtis Holbrook will be featured in the ensemble.

Arthur Laurents will direct the revival, which is scheduled to open March, 19, 2009. (The musical will play an out-of-town engagement at the National Theatre in Washington, DC — Dec. 15, 2008-Jan. 17, 2009.)

Go Cody!

GILMORE GIRLS Star Lauren Graham Will Star in Broadway Revival of GUYS AND DOLLS

Well color me ecstatic!!

Sources tell me that one of my very favorite actresses, Gilmore Girls star Lauren Graham, will play Adelaide opposite Oliver Platt's Nathan Detroit in the fortcoming Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls. Though I can't vouch for their sources, USA Today is also reporting this news.

Holla!

Graham, of course, was egregiously overlooked by the television academy for her brilliant work on Gilmore Girls. She has also starred in the films Because I Said So, Flash of Genius and Evan Almighty, among others.

She'll be brilliant as the forever-unmarried Adelaide!

My sources tell me that casting for Sky and Sarah is still being finalized.

Julianne Hough Will Need Surgery to Remove Appendix; Edyta Sliwinska Will Partner Cody Linley in Her Absence

Golden child Julianne Hough revealed on tonight's Dancing with the Stars that she has been diagnosed with endometriosis, and she will have surgery to remove her appendix tomorrow.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Julianne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's not clear that Julianne intended to reveal this information on tonight's show, and she might not have had the wench known as Samantha Harris hadn't "outed" her. Julianne also revealed that should Cody Linley make it to next week, Edyta Sliwinska will be his partner. Julianne seemed to suggest that she might be back by the following week, but that seem's slightly unrealistic after a major surgery like and appendectomy.

Get better soon, Julianne! We'll miss you!

Zac Efron Heads to Hawaii -- And Promptly Goes Shirtless!

Zac Efron + Vanessa Hudgens + Hawaii = Shirtless photos!!

The High School Musical stars headed back to Hawaii, their favorite vacation spot, and Zac promptly removed his shirt, revealing a pair of Calvin Klein underwear and an impressive treasure trail.

You won't hear me complaining!!

Did you see HSM 3? What did you think?









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Barack Obama Comments on the Deaths of Jennifer Hudson's Mother and Brother

Even presidential hopeful Barack Obama has been moved by the tragedy that has befallen Jennifer Hudson, as her mother and brother were shot to death earlier this weekend, and her nephew is still missing. Hudson and Obama met earlier this year, when Obama specifically requested she sing the National Anthem at the Democratic National Convention. Obama, like Hudson, lives in Chicago, and had the following to say:

"Michelle and I were absolutely heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy and we want Jennifer to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. We also pray for the swift and safe return of her young nephew."

Fellow American Idol finalists have also responded to the events of the past few days. Fellow Season 3 finalists Diana Degarmo and Camile Velasco have spoken out with support of Hudson.

More to come...