Aaron Carter to stay 'Fantastick' longer

Either Aaron Carter really likes "The Fantasticks" or he has nothing else going for him. Carter, who joined the cast of the long-running Off-Broadway musical a year ago for what was expected to just be a short run, has apparently extended his stay with the show into 2013. Seeing as critics were never invited to review his performance, I have no idea if he's any good.But it's worth noting that the excellent Ron Bohmer just joined the cast.

'Bring It On' musical set to close early
"Bring It On: The Musical," which sports an unexpectedly strong book and score in addition to a cavalcade of young gymnasts doing wild athletic stunts, scored unusually strong reviews back in August. But despite all that acclaim and its built-in appeal to young audiences, its box office performance has been pretty lackluster. Last week it filled just barely more than half the St. James Theatre. So it was no surprise when its producers announced Tuesday that the show will close earlier than expected on Dec. 30, after Broadway's traditional Christmastime surge in attendance.

Hodge, now playing Cyrano, set for Wonka
Douglas Hodge, who's back on Broadway in "Cyrano" following his (overrated) Tony-winning turn in "La Cage Aux Folles," will next play candyman extraordinary Willy Wonka in the musical version of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," Directed by Sam Mendes, the show will premiere this June in London. I also hear that Hodge is slated to headline the show's subsequent New York run.

Depp wants to update the Bard for TV
It would seem that Johnny Depp wants to brush up his Shakespeare. As reported by Deadline.com, his production company is developing a new television series based on modern versions of Shakespeare's characters and plot lines. In other words, it's "Othello" meets "Homeland" and "Merry Wives of Windsor" meets "Desperate Housewives." I'm game for that.

Film version of 'Memphis' back on
When it was revealed a while back that there was interest in making a movie of the Broadway musical "Memphis(not to be confused with the commercially released film recording of the stage production)," I took it as hype attached to the show's successful campaign to win the Tony for Best Musical. However, The New York Times confirmed that a movie version is indeed now in the works, with the show's book-writer Joe DiPietro set to write the screenplay.

Schumacher to direct Barkin in reading
Film director Joel Schumacher apparently wants to get involved with theater. The filmmaker will direct a one-night reading on Monday of "The Parisian Woman," a new play by Beau Willimon ("The Ides of March") adapted from Henry Becque's "La Parisienne" and starring Ellen Barkin. It will be produced by the Flea Theater at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

Spotted ...
Alan Alda, Michael Feinstein, Cherry Jones, James Earl Jones and Angela Lansbury at opening night of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" ... Cathy Rigby at "Peter and the Starcatcher" ... Jane Krakowski and Cynthia Nixon at opening night of "Cyrano de Bergerac" ... Annette Bening at "The Book of Mormon" ... Brooke Shields at opening night of "Don't Go Gentle."