Behind the Curtain: Alec Baldwin back to B'way with 'Orphans'

Baldwin
Alec Baldwin, who has been making news on the gossip page lately, is also set to hit Broadway again. He will star in "Orphans," a new play by Lyle Kessler, next spring. Dan Sullivan, who is also staging the Broadway revival of "Glengarry Glen Ross," will direct. Baldwin will play a rich man who is kidnapped by two brothers and becomes a father figure to them.

Cyrus to play Billy Flynn in 'Chicago'
It's been a while since the producers over at "Chicago" have cooked up one of their casting stunts. So it's a relief to hear that country singer Billy Ray Cyrus will enter the show this fall as the smart and sexy lawyer Billy Flynn. In an interview with USA Today, Cyrus spoke glowingly of John O'Hurley's performance in the same role, which apparently inspired him to give Broadway a shot.

'Memphis,' 'JCS,' 'Anything' to shutter
The summer doldrums are here and Broadway musicals are dropping like flies. "Memphis," which won the 2010 Tony for Best Musical, will fold in August. "Jesus Christ Superstar," which claimed last week that it would shutter this weekend if sales didn't pick up, will indeed close. And "Anything Goes," which had announced that it would close at the end of the summer, will instead pack up at the end of next week.

Spiced-up musical ready for London
The Spice Girls briefly came together on Tuesday at a news conference in London to promote "Viva Forever!," a new musical using their songs that will premiere next season in London. It is being produced by Judy Craymer, the mastermind behind the phenomenal success of "Mamma Mia

Jukebox 'Motown' musical to hit B'way
"Motown the Musical," a new show depicting the career of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, is set to premiere on Broadway next spring. Unlike most jukebox musicals, which contain the songs of just a single composer or band, "Motown" will feature countless hit songs by the likes of Marvin Gaye and the Temptations.

'Magic Mike' already eyeing Broadway run
Is there a place for male strippers on Broadway? The new Steven Soderbergh film, "Magic Mike," is already eyeing a production. "We are working on it as a Broadway show, which would be a different story, more of a romp, more of a fun night out at a club with a story," screenwriter Reid Carolin told USA Today

Spotted ...
Dan Rather at "The Best Man" ... Donald Trump, Harvey Keitel, Debra Messing and Jane Krakowski at "One Man, Two Guvnors