Behind the Curtain: Four original Matildas to leave the musical

Sophia Gennusa, Bailey Ryon, Oona Laurence and Milly Shapiro, the four young girls who play the title role in “Matilda” on alternating nights and who collectively received a special Tony Award, will exit the Broadway production in the coming weeks. They will be replaced by Gabriella Pizzolo, Ripley Sobo, Paige Brady and Ava Ulloa. Of the four, Sobo is the only one with prior Broadway credit, for the musical “Once.”

‘Apple Family Plays’ to be filmed at Public Theater
“The Apple Family Plays,” Richard Nelson’s acclaimed series of four plays at the Public Theater examining a family in upstate New York during pivotal political moments of the past four years, such as the day of Obama’s re-election and the 10th anniversary of 9/11, will be recorded by WNET next week for future television broadcast. Availability is limited, but free tickets to the tapings are available at publictheater.org.

$4.3 million raised for BC/EFA during the fall
The theater community raised $4,343,234 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS in the past few weeks as part of its annual fall fundraising drive. The news was announced at the annual “Gypsy of the Year” competition on Tuesday afternoon. In the show’s opening number, penned by Seth Rudetsky, the ghost of Ethel Merman interacted with chorus boys from “Newsies.”

‘Heathers’ musical to open Off-Broadway in March
A musical version of the ’80s teen flick “Heathers,” with music by Laurence O’Keefe (“Legally Blonde”) and book and lyrics by Kevin Murphy (“Reefer Madness”), will open at Off-Broadway’s New World Stages in March 2014. “<TH>‘Heathers’ is the greatest teen movie of all time, the blackest black comedy and in its way the most truthful depiction of the ’80s,” O’Keefe told Playbill.com. The film starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater.

NPH’s magic show breaks even at b.o.
“Nothing to Hide,” the two-man magic show directed by Neil Patrick Harris now playing at the Signature Theatre Center, is officially a hit. It was announced Tuesday that the production has recouped its initial investment costs after eight weeks of performances. It is currently set to run through Jan. 18.

‘Rent’ to go forward at Conn. high school after all
The planned production of the rock musical “Rent” at Trumbull High School in Trumbull, Conn., which received widespread media attention after the school’s principal called it off due to concerns over its content, will apparently go forward, following a widespread showing of support from the local community and on Facebook. Officials from Goodspeed Opera House, one of the most well-known theaters in the state, had even offered to allow the students to perform “Rent” at Goodspeed if necessary.

Fran Drescher to join cast of ‘Cinderella’ on Broadway
Despite speculation in the industry that the Broadway revival of “Cinderella” would close in early January due to sagging ticket sales, the show’s producers revealed Monday that Fran Drescher will take over the role of Cinderella’s stepmother, currently played by Harriet Harris, from Feb. 4 through April 13.

Spotted…
Christina Ricci, Dick Cavett and Clive Davis at opening night of “What’s It All About? Burt Bacharach Reimagined”… Neil Patrick Harris at “Sleep No More” … Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and Zachary Quinto at the “Gypsy of the Year” competition … Amy Adams at “First Date”… Quincy Jones and Melissa Manchester at the premiere screening of “Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did for Love” at the Paley Center for Media.