Behind the Curtain: Ricky Martin stays with 'Evita,' more

Ricky Martin reduces schedule to seven shows a week
Just a day after the producers of "Porgy and Bess" announced that Audra McDonald is apparently now well enough to handle eight performances a week, it was revealed that Ricky Martin will now do only seven performances a week of "Evita." Going forward, the role of Che will be played on Monday nights by either Max von Essen or Daniel Torres. In exchange, Martin has agreed to stay with the production a bit longer. I foresee a lot of empty seats at the Marquis Theatre every Monday.

'Jekyll and Hyde' stakes Broadway claim
I'll be the first to admit that I had my doubts as to whether the new revival of the mindless pop thriller "Jekyll and Hyde," which is about to embark on a six-month national tour, would actually play Broadway. It certainly doesn't need to. But on Tuesday, it was confirmed that the production, which stars Constantine Maroulis in the title role(s), will play the Richard Rodgers Theatre. I can already feel Rodgers rolling over in his grave.

'Starcatcher' honors 'pirate' holiday with free tix
Remember when "Spider-Man" offered free tickets to anyone named Tony in honor of the Tony Awards? Well, here comes another silly gimmick. In honor of "Talk Like a Pirate Day" (apparently Dave Barry, who co-wrote the novel the show is based on, had a hand in creating the holiday 10 years ago) on Sept. 19, "Peter and the Starcatcher" will give out free tickets to the first 100 people to show up at the box office that day with a (real or fake) mustache.

Malkovich to direct Off-Broadway Pinter tribute
As part of the Irish Repertory Theatre's 25th anniversary Off-Broadway season, John Malkovich will direct actor Julian Sands in "A Celebration of Harold Pinter" - a tribute to the late, distinctive playwright - which has previously played San Francisco and the Edinburgh Fringe. Last season, Malkovich appeared in "The Infernal Comedy: Confessions of a serial killer" at BAM.

Spotted ...
Martha Stewart and Julia Stiles at opening night of "Heartless" ... Bill O'Reilly at "The Best Man" ... James Franco and John Stamos at "One Man, Two Guvnors."