Theater Buzz: 'Apple' plays, 'Hide' a hit

THE SHOW "Apple Family Plays"

THE DEAL "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/13 next week for future television broadcast.

THE SHOW "Nothing to Hide"

THE DEAL "Nothing to Hide," the two-man magic show directed by Neil Patrick Harris at Off-Broadway's Pershing Square Signature Center, is officially a hit. It was announced last week that the production has recouped its initial investment costs after eight weeks of performances. It runs through Jan. 18. Tickets at ticketcentral.com

THE SHOW "Matilda"

THE DEAL Sophia Gennusa, Bailey Ryan, Oona Laurence and Milly Shapiro, the young girls who play the title role in "Matilda" on alternating nights and 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. Sobo is the only one with a Broadway credit, having been in the musical "Once."

THE SHOW "Heathers"

THE DEAL A musical version of the 1980s 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. " '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.

WHAT Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

THE DEAL The theater community raised $4.3 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS over the past few weeks as part of its annual fall fundraising drive. The news was announced at the annual "Gypsy of the Year" competition at the Minskoff Theatre last week. In the show's opening number, penned by Seth Rudetsky, the ghost of Ethel Merman interacted with chorus boys from "Newsies."