Hollah, Blogolians! This is our last entry for a while, as your humble Backstage Baby takes some time off to attend the National Theater Critics' Conference at the glorious O'Neill Center in beautiful Waterford, Connecticut. Who am I? I'll never tell. But some O'Neill trivia: the grounds of the Center were NOT actually O'Neill's childhood home, but the estate of some rich guy who would chase the young Eugene off his land, as recounted in the play "Moon for the Misbegotten." But enough bragging/trivia! On to the real theater news coming out of New England: BOMBSHELL in Boston.

As loyal readers know, Rebecca "Casual Friday 2" Duvall called in sick and was replaced by the understudy, Karen Cartwright. How was she? We can't get a bead on it, as we were not able to score tickets, but I'm willing to lay money that a star is born. In the meantime, here's some backstage rumors from our newest informant, who we'll just call
Gore Vidal's Eyelid:

-Houston and Levitt have been working around the clock, well into previews, trying to save the show with a new closing number. But the fireworks with a certain cast member *cough* rhymes with Cycle Miffed *cough* might be getting in the way.

-Here's the biggest item: rumors fly backstage that Rebecca "Casual Friday 2" was peanut-poisoned by a certain now-fired assistant. Why? Well, she wasn't so great. But is that really grounds for anaphylactic shock?

-Cartwright had to learn almost the whole show in pretty much one day. Even though chorus member AND Derek Wills' girl Ivy Lynn already knew it. Yeah, I know, I know. I hope Lynn's taking it okay. But early rumors are that Cartwright's a stunner.

-Looks like Jerry Rand's trying to dig his claws into BOMBSHELL. Will he succeed? Watch this space. And have a great summer!