With the new year upon us, comedy fans will be happy to know that ventriloquist Jeff Dunham has planned a large 2009 tour, with dates all over the U.S. and Canada.  Below is a list of Dunham’s tour dates for 2009.

Good news for Rent fans! Although the Broadway production of the show closed a few months ago after a 12 year run, the play will be starting a fresh tour in January of 2009 featuring original cast members Adam Pascal (”Roger”) and Anthony Rapp (”Mark”).  As of this writing, Rent will visit nearly two dozen cities from January to July.

If you know anything about the Billy Elliot musical (get your Billy Elliot tickets here) – about the boy who chooses ballet over boxing, you’ve probably heard that there are three different boys playing the lead role of “Billy.” The boys are Kiril Kulish, age 14, and David Alvarez and Trent Kowalik, both age 13. Here are just a few interesting facts about the different Billies:

• Each Billy does 2-3 shows per week.
• Trent Kowalik was one of the Billies in the London production of Billy Elliot.
• Trent, Kiril and David beat out 1500 other boys to land the role of Billy.
• Kiril has been ballet dancing since he was 5 and had actually been nicknamed “Billy Elliot” at his ballet school, before he ever knew about the film or musical.
• David Alvarez only knew ballet – he had to learn how to tap dance and sing in order to fulfill the role of Billy.
• The Billies will only play their roles for a limited time, due to the fact that their voices will eventually change. In fact, the search for new Billies is already underway.

To learn a bit more about the boys, you can watch an interview with the Billies here and watch Kiril Kulish perform a song here.

Also, check out what director Stephen Daldry has to say about the role of Billy Elliot.

Wicked has been seen by over 3.75 million people in New York since it opened in October 2003. Even after 5 years, the show plays to capacity nearly every show and grosses nearly $1.4 million per week.

About 4 million people have seen the musical on its North American tour, which has broken house records in every city it has played.

The Wicked musical has two sit-down engagements – one in Los Angeles and one in Chicago. Both of these engagements end in January of 2009.

Merchandise for Wicked – t-shirts, mugs, magnets, baseball caps and other paraphenalia for Wicked has grossed about $100 million.

If you’re one of the few people who hasn’t seen the Wicked musical yet, get your tickets while you still can. Take a look at our selection of Wicked tickets!

Hey Minneapolis theater-goers -

Planning to see the Wicked musical at the Orpheum theatre in Minneapolis?  If so, here’s a Wicked review from the Minneapolis Star Tribune so you know what to expect.

Interestingly enough, the reviewer compares the show to some current events (the “regime change” in Oz, in this reviewer’s eyes, is not much different from the current “regime change” in the U.S.)  The review even likens Glinda the good witch to Sarah Palin.  Anyway check out the review if you’re interested.

Also, check out our Wicked tickets selection if you need tickets for a show in Minneapolis or in any other city.