Broadway Friday

– R&B singer Brian McKnight takes over the Billy Flynn role in Chicago on October 8th.

– Xanadu broke box office records for the Helen Hayes theatre after receiving an extremely positive review from the New York Times. Olivia Newton-John attended Tuesday’s official opening. Gay hottie Cheyenne Jackson (United 93, All Shook Up) has temporarily stepped into the lead, replacing James Carpinello, who broke his leg roller-skating.

–Happy Days, the Musical. Seriously.

– Frost/Nixon closes on August 19th.

– Jerry Mathers (yes, the Beav himself) joined Hairspray on June 5th for a 3-month stint as Wilbur Turnblad. And Lance Bass joins next month as Corny Collins. Stunt casting, anyone?

– Thanks to rave reviews of her performance, Fantasia has extended her stint in The Color Purple through 2008.

– A straight play based on Columbo is headed for Broadway. Again, seriously. Columbo Takes The Rap will tour nationally before hitting the Great White Way next year.

– Wicked leads last week’s grosses at $1.4 million, followed by the 3 Disney shows and Jersey Boys. Looking wobbly: Drowsy Chaperone at only 64% full houses.

– Beauty & The Beast closes July 29th. Win tickets to the final performance here.