My doubts have been confirmed about Natasha Richardson and Alan Cumming filming a "Cabaret" movie. Last month, I speculated that the talks would result in nothing more than a return to the Broadway production and possibly a taping for television, and that appears to be exactly what will happen. Along the way, Richardson also had to drop out of the planned Roundabout revival of Strindberg’s Miss Julie with Philip Seymour Hoffman. The production is apparently still on: Having lost Our Town and the new Spring Awakening musical in the space of about a month, the Roundabout can ill afford to drop its starriest revival of the season and is looking frantically for a new Julie. The most likely candidate appears to be Rachel Weisz, whose last stage role — in Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things — involved sexual manipulation as well. Weisz repeated her role for the "Shape of Things" film, which is scheduled to open in either February or March of 2003.

My doubts have been confirmed about Natasha Richardson and Alan Cumming filming a "Cabaret" movie. Last month, I speculated that the talks would result in nothing more than a return to the Broadway production and possibly a taping for television, and that appears to be exactly what will happen. Along the way, Richardson also had to drop out of the planned Roundabout revival of Strindberg’s Miss Julie with Philip Seymour Hoffman. The production is apparently still on: Having lost Our Town and the new Spring Awakening musical in the space of about a month, the Roundabout can ill afford to drop its starriest revival of the season and is looking frantically for a new Julie. The most likely candidate appears to be Rachel Weisz, whose last stage role — in Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things — involved sexual manipulation as well. Weisz repeated her role for the "Shape of Things" film, which is scheduled to open in either February or March of 2003.

The "Special Dispatch From Oz" features new lyrics by Wicked creators Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman.

Playbill.com's weekly planner reminds you that Spiegelworld puts its circus tentpole in the theatre district… Elaine Stritch brings her Sondheim songbook to the West Coast… Will Eno's Title and Deed gets its NYC debut… and Godspell "kids" offer a glimmer of Broadway's future. Circus tents and new productions blossom in this spring-scented WEEK AHEAD!

After a 15-year residence at Town Hall, the annual Cabaret Convention — presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation — moves uptown to Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall. The week-long celebration of the American popular song begins Oct. 17.

BETTY BUCKLEY
Some exciting news on the Betty Buckley front. It looks like the Tony winning actress will be part of this summer’s acclaimed “Divas at the Donmar” series at the Donmar Warehouse in London. Buckley is scheduled to sing in the intimate theatre from August 21 through September 3. Stay tuned for more details. Also, I received a call from a loyal BB fan who informed me that Buckley’s sensational version of Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns” can be found on Kenny Werner’s new CD, “Beauty Secrets.” Werner, as you know, is Buckley’s long-time musical director, arranger and pianist, and the disc is now available from RCA Victor. And, of course, Buckley’s newest solo CD, “Heart to Heart” (on the KO Productions label), hit stores last week and is selling extraordinarily well. Be sure to add this heartfelt recording of tunes to your collection.