Broadway Friday

-This Sunday Wicked adds a special performance at 8pm, benefiting Bette Midler's New York Restoration Project. Tickets are $150-$200. Proceeds will establish a maintenance fund for "The Friendship Garden", a community space in upper Manhattan. Dedication of the garden is Oct.28th, "Wicked Day", and will be hosted by Midler.

-Original Xanadu lead James Carpinello will not be returning to the show. During previews in June, he broke his foot during rehearsals, at which time Cheyenne Jackson took over. Producers say they hope to use Carpinello in a future international production of the show.

-Norm! George Wendt, best known as roly-poly Norm from Cheers, joins the cast of Hairspray as Edna Turnblad on October 23rd.

-Jersey Boys just marked its millionth customer.

-Tony winner George Grizzard, dead at 79.

-Oscar winners Morgan Freeman and Frances McDormand will star in The Country Girl, opening on Broadway in early 2008. Direction by Oscar winner Mike Nichols.

-Talks between the stagehands union and Broadway producers continue. Producers say union rules require hiring more stagehands than needed and that only one in five Broadway shows recoups its investment. A lockout would darken 22 of 39 Broadway houses. Stagehands average $115,000 a year on a musical.