"Why are all the D'Ysquith dying?"

Last year's surprise Tony winner for Best Musical is dying for good: A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder will play its final performance January 17, after nearly 1,000 performances.

In the show, Monty Navarro (the dashing Bryce Pinkham) learns that he is a distant heir to a family fortune, and starts killing off members of the D'Ysquith family—all played by the incomparable Jefferson Mays.

This dark comedy features hilarious numbers, including "I've Decided to Marry You" and "Better with a Man."

If you can't catch the final "death" on Broadway, a national tour launches September 19.

Whorl is the New Black

The team behind the Tony nominated Everyday Rapture is back with a noteworthy new play: Whorl Inside a Loop follows Sherie Rene Scott (Dirty Rotten Scondrels, The Last 5 Years) as an actress teaching a personal narrative class in a men’s prison.

Scott co-authored the play with Dick Scanlan (Thoroughly Modern Millie), who co-directs with Michael Mayer, and it's based on an actual trip they took to a prison.

Loop explores the fine line between convicted felons and the criminal inside all of us, the viability of forgiveness, and the unreliability of redemption.

Whorl Inside a Loop has extended Off-Broadway at Second Stage through September 27.

Falsettos On Hold

The much-anticipated return of Falsettos on Broadway won't be happening his season. No reason was announced but, according to the New York Post, “casting and budgets are to blame.”

Rumor is producers were looking for a movie star but had trouble finding one who had the chops for William Finn’s smart score.

Theater historian-producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper has her own theory.

Expect the AIDS-era musical to open during the 2016-2017 season.

Kidman Takes a Photograph

After 17 years, Nicole Kidman is hoping to return to the boards: The Oscar winner is now starring in Anna Ziegler’s Photograph 51 on the West End.

Kidman told the Daily Mail that she is “terrified” on returning to the stage, but she loves it.

"If I hadn’t done it now, I’d never have done it—I couldn’t wait another 17 years," she declares. "I’m just hoping I’ll get on stage and it will all come together."

She'd like to perform the play on Broadway, if her schedule allows.

Streep Returning To Mamma Mia?

Plans are underway for a film sequel to Mamma Mia!, the highest-grossing movie musicals of all time (and NewNowNext readers' least favorite Meryl Streep movie of all time).

While musical sequels have almost all been misfires onstage (See: Annie Warbucks, Love Never Dies), a movie follow-up may just prove to be another cash cow. After all, the first one netted $600 million worldwide.

Streep would presumably reprise the role of former free spirit Donna Sheridan, alongside Pierce Brosnan as her love interest, Sam. Let’s just hope this time they don’t give Brosnan any songs.

Mormon Cast Salutes The Dancing Queen

Speaking of, Mamma Mia! the stage musical is wrapping up its run on Broadway on September 12 after nearly 14 years.

Jake Emmerling and touring cast of Book of Mormon made a hilarious farewell video to say, "Thank you for the music."

Copeland is a Helluva Draw

In its final performances, On the Town picked-up steam when prima ballerina Misty Copeland joined the cast: Final weekly grosses increased by half-a-million dollars from the previous week.

This gorgeous production concluded September 6 at the Lyric, though a national tour with Tony nominee Tony Yazbeck will launch next year.

Puppet Problems

Robert Askins' acclaimed comedy Hand to God has gotten a closing notice. The foul-mouthed puppet play will perform its final show January 3.

Jason's faith is shaken when an evil hand puppet takes over his left hand. Morality and spirituality are questioned in a small Texas town.

The show received five Tony Award nominations, including Best Play and Best Lead Actor for Steven Boyer: A performance that is not to be missed!

Under the Sea

These days, it seems that every pop-culture character is getting their own Broadway show: James Bond, King Kong, Magic Mike, etc.

But the latest addition has Broadway hitting bottom—Bikini Bottom, that is.

SpongeBob is coming to the Great White Way, and he's bringing some famous friends. The popular cartoon will get musicalized with a score by Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie, John Legend, Lady Antebellum, Steven Tyler, Panic! At the Disco and Plain White T’s, among others.

The SpongeBob Musical will premiere at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre this summer, before a hopeful Broadway run next season.