Cash-strapped New Zealand high schools can no longer afford to put on annual musicals, citing fees - up to $7000 to perform hit Broadway shows.

It was when the drag queen in the Santa coat started banging her drumsticks on the scaffolding, singing about sending a barking annoyance to "doggie hell" that Rent came to life.

There's a new musical coming to town and it sounds like it's Sesame Street crossed with Peter Jackson's sordid black comedy Meet the Feebles.

Director Rob Marshall, who was behind the Oscar-winning musical Chicago, knows how to recreate big, bold musical numbers of energetic choreography, glitz and glamour.

Spanish star Penelope Cruz has her own double feature this awards season with a new Pedro Almodovar film and a singing and dancing role in the Hollywood musical Nine.

Monty Python comic John Cleese reveals plans to turn comedy caper A Fish Called Wanda into a musical.

The super troupers of Mamma Mia! return to Auckland next month - having learned a trick or two from the movie version.