Because of scheduling conflicts and a rather hefty investment in something called Ponzi (Hey, I thought it was one of the Fonz’s nephews!), I didn’t a chance to see the latest tour of “Wicked” in the Twin Cities. I am now appeased. Idina Menzel, who won a Tony for a role in the original Broadway production, performed a short,  but sweet cabaret act last night for critics that reminded you why she’s one of show biz’s greatest talents and why hubby Taye Diggs is one lucky dude (It’s mind-blowing how many people in this town confuse the two of us). She’s in two PBS performances, a concert that airs next week and a new production of “Chess” with Josh Groban that airs later this year.

In addition to sharing five songs (set list follows), she told some hilarious stories about last month’s Kennedy Center Honors, where she performed “Don’t Rain On My Parade” as part of the Barbara Streisand tribute. Afterwards, she was seated at Streisand’s table and was nervous about what Babs would say to her. Apparently, the Great One said nothing was quite some time. Finally, she turned to Mendel and said, “Did you sing ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’ tonight? I wasn’t wearing my glasses.” If that wasn’t enough, Mendel got “dissed” by another one of her idols shortly thereafter when Aretha Franklin apparently had no idea who she was. Aretha, time to show some R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Set list: Heaven Help My Heart (from “Chess”); “I Stand”; :”Embraceable You”; “There’s Only Us” (from “Rent”); “Defying Gravity” (from “Wicked”)

Here’s some headlines from PBS: Ken Burns will add a 10th inning to his “Baseball” masterpiece that will get repeated in spring 2010, around the same time we get ready for a new ballpark in Twin Cities. Maybe Burnsie will come out for the opener. Also, the people who brought us “Carrier” are behind “Circus,” which goes behind the scenes of the Big Apple Circus. Debuts in fall 2010.

Amy Sedaris, narrator for “Make ‘Em Laugh,” shocked me when she told me that noone has ever approached her about doing a late-night talk show. I find that pretty hard to believe. She did confirm that she’s working on a new crafts book and a new series with one of the co-creators of “Strangers With Candy.” That’s great, but I wouldn’t mind a daily dose of one of America’s most likable talents.

Question of the day: A poor, tongue-tied reporter asked Ian McKellen if it bothers him when people only recognize him for his work in “Lord of the FLIES.” Ian’s response: “Well, if they say, Lord of the Flies, I put them right.’” Sir McKellen had great things to say about his stint at the Guthrie. I’ll share more details in a fuller story to run in March, around the time PBS presents a production of his “King Lear.”

Finally, an anecdote that probably only amuses me, but what the heck. At a buffet dinner, I was next in line to the one and only Sir Tim Rice who had a generous portion of - natch - wild rice on his plate. One tray later he was mesmorized by a steak flank with fruit plate, stepped back and shoveled much of the rice back into the tray. Rice giving back rice….get it? I told you I was the only one amused. 

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