For a special performance of "Wicked" — the Broadway musical in which you learn the Wicked Witch in "The Wizard of Oz" wasn't so wicked after all — Ashanti joined former castmembers from the show, as well as celebs such as Mario Cantone, Joy Behar, George Wendt and Matthew Settle from "Gossip Girl," in a charity performance on Monday called "The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken." The production featured never-before-seen scenes and songs from a rough draft of the first act, with proceeds benefitting the New York Restoration Project.

Though some of the celebs couldn't sing quite as well as Broadway regulars, Wendt (as the Wizard) got points from the audience just for trying. (Behar didn't try at all, but instead read her lines with a sense of rhythm that implied song.) Settle tackled a love song, "As If By Magic," while Cantone brought down the house with his ad-libbed rendition of "Popular." (Both Behar and Cantone made digs at Palin and McCain in their songs.)

But Ashanti had the best number of all — the showstopping "Defying Gravity," in which she started to sing solo, but then was joined by the two actresses playing the popular-but-flighty Galinda (who becomes Glinda, the so-called "good witch") and Elphaba (the outcast green girl who is painted as "wicked" by a propaganda campaign). "Come join me," Ashanti — wearing a light-green dress in ode to her character — sang to them. "Think of what we could do together."

Now that she's played both good and bad, if she had to pick between Dorothy and Elphaba, Ashanti told MTV News she'd pick the not-so-wicked witch any day. "You know what," she said, "they both have their own flavor. [But if there were a movie of 'Wicked,'] I'd be the bad one. She's got the spice. And people remember her."

Currently, the show stars "American Idol" alum and new dad Clay Aiken, who will end his role as Sir Robin on January 4. Other castmembers include Michael Siberry, Merle Dandridge, Tom Deckman, Rick Holmes, Bradley Dean, Wally Dunn and David Hibbard. In the past, Tim Curry, Hank Azaria, Sara Ramirez of "Grey's Anatomy" and Monty Python's own John Cleese have all starred in the show.

The show opened in March 2005, with director Mike Nichols and lyricist (and Monty Python member) Eric Idle at the helm, and defied expectations by making back its investment within the first six months of opening. It is expected to gross $175 million in revenue by the time it closes, a spokesman told the Times. The show is still touring the country and its run in London's West End ends January 3.

The Times also reports that Broadway's troubles may stem from weak ticket sales as a result of the struggling economy. This is the time of year when many people buy tickets for the holiday season — but, despite still selling tickets, "Spamalot" has recently failed to break even.

Friday evening before the curtain rose on "13," I went up to New York's Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre to chat with the orchestra for the new Broadway musical. Unlike other Broadway shows, the orchestra for "13" performs onstage with the cast, not in a pit below or in front of the stage.

The musicians' accomplishments are impressive. According to his bio on the show's official Web site percussionist Zachary Coe has played drums on Sony and ESPN soundtracks. Multi-instrumentalist Charlie Rosen has not only played bass in other productions of "13" but also played piano at the Monterey Jazz and Playboy Jazz festivals. Guitarist Zach Page has performed with Nuno Bettencourt, Perry Farrell and Vernon Reid.

But what's most impressive about this band is that they're all kids: It's not often you see musicians ranging in age from 15 to 18 providing the music for a high-profile Broadway show, day after day.

Here's some info you won't get from their bios:

Most of them didn't know much, if anything, about the show's Tony-winning songwriter, Jason Robert Brown, before they auditioned for him. Only keyboardist Adam Michael Kaufman said he was very familiar with Brown's work. "If I didn't know who he was I wouldn't have auditioned," Kaufman said.

Common musical influences, according to guitarist Chris Raymond, include Neil Young and Bob Dylan; their iPods have Led Zeppelin, Radiohead and "Into the Woods" in heavy rotation.

A typical day during previews consisted of school in the morning (for the bandmembers who are still high-school age), rehearsal in the afternoon and then performing the show in the evening — it's a full and busy day, but things will calm down a bit now that the show has opened.

Only Rosen has seen the show from the audience's perspective. "It's good," he said simply.

A common misconception is that, as Lexi Bodick (bass) said, being a member of the orchestra is "all fun and games." These guys have a huge responsibility when it comes to the success of "13," and they are all consummate professionals — who mind their parents, too. Explaining how he came to be in the orchestra, Rosen said, "My mom just said, 'You're gonna go audition for this show.' "

And, of course, he did.

Poor Bailey Hanks has to change her lyrics: "Omigod, omigod, you guys! Our show's closing just when I'd won my prize!"

Emergency mani-pedis are being scheduled all over New York as word spreads that MTV's most beloved Broadway musical, "Legally Blonde," will bend and snap for the final time on October 19 following an 18-month run.

It came as quite a shock to folks in the newsroom when MTV announced about a year ago that it would tape a live performance of "Legally Blonde: The Musical." A Broadway musical on MTV? Really? Is Lauren Conrad in it? (No, but she did introduce it.)

But here was the bigger surprise: You watched it! MTV's repeated broadcasts of the musical were a surprise ratings hit.

Our channel's renewed love affair with Broadway began with "Spring Awakening," the Duncan Sheik-composed adolescent-angst fest that opened in early 2007 and just won't go away. We were one of the first on the "SA" bandwagon, long before the show won eight Tony Awards and inserted itself into American pop culture. ("Mama Who Bore Me" on "90210"? Really?)

"Legally Blonde" was nominated for seven Tonys the same year but failed to win any. Still, we like to think that MTV's decision to air the musical helped give it a boost on Broadway. "Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods" soon followed, giving the coveted lead role in the show to newcomer Hanks. She took over the role on July 23 and will perform it until the show closes.

Although a national tour of the show just started last week, today is a sad day in "Legally Blonde" land. But fear not; when one happy-go-lucky Broadway musical disappears, another takes its place. "13," a brand new show with a cast of — wait for it — thirteen 13-year-olds opens a week from Sunday. (MTV News is spending time with the cast tomorrow.) The show has no stars, no Disney backing, no Zac Efron — just a cast of gawky teens singing and dancing their adolescent hearts out about tongue-kissing and fitting in. To be sure, the show faces an uphill battle to survive, so unless you act quickly, you may never see it. Unless, of course, Nickelodeon wants to broadcast it. ...

By Christina Garibaldi

Aubrey O'Day is more than ready for her Broadway debut in "Hairspray." We just caught up with the Danity Kane singer and her puppy Ginger backstage.

Aubrey, in full makeup, showed off her dog, who she dressed up in a pink wig and doggie cape accessorized with various "Hairspray"-themed trinkets. We talked to her in her dressing room minutes before she graced the Broadway stage for the first time.

Her dressing room was flooded with flowers, gifts and family coming by to wish her support and luck — and, of course, telling her to "break a leg." O'Day seemed in good spirits and was thrilled to have her family and friends in attendance (52 loved ones were there, to be exact).

Aubrey shook off those last-minute jitters, but she seemed more than ready to get the night started. She told us she couldn't wait to get out there. She went on to say that she is fulfilling her childhood dream of being a Broadway star.

So how did Aubrey do? Check back here on Monday when we have the full show report for you plus video of Aubrey in action!