Oscar Scoop: Beyonce, Zac Efron & More to Sing
E! Online, Feb 18, 2009 1:00 am PSTHost Hugh Jackman won't be the only star singing and dancing at Sunday's Academy Awards. The song-and-dance routine is being directed by Jackman's Australia director Baz Luhrmann. No stranger to musicals, Luhrman's credits include Moulin Rouge!, Romeo Juliet and Strictly Ballroom. Jackman reportedly requested to have Luhrmann stage the Oscar number.
Several sources say that the Aussie hunk will be joined on stage by Beyoncé, High School Musical stars and real-life couple Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens and Mamma Mia!'s Amanda Seyfried. Dominic Cooper, Seyfried's costar and rumored boyfriend, will also likely participate, but I'm told scheduling conflicts still have to be resolved to make it work.
One source tells me that Jackman and Beyoncé have been rehearsing at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City.
The entire group begins rehearsals tonight here in Hollywood, according to another source.
As I first told you earlier today, Efron is also expected to present Best Original Song.
No word yet on what they'll singing and dancing to. First-time show producers Laurence Mark and Bill Condon have kept a tight lid on their plans, but have continually stressed that they intend to shake things up on the movie industry's biggest night of the year.
Reps for the stars and the Oscars did not comment.
The 81st annual Academy Awards will telecast live on ABC from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.
(Originally published Feb. 17, 2009 at 5:20 p.m. PT)
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