If you’ve been following Broadway news at all for the past few years, chances are you’ve heard of Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. The technically advanced show with tons of tricky stunts, such as combat scenes (in the AIR), gained premature notoriety due to the show’s extravagance (both financially and theatrically).

Readings for the show began in 2007, but only due to the numerous budget overhauls. Now the show has been open since June 2011, and despite the critic’s poor reception of the show, the hype surrounding the show (including five injured cast members) was just too much to lead to a poor box office performance.

Obviously, the team behind Spider-Man wanted to take their backstage turmoil and turn it into something good (at least something profitable) – making lemonade out of lemons, if you will. They will be turning the footage that was going to be used for the show’s promotional video into a backstage documentary – clearly the footage they had backstage hoopla behind Spider Man was just too much for a single promotional video.

Of course, in typical Spider-Man style, the production of this documentary won’t come without drama of its own. The show’s original director, Julie Taymor, doesn’t want any footage of her working on the show to be included in the documentary. Taymor feels so strongly about this that’s she’s filing a lawsuit against the producers. This could prove to be a bit of a problem for the producers. After all, the director plays an integral role in rehearsals and cutting out the footage of her will be a substantial amount of material – a frazzled director is documentary gold.

- Diana Pearl

Hollywood Musical “Flashdance” FInds Way to Broadway Stage

Recently, Hollywood has been making several forays into the world of the Broadway and the movie musical. There have been some successes (Chicago, Hairspray), some flops (Nine, Phantom of the Opera), and some hopefuls (Les Miserables). However, what Broadway rarely does is take Hollywood’s musicals and turn them into stage productions. In some cases it’s been successful, (case in point Mary Poppins). At the end of this year, another of Hollywood’s most beloved musicals will be making it’s way to Broadway.

Flashdance, one of the dance movies of the 1980’s, was transformed for the stage in 2008, premiering on the West End in London. After a successful national tour run in the United Kingdom from late 2008 to mid-2009. Today, producers are aiming for a Broadway premiere in fall 2012, and a national tour in 2013.

For those of you who haven’t seen the 80’s classic, the plot is fairly simple: steel mill worker girl in Pittsburgh dreams of becoming a professional dancer. She works as a ‘flashdancer’ at night at a bar – the closest she can get to her dream at the time. Yada, yada, you know the rest.

The tour will kick off in the city of the show’s setting, Pittsburgh, premiering on New Year’s Day (January 1^st if you don’t know…which I would hope you do) in 2013.

For more information on the show, it’s Broadway premiere and it’s national tour, check out www.flashdancethemusical.com.

-Diana Pearl

Joan Smalls Shines in 2012 Pirelli Calendar

Every year, Pirelli marks the New Year by publishing a calendar. Traditionally, these types of gigs use “men’s models,” sort of like soft core porn you can call art. What distinguishes the Pirelli Calendar is its inclination to use high fashion models and famous fashion photographers. Maybe it’s a way to appeal to a different clientele or just to create a high fashion nude. Either way, it’s always a big deal this time of year, especially last year when Karl Lagerfeld took the famous photographs.

Well, it’s that time of year again and the first glimpses of the pictures have come out. Mario Sorrenti shot them this year, and the variety of models is a bit disappointing. They seem to all look a bit similar and some seem out of place. Also, many of the poses come off as uninspired. I know Kate Moss is a legend and can do pretty much whatever she pleases, but her appearance among this group of models is a bit strange considering they all represent a different generation. Not to say that age should keep her out of the calendar, but she just comes off as the odd one out, even though she looks gorgeous. And don’t get me started on the choice to put Mila Jovovich in.

And, as always, when you put a group of nude models together, a standout always emerges. This time is no exception. Joan Smalls’ appearance in the 2012 Pirelli calendar solidifies her place amongst the very top at the moment. She looks unbelievable in these pictures and outshines the rest, even though Lara Stone comes in a close second. I’m a bit obsessed with these photos of her.

-Nadjma Sako

What’s On Your Winter Break Checklist?

This winter break provides many opportunities to do things you have never done before. So instead of just hanging out with friends from high school, I suggest you take in the sights and landmarks of your hometown. For instance, visit your local Occupy movement. I know many of the encampments have been torn down by local authorities, but in many cities there is a small residual force screaming at the top of their lungs about being the 99 percent.

Last year I visited my old high school, with the wrong intentions. This year I am going to do a complete 180. I will visit my old stomping grounds but not on such a  happy note; this time I will really let my school administration know how little they prepared me for college. This will of course get me removed from school property by the two obese security guards that only move when they go outside to smoke cigarettes across the street from the school entrance alongside the wannabe beatniks.

As every workplace prepares their holiday party, crash the one at your parents’ office by spiking the really cheap holiday punch. Not only will you get a kick out of this but so will your parents because they would love to tell their jackass boss how much they hate him or her without the fear of their boss actually remembering it.  This way there will be no repercussions following their tirade. Whatever you do over the break, have a good time. You do not have to attend lectures or recitations and I think that is a break we all deserve.

Let Jerk know what your plans are for winter break!

-Brysan Brown

Fashion’s Constant Illusion of Diversity

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Fashion is often criticized for its lack of diversity–whether it be on the runways or off. That reputation is well-earned when considering the absence of people of non-European descent in the industry. Models are often an easy way to gauge race representation simply because the backgrounds and origins of the models are known and it is easily quantitative.

Considering the end of the year is approaching, every industry attempts to quantify its successes, failures and advances. In fashion, those lists consider the best looks of the year, the most notable moments, the best and worst trends, emerging talents and controversies. Recently, while stumbling upon one of these lists on Fashionista, the topic was diversity among Vogue cover models.

According to the site, “22 percent of Vogue cover subjects were non-white,” which only points to the fact that the other 78 percent were occupied by white models. And it gets worse: amongst the 22 percent, the majority were of non-European or American Vogue editions. Therefore, most non-white cover models were featured on their country’s editions of Vogue (India, China, Taiwan, etc.). Great.

JERK’s Finals Soundtrack

As I have been locked up in my dorm studying for final exams and writing unreasonably long papers that professors will only read half of, I have also been listening to some my favorite albums. I find that good music can help counteract writing a tedious paper or studying for a final exam. But there are certain albums that need to be listened to for certain classes and subjects.

Last semester while studying for my Human Sexuality final, I found that any Prince album helped me stay focused. I suggest either “Purple Rain” or “1999.” For history papers focusing on the 1980s, the Reagan administration and what really went down back then, Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” is always a good pick.  If you can’t decipher his lyrics on your own, I’ll let you in on a secret: It is not an endorsement of Reagan. For chemistry tests, I would recommend “The Velvet Underground & Nico” because if you are studying chemistry, at some point, you’re going to need a little heroin. (Just kidding. Kids, that shit will melt your brain.)

DAFT Presents: Whack Ass Dieting Tips (But Helpful Nonetheless.)

The holidays are quickly approaching, and college students everywhere are trying to lose the weight they gained from Ramen, booze and Kimmel. The last thing anyone wants to do is have to go home and run into an ex being fifteen or so pounds heavier than the last time he or she saw you. So to help everyone who has gained the freshman 15–even those of you who aren’t freshmen–I’ve compiled a short little list of bizarre weight loss solutions you won’t find in the magazines to help you on your dieting journey.

The Color BLUE:

I know it sounds crazy, but it has been proven time and time again that blue isn’t just an awesomely bad Eiffel 65 song, but also a bizarre weight-loss solution. The color actually functions as a diet suppressant. I mean, when was the last time you saw the color blue in a fast food restaurant? The colors mostly associated with food, according to an Indiana University research study, are orange and yellow, while blue is said to be the least affective color for food promotion.

So, if you aren’t into diet pills, or whatever else the Kardashian family is endorsing these days, and you want to lose weight the natural way–along with exercise and proper diet–diet experts suggest supplementing the color blue into your eating habits. You can do this just by eating your food off a blue plate. If you’re really serious about you weight loss, some diet experts also suggest looking into a blue light for your refrigerator.

Also important to keep in mind: calories come in liquid form too. For tips on what Friday night drinks to avoid, click here.

Willow Smith: The Deterioration of Pop

In 1987, when Will Smith and his partner, DJ Jazzy Jeff, stepped on to the scene with their debut album “Rock the House,” no one could have predicted what would follow. Will Smith has risen through the ranks and has become an incredibly powerful celebrity known for both his rapping and his acting. Although heavily criticized, he has come out on top and expects the same of both all his children.

Willow Smith, the youngest of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s children, has launched a music career that has put her in the public eye, and she is well on her way to replicating her father’s career. Will Smith’s hip hop career was frequently poked fun at because of his clean rap, but there are different reasons why I foresee a dark future in the music industry for Willow Smith. With the recent release of her new single, “Fireball,” it is time to remind music fans why pop music is so drastically deteriorating.

I don’t know what Will did for Jay-Z in order to get his daughter signed to Roc Nation, but there is no way that it could have possibly been worth it. In “Whip My Hair” Willow’s screeching, obnoxious voice made Rebecca Black sound like Adele–and her songs haven’t gotten any better. Willow’s first mistake in “Fireball” was drafting Nicki Minaj. Minaj has never helped anyone’s case and this song is no exception.

It’s not to say that the son or daughter of a former music star can’t be successful, but it is rare. Diggy Simmons, son of Rev Run of Run DMC fame, has generated a well-deserved buzz and a pretty substantial fan base. Willow Smith shouldn’t rush but rather enjoy her childhood, play with dolls, learn to ride a bike and try to develop her singing skills.

-A.J. Allen

Former ‘Gossip Girl’ Star Joins ‘Les Miz’ Cast

It’s a wonder that there hasn’t already been a movie version of the famed Broadway musical, “Les Miserables.” The show, also known by its nickname “Les Miz,” is the third longest running show on Broadway, the longest running musical on the West End and the winner of the 1987 Tony for Best Musical.

But alas, there hasn’t been a film featuring a singing Jean Valjean and Javert to grace the screens just yet. Although, there have been adaptations of the book, the best known being the 1998 film starring Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush, Uma Thurman, and Claire Danes.

The new musical adaptation is set to hit theaters on December 7, 2012 (just in time for Oscar season, of course). Already in the cast is Hugh Jackman as the lead male role of Jean Valjean. Joining him will be Russell Crowe as Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Eddie Redmayne (“My Week With Marilyn”) as Marius, and Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier. Rumored to be making his second appearance in a film adaptation of “Les Miserables” is Geoffrey Rush, who is in talks to play Monsieur Thenardier.

Blogs We Like: Cake Wrecks

You’ve got the dress, the invitations, the church, the venue, table settings and the sexy husband to match. Everything for your dream wedding is planned and paid for. The only major setback? Allowing that future hubby who enjoys hunting in his spare time to pick out the cake without first consulting you. Introducing: Cake Wrecks.

Cake Wrecks is a blog about cakes for any occasion that for some reason are made in poor taste. For example, a baby cake with babies riding carrot penises. The blog was created by a woman named Jen in May 2008. When she noticed how popular her blog was getting, she decided to write a book–where she promises even more baking atrocities.

A friend at the café I work at introduced me to the blog after I baked her a penis cake for her bachelorette party. I’d like to think the cake turned out beautifully, but she obviously thought otherwise. (She’s very conservative. Oops.) But what’s a bachelorette party without a penis cake?

-Julia Fuino