The buzz is growing for The TomKat Project, a bare-bones stage show running through April 24 at the Playground Theater in Chicago. Scientology watcher Tony Ortega let his readers know about it this morning and Tribune theater critic Nina Metz has just given the production a “Genius” rave:

It matters very little that Brianna Baker bears no meaningful resemblance to either Oprah Winfrey or Cruise attorney Bert Fields; she inhabits both with real skill and technique. This might be the best Winfrey impression I’ve seen, one that doesn’t overplay its hand but perfectly embodies her vocal tics and regal self-regard.

The Brandon Ogborn script sources media coverage of Cruise and Holmes from 1998 through 2012 to skewer celebrity journalism as much as it does Scientology. Ortega’s tipster, Synthia Fagen, says that Ogborn has told her there may be some interest from Comedy Central. [Editor's note: Please see reader comments below.]

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Lil’ Meat Pie In The Oven: Reporter Mark Salisbury is a lot less grossed-out than we are that Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter conceived their newborn daughter while filming Sweeney Todd, a movie in which she plays a baker who stuffs meat pies with human flesh.

Oprah-In-Chief: Columnist Tina Daunt has been busy this campaign season with her Cause Celebre column, which reports about the intersection between Hollywood and politics. Today’s was particularly fun. In it, we learned that people openly acknowledge Oprah’s “power and influence on the American culture” and feel free to take her to task when she appears to “abuse” it. Daunt ends her column with a suggestion (made by Brad Pitt) that George Clooney should run for president — but apparently Oprah is already a lock.

Peer Pressure: So which pretty young thing hasn’t been arrested this year on DUI charges? Suri Cruise, we’re waiting.