December 3rd, 2009
Amy Morton (center) with Melanie Lynskey and George Clooney in "Up in the Air"photo by Dale Robinette
Amy Morton, Tony Award nominee for her turn in August: Osage County , trades in her former Oklahoma dysfunctional family for the Wisconsin-based one in the new film “Up in the Air.”
The Paramount Pictures feature film starring George Clooney opens in select cities Dec. 4 before spreading to a wide release on Dec. 25. Jason Reitman directs his and Sheldon Turner’s screenplay.
In the R-rated film, Morton plays one of two siblings (along with Melanie Lynskey) who are somewhat estranged from their forever-flying brother (Clooney) who fires people for a living. Stage veteran J.K. Simmons also makes an appearance in the film as one of the termination victims.
Morton directed the current Steppenwolf Theatre Company revival of David Mamet’s American Buffalo playing at the Chicago stage. The man who provided the actress with her Tony-nommed role — playwright Tracy Letts — stars in her staging with Francis Guinan and Patrick Andrews. (More at steppenwolf.org )
For more information on “Up in the Air” visit TheUpInTheAirMovie.com .
— Ernio Hernandez
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December 3rd, 2009
“American Idol” finalist Adam Lambert, who was part of the national tour of Wicked , is learning that no provocative deed goes unpunished.
After airing his racy finale at the American Music Awards Nov. 22, ABC television (whose parent company is the family-friendly Disney Corporation) cancelled Lambert’s Nov. 25 appearance on “Good Morning America.” Other networks jumped at the chance to welcome the male pop belter in place of “GMA.”
In a new turn of events, ABC has also nixed Lambert’s late-night appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”
Lambert broke the news on his Twitter page, telling fans, “don’t blame them. It’s the FCC heat.” NBC’s Jay Leno will feature Lambert in the near future, and other New Year’s Eve plans are currently underway.
— Adam Hetrick
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December 3rd, 2009
One week after hitting a season low in ratings, the FOX dramedy “Glee” has rebounded by hitting a season high in both viewers and the crucial 18-49 demographic.
Last night’s episode, in which an ongoing storyline centering on the show’s main character came to a head, was seen by 8.2 million viewers and garnered a 3.6 rating in the 18-49 demo, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Against lighter-than-usual competition – reruns of “Modern Family,” “Cougar Town,” “Law & Order: SVU” plus a Grammy nominations concert – “Glee” came first in the 18-49 demo for its time slot.
The Dec. 2 episode of the music-filled show starring Broadway’s Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele featured two versions of the song “Smile” (Lily Allen and Charlie Chaplin’s) – as well as Van Halen’s “Jump.”
Next week’s show is the fall season’s finale, and it will feature the songs “My Life Would Suck Without You,” “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”
— Andrew Ku
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December 3rd, 2009
Manhattanites are notorious for not leaving their beloved island, but the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA, is hoping to lure some theatre lovers up the coast this weekend for a package of Shakespeare-inspired shows.
A.R.T., now under the artistic direction of Tony-nominated Hair director Diane Paulus, has divvied up its season into separate festivals of themed programming. The first, Shakespeare Exploded , celebrates new works inspired by the Bard.
Current productions include The Donkey Show (the disco spin on Midsummer ), Best of Both Worlds (an R&B/gospel rendition of Winter’s Tale ) and Sleep No More (a haunting theatrical experience inspired by Macbeth ).
A.R.T. is offering New Yorkers the chance to catch all three shows, and the opportunity to book VIP packages at the Charles Hotel and enjoy meals at some of the Boston area’s best restaurants, including La Morra and Henrietta’s Table.
Additional programming includes panel discussions with Paulus, Marjorie Garber and Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis. A reading of Robert Brustein’s new play Mortal Terror will also be presented.
Visit American Repertory Theater. Adam Hetrick
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December 2nd, 2009
In the Heights debuted this heartwarming video exactly one year ago, and we think that makes it the perfect occasion to repost this Youtube clip starring Heights fan Nicholas Dayton. Kudos to Lin-Manuel Miranda and the cast and crew of In the Heights for this reminder of holiday season cheer and goodwill.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Nicholas Dayton and Marcy Harriell
Click here to view the video .
— Andrew Ku
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December 2nd, 2009
Authorities in Shanghai closed down a production of David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly Nov. 27 after Chinese authorities stated the production was being performed without a license.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the Zuloo Theatre was presenting Hwang’s Tony Award-winning play that centers on a Chinese man disguised as a woman, who takes a French civil servant as a lover. The drama also takes aim at the suffocating Chinese government.
The Telegraph stated that a mainly expatriate crowd of 150 attended what would be the final performance. Police entered the Ke Center for Contemporary Art in Shanghai and announced that the production would have to cease performances immediately. M. Butterfly began performances Nov. 25 and was scheduled to conclude Nov. 29.
Local jazz performer Coco Zhao starred as Peking Opera diva Song Liling opposite Mark Richard Edwards as Rene Gallimard.
— Adam Hetrick
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December 2nd, 2009
There's a real "Mickey-Judy-let's-put-on-a-show" exuberance percolating over at the theatre-district Italian eatery Orso these days where, at night and matinee times, three of its staff are missing.
To name the not-Names-yet: general manager Kevin Albert, bartender Cheryl Orsini and waiter Simon MacLean. During this bewitching time, all three can be found where their hearts are — on stage, three blocks south from the 46th Street restaurant, performing S.N. Behrman’s Biography at Theatre 3 at the Mint, through Dec. 19.
They’re producing it, too — so they’ve made it happen for them. “We don’t just talk about it — we did it,” Orsini said. “That’s the difference, I think — a large difference.”
Read the rest of this entry »
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December 2nd, 2009
She dreamed a dream, indeed.
“Britain’s Got Talent” runner-up Susan Boyle, who became an overnight sensation with her rendition of the Les Miserables ballad “I Dreamed a Dream,” has taken the number one spot in this week’s Billboard 200 chart.
The 48-year-old Scottish singer’s new CD, also titled “I Dreamed a Dream,” sold 701,000 copies during its first week, according to Billboard.com. The recording, which also includes “Cry Me a River” and “Wild Horses,” sold the most units in its first week of any album released in 2009. The previous record holder of the year was Eminem, whose “Relapse” sold 608,000 in its first week.
In related news, “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert, whose CD “For Your Entertainment” was also released Nov. 23, debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart. The much-in-the-news Lambert sold 198,000 copies in his first week. For those keeping track, “Idol” winner Kris Allen sold 80,000 copies of his self-titled CD in the first week of release.
— Andrew Gans
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December 2nd, 2009
“Every Little Step,” the documentary about the 2006 revival of Michael Bennett’s groundbreaking musical A Chorus Line , is on the Academy Awards short list for Best Documentary.
James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo directed and produced the 93-minute documentary that is contending with 15 other films for the five coveted nomination slots, according to Variety.
The official nominations will be announced Feb. 2, 2010, in anticipation of the March 7, 2010, Academy Awards presentation at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.
Much like the 1975 Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that it examines, “Every Little Step” follows the casting process of the 2006 Broadway revival of A Chorus Line , offering highlights of auditions and interviews with members of the original Broadway cast and creative team. John Breglio served as executive producer of “Every Little Step.”
Baayork Lee told Playbill.com, “I was thrilled to be the choreographer of this revival, and to appear in this wonderfully crafted film. It is the the truth and nothing but the truth of what goes on at my A Chorus Line auditions. I have been carrying out this process for 35 years and to have it filmed for the world to see makes our show so special. To see what goes on every day in a performer’s life is exhilarating and at the same time heartbreaking, especially if you go home without a contract. But that’s exactly what our show is all about. The filmmakers did a great job in weaving the original material with the new generation auditioning with the same material. And to see the archival footage of Michael Bennett and Bob Avian is still so inspiring. I am proud it is on the selected list and keeping my fingers crossed for the next step of the five to be nominated.”
Click here to view the trailer and visit the official website of the film .
— Adam Hetrick
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December 1st, 2009
Nine , the $80.5 million musical remake of Federico Fellini's "8½," will be weighing in at this year's Academy Award race with seven past Oscar winners on board, so it was logical that the press would ask where they stash their statuettes.
“In the library,” Sophia Loren responded routinely in a “doesn’t everyone?” tone.
Nicole Kidman said that she doesn’t keep her prize around the house to clutter up things. “My mom has it on her mantle in her house in Sydney,” the actress relayed.
Penelope Cruz, the newest recruit of the goldenized girls, said, “I have it in my house in Spain, and I still haven’t found the right place for it,” she admitted, “but, for the first month after I won it, I was so excited about it that I took it everywhere with me. I took it — this is true — I took it to the beach one day.”
Not the most ideal of beach toys, opted Loren: “It’s very heavy, and it doesn’t float.”
The whereabouts of the little gold men that were given to Daniel Day-Lewis (twice for him), Marion Cotillard and Judi Dench have yet to be determined.
— Harry Haun
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Amy Morton (center) with Melanie Lynskey and George Clooney in "Up in the Air"photo by Dale Robinette 
