Tonys: ‘Kinky Boots’ Vs. ‘Matilda’

April 30th, 2013 | Posted by James K in Theatre - (0 Comments)

Tonys: Kinky Boots Vs. Matilda

The 2013 Tony Award nominations were announced on Tuesday. Some highlights:

  • Kinky Boots (13 nominations) and Matilda: The Musical (12) will battle for Best Musical. “Kinky Boots” is based on the 2005 British movie about a real-life shoe factory that struggles until it finds new life making fetish footwear. Cyndi Lauper songs and story by Harvey Fierstein. “Matilda: The Musical” is the witty, dark musical adaptation of the novel by Roald Dahl that is still running in London.
  • The four girls who rotate as the “Matilda” lead — Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro — were deemed ineligible for a lead actress nomination.
  • Tom Hanks earned a best actor nod for playing gutsy New York City newspaper columnist Mike McAlary in the late Nora Ephron’s Lucky Guy, the favorite for best play. Hanks’ competition includes Nathan Lane and David Hyde Pierce.
  • Hollywood stars Bette Midler, Jessica Chastain, Al Pacino, Katie Holmes and Scarlett Johansson did not receive — and probably did not deserve — nominations.

(more…)

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Cirque du Soleil Readies ‘Michael Jackson ONE’

February 22nd, 2013 | Posted by James K in Theatre - (0 Comments)

28bbb1c0661b32062a0f6a706700cb36 Cirque du Soleil Readies Michael Jackson ONE

Cirque du Soleil announced Thursday that the company’s newest show will be called “Michael Jackson ONE.” The show at Mandalay Bay and will start preview performances May 23. It will officially premiere June 29.

The show is the second collaboration between the acrobatic company and Jackson’s estate. The first production was the traveling show, “Michael Jackson: Immortal World Tour.”

From the show’s website:

A theatrical evocation of Michael’s creative genius. Guided and inspired by his music, four misfits set out on a transformative adventure. By journey’s end, they will personify Michael’s agility, courage, playfulness and love.”

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GLAAD Noms: ‘Glee,’ Ocean, ‘Perks,’ ‘L.A. Complex’

January 16th, 2013 | Posted by James K in Film | Media | Music | News | Television | Theatre - (0 Comments)

earth 2 2 570x263 GLAAD Noms: Glee, Ocean, Perks, L.A. Complex

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced the nominations for its 24th annual GLAAD Media Awards on Wednesday. Much praiseworthy work. Everyone on the list is a winner.

GLAAD president Herndon Graddick said in a statement announcing the nominees:

Images and stories from the LGBT community continue to push support for equality to historic levels. This year’s nominees enlighten and entertain, but also reflect a new American landscape where a growing majority accept and value their LGBT family, colleagues and friends. Now more than ever, viewers not only accept gay and transgender characters and plot lines, they expect them — just as they both accept and expect LGBT people to be a valuable part of their everyday lives.”

All the nominations in 25 categories.

(more…)

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‘Flashdance’ Steps Up To Broadway

September 4th, 2012 | Posted by James K in Film | Theatre - (0 Comments)

Flashdance+The+Musical 570x367 Flashdance Steps Up To Broadway

The stage adaptation of “Flashdance,” the 1983 hit movie about a working-class Pittsburgh girl with dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer is bound for Broadway in August 2013.

Sergio Trujillo, the choreographer of “Jersey Boys,” ”The Addams Family” and “Memphis,” will direct and choreograph “Flashdance — The Musical.”

It features a book by Robert Cary and original screenplay co-writer Tom Hedley, music by Robbie Roth and lyrics by Cary and Roth.

Producers say it has been “substantially rewritten and completely restaged” following its short-lived debut in London in 2010. A separate company will begin a national tour in January 2013 in Pittsburgh.

Flashdance The Musical

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Mama Mia! Spice Girls Launch West End Musical

June 26th, 2012 | Posted by James K in Music | Theatre - (0 Comments)

image1 570x437 Mama Mia! Spice Girls Launch West End Musical

Is this what the world wants… really, really wants?

Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell announced that the show — titled “Viva Forever!” — will open at London’s Piccadilly Theatre on Dec. 11.”Absolutely Fabulous” co-creator Jennifer Saunders is the writer. Judy Craymer, producer of Abba musical “Mamma Mia!,” is the producer.

Storyline:

Tells the story of a beautiful, talented girl and her best friends who get swept up in the obsession of today’s TV celebrity culture. As she follows her dream, the musical charts her journey into the world of overnight fame and its impact on her relationships with her mother and the friends she thought she’d have forever. From London to Spain and back again, as they confront the bitter reality of fame and as the world judges her, she and her mother learn to empower themselves and be who they really want to be.’

Website: http://www.vivaforeverthemusical.com/

 

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‘Once’ Again And Again At Tony Awards

June 11th, 2012 | Posted by James K in Theatre - (0 Comments)

70392040 570x361 Once Again And Again At Tony Awards

Highlights of Sunday’s Tony Awards:

  • Once won eight awards, including top musical.
  • Bruce Norris’ Clybourne Park, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play about race and real estate, won best play.
  • The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess was named best musical revival.
  • Audra McDonald (Porgy and Bess) won her fifth Tony Award, tying the competitive record held by Angela Lansbury and Julie Harris.
  • Three-time host Neil Patrick Harris was charming as usual.

Check out these posts:

EW: Winners, nominees

AfterElton: Top moments

 

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‘Once’ Cast Performs On Letterman

March 30th, 2012 | Posted by James K in Television | Theatre - (0 Comments)

once broadway 546x384 Once Cast Performs On Letterman

The cast of Broadway’s “Once” appeared Thursday night on “Late Show With David Letterman” to perform “Falling Slowly.” It was sensational. Take a listen.

‘Once’ Cast Performs on Letterman

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