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

Susan Boyle: The Musical

March 28th, 2012 | Posted by James K in Theatre - (0 Comments)

69077240 546x353 Susan Boyle: The Musical

“I Dreamed A Dream,” a musical based on the life of singer Susan Boyle, premiered Tuesday in Newcastle. Critics and fans love it.

Dominic Cavendish of the Daily Telegraph gave it five stars:

In matching the gutsy good humor of its heroine without stooping to hagiography, this is a delight that deserves to go far, and fast, as she has done.”

Boyle is played by Rab C Nesbitt actress Elaine C Smith. Boyle comes on stage for the finale.

Jimmy Stewart Would Be Proud

March 23rd, 2012 | Posted by James K in Theatre - (0 Comments)

harveykey art tagline 546x705 Jimmy Stewart Would Be Proud

Jim Parsons looks perfect for the Jimmy Stewart role in this cool poster — from EW — for the revival of Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1944 comedy, “Harvey.” “The Big Bang Theory” Emmy winner will play Elwood P. Dowd, an affable man whose best friend is a giant fairy rabbit.

Harvey, which opens at Studio 54 on June 14, also stars Jessica Hecht, Charles Kimbrough, Larry Bryggman, Carol Kane, Peter Benson, Tracee Chimo, Holley Fain, Angela Paton, Rich Sommer, and Morgan Spector. Scott Ellis will direct.

r ANIMAL HOUSE large570 546x227 Animal House Coming To Broadway

Break out the togas. The classic 1978 college comedy is making the leap to musical theater.

“Animal House: The Musical” will feature an original score by the band Barenaked Ladies, with direction and choreography by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw, who also directed “The Book of Mormon” and “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

Michael Mitnick will write the libretto for the stage production, making music of such famous lines as: “Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son.”

The 1978 film’s cast included John Belushi, Tom Hulce, Bruce McGill, Tim Matheson, Stephen Furst and Karen Allen.

634613570804426769 jackman houdini 546x409 Jackman, Sorkin Team For Houdini Musical

Who better to play the legendary magician?

It’s official: Hugh Jackman will return to Broadway for the 2013-14 season in “Houdini.”

I have been deeply fascinated by the life of Harry Houdini since I was young, and in many ways I’ve been preparing for this role my whole life. I am thrilled to be collaborating with this collection of artists who are all at the top of their game.”

Aaron Sorkin will make his Broadway debut as librettist for “Houdini,” which will also include music and lyrics from Stephen Schwartz. Jack O’Brien will direct.

Rather than being a biography, “Houdini” will tell the story of a battle that took place between the world’s greatest illusionist and a trio of women, known as “Spiritualists,” who convinced millions of people that they could communicate with the dead.

JP’s List: November 2011

November 21st, 2011 | Posted by JP in Articles | DVD | Theatre - (0 Comments)

Griff the Invisible
DVD
Vivendi Entertainment

Ryan Kwanten stars in this wonderfully quirky little film about an ordinary man who has secret super powers. I loved it at Sundance and am most pleased to add the Blu-ray to my library.

The Last Bookstore
Visit them here
Downtown LA
1 546x190 JPs List: November 2011
I’m obsessed. More on that here.

(more…)

Levinson, Crow Turn ‘Diner’ Into Musical

September 21st, 2011 | Posted by James K in Film | Theatre - (0 Comments)

6a00d8341c630a53ef015391c18de1970b 600wi e1316622154295 Levinson, Crow Turn Diner Into Musical

We’re trying to imagine “Diner,” Barry Levinson’s classic 1982 movie, as a Broadway musical.

The idea has been floating around for years, and now it’s a reality. Book by Levinson. Music and lyrics by Sheryl Crow. Set to open in New York next fall.

Levinson told the Baltimore Sun:

I couldn’t see doing it without it having a dramatic spine. I thought it still needed to be comedic-dramatic or dramatic-comedic, and not like ‘Grease’ or something. But then, how do you deal with the music? I just felt it needed a certain kind of sound, not just a ‘Broadway sound’ — that would dwarf the piece.”

Levinson, who has been collaborating with Crow for about two years, said he found her style ideally suited to the project.

I had always liked her stuff. And when I viewed it with this in mind, it started to click. She had a really good understanding of the material and the music. Sheryl’s music has a great range to it, and that’s one of the interesting things about ‘Diner’ and 1959. The music of the time was not all rock ‘n’ roll.”

The film, set in Baltimore on Christmas 1959, explores the lives of a circle of friends in their early 20s. It starred Steve Guttenberg, Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Paul Reiser, Tim Daly, Daniel Stern and Ellen Barkin.

Before it arrives on Broadway, the musical version will be mounted over the summer at a location still to be announced. It will be directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall.