Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Harry Connick’s Talk Show Cancelled, But He Knew: Singer Opens in “The Sting” Musical Next Month Heading to Broadway

Share

Don’t cry for Harry Connick, Jr. Today his talk show was cancelled, although it will still run into the summer. Harry’s show reminded me of late comic David Brenner’s show in the 80s– lots of amazing musical performances that I hope are preserved somewhere.

But Harry– he’s doing fine. Last week– “coincidentally”– it was announced that Connick would star in the musical version of the Oscar winning film, “The Sting.” The musical opens in late March at the Paper Mill Playhouse, where it will get a try out before either a national tour or a New York run in the fall.

What did you think was going to happen when you read that news? That Harry was going to do both the musical and the talk show. Not possible. And wait– it won’t be long before they ask him back to “American Idol” once the new version hits.

Connick was last on Broadway in a terrible show– a revival of “On a Clear Day.” That’s best forgotten. “The Sting” has an excellent team– Bob Martin from “The Drowsy Chaperone” wrote the book, the music is from the guys who did “Urinetown.” That show’s director, John Rando, is in charge and Warren Carlyle is choreographer. I hope we see some great dance numbers on the floor of that illegal betting hall.

My late great friend Julia Phillips produced the movie, “The Sting,” and won an Oscar. I hope she’s smiling from heaven that the project she killed to get made is having a new life.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
spot_img

Read more

In Other News