Saturday, December 14, 2024

Bloody Andrew Jackson, Broadway Rock Star; Hair Star on TV

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The big sensation on Broadway right now? Benjamin Walker, star of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.” Imagine if you Green Day explaining post war of 1812 politics to their fans. That is this very unique punk rock musical. Walker brings his Andrew Jackson from off Broadway along with a talented cast who bring to life–for better or worse–such heralded folk heroes as Presidents Monroe and Madison, Martin van Buren, and John C. Calhoun.

Jackson, you know, was a hero to some and a villain to others–like the Indians, now known as Native Americans, whom he killed viciously and by the thousands. It’s all in the show, warts and all.

John Quincy Adams, the George W. Bush of his day, stole Jackson’s first election–Jackson got the popular vote, Adams the electoral–so the play is topical and timely. Walker has all the makings of star quality. You can see why he was the first choice for “X Men: First Class.” But sticking with this show will do more for him than an “X Men” movie. We’ll see him in films soon enough…PS “Glee” should do an “Andrew Jackson” cross over. It’s perfect for them…

HAIR RAISING REALITY

About a year ago I met Amoy Pitters by accident. She was checking out space for her new beauty salon on the Upper East Side. Now, of course, she has her own reality show on Oxygen and it’s a hit. “House of Glam” runs on Tuesday nights. Amoy’s clientele includes, most recently, Alexa Ray Joel. (She liked Amoy so much she promised to send mom Christie Brinkley in, as well.) But she’s also got everyone from Alicia Keys to Naomi Campbell to Kelly Rutherford of “Gossip Girl.” Amoy and her team — called the B Lynn Group–B. Lynn Group—  Brandi, Crystal, Atiba, Groovey, Mike, Michiko, and Shaun; travel the red carpet circuit making everyone look better. I wish I had enough hair to require their help. But they’re a hit in the increasingly eclectic world of entrepreneurs turned TV stars…

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.

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