Friday, October 4, 2024

Broadway: Shonda Rhimes Gives Her Name to Kerry Washington’s “American Son,” Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous” Almost a Musical

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Broadway is bursting with news this morning.

First of all, Cameron Crowe‘s Oscar nominated 2000 movie “Almost Famous” is being turned into a musical. Crowe is writing the book, Tom Kitt is writing the songs with Crowe. They’ll have to use some existing songs, too, like Elton John‘s “Tiny Dancer” for the bus sing along. Jeremy Herrin, from the UK, is set to be the director. From his credits, I can’t figure out why. Note to Cameron: there has to be a song called “Rock Stars Have Kidnapped My Son” sung by the mother.

Bigger news: Kerry Washington has called in the big guns to Executive Produce her play, “American Sons.” Shonda Rhimes, who produced Kerry’s hit TV show, “Scandal,” has added her name over the title on the marquee. So have Jada Pinkett Smith, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwyane Wade, Steve Stoute and Nnamdi Asomugha.

The great Kenny Leon directs “American Son” a new play by Christopher Demos-Brown opening November 4th. Stephen Pasquale plays Washington’s estranged husband. The couple waits in a Miami police station for news of their teen son, who’s been pulled over by police. Notices from the initial production were strong, with reviewers citing the last 30 minutes of the 90 minute drama. Sounds like it’s a two acter-with no intermission. Let’s cross our fingers. We need new plays desperately!

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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