Scratch Billy Crystal from the list of potential Oscar hosts. He’s got other things to do.
Crystal is opening the musical based on his film, “Mr. Saturday Night,” with previews starting two days after the Academy Awards on March 29th. I have fingers crossed on this one. Music is by Jason Robert Brown and lyrics are from the amazing Amanda Green. John Rando is directing.
The big headline is that David Paymer has joined the cast. Paymer grabbed an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor when the original movie was released in 1993. Paymer and Crystal have a long working relationship. They worked together on Crystal’s “City Slickers” movies, too.
I sure hope gets a set off credit, and “And David Paymer.”
The rest of the cast includes Randy Graff, Shoshana Bean, Jordan Gelber, Brian Gonzales and Mylinda Hull.
“Mr. Saturday Night” is the story of Buddy Young Jr., an outrageous and outspoken comedian who found fame, if not fortune, in the early days of television. Now, some 40 years after his TV career flamed out, Buddy seeks one more shot at the spotlight, and while he’s at it, one last shot at fixing the family he fractured along the way.
“Mr. Saturday Night” opens April 27th, right at the deadline for Tony Awards eligibility.
