The CD isn’t out yet, but you can stream David Byrne’s extraordinary Broadway production, “American Utopia,” right now on Spotify. I haven’t stopped thinking about this remarkable show. What a treat that we can stream the music. But you have to see it in person, with the striking choreography. Jonathan Demme directed the documentary, “Stop Making Sense,” and he’s probably kvelling from heaven.
Stephen Daldry Readies 6 Hour “Inheritance” for New York Debut, But His Heart is with South African Theater Troupe
Stephen Daldry, known for directing such films as “Billy Elliot,” “The Hours,” and “The Reader,” and Netflix’s “The Crown,” seems most proud of his twenty years of work with the Isango Ensemble from Capetown, South Africa.
The performers, from “one of the poorest places on earth,” said Daldry by way of introducing them at a fundraiser this week, have just finished one leg of a multi-city tour, a production of “Aesop’s Fables” at the New Victory Theater. So on Sunday, Daldry — preparing for the opening next week of “The Inheritance” — the six hour already-raved about play he is now directing on Broadway — invited theater friends to meet them for a drink and have a little mini show at the Westin Hotel ballroom. The lucky few included a who’s who of the theater world: Tyne Daly, William Ivey Long, Martha Plimpton, Gina Gershon, Brenda Vaccaro, Israel Horovitz among them.
Daldry has been working with Isango for twenty years, as has his associate, director Mark Dornford-May, who said, after Apartheid ended, no one had a plan for blacks: “I went there to produce a play and fell in love. We want to ensure that young people know, you can be an artist and tell black stories the way they should be told.” “Aesop” is one of many works the ensemble performs. Their “Magic Flute” won an Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. The crowd laughed, wondering what Mozart would think of that, as the voices threatened to break all glassware at the party.
The charming “Aesop’s Fables” stars a young man, Sithosethu Hintsho, in the title role as the slave who rises to freedom learning lessons from observing animals. Mark Dornford-May said, he’s been in the ensemble for 3 years, since he was 12. Before that, life was grim for him. His father had been shot; his mother died of AIDS. Now on a world tour with this stunning troupe, he is smiling bright, and it’s not just an act.
Tonight, Isango hits Boston, and next week Toronto. I have a feeling, though, we’ll be seeing them again in New York soon.
Miramax Reunion as Ben Affleck Signs to Star in Robert Rodriguez Movie From Mark Gill’s Solstice Studios
Well, it’s just like the old days. Except, a little bit different.
Ben Affleck, who came to stardom in Miramax’s “Good Will Hunting” will star in a new movie from Robert Rodriguez, a long time Miramax favorite director. Mark Gill, who was president during Miramax’s heyday, will produce with his company, Solstice.
The only person missing is Harvey Weinstein, who invented all these people. He is otherwise engaged.
“Hypnotic” is described as an “action thriller written by Rodriguez and Max Borenstein (. The film follows a detective (Affleck) who becomes entangled in a mystery involving his missing daughter and a secret government program–while investigating a string of impossible high-end heists.
Rodriguez, Studio 8 CEO Jeff Robinov and his colleagues Guy Danella & John Graham will produce the film with Solstice, which will spearhead US distribution and international sales beginning at the AFM this week.
Chelsea Clinton Coming to Off Broadway (Actually to Chelsea-Clinton) with Musical Based on Her Children’s Book
Chelsea Clinton is coming to off Broadway. And in fact in the neighborhood of Chelsea Clinton.
The daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton wrote a children’s book called “She Persisted.” Now it’s been turned into a musical for the Atlantic Theater Company on West 20th St., which is the borderline between Chelsea and Clinton. Adam Tobin wrote book and lyrics, music is from Deborah Wicks LaPuma.
The musical for children, “She Persisted,” will run from February 22nd to March 15th, 2020. Can you imagine that opening night? Secret Service whispering into cuffs while little kids scoot around.
The book features famous women who persisted until they succeeded, including Chelsea’s mom, plus Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Virginia Apgar, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, Margaret Chase Smith, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Oprah Winfrey, and Sonia Sotomayor. So we can imagine actresses will be hired to play one or two of those roes.
Ghoulish, Foolish, or Both? Icon James Dean, Who Was Slight and Short, to Be Revived via CGI in Vietnam War Film as Menacing Character “Tall and Heavily Built”
This is ghoulish and foolish. It’s also greedy.
Movie icon James Dean– dead since 1955 at the age of 24– will appear in a new movie called “Finding Jack.” His family and estate have allowed his likeness to be recreated via computer graphics. They’ve sold old James Dean out.
This will become an ugly precedent for lowlife filmmakers and avaricious family members who want to make money off their dead celebrity relative.
This has been done already, for “Star Wars,” with Carrie Fisher, but that’s an exception. She was the star of the movies and was in the process of finishing them when she passed away.
But to now take James Dean’s likeness means we aren’t far from having the return of Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and the rest of them. It’s a hideous thought. I guess the whole dead singer-hologram business provoked this idea as well. That, too, is reprehensible.
The producers of this movie say only James Dean could play this part. What a crock. “Dean” will play Rogan, a secondary character in “Finding Jack.” In the novel, this is his description: “From a physical perspective, few men registered a more imposing presence than Reagan Brock. Although tall and heavily built, he was not the largest man in Vietnam, but there was something unsettling behind his stare. There was a sense of raw aggression lurking behind the dark centers of his eyes. His shaven head and pitted face added additional threat to his appearance.”
James Dean was 5 foot 7 on a good day, and about 138 pounds. He had a full head of hair that added an inch or two to his height. It’s laughable to think he’d play this character. He was tiny.
Get this: Film Producer (Little One, Momentum) and co-director Anton Ernst says “We searched high and low for the perfect character to portray the role of Rogan, which has some extreme complex character arcs, and after months of research, we decided on James Dean. We feel very honored that his family supports us and will take every precaution to ensure that his legacy as one of the most epic film stars to date is kept firmly intact. The family views this as his fourth movie, a movie he never got to make. We do not intend to let his fans down.” Ernst continues “Our partners in South Africa are very excited about this, as this technology would also be employed down the line to recreate historical icons such as Nelson Mandela to tell stories of cultural heritage significance.”
If Nelson Mandela’s family allows such a thing to happen, then everything is over.
Watch Dolly Parton, Nile Rodgers Make Music History When They Combine Disco and Country on “Nine to Five”
Country superstar was honored last night by Nile Rodgers’ We Are Family Foundation at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. WAFF founder Nancy Hunt introduced them, and boy oh boy it was something else when disco met country. It has to be a first. Nile and his legendary disco outfit Chic played Dolly’s “Nine to Five” and “I Will Always Love You” just as if they were at the Grand Ol’ Opry. Then Nile and Chic went on to play their greatest hits for the audience including famed French designer Jean Paul Gaultier.
Gaultier, who was also honored, made a beautiful speech about love and acceptance. He also said that we should fight ageism. If you listen closely, Dolly– who is never anything but authentic and hilarious– says she’s against wrinkles! (She’s had a lot of plastic surgery.)
Nile and Nancy started WAFF in 2001 right after the 9-11 attacks. First it was a “Live Aid”-type video, but now they are building schools and helping people — especially young people — all over the world. The annual Hammerstein gala is an event now, and there wasn’t an empty seat in the packed house. Guests were twirling and bopping to “Let’s Dance,” “Le Freak,” and “We Are Family” all night. Quite an accomplishment! And Dolly got to meet Jean Paul. Nothing will ever be the same!
Kudos as usual to Jeni Stepanek, PhD who brings her Peace Club and Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation every year despite being in a wheelchair and ventilator as she fights a rare neuromuscular disease. The foundation is named for son Mattie who died at age 14 in 2004 from a similar disease. Jeni Stepanek is completely amazing– check out their foundation, too.
Jane Fonda Brought Her Climate Change Battle to “The View” Today, Watch This Remarkable Conversation
Jane Fonda brought her climate change battle to “The View” and had a remarkable conversation with the ladies. Fonda spent Friday night in jail last weekend and may do the same this Friday after another arrest in Washington for civil disobedience. If someone else were in the White House she’d get the Presdential Medal of Freedom.
Watch:
PEN America Goes West for LitFest, Celebrates Toni Morrison, Songwriter Diane Warren, Attorney Ted Boutrous
PEN America — traditionally thought of as a New York group– went west last Friday to Hollywood. Their annual had its LitFest Gala took place at the the Beverly Wilshire Hotel mixing celebrity flash with serious issues.
The PEN America Distinguished Leadership Award was presented to attorney Theodore J. Boutrous– a champion of free speech who defends the rights of journalists — by none other than comedian Kathy Griffin.
Kathy noted, “I am very honored to be here since my Trump scandal two years ago. I’m not a comedy snob, if you are in comedy, I think you are derelict in your duty if you don’t address this administration at all. I’ve never seen anything like it, I’m going to 59 next week. Hey does anyone here have Mark Zuckerberg’s phone number? I need to call that piece of shit. And how about Sheryl Fuckerberg? Lean back in bitch.”
Kathy went on to extoll Boutrous, who she said has helped her “stay out of jail.” She then recounted a story about Salman Rushdie who was targeted for years with death threats and a fatwa. “He was on my old show, ‘My Life On The D List’ one time and he told me as a joke that one day there will be a fatwa on my head. There fucking is!” Kathy then told the sobering story of how she was under investigation by the US Attorney’s Office and the Secret Service. She also said, “that I haven’t a paid day of work in 2 ½ years since this happened. So, if you think it can’t happen to you, let me tell you, it can.”
Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America got the night started and stated emphatically that free speech in under attack by a poisonous political environment. “Words are being drained of their meaning. The opposite of truth is deceit. And deceit and misinformation cheapen the value of words. Deceit is becoming normalized. We have a President that uses a wink and a nod to encourage his supporters to rough up journalists, and a White House menacing reporters and press outlets. That’s why PEN America has filed a lawsuit against the President.”
Ten time Oscar nominee Diane Warren was presented the Artistic Expression Award, for all her songs including many that provide fighting words for people who need an anthem. “This Is Us” actress Chrissy Metz performed Warren’s possibly 11th nominated song, “I’m Standing With You,” from the movie, “Breakthrough.” Diane gave a heartfelt speech about how songs can become anthems for movements and be embraced by activists.
Julie K. Brown, who broke the Jeffrey Epstein story in the Miami Herald, noted that “Epstein got away with his crime because nearly every element of society allowed him to get away with it. No one said anything. The people in the criminal justice system worked in concert with Epstein’s people to cover up his crimes and shielded him.” Brown went on to explain that Epstein “is only a symptom” and talked about the huge problem of human trafficking.
“This Is Us” actress Susan Kelechi-Watson presented the Award for Screenplay Excellence to Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster for their “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood,” in which she shines. The team behind the Netflix hit “Unbelievable” — Susannah Grant, Michael Chabon, Ayelet Waldman, Sarah Timberman — received the Award for Television Excellence. LeVar Burton delivered an eloquent and moving tribute to literary giant, Toni Morrison.
Blair Underwood gave his longtime friend filmmaker Ava DuVernay passionate as ever, received the Voice of Influence Award. “To write, to create, to hold space, to represent and to establish representation for others. To do these things, especially at this time, is a radical act.”
PEN America protects open expression in the United States and around the world. Kudos to Michelle Franke, the Executive Director of PEN America’s Los Angeles office, Tracey Kardash PEN’s Deputy Director of Development, Bonnie Abaunza, PEN Member and Gala Committee member. PEN America, is a vital organization that defends free expression, supports persecuted writers, and promotes literary culture. Long may they continue!
Great News: “Good Wife” Star Julianna Margulies Joining the Fifth Season Cast of “Billions,” Along with Corey Stoll
Ask me what the best TV news could be and I can announce it: Julianna Margulies is joining the cast of Showtime’s “Billions” for its fifth season. She’s going to play Catherine Brant, an Ivy League sociology professor and bestselling author.
Corey Stoll is also joining the show as Michael Prince, a billionaire from Indiana. This is also good news. Showtime is obviously paying for talent.
Julianna’s character will likely be a romantic partner for Damien Lewis’s Bobby Axelrod. I’m sorry if that means Nina Arianda’s gone, but Bobby really destroyed their relationship last season. Arianda should have gotten an Emmy award, but Showtime can’t seem to get any accolades for this great, great show. It’s the weirdest mystery of the Emmys: why some shows are just removed from the running with no explanation. “The Wire” was the same way.
I ran into Margulies a couple of weeks ago when she co-hosted Project ALS with Ben Stiller. She really had no immediate plans when we spoke, so this must be a new deal. She’s one of our best actresses, and I can’t wait to see her on my guilty pleasure show.
Sunday Cable Ratings: Kardashians Are the Walking Dead, Both Shows Hit All Time Lows As Viewers Exit En Masse
You could say the Kardashians are the Walking Dead, ratings-wise.
On Sunday night, both “The Walking Dead” and “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” hit ratings all time lows.
The biggest surprise is that “Walking Dead” fell to just 3 million viewers (3.086 mil), down 300,000 fans from last week. The once proud AMC series is skidding to an ignominious end. AMC should wrap it up now. But they won’t.
The K’s were down to just 764,000 fans, losing between 150K and 200K viewers in one week. (Last week was 916K.) Not even Kanye’s hit album has helped them.
Both shows air at 9pm which leaves the question, what are people watching on cable at that hour? From 8 to 10pm they’re watching Hallmark Channel’s latest Christmas movie. But otherwise, they are not watching cable really. They’re tuning in to football on the networks or taking in Netflix et al.
It’s entirely possible, based on the trend for both shows, that each will hit really low lows next Sunday. When “Walking Dead” falls below 3 million, and the K’s go under 700K, I propose a merger of the two programs! The K’s already have a number of zombies on their show. It won’t be hard to write a cross over.
I do give credit to AMC PR: they keep pumping out “spoiler” stories each week, hoping someone will care what Negan does with his club of nails. I stopped watching the night he savagely killed characters off for fun. Evidently, I wasn’t alone.