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Woody Allen Will Shoot New Movie This Summer in Spain with 2 Time Oscar Winner Christoph Waltz and Actress Gina Gershon

Roger Friedman
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Woody Allen Will Shoot New Movie This Summer in Spain with 2 Time Oscar Winner Christoph Waltz and Actress Gina Gershon

Woody Allen is ready to go with a new movie.

He will shoot an untitled comedy in Spain this summer starring two time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz and a favorite actress of ours, Gina Gershon. Others in the film include Louis Garrel (The Dreamers), Sergi López (Pan’s Labyrinth), Elena Anaya (The Skin I Live In), and Wallace Shawn (Manhattan) .

The film is going under “WASP 2019” which means Woody Allen Summer Project 2019.

Woody currently has “A Rainy Day in New York” ready to be released in the US. It already has French and Italian release dates. He’s suing Amazon Studios because they haven’t released it, and have tied him up.

Nevertheless, Woody plows on. This isn’t the first movie he’s shot in Spain. That was “Vicki Cristina Barcelona,” which was a huge hit and won Penelope Cruz an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

In this film, Waltz and Gershon play a couple who go to the San Sebastian Film Festival and get caught up in the celebrity and romance. They each have affairs, but it all resolves with laughs, amicably.

Review: Ron Howard’s “Pavarotti” Hits All the Right Notes Capturing the Out-sized Life of a Man with Giant Appetites

Leah Sydney
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Review: Ron Howard’s “Pavarotti” Hits All the Right Notes Capturing the Out-sized Life of a Man with Giant Appetites

Ron Howard’s “Pavarotti” is a cinematic gem which captures the larger than life tenor and those who loved him.  Opera is secondary in this complex and compelling saga. The drama of Pavarotti, the unique Italian passion and the storied culture, all lend itself to Howard’s talent of telling a story of this off the charts appealing larger than life character, making the film more than a documentary.

Howard illustrates how this over the top, charismatic genius copes with his own massive life.  Interviews with his family with friends including Bono, as well as highlighting the famous, chic people in his world including Princess Diana all woven in with his notable charitable foundation.  The film’s narration, scoring and cinematography are spectacular.  There is also footage that has not been shown before.

Howard does not gloss over his subject, the darker parts of Pavarotti’s outsized life, his womanizing, and family melodrama are all talked about– as well as his second marriage to a much younger Nicoletta Mantovani, which caused estrangement from his first wife and three daughters. Truly captivating, I would have happily watched hours and more on this man who was Pavarotti and whose talent we will likely never see again.  With his Pavarotti, Ron Howard expertly weaves his storytelling skills in a pitch perfect way by telling the provocative story of how Pavarotti’s operatic shining soul continues to light up the world.

The Great Johnnie Planco, Agent and Manager, Gentleman and, Yes, Scholar, Beloved in Hollywood, on Broadway, Dies at Age 68

Roger Friedman
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The Great Johnnie Planco, Agent and Manager, Gentleman and, Yes, Scholar, Beloved in Hollywood, on Broadway, Dies at Age 68

The public did not know Johnnie Planco. I am late to report that the great agent and manager, a wise man whom I knew for so long and depended on as friend in showbiz, has died at age 68. This is just terrible.

Johnnie was an agent forever at William Morris. When the company merged with Endeavor, he and pal Gene Parseghian, another gentleman and scholar, “ankled” the agency and set up shop as Parseghian Planco. Gene died two years ago, from cancer. This pair was unlike almost everyone in Hollywood. They were loved.

Johnnie (and Gene) had only the best clients, the highest quality, from Judi Dench to Daniel Day Lewis. Johnnie’s long time client and close pal was Peter O’Toole, and he had a million great stories about hanging out with him. Even though they say Johnnie was 68, it was like he was 98, because he started so young, knew every star, they all loved him. Oh my god, Lauren Bacall LOVED him. He was like a son to her. He doted on her and she adored him. We had lots of fun together, all of us.

The love of Johnnie’s life was his wife Lois, who was once a casting director and is now a very successful realtor. Their daughter, Sara, is wonderful, a popular movie publicist. He is also survived by his son, Alfred. But I am telling you, Johnnie Planco is survived by Hollywood, Broadway, TV, New York. I will miss him so on opening nights, with his pony tail (oh that pony tail!) and his eye patch (a more recent thing, from another terrible infection that he beat, with aplomb).

Life sure ain’t fair!

Miley Cyrus Tries to Gross-Sex it Up for New Album, But It’s Not Working: “She is Coming” Opened with Just 15K Sold Including Streaming, Singles Are Duds

Roger Friedman
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Miley Cyrus Tries to Gross-Sex it Up for New Album, But It’s Not Working: “She is Coming” Opened with Just 15K Sold Including Streaming, Singles Are Duds

Miley Cyrus has done everything she can to sex it up for “She is Coming,” the double entendre named EP she released on Friday.

It was a bad move to stimulate sales, or penetrate a market that wasn’t happening for her. The below video, which she Tweeted, says it all. She wants to be a Bad Girl.

But so far, Miley is striking out. “She is Coming” hasn’t been able to higher than number 2 on iTunes. And the singles have been duds. “Mother’s Daughter” is number 21 and “The Most” is 87. They’re not happening.

In its first 24 hours, according to BuzzAngle, “She is Coming” sold only 8,400 copies, a total of 15,700 including streaming of the album and singles.

I told you on Friday, the EP has a song that encourages taking ecstasy. It’s called “D.R.E.A.M.” which stands for Drugs Rule Everything Around Me.”

Either Miley is bipolar, or this six song EP is some weird way to look for an audience that isn’t there.

Cyrus has one of the great voices, country or pop, but she needs guidance. She think she still needs to shed the “Hannah Montana” persona. She doesn’t. She should be concentrating on a Linda Ronstadt-type career. She can just be a great artist. But this other stuff is gross, frankly. It’s not doing her any favors. She’s squandering her voice and our time.

R&B Legend Curtis Mayfield: Celebrating What Would Have Been The 77th Birthday of the Man Behind So Many Hits

Roger Friedman
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R&B Legend Curtis Mayfield: Celebrating What Would Have Been The 77th Birthday of the Man Behind So Many Hits

It’s actually even sadder now that I realize when Curtis Mayfield died at the end of 1999 he was only 57 years old. OMG. The great singer-composer-producer was a genius who still has not been adequately recognized. He would have turned 77 today.

Mayfield was paralyzed in August 1990 after a light tower fell on him during an outdoor concert in Brooklyn. His death was attributed to type 2 diabetes, but he suffered for nine years after that accident. And he actually produced one album in 1996 called “New World Order.”

But the huge legacy Curtis leaves are his songs with the Impressions, producing Impression Jerry Butler, hits with Major Lance, and then his own solo hits, producing Aretha Franklin.

Those songs include the immortal “People Get Ready,” “It’s Alright,” “Move on Up,” “Freddie’s Dead,” “Superfly,” and the songs from “Sparkle” like “Givin’ Him Something He Can Feel.”

Do yourself a favor– get a Curtis Mayfield greatest hits. There’s nothing better. Get Major Lance’s “Monkey Time” and “Um Um Um Um.”

Just recently, Mayfield’s family reissued four of his CDs as “Keep On Keeping On,” Curtis’s solo albums from 1970-74. The albums are all remastered, sound better than ever. Once you’ve heard the eight minute, thirty four second version of “Move on Up” you will never listen to current music again.

Here’s a shout out to Curtis’s widow and mother of his kids, the wonderful Altheida Mayfield, who’s kept his torch burning.

Honorary Oscars Going to David Lynch, Lina Wertmuller, Wes Studi, Geena Davis, Academy Makes Safe Choices, Ignores Long Line of Waiting Veterans

Roger Friedman
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Honorary Oscars Going to David Lynch, Lina Wertmuller, Wes Studi, Geena Davis, Academy Makes Safe Choices, Ignores Long Line of Waiting Veterans

Well, the Academy governors have chosen their Lifetime Achievement recipients for this year, or next year, however you look at it.

They include two directors, David Lynch and Lina Wertmuller, who have unarguably changed cinema and have been huge influences. You can’t argue with those choices. If you just counted “Blue Velvet” and “Seven Beauties,” respectively, they deserve it.

They chose Geena Davis, who has an Oscar and hasn’t worked so much in years, for the Humanitarian Award. I’m sure that’s lovely but really, if that’s what they were looking for, Sean Penn has been on the ground in Haiti for years. Why not him? But welcome to 2019: Geena Davis, according to the press release, is the founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, which I’ve never heard of. So there’s that. (And PS, the Institute has no 501 c3, it’s listed as a project of Mount St. Mary’s University with no public records or transparency.)

Frankly, with “Rocketman” out, and Elton John having scored a number of movies, the rock star could have gotten the award for his Elton John AIDS Foundation. Now, that would have been a smart choice.

The other choice is Native American actor Wes Studi, whose career began in 1988. He has no Oscars and has never been nominated for one, but he’s been a leader for Native Americans in movies. He’s been a role model and a trail blazer. That’s all great, but I would have gone with Graham Greene, whose career is longer, has an Oscar nomination, and a more comprehensive CV.

The governors passed over Robert Evans, a Hollywood fixture, who I guess many thought would get the honor this year. Another disappointment was Catherine Deneuve, the great French actress who absolutely deserves the award. This group of honorees doesn’t include an African American. I guess Studi is supposed to cover all minorities.

The Governors Awards will be given October 27th in Hollywood, a month or more earlier than usual because of the early Oscars date next year, February 9th.

Elton John’s “Rocketman” Pulls Catalog onto iTunes Top 100: Even Non Hit “Madman Across the Water” is at Number 86

Roger Friedman
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Elton John’s “Rocketman” Pulls Catalog onto iTunes Top 100: Even Non Hit “Madman Across the Water” is at Number 86

When Elton John released “Madman Across the Water” in the early 1970s, it was not a big hit. Neither were its singles, “Levon” or “Tiny Dancer.” My favorite song from the November 1971 album was “Holiday Inn.” Alvin Tostig and so on took time to grow. It wasn’t until “Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player” was released in 1973 with “Crocodile Rock” that Elton teetered on superstardom.

But now with the “Rocketman” movie featuring “Tiny Dancer” is a hit, “Madman” is back on the charts. It’s number 86 on iTunes. And “Madman” isn’t the only Elton catalog album selling well. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” is in the on the charts, as are a live album, as well as the “Diamonds” greatest hit album and the “Rocketman” soundtrack.

Maybe next we’ll see curious Elton shoppers take a look at “Tumbleweed Connection” from 1971 and “Honky Chateau” from 1971. All told, Sir Elton and Bernie Taupin’s output from 1970-74 is astounding. From “Your Song” until “Crocodile Rock” they had hits, but they were singles, not home runs. After the Croc, it was all gold all the time. “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” was the first album ever to enter the charts at number 1.

PS If you’re a new fan of “Tiny Dancer,” check out the movie “Almost Famous” directed by Cameron Crowe for the glorious singalong on the tour bus.

“Godzilla” $49 Mil Is No Monster Compared to “Godzilla” in 2014, “Rocketman” Soars On Its Own Terms, Don’t Compare it to “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Roger Friedman
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“Godzilla” $49 Mil Is No Monster Compared to “Godzilla” in 2014, “Rocketman” Soars On Its Own Terms, Don’t Compare it to “Bohemian Rhapsody”

The box office is good, but you have to take it in perspective.

The new “Godzilla” made a whopping $49 million this weekend. But keep in mind the last “Godzilla,” in 2014, had a $93 million opening. That’s like way way off, almost 50% off. So this year’s “Godzilla” news is nice, but it’s no monster.

“Rocketman” is not going to be “Bohemian Rhapsody” financially even though it has better reviews and is a much superior movie. “BR” was a phenom. Don’t compare them! “Rocketman” is a hit with $23-$25 million opening weekend. If we make the mistake of saying it’s no “BR” this really great movie will be hurt. “Rocketman” soars on its own terms!

Also, the soundtrack is top 10 and so is Elton’s greatest hits boxed set.

“Booksmart” has outgrossed “Poms,” which is something, I guess, with a little over $14 million so far. “The Hustle” has made it to $33 million purely on Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson’s good will. After stealing “Oceans 8,” and bringing people in to this thing, Hathaway deserves some better material.

NYC Charity Season: WCBS’s Chris Wragge Hosts American Cancer Society’s Taste of Hope– Fights Disease, Promotes Four Star Dining

Roger Friedman
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NYC Charity Season: WCBS’s Chris Wragge Hosts American Cancer Society’s Taste of Hope– Fights Disease, Promotes Four Star Dining

Did you miss The American Cancer Society‘ 14th Annual Taste of Hope this year? It was held at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. The event raised over $250,000 in support of the organization’s goal to eliminate cancer.

WCBS TV Channel 2’s Chris Wragge once again hosted the night, which was sold out, and I mean, it was like four star dining at Grand Central Station at rush hour. That’s a good thing.

Jamie Koff and my brother, Mark Friedman, produced the triumphant night.  I’m very proud of the work they do. Plus in the silent auction I won a year’s worth of Cottonelle toilet paper. Forget Chopard!

This years’ Volunteer Host Committee included Alysia Reiner, Danny Burstein, Harry Carson, David Alan Basche, Rebecca Luker and Clarke Thorell.

You know it’s a good night when you run into Drew Nieporent right off the bat. I ran into a bunch of familiar faces all night including Otto Cedeno, Chef Ralph Scamardella, Dana Cowin, Chef Michael Lomonaco, Geraldine Hughes, Chef Todd English, Sarabeth Levine, Chef Antonio Prontelli, Fabiana Dwyer, Matthew Dwyer, Guy Tomlinson, Hazel Koch, Pearl Koch, Matt Leone, Stephanie Leone, Jean Shafiroff, and David Pogrebin.

I haven’t recovered still from all the great food. More than 90 restaurants participated, including: Baby Brasa, Barbounia, Ben & Jacks Steakhouse, Benjamin Prime, Bonsai Kakigori, Boulud Sud, Calle Ocho, Hunt & Fish Club, Jing Fong, Jora, L’adresse, LAVO, Loi Estiatorio, Magnolia Bakery, Motel Morris, Mr. Crabby’s Craft Kitchen + Bar, Nick’s Lobster House, Nobu Fifty Seven, Ortzi NYC, Otto’s Tacos, Parkway Bakery & Tavern, Patina Restaurant Group, Sarabeth’s, Serendipity 3, STK Steakhouse, Surfish Bistro, Sweetcatch Poke, TAO, The Algonquin Hotel, The Kati Roll Company, The Sea Fire Grill, The Smith, Toloache Restaurant, Tommy Bahama, and XYST.

 

Broadway: Chita Rivera Awards: If You’re a “Fosse/Verdon” Fan, You Shoulda Been There as Dance Wins Went to “Hadestown,” “Cher Show,” and even “King Kong”

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: Chita Rivera Awards: If You’re a “Fosse/Verdon” Fan, You Shoulda Been There as Dance Wins Went to “Hadestown,” “Cher Show,” and even “King Kong”

For as long as I’ve known her, Patty Watt, daughter of late great theater critic Douglas Watt, has been honoring Broadway performers. Leading up to the Tony Awards, Patty recently produced the star studded Chita Rivera Awards, named for the 86 year old legend.

The nominees and winners are below. Presenters included the great Chita herself, as well as Chita Rivera, Andy Blankenbuehler, Savion Glover, Marilu Henner, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ethan Slater, Mary Testa and Richard Thomas.

The evening’s hosts were the immortal Ben Vereen, and Ann Reinking, who “Fosse/Verdon” fans will know succeeded Gwen Verdon as Bob Fosse’s muse and wife.

More awards: dancer, choreographer and theater director Graciela Daniele received the third annual Lifetime Achievement Award, and Flody Suarez, Jeffrey Seller, and Cher (producers of “The Cher Show” on Broadway) were honored with the Ambassador for the Arts Award honoring their contribution to the convergence of theater, film, and television. George C. Wolfe (who is a genius, no kidding, for staging hits and the unstageable– aka “Gary”) was presented with the SDC Director Award for exemplary collaboration with choreographers on Broadway and Carol Paumgarten received the Vanguard Award for her outstanding contribution to the international dance community, having founded Steps on Broadway Dance Studio 40 years ago.

Congrats to Patty! She’s done it again.

 

 

2019 CHITA RIVERA AWARD Winners

Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show:

Winner: David Neumann, Hadestown

Warren Carlyle, Kiss Me Kate

Denis Jones, Tootsie

Casey Nicholaw, The Prom

Sergio Trujillo, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations

 

Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway Show:

Winner: Ephraim Sykes, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations  

Corbin Bleu, Kiss Me Kate

Rick Faugno, Kiss Me Kate

James T. Lane, Kiss Me Kate

Jeremy Pope, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations

 

Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show: (tie)

Winners: Ashley Blair Fitzgerald, The Cher Show; Gabrielle Hamilton, Oklahoma!

Amber Gray, Hadestown

Leslie Kritzer, Beetlejuice

Angie Schworer, The Prom

Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show:

Winner: King Kong

Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations

Hadestown

Kiss Me Kate

The Cher Show

The Prom

 

OFF-BROADWAY NOMINATIONS:

Outstanding Choreography

Winner: Rick and Jeff Kuperman, Alice By Heart

Joshua Bergasse, Smokey Joe’s Cafe

Raja Feather Kelly, If Pretty Hurts, Ugly Must Be a Muhfucka

Lorin Latarro, Merrily We Roll Along

Shea Sullivan, Neurosis, A Musical That Gets in Your Head

 

Outstanding Male Dancer

Winner: Wesley Taylor, Alice By Heart

Brennan Caldwell, Neurosis, A Musical That Gets in Your Head

Zachary Downer, Alice By Heart

Brendan Henderson, Cleopatra

Jelani Remy, Smokey Joe’s Cafe

 

Outstanding Female Dancer

Winner: Irina Dvorovenko, The Beast in the Jungle

Emma Degerstedt, Smokey Joe’s Cafe

Mia Dilena, Alice By Heart

Dionne D. Figgins, Smokey Joe’s Cafe

Naomi Kakuk, The Beast in the Jungle

 

Outstanding Ensemble

Winner: Smokey Joe’s Café, Steven Baruch, Mark Routh, Richard Frankel, Tom Viertel

Alice By Heart, MCC Theatre

Fiddler on the Roof, National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene

If Pretty Hurts, Ugly Must Be a Muhfucka, Playwrights Horizons

Twelfth Night, The Public Theater

 

 

FILM NOMINATIONS:

Theatrical Release

Isn’t It Romantic – (Release date, February 13, 2019, Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth) Choreographer: Christopher Gattelli; Assistant Choreographer, Jon Rua

***Mary Poppins Returns – (Release date, December 19, 2018, Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda) 

Choreographers: Rob Marshall & John DeLuca; Co-Choreographer, Joey Pizzi; Associate Choreographer, Tara Nichole Hughes, Assistant Choreographer: Marlon Pelayo***

Shine – (Release date, October 6, 2018, Alysia Reiner, David Zayas)

Director of Choreography: Anderson Cruz, Choreographers, Charlie Garcia, Osmar Perrones, Grisselle Ponce

Swimming with Men – (Release date, December 7, 2018, Rob Brydon, Rupert Graves) Choreographer: Caroline Pope

 

The Nutcracker and The Far Realms – (Release date, November 2, 2018, Misty Copeland)

Choreographer: Liam Scarlett

Documentaries           

Ballet Now – (Release date, July 20, 2018; Tiler Peck)

Director: Steven Cantor

Bathtubs Over Broadway – (Release date, November 30, 2018; Tribeca Film Festival Award Winner prior and other festivals, Chita Rivera, Martin Short, etc.)

Director: Dava Whisenent

Hot to Trot – (Release date, NY, August 24, 2018, nationwide rollout to follow)

Director: Gail Freedman

If The Dancer Dances – (Release date, July 24, 2018, Dance on Camera Festival)

Director, Maia Weschler

***Moving Stories, Lives Transformed By Dance – (Release Date, August 11, 2018, Battery Dance Festival, MoMa) 

Director: Rob Fruchtman, Wilderness Films, Producer***

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