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In the Lady Gaga-Bradley Cooper “Star is Born” No One Will Say “My Name is Mrs. Norman Maine”

Roger Friedman
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In the Lady Gaga-Bradley Cooper “Star is Born” No One Will Say “My Name is Mrs. Norman Maine”

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are casting now for their version of “A Star is Born.”

There have been three movies with that title. In all of them, the main characters are Esther Hoffman (known as Vicky Lester in the Janet Gaynor and Judy Garland versions) and Norman Maine (redubbed John Norman Howard in the Kris Kristofferson incarnation).

In the Barbra Streisand-Kristofferson version, Babs was called Esther.

Famously, at the end of the earlier versions, Esther greets a Hollywood crowd and says “Hello, My name is Mrs. Norman Maine.”

Alas, Norman and Esther are too old school for the new generation. The main characters are now called Jack and Ally. I guess young people will only relate to the same names they hear on TV on every freaking show. Norman and Esther? God forbid. In the new version, at the end, Gaga will probably come out and say.
“I’m Mrs. Jack whatever, or I’m Ms. Ally so-and-so.” It sounds like the main characters from Lost and Ally McBeal finally get together.

And the funny thing is, Norman Maine would be a great name for an actor or movie star now. Gaga saying “Hello My name is Mrs. Norman Maine!” hands in the air before playing a big final number in a stadium would be a cool way to the end film. But it ain’t gonna be.

Production begins April 17th. In the meantime, they’re also casting for a Middle Eastern type who’s a savvy producer in his late 20s, early 30s. Guys, hire Kal Penn. That’s all I’m sayin’.

Meantime, Bill Condon– celebrating today with a monster hit in “Beauty and the Beast”– is the latest director announced attached to “A Star is Born” the play, set for Broadway.

Broadway: An Eclectic Quartet (Ruffalo, DeVito, Shalhoub, Hecht) Bring Arthur Miller’s Agony to Life in “The Price”

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: An Eclectic Quartet (Ruffalo, DeVito, Shalhoub, Hecht) Bring Arthur Miller’s Agony to Life in “The Price”

A revival of one of Arthur Miller’s least performed plays, The Price, opens tonight on Broadway. Written in 1967 and performed in 1968, the best known artifact of “The Price” is a 1971 Hallmark Hall of Fame TV broadcast starring no less than Colleen Dewhurst and George C. Scott. That show seems lost even to the internet. There have been three other revivals, but that TV show is the one that always resonated.  Until now.

Tonight, Mark Ruffalo and Tony Shalhoub are the Franz brothers Victor and Walter, Jessica Hecht is Victor’s wife, Esther, and Danny DeVito makes his Broadway debut as Gregory Solomon, the 89 year old antiques dealer who comes to appraise the Franz brothers’ dead parents’ possessions. Mr. Solomon may be some other things, too. But mainly he’s there to defuse the tension since the brothers haven’t seen each other in 16 years. Victor is a retiring cop. Walter is a wealthy doctor with a lot of personal problems. Esther just wants peace.

Shalboub and Hecht are Broadway regulars and can do no wrong. They’re excellent, as expected, and they’re there to keep the boat afloat. They do more than that. You can’t take your eyes off of them.

But it’s Mark Ruffalo, so good in so many movies, and Danny DeVito, of TV comedy fame, who we’re looking at, especially in Act 1. “The Price” offers a bit of comedy in the first act, and DeVito delivers it as if he’s a little cherry bomb. Because “The Price” keeps getting more and more serious, and more upsetting as it delves into the lives of the Franz family, DeVito’s Mr. Solomon is often missed when he’s off stage. It’s a good sign that you keep thinking, Why doesn’t he come back? Meantime, Miller just keeps peeling back the layers on the Franz’s wounds. They are devastating. Believe me, if you thought “The Humans” was drama, you’re going to need a stiff drink when this story ends.

Mark Ruffalo echoes Marlon Brando on stage. That’s a tough description to live up to, but it’s true. Agony reads on his face from the back of the stage to the back of the theater. Victor arrives in his parents’ apartment fairly unemotional and ready to sell everything and be done with it. By the time Walter his picked his every scab, you wonder how he’s still standing up. Ruffalo gives Victor life even when Walter is trying to kick it out of him.

The only stars at last night’s preview were on the stage, although Ruffalo– ever the political activist– did have a Mexican diplomat waiting to see him after the show. Talk of fracking and walls must seem like a respite after two hours in Miller’s depths. Terry Kinney directs, sharply as ever. There will be lots of awards talk for everyone involved.

Tom Cruise’s Clearwater Revival Plans Have No Credence as Florida City Fights Scientology Take Over

Roger Friedman
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Tom Cruise’s Clearwater Revival Plans Have No Credence as Florida City Fights Scientology Take Over

As I told you yesterday, the plan is on for Scientology to take over the major retail districts of Clearwater, Florida. Cult leader David Miscavige made an appeal last week to the city council, trying to persuade members individually at the local Scientology headquarters that the group should be allowed to move in and “save” their city.

On April 20th  the Clearwater City Council will meet to vote on buying a key piece of downtown property, a former aquarium desired by Miscavige as part of his “take over.” The meeting had been set for tonight but the Scientology attempt to influence the vote has caused a delay.

This week, Miscavige told all about one member of the city council that Tom Cruise himself was in favor of a new entertainment center including movie theaters and a bowling alley in the aquarium space. Cruise, it’s understood, is going to be living in the penthouse of one of the many buildings Scientology just purchased downtown under a pseudonym.

Doreen Caudell, the one city council member who refused to meet with Miscavige, sent a letter to the mayor of Clearwater saying that Miscavige should meet with the public in an open forum. Caudell, a lifelong resident, isn’t someone Miscavige wants to fool around with. According to her bio, she’s embedded in the city’s political, business and social fabric.

I obtained exclusively a copy of Caudell’s letter. She wrote:

These individual meetings, requested exclusively by Scientology, ignore transparency and inappropriately snub our great community and our citizens from commenting on Scientology’s retail plan. As the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, our wonderful and strong business advocate for downtown and our region, correctly stated, ‘we need open communication and coordination on downtown development plans.”

She continued:

We, as a council, have received an outpour of comments from our community detesting the private meetings Scientology arranged. I think we all completely agree with our strong community in this matter. The citizens of Clearwater elected us, and I insist on standing up for them, if you, sir, will not.

Caudell is bolstered by a single sentence from a report commissioned by the city (and noted in the Tampa Bay Times): “The significant presence of the Church of Scientology members spending time downtown contributes to a sense of alienation among non-members.” In other words: the cult members are freaking out the regular people.

So far, Cruise himself has not made an appearance in Clearwater. But one city council member told me of Miscavige: “He’s very dynamic. And he’s only five-foot-five.”

Jann Wenner’s Publishing Empire Takes Another Hit as US Weekly is Sold to American Media

Roger Friedman
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Jann Wenner’s Publishing Empire Takes Another Hit as US Weekly is Sold to American Media

Here’s the score today: David Pecker 1, Jann Wenner 0.

Wenner’s slowly crumbling empire took a hit today as US Weekly has been sold to Pecker’s ascendant American Media.

Wenner and Pecker had been in negotiations weeks ago but they fell apart when Wenner wanted too much money. US Weekly is said to be carrying $60-$65 million debt. Wenner wanted $100 million, AMI offered $85 mil. When they couldn’t come to terms, AMI bowed out. Tronc, the weirdly named Tribune Publishing Company then said they’d buy US.

But that deal fell apart, and Wenner’s people went back to Pecker. Presumably Pecker got a bargain at that point. US Weekly will be his most upscale publication in a pack with The National Enquirer, Star, the Globe, and Radar.com.

As for Wenner, he’s got problems. Rolling Stone has been hobbled by lawsuits stemming from the non-rape story with the University of Virginia. Half of Wenner Media– well, 49%– is now owned by the Chinese. Wenner’s 26 year old son Gus is running the magazine. And Jann’s Men’s Journal is sort of redundant to AMI’s Men’s Fitness should Wenner need a buyer that magazine any time soon.

Of course, he still has the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to keep him busy.

Report: Tom Cruise Used as Bait by Scientology Leader in Clearwater, Florida Real Estate Deal

Roger Friedman
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Report: Tom Cruise Used as Bait by Scientology Leader in Clearwater, Florida Real Estate Deal

Movie star Tom Cruise was used this week as bait for a Scientology real estate deal in Clearwater, Florida.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that Scientology cult leader David Miscavige met with members of the Clearwater city council to persuade them to back his plans to turn Clearwater into a Scientology hub. The Times reports that Miscavige told Clearwater Vice Mayor Bill Jonson that Tom Cruise would be involved in the group’s Entertainment Center.

There has been speculation recently that Cruise — who’s been offloading his real estate in Los Angeles and Telluride– was planning to move to a new luxury triplex penthouse that’s being constructed in Clearwater atop a Scientology building.

From the Times:
In the 10th floor ballroom of the church’s Fort Harrison Hotel, Miscavige, who is rarely seen in public, put on a theatrical display of his vision for Clearwater’s urban core using blown-up before-and-after renderings and video simulations on a large flat screen TV. Miscavige avoided having to open the meetings to the public and the press because he invited council members one-by-one to sit at a conference table to hear his pitch.

According to the Times, Scientology has acquired $260 million worth of real estate in Clearwater since 1975. Through shell companies– meaning not use their own name– they purchased $26 million worth of property since January 1st of this year.

Sting Draws Out Gandalf Himself (Sir Ian McKellen) for Final Show on US Tour

Roger Friedman
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Sting Draws Out Gandalf Himself (Sir Ian McKellen) for Final Show on US Tour

A foot of snow was not enough to deter a couple thousand people from filling the Hammerstein Ballroom last night for Sting. It was the Englishman in New York’s final US show of his “57th and 9th” tour and he told the crowd they could stop and visit that corner on the way home. “All you’ll see is snow,” he said, then added, “I’ll be walking home. I love walking in the snow.”

He loves Walking on the Moon, too, and so he sang that and a number of his solo and Police hits, as well several terrific songs from his latest album also called “57th and 9th.” The show has changed a bit since I saw it on February 8th in Los Angeles. Included were a marvelous rearrangement of “Fields of Gold,” and his country song “I Hung My Head,” which stacks up against the best of anything from Nashville.

The sound was particularly good in the Hammerstein Ballroom last night, and I found myself listening to the stories that occupy Sting’s songs– these narratives that are like short stories or novellas. As much “Roxanne” and “Message in a Bottle” were new wave or post-punk for their time, those songs have held up over the years because little sagas unfurled economically within them. Right away you feel for Roxanne, her red dress, and the nigh that stretches out before her. What is the message in that bottle? It’s love.

sting trudie sir ianI’ve never heard Sting say this before, but last night when the audience finished singing “Message in a Bottle” and ‘sending out an SOS’ for the millionth time, he said, “I wrote that song almost 40 years ago in a little flat in London, with no one there but a cat who wasn’t interested in what I was doing. And to think 40 years later I’m here, with you, and you seem to know all the words—it means a lot to me.” He was genuinely moved, maybe because it was the end of tour leg, but really because it’s sort of amazing for an artist on stage to hear their material sung back to them with so much heart.

Anyway. The evening finished with Sting’s Oscar nominated song “The Empty Chair.” At the little after-reception in the Hammerstein, Mrs. Sting– Trudie Styler — chatted about movies she’s producing and glowed about her and Sting’s latest grandchild. Sting told Sir Ian McKellen — that’s right– Gandalf himself– who came with his life partner, the great director Sean Mathias– “I’ve lost four Oscars. I don’t know where I put them,” he joked. “You should have done a song for Lord of the Rings,” Sir Ian quipped back.

Sting’s show moves to Europe next. I hope they’re ready.

 

This Is Us: Jack Is Still Alive, We Hung Out with the Cast at Season Finale Screening

Leah Sydney
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This Is Us: Jack Is Still Alive, We Hung Out with the Cast at Season Finale Screening

In true Hollywood style, NBC’s mega hit “This Is Us” screened their season finale, “Moonshadow,” at the Directors Guild tonight with a packed industry house and a Q and A after. The panel, moderated by “Access Hollywood’s” Natalie Morales and Kit Hoover, had all the cast (with the exception of Sterling K. Brown who was on location) and creator Dan Fogelman, who is shooting a movie in Europe.

The poignant tear jerker of an episode told the story of how the troubled but loving couple Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore) met. Fans were on edge thinking that the inevitable Jack death was going to happen tonight and were pleasantly surprised that he still lives. Kit noted, “we all thought Jack was going to die,” to which Milo admitted, “We’ve all been teasing that in the press, sorry. You’re all going to have wait a little longer. I get that question all the time. I tell people not to focus on how he died but how he lived.”

Mandy was then asked what was the hardest thing for her to film? “The fights” she answered to which Milo quipped, “I knew we were going down a deep dark path. We did it to crush America.” Chrissy Metz who plays Kate, was then was asked about her newfound notoriety. “I was in Bed, Bath and Beyond today, I needed something for my bathroom and no I didn’t have a coupon. A gentleman came up to me and asked if I could snapchat a video with him and his dogs. I was grateful to do it, even there.” Chrissy’s recent sexy Harper Bazaar layout was discussed. She explained, “Size does not equate beauty. We’re redefining what beauty is.”

Speaking about beauty, Mandy Moore revealed that her prosthetics take her 4 hours a day to put on, “I’m a morning person anyway,” Mandy noted. The producers admitted they didn’t know that Mandy Moore had sung a cover of Cat Steven’s “Moonshadow,” years ago (2003) until they Googled it. So that all was serendipity, her singing it tonight onstage the first time Jack sees his future beloved.

The cast then talked about how much they genuinely liked each other. Mandy noted, “I thought I was a nice person until I met Milo, because he literally knows everyone’s names on the show, I mean all the crew and cast, and he knows all about them.” She went on to extol Sterling. “We were shooting an outside scene, and Sterling gently took my hand and told me a bird had just ‘released,’ gently saying defecated on my hat. I mean who does that?”

What can we expect from season two? Co-showrunner Elizabeth Berger said, “Not as sad, lighter less intense.” Natalie wrapped up the night by saying, “it’s nice that NBC has a big hit again,” when the crowd laughed, she snickered back and said, “come on, I didn’t mean it that way.”

Ben Affleck Says On Facebook He’s Completed Rehab for Alcohol Addiction

Roger Friedman
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Ben Affleck Says On Facebook He’s Completed Rehab for Alcohol Addiction

Ben’s statement: “I have completed treatment for alcohol addiction; something I’ve dealt with in the past and will continue to confront. I want to live life to the fullest and be the best father I can be. I want my kids to know there is no shame in getting help when you need it, and to be a source of strength for anyone out there who needs help but is afraid to take the first step. I’m lucky to have the love of my family and friends, including my co-parent, Jen, who has supported me and cared for our kids as I’ve done the work I set out to do. This was the first of many steps being taken towards a positive recovery.”

This isn’t easy, so kudos to Ben for going through the process and announcing it before the tabs got it. Affleck’s been in a long will they or won’t they divorce with Jennifer Garner, but maybe this will help them. The award winning director of 2012 Best Picture “Argo” may have bitten off more than he could chew with all the Batman movies, plus “The Accountant” and directing “Live by Night.” The latter was a failure, and may have suffered from its creator just being over-extended.

Good news for Ben!

RIP Tommy LiPuma, the Great Producer of Records like “The Way We Were” and George Benson’s “On Broadway”

Roger Friedman
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RIP Tommy LiPuma, the Great Producer of Records like “The Way We Were” and George Benson’s “On Broadway”

OK where do I start? Heartbroken to hear that Tommy LiPuma, one of the greatest record producers of all time, has died at age 80. He was a superstar in jazz and pop. Tommy produced Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were” and all of George Benson’s big hits in the 70s like “On Broadway” and “This Masquerade.”

The list of credits goes on and on. A few years ago he and Sting came “thisclose” to working with each other. Tommy wound up working with Paul McCartney on his “Kisses on the Bottom” album of standards. Paul fell so in love with him that Tommy curated Paul’s MusiCares Person of the Year show and worked with him on other projects including a live broadcast from Capitol Studios.

Like Phil Ramone, Tommy was a purist. I went up to visit him at his house in Pound Ridge so he could play me the McCartney album. He was beaming. He was intensely focused on showing McCartney as a crooner, and he pulled it off. Tommy’s other credits included Natalie Cole– he co-produced her Unforgettable album, which sold 7 million copies– and Gladys Knight’s jazz album.

One of the more recent records Tommy was proud of was Leon Russell’s “Life Journey.” (It’s hard to believe Leon is gone now too.) They’d made the record hoping Elton John’s Rocket Records would put it out. But new people at Universal Music didn’t want the project. Ultimately the album was released, and it’s wonderful. (You can buy it or stream it.)

But the way he and Leon were treated was emblematic of the the way musicianship and artistry are no longer celebrated the way they had been when Tommy was a famed producer at Warner Bros in the 70s, or chairman of Verve Records in the last decade. He left his stamp on Diana Krall, Miles Davis, David Sanborn. And on me. Tommy really enjoyed life. He was a raconteur with a broad smile and so much energy and enthusiasm. I will really miss him. Condolences to his family.

First Image: Bette Midler Starts Tonight in “Hello, Dolly!” with Biggest Advance in History

Roger Friedman
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First Image: Bette Midler Starts Tonight in “Hello, Dolly!” with Biggest Advance in History

This is the first image of Bette Midler as Dolly Levi in “Hello, Dolly!” The musical with the biggest advance in history starts tonight with a dress rehearsal. Official previews begin tomorrow night. When I was a kid we saw Ethel Merman on Broadway. Subsequently I also saw Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey.  Barbra Streisand was miscast in the movie version, which was a huge bust. (She was too young.) Now comes Bette. If this isn’t perfect Broadway casting, then what is? And Donna Murphy fills in for her on matinees, maybe takes over when Bette leaves. It’s all good! We’re back at the Harmonia Gardens restaurant on 14th Street, where now there’s a Best Buy and an NYU dorm. Never forget!

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