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Cynthia Erivo aka Elphaba to Play Title Character This Summer in Hollywood Bowl “Jesus Christ Superstar”

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Cynthia Erivo, aka Elphaba in “Wicked,” is about to break another barrier.

She’ll be playing the title role this summer in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl.

The dates are August 1st through the 3rd.

Erivo, who can sing the heck out of anything, will be the first big star and bold faced named woman ever to play the role. You know she will be getting standing ovations when she hits that stage.

She’s already appeared in an all female production, playing Mary Magdalene. That was a one night only performance co-starring Shoshanna Bean, Orfeh, Ledisi, and Morgan James.

This production is on a much grander scale and begs the questions about other casting. Should be interesting and ground breaking.

More to come…

The Boxer: Paul Simon, 83, Un-Retires from Touring After “SNL” Success With 20 Cities Planned for April through July

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Paul Simon is obviously feeling good.

After his success Sunday on “SNL 50,” Paul, a young 83, is un-retiring from touring. Thank God!

Simon suffered from hearing issues, but now they are improved. (See below.)

The great singer songwriter will hit 20 cities between April and July with many long stands including New York and Los Angeles.

The shows will feature his “Seven Psalms,” but also his hits, of course, which the audience really wants to hear. Maybe just five psalms, Paul!

Simon’s appearance with Sabrina Carpenter opening “SNL 50” with “Homeward Bound” was lovely, and unexpected. Watching it, all I could think was, come back, Paul. Maybe we all manifested this tour!

Now we know who the real Boxer is, who refuses to give up. Bravo!

According to a release, “Simon chose to perform in intimate venues where the acoustics are optimal in consideration of the severe hearing loss that he incurred over the last few years.

“It was during the recording of Seven Psalms, as revealed in the acclaimed In Restless Dreams documentary, that Simon began to steadily lose the hearing in his left ear which initially made extended live performances impossible. Together with the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss, and his own production team, Simon redesigned his entire stage set up to make performing viable. ”

Here are the dates:
TOUR DATES:

April 4 Saenger Theater, New Orleans, LA
April 5 Saenger Theater, New Orleans, LA

April 8 Bass Concert Hall, Austin, TX
April 10 Bass Concert Hall, Austin, TX
April 11 Bass Concert Hall, Austin, TX

April 14 Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO
April 16 Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO
April 17 Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO

April 20 Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
April 22 Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
April 23 Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, MN

April 26 Midland Theatre, Kansas City, MO

April 28 Stifel Theatre, St. Louis, MO
April 29 Stifel Theatre, St. Louis, MO

May 7 AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas TX
May 8 AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas TX

May 11 Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
May 13 Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
May 14 Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN

May 17 Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, WI
May 18 Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, WI

May 21 Symphony Center, Chicago, IL
May 23 Symphony Center, Chicago, IL
May 24 Symphony Center, Chicago, IL

May 27 Massey Hall, Toronto, ON
May 29 Massey Hall, Toronto, ON
May 30 Massey Hall, Toronto, ON

June 6 Wolf Trap, Vienna, VA
June 7 Wolf Trap, Vienna, VA

June 10 Boch Center, Wang Theatre, Boston, MA
June 12 Boch Center, Wang Theatre, Boston, MA
June 13 Boch Center, Wang Theatre, Boston, MA

June 16 Beacon Theater, New York, NY
June 18 Beacon Theater, New York, NY
June 20 Beacon Theater, New York, NY
June 21 Beacon Theater, New York, NY
June 23 Beacon Theater, New York, NY

June 26 Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA
June 28 Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA
June 29 Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA

July 7 Terrace Theater, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, Long Beach CA

July 9 Disney Hall, Los Angeles, CA
July 11 Disney Hall, Los Angeles, CA
July 12 Disney Hall, Los Angeles, CA
July 14 Disney Hall, Los Angeles, CA
July 16 Disney Hall, Los Angeles, CA

July 19 Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA
July 21 Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA
July 22 Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA

July 25 The Orpheum, Vancouver BC
July 26 The Orpheum, Vancouver BC
July 28 The Orpheum, Vancouver BC

July 31 Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA
August 2 Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA
August 3 Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA

All Star “SNL 50” Scored Huge Ratings with 15 Million Viewers, Three Times An Average Show

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“SNL 50” was a big hit last night.

Overnight numbers show 14.8 million people watched the three and a half hour special featuring dozens of members of casts going back to 1975. The 7pm red carpet hour brought in 6.5 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, and E!.

The nearly 15 million was three times the ratings of an average “SNL” episode.

There were also musical highlights with Paul McCartney closing the show on a nostalgic and poignant note with the end of “Abbey Road.”

Lorne Michaels should be happy and so should NBC. The 14.8 million doesn’t count people who watched on Peacock, or will catch up this week.

As for Peacock they say the SNL Homecoming Concert on Friday night had a huge reach. If you haven’t seen it, go find it immediately. The music was amazing.

Michaels framed all of this with big celebrity studded audiences. It was no coincidence that Julia Louis Dreyfus was sitting within frame of Jerry Seinfeld. Keith Richards as a cool surpirse. And Jack Nicholson’s presence blew everyone away.

“SNL 50” didn’t have much competition, but HBO’s “White Lotus” debut surely dented it between 9 and 10pm.

Perfect SNL 50: Jack Nicholson Surprise, Adam Sandler Standing O, Brilliant John Mulaney Musical, Amy, Tina, Eddie More! (Watch)

Candice Bergen’s Husband, Marshall Rose, 88, Dies After Long Battle with Parkinson’s Disease

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Now we know why Candice Bergen was not part of “SNL 50.” Her beloved husband, Marshall Rose, died Sunday morning after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was 88 years old.

I had asked Candice’s publicist why the “Murphy Brown” star hadn’t been listed for any of the celebration. After all, Candice has hosted the show 5 times, and was a host in the first season. She’s always a great part of the history.

Rose was a lawyer, real estate developer, major philanthropist, and a self made success from Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. Bergen married him after her first husband, director Louis Malle, died of cancer and Rose’s wife died, too. That was twenty five years ago.

He served on the boards of NYU Medical Center, Bryant Park Restoration Corporation, CUNY Graduate Center and The Wexner Center for the Arts. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and received an honorary degree from the City University of New York in 1989.

Accomplishments were many. His bio says “the editorial boards of both The New York Times and the New York Post recognized Mr. Rose for leading the rehabilitation of Bryant Park and spearheading numerous high-profile projects on behalf of the New York Public Library.” Rose oversaw the renovation of the Library and Bryant Park, changing a rundown part of New York into a vibrant gathering place.

Condolences to Candice and their families. A great life, well lived!

Drake Comes Roaring Back, Knocks Kendrick Lamar off the Top Album, Singles Charts with New Release

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Drake is back and he’s number 1 again.

After feuding with Kendrick Lamar forever, Drake has succeeded in toppling his foe on both the iTunes album and singles charts.

It was only last week that Kenny won two Grammys with his Drake hate single, “Not Like Us.” That sent all his records up the charts of every kind.

Now Drake has roared into gear as if he were The Empire striking back. His album, $ome $exy $ongs 4U, made with rapper PartyNextDoor, is number 1. The solo single, “Nokia” is number 1 as well. There’s another single, called “Gimme a Hug,” in the top 100.

Previously Drake (Aubrey Graham) sued UMG, his record label, for promoting “Not Like Us” — also on the same label — because Kendrick called him a pedophile. Then Kendrick sang the song uncensored on the Grammys, further provoking him..

Is Drake a pedo? Is Kendrick looking for trouble? Can’t we all just get along?

Congrats to Drake. He’s no R. Kelly as far as we know. And 17 is the age of consent in many places! I am definitely looking forward to jury trial for Drake’s lawsuit! Please, God!

Partynextdoor? His real name is Jahron Anthony Brathwaite. But it would be funnier if it were Bernie Schwartz.

Jimmy Fallon’s Brilliant Blues Brothers Tribute was An Homage to John Belushi, R&B Star Sam Moore

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One of the best performances of the “SNL 50” Weekend took place in the opening Friday night at the Homecoming concert.

Jimmy Fallon started the show with the best choreographed sketch of the night, a tribute to the Blues Brothers.

It was an homage not only John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, but to their original inspiration, Sam Moore, of Sam & Dave.

Fallon not only sang but danced up a storm like Sam so much that when it ended, he was totally winded.

“Man, I’m going to have to some cardio!” he exclaimed.

Sam & Dave, particularly Moore, were a heavy influence on Belushi and Aykroyd. The latter remained a huge supporter of Moore until the R&B star’s recent death. Sam often performed with Aykroyd and with Jim Belushi. He appeared in “Blues Brothers 2000” as well.

Bravo!

Check out this video at 8:00

Perfect SNL 50: Jack Nicholson Surprise, Adam Sandler Standing O, Brilliant John Mulaney Musical, Amy, Tina, Eddie More! (Watch)

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SNL 50 is just about perfect tonight. Three hours of historic comedy. The special will rack up Emmy nominations and awards.

Lorne Michaels painted his masterpiece tonight, an epic “Saturday Night Live” that earns an A plus.

From Steve Martin’s hilarious monologue right through Paul McCartney singing “Golden Slumbers,” the three and a half hour was loaded with laughs and tears.

There was also a major surprise. Jack Nicholson, long retired and very much reclusive, not only came, but he spoke introducing an act and looking great. He was accompanied by his daughter. It was a pleasure to see him.

Adam Sandler brought the audience to its feet with a poignant, sweet and emotional original played on guitar about the history of the show. That alone should win an Emmy.

Amy Poehler and Tina Fey conducted a hilarious Q&A with the celeb packed audience. Genius.

Mike Myers returned as “Linda Richman,” his hit spoof of his mother in law and he was “like butter.”

There were plenty of stand out performances including Eddie Murphy as Tracey Jordan who was standing next to him during “Black Jeopardy,” also Molly Shannon, Kristin Wiig, and Will Ferrell as MVPs.

The long show was full of highs and no lows, unexpectedly consistent. There was a lot of wink-wink breaking of the fourth wall, but why not after 50 years? So many people in the live audience were part of the show, it only made sense to call them out.

Not a minor part of the night were the videos. Some were new and many were old including the final film, made by Tom Schiller in the 70s, in which John Belushi walked through a cemetery where all his colleagues were buried. The irony, of course, is that Belushi died so young. He was the first. But the film ends in a joyous dance.

It wasn’t all tears. There were plenty of laughs. Jon Hamm interrogating Kate McKinnon back from one of her alien abductions was priceless. There was even an In Memoriam for skits that didn’t hold up over the years, would lead to cancellation now for not only the actors, but the audience, too, as Tom Hanks pointed out.

Here are some clips including John Mulaney’s brilliant musical,”Hot Dogs and Heroin”:

(UPDATING) BAFTA “Conclave” Best Picture! “Brutalist” Best Actor Adrien Brody, Best Director Brady Corbet, Best Actress to Mikey Madison “Anora”

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“Conclave” won Best Picture tonight at the BAFTA Awards in London.

Adrien Brody, star of “The Brutalist,” and Brady Corbet, its director also won. Mikey Madison, star of “Anora,” won Best Actress.

Supporting awards went to Zoe Saldana and Kieran Culkin.

“Conclave” won Best Editing. “The Brutalist” won cinematography and score.

“Conclave” also won Best Adapted Screenplay. “A Real Pain” took original screenplay.

I wrote last September that “Conclave” was a winner. It’s a great moment for Edward Berger, the director, who somehow has been forgotten in all this hubbub.

BAFTA isn’t a total predictor of the Oscars, but it represents a big chunk of voters. Many of us thought “Anora” would win here tonight. But the Brooklyn setting didn’t appeal to the British voters. It may still win the Oscar.

Next Sunday’s SAG Awards will tell the full story. But for now, “Conclave” is a great choice.

Going home empty handed: James Mangold’s very American “A Complete Unknown.” Also, Demi Moore has been stopped in her campaign for Best Actress. But that also may be an American vs Brit thing.

The BAFTA s can be seen now on Britbox for a fee. But they were started an hour late, which was ridiculous. It’s 1995 in the UK!

PS The “Conclave” win is another great achievement for Universal’s Focus Features. They have great taste!

Review: Ralph Fiennes Comes For His Oscar in Likely Best Picture Nominee “Conclave”

Julianne Moore Furious that Her Children’s Book — About Accepting Freckles — Has Been Banned by Trump Administration

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Read Oscar winner Julianne Moore’s post below. She is rightly incensed that the Department of Defense has banned her children’s book, called “Freckle Face Strawberry.”

Pete Hegseth, who sipped a clear liquid throughout his recent press conference, is responsible for this lunacy, along with Trump.

Moore is no subversive. She’s literally America’s Sweetheart. But she does support gun control adamantly. Is that the reason for this censorship of literally nothing?

Take another sip, Hegseth.

Box Office: “Captain America” Opens Lower than Expected, Should Still Hit $100 Mil Monday

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The weekend numbers are in.

“Captain America: Brave New World” came in a little lower than expected. From Thursday through today, Disney is projecting $88.5 million.

The total should have been a bit higher — more like $92 mil — but the weather is terrible, which keeps audiences at home. Also, thousands of people are being laid off and economically tortured by Trump, the guy they voted for.

Still, “Captain America” should hit $100 million by the end of tomorrow. So that’s good news.

“Paddington in Peru” had a slow start with just $13 million over four days including previews. Sony did pretty much nothing for it. I guess they thought the $100 million internationally was enough. So we’ll see it on streaming soon enough.

Good news for Searchlight: “A Complete Unknown” hit $70 million this weekend. Will it win some awards? Today there’s a blanket PR campaign. Edward Norton was featured on CBS Sunday Morning. Timothee Chalamet gets the profile treatment tonight on 60 Minutes. Will Anderson Cooper ask him about his off putting fashion choices? Or the Kardashian effect?

The Norton interview was the typical puff piece on Sunday Morning. His real life is so much more interesting than even his best acting work. Just one or two lines in every Sunday Morning piece would make them far more interesting. But that’s a lot of work, I guess.

All eyes today at 2pm on Brit Box for the BAFTA Awards. According to reports from London last night, Tom Cruise found a new Latin contract player companion in Ana de Armas, arm candy for parties. Does poor Ana have to join Scientology, as well?