Here’s Alicia Keys’ new track “In Common.” It’s very different than her past work, and I like it. She’s singing this Saturday on “SNL.” I don’t know if there’s a sample (Alicia is sample-prone) but it sure sounds original. Cool.
That Movie Bruce Willis Made in China– With Mel Gibson as Art Director–is M-I-A
Remember “The Bombing”? This was a Chinese movie starring Bruce Willis as the only American among an Asian cast. At some point, Mel Gibson invested money in it and became the Art Director.
Now sources tell me we may never see “The Bombing.” It’s a bomb, alright.
Willis, who worked hard on it, has to be completely dubbed into Chinese since the rest of the movie is in that language. No one speaks a word of English.
Can you imagine that film being released in the Western world?
Willis and Gibson didn’t cross paths, apparently. “Mel came to China after Bruce was done,” a source says. The director, Xiao Feng, was a novice. The company behind “The Bombing” is now making a Chinese re-do of Julia Roberts’ 1997 hit “My Best Friend’s Wedding.”
There are other problems, too. “It’s about the Chinese fighting back against the Japanese in World War II,” a source told me. “It’s not like a lot of people around the world care about that. And the Japanese won’t be seeing it.”
Sharp eyed observers will be looking to see if “The Bombing” turns up in the Cannes Film Market next week. But the word is it won’t.
Broadway: “Disaster!” Musical to Close Sunday, More–without Tony Noms– to Come
No Tony nods, can’t stay open. It happens every year. “Disaster!” a funny musical parody by Seth Rudetsky, was not loved by the Tony committees. It will close on Sunday. “Disaster!” actually earned a nomination for Jennifer Simard as featured actress in a musical. I actually enjoyed this show. But it was not to be. “Disaster!” was going to close in July anyway to make way for “Motown-the Musical”‘s return. Oh well. It should have been off Broadway, and can have a life on the road.
What’s next? “Tuck Everlasting” is so awful, and it’s doing about 33% of its possible take at the box office. Not nominated for Best Musical or anything major, “Tuck” will be tucking it in soon.
How about “American Psycho”? They may last a little longer, but not much. Benjamin Walker not getting a nomination sort of seals their doom. But summer audiences may keep “Psycho” afloat through discounts.
A bigger question will be the fate of “Shuffle Along.” The main players (except for Brandon Victor Dixon) were not nominated. Brian Stokes Mitchell is getting a special Tony Award for 25 years’ good service (he is terrific even when the shows aren’t). Audra McDonald, Broadway’s Meryl Streep, wasn’t nominated. She’s leaving in a month– and it’s unlikely she’ll return in September with no awards buzz. “Shuffle Along” is going to need a lot of good will to keep going after it loses the Tony to “Hamilton” on June 12th.
McCartney-Stones Et Al Mega Rock Concert Scooped HERE April 15 Now Confirmed
Well, this morning comes confirmation of the mega rock concert I told you about first back on April 13th. My story was stolen four hours later by the LA Times, the Billboard. But it was right here on Showbiz411 first.
Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Who, Roger Waters and Neil Young will all play Coachella on the weekend of October 5-7, 2016. AEG Live and Goldenvoice are producing.
The shows are: the Stones and Dylan on October 7, McCartney opening for Neil Young on the 8th, and Roger Waters opening for The Who on the 9th. Originally, Waters told me The Who was going to be opening for him, so that changed. In fact. Dylan was supposed to open for the Stones in the original plan. I think the main players all asked to go on first rather than take the stage late, late at night.
Unless the Stones bring Lisa Fischer, there will likely be almost no black people on stage. There are no black headliners. I don’t get this. Why not ask Stevie Wonder, who’s certainly their absolute peer, to be in this event?
Ticket prices are as follows:
3 day passes
General admission – $399
Reserved floor – $699, $999, $1,599
Reserved grandstand – $999, $1599
Standing pit – $1,599
Single day passes
General admission – $199
Exclusive “Magic Mike” Star Joe Manganiello to Star in Film About Alternative Rock Group The Smiths
Please note: due to fan input, we have re-classified The Smiths. Thanks for your help!
EXCLUSIVE “Shoplifters of the World” will star Joe Manganiello, and be produced by his brother Nick and my old friend Laura Rister (who was not my source for this story, unfortunately).
It’s a cool idea about the Smiths, Morrissey’s famous alternative indie UK band. In 1987, on the night when Morrissey said the Smiths were breaking up — a sad kid brought a gun to a radio station in Denver, Colorado and locked himself inside the studio. He held everyone hostage and made them play the Smiths over and over.
“True Blood” and “Magic Mike XXL” star Manganiello will play the DJ Mickey in whom the kid, Ryan, confides. Sounds like a boon for the Smiths catalog. Maybe Morrissey can play a cameo.
Steven Tyler, Master Showman, Launches Charity, Album, Tour at NYC Hallowed Music Hall
Steven Tyler– a moving target for photographers, a blur of a rock star– launched everything last night: his charity for abused teen girls, his first solo album, and a tour at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher-now-David Geffen Hall. The ushers had never seen anything like it. Even Beethoven– the usual composer featured in this room– could have heard this show, and he was deaf.
Tyler, who exudes charm and style, is finally apart from Aerosmith after over 40 years. Their first big hit was his masterpiece, “Dream On,” in 1976, which he’d written years earlier at age 17. They’ve never looked back despite breakups, make ups, rehabs, accidents– the full panoply of rock band adventures.
But now Tyler has a charity– “Janie’s Fund”— named for the band’s hit “Janie’s Got a Gun”– for abused teen girls. (It was officially launched back in November, but this was its Lincoln Center debut.) Tyler is serious about this as the father of three daughters who were there last night, too– Liv, the actress; Mia, the model; and Chelsea, the singer with husband Jon Foster. It was quite a family affair backstage, too, as Liv’s “Armageddon” father, Bruce Willis, also showed up, plus lots of Tyler’s Tallerico relatives including a cousin who played Motown songs on the piano in the large Green Room.
Not only that: the tour features videos and a film made by none other than “Rush Hour” director Brett Ratner, who was also in attendance. And the great rock jewelry designer Loree Rodkin.
“Out on a Limb”– echoing the title of a Shirley MacLaine book– was a mixture of one man show, memoir, and just a flip through the scrapbook of Tyler’s huge Aerosmith catalog. He did all the hits– “Sweet Emotion,” “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” “Walk this Way,” “Crying (Since I Met You),” and of course “Dream On.” Tyler also introduced a bunch of new songs from his solo album– coming in July from Big Machine– including at least one that smelled like a hit called “Only Heaven.” Watch out for that one.
His voice? Lots of swagger and blues, sweet as ever with just enough coarseness that the Tyler vocal remains a distinctive beautifully aged wine. (There’s nothing else like it.) Pretty much no one can from a shriek to a howl to a purr like Tyler.
Tyler’s band is called Loving Mary, led by Marti Frederiksen, and featuring Rebecca Lynn Howard, Suzie McNeil, Elisha Hoffman, Andrew Mactaggart. The ferocious drummer, Sarah Tomek, actually used to play with Tyler’s ex (and mother of Liv) Bebe Buell in her band.
Steven told me after the gig “it’s weird to turn around and see all new people behind me, but I also feel a lot of love from them.” Is he energized from it? His quick reply: “Ya think???”
Get ready because the summer of Steven Tyler is upon us!
Photos c2016 Showbiz411
“Captain America”: An “Iron Man” Movie Hidden in a Marvel Comic, Introducing a New “Spider Man”
“Captain America: Civil War,” had its all-media packed screening tonight at the Arclight in Hollywood. I have never been a huge fan of superhero flicks, but I was pleasantly proven wrong. The film is actually quite funny (tons of inside jokes for the comic book devotees) charming and heartfelt in many places. The other places, well, mega destruction and over-the-top action rules.
Are there tons of characters and subplots? “Game of Thrones” is easier to follow. Captain America leads the newly formed team of Avengers to continue to safeguard the world. But because of the collateral damage the team has caused, problems ensue. The new reality splits this tight knit team ergo the “Civil War.”
And even though it’s called “Captain America,” this is really another “Iron Man” movie/”Avengers” film in Marvel clothing. It also introduces the new “Spider Man” just enough to make us want an actual “Spider Man” movie after five installments in this generation.
But the directors Anthony and Joe Russo ably weave it all into an appealing, never boring movie escapism experience. The cast is terrific, helped by a quippy script written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.
Led by the always reliable and likable Robert Downey Jr, as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Scarlett Johannson as Black Widow, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Paul Rudd as Antman, Sebastian Stan as Winter Soldier, Paul Bettany as Vision, Don Cheadle as War Machine, Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, the substantially talented ensemble all do their characters proud.
Standing out of the crowd is the luminous Elizabeth Olsen as the Scarlet Witch, as well as the new Spider Man, the off the charts adorable and funny Tom Holland. The filmmakers also cast the smaller roles wisely, including William Hurt, Martin Freeman, John Slattery, Hope Davis, Marisa Tomei and a menacing Daniel Bruhl.
At a running time of 2 hrs. and 26 minutes, I wasn’t bored a second. Yes, Stan Lee makes his requisite appearance, and stick around till after the credits for a clever “Spider Man” peak into the future preview. So do go see it. Marvel movies are way too charming and popcorn fun to resist.
Cannes: Robert DeNiro Tribute and Screening of Roberto Duran Boxing Movie Added
Cannes: “Hands of Stone,” the movie about boxer Roberto Duran, has been added to the Cannes screenings.
Robert De Niro, star of the Weinstein Company movie, will be getting a tribute and special dinner celebration.
Venezuelan director Jonathan Jakubowicz directed the film which also stars Edgar Ramirez as Duran. “Hands of Stone” is one of the Weinstein Company’s big potential Oscar films. It’s going to be released in August. The movie is about the common history of Panamanian boxer Roberto Duràn (Edgar Ramirez) and manager and coach Ray Arcel (Robert De Niro) who is going to take him to the highest worldwide successes of the ring in the ’70s and ’80s, including legendary fights against Sugar Ray Leonard.
Tony Awards: “Hamilton” Scores Big Time with 16 Nominations
The Tony nominations are out and “Hamilton” has scored 16 of them. That’s more than 1 in some categories. “Hamilton” is on its way to Best Musical.
“Shuffle Along” scored several including Best Musical, meaning it will lose to “Hamilton.” The producers of”Shuffle Along” wanted to go into the revival category. Alas, it was not to be.
The main actors in “Shuffle Along” were NOT nominated including Audra McDonald, the most awarded actress on Broadway.
“American Psycho” and “Tuck Everlasting” were hurt the most with fewest nominations. They were blocked in most major categories.
Full list of nominees…
Best Play
Eclipsed
The Father
The Humans
King Charles III
Best Musical
Hamilton
Shuffle Along
Waitress
School of Rock – The Musical
Bright Star
Best Revival of a Play
The Crucible
A View From the Bridge
Blackbird
Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Noises Off
Best Revival of a Musical
The Color Purple
Fiddler on the Roof
She Loves Me
Spring Awakening
Dames at Sea
Best Book of a Musical
Bright Star, Steve Martin
Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda
School of Rock—The Musical, Julian Fellowes
Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, George C. Wolfe
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Bright Star
Music: Steve Martin and Edie Brickell
Lyrics: Edie Brickell
Hamilton
Music & Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda
School of Rock—The Musical
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics: Glenn Slater
Waitress
Music & Lyrics: Sara Bareilles
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Gabriel Byrne, Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Jeff Daniels, Blackbird
Frank Langella, The Father
Tim Pigott-Smith, King Charles III
Mark Strong, Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Jessica Lange, Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Laurie Metcalf, Misery
Lupita Nyong’o, Eclipsed
Sophie Okonedo, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible
Michelle Williams, Blackbird
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Alex Brightman, School of Rock—The Musical
Danny Burstein, Fiddler on the Roof
Zachary Levi, She Loves Me
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
Leslie Odom, Jr., Hamilton
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Laura Benanti, She Loves Me
Carmen Cusack, Bright Star
Cynthia Erivo, The Color Purple
Jessie Mueller, Waitress
Phillipa Soo, Hamilton
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Reed Birney, The Humans
Bill Camp, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible
David Furr, Noises Off
Richard Goulding, King Charles III
Michael Shannon, Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Pascale Armand, Eclipsed
Megan Hilty, Noises Off
Jayne Houdyshell, The Humans
Andrea Martin, Noises Off
Saycon Sengbloh, Eclipsed
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Daveed Diggs, Hamilton
Brandon Victor Dixon, Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
Christopher Fitzgerald, Waitress
Jonathan Groff, Hamilton
Christopher Jackson, Hamilton
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple
Renée Elise Goldsberry, Hamilton
Jane Krakowski, She Loves Me
Jennifer Simard, Disaster!
Adrienne Warren, Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Beowulf Boritt, Thérèse Raquin
Christopher Oram, Hughie
Jan Versweyveld, Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge
David Zinn, The Humans
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Es Devlin & Finn Ross, American Psycho
David Korins, Hamilton
Santo Loquasto, Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
David Rockwell, She Loves Me
Best Costume Design of a Play
Jane Greenwood, Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Michael Krass, Noises Off
Clint Ramos, Eclipsed
Tom Scutt, King Charles III
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregg Barnes, Tuck Everlasting
Jeff Mahshie, She Loves Me
Ann Roth, Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
Paul Tazewell, Hamilton
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Natasha Katz, Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Justin Townsend, The Humans
Jan Versweyveld, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible
Jan Versweyveld, Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Howell Binkley, Hamilton
Jules Fisher & Peggy Eisenhauer, Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
Ben Stanton, Spring Awakening
Justin Townsend, American Psycho
Best Direction of a Play
Rupert Goold, King Charles III
Jonathan Kent, Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Joe Mantello, The Humans
Liesl Tommy, Eclipsed
Ivo Van Hove, Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge
Best Direction of a Musical
Michael Arden, Spring Awakening
John Doyle, The Color Purple
Scott Ellis, She Loves Me
Thomas Kail, Hamilton
George C. Wolfe, Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
Best Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler, Hamilton
Savion Glover, Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
Hofesh Shechter, Fiddler on the Roof
Randy Skinner, Dames at Sea
Sergio Trujillo, On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan
Best Orchestrations
August Eriksmoen, Bright Star
Larry Hochman, She Loves Me
Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton
Daryl Waters, Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Sheldon Harnick
Marshall W. Mason
Special Tony Award
National Endowment for the Arts
Miles Wilkin
Regional Theatre Tony Award
Paper Mill Playhouse; Millburn, NJ
Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award
Brian Stokes Mitchell
Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre
Seth Gelblum
Joan Lader
Sally Ann Parsons
Kelly and Michael Thank the Emmys for their Award; Kelly Ripa Wins Best Actress
NOW: Kelly Ripa wins Best Actress as a Talk Show host who’s angry but just got an Emmy she has to share with her departing co-host to whom she’s not speaking.
She was alone in the category.
This morning Kelly and Michael Strahan are on their “Live” show, thank everyone for the Emmy Award they won last night at the Daytime Emmys. It’s ironic since Strahan is leaving in ten days, and Ripa is barely speaking to him.
So far she’s all smiles, and no one has said anything biting or snarky. But they did give away the “Game of Thrones” spoiler of the day — Jon Snow is alive!
And it all happened in sweeps!
Congrats to Michael Gelman. I know it looks easy to produce a live one hour show every day with crazy people, but it isn’t.