Saturday, December 20, 2025
Home Blog Page 1642

Broadway Review: “Finding Neverland” with Matthew Morrison Becomes Charming Stage Musical for the Ages

0

“Finding Neverland” arrives tonight on Broadway loaded for Tony nominations and overflowing with charm. It’s also Harvey Weinstein’s debut as a modern day David Merrick. Stand back.

The good news, and there’s plenty of it: Matthew Morrison is like a real life Peter Pan as he makes a Glee-ful return to Broadway with legions of fans following him. Laura Michelle Kelly is luminous as Sylvia Llewellyn Davies, and Kelsey Grammer steals the show alternating between Barrie’s theater producer and a wonderfully hilarious Captain Hook. Finding Neverland turns out to be the three hankie show of the season with a lump in its throat and a tear in the eye.

“FN” is based on the 2003 Oscar nominated movie hat starred Johnny Depp and was directed by Marc Forster. Now Diane Paulus — of “Pippin” and “Hair” fame– reimagines the story of how “Peter Pan” author James M. Barrie was energized by widow Sylvia Davies and her four young boys. Barrie was at a cross roads at his career as London playwright and stuck in an unhappy marriage. Meeting the Davies in the park awakened his inner child, and soon the story of Peter and Captain Hook, et al came to life. Paulus is expert at whimsy, and so her London shivers with confetti blasts, and delights in oversized bicycles, red balloons, and a hallucinatory clock sequence that I want to see again as soon as possible.

Gary Barlow wrote the music in a sort of Beatle-y, Elton John lite motif, with plenty of catchy songs like “When Your Feet Don’t Touch the Ground,” “Better,” “Circus of Your Mind,” and “Believe.” Morrison, Kelly and Grammer are not the only success stories of “Neverland.” Carolee Carmello is splendid as Sylvia’s haughty mother, and the Davies boys that I saw were spot on without being cloying. The boys even have their own clever number –“We’re All Made of Stars” — that proves witty and endearing.

And PS– Morrison has his huge following from “Glee,” but he’s the real thing. He has a beautiful voice with lots of range, and stage presence to spare.

Madonna’s Chart Resurgence is Short Lived as “Rebel Heart” Drops Out of iTunes Top 100

0

And so, it’s over. Madonna’s chart resurgence was short lived as “Rebel Heart” is now at number 105 on iTunes. The album had a big jump last week after Madonna’s great appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s “Tonight” show. But there was no follow up, except for Madonna’s kiss thing with Drake. Shock doesn’t sell albums the way it used to, I guess. The single we thought might take off, “Bitch, I’m Madonna,” is also gone from the iTunes singles chart and isn’t being played on radio.

The good news, I guess, is that last week’s chart– which comes out today– has “Rebel Heart” up to number 32 on hitsdailydouble’s combined chart. “Rebel Heart” sold 16,108 copies altogether after the Fallon show, which is better than nothing but not enough to keep the Material Girl in quarter horses at the Southampton riding academy. She could still play horseshoes, however.

And so, on to the tour this fall. We’ll always have a special place in our ‘rebel hearts’ for Madge.

Broadway: “Frasier” Reunion with Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce Back to Back

0

There’s a big “Frasier” reunion going on this month on Broadway. Kelsey Grammer, who played Frasier Crane in both the hit bar comedy “Cheers” and his own show for a total of 20 years, is having a blast in the new musical “Finding Neverland” with “Glee” star Matthew Morrison at the Lunt-Fontanne on West 46th St.

Down the alley a half a block, just about literally back to back, Frasier’s brother Niles Crane made his directorial debut last night with “It Shoulda Been You” at the Brooks Atkinson on West 47th St. Two of the actors in that musical, Edward Hibbert and Harriet Harris, played recurring roles on “Frasier.”

Not only that: there’s a big “Cheers” moment in “Finding Neverland” that makes the audience explode with laughter. I don’t want to give it away. Frasier Crane, as we all know, came from “Cheers” originally.

The good news is that all the “Frasier’ players are well suited for Broadway. Their show was often staged like a great stage comedy, often a French farce. And they’ve all been on Broadway a lot, only Hyde-Pierce is usually acting. “It Shoulda Been You” offers him great material for his debut as it showcases a family and their friends stuck in a fancy hotel as a wedding approaches.

Last night, Hyde-Pierce proved a draw for a lot of celebs including Rosie O’Donnell, Judith Light, Patricia Clarkson, Julianna Margulies, Neil Patrick Harris, and “Kimmy Schmidt” star Titus Burgess in the audience. An even bigger crowd is set for the “Finding Neverland” premiere tonight.

Casting Call for Lifetime “Full House” Tell-All Movie Has Nice Anti-Semitic Overtone

0

Bob Saget should get a kick out of this. I was sent a casting call for Lifetime’s tell-all backstage movie about the TV show “Full House.” Saget’s character, Danny Tanner, is described as “a tall, Caucasian, sarcastic, quick witted, and lanky affable actor in his early 30s, with a prominent nose and a New York type personality.”

The last part is worded oh so carefully– “a prominent nose and New York type personality” is code for Jewish. With a capital J.

Lifetime has become a moat for really bad “told to” movies about celebrities and old TV shows. In the last year they tramped all over Whitney Houston and made a sleazy business out of “Saved by the Bell.” It’s unclear who watches this stuff– bored pets?– but maybe it the stuff sells overseas.

This episode is written by Ron McGee, who also authored “The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Movie.” I doubt he wrote the description of Saget’s character, but someone associated with this did. The Olsen twins should be worried.

John Stamos’s Uncle Jessie is described as “Early-mid 20s, Caucasian, really good looking
dark, sexy male with a great head of hair…A little surprised to discover that some of his younger cast mates outshine him, he nonetheless relishes his status as one of Hollywood’s Most Eligible Bachelors. He even meets the woman of his dreams…” At least there’s no mention of Greek yogurt.

No word on who will play the Olsen twins, or any of the others including Dave Coulier.

Percy Sledge, Singer of “When a Man Loves A Woman,” Dies of Liver Cancer at 73

0

Percy Sledge has passed away at age 73. The great singer of “When a Man Loves a Woman” was suffering from liver cancer for some time according to sources. “When a Man Loves a Woman” was the First gold record ever earned by Atlantic Records, ushering in the era of Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler, Aretha Franklin, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, and so many more.

Thanks to Seymour Stein, Percy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame several years ago. Small in height Percy was large in stature, a great singer who had a lot of R&B chart hits and songs covered by others apart from “When a Man Loves A Woman.”

One of my favorite Percy Sledge songs is “True Love Travels on a Gravel Road”

Of course, Percy was not a one hit wonder. “Warm and Tender Love” rode up the charts right behind “When A Man”:

But of course he’ll always be identified with this song, which Michael Bolton has kept alive as part of his shtick. But it was Percy’s song, twice a hit in the UK and one of the greatest classics of all time. Percy Sledge was a sweet man, and a great artist.

“Avengers: Age of Ultron” Premieres in Hollywood 3 Weeks Before Actual Opening

0

For some reason Marvel and Disney premiered “The Avengers: Age of Ultron” last night in Hollywood, three weeks before it opens in theaters. ABC, part of the Disney empire, turned the whole thing into an extravaganza with a live Jimmy Kimmel show following the premiere, with a lot of the cast present. They even tied in ABC TV’s “Agents of SHIELD” by piping in actor Clark Gregg.

So how was the movie? Hard to say. Certainly, everyone who saw it “loved” it. And everyone who didn’t see it “loved” it. The red carpet at the Dolby Theater was live streamed. All in all, it was a jolly hype fest. But no one will see the movie again until April 21st, when there’s a press screening in New York, and then again on April 27th. Suffice to say, “Ultron” should be like printing money. The buzz is on to make it the biggest movie in Hollywood history.

One nice touch at the premiere: Lou Ferrigno, the original incredible Hulk from TV, and the nicest guy in the world. Marvel always includes him in everything.

 

David Letterman Announces Final Guests, But So Far No Regis or Teri Garr

0

David Letterman has announced the final guests for his show before his May 20th finale. These guests will be spread over the last 28 shows, and more will be added. So far, no mention of Regis Philbin, although I could see him being on the very last installment. Also, if it’s possible, it would be great to see Teri Garr come back. But her health issues may not permit it.  The other Letterman guest that I’m sure he would like is Mary Tyler Moore, who gave him his start with her short lived variety show. Again, health issues are involved.

I do think music wise, there will be surprises still to be announced. Bruce Springsteen? Sting? Paul McCartney?

Here’s the list they put out today: George Clooney, Robert Downey, Jr., Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Tom Hanks, Jack Hanna, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Keaton, Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Sarah Jessica Parker, Don Rickles, Julia Roberts, Ray Romano, Paul Rudd, Jerry Seinfeld, Martin Short, Howard Stern, John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Oprah Winfrey, The Avett Brothers and Brandi Carlisle, Elvis Costello, Dave Matthews Band, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Mumford and Sons, Ralph Stanley and Amos Lee.

Cannes Film Festival Announces First Ever Opening Night by Female Director, Emmanuelle Bercot

0

The Cannes Film Festival will open with a film for the first time by a female director. Emmanuelle Bercot will debut on May 13th with “La Tete Haute” starring Catherine Denueve.

“The choice of this film may seem surprising, given the rules generally applied to the Festival de Cannes Opening Ceremony,” explains Thierry Frémaux, General delegate of the Event. “It is a clear reflection of our desire to see the Festival start with a different piece, which is both bold and moving. Emmanuelle Bercot’s film makes important statements about contemporary society, in keeping with modern cinema. It focusses on universal social issues, making it a perfect fit for the global audience at Cannes.”

According to a press release, “La Tête Haute” tells the story of a juvenile delinquent, Malony, and his upbringing from childhood to adulthood, as a children’s judge and social worker try to save him. It was filmed in the Nord-Pas de Calais, Rhône-Alpes and Paris area regions, In addition to Deneuve, the movie stars Benoît Magimel, Sara Forestier and Rod Paradot, who plays the main character.

“Mad Men”: Inside Joke About Manson, Inside Scare About Death, Plus: Mimi Rogers

0

What timing! Just when Tom Cruise is in the news regarding Scientology, his first wife, Mimi Rogers, makes a startling appearance on “Mad Men” as a sex hustling avant garde photographer with a streak of Susan Sontag grey in her hair. Wow. And like all “Mad Men” sort of stunt casting, Rogers was excellent. Good to see her. Also good to see Don’s former lover, Sylvia, and husband, Arnold are still together and still living in the same apartment.

The second episode of season 7.2 was a winner, dense with plot and story and intent on tidying up loose ends. Megan returned to get her things and brought her mother and sister. Mom (Julia Ormond) connected with Roger, Megan discovered their affair, and there’s a chance Mama is staying with Roger. Is that an end game?

One end game that looks like it won’t happen is Don ending with waitress Diana or “Di” as she called herself last week. Elizabeth Reaser, sort of channeling Rosemarie DeWitt’s Midge from earlier seasons, was alternately sultry, sad, and scary. Don’s interest in her is peculiar and self indulgent– who does she remind him of? The scent of death is all over her, from her name to the story of her child, and her abandonment of her family. What happens? Don thinks he wants “Di” but ultimately walks away from her. (Too Derrida? I don’t know. Stick around.)

Meanwhile, Betty is back. She’s decided to become a psychologist. This is a hoot. She’s crazy, as we all know. Can you imagine what she will say to patients about her children? But she’s still with Henry, and at least she didn’t yell at the boys about making a mess with the milk shake.

By the end of the episode, Don is stripped down. Not only has he given Megan a whopping settlement of $1 million, she’s taken (via Mama ) all of his furniture. He arrives at a totally empty living room. He’s got to start over. But what if, as Pete asks him on the way to golf, it’s not possible?’

Finally, Matt Weiner has fun with the audience. Don’s secretary — waiting for a meeting to start– says she doesn’t want to go to California because she might encounter “the Manson brothers.” The Manson family? Don asks, “Are they coming?” No, they’re not, but this was a weird rumor that plagued “Mad Men” about Megan maybe being Sharon Tate or something a couple of seasons ago. Very clever.

Exclusive: “Girl with Dragon Tattoo” Noomi Rapace Headed for Shainberg’s “Rupture”

Here’s the word over the weekend: I’m told that Noomi Rapace, so startling in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”– the original Swedish movie– is getting ready for another startling turn. She’ll play Renee, a mother whose son has been kidnapped by a shady organization (not Scientology).

Steve Shainberg, known far and wide for two great, out there movies– “Secretary” and “Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus “– will direct. It’s his first feature directing assignment since “Fur” in 2006. Andrew Lazar is producing after having a monster hit with “American Sniper.”

In 2012, Lazar was going to produce a Shainberg movie called “The Big Shoe” starring Susan Sarandon and Jim Sturgess. I guess it never happened. Sturgess has been making UK films since then, but this could bring him back to the US. Thanks to the folks in Canada who keep abreast of these things.