It began in Detroit with boos and exits. It almost ended last night in Vancouver the same way. Tonight, Charlie Sheen‘s “I’ve Lost My Job, I’m Desperately Out of Touch with Reality and Owe Millions in Child Support” tour comes to an end in Seattle. It’s been six long, fun weeks of hecklers, delayed openings, and audiences running for the exits. And even though Live Nation fronted the money for Sheen, this was no record breaking U2 tour. Sheen’s bizarre theatrical adventure has been a disaster. What did he gain from this but the enmity of audiences? And who cares in the real world that Sheen has lost his $2 million a week job? If any regular person in his audience had dealt with an employer in a similar fashion, they would have been fired a long time ago. Drug addiction, missed work, rehab, inability to perform on the job– hello? And still people paid over $100 a ticket only to find that the Warlock had no clothes. And no clues. And no jokes. Many theaters were half full. Many tickets were free, and if not, then half price. Many people left before the shows were over. And now Sheen faces life after this adrenalin rush. “Two a Half Men” will go on without him. But he’s still stuck with Brooke, Denise, and four kids, and at least one goddess to feed.
Hollywood Stars Strike Out With Tony Nominations, Outer Critics, Et Al
Broadway loves the money Hollywood stars bring to the Great White Way. But awards? That’s another story. Now that the Tony nominations have been announced, the reality of movie actors getting Tony’s, Outer Critics or other nods is sinking in. Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Chris Noth, Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric, Chris Rock — all of them are bring in audience, but none of them are getting statues or certificates this spring. It’s the same for Daniel Radcliffe, of “Harry Potter” fame. He’s really trying, but his performance in “How to Succeed” has last award nominators cold to his charms. For “The House of Blue Leaves,” both Stiller and Jennifer Jason Leigh were snubbed by the Tonys. Only Edie Falco has been cited by awards groups. Some of it may have to do with Hollywood stars making debuts. Falco has long been a presence on Broadway and in theater. Same for Judith Light, who’s currently in “Lombardi.” But Robin Williams? As good as he is, he’s met with resistance from critics. Same for Jim Belushi, who I’m sure theater nominators consider a TV actor. Sadly, they obviously thought the same of his “Born Yesterday” co-star Robert Sean Leonard. Ironically, the Tony Awards producers and CBS will be dying to get all those Hollywood actors onto the June 12th Tony Awards show to get some ratings. We’ll see who’s gracious enough to pitch in despite getting no love from the Tonys.
Scott Pelley is the New Cronkite/Couric/Rather
It’s official: Scott Pelley is the new anchor of The CBS Evening News. He joins an elite group that includes Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, and Katie Couric. Will Pelley bring a significant change in ratings or attitude to the show? Can he beat Brian Williams or Diane Sawyer? And does it matter any more? I think ‘no’ is the answer to all those questions, but we’ll see. Maybe Pelley will surprise us. My choice would have been Harry Smith, but no one asked. It looks like Pelley will just pick up where Couric leaves off, on Monday June 6th. Is that enough time to build a whole new set and get new theme music? Resurrect Eric Sevareid to do the voice over introduction? Probably not. But Pelley’s assumption the anchor chair should make the old timers at CBS News happy: he’s one of them, and he’s a guy. These were the things they didn’t like about Katie Couric. So even if Pelley never raises the ratings, he’ll be a comfortable, supported fit in house. PS When bin Laden was killed on Sunday, Russ Mitchell did a great job anchoring the whole episode.
“Book of Mormon,” Al Pacino, “War Horse” Puppets Get Tony Nominations
Nominations for the 2011 American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards®
Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing
Best Play
Good People
Author: David Lindsay-Abaire
Producers: Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Barry Grove
Jerusalem
Author: Jez Butterworth
Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, Stuart Thompson, Scott Rudin, Roger Berlind, Royal Court Theatre Productions, Beverly Bartner/Alice Tulchin, Dede Harris/Rupert Gavin, Broadway Across America, Jon B. Platt, 1001 Nights/Stephanie P. McClelland, Carole L. Haber/Richard Willis, Jacki Barlia Florin/Adam Blanshay
The Motherf**ker with the Hat
Author: Stephen Adly Guirgis
Producers: Scott Rudin, Stuart Thompson, Public Theater Productions, Oskar Eustis, Joey Parnes, Labyrinth Theater Company, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Mimi O’Donnell, Yul Vázquez, Danny Feldman, Fabula Media Partners LLC, Jean Doumanian, Ruth Hendel, Carl Moellenberg, Jon B. Platt, Tulchin Bartner/Jamie deRoy
War Horse
Author: Nick Stafford
Producers: Lincoln Center Theater, André Bishop, Bernard Gersten, National Theatre of Great Britain, Nicholas Hytner, Nick Starr, Bob Boyett, War Horse LP
Best Musical
The Book of Mormon
Producers: Anne Garefino, Scott Rudin, Roger Berlind, Scott M. Delman, Jean Doumanian, Roy Furman, Important Musicals LLC, Stephanie P. McClelland, Kevin Morris, Jon B. Platt, Sonia Friedman Productions, Stuart Thompson
Catch Me If You Can
Producers: Margo Lion, Hal Luftig, Stacey Mindich, Yasuhiro Kawana, Scott & Brian Zeilinger, The Rialto Group, The Araca Group, Michael Watt, Barbara & Buddy Freitag, Jay & Cindy Gutterman/Pittsburgh CLO, Elizabeth Williams, Johnny Roscoe Productions/Van Dean, Fakston Productions/Solshay Productions, Patty Baker/Richard Winkler, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Warren Trepp, Remmel T. Dickinson, Paula Herold/Kate Lear, Stephanie P. McClelland, Jamie deRoy, Barry Feirstein, Rainerio J. Reyes, Rodney Rigby, Loraine Boyle, Amuse Inc., Joseph & Matthew Deitch/Cathy Chernoff, Joan Stein/Jon Murray, The 5th Avenue Theatre
The Scottsboro Boys
Producers: Barry and Fran Weissler, Jacki Barlia Florin, Janet Pailet/Sharon A. Carr/Patricia R. Klausner, Nederlander Presentations, Inc./The Shubert Organization, Beechwood Entertainment, Broadway Across America, Mark Zimmerman, Adam Blanshay/R2D2 Productions, Rick Danzansky/Barry Tatelman, Bruce Robert Harris/Jack W. Batman, Allen Spivak/Jerry Frankel, Bard Theatricals/Probo Productions/Randy Donaldson, Catherine Schreiber/Michael Palitz/Patti Laskawy, Vineyard Theatre
Sister Act
Producers: Whoopi Goldberg & Stage Entertainment, The Shubert Organization and Disney Theatrical Productions
Best Book of a Musical
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
Alex Timbers
The Book of Mormon
Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone
The Scottsboro Boys
David Thompson
Sister Act
Cheri Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner and Douglas Carter Beane
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
The Book of Mormon
Music & Lyrics: Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone
The Scottsboro Boys
Music & Lyrics: John Kander and Fred Ebb
Sister Act
Music: Alan Menken
Lyrics: Glenn Slater
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Music & Lyrics: David Yazbek
Best Revival of a Play
Arcadia
Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, Roger Berlind, Stephanie P. McClelland, Scott M. Delman, Nicholas Quinn Rosenkranz, Disney Theatrical Group, Robert G. Bartner, Olympus Theatricals, Douglas Smith, Janine Safer Whitney
The Importance of Being Earnest
Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Harold Wolpert, Julia C. Levy
The Merchant of Venice
Producers: The Public Theater, Oskar Eustis, Andrew D. Hamingson, Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Debbie Bisno & Eva Price, Amy Nederlander, Jonathan First, Stewart F. Lane & Bonnie Comley, Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Merritt Forrest Baer, The Araca Group, Broadway Across America, Joseph & Matthew Deitch, JK Productions, Terry Allen Kramer, Cathy Chernoff/Jay & Cindy Gutterman, Mallory Factor/Cheryl Lachowicz, Joey Parnes, The Shubert Organization
The Normal Heart
Producers: Daryl Roth, Paul Boskind, Martian Entertainment, Gregory Rae, Jayne Baron Sherman/Alexander Fraser
Best Revival of a Musical
Anything Goes
Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Harold Wolpert, Julia C. Levy
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Producers: Broadway Across America, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Joseph Smith, Michael McCabe, Candy Spelling, Takonkiet Viravan/Scenario Thailand, Hilary A. Williams, Jen Namoff/Fakston Productions, Two Left Feet Productions/Power Arts, Hop Theatricals, LLC/Paul Chau/Daniel Frishwasser/Michael Jackowitz, Michael Speyer-Bernie Abrams/Jacki Barlia Florin-Adam Blanshay/Arlene Scanlan/TBS Service
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Brian Bedford, The Importance of Being Earnest
Bobby Cannavale, The Motherf**ker with the Hat
Joe Mantello, The Normal Heart
Al Pacino, The Merchant of Venice
Mark Rylance, Jerusalem
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Nina Arianda, Born Yesterday
Frances McDormand, Good People
Lily Rabe, The Merchant of Venice
Vanessa Redgrave, Driving Miss Daisy
Hannah Yelland, Brief Encounter
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, Catch Me If You Can
Josh Gad, The Book of Mormon
Joshua Henry, The Scottsboro Boys
Andrew Rannells, The Book of Mormon
Tony Sheldon, Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Sutton Foster, Anything Goes
Beth Leavel, Baby It’s You!
Patina Miller, Sister Act
Donna Murphy, The People in the Picture
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Mackenzie Crook, Jerusalem
Billy Crudup, Arcadia
John Benjamin Hickey, The Normal Heart
Arian Moayed, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Yul Vázquez, The Motherf**ker with the Hat
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Ellen Barkin, The Normal Heart
Edie Falco, The House of Blue Leaves
Judith Light, Lombardi
Joanna Lumley, La Bête
Elizabeth Rodriguez, The Motherf**ker with the Hat
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Colman Domingo, The Scottsboro Boys
Adam Godley, Anything Goes
John Larroquette, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Forrest McClendon, The Scottsboro Boys
Rory O’Malley, The Book of Mormon
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Laura Benanti, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Tammy Blanchard, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Victoria Clark, Sister Act
Nikki M. James, The Book of Mormon
Patti LuPone, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Todd Rosenthal, The Motherf**ker with the Hat
Rae Smith, War Horse
Ultz, Jerusalem
Mark Wendland, The Merchant of Venice
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Beowulf Boritt, The Scottsboro Boys
Derek McLane, Anything Goes
Scott Pask, The Book of Mormon
Donyale Werle, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
Best Costume Design of a Play
Jess Goldstein, The Merchant of Venice
Desmond Heeley, The Importance of Being Earnest
Mark Thompson, La Bête
Catherine Zuber, Born Yesterday
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Tim Chappel & Lizzy Gardiner, Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Martin Pakledinaz, Anything Goes
Ann Roth, The Book of Mormon
Catherine Zuber, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Paule Constable, War Horse
David Lander, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Kenneth Posner, The Merchant of Venice
Mimi Jordan Sherin, Jerusalem
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Ken Billington, The Scottsboro Boys
Howell Binkley, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Peter Kaczorowski, Anything Goes
Brian MacDevitt, The Book of Mormon
Best Sound Design of a Play
Acme Sound Partners & Cricket S. Myers, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Simon Baker, Brief Encounter
Ian Dickinson for Autograph, Jerusalem
Christopher Shutt, War Horse
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Peter Hylenski, The Scottsboro Boys
Steve Canyon Kennedy, Catch Me If You Can
Brian Ronan, Anything Goes
Brian Ronan, The Book of Mormon
Best Direction of a Play
Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, War Horse
Joel Grey & George C. Wolfe, The Normal Heart
Anna D. Shapiro, The Motherf**ker with the Hat
Daniel Sullivan, The Merchant of Venice
Best Direction of a Musical
Rob Ashford, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Kathleen Marshall, Anything Goes
Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker, The Book of Mormon
Susan Stroman, The Scottsboro Boys
Best Choreography
Rob Ashford, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Kathleen Marshall, Anything Goes
Casey Nicholaw, The Book of Mormon
Susan Stroman, The Scottsboro Boys
Best Orchestrations
Doug Besterman, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Larry Hochman, The Scottsboro Boys
Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus, The Book of Mormon
Marc Shaiman & Larry Blank, Catch Me If You Can
* * *
Recipients of Awards and Honors in Non-competitive Categories
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Athol Fugard
Philip J. Smith
Regional Theatre Tony Award
Lookingglass Theatre Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Isabelle Stevenson Award
Eve Ensler
Special Tony Award
Handspring Puppet Company
Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre
William Berloni
The Drama Book Shop
Sharon Jensen and Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts
* * *
Tony Nominations by Production
The Book of Mormon – 14
The Scottsboro Boys – 12
Anything Goes – 9
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying – 8
The Merchant of Venice – 7
Jerusalem – 6
The Motherf**ker with the Hat – 6
The Normal Heart – 5
Sister Act – 5
War Horse – 5
Catch Me If You Can – 4
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo – 3
The Importance of Being Earnest – 3
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown – 3
Arcadia – 2
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson – 2
Born Yesterday – 2
Brief Encounter – 2
Good People – 2
La Bête – 2
Priscilla Queen of the Desert – 2
Baby It’s You! – 1
Driving Miss Daisy – 1
The House of Blue Leaves – 1
Lombardi – 1
The People in the Picture – 1
www.TonyAwards.com
American Idol News: Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler Likes Clean Sex
Steven Tyler’s new book, “Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?” is published officially today. And while it doesn’t seem to have a lot of juicy gossip revelations, Tyler does go on and on about a couple of themes: his love of drugs, graphic sex revelations, and his need for groupies to be clean. Yes, that’s right. Despite his massive drug addiction, Tyler is one rock star who likes tidy romps. Tyler writes: “As dirty as my mind is, my body’s pretty clean. Kelly [an assistant] always made sure the girls were in the shower when I got in the room. I liked my pulchritude pristine! I can’t kiss a girl that’s been stage diving with five hundred other guys. I’m very oral and I like clean. Back then, sure, you could’ve gotten gonorrhea, but with one shot of penicillin…see ya. Unlike today, STDs were dime store a dozen in those days. How do you avoid ’em? Screw ’em through Saran Wrap? Nah, if they washed, they were clean. As someone once said, “You ain’t seen nuthin’ till you’re down on a muffin”–and I’m no different.” More to come…
All Star Monday in NYC: Smart Kids Honor Sidney Poitier, Dumb Kids Do Met Ball
Where were you last night in New York says everything about who you are. The choices were the Film Society of Lincoln Center honoring Sidney Poitier, the Costume Institute Ball at the Metropolitan Museum, and the Stella Adler Foundation dinner for Liza Minnelli and Annette Bening. How did it all play out? The smart kids went to Lincoln Center, the Junior Prom went to the Met, and the money went to Stella Adler.
Basically, the Met Ball got Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney. Otherwise, it was the usual fashion competition among young actresses. Snore.
But the Lincoln Center tribute was phenomenal: it was the first time in their 30 year history that an African American was honored. Poitier, 84, was the logical choice. In what turned out to be a beautiful, moving, and funny tribute, these stars each took the stage: Bill Cosby, James Earl Jones, Chris Tucker, Morgan Freeman, Quincy Jones, Mary Louise Parker. Dan Aykroyd, Norman Jewison, Quentin Tarantino, Sir Ben Kingsley, Ruby Dee, Harry Belafonte, Chris Tucker, and Lulu, who sang “To Sir with Love.” Oprah Winfrey sent a taped message. Tony Bennett and director James Toback were in the audience, along with Joan Collins, Jim Belushi, Regis and Joy Philbin, and Sanaa Lathan, who has a major off Broadway hit with “Vera Stark” at the Second Stage Theater.
Meanwhile, at Denise Rich‘s Fifth Avenue aerie, Michael Douglas presented a Stella by Starlite award to Annette Bening, Liza Minnelli received hers from Elaine Stritch, Kate Mulgrew emceed, and awards also went to Wall Street legend Muriel Siebert and to United Airlines. Both Dan Lauria and Judith Light from Broadway’s “Lombardi” stopped by, and Liz Smith put in a rare appearance with pal Iris Love. Minnelli gave the loveliest, most cogent speech, was funny and off hand and totally had it together. It was impressive.
Stars Show Up For Phoebe Snow’s Send Off
Phoebe Snow, the great singer and musician who died last week at age 60, got a great send off today in New York. Among the stars and friends who showed up to pay their respects at Phoebe’s Buddhist ceremony were Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen, Paul Shaffer, Lesley Gore, actor Bob Balaban and his wife Lynn, May Pang, singers Fonzie Thornton and Janice Pendarvis, legendary record exec Bruce Lundvall, Ellyn Harris and PR maven Melani Rogers, and a host of local musicians who’d played with Phoebe over the years. Former President Bill Clinton sent a message of condolence. Howard Stern couldn’t make the funeral, but came on Sunday night to the wake, as did producer Russ Titelman. Roger Butterley and some musicians who’d toured with Phoebe performed a lovely version of “Poetry Man.” Phoebe’s tour manager and executor, Tony Melfa, helped put it all together and showed a video of Phoebe on “CBS Sunday Morning.” One thing I learned after thirty years: Phoebe was named for the great actress Phoebe Brand, founder of the Group Theater and wife of Shakespearean actor Morris Carnovsky. The Carnovskys were famously blacklisted after director Elia Kazan gave their names to the House Un-American Activities Committee. Thanks to Phoebe’s Uncle Bob for that information, and to her two close friends who spoke so beautifully. Phoebe, RIP.
Steven Tyler: New Single (Hear It Here) and Book This Week
The Honorable Steven Tyler, judge of “American Idol,” is cashing in like crazy this week on his new found fame and fun. He’s got a new single coming on May 9th called “It Feels So Good.” It’s his official first ever solo single, although he says he’s working on material with Aerosmith. Here’s the link to hear a clip of the single: http://www.amazon.com/It-Feels-So-Good/dp/B004Y52H3A It’s nice to hear his voice again! And then there’s the release tomorrow of his memoir, “Does the Noise In My Head Bother You?” The book is already causing trouble as a couple of people who are in it are complaining Tyler has not recalled certain anecdotes correctly. A full reading of the book may determine how much Tyler’s hazy memory has twisted a few stories. Already upset is New York Dolls rocker David Johannson, first husband of Tyler’s now deceased ex wife Cyrinda Foxe. There are others. And all of this comes conveniently as “Idol” enters sweeps month with big ratings anticipated for the finale. It’s quite a turnaround for Tyler, who was almost dead a year ago. It’s quite a nice comeback story. Dude looks like a survivor.
Now Madonna and Kabbalah Get New York Magazine Treatment
I’ve been writing about Madonna and Kabbalah for several years now. I recently revealed that Kabbalah was under investigation by a grand jury in New York. Recently, Wayne Barrett, late of the Village Voice and now writing for the Daily Beast, got into the act. Today, New York Magazine jumps in with a piece that pretty much restates a lot of what we’ve already covered. Vanessa Grigoriadis also speaks to a couple of Kabbalah Center members and goes to a “service” in Los Angeles.
In the last week I spoke to a relative of a famous Kabbalah Center member–not Madonna–who is very upset about their loved one’s attachment to the Center. I also encountered the business associate of another prominent member, who defended the organization with glassy eyed determination. When I offered to take this person to an actual synagogue to see an actual rabbi, they demurred: “I don’t need that. I have the Kabbalah Center.” So you see what’s happening here.
Most of these reports have little effect, unfortunately, on current members. It’s not until people leave a cult that we find out — no matter which one it is–that they invulnerable to public criticism.
Remember this much going forward: according to the Associated Press in February 2010, 200 local Malawians were removed from their homes to make way for a school that has never been built in the impoverished African country. The locals were paid a pittance to leave. Millions of dollars have since evaporated without explanation. And American families have lost children to Kabbalah Center leader Karen Berg’s private team of young women who work directly for her– called Chevre.
New Music: Aretha Franklin, Garland Jeffreys Each Score
Tomorrow comes Aretha Franklin‘s long promised “A Woman Falling out of Love,” on her very own Aretha’s Records. It’s available for now at Wal Mart and on WalMart.com. After a month it goes to the downloading services like ITunes and amazon.com. It’s Aretha’s first new album in a long time, and her 38th all together. Unlike her glossy releases on Arista over the last 25 years, “A Woman Falling out Love” takes Ms. Franklin very back to the roots Aretha–lots gospel, her own songs, Aretha playing brilliant piano, and in house production by her own team. If there’s a hit single, I’d say it’s a tie between her own composition, “This You Should Know,” and Norman West‘s “Put It Back Together Again.” There’s also a potential hit in “U Can’t See Me,” written and produced by Curtis Boone. This is unvarnished Aretha, and a relief to know that the Queen of Soul still reigns supreme! Don’t miss gospel highlights: “Faithful,” with Karen Clark, and “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” featuring Franklin’s son, Eddie.
Garland Jeffreys‘ show at the Highline Ballroom on Saturday was like a revival meeting–and it was definitely another step in the revival of Jeffreys’ long up 
and down career. His first album in eons, “The King of Inbetween,” will be available beginning June 7th. Right now the single “Coney Island Winter” is on ITunes. The video is in our player below. At Saturday night’s show, Garland kicked ass with some of his great hits like “Wild in the Streets” and “96 Tears,” fan favorites like “New York Skyline” and “I May Not Be Your Kind.” But it’s the new songs I’m interested in: Jeffreys has always been the king of in-between–not just black and white, but rock and soul. For 35 years he’s been a radio enigma. (You know radio hates the gray areas.) But outside of Paul Simon’s current album, there is nothing this smart, fun, or catchy for people who really love rock and roll music. www.garlandjeffreys.com