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Broadway: “Priscilla” Is Here, “Rebecca” Is Coming

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: “Priscilla” Is Here, “Rebecca” Is Coming

Sunday night will bring the opening night of the musical version of the Australian film, “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.” Because I’m in Washington on Sunday night, I caught Saturday night’s show. It’s vulgar and coarse, with retread teeth gritting disco songs for a score. The audience loved it. Of course, the audience was largely gay and/or female.

The movie is more like the famed disco flick, “Can’t Stop the Music,” than the film on which it is actually based. If it weren’t for Will Swenson and Tony Sheldon I would have abandoned all hope, but they were great. Also there are some beautiful girls in the chorus who are actually of the feminine persuasion. This brassy, Vegas like spectacle can be witty, but the vulgarities are unnecessary. No Tonys here, except maybe for costumes. There are life dancing whiskbrooms in this show! And gigantic whirling cupcakes for “MacArthur Park.” The character sport Elton John‘s cast off outfits circa 1976.

The sets themselves–aside from Priscilla, the bus–looked cheap. The show is doing good business in previews, but it’s going to be hard getting husbands and boyfriends into this theater without some major compromise at home. (Lots of Poker nights are in the offing.) Why is Australia — home of “The Boy from Oz” also–so interested in drag queens? Is it because they have a city named Sydney?

If you’re into it, “Priscilla” is a jukebox of songs by Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, and other divas. There’s also, inexplicably, an opera number performed in drag atop the bus.

Meanwhile: “Rebecca,” the world famous Daphne DuMaurier novel, is coming to Broadway as a musical. Once an Alfred Hitchcock movie, “Rebecca” with all her dark secrets and melodrama, seems like a grand idea for the “Les Miz” and “Phantom” set. On Friday, an invited audience of Broadway elite got to see a special concert presentation of “Rebecca.” It won’t come to Broadway until next year some time, but from the looks of things it’s very polished and continues being tweaked. I can’t actually review a show on this basis, but I will tell you that Carolee Carmello, from “The Addams Family,” was stunning as spooky caretaker of Manderley, the famed estate from “Rebecca.” If this makes it to Broadway in 2012, Carmello will head straight to raves and a Tony nomination. She’s that good. So nice to know that next year’s shows are already shaping up!

“Lincoln Lawyer,” Even with $6 Groupon Coupons, Finishes in 5th Place

Roger Friedman
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“Lincoln Lawyer,” Even with $6 Groupon Coupons, Finishes in 5th Place

I guess the experiment didn’t work. Even though “The Lincoln Lawyer” sold $6 tickets through Groupon, it still finished in 5th place on Friday — and probably for the weekend. The film took in $4.1 million on Friday. It followed “Limitless,” “Battle: Los Angeles,” “Paul,” and “Rango” in that order. Granted, this is a miserable list of films in a dog like March when NCAA basketball and other diversions like the threat of a new Charlie Sheen video keep people away from the movie theaters.  But “The Lincoln Lawyer” got decent reviews, and Marisa Tomei is supposedly very good in it. (She is, always.) So I guess, too, that Bradley Cooper has usurped Matthew McConaughey at the box office. As for the others, for “Battle: Los Angeles.” every time I see the poster I start rooting for the aliens. “Rango” dropped quite a bit; it really made all its money in one week. As for “Lincoln,” it’s hard to say how many people used their $6 tickets on opening night, but you’d have to think most of the Groupon holders went last night or will go tonight. So that means something–either the discounted ticket didn’t help the box office, or attendance was really really bad. What it really did was send a signal that the movie wasn’t good and had to be assisted. Movies are not like CDs. They’re not the same kind of commodity. Lesson learned perhaps.

Jodie Foster’s “Beaver” Panned by Two Trades, Loved By One–And Scandal There

Roger Friedman
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Jodie Foster’s “Beaver” Panned by Two Trades, Loved By One–And Scandal There

Jodie Foster‘s “The Beaver.” starring Mel Gibson, opened at the South by Southwest Festival this week. Variety and IndieWire panned it, though praising Gibson’s performance. The sad Hollywood Reporter–which lifts stories as if it were the Artful Dodger–loved it. Of course, they sent in a second string reviewer than let their stars Kirk Honeycutt and Todd McCarthy get near it.

Now it turns out that Deadline.com is reporting the Reporter “horse traded” with “Beaver” distributor Summit Entertainment. The report claims that THR suppressed negative financial news about Summit in one story in order to get a big exclusive with Foster on the cover of its tepid weekly magazine. And so THR is full of glad tidings about Foster and “The Beaver” this week, which is completely embarrassing.

But no more embarrassing than the once plucky trade magazine’s constant repurposing of stories already on the internet, added to with the now meaningless word: Exclusive! Now, of course, I haven’t seen “The Beaver.” But it does sound like a pale recast of a very good movie, “Lars and the Real Girl.” Only now the blow up sex doll has been replaced by a hand puppet.

Foster is not a great director. Her one shot at the big time, called “Flora Plum,” with Russell Crowe, was cancelled before it began shooting. “Little Man Tate,” now 20 years old, was sweet but unimportant. “Home for the Holidays” (1995) was a good TV movie. That’s her directing resume. Her allegiance to Gibson is perplexing. He’s now pleaded no contest to a charge of domestic abuse, following his DUI, his anti-Semitic rants, etc.

What’s more, Foster is in for a shock if she thinks Gibson can promote this movie. There’s plenty of evidence on YouTube demonstrating his short temper during his “Edge of Darkness” publicity tour. Just ask Sam Rubin, the beloved Los Angeles TV entertainment reporter. Here’s a clip from that mess.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10HfOmJhnEA

And let’s not forget the end of his famous Dean Richards interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxZRfn2Rgqg&playnext=1&list=PL037D353555A5219B

Billy Crudup Steals Tom Stoppard’s “Arcadia” on Broadway

Roger Friedman
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Billy Crudup Steals Tom Stoppard’s “Arcadia” on Broadway

“Arcadia” is back after 15 years. Tom Stoppard‘s amazingly wonderful play, now directed by David Leveaux, is better than ever. It’s supposed to be on for three months, but they could extend the run. I hope they have to: Billy Crudup simply steals the show as Bernard, an egomaniac literary historian with a posh British accent. Crudup played another “Arcadia” character in 1995– Septimus, the “hero” of the play in the part that’s set in 1809. Suave, playboy Septimus is more sympathetic certainly than modern day Bernard–the play cuts back and forth between 1809 and the present on the same British estate. In the new version, Septimus is played by Brit actor Tom Riley, 29, a new sensation if he plays his cards right in New York. (He’s a star in the UK and soon to be here.) But it’s Crudup–he told me last night he preferred playing Septimus because “he’s the hero. Bernard is the bad ass.” Well, everyone loves the bad ass. Circle Billy Crudup for a Tony Award–probably as featured actor in a play, and “Arcadia” as Best Revival of a play. Also, Lia Williams–new to Broadway, as is Riley–could really be a Best Actress nominee. She’s sensational as Crudup’s foil. This is not to take anything away from Margaret Colin, Raul Esparza, Grace Gummer, Byron Jennings, and the rest of the cast. They were all applauded to a long standing ovation, by the way, from Julianne Moore and Bart Freundlich, Kim Cattral, Josh Hamilton, Elaine Stritch, Hamish Linklater, Richard Kind, and Jim Dale, plus famous acting sisters Juliet and Hayley Mills, among others. Grace Gummer, one of Meryl Streep‘s acting daughters, brought her sisters and dad. Mom Meryl is in London making her Margaret Thatcher movie. But I was assured she’d be home in two weeks to see Grace light up the stage.

Charlie Sheen Sells Out Two Nights at Radio City Music Hall

Roger Friedman
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Charlie Sheen Sells Out Two Nights at Radio City Music Hall

Tickets for Charlie Sheen‘s “show” at Radio City Music Hall went on sale at 11am today on ticketmaster.com. At 11:01 there were no regular priced tickets to be had. Round and round went the little dots as ticketmaster tried to find seats. But they were already in the hands of scalpers. StubHub.com claimed to have over 600 seats in the first few minutes. Prices ranged from $450 in the orchestra– for a $130 ticket–to 160 bucks in the upper reaches of the mezzanines. But you can get tickets on ticketmaster–the premium packages are available. For $750 per person you can sit in the first ten rows, drink Champagne, meet Sheen backstage, get a picture and a signed poster. Maybe even a sip of Tiger’s Blood. Is there a sucker born every minute? Sheen sure hopes so. It wasn’t enough that he was paid over $70 million for eight seasons of “Two and a Half Men.” Now we have to contribute to his cash shortage: hookers, porn stars, parties, a Maybach, a $7 million new home, and two sets of alimony and child support. Someone’s gotta foot that bill!

UPDATE: Sheen sold out a second show, for April 10th. The only seats available are those $750.

Exclusive: LA Reid Bids Farewell to His DefJam Staff

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: LA Reid Bids Farewell to His DefJam Staff

Exclusive: Here’s LA Reid’s farewell letter to his staff at DefJam. Sources tell me he’s heading to Sony Music–and of course “X Factor”– come this summer. And you heard this here first too: Mariah Carey will join him and Doug Morris back at Sony in 2012. She has one album left on her UMG contract, and she’ll release it before the end of the year. First she has to release those twins, due in two to three weeks.

“Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can
understand.” -Colin Powell

To my Island Def Jam family:

After much consideration, I have decided to leave my position as Chairman of the Island Def Jam Music Group. I have always thrived on growth and the next great challenge, and I look forward with much enthusiasm to what the future holds.

I am extremely proud of our beautiful roster and all we have accomplished in my seven years with IDJ.  We continue to have incredible success together with today’s most phenomenal superstars – Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, Jennifer  Lopez, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, The Killers, The-Dream, Chrisette Michele, Jeezy and Ludacris to name a few.

I want to thank all of you for your amazing contributions.

With Warm Regards –
LA

Diandra Douglas Admits What We Told You Last June

Roger Friedman
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Diandra Douglas Admits What We Told You Last June

Diandra Douglas fesses up in Harper’s Bazaar what I told you last June, 2010: her steep losses with Ken Starr, as well as with Bernie Madoff, are what forced her to sue ex husband Michael Douglas for “Wall Street 2” proceeds.

On June 30th, I told you that Douglas had been a client of Ken Starr, now in jail and serving 7 years for bilking his celebrity clients. One of them was Douglas. In fact, Starr even pillaged Douglas’s personal foundation. In 2008, the Diandra Morrell Douglas Foundation had almost $1.5 million in total assets. In 2009, the foundation reported $909,000. Consequently. Douglas cut her charitable donations by $100,000 from 2008 to 2009.

Here’s the link to the original story: http://tinyurl.com/6ghwvx6

Diandra’s story is a sad one, especially with Michael. I’ll tell you why. At the April 2010 sentencing of Cameron Douglas, Michael told me he was sorry his ex had been beaten up in the press over Cameron’s situation. He actually was defending Diandra. Two months later she slapped him with the “Wall Street 2” lawsuit.

Scott Rudin Sets a Record with 4 Broadway Hits Opening in 6 Weeks

Roger Friedman
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Scott Rudin Sets a Record with 4 Broadway Hits Opening in 6 Weeks

Remember during the Oscars I asked why Scott Rudin wasn’t coming out to Hollywood for the show? He had two Best Picture nominations, for “The Social Network” and “True Grit.”

Well, over the next couple of weeks we’ll see why: Rudin has not one but four Broadway shows opening, all tipped and buzzed as hits. It’s a record of some kind, even for Rudin, who often has two shows lined up. Last year it was “Fences” and “A Behanding in Spokane.”

But that was simple stuff. A week from today Rudin opens the hottest show of the season, “The Book of Mormon,” from Matt Stone and Trey Parker of “South Park” fame. The show is playing at 101% in previews, a week to go before opening night. And opening night is the hottest ticket in any town–the producers are hearing from childhood friends and former plumbers. Everyone wants to be there.

Once “Mormon” is open, Rudin has three more to go: a revival of John Guare‘s “The House of Blue Leaves” with Ben Stiller, Edie Falco, and Jennifer Jason Leigh; “Jerusalem” with Mark Rylance; and “The Motherf—-er with the Hat,” which brings Chris Rock to Broadway.

The amazing thing about “Mormon,” billed as “God’s Favorite Musical”? It has not one well known player in it. They are unknowns. The fact that Rudin already has a major hit, and with no stars, is reason enough to start calling him David Merrick 2011. Or better yet, Sol Hurok (for those old enough to remember…).

On Friday, Rudin starts the celebration with an A list lunch at the Four Seasons for “media elite.” I can still remember the furor the South Park guys caused with their movie, “Team America.” ‘The Book of Mormon” is said to be 100 times more irreverent. I can’t wait!

PS No one flies in any of his shows!

WTF? Charming “Win Win” Gets an R Rating for Two F Bombs

Roger Friedman
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WTF? Charming “Win Win” Gets an R Rating for Two F Bombs

What a night for director Tom McCarthy in New York. His third film, “Win Win,” premiered to a hot crowd that included stars Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Burt Young and Bobby Cannavale. Then Amy and Tom’s pal, Patricia Clarkson, co-hosted a party for them at the low ceiling’d bar under the Chelsea Hotel. Into the sardine tin like saloon came John Slattery and Talia Balsam, Kyra Sedgwick, Rachel Dratch, and Carol Alt. Giamatti–perhaps overwhelmed by the number of people per square inch, bailed early. But Ryan–getting ready for a last big run on “The Office” before her character, Holly, heads off into the sunset with Steve Carell’s Michael Scott–hung around with Clarkson. They’re old, good friends.

Clarkson, by the way, had to leave early, too. She’s off to New Orleans where she and Bryan Batt (“Mad Men”) are doing readings on Friday and Sunday of “Love Letters.” It’s to raise money for Le Petit Theatre, built in 1916. It’s the longest running continuous theater in the US.

Meantime, no one could quite figure out why “Win Win,” a charming, smart film, has an R rating. Apparently it’s because the “F” word is used a couple of times by a wrestling coach trying to rev up his high school team. This is why the MPAA must be overhauled immediately. “Win Win” should be seen by high school kids without a doubt. And it’s easily a movie that parents can go to with their high school age kids. There’s no sex, nudity, or violence. Just those two words. The MPAA should be ashamed of itself.

Also on the scene, director Tony Gilroy, who still hasn’t made his final choice for star of the new “Bourne” movie. I said, “Tony, how is everything?” “Fine,” he responded. “Just fine. Just print that.” He’s keeping mum for now, awaiting the formal announcement.

photo c2011 Showbiz411/Ann Lawlor

McConaughey Movie “Lincoln Lawyer”: $6 Groupon Tickets Opening Weekend

Roger Friedman
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McConaughey Movie “Lincoln Lawyer”: $6 Groupon Tickets Opening Weekend

EXCLUSIVE Here’s a first: Matthew McConaughey‘s new movie, “The Lincoln Lawyer,” is being offered at $6 a ticket for opening weekend through Groupon. Yes, that’s right. To stimulate box office, Lions Gate–the same company that can’t seem to make a deal to bring “Mad Men” back to TV– is deep discounting a major release. This is done all the time in the record business–labels deep discount new releases to get them to Number 1 on the charts. It’s just not happened before with a major studio movie.

In a press release, Lions Gate is all excited about this: “We are always looking for ways to reach our consumers with targeted, cost-effective and innovative campaigns,” said Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns. “Groupon is one of the most dynamic young companies in the world today, and their emergence as a digital commerce pioneer made them the perfect online partner for Lionsgate and THE LINCOLN LAWYER.  We believe this agreement is the shape of things to come as Hollywood studios discover a natural alliance with smart, entrepreneurial digital partners in bringing our content to consumers with cutting edge promotional campaigns that harness the unprecedented reach of the online world.  We’re delighted that our LINCOLN LAWYER partner, Tom Rosenberg at Lakeshore, shared our vision in helping us create this historic first.”

Tickets are on sale through Groupon the rest of today and all of tomorrow. “The Lincoln Lawyer” opens Friday. It does mean that in many places, “TLL” will sell at half price. Will that make people see it? Wait til Saturday morning for the results.

PS It’s two to a customer!

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