“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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
LA Reid Leaving DefJam to Judge “X Factor” and (Probably) Become Sony Music Titan
On the heels of a scoop that LA Reid is going to judge “X Factor” — scooped on a blog http://tinyurl.com/4qq8z8z and then appropriated elsewhere–here’s the real deal: Reid leaves Universal Music Group tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow! It’s all been in the works for weeks. And then, right after Doug Morris takes over Sony Music on July 1st, Reid will follow him there. The word is that Reid will assume a new spot right under Morris, running one or more of the labels. He will not only replace Barry Weiss, who ran the RCA/J group, but will have lots more power than that. This is an amazing story, really, since Reid left running Arista Records — part of that RCA group– a few scant years ago to run Island DefJam for Universal. He returns triumphant, and a judge as well. Maybe they’ll have to call him “Your Honor.” Reid will judge “X Factor” with Simon Cowell and two ladies who have not been named. One of them could be Paula Abdul. One of them could be Janet Jackson– remember I said this first– who has no record company affiliation and is an actress who knows the camera. In the meantime, Reid’s departure from DefJam leaves a big hole for artists like Mariah Carey, who have come to depend on him. The funniest scenario would be Mariah returning to Sony with Reid. Anything is possible.
And now it’s war between Sony Music and Universal, “X Factor” vs. “American Idol.” Bring it on!
Katie Couric, CBS Compromise: Transition Away from Evening News?
What’s happening with Katie Couric and the CBS Evening News? Couric’s contract ends on June 4th, and everyone’s speculating about what will occur: she’ll stay, she’ll go, she’s going to become the next Oprah. Well, it turns out that possibly all of that is true.
Right now, Couric is awaiting offers from everyone: CBS, ABC, and even NBC, her old stomping grounds. Syndication companies want her for her own afternoon talk show, as well. So what’s the answer? I’m told that Katie is probably not going to be doing the news next September, whatever happens. I always said the Evening News was too confining for her. Couric’s forte is interviews, which is why her program shines now when she has almost anyone sitting next to her.
The feeling is that CBS will offer Couric a great package: leave the news, stay with “60 Minutes,” be available for 2012 election coverage, and get a rich syndication deal for that afternoon talk show. Since Les Moonves very wrongly sacked both “As the World Turns” and “Guiding Light,” the network has a lot of real estate in the afternoon. “The Talk” is horrendous, but Moonves could build on it by adding Katie to the lineup in major markets. In syndication, Couric wouldn’t be confined to CBS either. She’d be on the best deal channel in every location. And in the year leading up to her September 2012 talk show launch she could be scoring big political interviews.
But there’s a catch: CBS has to find someone to replace Couric on the Evening News. While Harry Smith is always my first choice, it’s doubtful that CBS will go there again. Scott Pelley? A tad boring. Indeed, we’d all be hard pressed to find someone home grown at CBS News who could take over for Couric. The solution may be to extend her contract for one or two years so that Moonves, et al. can find someone to take over the reins.
Charlie Sheen Will “Play” Radio City Music Hall
Charlie Sheen--you can’t get enough of him!–has booked April 8th to play Radio City Music Hall. It’s part of his “Violent Torpedo of Truth” tour that starts on April 2nd in Detroit, proceeds to Chicago, and then to several newly added spots including Boston, Cleveland, and suburban Connecticut. The announcement came just a little while ago, right after the world was notified that Rachel Oberlin (aka Bree Olson), Charlie’s other “goddess,” returned to Sober Valley Lodge aka Sheen’s home in Sherman Oaks, California. The porn actress was AWOL in Indiana for a few days. Anyway, what will Charlie’s show be like? Will they sell Tiger’s Blood drinks and warlock fangs? Who knows? The Radio Ciity tickets go on sale on Thursday morning at 11am at ticketmaster.com.