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RIP Broadway Composer Lucy Simon, 82, Wrote “The Secret Garden,” Sister of Carly

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I’m very sad to report the death of Lucy Simon, Broadway composer of “The Secret Garden” and “Dr. Zhivago.” She was also the older sister of Carly Simon, with whom she performed when they were young as the Simon Sisters.

I knew Lucy a long time and she was such a fine, exceptional person I am very sorry that she had to fight metastatic breast cancer. So talented and elegant, Lucy received a Tony nomination, Grammy and Drama Desk Awards and in 2018 Samuel French Award for Sustained Excellence in American Theater.

Lucy Simon was born in New York on May 5, 1940 to publishing giant Richard Simon and his wife Andrea. She was the second oldest of four children Joanna, Lucy, Carly, and Peter. She grew up in a musical household where her parents entertained the era’s leading lights of literature and music like James Thurber, Richard Rodgers, Benny Goodman, and Oscar Hammerstein.

A school assignment to memorize and recite a poem prompted 14-year-old Lucy to write her first music. Because she was dyslexic, she could only memorize Eugene Field’s poem, “Wynken, Blynken & Nod,” by setting it to music. In their early college years, she and her sister, Carly, began their short-lived career performing as the Simon Sisters in Provincetown, followed by opening for acts like the Tarriers in Greenwich Village folk clubs. Their recording of “Wynken, Blynken & Nod” hit number 73 on the Billboard charts in 1964.

In 1991 Lucy Simon would become only the third female composer to have a show on Broadway. “The Secret Garden” ran for 709 performances on Broadway, won two Tony awards, and has been performed all over the world. Secret Garden’s playwright Marsha Norman, who wrote both the book and lyrics and Heidi Landesman, the producer, brought in Lucy as the composer after loving a demo melody she wrote for the lyrics of “I Heard Someone Crying.” The Center Theater Group in Los Angeles will present a new production directed by Warren Carlyle at the Ahmanson Theater from February 19, 2023 through March 26, 2023.

Lucy is survived by her husband Dr. David Y. Levine, her children, Julie Simon Levine and James Levine, and sister Carly Simon. Condolences to them. Just a huge loss.

photo credit: Jamie Levine Photography

Yowza! Musicares Picks Motown Legends Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson for All Time Great Person of the Year Dinner

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This is pretty cool.

Musicares has announced its choices for Person of the Year, and it’s Motown founder Berry Gordy and legendary performer Smokey Robinson.

If this doesn’t sell tickets, I don’t know what will. Everyone in Los Angeles will want to be at this dinner on February 3rd at the L.A. Convention Center.

There will be dancing in the streets because you know Stevie wonder will be there. Diana Ross? Maybe! Martha Reeves should also be invited. What a night!

“Wow! How honored I am to be named the MusiCares Persons of the Year, and together with my best friend of over 65 years, the great Smokey Robinson. How special is that!” said Berry Gordy, songwriter, producer and founder of Motown Records. “I am grateful to be included in MusiCares’ remarkable history of music icons. The work they do is so critical to the well-being of our music community, and I look forward to a most exciting evening.”

Adds Smokey Robinson: “I have supported MusiCares for many years and know what great work they do for our creative community who need our help. Recently, when no one could tour, they were a lifeline to those in the touring industry for monetary help and mental health services. I am honored that they have chosen me and my best friend and Motown founder Berry Gordy to share this beautiful honor and celebrate with you all together.”

Great Get! Chelsea Handler Will Host Critics Choice Awards on CW January 15th

So it’s hot news from the Critics Choice Awards. Chelsea Handler has agreed to host the show on the CW Network set for January 15th, 2023.

Handler is a big ‘get’ for the CCAs, which are on the upswing in the last couple of years as one of the few awards shows with integrity. There are about 500 members of the CCA, all vetted professionals and multicultural to say the least.

“We are thrilled to have Chelsea Handler joining us at the 28th annual Critics Choice Awards,” said CCA CEO Joey Berlin. “We all know and love her work as a standup comedian, a best-selling author, a podcast host, and actress – and now as host of the Critics Choice Awards! I know this will be the best year yet and can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store.”

More and more the CCAs have grown to be an Oscar predictor, as well. Also, this year, the Critics Choice Association will also hold the 5th annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television on December 5, 2022 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel, the 2nd annual Celebration of Latino Cinema & Television on November 13, 2022 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel and the inaugural Celebration of Asian Pacific Cinema & Television on November 4, 2022 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel.

Watch Trailer: “The Crown” Gets Real with Charles-Diana Scandals, Judi Dench Objects

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“The Crown” is getting real. After seasons of adoration because the shows were set in the distant past, Peter Morgan’s acclaimed series is now under fire.

Dame Judi Dench is demanding that Netflix label the new seasons as fiction because they’re going to undermine the royal family. (It’s a little unclear why she’s even involved in this argument as most of her friends are in the series.)

But the 90s were a bad time for the Royals. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles were unpopular figures as Princess Diana publicly suffered. Every day provided a revelation. By the time Diana died, the Queen was at an all time low. So it’s going to be a nasty season for “The Crown” just as the world mourns the Queen in real time and has forgotten this miserable period.

The good news is that once Diana is gone, the Queen regained her status. Also, when “The Crown” first started with Claire Foy, it helped set the stage for her return. Ironic, no?

“The Crown” returns November 9th.

Super Bowl Will Feature Ads Promoting, Rebranding Jesus from $1 Billion Mid West Christian Foundation

The NFL is selling out to Jesus.

According to reports, a $1 billion Christian foundation called Signatry is spending a fortune promoting Jesus on the Super Bowl next Friday. Signatry will be running thirty and sixty second commercials hyping Jesus, rebranding him and promoting him.

Many viewers may be dismayed by being hit over the head by ads for something they either have no interest in or may be offended by. I say, keep religion out of professional sports.

Earlier this year Signatry, which is headquartered in Kansas, announced a $100 media campaign to promote Jesus. The campaign is called “He Gets Me,” and will pitch conservative values to anyone dumb enough to listen.

But no one mentioned that Signatry aka The Servant Foundation, according to its Form 990 for 2021, has astonishing net assets of $975 million. Yes, you read that right. There is no delineation of where this money has come from.

Some of Signatry/Servant’s big donations in 2021 — from their total of $400 millon — included $48 million to one Christian group called Every Home for Christ and several in the $16-$20 million area. Yes, religion is a big, big business and now it’s funding the National Football League.

Of course, the only thing worse than this are the Scientology ads that run every year during the Super Bowl, pissing off all normal people who immediately complain on Twitter. Trust me, the NFL doesn’t care as long as the check clears.

Denzel Washington Making a 3rd “Equalizer” Movie Despite Queen Latifah Hit TV Series

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Who knew?

I thought when Queen Latifah started playing “The Equalizer” on CBS, that would be the end of “Equalizer” movies.

Guess again. Denzel Washington is in Italy, on the Amalfi coast, shooting “The Equalizer 3.” This is despite the Queen now in season 3 of the hit TV series.

Well, maybe you don’t watch one or the other, the movies or the series. Or maybe it doesn’t matter and soon there will be lots of people playing “The Equalizer” on different platforms.

“The Equalizer 3” also stars Dakota Fanning and Gaia Scodellaro. Antoine Fuqua is directing, of course. There will be guns and pizza.

PS Hey — here’s an idea. A cross over, with Denzel and Latifah playing brother and sister. We’d all pay to see that!

Jessica Chastain on Winning the Oscar After Will Smith Slap: “It helped distract me from being nervous”

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You know, Jessica Chastain won the Oscar last spring for Best Actress in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.” So much went on that night we kind of forget that part of the show. But Chastain, who is brilliant and beautiful, worked hard for that Oscar.

What does she remember about sitting in the Dolby Theater when Will Smith lost his mind and attacked Chris Rock?

“I wasn’t even paying attention when they called my category,” she told me last night at the premiere for her new, excellent real life thriller, “The Good Nurse.” “To tell you the truth, with all the energy in the room, it distracted me from being nervous.”

Chastain, looking like a million bucks last night as usual, said she’s not one of those people who gets the Oscar and hides it away. “It’s really exciting,” she said. “I have it on a bookshelf where everyone can see it. It’s a big deal!”

It sure is. Jessica told me she didn’t even think it was possible she might win the prestigious award until she won the Screen Actors Guild for Best Actress. “It was only then that I thought it could happen.” The part of Tammy Faye Baker, she says, was one “I couldn’t believe no one had done it. It was such a brilliant role.”

Now Chastain plays real life nurse Amy Loughren who twenty years ago discovered that her best friend at a New Jersey hospital ICU, a male nurse named Charles Cullen, had been busy killing patients unbeknownst to everyone. Eddie Redmayne, who was also at the premiere party at swanky Avra restaurant in Rock Center, gives a chilling awards-worthy performance as Cullen while Chastain’s Amy helps the police uncover his serial killing.

Eddie told me he’s had to warn off his kids from even thinking about seeing the movie, which opens in theaters next week and then goes to Netflix. (See it in a theater, you’ll be on the edge of your seats!) Redmayne says he had to explain in broad terms the kids. “They were very disappointed I was not the Good Nurse!” he laughed.

PS Yes, Jessica and I did discuss her recent, grueling trip to Ukraine which involved flying to Warsaw and then taking a 12 hour train trip to Kyiv. She met with president Zelenskyy in an effort to keep attention on the war, that it is far from from over. Did no one recognize her? “On the way over, no. But coming back” — which involved the reverse train trip (and not the Orient Express, by any means) — “yes. There had been all the press and suddenly a deluge of attention, I realized I had to get out of there.” Would she go back? “Yes, I wanted to immediately. But my friend who I went with says it can’t be done now. Things have gotten that much worse.

Dwayne The Rock Johnson as DC’s Newest $200 Mil Superhero, “Black Adam,” Must Overcome Scathing Reviews– Can He Do It?

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Over the years, Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, has overcome many battles and won at the box office. Never discount his popularity.

But now Johnson faces maybe his biggest struggle. He’s got to pulverize scathing reviews. And they are bad.

“Black Adam” — which cost $200 million — stands at 55% on Rotten Tomatoes today. It’s considered ‘rotten,’ which is no surprise. “Black Adam” has long been the subject of gossip in the movie world. Its late October release is no help, either: “Black Adam” is going into the dumping ground.

For Warner’s and DC Comics it doesn’t seem like “Black Adam” will be a high note– even with a cameo from the DC Universe’s most famous character. (Is it a spoiler? Will it help unless they just say who it is? We’ll see.) If “Black Adam” is this bad why didn’t the studio just 86 it as as they did “Batgirl”? Could the latter movie have been worse? Ouch!

I guess the bellwether will be when “Black Adam” plays previews tomorrow night. But they’re not a lot out there, so it’s possible things will go better than we think.

Review: Big Stars Julia Roberts, George Clooney in Harmless, Fluffy 80s Throwback “Ticket to Paradise”

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As I’ve already noted, “Ticket to Paradise,” with two big stars, Julia Roberts and George Clooney, has already made $68 million around the world before opening in the US this Friday. This may have been the wisest marketing and sales move of this century.

“Ticket to Paradise” is harmless, fluffy fun. It’s also instantly forgettable except for the travel catalog to the South Pacific, with Australia substituting for Bali. It’s a throwback movie to the 1980s, big studio packages the likes of which we tolerated and are now not nostalgic for.

Here’s the story: Clooney and Roberts were married briefly 25 years ago and produced a daughter who resembles neither of them, played nicely by Kaitlyn Dever. She has a best friend who looks more like she could have been their progeny, played by Billie Lourd aka Carrie Fisher’s real life daughter. Everyone is highly polished, in great shape, looks wonderful. They are very white and well off. The girls have just gone to “college” and are now automatically “lawyers” without going to law school. George and Julia, who loathe each other and cannot be in the same place at the same time, send them to Bali as a graduation gift that must cost around $50,000.

Immediately, Dever’s Lily falls for a local, gets engaged (like, within a week) and announces her impending wedding. George and Julia race across the world to stop the proceedings. No actual reason is given for their displeasure– not the fact that they’ve spent $100,000 on her education and she must start work the following week, not the distance, or any matter of race. They just don’t like the whole thing.

The estranged couple check into what looks like a $5,000 a night resort and bicker with each other until they realize they miss each other, Bali is beautiful, and they have so much money that they never have to call home or go home again. That’s it.

Ol Parker co-wrote and directed this thing. His only major achievement is having written “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” but now you see that director John Madden really made that movie. There isn’t an authentic moment in “Ticket to Paradise,” it’s a totally vacant shell that depends on Clooney and Roberts. They come through winningly. You can see they’re enjoying each other, like Hope and Crosby on the road to Mandalay. They are big stars waiting for a script to be delivered in a beautiful locale. The fact that it never arrives is not their fault.

Some people will love “Ticket to Paradise.” It’s soothing in fact that it reminds us of a time long since gone in American movies. (It could be the sequel to Roberts’ “Eat Pray Love.”) It’s part Hallmark, Lifetime, greeting card. George and Julia could be Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood off to save Gidget from Moondoggie, You get the idea. Nothing wrong with that. “Ticket to Paradise” will have a nice opening weekend, and then find an ancillary life on airplanes and cable. And a lot of people will try going to Bali until they see what it costs.

Foot Fetish Flops: House of the Dragon Ratings Take Precipitous Fall Down Another 200,000

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The big foot fetish scene from “House of the Dragon” didn’t boost ratings. If anything, it hurt them.

Sunday night’s episode turned up just 1.55 million viewers. That’s down 200,000 from last week and 300,000 from the previous week.

What’s going on? At least on the main HBO channel, fans are giving up. The show is dark and hard to watch, yes, as far as the lighting goes. But the show is ‘dark’ in the sense that there is no fun, plots have zoomed by, all the actors but one or two have changed. (I do not understand how Criston Cole remains the same age while everyone else has gotten older.) The show is confusing, it’s hard to know who to root for.

As The “House of the Dragon” comes to a season close it should have increased viewing or at least remained stable. And it’s not football that hurt it. I hope producers are thinking about next season so it’s not just a bloodbath war every week.

By the way, if you go to Leslie Jones’s Twitter feed her commentary is hilarious and right on the money.

PS The foot fetish? Don’t get me started.