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This Season is Over for Broadway, Shows Won’t Open Until Fall, At Least, “Plaza Suite” Announces March 2021 Performances

Roger Friedman
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This Season is Over for Broadway, Shows Won’t Open Until Fall, At Least, “Plaza Suite” Announces March 2021 Performances

“Plaza Suite” starring Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker will open in March 2021 on Broadway. The Neil Simon revival would have opened this past March.

This follows the Broadway League’s announcement that the Great White Way is closed until Labor Day, and likely through the end of the year.

“While all Broadway shows would love to resume performances as soon as possible, we need to ensure the health and well-being of everyone who comes to the theatre – behind the curtain and in front of it – before shows can return. The Broadway League’s membership is working in cooperation with the theatrical unions, government officials, and health experts to determine the safest ways to restart our industry,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League. “Throughout this challenging time, we have been in close communication with Governor Cuomo’s office and are grateful for his support and leadership as we work together to bring back this vital part of New York City’s economy – and spirit.”

Broadway performances were suspended on March 12, 2020. At that time, 31 productions were running, including 8 new shows in previews. Additionally, 8 productions were in rehearsals preparing to open in the spring.

The shutdown is such a huge loss for New York, for the theater district businesses, for the theater owners, the casts and crews of shows. The financial implications are perilous. Despite the terrific efforts of many to raise money for the Actors Fund, and so on, almost no amount of money from individual contributions will solve this problem.  There’s going to have to be some kind of government bail out.

And it’s not just financial– it’s emotional. New York thrives on the pulse of Broadway and all live performances. It’s going to be a very difficult fall.

Meanwhile, what to do about the Tony Awards? Even though the Outer Critics Circle and a few others have cooked up awards for this foreshortened season, it’s kind of ridiculous. The odds are that the 2021 Tony’s will include shows from this season. I already wrote about the shows and nominees that should be included.

 

Broadway Star Nick Cordero’s Wife Amanda Says: “He is starting to wake up” after Six Weeks in a Coma Because of Corona virus

Roger Friedman
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Broadway Star Nick Cordero’s Wife Amanda Says: “He is starting to wake up” after Six Weeks in a Coma Because of Corona virus

Amanda Kloots, wife of Broadway star Nick Cordero, has some hopeful news. She writes on Instagram:

“We had some great news this morning. Nick is starting to follow commands and doing simple tracking!!!!! He is very weak so even just opening his eyes is a struggle, but it is happening. He is starting to wake up!! We are by no means out of the woods yet, there are still concerns with other things, but this news today on his mental status is a win!!”

Nick, Tony nominee for “Bullets over Broadway” and star of “The Bronx Tale” and “Waitress” has been in a coma since around April 1st in Los Angeles’s Cedar Sinai Hospital. He’s had a leg amputated because of blood clots, recently had a ventilator removed, and suffered at least two mini strokes. It’s been torture for him and his family.

His friends around the world are supporting him on social media and praying for a rapid recovery. The couple has a toddler boy, Elvis, who is shamelessly cute.

RIP Ron Dozoretz, Shrink Who was Part of Clinton Marc Rich Pardon Scandal, BFF of Gary Hart, Dies at 85

Roger Friedman
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RIP Ron Dozoretz, Shrink Who was Part of Clinton Marc Rich Pardon Scandal, BFF of Gary Hart, Dies at 85

Ron Dozoretz, the wealthy shrink whose wife, Beth, was part of the Bill Clinton March Rich pardon scandal, has died in Virginia at age 85.

In 2001, Beth, former chairwoman of the finance committee of the Democratic National Committee, made headlines when she became entangled in the former president’s pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich. Ron and Beth were so close to the Clintons that the president was annointed godfather of the Dozoretz’s daughter, Melanie, is 1998.

If you recall, President Bill Clinton, as he left office, pardoned the most famous white collar criminal fugitive, Marc Rich. Rich, a billionaire who did business with every country America deemed unfit, declined to pay his taxes– $10 million– in 1983. He split the US for Switzerland, where he set up shop in his multi national shipping, oil, gas, and aluminum empires. (As it turned, and as I revealed in 2001, he’d never stopped doing business in the US. It was an open secret.)

Beth Dozoretz had suddenly become the bff of Marc Rich’s wife, Denise, who donated $450,000 to the Clinton Presidential Library in exchange for the pardon. Marc Rich feared at the time that George W. Bush would win the presidency from Al Gore and install Paul O’Neill, an enemy, as Secretary of the Treasury–and pursue him legally in Switzerland. As it happened, he was right. Bush stole the election from Gore, and did hire O’Neill, who, coincidentally, died just last week. But Rich secured his pardon, and was able to conduct business freely until he himself died in 2013.

The couple was really wealthy. Two years ago they paid $19 million for a condo in the ritzy Four Seasons Surf Club in Miami. It was their second purchase in the building following a $7.4 million condo purchase the year before.

Back in 2001, when the pardon scandal occurred, gossip columns brimmed with stories that Beth was having an affair with Bill Clinton. She was definitely the conduit to Denise Rich in setting up the library donation that paid off the pardon.

Ron Dozoretz was always there for charismatic Democrats who had affairs. He was Gary Hart’s BFF when Hart’s presidential campaign imploded in 1988. He was such an enthusiastic Clinton fundraiser that in 1996 the president made Dozoretz trustee of the Kennedy Center, where the shrink was “very busy redoing the restaurants and improving the kitchen and the catering service.” Dozoretz managed to scam two 6 year terms by resigning as Clinton left office and then getting re-appointed by Bush.

In 2001, Ron was said to be worth an estimated $250 million. He owned and operated FHC Health Systems, a network of private health care companies that focus on mental health services and substance abuse.

 

Disney Plus Moves 11 Tony Award Winner “Hamilton” Up to July from October ’21 to Score Broadway Starved Audience

Roger Friedman
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Disney Plus Moves 11 Tony Award Winner “Hamilton” Up to July from October ’21 to Score Broadway Starved Audience

Disney has tried everything to get us to subscribe to Disney Plus– all the “Star Wars” movies, their whole animation catalog, etc. But now they win: moving “Hamilton” up from October 2021 to this July 3rd, aka July 4th weekend. Very clever. With no Broadway shows playing, no one can see “Hamilton” live anywhere. But they secured this deal last year.

Here’s the release:

BURBANK, Calif. (May 12, 2020)—The Walt Disney Company, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeffrey Seller and Thomas Kail are pleased to announce that Disney+ will fast track the premiere of the filmed version of the original Broadway production of “Hamilton,” bringing the 11-time-Tony Award®-, GRAMMY Award®-, Olivier Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning stage musical to homes around the world on July 3, 2020.

Producers for “Hamilton,” the film of the original Broadway production, include Miranda, Seller, and Kail, who also directs.

The film is a leap forward in the art of “live capture” which transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. Combining the best elements of live theater, film, and streaming, the result is a cinematic stage performance that is a wholly new way to experience “Hamilton.”

“No other artistic work in the last decade has had the cultural impact of ‘Hamilton’—an inspiring and captivating tale told and performed in a powerfully creative way.  In light of the extraordinary challenges facing our world, this story about leadership, tenacity, hope, love and the power of people to unite against the forces of adversity is both relevant and impactful,” said Robert A. Iger, Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company. “We are thrilled to bring this phenomenon to Disney+ on the eve of Independence Day, and we have the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda and the team behind ‘Hamilton’ to thank for allowing us to do so more than a year before planned.”

“I’m so proud of how beautifully Tommy Kail has brought ‘Hamilton’ to the screen. He’s given everyone who watches this film the best seat in the house,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda. “I’m so grateful to Disney and Disney+ for reimagining and moving up our release to July 4th weekend of this year, in light of the world turning upside down. I’m so grateful to all the fans who asked for this, and I’m so glad that we’re able to make it happen. I’m so proud of this show. I can’t wait for you to see it.”

Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, “Hamilton” features Tony Award® winners Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Tony Award nominees Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.

The cast also includes Carleigh Bettiol, Ariana DeBose, Hope Easterbrook, Sydney James Harcourt, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Elizabeth Judd, Jon Rua, Austin Smith, Seth Stewart and Ephraim Sykes.

Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber’s Manager, Scooter Braun, Took A Songwriting Credit on Their Latest Hit

Roger Friedman
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Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber’s Manager, Scooter Braun, Took A Songwriting Credit on Their Latest Hit

It’s not like it’s a new thing. Songwriting credits have often been handed out to people who had no musical ability at all. Or at the least the ability to write a song. Case in point: Producer Jerry Wexler suggested the title “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman” to Carole King and Gerry Goffin. They graciously offered a credit to Wexler. It’s pretty much the only Goffin-King song with a third collaborator’s name.

That may be the case again for Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. Their new duet, “Stuck with U” has six songwriters’ names on it including their own. That alone suggested four writers plus Bieber and Grande so they could be paid publishing royalties. (Celine Dion was famous for that in her heyday.)

When “Stuck with U” first appeared on Wikipedia, it was just the half dozen. (You may wonder how six people could write a song. Is it like a factory line?)

Anyway, now the name of Scooter Braun has been added to the credits. That would make seven people who labored to write a very unoriginal piece of pop. (It sounds suspiciously like Rihanna’s “Love on the Run.”) Braun has only one other songwriting credit in the world– on the Bieber song, “Purpose.” On that one, he’s only one of six writers. Braun– whose real name is Scott Samuel Braun– simply doesn’t write songs. Or produce them.

It’s likely that he came up with the title, “Stuck with U,” since the duet is a contrivance for the pandemic. He does manage both artists. And there’s money to be gotten out of it. All the proceeds from “Stuck with U” are allegedly going to charity. But this does give him two songwriting credits. Let’s say three more and the Songwriters Hall of Fame will no doubt induct him.

Since Friday, by the way, “Stuck with You” has had just 20,000 paid downloads– not a lot– and another 69,000 worth of streams for a total of about 92K give or take. No word yet on whether Rihanna’s writers have given it a spin.

Liam Neeson’s New Movie Co-stars His Son Micheal That Veers Near Real Life: Mother-Wife Dies and They Must Bond

Roger Friedman
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Liam Neeson’s New Movie Co-stars His Son Micheal That Veers Near Real Life: Mother-Wife Dies and They Must Bond

Liam Neeson is taking a break from movies in which a fictional daughter is kidnapped and he must find her/avenge her death.

The Oscar nominated actor (“Schindler’s List”) will open in August in the non gay version of “Call Me By Your Name.” The film, “Made in Italy,” takes place in Tuscany. A father and his estranged son — played by Neeson’s son Micheal Richardson — must bond over renovating a beautiful home left to them by their wife/mother.

Of course, in real life, Neeson lost his wife, actress Natasha Richardson, and had to raise their sons, Micheal and Daniel, on his own. So the movie’s PR hews closely to the real life story even though it’s fiction. Micheal, who spells his name that way just to be difficult, has taken Natasha’s last name as a tribute to her, not because he doesn’t like Liam. His brother, Daniel, has kept the paternal nomenclature.

“Made in Italy” will be released according to its press release “will be released in theaters, on-demand and in drive-ins.” Yes, you read that correctly. Aren’t drive-ins for making out, and not for watching films? Well, they may be all we have even by August 7th. Actor James D’Arcy is making his directorial debut from his own screenplay.

This isn’t the first movie for father and son. In 2019 they starred in “Cold Pursuit” co-starring Laura Dern. Micheal has also shot “The Rising: 1916,” about Irish rebel leader Michael Collins. You’ll recall that Liam played the title character in “Michael Collins” back in 1996.

Micheal Richardson is the 5th generation of Redgraves on screen. He’s the grandson of Vanessa Redgrave, who was married to director Tony Richardson. Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave’s parents were British actors Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson. It’s family business, to say the least, and they know what they’re doing.

 

Jerry Stiller, Gifted Comedian, Actor, Who Made The World Laugh with Wife Anne Meara, Dies at 92

Roger Friedman
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Jerry Stiller, Gifted Comedian, Actor, Who Made The World Laugh with Wife Anne Meara, Dies at 92

Jerry Stiller has passed away at age 92. The gifted comedian and actor was also half of the genius married comedy duo of Stiller and Meara. I was very lucky to have known them in their later years and was in awe of both of them. Of course, they were also the parents of Ben Stiller, which is how they were known to some over the last couple of decades, and his sister, actress Amy Stiller.

But to me, and a lot of others, Stiller and Meara were right up there with Joan Rivers, Alan King, Freddie Roman and a host of acts that appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in the 60s. That Jerry would go on to such an incredible success in the 90s on “Seinfeld” and “King of Queens” was just icing on the cake. Rest in peace, Jerry. Serenity now!

Exclusive: Billionaire Ron Burkle Doubles Down on Hollywood, Will Make “Significant” Investments Over Next 90 Days Despite Layoffs, Cutbacks Around Town

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Billionaire Ron Burkle Doubles Down on Hollywood, Will Make “Significant” Investments Over Next 90 Days Despite Layoffs, Cutbacks Around Town

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is investing in Hollywood as it’s falling apart. They’ve put a chunk of money–$500 million– into Live Nation and they’re on the move.

But the Saudis are not alone having enthusiastic dreams for .

Sources say that American billionaire Ron Burkle is looking to increase his holdings, and soon. Like right now. I am told that Burkle, already a key player in many Hollywood situations– including LBI, Rick Yorn’s management company with clients like Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio– is on the cusp of taking his Yucaipa Companies on a shopping expedition.

This is timely news since today, Monday, Ari Emanuel’s WME is laying off 20% of its staff. After a failed IPO last year, WME is carrying a huge debt.

Burkle, however, has no debt. Anywhere. He is debt-free and well capitalized. And he has the advantage of being a blue blooded American. Said one insider, “Do you really want to be in bed with the Saudis?”

Burkle is looking for talent agencies, management companies, anything that would be a good fit. Even in the current social distancing environment, he believes in the live performance. He already has stakes in live event companies, like Danny Wimmer Presents, and Artist Group International, which books tours for the likes of Rod Stewart, Elvis Costello, and Billy Joel, among others.

A few months ago, the Hollywood Reporter claimed that Yorn was unhappy with his Burkle deal because he worried LBI was going to be combined with other entities Burkle had invested in or was courting. I asked Burkle’s major domo, Frankie Quintero, about. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.

Yucaipa’s entertainment holdings are highly liquid and debt free, says Quintero. But this is not going to be supermarket sweep. (Burkle’s fortune started with the supermarket business, where he’s been wildly successful not only staying in, but getting out of, certain relationships.) “We have a big checkbook,” says Quintero, “but there’s more of an art to it.” Burkle has certainly shown that artfulness in the way he’s handled the Soho House chain of private clubs. He’s been incredibly adroit as the major investor in the business created by Nick Jones.

Quintero indicated to me that Burkle will make moves over the next 90 days that will result in strategic investments.

In addition to LBI and Wimmer, Burkle has stakes in European outfits like Xray Touring through a partnership with Sam Goes’s Paradigm Talent, also through Paradigm with London-based CODA Agency. The crown jewel of Yucaipa’s European efforts would have to be Duncan Heath’s five star British talent agency Independent Talent Group. ITG is considered the largest talent and literary agency in Europe. Over 50 agents represent 3,100 actors, directors, producers and writers. Key clients include: Daniel Craig, Colin Firth, Orlando Bloom, Felicity Jones, Danny Boyle, Claire Foy, Peter Morgan (creator of The Crown), Phoebe Waller-Bridge (creator of Fleabag and Killing Eve).

All of this news comes as WME (William Morris Endeavor) saw its S&P Global Ratings slashed on April 14th. WME, which has $4.6 billion in debt, has been reduced to the middle of the junk bond range. According to reports, they’re trying to raise $250 million by June in order to fund daily operational duties like paying rent and payroll. Other agencies are in similar trouble.

The lingering financial problems have been crystallized by a halt in all Hollywood production for the last 2 months. No deals are being made, no movies or TV shows are shooting, and no one seems to know when they will start again. UTA, United Talent Agency, just last Monday invoked painful furloughs, layoffs, and salary cuts.

 

Bono Posts 60 Songs That “Saved” His Life to Celebrate 60th Birthday, Starting with Own Pavarotti Duet

Roger Friedman
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Bono Posts 60 Songs That “Saved” His Life to Celebrate 60th Birthday, Starting with Own Pavarotti Duet

Bono has posted an eclectic list of songs that “saved his life” for his 60th birthday. His favorite song that saved his life his own recording ofg “Miserere” with Pavarotti and Zucchero. He also liked his duet with Sinatra, and a record he and U2 did with Kendrick Lamar. Not one song by a classic soul artist, just one from the Beatles, none from them individually, one early Stones single. Well, these lists tend to be subjective and immediate. Next year it could all be different. Happy Birthday, Paul Hewson!

1. Luciano Pavarotti, Bono & Zucchero – Miserere
2. Sex Pistols – Anarchy in the UK
3. Kanye West – Black Skinhead
4. Billie Eilish – Everything I Wanted
5. David Bowie – Life on Mars?
6. The Beatles – I Want to Hold Your Hand
7. Ramones – Swallow My Pride
8. The Clash – Safe European Home
9. Public Enemy – Fight the Power
10. Patti Smith – People Have the Power
11. John Lennon – Mother
12. The Rolling Stones – Ruby Tuesday
13. Elton John – Daniel
14. Andrea Bocelli – Con Te Partiro
15. Elvis Presley – Heartbreak Hotel
16. Johnny Cash – Hurt
17. This Mortal Coil – Song to the Siren
18. Kraftwerk – Neon Lights
19. The Fugees – Killing Me Softly With His Song
20. Prince – When Doves Cry
21. Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers – Get Lucky
22. Madonna – Ray of Light
23. JAY-Z featuring Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
24. Talking Heads – Love Goes to Building on Fire
25. Lou Reed – Satellite of Love
26. The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony
27. Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart
28. New Order – True Faith
29. R.E.M. – Nightswimming
30. Adele – Chasing Pavements
31. Arcade Fire – Wake Up
32. Pixies – Monkey Gone to Heaven
33. Oasis – Live Forever
34. Iggy Pop – Lust for Life
35. Gavin Friday – Angel
36. Massive Attack – Safe from Harm
37. Kendrick Lamar featuring U2 – XXX
38. Bob Marley & The Wailers – Redemption Song
39. Echo and the Bunnymen – Rescue
40. Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
41. Pearl Jam – Jeremy
42. Bob Dylan – Most of the Time
43. Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar – Freedom
44. Depeche Mode – Walking In My Shoes
45. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Into My Arms
46. Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence
47. Coldplay – Clocks
48. INXS – Never Tear Us Apart
49. New Radicals – You Get What You Give
50. Angélique Kidjo – Agolo
51. Lady Gaga – Born This Way
52. Frank Sinatra & Bono – Under My Skin
53. David Bowie – Heroes
54. Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
55. Sinéad O’Connor – You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart
56. Van Morrison – A Sense of Wonder
57. Bruce Springsteen – There Goes My Miracle
58. Daniel Lanois – The Maker
59. Peter Frampton – Show Me the Way
60. Bee Gees – Immortality – Demo Version

Listen to Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds’ Touching Song Written for His Late Friend, Andre Harrell

Roger Friedman
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Listen to Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds’ Touching Song Written for His Late Friend, Andre Harrell

Kenny Edmonds, aka “Babyface,” is cancelling his Waiting to Exhale special that was set for tomorrow. He’s mourning the loss of Andre Harrell, who died suddenly Friday night at age 59. I don’t blame him. Harrell’s friends and artists, not to mention his family, are in shock. Babyface wrote a song for Andre, too. Listen.

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