Expelliarmus!!!

That would probably be Ginny Weasley's reaction when she sees this post about Daniel Radcliffe having a liplock with James Corden (who incidentally played Timms in Alan Bennett's The History Boys) at the WhatsOnStage Theatre Awards. Mr. Radcliffe was named the West End's Best Newcomer Award for his performance in Equus. I think he got more than what he bargained for but he was such a good sport that he played along. Check it out here.

Me thinks this post should be called.....Harry Potter and the History Boy.

(photo fr the Daily Mail)

for Grobanites

I meant to post this on Josh Groban's 27th birthday last 27 February. This is one of my favorite songs from Chess the musical, Anthem. I had to watch this to erase the memory of him cussing.

Jimmeh!

Here's Jimmy Kimmel's star-studded response to girlfriend Sarah Silverman's confession. It debuted on Kimmel's post-Oscar show. Watch it again tonight at midnight on ABC. Even squeaky clean Josh Groban joins the fun. (WARNING: Foul language!)

525,600 Minutes

First, RENT's original Maureen was at the 92 St. Y in NYC for a Q and A. Here's the interview of Idina Menzel who just came out with her new album I Stand and will be starring in a Chess concert in London with Josh Groban and Adam Pascal this May. Reading the interview, I find it amusing that she's doing her "Chess research" watching YouTube videos, which incidentally might probably include La Murney's amazing performance as Florence :)

Secondly, Playbill.com has confirmed that the original Mark and Roger, Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal will tour RENT in 2009. How exciting! Cities have not been announced yet but I hope I get to see it!

(photo fr Amazon.com)

Happiness is...

an early Birthday present! (I feel one with the Leapers...Birthday greetings to all those born today, 29 February!) After momentary panic when I opened the envelope that contained a certificate of authenticity and congratulating me on my winning bid (identity theft?!), I knew it could only have come from PQ. (Holla!)This is the Actors' Fund 2003 Chess benefit concert poster. Now the stalking to get it autographed begins...
If you want to make a donation or bid in the Actors' Fund Auction of 1000 Stars, click here.

It's better than an o-pe-ra!

I spent most of last weekend curled up with Philippa Gregory's historical novel, The Other Boleyn Girl. I've always been fascinated with Elizabeth I's rise to power, the infamous Anne Boleyn and how she changed England's history forever. Ms. Gregory's yarn provides a rich and intriguing snapshot of that period. Initially, I wasn't even sure I would finish it, outraged as I was by all the shenanigans in King Henry VIII's court and finding no sympathetic character other than Queen Catherine of Aragon. The titular character, the married Mary Carey, became the king's mistress in a time when females were used as pawns by their male relatives in bids for power, property and prestige. Her sister Anne is the usurper. Slowly, I got sucked into their world. There is palace intrigue, religious turmoil, homosexuality, even accusations of witchcraft and incest. Myriad plots, counter-plots, betrayals and disloyalty, political wrangling litter Ms. Gregory's imagined world. We all know it ends badly for most of the major characters. But the journey is no less compelling. Of course, after I put it down, I had to look up the actual history, read everything I could about that era.

The movie version is coming out tomorrow, Leap Day. The Queen screenwriter Peter Morgan adapted the book. Disappointed as I am with the casting choices, I will probably still go and see it.

(photo from Amazon)

African-American Lives 2

Black History Month is almost over. If you missed it on PBS, watch the fascinating African-American Lives 2 on DVD starting 15 March 2008. It features Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delving into the heritage of twelve notable individuals. He used DNA evidence and good old-fashioned research. Actor and genocide activist Don Cheadle found out that his ancestors were enslaved by Native Americans. I didn't even know Native Americans had slaves!

Now, that's good TV

Now Jon's got me thinking about other television shows from our youth. Other Japanese anime and live action shows I used to watch: Daimos, Mazinger Z, Shaider (Annie and Shaider forever!), Voltron, Astroboy, Transformers, Star Rangers, the religious themed Superbook and The Flying House, and of course there was Candy Candy. My classmate Jennifer A. even copied Candy Candy's hairstyle. Honorable mentions: He-Man, She-Ra and ThunderCats(Ho!). Warner Bros. is coming up with a CGI-animated ThunderCats feature film, coming in 2010.

Before Harry Potter, there was Dungeons and Dragons. This show was controversial then ,too for its violent and supposedly occult content. I think it also got pulled from Philippine television. The whole series is available on DVD. One more reason to love the '80s. If I missed anything, I'd love to hear from you guys.

New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang

The 106 member New York Philharmonic orchestra is in North Korea to become the first major U.S. orchestra to perform in that isolated Communist nation. The concert on Tuesday, 26 February will be telecast internationally and on state-run radio and television. The historic trip is not without its critics. Listen here for an NPR interview.



(photo from WNBC)

A digression

Today is the anniversary of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos's fall from power. People are again taking to the streets, this time to call for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's resignation. The Senate is currently investigating yet another scandal involving her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo. The "First Gentleman" (and I use the term loosely) and cronies allegedly pressured the government to approve a $329 million National Broadband Network contract with China that would have earned them $130 million in kickbacks. The deal has since been cancelled.

22 years later and what do we have to show for it? Political dynasties; coup plots; widespread corruption; extrajudicial executions of activists, labor leaders, judges, journalists, human rights advocates; suppression of media; all-out war on Communist rebels with forced evacuation, harassment, even torture of civilians in militarized areas; grinding poverty and unemployment, and worst of all, a disillusioned populace.

My, my, how things HAVEN'T changed. Ang kapal ng mukha!

I Need A Change of Pace.....

I know it's the Oscars today but.....8 years ago on this date, Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party opened at the Manhattan Theatre Club with a stellar cast. The cast album is one of my favorite cast recordings and has been on my frequent playlist in my ipod. Coincidentally, the Gallery Players in Brooklyn opened their version of the show this year (Feb. 2) and today is the last performance. So as an homage, check out the divine Ms. M (no not that one), but the original Queenie from the MTC production, Julia Murney singing Out of the Blue.

(thanks to TR for the clip!)

Hurley the Fanadu

Here's the Xanadu scene from the "Eggtown" episode of 'Lost.

Lea Salonga's 37

Blimey! I just remembered it's Tony winner Lea Salonga's birthday today.(Hi Tom!)I hope you lot will have a jolly time watching this clip of her 'Miss Saigon' audition. Cheers!

Lost Xanadu

Whoddathunkit? A Lost-Xanadu/kinda Broadway crossover last night! Losties Hurley and Sawyer are roomies. Hurley asks Sawyer to pick what he wants to watch: Xanadu or Satan's Doom. Sawyer tells him that he is reading. Hurley puts in a VHS tape and Olivia Newton-John starts singing title song. I died momentarily and went to pop culture heaven.

Odds and Ends.....

This is a hodge-podge post as many things are popping up.....

First, the dvd war is over! Finally for those who are waiting for the result of the HD dvd vs. Blu-ray war, Toshiba finally folded. They said that they won't be manufacturing HD dvds anymore giving Sony Blu-ray the win. Remember the VHS-Betamax war before? Anyway, full article can be found here.

Secondly, as a Law and Order junkie I feel I should post this: Detective Green is leaving :( Jesse L. Martin who plays Detective Green in original Law and Order series is leaving after 9 years. I will probably still watch it even though he won't be in it but it won't be the same.

Third, the hilarious Seth Rudetsky is reviving his Broadway 101 show this April 14 at the New World Stages. Lani, Dawn and I saw this last year and we were laughing throughout the show and like is books, the show makes you appreciate other aspects of a musical.....those that are often overlooked.......but integral to the beauty of the art form.......the overture, underscoring, orchestrations and harmonies. If you're in NYC, try to see it. It's such a fun night!

Fourth, the brilliant Jason Robert Brown and Lauren Kennedy are doing a one night only concert of The Last Five Years on March 17 at Birdland. It's a heartbreaking but brilliant show.

Lastly, another Stephen Sondheim show just opened last night at Studio 54. Sunday in the Park with George starring Jenna Russell and Daniel Evans is a revival flown in from London(well, actually just the 2 leads and creative team). Ohhhh...check out who made it to opening night here (well, actually everyone on broadway was there I think ha ha ha!)

Oscar, schmoscar

British industry magazine The Bookseller has announced its nominees for oddest book title of the year. The nominees are:

• I Was Tortured by the Pygmy Love Queen" by Jasper McCutcheon;

• "How to Write a How to Write Book" by Brian Paddock;

• "Are Women Human? And Other International Dialogues" by Catharine A. MacKinnon;

• "Cheese Problems Solved" by P.L.H McSweeney;

• "If You Want Closure in Your Relationship, Start With Your Legs" by Big Boom;

• "People who Mattered in Southend and Beyond: From King Canute to Doctor Feelgood" by Dee Gordon.

Vote for your favorite here. The winner will be awarded the Diagram Prize on the 28th of March.

Princess Fiona?

I found the above picture in one of the "Sites That Must Not Be Named". As Lani said when they announced Sutton Foster as Princess Fiona she couldn't see it. But now, what do you think? One thing I must say though, whoever made this......great photoshop work! Shrek will have an out of town try out in Seattle in August and opens on Broadway in December 2008 under Dreamworks Theatricals.

Junior's back

A few years ago, we went to John Williams' 70th birthday concert in Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Pops. It was such a treat, seeing him conduct the themes from Star Wars, Superman, E.T., and of course, Indiana Jones. His musical partnership with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas continues with the latest Indy movie, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
*prays the movie isn't lame* (I like Shia LaBeouf, but I join Lynn's friend in hoping there won't be any passing-the-fedora nonsense. I won't hurl as he's threatened to do, but I'll be very disappointed nonetheless.)

Another Seth Shout Out!!!

Check him out deconstructing Christine Ebersole in Grey Gardens. It's music appreciation 101 Brava!

Oh What A Night

Broadway funnyman Seth Rudetsky came out with his second book last year, Broadway Nights. It's about a broadway pit pianist, Stephen Sheerin who dreams to conduct a broadway show. It was my companion during my long flight to SE Asia over the holidays and made the 20 hr. flight bearable. Actually, the book is such a light read that I found myself trying to read it slowly so I can savour it's deliciousness.

The book is peppered with Seth's hilarious and amusing broadway anecdotes (it's like the movie documentary Show Business meets The Soup). But what I really liked most about it is he takes you through Stephens's adventure into becoming a musical director. It's a behind the scenes look at putting up a broadway musical.....from getting hired as a musical director to the auditions to technical rehearsals and opening night. It's such an arduous process. And all this from the point of view of a musician, which as a theatre geek, I seldom hear or see because mostly all the glory goes to the actor. Makes you realize that it takes a village to put up a show!

Incidentally, check out Seth's deconstruction podcasts on the link above because it's a) hilarious and b) it's music appreciation 101.

(photo from amazon.com)

Honest Abe and Honest George

Happy Presidents' Day! If only leaders today are as ethical as these two great men were. I highly recommend reading Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln and American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers and the Making of a Nation.

Persepolis

My personal countdown to the Oscars continues, this time with a nominee for Best Animated Feature Film.
Persepolis is a French film, the autobiography of Iranian Marjane Satrapi. We all learned about the Shah and the Ayatollah Khomeini in school. We heard how the Iranians wouldn't release the American hostages. I worried about the Iran-Iraq war. We still hear Iran being mentioned as part of the axis of evil. After I read the first Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood graphic novel, I was hooked. She humanized Iran and its people. (She wrote a sequel, 'The Story of a Return'. The movie draws from both books.) Through her beautiful artwork, she showed us what it was like to grow up female during the Islamic Revolution, the alienation of immigrants, the ignorance of the West, the dangers of fundamentalism, the family ties that bind.

Ms. Satrapi's film is even more breathtaking in its simplicity. In this day of CGI, the animation in the film is a visual treat. I wanted to linger on every frame and take in all the details but having to read the subtitles made it hard. It is clever, restrained, never maudlin. It is laugh-out-loud funny yet poignant. I love her grandmother! Catherine Deneuve is the voice of her mother. I'm rooting for it to win the Academy Award.

Watch Ms. Satrapi hold her own against the mighty nailologist Stephen Colbert.


(Thanks to Seattlepi.com for the video)

I loves me some Raul

Another gratuitous post. This time, the awesome Raul Esparza. (He has a recurring role on 'Pushing Daisies' as Alfredo Aldarisio.)
This is 'Marry Me a Little' from Company. If you want to see the recent Broadway revival, Company premieres on PBS 20 February. Check your local listings.

Ode to George

I finally saw Michael Clayton at the $2 movie house near me. I was on the edge of my seat even though it was designed to be a dark, quiet film. George Clooney has come a long way from 'The Facts of Life', 'Roseanne' and I even recently saw him in an old ep of my beloved 'Golden Girls' (yup, I can't change the channel when reruns are on, even at 1 AM.) He has wisely shied away from romantic lead roles. I've even forgiven 'Batman and Robin'. He has wracked up an impressive list of smart, thought-provoking yet entertaining films. My faves? Three Kings; O Brother, Where Art Thou?; Syriana, although this was a bit over my head; The Perfect Storm; Good Night and Good Luck. He is an actor with a conscience, using his celebrity to draw attention to the plight of the people of Darfur. If you watch his interviews, he is always funny, intelligent and self-deprecating.

Anyway, if you love legal thrillers, conspiracies and corporate shenanigans, Clayton is for you. The Bourne films' screenwriter and now Oscar-nominated Tony Gilroy wrote and directed this riveting film.
Mr. Clooney is Michael, a NY law firm's fixer. Broke, addicted to gambling, divorced, he's just trying to be a good dad to his extremely bright son. The firm's top litigator, Arthur (the always reliable Tom Wilkinson), has a meltdown after he stops taking his meds and his conscience gets the better of him. Clayton is summoned to do his "janitorial" duties and uncovers all sorts of dirty deeds. The hypnotic Tilda Swinton plays Karen, complete with shots of sweatstains, a flabby midsection as she practiced her speeches. Karen is chief counsel for an evil agrochemical company settling a multi-million dollar lawsuit. All got Academy Award nods.

Catch it on DVD 19 February before the Oscars. (photo from Amazon.)

Senseless

Tragic. Another St. Valentine's Day massacre, also in Illinois. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Northern Illinois University campus shooting victims and their families.

Some Cheno love

Happy Valentine's Day to all! I needed an excuse to post "Taylor the Latte Boy" as performed by the brilliant and funny Kristin Chenoweth. Today's as good a day as any. You can catch her as Olive Snook on ABC's 'Pushing Daisies' when it returns. Enjoy!

Suddenly I'm Flying......

Losing who you are....

So goes the feeling of dancing and it's very much evident in this musical coming to broadway in the Fall of 2008 at the Imperial Theatre. Billy Elliot the story of a boy who longs to dance was a great movie and now an amazing musical too. I saw it in the summer of 2005 at the West End. It has a combination of street dance, tap and ballet....just,as they say over the pond.....brilliant!!!! I can't wait to see it again on the Broadway stage.

Junie B. Jones

OMG How cute is Jennifer Cody! Playbill reports that Jennifer Cody will play the titular character in Theatreworks USA's revival of Junie B. Jones. Previews begin 20 March at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. My nieces used to read this book series by Barbara Park.


(Photo from Playbill)

Pink goes good with Green

No date for Valentine's Day? How about a valentine for Mother Earth? Watch Six Degrees could Change the World and commit to preserve our planet.

Have a green Valentine!

Last Play at Shea

The New York Mets announced last week that Billy Joel will be the last artist to perform at Shea Stadium. The concert, entitled "Last Play at Shea", will be on 16 July. The new Citi Field stadium is scheduled to open during the 2009 season. (On a personal note, I dislike this trend of naming sports arenas for corporations. I'd hate to see ballparks formerly known as Fenway Park or Wrigley Field.)

Huzzah!

Mike Nichols, Spamalot's director, requested that a lyric be changed in Diva's Lament. Lyricist Eric Idle obliged, saying that they don't want to keep torturing Ms. Spears. The Lady of the Lake once sang:

"I am sick of my career
Always stuck in second gear
Up to here with frustration and with fears
I've no Grammy no rewards
I've no Tony Awards
I'm constantly replaced by Britney Spears
Britney Spears!"

Now she sings:

"My love life is a mess
I've got constant PMS
My career is about as hot as ice
They hate me there backstage
They say I'm too old for my age
They're trying to replace me with Posh Spice
With Posh Spice!!"

Well-done Mr. Idle and Mr. Nichols!

Fanadu Alert!!!

Kerry Butler will be featured in the new NBC show Lipstick Jungle this Thursday at 10 pm ET/ 9 CT. Make sure you check it out! And here's her interview about the show and her role from Theatremania.com

The Xanadu cast will also be in the Macy's Valentines Day Parade

Oh and check out the XanaDOORS (it's from the XanaduTheMusical.com)

I'm looking for baggage that goes with mine

I love trains and I would love to go on a spiritual journey through India. That's probably what drew me to The Darjeeling Limited. It is the story of three semi-estranged brothers traveling by rail to find their mother (Anjelica Huston). She ran off to a convent in the Himalayas after the death of their father. Like The Royal Tenenbaums, director Wes Anderson once again looks at a privileged but dysfunctional family. The Whitmans (Francis, Jack and Peter---Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman and Adrien Brody) are not particularly likable. They haul around an enormous set of customized luggage, and even bigger emotional baggage. Predictably, they literally shed their 'Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton' luggage set as they re-connect with each other.

It's like a road trip/buddy movie with offbeat, flawed characters. It's nice to see Adrien Brody in a partly comedic role. The production values are outstanding. My favorite scene was an Indian funeral, so gorgeous and moving. Watch for a nearly wordless but heartbreaking performance from The Namesake's Irrfan Khan as a grieving father. Some people might say this subplot was unnecessary but I thought it was essential for the Whitman boys' grieving and bonding process.

The DVD will be available 26 February and will include the short film Hotel Chevalier. It's sort of Jack Whitman's back story featuring a nekkid Natalie Portman as his ex-girlfriend.

Papa Can you Hear Me?

There's been a buzz that Yentl is coming to Broadway in the future. If this is true.....Tom will be really happy! Anyway, any suggestions on the casting? Maybe Leslie Kritzer formerly in Legally Blonde but now in A Catered Affair.

News from Broadwayworld: http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=25045

BAFTAs

The 2008 BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards were handed out yesterday. For at least two years now, I always seem to catch it on BBC America when Thandie Newton is presenting an award. Jonathan Ross hosted, blaming the quality of some of his jokes on the American writers' strike. (Orlando Bloom dining at CGI Friday's, Daniel Radcliffe suggesting 'Harry Potter' in a jacuzzi with 5 women' to JK Rowling; by the way, Dan flubbed his lines.) I love British humor and their always witty acceptance speeches.

'Atonement' won best film. Marion Cotillard scored an upset over favorite Julie Christie. Ms. Cotillard was so overwhelmed she could hardly get through her speech. Daniel Day-Lewis won best actor. Ross quipped that Day-Lewis should really slow down and make less films. I loved Tilda Swinton's speech, calling George Clooney a bastard and said he was off in his batmobile somewhere. She was surprised to win as best supporting actress, stating: "Proof that I'm astonished _ I would never have worn this skirt." (an outrageous gold and black Galliano). Javier Bardem won for the nth time (He even thanked the Coen brothers' 'Mommy and Daddy' !) ; the Coen brothers were best director. Sir Anthony Hopkins received the Academy Fellowship award for outstanding contribution to the film industry.

We'll see how these winners fare at the Oscars.

(BAFTA statue photo from Wikipedia)

I heart Sutton

Tony Award-winner Sutton Foster will play Princess Fiona in "Shrek the Musical". Spamalot's Christopher Sieber has also been named as part of the cast. It will have an out-of-town try-out in Seattle from 14 August to 21 September. The stage adaptation of the popular movie will debut on Broadway in November.
Ms. Foster is currently in "Young Frankenstein" as Inga. (I'm watching next month Woot!)

Look who sprouted up on Broadway

Miriam Margoyles is a talented character actress with a penchant for stealing her co-stars' thunder in her films. From teaching Herbology at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, she's been promoted to Headmistress of Shiz University. Ms. Margoyles has made her Broadway debut as Madame Morrible in Wicked. Read her funny interview on Broadway.com here. She said she's "66, old and fat and thought Broadway musicals didn't seem to quite fit the bill." She did play Madame Morrible in Wicked's London production.

Never Gonna Dance

A NYC dance institution closed last Friday. Fazil's Studio in midtown Manhattan closed it's doors. It's rooms have been home to dance legends such as Fred Astaire, Gregory Hinds, Savione Glover and even Missy Elliot! It's such a sad situation when institutions such as these close to give way to a new condominium development. Someone I know has been to this place and she describes it as very Chorus Line --- you know Up a steep and very narrow stairway.....

I first learned about this in a NY1 article with interviews of Broadway performers Noah Racey(Curtains) and Jeffry Denman (White Christmas) both regulars of the place. The owners asked all their dancers to write on the walls of the studio as a means of saying goodbye. Here's one of the quotes:

The only law I've found comes from the ground on which I stand. Thank you Fazil's -- Peace Love, Noah Racey

Check out the article and video interview here (you have to click BROADBAND to see the video).

And here's a NY Times article and slideshow about the studio.

(photos above fr NY Times)

Grammy

The 50th Grammy Awards will be telecast this Sunday on CBS starting at 8 PM.
The Best Musical Show Album nominees are A Chorus Line, Company, Grey Gardens, Spring Awakening and West Side Story.




(Maxine's photo nicked from Amazon)

We Know Them So Well

This is Julia Murney as Florence and Sutton Foster as Svetlana in the 2003 "Chess" benefit concert rehearsal. Londoners will miss out on these two ahmazing performers. Idina Menzel and Kerry Ellis(current Elphaba in the London production of 'Wicked') have been cast in those roles at the anniversary concert on the 12th and 13th of May. The Royal Albert Hall concert will also star Adam Pascal as Frederick Trumper and Josh Groban as Anatoly Sergievsky.

Holla Philippines!

Instead of compulsively changing radio stations like I usually do in the car, I actually got to hear the start of Ms. Britney Spears' song "Piece of Me". I just HAD to post it because The Motherland was mentioned.

I’m Miss American Dream since I was 17
Don’t matter if I step on the scene
Or sneak away to the Philippines
They still gonna put pictures of my derrière in the magazine
You want a piece of me?
You want a piece of me…

Perhaps she needs to stay in the Philippine Islands. Some Lola can set her straight. Sean Preston and Jayden James will get a proper upbringing. Of course, Britney will not be able to escape that infernal question (or a variation of it) Filipino reporters inevitably ask: Which local actor/celebrity do you find attractive?

Service With More Than Just A Smile!

I just ordered the Brian Gari CD "The Late Nite Comic" 20th anniversary edition with an all star cast of broadway performers (Lani, you'll probably know why I ordered this cd when you check the pics). Sales of the CD benefit the Actors' Fund. So I ordered it from CD Baby where it's the only place available (well, it's on itunes too but I wanted a hardcopy). CD Baby is an online store which sells cds of independent artists. There are no middle men.....no studios, agents or corporations........they only sell Cds that come directly from the musicians themselves! Way to go!!!!

Anyway, I just wanted to point out this confirmation email that i got from them......it's very unique and made me smile when I read it:

BRIAN GARI: late nite comic 20th anniversary

Your CD has been gently taken from our CD Baby shelves with sterilized contamination-free gloves and placed onto a satin pillow. A team of 50 employees inspected your CD and polished it to make sure it was in the best possible condition before mailing. Our packing specialist from Japan lit a candle and a hush fell over the crowd as he put your CD into the finest gold-lined box that money can buy. We all had a wonderful celebration afterwards and the whole party marched down the street to the post office where the entire town of Portland waved "Bon Voyage!" to your package, on its way to you, in our private CD Baby jet on this day, Thursday, February 7th. I hope you had a wonderful time shopping at CD Baby. We sure did. Your picture is on our wall as "Customer of the Year." We're all exhausted but can't wait for you to come back to CDBABY.COM!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Sigh... -- Derek Sivers, president, CD Baby

Now, isn't that amazing customer service?

Happy POETS day!

In England and Australia, Fridays are also known as POETS day...Piss Off Early, Tomorrow's Saturday.

Escape to Chimp Eden

Animal Planet is premiering its new show "Escape to Chimp Eden" today, 08 February. Host Eugene Cussons is the rescue director of the Jane Goodall Institute and opened Chimp Eden in 2006. In Episode one, he travels to Angola to rescue a chimp named Josephine. You can visit ChimpEden.com if you want to support his efforts. You can even adopt a chimp.

Broadway Backwards

Although this clip was of last year’s concert, they just had Broadway Backwards 3 at the American Airlines Theatre last Monday Feb. 4, 2008. Broadway Backwards is the brainchild of Robert Bartley. It’s a concert with a twist…….female Broadway actors sing male Broadway songs and vice versa….thus the title. Some of the highlights of this year’s concert were David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris singing Take Me or Leave Me (RENT) and Anthony Rapp and Cheyenne Jackson singing Suddenly Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors). The concert benefits the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center and was hosted by the Ah-mah-zing Seth Rudetsky.

Here are highlights from the actual concert from Broadway.com: http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Video.aspx?ci=560275
(BTW, Loved the “Kiss Doogie part from Take Me or Leave Me!)

Post show cast interviews here: http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Video.aspx?ci=560279

In the year 4706

Happy Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rat! Click here for a list of festivities in New York City.

Mommie Dearest

Mike and I went to see August: Osage County last Saturday upon Pinky's enthusiastic recommendation. I was a little apprehensive because it is a play rather than a musical. Its running time of 3 and a half hours sounded daunting. But I didn't have to worry; this blistering story is so engaging I almost didn't want an intermission (there were 2) just to find out what happened next.

'August' is the tale of the über dysfunctional Westons of Oklahoma. The alcoholic father Beverly disappears one night, and his children come home to help/comfort their mother. His ferocious drug-addled wife Violet (a terrifying Deanna Dunagan), prone to "truth-telling" as she calls it, proceeds to tear into each and every one of her 3 daughters. Husbands, boyfriends, a pot-smoking granddaughter, a meek cousin, Violet's sister and her husband (a hilarious Rondi Reed and Francis Guinan) come along for the bumpy ride. One devastating family secret after another is revealed. As tempers flare and the temperature soars, the house divided unto itself starts to fall. The housekeeper Johnna is the silent witness to the epic drama. (Trivia: She is played by Kimberly Guerrero, Jerry Seinfeld's girlfriend in The Cigar Store Indian episode.)

The show has lots of memorable lines; biting, funny, sad. You'll laugh out loud even as you cringe. As one character says, "You have to be smart to be complicated." 'August' is smart AND complicated; harrowing at times but a great evening at the theatre. Thanks Pinky for insisting we see it;)

along the Canyon of Heroes

Parents took kids out of school, adults called in sick. All for a Giant Parade! Our television sets at work were glued to the live telecast. One woman was actually whooping it up as we watched. Nobody complained.

The New York Giants were all stars on Broadway today.


(Photo courtesy of the New York Times)

Sarah Smile

Nobody can ever match Linda Hamilton's kick-ass turn as Sarah Connor in T2. But after seeing her as 300's Queen Gorgo, I just had to see Lena Headey try in Fox's Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Thomas Dekker (Zach on Heroes) plays young John Connor. Summer Glau is Cameron (get it?), his reprogrammed cyborg protector.
If you like sci-fi drama and lots of action, this is must-see TV. I'm sure Ms. Headey will get her chance to kick loads of butt.

The One

The One Ring reports that Guillermo del Toro will direct the 2-film adaptation of The Hobbit. WNBC reported that an agreement between the studios and the Writers Guild of America might be reached soon. The official announcement of Del Toro's hiring will be made after the end of the 3 month old strike. That is great news from the Shire. I can't wait to see Hellboy Gollum's Labyrinth!

Giant Sunday

Ball game over! Giants win...Theeeee Giants win! Eli, You the Man! Most Valuable Player indeed.

Super Bowl Sunday

Having lived in both Massachusetts and New York, I have witnessed some pretty heated discussions between Red Sox and Yankee fans, Giants and Patriots, Mets and Yankees, Giants and Jets, etc, etc. But this year, I say we root for the underdog. Go Giants!

It's Video Time!!!

I'd like to direct you to some interesting videos out in cyberspace:

First is a Q and A with the charming David Hyde Pierce of Curtains from Broadway.com. I love his answer when asked if he would do a musical with Kelsey Grammer and John Mahoney.....it made me laugh out loud!

Second, another one from Broadway.com is a behind the scenes look of Anthony Rapp doing the voice-over of the FINAL RENT commercial. I loved the underscoring (music that's playing in the background while the video was running). I teared up just watching the clip.....I'll say it again......it's the end of an era.

Lastly, the hilarious video made by Sarah Silverman and Matt Damon. Language WARNING though!

Tony Benn

Michael Moore interviewed retired UK Parliament member Tony Benn for his film "Sicko". This is the full interview. If only more politicians were like him.

Broadway Bears XI

The 11th Annual Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Broadway Bears auction is on 17 February 2008. It will take place at the B. B. King Blues Club and Grill on W. 42nd st. The teddy bears wear costumes from various shows and are autographed by the actors. The one on the left is the Centaur from Xanadu, autographed by Kerry Butler, Cheyenne Jackson, Andre Ward and Tony Roberts. That spiffy bear on the right is Frankie Valli from Jersey Boys.

For more photos, visit Broadwayworld.

Get lost

My favorite Lostaways are back for their 4th season! After a shaky start to Season 3, I was ready to give up on them. But last season turned out to be the most brilliant. Forget Sawyer/Kate/Jack/Juliet. I love my Hurley, Claire and Charlie *sob*, Rose and Bernard, Sayid and Jin. Michael Emerson alone makes it worth watching.

Yes, I shall be incommunicado every Thursday night. For the next 8 weeks at least until they come up with new shows. If there is an end to the writers' strike.

(Photo from IMDB)