Yank! Coming to Broadway

I was so disappointed that I wouldn't be back in NYC in time before Yank! closes (closing April 4) but now it's been announced that it's coming to Broadway in the 2010-2011 season! How exciting!

Yank! playing Off-Broadway at the York Theatre, is set in WW II and is about the relationship of 2 servicemen before "don't ask don't tell". Jeffry Denman, Nancy Anderson, Bobby Steggert and Ivan Hernandez head up the cast. I've heard so many good things about it so I'm so happy that it finds another life on the Great White Way.

(photo from BWW)

Growing Up Kennedy

As a former Massachusetts resident, I have always found the Kennedys intriguing. And finding out the day after my craniotomy that the late Senator Edward "Teddy" Kennedy has also been diagnosed with a brain tumor, that fascination turned into a curious bond. I was deeply saddened by his passing.
I was still reading his memoir, True Compass when I watched The Ghost Writer. I wondered how much of the book was written by his acknowledged collaborator, Ron Powers. But I think the famed legislator's voice comes through very clearly in much of the book. The result is a very moving account of a not-so-perfect life but a well lived one.

He offers engrossing insights about the political process: campaigning, the workings of the Senate, recollections about the various American Presidents, and his stances on civil rights, immigration, Northern Ireland and his other passions. Most importantly: health care reform. I wish he would have been alive to see the health care reform bill become the law of the land. I was happy to see his family during the signing at the White House. (Sidenote: A patient of mine just returned from a weekend trip to Washington, D.C. They went to Arlington National Cemetery, and saw a group of crying women leave roses and some papers at the tomb of the Lion of the Senate. I would like to think it was the health care law, an appropriate tribute to the man who championed it.)

My favorite parts of the book however, were his personal stories. Life as the youngest Kennedy son, his idol worship of his father and illustrious brothers, a temporary expulsion from Harvard, keeping the faith throughout the assassinations and Chappaquidick, the date-rape case against his nephew, his son's cancer battle, his drinking. He reveals all these with good humor and poignant detail. He shows great charm when he talks about his courtship of his wife Victoria Reggie. Senator Kennedy clearly loved his family and took his role as patriarch very seriously. We get a glimpse into a family like no other, but in many ways, a family like everyone else's.

This autobiography paints a wonderful picture of a flawed man from a storied clan who could have chosen to lead a life of privilege. Instead, he dedicated his career to making a difference in the world. He was a man of faith who found his true compass, and followed it until the end. Rest in peace, Senator Teddy.

The (mis)Education of Jenny

The DVD of An Education, based on Lynn Barber's memoir, comes out today. I had puritanical misgivings about watching a movie where a 16 year old is seduced by an older man. And maybe it was a sign of the times (it was the swingin' 60s after all), but I was unnerved by how her parents (a much put-upon Alfred Molina and vulnerable Cara Seymour as Jack and Marjorie, respectively.) actually encouraged and supported the entanglement.

The film is beautiful to watch, with the ordinariness of suburban English life contrasted with the alluring high society shenanigans of thirtysomething David (Peter Sarsgaard), his friends Danny (a sleek Dominic Cooper) and Helen (a funny but slightly tragic Rosamund Pike). So I can see what the attractions are for 16 year old Jenny (Carey Mulligan's absorbing, Oscar nominated performance) who desperately wants to avoid the boring fate of her mother/homemaker and singleton teacher Miss Stubbs (the formidable Olivia Williams). The clever schoolgirl smokes, idealizes French life and culture, and plunges headlong into an affair with a suave older man. Headmistress (an appropriately intimidating Emma Thompson) tries to keep Jenny's recklessness, youthful optimism and naive self-confidence in check.

Our heroine thankfully learns her boyfriend is a creep and comes to her senses. But the movie's premise still left me queasy.

Next To Normal Recoups!

Next to Normal, a musical with a tough topic and no stars has managed to recoup it's investment! Good for them! Read more about it in this NY Times article.

(photo from Sh-K-Boom.com)

The Ghost

Roman Polanski's screen adaptation of Robert Harris's novel The Ghost Writer starts with cars disembarking from the Martha's Vineyard ferry, until one car is ominously left unclaimed. Then we see a body washed up ashore, which turns out to be that of Mike McAra. He was a ghost writer working on the memoirs of former U.K. Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan). Another writer (Ewan McGregor) who remains unnamed in the film, reluctantly takes over the task of completing the book. Unfortunately, Mr. Lang, who's been very friendly to U.S. interests is accused by his former Foreign Secretary Richard Rycart (played by Robert Pugh) of being a war criminal. His crime? Allowing suspected terrorists to be kidnapped and handed over to the CIA for torture. As the ghost delves deeper into the disgraced leader's life, he finds many inconsistencies and mysteries that will put his life in jeopardy.

The performances are top-notch. The talented Mr. McGregor is faultless as the smart, funny, initially apolitical biographer. His conscience won't allow him to step away from the political intrigue as he continues with his increasingly dangerous research. Mr. Brosnan is perfect as the arrogant politician. Olivia Williams is the icy, beautiful and intelligent Ruth Lang, the power behind the man. The rest of the ex-PM's retinue is led by Amelia Bly (Kim Cattrall with a strange English accent). Tom Wilkinson plays enigmatic Harvard Professor Paul Emmett. Watch out for brief cameos from James Belushi and Timothy Hutton. Now if like me, you were wondering where the film was shot (in light of Mr. Polanski's legal troubles), Berlin=London; Sylt, Germany=Massachusetts. The scenes of the gray and desolate coast are beautiful.

The movie is a compelling, slick political thriller with plenty of unexpected humorous dialogue. It doesn't rely on gimmickry or action scenes to build the suspense. It's all in the clever screenplay. There are thinly veiled references to Tony Blair, Halliburton (Hatherton in the movie) and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. Although I figured out early on who the villains are, the reveal (and the movie's haunting last shot) still caught me off-guard. So sit back, try to relax, and enjoy this potboiler.
(poster from screencrave)

The Girl Who Had Everything

Former Winnetka native and Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole had a concert here in Chicago last Thursday, March 25. It was held at the Harris Theatre in Millennium Park and was part of the theatre's Broadway Series. It was so wonderful to get to hear Ms. Ebersole's crystal clear voice again. Dressed in simple yet elegant black, Ms. Ebersole was accompanied by a 4 piece band which consisted of bass, reeds, drums and piano but the showcase of this night was clearly her beautiful voice. In fact, it was as if she came with three different personas, a delicate soprano, a jazzy lounge singer and a brass and comic belter. Her singing was effortless that the notes seem to just flow out of her.

There was no songlist so I wasn't familiar with all the songs she had sang but it consisted mostly of songs from the American songbook and Broadway tunes. My favorites that night were her jazzy version of 42nd Street, Fascinating Rhythm, I've Got A Crush On You and On The Sunny Side of the Street. Little Edie did make an appearance but not to sing a song but as part of her banter. She recited Robert Frost's poem, The Road Not Taken in Little Edie fashion which cracked everyone up! She was hilarious !

The show was directed by Hairspray lyricist, Scott Wittman so some of the banter you could tell was scripted but Ms. Ebersole was so natural onstage that it was so casual and free flowing. I never realized what a very funny lady she is. For an encore, she did an homage to Ertha Kitt singing Mink Schmink complete with a spot-on Ertha Kitt impersonation, purrs included. It was amazing! As a tribute to the Windy City, the last song she sang was the amusing Give Me Chicago Anyday, a song which was written by Chicago singer and song writer, Susan Werner who incidentally I had spotted in the audience during intermission. Very cool!

It was my first time seeing a show at the new Harris Theatre. It's such a beautiful theatre built uniquely underneath Millennium Park that you have to walk downwards to the belly of the theatre to get to the main floor! The theatre possess great acoustics making the concert even more enjoyable. The sight lines from our seats at the rear of the main floor were also great that I never had to lean to the side to look over the person in front of me. I guess that's the benefit of a well planned newly constructed theatre. I would love to see another show there again.


Some photos I took that night:

The Harris Theatre on Randolph Street



Digital Posterboard outside the theatre

The art piece over the lobby of the theatre

check out the very "Next To Normal"-esque theatre lobby

Apparently Lang Lang is coming in April!

The Public

The 2010 Shakespeare in the Park summer season begins previews on 09 June and will end 01 August. The Merchant of Venice will star Al Pacino as Shylock. The Winter's Tale will also be presented in repertory. So far, Jesse L. Martin, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Max Wright and Lily Rabe are slated to perform.

In the meantime, you can catch The Book of Grace at the Public Theater until 04 April. And Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson until 25 April. The book about the 7th U.S. President "American Lion" is next on my reading list. When I finish it, I might just check out the rock musical version.

Grandmama's Blog

Humorous Jackie Hoffman is in charge of video blogging for the show The Addams Family. She plays Grandmama in the show and is known for her hilarious and unexpected adlibs. I'm not sure Broadway.com knows what they're in for because check out her funny cracks about their neighbors next door, the Church of Scientology. Plus I love that she calls Nathan Lane Bebe Neuwirth ha ha! The above clip is the 3rd of the series but so far it's the funniest. Please click on the photo above to watch the clip.

(photo from Broadway.com)

Earth Hour 2010

Greetings Earthlings! Turn off lights for one hour this Saturday, 27 March starting at 830 PM, local time.

Abe the Vampire Slayer

Because of my endless fascination with our nation's 16th President, I instinctively picked up Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter at the bookstore and started reading. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it's from the same guy who wrote the hilarious mash-up Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
His character of the same name works at a five and dime store in Rhinebeck (Hollah Dutchess County!) where a mysterious customer named Henry entrusts him with our greatest president's lost journal. He is tasked with writing about the Great Emancipator's secret life as the bane of blood-sucking fiends.

The result is a touching, violent but surprisingly emotional re-imagining of our nation's history. Young Abe sets out to rid the country of the undead after discovering that his beloved mother was killed by a vampire---as opposed to dying from "milk sickness" as we know. When not engaged in slaying mayhem, we see into the man's melancholy soul. Vampirism becomes a metaphor for the young nation's scourge---slavery. This was a fun, easy read. I particularly enjoyed the pseudo-historical photographs (Great Photoshopping!). And I'm always thrilled when the ending comes as a total surprise to me. The book, in my humble opinion, did not suck at all.

Queen of Vamp

Here's a great NY Magazine interview with Bebe Neuwirth who currently plays Morticia in The Addams Family Musical. In the interview she answers allegations by NY Post's Michael Reidel about her and Nathan Lane not getting along. To which she offers this very classy answer:

"I think we both have a nice healthy dose of diva. But we also do really go together. You’ve got the little clown running around, and you have a very still, dry person. That’s a fun pairing.”

(photo from NY Magazine)

First Weekend of Spring 2010

It was a gorgeous weekend here in the Northeast, so I trekked to the Upper West Side. This is the American Museum of Natural History.
Lincoln and New York exhibit which ends 25 March 2010. I didn't know the President had such a contentious relationship with New York City residents (traditionally Democrats). When he stepped off the train from Illinois, New Yorkers were unimpressed with his fashion style. Famed 19th century photographer Mathew Brady took the famous photograph of Mr. Lincoln the day of his Cooper Union speech. He turned up the collar to hide the then-potential-Republican nominee's neck. When Congress passed laws to draft men for the Civil War, it resulted in a four day riot that still remains the largest civil insurrection in American history. All the venom and vitriol aimed at the President just goes to show that politics never changes.
New York Historical Society, the city's oldest museum and research library
Photos weren't allowed at the exhibit. I loved this bit of trivia that the docent shared with us: An 11 year old girl from upstate NY named Grace Bedell wrote then-Republican-presidential candidate to grow whiskers to improve his appearance. He wrote her back, making no promises. But he did grow a beard a month later.
Nature and the American Vision: The Hudson River School at N-YHS
Henry Luce III Center for the Study of American Culture
Tiffany lamps, furniture, paintings, ceramics, sculptures, metals on display

Times Square painting

Study of Alice in Wonderland from Central Park


Grateful Dead exhibit (again, no photos allowed)
The exhibit had a replica of the coat he wore during his magnificent second Inaugural Address and on the day of his assassination. It was made by Brooks Brothers. The original is kept in Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. After he passed away, New Yorkers lined the streets and mourned as he made his way back from Washington to Illinois. I am moved by the fact that he died during Passover and on Good Friday, 15 April 1865. The man who set the slaves free and saved the Union.

Chez Lenard, Ridgefield, CT. Hurray for street food!

Ballard Park bandstand in Ridgefield, CT

Bissell House Ridgefield, CT

Of Booze and Dope

The catfight scene between Helen Lawson and Neely O'Hara

"They drummed you out of Hollywood, so you can come crawling back to Broadway. Well, Broadway doesn't go for booze and dope! Now get out of my way, I've got a man waiting for me!" These are the famous lines that Helen Lawson utters to Neely O'Hara towards the end of the movie, Valley of the Dolls. I recently revisited it when I heard that the Actors Fund was doing an All-star benefit reading of Valley of the Dolls. I had forgotten how campy it is but have thoroughly enjoyed it my second viewing.

Valley of the Dolls is a movie based on the novel by Jacqueline Susann. The "dolls" in the title refer to downers used as sleeping aids. The story involves 3 young women who meet in NYC and eventually become friends. Anne Wells (Barbara Parkins), a naive girl from New England gets a job at a theatrical talent agency and falls in love with a cad, Lyon Burke (Paul Burke) and eventually finds success as a model. The talented Neely O'Hara (Patty Duke) is in the musical with the famous actress and star of the show, Helen Lawson (Susan Hayward). Ms. Lawson hears Neely sings and manages to get her fired for fear that she might get upstaged. Neely O'Hara eventually gets a guest singing gig at a TV show which eventually leads her to success in Hollywood. The blonde and very beautiful, Jennifer North (Sharon Tate) meets a handsome singer Tony Polar and eventually marries him but little do they know that he has an undiagnosed condition. All 3 strive for fame and fortune while holding onto their friendship but the ever present allure of the "dolls" looms around them.

This film has the camp potential of the musical Xanadu. If done right and a great creative team, I would like to see a stage version of this. It is so over the top that it is so enjoyable. Patty Duke is so over the top as a drugged and boozed up Neely that there are several scenes you just can't help but chuckle. Susan Hayward as Helen Lawson has lots of lines too that are quotable quotes of the movie. I'm sure the original intention of the creators of the film is to make this more of a drama but the resulting acting choices and dialogue made it into a delicious campy cult favorite. Go see for yourself!

One more note that I almost forgot is the beautiful theme song of the movie. Dionne Warwick sings it perfectly. It's sung at the start of the film and also woven in between the scenes several times when there are turning points in the women's lives.

For well loved quotes of the film please click here.

W's Massive Deception

Based on Rajiv Chandrasekaran's non-fiction book Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone, director Paul Greengrass has made a chaotic, thrilling action movie with political undertones. Using hand-held cameras to give it a documentary feel, we are again part of the action for a pulse-pounding, nail-biting movie-going experience. Not quite recent Oscar Best Picture winner The Hurt Locker, but it's still good, thought-provoking fun.

Green Zone is set during the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Army Chief Roy Miller (Matt Damon--and no, it is not Jason Bourne version 3.0) becomes increasingly frustrated as his team fails to find any weapons of mass destruction(WMD). He begins to question the intelligence information that led his government to invade and occupy the troubled nation. Amy Ryan plays Lawrie Dayne, a journalist who naively perpetuates government fabrications fed to her by a smug Pentagon officer Clark Poundstone (Greg Kinnear). Brendan Gleeson is Martin Brown, CIA Middle East expert, who knows the intel is false. His suggestions on how the CPA (Coalition Provisional Authority) should rebuild and run Iraq are also roundly dismissed by the Bushies. See if you can recognize Jason Isaacs as part of the Special Forces.

My favorite character however, is Freddy, an Iraqi who comes to the Americans with information and becomes embroiled in Miller's obsessive search for the truth. The Kite Runner's Khalid Abdalla admirably plays the honorable patriot who only wants what's best for his country. He represents the innocent, nameless, faceless Iraqis who undeservedly get demonized by the rest of the world.

It is the 7th anniversary of the Iraq War, and I disagree with some people's contention that the film is irrelevant since we've said goodbye to Dubya. Yes, Iraq again recently held elections, and that is a small victory. U.S. troops however continue to perish in a war predicated on lies. Former members of the Bush administration are coming out of the woodwork, doing interviews or writing books defending the decision to go to war. They are just as clueless as those who were sheltered in Baghdad's Green Zone. One lasting and jolting image from the film is when Miller's team goes to Saddam Hussein's former palace where the CPA is headquartered. We see people at the poolside, drinking beer and carrying on while elsewhere in the country, people have no food, water or electricity. Is it any wonder that Americans get such a bad rap? I love the bumper sticker that says, "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention." This movie will definitely raise one's hackles.

(photo from Impawards)

Broadway Actor In TV Commercial: Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman shows his dance moves in this Lipton commercial. Please click the photo to play the video.

(photo from guardian.co.uk)

525,600 Minutes

I can't believe a year has gone by. A year ago, one of my favorite stage actress, Natasha Richardson passed away due to injuries sustained from a skiing accident. It was a great loss to the theatre community. She has been missed.

Am I Blue?

Guess what Neil Patrick Harris, Alan Cumming, Hank Azaria, Jonathan Winters and Glee's Jayma Hays have in common. According to The Hollywood Reporter, they are all starring in the film version of the popular Belgian animated series Smurfs. NPH and Ms. Hays will portray husband and wife live action characters. Mr. Winters and Mr. Azaria will voice Papa Smurf and the Smurfs' nemesis Gargamel, respectively. Mr. Cumming will be heard as Gutsy Smurf. George Lopez will also lend his voice to Grouchy Smurf.

DVR Alert: Aaron Tveit on Ugly Betty

Next To Normal's Aaron Tveit will be on Ugly Betty tonight! The show airs on ABC at 10pm ET/9pm CT. Click on the photo above for a clip courtesy of BroadwayWorld.com

Interview With The Addams

Check out the new family portrait! The Addams Family Musical started previews last week and according to broadway grosses, it earned $ 1,192,213 in it's first seven preview performances. Wow! Read about that here.

Here's an interiew of Nathan Lane (Gomez) and Bebe Neuwirth (Morticia) from USA Today. They talk about "what's normal for an Addams", creating their characters and the change from the Chicago production.

(photo from Broadwayworld.com)

Lost Boys

Peter Graves passed on yesterday at age 83. I loved him on Mission Impossible and as the host of A & E's Biography.

Corey Haim also passed away on the 10th of March at age 38. Goodbye Lucas!

Our condolences to their families, fans and friends.

(photos from TV Guide)

Under Glee's Spell

Another Glee flashmob this time in Tel Aviv. They are really going global!

What's In A Triple Axle?

Women's Free Skate part 1:

Women's Free Skate part 2

The guys from OlympicsOrBust.com are back with their 2010 Olympics Women's Free Skate analysis with discussions of the technicalities of the Triple Axle as well as the exciting "battle of the Asians". Additional commentary from Julia Murney and Jen Bender. It's hilarious!

Their video and commentary of the Women's Short Program can be found here.

(thanks to CW for pointing out this video)

Bone of Contention

After the LOTR trilogy and King Kong, I thought a screen adaptation of The Lovely Bones was an odd choice for Academy Award winner Peter Jackson. I had read the book, liked it so much that I bought my own copy then changed my mind about it and donated it to the library. But I watched the movie to see what he would do with it. I saw what the attraction was: a murder mystery with a chance to show some grisly bits which we know Mr. Jackson loves. (The director wisely showed restraint and spared us the gruesome details of the crime.) And he also gets to create a dazzling otherworldly place between heaven and earth from which murdered girl Susie Salmon (Atonement's Saoirse Ronan) watches her family and friends deal with her passing.

I felt every minute of its 135 minute running time. The rape-murder investigation led by Detective Len Fenerman (Michael Imperioli) felt haphazard. Why the cops didn't immediately suspect the sinister George Harvey (Stanley Tucci in a bravura performance), I have no idea. We know Mr. Jackson can make a thriller, and yet scenes of the serial killer felt drawn out for maximum tension using slow motion and close-ups. Because of the film's heavy plot, a boozy, chain-smoking Grandma Lynn (Susan Sarandon) was there to provide some levity. The screenplay was a little kinder to Rachel Weisz's Abigail Salmon than the book. Mark Wahlberg was a stand-out however as the grieving father Jack Salmon.

Yes, the "In-Between" world was magnificent and ethereal. In some ways, it reminded me of the surreal landscapes we saw in another film about death, What Dreams May Come. As a whodunit, it floundered. I had forgotten what eventually happened to Mr. Harvey. I actually laughed out loud when I saw his fate...probably not a good thing. The film probably would have succeeded if it focused more on the human drama. And that's why I have a bone to pick with the filmmakers.


(photo from Atomic Popcorn)

Bailamos!

To celebrate the coming of Glee to the Iberian Peninsula, here's a flashmob that was held in Madrid. Click on the photo above to play the video.

Alice in Tolkienland

Maybe it's just my obsession with the LOTR, but scenes from Tim Burton's re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland kept reminding me of Peter Jackson's trilogy. Narnia and Oz are also thrown in there. We first see Alice as a child who's been having recurrent dreams about caterpillars, dodo birds and rabbit holes, leading her to ask her father (Marton Csokas---Celeborn in LOTR) if she's gone mad. He tells her that she has, with the reassurance that all the best people are bonkers.

Cut to 13 years later: Alice (played by Mia Wasikowska) needs a moment to think about a marriage proposal from a nobleman with digestive problems (Leo Bill). She follows a white rabbit (voiced by Michael Sheen) down a hole and enters the fantastical Underland.

The denizens of this strange world have apparently been expecting her. She is a prophesied dragon slayer (Eowyn vs. the Fell Beast anyone?) for the White Queen who will end the evil Red Queen's reign. With no yellow brick road in sight where she can get in touch with her inner champion, she encounters Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Cheshire Cat, the hookah smoking Caterpillar, and of course, the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) to convince her. Crispin Glover (with a digitally elongated body) as the Knave of Hearts is not far behind to thwart their efforts. Part of the fun in watching the movie is identifying which British actor or actress voiced Lewis Carroll's popular characters.

Alice basically takes on a coming-of-age, feminist story arc. There are excellent performances from Mr. Depp and the scene-stealing Ms. Bonham-Carter as the Red Queen. The Mad Hatter wasn't as overwrought as I thought he would be based on the movie trailer. I wasn't too crazy about Ms. Hathaway's befuddled White Queen (shades of Glinda the Good Witch). Her sister, the Red Queen is the more interesting character. Like Elphaba in Broadway's Wicked, she was made fun of for her looks (in this case, her oversized head) and felt unloved by her parents. She wonders if it is better to be feared than loved.

The movie's Burtonesque visuals and special effects are enough to keep one entertained, but one doesn't leave the theater exhilarated. While Mr. Burton hasn't lost his "muchiness", he's usually "much more...muchier".

(photo from Impawards)

ACS on What Not to Wear

Watch What Not to Wear on TLC tonight at 9 PM. Stacy London will be rewarding breast cancer survivor and American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery volunteer Sara London with a wardrobe make-over.

Broadway Actor in TV Commercial: Brian D'Arcy James

Well, this is actually a voice-over by Brian D' Arcy James (Shrek, Time Stands Still) for Jameson Whiskey. Check out his great Irish accent! Video courtesy of Access Talent.

Oscar-worthy movie clichés rolled into one

The Oscars may be over, but Oscar movie clichés will never die. Check out this most excellent video from BriTANicK.com

A Belting Re-match

Reprising their songs from the brilliant First You Dream revue at the Signature Theatre in Va, here's Julia Murney singing The Money Tree and Heidi Blickenstaff singing Maybe This Time at a star studded gala honoring John Kander held at the Vineyard Theatre last night. Just listen to that thrilling counterpoint! It's nice to hear that again.

To read more about the gala or see photos, please click here, here and here.

Ladies in Retirement

The term "gothic murder mystery" has doom written all over it, which is why Edward Percy and Reginald Denham's Ladies in Retirement might be a lot of fun to watch. It opens today at 8 p.m., at Theatre 3, 311 West 43rd Street, 3rd Floor and will run until April 3.

The Best Damn Sports Movie Period

What does one do to alleviate Olympic coverage withdrawal symptoms? Watch Clint Eastwood's latest masterpiece, Invictus of course. In an era of philandering athletes, skyrocketing salaries, inflated egos, I love the Olympics because it is all about the sport and the honor of representing one's country in front of a global audience. The film about South Africa's stunning World Cup debut in 1995 is about that, and much more.

After the nation's first multi-racial democratic elections, President Nelson Mandela (played by the incomparable Morgan Freeman) has the herculean task of healing deep divisions in his post-apartheid country. Seen as a continuing symbol of government sanctioned racism, the national rugby team---the Springboks--- is reviled by the black populace. The newly elected leader extends his message of reconciliation and forgiveness to sports, and encourages his people to support the team. We see how the Nobel Prize laureate's morality and strength of character galvanizes team captain Francois Pienaar (the increasingly adroit Matt Damon). The movie's title comes from Mr. Mandela's favorite poem that sustained him during his 27 years of imprisonment, and he shares it with the embattled sportsman.

I want to see a full length biography of Mr. Mandela as we see only glimpses of his personal struggles and inspiring life. The visit to the prison cell evoked memories of fallen Philippine opposition leader Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino. The trials and tribulations of South Africa's first black president also draws comparisons to Barack Obama's dilemma of "balancing black aspirations and white fears". Athletic competitions and the movies about them always deliver uplifting messages and emotional highs, but this film goes beyond that. The stakes were higher. On the line: unity and nation-building.

Watch Your Mouth, Watch Your Mouth Ms.Effie White

This is equally hilarious and brilliant! One man doing 6 characters from Dreamgirls. The song is It's All Over the famous fight scene from the show.

Delirious with Glee

Neil Patrick Harris will guest star on Glee! What could possibly make it even better? Joss Whedon is directing it! No, it won't be a High School Musical version of Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog. If only. *sighs* I can barely contain my excitement. Jane Lynch. NPH. Whedon. Epic.

The new season of Glee starts 13 April 2010 on Fox.

(photo from Allmoviephoto)

The Art of Upstaging

This is just too amusing not to post! Seth Rudetsky is, as always, so funny. On a sidenote, I distinctly remember that Annette Bening has this upstaging scene in her movie Being Julia that I really love! It's pretty funny.

DVR Alert: Sutton Foster on SVU

As a Law and Order junkie, this is exciting! Sutton Foster guests stars in Law & Order SVU March 3 (yes, that's tonight!) at 10 pm ET / 9 pm CT. From the previews, another Stage Notes fav is also in the episode, Kathy Griffin!

(photo from SuttonFoster.com)