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The Book of Mormon: From Broadway to Hollywood

2011/09/13 at 12:00am

The Book of Mormon: From Broadway to Hollywood

09.13.2011 | By Jack Rico |

When the work The Book of Mormon opened on Broadway this year, it was was one of the most anticipated musical of the year. Hispanic writer Robert Lopez was brought on by the creators of ‘South Park’, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, to insure musical numbers and an uproarious comedy. The show won nine awards, including Best Musical at the Tony’s this year.

With such good results, the creators have confirmed that ‘The Book of Mormon’ is set to debut in screens soon.

However, their fans will have to wait for the show to complete a U.S. tour that will start next summer, before they start shooting.

“The Book of Mormon” is a satire starring two young Mormon missionaries on assignment in a remote village in Uganda.

Parker and Stone are not fearful of the polemics in their first work, which parodied the history of the Mormon church, the ritual of baptism sexuality and included many politically incorrect jokes that mixed with the adventures of two missionaries in Africa.

“If you can see a normal chapter ‘South Park’ with your kids, you probably should not bring them to music. But it is not nearly as gross or indecent as we’ve ever done. We could do much more,” said Stone.

By Jack Rico

2011/09/12 at 12:00am

Movies

Broadway review: Follies

09.12.2011 | By Jack Rico |

It is 1971. The place is New York City and before the demolition of his landmark theater, Dimitri Weismann (David Sabin) summons his former actors and dancers to reunite and relive for one last time the glory days of his ‘Weismann Follies.’ While there, two couples (Bernadette Peters, Danny Burstein, Jan Maxwell, Ron Raines) relive the old memories of when they first met and reexamine their present lives, in particular, their marriages. It will definitely be a night they’ll never forget.

This is the interesting premise of ‘Follies,’ the James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim musical revival that leaves the stage of The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C and moves over to the brights lights of Broadway at the Marquis Theater. Before I even sat down to see it, word was out that ‘Follies’ was the show to beat headed into the Tony’s in 2012. Well, how could you argue with that after Ben Brantley from The New York Times wrote that “Follies is one of the greatest musicals ever written”. Literally that might true, but the performance I saw was far from it. It was a night of highs and lows punctuated by a shockingly and rare disappointing performance from Bernadette Peters. The iconic actress seemed narcotized and sang off-key most of the night, especially during her “show-stopping solo” – Losing My Mind. Even the best have a bad day here and there. Nevertheless, her co-stars kept the ship steady and the direction from Eric Schaeffer was solid.

The book by James Goldman can only be described as a somber and stark take on marriage, nostalgia and growing old. The themes it takes on are unfortunately all bleak: divorce, recalling your prime and confronting your present mortality, infidelity and unwanted change. But that doesn’t mean musicals of this nature are destined for gloom and doom. No sir, shows like ‘Next To Normal’ (a depressing and demoralizing show if I ever saw one) have demonstrated that as long as the music is infectious and the performances are moving and sincere, you can be as hopeless as you want. ‘Follies’ regrettably, doesn’t compare to the latter show due to its slow, lulling pace, it’s forgettable music and unappealing characters. And perhaps if Ms. Peters delivered more of a ‘sober’ and spirited performance, my experience might have been better. Perhaps Mr. Schaeffer can offer other ways for the character of Sally to live within her. There was no question in the theater that the night belonged to Jan Maxwell who received the most thunderous applauses of the night along with Elaine Paige who gave a delightful and charismatic supporting performance. They unequivocally eclipsed Ms. Peters right off the stage. There was nothing absolutely memorable of her interpretation except her name.

I would catalog the first act of the program as a blend of heartbreak, cynicism and humanity. Some of the numbers and characters weren’t necessary and I would say some of it bogged down the production. The second act is the one worth seeing due to the colorful and visual dreamscape sequences, lively choreography and some emotional performances. Overall, what really stood out to me was the remarkable lighting design of Natasha Katz which introduced the younger versions of the elderly showgirls in a beautiful and inventive way. It was a treat to see to see how the stars stayed in color light while their ghosts were lit in blues and greens.

There are some crowd pleasing numbers to look forward to such as the nostalgic opening number, ‘Beautiful Girls,’ the vivacious ‘Who’s That Woman,’ Elaine Paige’s inspiring solo ‘I’m Still Here’ and Jan Maxwell’s vengeful ‘Could I Leave You’ and her sassy and sensual ‘The Story of Lucy and Jesse’.

Inside the Marquis Theater, Derek McLane’s gray and dilapidated drapes blanket the whole auditorium while the stage design offers an authentic feel of a historic place ready to say its goodbyes.

On a curious note, if you see Mr. Raines forgetting his line towards the end of his solo act, ‘Live, Love, Laugh,’ it is intentional and part of the act. Don’t go thinking you saw a ‘live’ error.

Schaeffer’s ‘Follies’ is in concept engrossing, but alas, it possesses challenges that don’t translate to a great night out nor the best of the Sondheim collection.

Penélope Cruz begins ‘Venuto al mondo’ shoot

By Mack Chico

2011/09/12 at 12:00am

Movies

Penélope Cruz begins ‘Venuto al mondo’ shoot

09.12.2011 | By Mack Chico |

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz on Wednesday arrived unexpectedly in Sarajevo, where she will film “Venuto al mondo,” a drama directed by Sergio Castellitto.

“Venuto al mondo” is the film adaptation of the same-named novel by Margaret Mazzantini, Castellitto’s wife and one of the most popular writers in Italy.

Cruz will play the role of Gemma, a single mother who accompanies her teenage son to modern-day Sarajevo, the birthplace of his father, who died during the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia.

Participating in the project are Bosnian production companies Pro.ba and Deblokada.

The Oscar-winning actress has worked with Castellitto before on his 2004 film “Non ti muovere.”

Keira Knightley, Jude Law to star in ‘Anna Karenina’

By Jack Rico

2011/09/08 at 12:00am

Movies

Keira Knightley, Jude Law to star in ‘Anna Karenina’

09.8.2011 | By Jack Rico |

Joe Wright will direct the epic romance Anna Karenina, adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare in Love). The Working Title Films production will commence filming in the U.K. and Russia this month. Focus Features will distribute the movie domestically, and Universal Pictures International (UPI) will distribute the movie internationally, in the second half of 2012.

Anna Karenina marks Mr. Wright’s third Working Title movie with Focus and UPI, following the award-winning boxoffice successes Pride & Prejudice and Atonement. Also for Working Title and UPI, he directed The Soloist; also for Focus, he most recently directed the hit adventure thriller Hanna.

Working Title co-chairs Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are producing Anna Karenina with Paul Webster; the three were Academy Award nominees as the producers of Mr. Wright’s Best Picture-nominated Atonement. Also with Focus, Mr. Webster was a Golden Globe Award nominee as producer of Eastern Promises.

Keira Knightley, Academy Award-nominated for Pride & Prejudice, will star as Anna Karenina in her third collaboration with Mr. Wright. Ms. Knightley will be starring opposite two-time Academy Award nominee Jude Law, as Anna’s husband Aleksei Karenin; and Aaron Johnson (Nowhere Boy), as Count Vronsky. Rounding out the cast will be Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire), Matthew Macfadyen (Pride & Prejudice), Domhnall Gleeson (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows), Alicia Vikander (The Seventh Son), two-time Academy Award nominee Emily Watson, Olivia Williams (Hanna), and Ruth Wilson (Luther).

Also reteaming with Mr. Wright on Anna Karenina are Academy Award-winning composer Dario Marianelli, twice-Academy Award-nominated costume designer Jacqueline Durran, and three-time Academy Award-nominated production designer Sarah Greenwood. The cinematographer will be Academy Award winner Philippe Rousselot. Melanie Ann Oliver (Focus’ Jane Eyre) will edit the feature. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui will be the choreographer on the movie.

The story unfolds in its original late-19th-century Russia high-society setting and powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart, from the passion between adulterers to the bond between a mother and her children. As Anna (Ms. Knightley) questions her happiness, change comes to her family, friends, and community.

Focus Features CEO James Schamus said, “Joe Wright is a master filmmaker, and with Tom Stoppard’s brilliant screenplay this Anna Karenina will be full of both pageantry and emotion. To realize Joe’s vision, we have the perfect producing partners in Working Title and Paul Webster, whose acumen is unsurpassed. With Keira Knightley playing this iconic role and a splendid cast supporting her, today’s moviegoers will be drawn to this powerful story.”

Mr. Bevan commented, “Everyone at Working Title is proud to affirm a longtime collaboration with Joe Wright through this, our fourth picture together. That we are able to re-convene cast and crew from Pride & Prejudice and Atonement makes it all the more exciting. We anticipate that this will be a defining screen version of Anna Karenina.”

John Leguizamo costars in Heigl’s ‘One For The Money’

By Jack Rico

2011/09/08 at 12:00am

Movies

John Leguizamo costars in Heigl’s ‘One For The Money’

09.8.2011 | By Jack Rico |

After his Ghetto Klown Broadway extravaganza, Colombian actor John Leguizamo is getting ready for his costarring role next to Katherine Heigl in ONE FOR THE MONEY. We have the new poster, check it out below.

Heigl stars as Stephanie Plum from the popular heroine of Janet Evanovich’s worldwide best-selling sixteen-book mystery series – to vibrant life in Lionsgate and Lakeshore Entertainment’s movie.

A proud, born-and-bred Jersey girl, Stephanie Plum’s got plenty of attitude, even if she’s been out of work for the last six months and just lost her car to a debt collector. Desperate for some fast cash, Stephanie turns to her last resort: convincing her sleazy cousin to give her a job at his bail bonding company…as a recovery agent. True, she doesn’t even own a pair of handcuffs and her weapon of choice is pepper spray, but that doesn’t stop Stephanie from taking on Vinny’s biggest bail-jumper: former vice cop and murder suspect Joe Morelli – yup, the same sexy, irresistible Joe Morelli who seduced and dumped her back in high school.

Nabbing Morelli would be satisfying payback – and a hefty payday – but as Stephanie learns the ins and outs of becoming a recovery agent from Ranger, a hunky colleague who’s the best in the business, she also realizes the case against Morelli isn’t airtight. Add to the mix her meddling family, a potentially homicidal boxer, witnesses who keep dying and the problem of all those flying sparks when she finds Morelli himself…well, suddenly Stephanie’s new job isn’t nearly as easy as she thought.

ONE FOR THE MONEY is a fresh, funny action-comedy directed by Julie Anne Robinson and also starring Jason O’Mara, Daniel Sunjata, John Leguiziamo, Debbie Reynolds and Debra Monk. Lionsgate and Lakeshore Entertainment present a Lakeshore Entertainment Lionsgate Wendy Finerman production in association with Sidney Kimmel Entertainment Abishag Productions. Directed by Julie Anne Robinson. Screenplay by Stacy Sherman & Karen Ray and Liz Brixius. Based on the novel by Janet Evanovich.

Alicia Keys announces Broadway cast of ‘Stick Fly’

By Jack Rico

2011/09/07 at 12:00am

Movies

Alicia Keys announces Broadway cast of ‘Stick Fly’

09.7.2011 | By Jack Rico |

Producer Alicia Keys is proud to announce that Dulé Hill, Mekhi Phifer, Tracie Thoms, Puerto Rican actor Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Condola Rashad will star in the Broadway premiere of STICK FLY, the critically-acclaimed American play by Lydia R. Diamond and directed by Kenny Leon. STICK FLY begins previews on Friday, November 18, 2011 and officially opens on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at the Cort Theatre (138 W. 48th Street). Tickets are now on sale through Telecharge.com.

“My producing partners and I are thrilled to have such a strong and talented ensemble cast assembled,” said Alicia Keys. “Having this incredible group of actors to help bring Lydia’s beautiful play to life is going to take Broadway’s wattage to the next level!”

Returning to the Broadway stage, Emmy Award nominee Dulé Hill (“Psych,” “The West Wing”) will play Kent “Spoon” Levay (a writer), Tracie Thoms (Rent, “Cold Case,” The Devil Wears Prada) will play Taylor (Kent’s fiancée and an entomologist), and Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Seven Guitars, Lackawanna Blues) will play Joe Levay (Kent & Flip’s father and a neurosurgeon). Making their Broadway debuts, Mekhi Phifer (“ER,” 8 Mile) will play Flip Levay (a plastic surgeon), and Drama Desk Award nominee Condola Rashad (Ruined) will play Cheryl (a maid). Casting for the role of Kimber, a part-time teacher, will be announced at a later date.

It was supposed to be a relaxing weekend at the family home on Martha’s Vineyard… until the baggage got unpacked. Set at the elegant summer home of the well-to-do LeVay family, STICK FLY begins when two adult sons bring their significant others (one a fiancée, the other a new girlfriend) home to meet their parents for the first time. Soon, secrets are revealed, civilities are dropped and identities are explored in a harsh new light. Race and rivalry, class and family, all come together for an explosive comedy of manners about today’s complex world.

The creative team for STICK FLY includes David Gallo (Scenic Design), Reggie Ray (Costume Design), Beverly Emmons (Lighting Design) and Richard Fitzgerald / Sound Associates (Sound Design).

STICK FLY will be produced on Broadway by Nelle Nugent, Alicia Keys, Samuel Nappi, Reuben Cannon, Sharon A. Carr/Patricia Klausner, Huntington Theatre Company, Dan Frishwasser, Charles Salameno in association with Joseph Sirola & Eric Falkenstein.

STICK FLY was developed in a recent co-production last year between the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston and Arena Stage in Washington D.C. The play had its world premiere at Chicago’s Congo Square Theatre Company in 2006 and was subsequently performed at theatres including the McCarter Theatre in 2007 and the Matrix Theatre Company in Los Angeles in 2009. STICK FLY is the recipient of 2011 Independent Reviewers of New England Awards for Best Play and Best Director of a Drama (Kenny Leon); 2010 LA Drama Critics Circle Awards for Best Production, Best Direction and Best Ensemble Performance; a 2010 LA Garland Award for Playwriting; a 2009 LA Weekly Theatre Award for Playwriting; and, the 2006 Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best New Play. It was also a 2008 Susan Blackburn Prize finalist and a nominee for the 2006 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work.

Tickets are now available by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200, (800) 432-7250 outside the NY metro area, or online at Telecharge.com.

By Jack Rico

2011/09/02 at 12:00am

Movies

Win an ‘X-Men: First Class’ DVD!

09.2.2011 | By Jack Rico |

First Class Friday: Attention Marvel Comic Fans!

Before they were superheroes, the fate of humanity depended on an extraordinary group of youngsters who went on to become X-MEN: FIRST CLASS. Based on the international bestselling Marvel Comics franchise, this box office hit bursts onto Blu-ray and DVD Friday, September 9 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Enter for your chance to win a free copy of X-MEN:FRIST CLASS and discover the epic beginning of the X-Men saga.

All you have to do is fill out the COMMENTS section below with your full name and email address to win.

The first 10 winners will be notified by e-mail. Only one entry per e-mail address will be accepted, and multiple entrants may be disqualified. Employees agents, consultants and other advisors of showbizcafe.com are not eligible to participate in this contest. No one under 13 is eligible. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Once again, to enter, please post your name and email address. We will email you for your home address. All entrants MUST be residents of the United States. ShowBizCafe.com respects the privacy of its readers. No information submitted in this contest will be given, copied, transferred, or sold to any third parties.

Special features on the X-MEN: FIRST CLASS Blu-ray include:
•    10 Marvel “X-Men” Digital Comics with exclusive “X-Men: First Class” Backstory Comic
•    More than two hours of never-before-seen extras, including:
o    Cerebro Mutant Tracker: The complete interactive Mutant Database with interactive videos giving fans the ability to learn about their favorite mutants in the X-Men film franchise
o    Children of the Atom: An eight-part behind-the-scenes featurette, charting the film from
pre-production through post-production, including visual effects techniques and cataloguing “X-Men” transformations through prosthetic make up and costume design
o    “X” Marks the Spot: An interactive feature allowing viewers the opportunity to learn more about specific scenes with talent interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
o    Extended and Deleted Scenes
o    BD-Live Portal with additional Cerebro Mutant Tracker profiles
o    Composer’s Isolated Score
o    Theatrical Trailer

Michael Peña

By Jack Rico

2011/08/12 at 12:00am

Interviews Movies

Interview: 6 Questions With Michael Peña

08.12.2011 | By Jack Rico |

From drama to comedy, Michael Peña, the Chicago native with Mexican blood from Jalisco and San Luis Potosi, is in my opinion, one of the most underrated actors in the film business. He is also the next Latino actor who will win an Oscar. His performance as Jesus Martinez in The Lincoln Lawyer was as visceral and absorbing as any performance this year in a supporting role. The scene where Peña is being harassed by Matthew McConaughey’s character in an interrogation room is riveting. You couldn’t take your eyes off him. Read more after the jump. Read More

By Mack Chico

2011/08/08 at 12:00am

Movies

Win the ‘Final Destination’ DVD Box Set

08.8.2011 | By Mack Chico |

We’re doing it again! ShowBizCafe.com and Warner Bros. are giving you the opportunity to win the ‘Final Destination’ DVD Box Set that includes all 4 films.

All you have to do is answer 5 trivia questions correctly in the COMMENTS section below to win.

The first 5 winners will be notified by e-mail. Only one entry per e-mail address will be accepted, and multiple entrants may be disqualified. Employees agents, consultants and other advisors of showbizcafe.com are not eligible to participate in this contest. No one under 13 is eligible. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Once again, to enter, please post your name and email address, plus your 5 correct answers. We will email you for your home address. All entrants MUST be residents of the United States. ShowBizCafe.com respects the privacy of its readers. No information submitted in this contest will be given, copied, transferred, or sold to any third parties.

Warner Bros.’ new chapter to the successful horror franchise FINAL DESTINATION 5 stars Nicholas D’Agosto, Emma Bell, Miles Fisher and Arlen Escarpeta with David and Tony Todd. The horror film is releasing on August 12th.

Good luck and thanks for visiting ShowBizCafe.com!

TRIVIA QUESTIONS:

1. At the end of the first Final Destination, Carter is hit and killed by what swinging object?
            A. Light bulb
            B. Stoplight
            C. Neon sign
            D. Monkey

2. The car crash scene in Final Destination 2 was nominated for “Best Action Sequence” at what 2003 awards ceremony?
            A. Oscars
            B. Golden Globes
            C. Nobel Prize
            D. MTV Movie Awards

3. In Final Destination 3, Ashley and Ashlyn are killed and nearly turned to “ashes” by what overheating piece of equipment?
            A. Tanning bed
            B. Ronco “Set It and Forget It” Rotisserie
            C. Pizza oven
            D. Subway train

4. In the fourth installment, The Final Destination, Hunt gets his organs sucked out by what?
            A. Vacuum cleaner
            B. Pool drain
            C. Roto-Rooter employee
            D. Roomba robotic vacuum

5. Final Destination 5 will play in what format in theaters across America?
            A. 1D
            B. 2D
            C. Real D 3D
            D. Fake D 3D

‘Scarface’ to be re-released for one night event

By Jack Rico

2011/08/01 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Scarface’ to be re-released for one night event

08.1.2011 | By Jack Rico |

Centennial, Colo. – August 1, 2011 – Blasting onto the silver screen with the intensity of its original release nearly 30 years ago, the pop culture phenomenon Scarface, starring Al Pacino and directed by Brian De Palma, returns to movie theaters in a one-night Fathom event on Wednesday, August 31 at 7:30 p.m. local time. Presented by NCM Fathom and Universal Studios Home Entertainment, audiences nationwide will get the opportunity to experience one of the most influential gangster classics ever made like never before — with all-new restored high-definition picture and enhanced audio. Fans who attend this special event will also get an exclusive look at a 20-minute special feature that showcases interviews with popular filmmakers and talent expressing how this epic feature redefined the gangster genre, leaving an enduring influence on cinema.

Tickets for the Scarface Special Event are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom website (theaters and participants are subject to change). The Scarface Special Event will appear in more than 475 select movie theaters across the country via the new digital cinema projection systems.

“Almost 30 years after its initial release, Scarface remains iconic and stirs passionate responses from audiences around the world,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom. “Now, fans can experience Scarface like never before in theaters with spectacularly updated visual and sound quality, and never-before-seen elements in an historic, one-night event.”

Scarface is a 1983 American crime drama and masterful collaboration between acclaimed director Brian De Palma and Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Oliver Stone. Produced by Martin Bregman, Academy Award® winner Al Pacino stars as Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who finds wealth, power and passion beyond his wildest dreams…at a price he never imagined. Scarface was nominated for three Golden Globe® Awards (including Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Score), and was named one of the Top 10 Gangster Films of All Time by the American Film Institute.

This one-night, in-theater event celebrates the first-ever Blu-rayTM release of Scarface on September 6 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Fans of Scarface will enjoy the restored high-definition picture and 7.1 audio plus see exclusive new bonus content that reveals the film’s iconic legacy as one of the greatest crime sagas of all time. For a limited time only, the Scarface Special Limited Edition Blu-rayTM comes with collectible SteelBookTM packaging, 10 exclusive art cards, a digital copy of the film and a DVD of the original 1932 Scarface, making it a must-own addition to every film fan’s library. And, for the ultimate collector and cigar enthusiast, an elegantly hand-crafted Scarface-themed humidor will also be made available in an exclusive, never-before-available, limited edition.