When powerhouse vocalist-actor Meat Loaf eulogized composer-producer Jim Steinman last April in Rolling Stone, the singer – who died Thursday at age 74 – said of his “Bat Out of Hell” partner, “We belonged heart and soul to each other. We didn’t know each other. We were each other.”
Meat Loaf (born Marvin Lee Aday) could not have stated the obvious better, as each man’s operatic, oversized talents were only matched by their level of grand theatricality, with thundering melodicism and melodramatic lyricism at the top of the list of their skill sets.
The best Meat Loaf songs – even those without Steinman’s tower-toppling compositions – come on in an epic, adrenalized rush. Even when singing a power ballad, Meat Loaf was loud and brazenly and heartbrokenly emotive. Here are some of the most dramatic and impactful of Meal Loaf’s musical moments:
Stoney & Meatloaf, “What You See is What You Get...
Meat Loaf (born Marvin Lee Aday) could not have stated the obvious better, as each man’s operatic, oversized talents were only matched by their level of grand theatricality, with thundering melodicism and melodramatic lyricism at the top of the list of their skill sets.
The best Meat Loaf songs – even those without Steinman’s tower-toppling compositions – come on in an epic, adrenalized rush. Even when singing a power ballad, Meat Loaf was loud and brazenly and heartbrokenly emotive. Here are some of the most dramatic and impactful of Meal Loaf’s musical moments:
Stoney & Meatloaf, “What You See is What You Get...
- 1/21/2022
- by A.D. Amorosi
- Variety Film + TV
Bring back the Age of Aquarius! Olive Films returns with the company’s best Signature Edition ever. The show is an excellent choice for a special edition, as seen by the simply terrific interviews in its battery of added value featurettes. Top creative contributors have been tapped for some great memories. Rather than filming a simple adaptation, Milos Forman reinterprets the hit show, allowing Twyla Tharp’s choreographic genius to soak into most every scene — the result is a marvelous melding of theatrical and cinematic effects.
Hair
Blu-ray
Olive Signature
1979 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 121 min. / Street Date June 30, 2020 / 39.95
Starring: John Savage, Treat Williams, Beverly D’Angelo, Annie Golden, Dorsey Wright, Don Dacus, Cheryl Barnes, Richard Bright, Nicholas Ray.
Cinematography: Miroslav Ondricek
Film Editors: Lynzee Kingman, Stanley Warnow, Alan Heim
Music: Galt McDermott
Written by Michael Weller from the musical book by Gerome Ragni and James Rado
Produced by Michael Butler, Lester Persky...
Hair
Blu-ray
Olive Signature
1979 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 121 min. / Street Date June 30, 2020 / 39.95
Starring: John Savage, Treat Williams, Beverly D’Angelo, Annie Golden, Dorsey Wright, Don Dacus, Cheryl Barnes, Richard Bright, Nicholas Ray.
Cinematography: Miroslav Ondricek
Film Editors: Lynzee Kingman, Stanley Warnow, Alan Heim
Music: Galt McDermott
Written by Michael Weller from the musical book by Gerome Ragni and James Rado
Produced by Michael Butler, Lester Persky...
- 6/30/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The new Broadway musical Doctor Zhivago, which opened at the Broadway Theatre on April 21st, 2015, recorded its cast album on Thursday, May 28th. Authors include composer Lucy Simon The Secret Garden, lyricists Michael Korie Grey Gardens and Amy Powers the two multi-platinum Sunset Boulevard hits and book writer Michael Weller screenwriter for Hair and Ragtime. Check out photos from the recording session below...
- 5/30/2015
- by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
- BroadwayWorld.com
Independent film producer and CEO of Branded Pictures Entertainment J. Todd Harris ("The Kids Are All Right," "Bottle Shock") has been feeling an easterly pull back to his theatre roots over the past year. Having started in the theatre right out of college running the repertory company TheatreWorks in Palo Alto, the producer of nearly 40 films, is now producing the stage musical adaptation of Doctor Zhivago based on the Nobel Prize-winning Boris Pasternak’s novel, which also served as the basis for the 1965 Academy Award-winning David Lean film starring Omar Sharif and Julie Christie (and Rod Steiger, Geraldine Chaplin and Tom Courtenay). I had chance to catch up with this bi-coastal whirlwind last week after he returned from the show’s opening on Broadway.
Peter Belsito : Isn’t independent film hard enough? What got you interested in Broadway?
J. Todd Harris : (laughing). I didn’t think anything could be harder than independent films, but I was wrong. The fact is my wife Amy Powers is a co-lyricist on the show and has been working on it for over a decade after its first try-out at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2005. Four years ago, we moved to Australia for our way “out of town” run and I felt I could help raise a bit of money, so I was an associate producer. When word came in last year that it was going to Broadway, I told them I thought I could raise a million dollars and serve as one of the producers.
Pb : Did you raise your share? And how does it compare to raising money for a film?
Jth : I did, and then some, from about thirty individual investors. In that sense, it’s not unlike a lot of independent films that are financed with equity. It’s a different eco-system, but the concept is pretty similar. And, just like a lot of independent films, you don’t make money up front! It’s all about ownership, so you really hope the show breaks even soon. The authors – book, lyrics, composer – all get a royalty off the top. No nonsense like the movie business. This contributes to my love for my wife.
Pb : What is the show’s budget, if I may ask?
Jth : About 15M, it’s a Big Broadway show. There are well over one hundred investors and probably 30 credited producers. When A Gentleman’s Guide to Murder won the Tony Award last year, I thought the stage was going to collapse so many producers went up to collect the award. But, you know, it takes a village. Sometimes a small city. It’s okay to reward and acknowledge the backers of a show. It’s a huge risk and without these backers we’d be a poorer culture. They’re like modern day patrons. Why not give them a moment in the sun?
Pb : How did you get the rights to Doctor Zhivago? Such a big title!
Jth : I cannot take credit for that. Composer Lucy Simon (The Secret Garden) originally got the rights well over ten years ago and started working with a creative team, but before the La Jolla production the team changed and that’s when my wife was recruited to co-write the lyrics with Michael Korie ( Grey Gardens) and joined the team that included book writer Michael Weller (Loose Ends, screenplays for Hair and Ragtime ) and director Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys). Des was artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse at the time. And the show’s lead producer Anita Waxman was involved very early on providing the seed capital for La Jolla and then putting the financing together for Australia and now Broadway.
Pb : That’s a long gestation period, even compared to Hollywood, isn’t it?
Jth : It is one of the longer ones, but these things can literally take years as creative teams gel, script and music mesh, and planets align for talent, money and – not least importantly – a theatre. The strange alchemy that gets a Broadway show a greenlight isn’t all that different than the weird science of getting a big Hollywood movie off the ground.
Pb : Sounds like a lot of cooks in the kitchen.
Jth : There are, but from a producing angle, there’s usually a small group of lead producers who make the major financial decisions and every creative team finds its own rhythm. Writers and composers are accorded a lot more respect in theatre; that’s the major difference from movies.
Pb : Are you happy with how the show has come out?
Jth : Thrilled. Of course, it’s hard to claim crystal clear perspective when one is as emotionally invested in the show as I am in Doctor Zhivago, but I think the creative team has taken an epic story and distilled it to its emotional and political core. Lucy Simon has written melodies that will live forever in the musical theatre firmament. Des has done a masterful job of staging a huge and complex show. Ambition doesn’t begin to describe it. We got mixed reviews, but so did Phantom, Cats and Wicked. The final arbiter is audiences, and the dozen or so times I’ve seen the show at the Broadway Theatre, there have been copious cheers and tears.
Pb : You also did a show last year?
Jth : Yes, I was part of the producing team that developed and produced Heathers The Musical, based on the Daniel Waters script directed by Michael Lehmann back in 1988. It was a great experience working with a very tight creative and producing team. Andy Fickman directed a script, book and music by Kevin Murphy and Larry O’Keefe. It ran off Broadway for about 5 months and we hope we can adapt that to the screen and go back to Broadway.
Pb : Do you find a lot of talent crossing over from Hollywood to Broadway?
Jth : More and more, that is the case. Not just writers, directors and actors, but also material. Broadway is flooded with adaptations of movies – Aladdin is running strong, Honeymoon In Vegas recently closed, and last year Bridges of Madison County and Big Fish had nice runs on Broadways as musicals. I definitely have my eye on other fare to crossover from screen to stage.
Pb : Can you tell us what you’re working on?
Jth : Not yet, but some very recognizable titles that I think are ideal for the Great White Way.
Peter Belsito : Isn’t independent film hard enough? What got you interested in Broadway?
J. Todd Harris : (laughing). I didn’t think anything could be harder than independent films, but I was wrong. The fact is my wife Amy Powers is a co-lyricist on the show and has been working on it for over a decade after its first try-out at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2005. Four years ago, we moved to Australia for our way “out of town” run and I felt I could help raise a bit of money, so I was an associate producer. When word came in last year that it was going to Broadway, I told them I thought I could raise a million dollars and serve as one of the producers.
Pb : Did you raise your share? And how does it compare to raising money for a film?
Jth : I did, and then some, from about thirty individual investors. In that sense, it’s not unlike a lot of independent films that are financed with equity. It’s a different eco-system, but the concept is pretty similar. And, just like a lot of independent films, you don’t make money up front! It’s all about ownership, so you really hope the show breaks even soon. The authors – book, lyrics, composer – all get a royalty off the top. No nonsense like the movie business. This contributes to my love for my wife.
Pb : What is the show’s budget, if I may ask?
Jth : About 15M, it’s a Big Broadway show. There are well over one hundred investors and probably 30 credited producers. When A Gentleman’s Guide to Murder won the Tony Award last year, I thought the stage was going to collapse so many producers went up to collect the award. But, you know, it takes a village. Sometimes a small city. It’s okay to reward and acknowledge the backers of a show. It’s a huge risk and without these backers we’d be a poorer culture. They’re like modern day patrons. Why not give them a moment in the sun?
Pb : How did you get the rights to Doctor Zhivago? Such a big title!
Jth : I cannot take credit for that. Composer Lucy Simon (The Secret Garden) originally got the rights well over ten years ago and started working with a creative team, but before the La Jolla production the team changed and that’s when my wife was recruited to co-write the lyrics with Michael Korie ( Grey Gardens) and joined the team that included book writer Michael Weller (Loose Ends, screenplays for Hair and Ragtime ) and director Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys). Des was artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse at the time. And the show’s lead producer Anita Waxman was involved very early on providing the seed capital for La Jolla and then putting the financing together for Australia and now Broadway.
Pb : That’s a long gestation period, even compared to Hollywood, isn’t it?
Jth : It is one of the longer ones, but these things can literally take years as creative teams gel, script and music mesh, and planets align for talent, money and – not least importantly – a theatre. The strange alchemy that gets a Broadway show a greenlight isn’t all that different than the weird science of getting a big Hollywood movie off the ground.
Pb : Sounds like a lot of cooks in the kitchen.
Jth : There are, but from a producing angle, there’s usually a small group of lead producers who make the major financial decisions and every creative team finds its own rhythm. Writers and composers are accorded a lot more respect in theatre; that’s the major difference from movies.
Pb : Are you happy with how the show has come out?
Jth : Thrilled. Of course, it’s hard to claim crystal clear perspective when one is as emotionally invested in the show as I am in Doctor Zhivago, but I think the creative team has taken an epic story and distilled it to its emotional and political core. Lucy Simon has written melodies that will live forever in the musical theatre firmament. Des has done a masterful job of staging a huge and complex show. Ambition doesn’t begin to describe it. We got mixed reviews, but so did Phantom, Cats and Wicked. The final arbiter is audiences, and the dozen or so times I’ve seen the show at the Broadway Theatre, there have been copious cheers and tears.
Pb : You also did a show last year?
Jth : Yes, I was part of the producing team that developed and produced Heathers The Musical, based on the Daniel Waters script directed by Michael Lehmann back in 1988. It was a great experience working with a very tight creative and producing team. Andy Fickman directed a script, book and music by Kevin Murphy and Larry O’Keefe. It ran off Broadway for about 5 months and we hope we can adapt that to the screen and go back to Broadway.
Pb : Do you find a lot of talent crossing over from Hollywood to Broadway?
Jth : More and more, that is the case. Not just writers, directors and actors, but also material. Broadway is flooded with adaptations of movies – Aladdin is running strong, Honeymoon In Vegas recently closed, and last year Bridges of Madison County and Big Fish had nice runs on Broadways as musicals. I definitely have my eye on other fare to crossover from screen to stage.
Pb : Can you tell us what you’re working on?
Jth : Not yet, but some very recognizable titles that I think are ideal for the Great White Way.
- 4/26/2015
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
Based on Boris Pasternak's Nobel Prize-winning 20th-century epic Russian masterpiece, Doctor Zhivago is directed by Des McAnuff Jersey Boys, with a book by Michael Weller Ragtime, music byLucy Simon The Secret Garden, lyrics by Michael Korie Grey Gardens and Amy Powers Ella Enchanted, and choreography by Kelly Devine Rocky. The musical officially opened at the Broadway Theatre last night, April 21, 2015, and BroadwayWorld was there for the big night. Check out interviews with the full gang after the curtain went downbelow...
- 4/22/2015
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
Based on Boris Pasternak's Nobel Prize-winning 20th-century epic Russian masterpiece,Doctor Zhivagois directed by Des McAnuff Jersey Boys, with a book by Michael Weller Ragtime, music by Lucy Simon The Secret Garden, lyrics by Michael Korie Grey Gardens and Amy Powers Ella Enchanted, and choreography by Kelly Devine Rocky. The musical officially openedat the Broadway Theatre lastnight, April 21, 2015, and BroadwayWorld was there for the big night. Check out photos from the curtain call below...
- 4/22/2015
- by Walter McBride
- BroadwayWorld.com
Doctor Zhivago, based on Boris Pasternak's Nobel Prize-winning 20th-century epic Russian masterpiece, is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff Jersey Boys, with a book by Academy Award nominee Michael Weller Ragtime, music by two-time Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon The Secret Garden, lyrics by Tony Award nominee Michael KorieGrey Gardens and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers Ella Enchanted, and choreography by Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine Rocky. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the production below...
- 4/19/2015
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
Doctor Zhivago, based on Boris Pasternak's Nobel Prize-winning 20th-century epic Russian masterpiece, is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff Jersey Boys, with a book by Academy Award nominee Michael Weller Ragtime, music by two-time Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon The Secret Garden, lyrics by Tony Award nominee Michael Korie Grey Gardens and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers Ella Enchanted, and choreography by Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine Rocky. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the production below...
- 4/15/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Save 40 on Doctor Zhivago, the acclaimed creative team leading the transformation from Nobel Prize-winning novel and film classic to stage spectacular is led by two-time Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff Jersey Boys, and features a book by Academy Award nominee Michael Weller Ragtime, music by two-time Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon The Secret Garden, lyrics by Tony Award nominee Michael Korie Grey Gardens and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers Ella Enchanted, and choreography by Tony Award nominee KellyDevine Rocky.
- 4/8/2015
- by Contests - Broadway
- BroadwayWorld.com
Doctor Zhivago will begin performances on Friday, March 27, 2015, and open on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 630pm, at the Broadway Theatre. Doctor Zhivago is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff Jersey Boys, with a book by Academy Award nominee Michael Weller Ragtime, music by two-time Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon The Secret Garden, lyrics by Tony Award nominee Michael Korie Grey Gardens and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers Ella Enchanted, and choreography by Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine Rocky.The company just gave the press a special sneak peek of the Broadway-Bound musical. Check out interviews with the full cast, as well as performances by the stars below...
- 2/25/2015
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
The new Broadway musical Doctor Zhivago, based on Boris Pasternak's Nobel Prize-winning 20th-century epic Russian masterpiece, will arrive on Broadway on Friday, March 27, 2015, with opening night set for Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at the Broadway Theatre 1681 Broadway. This sweeping musical romance, which revolves around five intertwined lovers set against a panoramic portrait of a nation in upheaval, is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuffJersey Boys, with a book by Academy Award nominee Michael Weller Ragtime, music by Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon The Secret Garden, lyrics by Tony Award nominee Michael Korie Grey Gardens and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers Ella Enchanted, and choreography by Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine Rocky.Below, check out a first listen of 'Now,' featuring Tam Mutu, who is making his Broadway debut as the passionate Doctor and poet Yurii Zhivago, and Kelli Barrett Wicked as Lara. Listen to...
- 2/10/2015
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Broadway's Doctor Zhivago is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff Jersey Boys, with a book by Academy Award nominee Michael Weller Ragtime, music by Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon The Secret Garden, lyrics by Tony Award nominee Michael Korie Grey Gardens and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers Ella Enchanted, and choreography by Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine Rocky. Doctor Zhivago will begin performances on Friday, March 27, 2015, and open on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 630pm, at the Broadway Theatre 1681 Broadway. The company just met the press and you can check out full photo coverage from the festivities below...
- 2/10/2015
- by Walter McBride
- BroadwayWorld.com
Broadway's Doctor Zhivago is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff Jersey Boys, with a book by Academy Award nominee Michael Weller Ragtime, music by Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon The Secret Garden, lyrics by Tony Award nominee Michael Korie Grey Gardens and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers Ella Enchanted, and choreography by Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine Rocky. Doctor Zhivago will begin performances on Friday, March 27, 2015, and open on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 630pm, at the Broadway Theatre 1681 Broadway. The company just met the press and you can check out a photo preview of the festivities below...
- 2/9/2015
- by Walter McBride
- BroadwayWorld.com
Broadway's Doctor Zhivago is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff Jersey Boys, with a book by Academy Award nominee Michael Weller Ragtime, music by Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon The Secret Garden, lyrics by Tony Award nominee Michael Korie Grey Gardens and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers Ella Enchanted, and choreography by Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine Rocky. Doctor Zhivago will begin performances on Friday, March 27, 2015, and open on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 630pm, at the Broadway Theatre 1681 Broadway. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the marquee below...
- 1/30/2015
- by Walter McBride
- BroadwayWorld.com
Doctor Zhivago will begin performances on Friday, March 27, 2015, and open on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 630pm, at the Broadway Theatre 1681 Broadway. Doctor Zhivago is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff Jersey Boys, with a book by Academy Award nominee Michael Weller Ragtime, music by Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon The Secret Garden, lyrics by Tony Award nominee Michael Korie Grey Gardens and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers Ella Enchanted, and choreography by Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine Rocky.
- 1/14/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Some sad news to begin 2015: the character actor Edward Herrmann, perhaps best known for his patriarchal role in seven years of Gilmore Girls, died on New Year's Eve in New York aged 71.Herrmann was born in Washington, grew up in Michigan, went to university in Pennsylvania and studied acting in London. Starting out in theatre, he made his Broadway debut in 1972 in Michael Weller's Moonchildren, and won a Tony Award for his performance in George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession four years later.Moving into television he had early roles in Beacon Hill and Valley Forge, and played President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the first time in Eleanor And Franklin in 1976. He would reprise Roosevelt the following year in Eleanor And Franklin: The White House Years; in Annie in 1982; and hosted the documentary Fdr: A Presidency Revealed in 2005. He also played unnamed presidents in TV movies Pandora's Clock and Atomic Train.
- 1/2/2015
- EmpireOnline
Milos Forman was looking for the best writer to adapt the hippie anti-war musical Hair for the big screen. The Czech filmmaker already had a growing U.S. following in the wake of The Firemen’s Ball and Taking Off when 1975’s One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest took home five Oscars including best film and best director. And while Michael Weller had zero experience as a screenwriter, he did have a reputation for plays that cast a gimlet eye on the generation that came of age in the era of protest against the Vietnam War and for civil rights. His works included Moonchildren (1971), Loose Ends (1979) and Spoils Of War (1988), which interwove the intensely felt political and personal obsessions of Baby Boomers on the cusp of adulthood.
For Forman, Weller would write two of the most underrated films of their time, Hair (1979) and, two years later, Ragtime. Like his...
For Forman, Weller would write two of the most underrated films of their time, Hair (1979) and, two years later, Ragtime. Like his...
- 12/29/2014
- by Jeremy Gerard
- Deadline
As BroadwayWorld first reported, the new Broadway musical Doctor Zhivago, based on Boris Pasternak's Nobel Prize-winning 20th-century epic Russian masterpiece, will begin performances on Friday, March 27, 2015, and open on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at the Broadway Theatre 1681 Broadway. This sweeping musical romance, which revolves around five intertwined lovers set against a panoramic portrait of a nation in upheaval, is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff Jersey Boys, with a book by Academy Award nominee Michael Weller Ragtime, music by Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Lucy Simon The Secret Garden, lyrics by Tony Award nominee Michael Korie Grey Gardens and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers Ella Enchanted, and choreography by Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine Rocky. Doctor Zhivago will be produced on Broadway by Anita Waxman, Tom Dokton, Latitude Link, Ted HartleyRKO Stage and Chunsoo Shin, with Joe Corcoran, J. Todd Harris, The Pelican Group and John Frost.
- 10/1/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Russian romance of Doctor Zhivago is officially coming to Broadway with performances beginning in spring 2015. The Des McAnuff-directed production of the musical, which is based on Boris Pasternak's novel, will occupy the Broadway Theatre with previews beginning March 27, 2015. It will open April 21, 2015. McAnuff, who directed Jersey Boys, first helmed the show when it premiered at 2006 La Jolla Playhouse. It was later tinkered with and staged in 2011 in Sydney also under McAnuff. "The creators of 'Doctor Zhivago,' the musical, have apparently learned much from their 2006 run at La Jolla Playhouse, where audiences reportedly felt history dwarfed the central story,...
- 10/1/2014
- by Esther Zuckerman
- EW.com - PopWatch
Doctor Zhivago is heading to Broadway this spring. The new Broadway musical — based on Boris Pasternak’s Nobel Prize-winning 20th-century epic, which also became a beloved 1965 David Lean film — will begin previews on March 27 before an April 21 opening at the Broadway Theatre. The Russian romance centering on five intertwined lovers is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys), with a book by Oscar nominee Michael Weller (Ragtime), music by Grammy winner and Tony nominee Lucy Simon (The Secret Garden), lyrics by Tony nominee Michael Korie (Grey Gardens) and Emmy nominee Amy Powers
read more...
read more...
- 10/1/2014
- by Ashley Lee
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Actor and producer who played Brad Majors in the original Rocky Horror Show in 1973 and Saffy's gay dad in Ab Fab
Christopher Malcolm, who has died of cancer aged 67, played Brad Majors in the original production of The Rocky Horror Show in 1973 and, as his life as an actor started to overlap with an interest in producing the shows themselves, he became, after co-producing the West End revival of Rocky Horror in 1990, the executive in charge of all subsequent worldwide productions.
His death came just a few days after his latest project, the revival of Oh What a Lovely War at Stratford East, opened to enthusiastic notices, probably sealing a West End transfer. The way the show turned out was a good example of the kind of creative partnerships he enjoyed and nurtured throughout his career. For more than 30 years, he worked as an "insider" producing link between such London...
Christopher Malcolm, who has died of cancer aged 67, played Brad Majors in the original production of The Rocky Horror Show in 1973 and, as his life as an actor started to overlap with an interest in producing the shows themselves, he became, after co-producing the West End revival of Rocky Horror in 1990, the executive in charge of all subsequent worldwide productions.
His death came just a few days after his latest project, the revival of Oh What a Lovely War at Stratford East, opened to enthusiastic notices, probably sealing a West End transfer. The way the show turned out was a good example of the kind of creative partnerships he enjoyed and nurtured throughout his career. For more than 30 years, he worked as an "insider" producing link between such London...
- 2/19/2014
- by Michael Coveney
- The Guardian - Film News
The Judge John Deed star remembers the 60s at the Royal Court, and being discovered by the great auteur
By 1969 I'd done a few roles for Sidney Bernstein's Granada Television, which was the place for new, dangerous drama, and a couple of plays at the Royal Court. I was in their first revival of Look Back in Anger. John Osborne came along to rehearsals a lot – he was shocked at how gritty and visceral we'd made the production. It was an incredibly exciting time – I felt part of a movement of dissent. I did the premiere of David Storey's The Contractor, with the great Lindsay Anderson, and then I did a play called Cancer, which was later renamed Moonchildren.
Cancer was based on the experiences of its writer, Michael Weller. It's about a group of students who rent a flat. It's a very funny and very realistic play,...
By 1969 I'd done a few roles for Sidney Bernstein's Granada Television, which was the place for new, dangerous drama, and a couple of plays at the Royal Court. I was in their first revival of Look Back in Anger. John Osborne came along to rehearsals a lot – he was shocked at how gritty and visceral we'd made the production. It was an incredibly exciting time – I felt part of a movement of dissent. I did the premiere of David Storey's The Contractor, with the great Lindsay Anderson, and then I did a play called Cancer, which was later renamed Moonchildren.
Cancer was based on the experiences of its writer, Michael Weller. It's about a group of students who rent a flat. It's a very funny and very realistic play,...
- 2/17/2014
- by Martin Shaw
- The Guardian - Film News
New York City – The Writers Guild of America, East Foundation has changed its name — it is now called the Writers Guild Initiative (Wgi). The name change is part of a rebranding that recognizes the organization’s long time proactive and focused mission: “to perpetuate the art and craft of storytelling, either by professionals or amateurs, through education and practical experience, on local, national, and global levels.” The Initiative’s programs are designed to reach various populations and help them to find their unique voice as writers. “To grade schoolers, high school and college students, to the military, caregivers of the wounded, and even to medical personnel who treat them, we have volunteered our skills. We share our enthusiasm and knowledge. We encourage. We support. As our new name proudly acknowledges, we take the initiative,” explains Michael Weller, president of the Writers Guild Initiative. In addition to its rebranding, the Writers...
- 5/14/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Life on the road has taken its toll on Meat Loaf, who's now on his second new knee. But will this coming tour really be his last? He talks about high Cs, being signed for $6 and outwellying Wagner
A decade ago, Meat Loaf was invited on to Sky Sports' Saturday morning show Soccer Am. He didn't know anything about football, but being an actor by background, he did what actors do – he prepared. First, he knew he needed a club to support. "I thought, I don't want to go on and say I'm a Manchester United fan or a Liverpool fan – I'm gonna go down to the third level. And so I picked Hartlepool. I read about them and I found that the people of Hartlepool had hanged a monkey thinking he was a Frenchman, and I loved that story. I read everything I could about every game they played.
A decade ago, Meat Loaf was invited on to Sky Sports' Saturday morning show Soccer Am. He didn't know anything about football, but being an actor by background, he did what actors do – he prepared. First, he knew he needed a club to support. "I thought, I don't want to go on and say I'm a Manchester United fan or a Liverpool fan – I'm gonna go down to the third level. And so I picked Hartlepool. I read about them and I found that the people of Hartlepool had hanged a monkey thinking he was a Frenchman, and I loved that story. I read everything I could about every game they played.
- 4/2/2013
- by Michael Hann
- The Guardian - Film News
The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation, which honors Off-Off-Broadway theater, announced their 2012 nominees for their 8th annual It (Independent Theatre) Awards on Monday.This year’s It nominees feature more than 137 individual artists from 52 productions and 57 Off-Off Broadway theater companies. The Gallery Players’ “A Man of No Importance” and the Metropolitan Playhouse’s “The House of Mirth” lead in several categories, including outstanding actress and actor in a lead role, outstanding actress in a featured role, and outstanding director. Since 2004, The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation has honored independent theater artist from more than 350 theater companies, 1,650 individual artists, and 450 productions. “You need a new mainstream voice for what is coming up,” playwright Michael Weller said in the release. “It is very important that this kind of ceremony becomes more and more central just so everyone recognizes the body of work that is being done.”The 8th...
- 7/24/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Laura Meltzer)
- backstage.com
They're all gonna sing with you! They're all gonna sing with you! They're all gonna sing with you! And they will too if they know what's good for them. That's right, kids! Carrie: The Musical is returning to the New York stage and we've got all the info for you!
From the Press Release
McC Theater will present Revisiting Carrie, a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of McC Theater's upcoming production of the musical Carrie, on August 1, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC). The show's creators - bookwriter Lawrence D. Cohen, composer Michael Gore and lyricist Dean Pitchford, along with director Stafford Arima - will discuss the exciting process of revisiting and reimagining this legendary musical, which McC Theater is producing as part of its 2011-2012 mainstage season. Throughout the evening, Molly Ranson (Carrie), Marin Mazzie (Carrie's mother, Margaret), and other cast...
From the Press Release
McC Theater will present Revisiting Carrie, a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of McC Theater's upcoming production of the musical Carrie, on August 1, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC). The show's creators - bookwriter Lawrence D. Cohen, composer Michael Gore and lyricist Dean Pitchford, along with director Stafford Arima - will discuss the exciting process of revisiting and reimagining this legendary musical, which McC Theater is producing as part of its 2011-2012 mainstage season. Throughout the evening, Molly Ranson (Carrie), Marin Mazzie (Carrie's mother, Margaret), and other cast...
- 6/17/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
He is not now, nor was he ever, a matinee idol, a chameleonic star, or the go-to guy for second-banana roles. But Wallace Shawn has amassed an astonishing number of rich, varied credits—as an actor and as a writer. The actor who plays Vizzini the Sicilian evil genius in "The Princess Bride" also penned the provoking play, later a screenplay, "The Designated Mourner." His ultra-disturbing anti-war play "Aunt Dan and Lemon" clashes in our heads with the Republican Stuart Best on "Murphy Brown." Or, maybe that's all just good acting—even with what others term his speech "impediment." Nonetheless, judging from various interviews, Rex the anxious, insecure dinosaur in the "Toy Story" series may be among the closest characters to Shawn's view of himself. And yet we can still visualize him talking, at length but fascinatingly, at dinner with the co-writer Andre Gregory in "My Dinner With Andre."On...
- 1/21/2011
- backstage.com
Chicago – Actress Karen Allen, who made a debut smash in the 1978 film ‘Animal House,’ is most likely to be remembered as Marion in ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and 2008’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.’
But the versatile performer is more than just a companion for Indiana Jones, having a long career in movies and on stage, including the films ‘The Glass Menagerie,’ ‘Challenger’ (playing astronaut Christa McAuliffe) and ‘The Perfect Storm.’
HollywoodChicago.com caught up with Ms. Allen during her appearance at the new Hollywood Palms Cinema in Naperville, Illinois, as she signed autographs and introduced a special showing of Raiders. She talked about the two Indiana Jones movies, her connection to Paul Newman and how she barely kept her head above water while making ‘The Perfect Storm.’
Karen Allen at the Hollywood Palms Cinema in Naperville, Il, September 25th, 2009
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.
But the versatile performer is more than just a companion for Indiana Jones, having a long career in movies and on stage, including the films ‘The Glass Menagerie,’ ‘Challenger’ (playing astronaut Christa McAuliffe) and ‘The Perfect Storm.’
HollywoodChicago.com caught up with Ms. Allen during her appearance at the new Hollywood Palms Cinema in Naperville, Illinois, as she signed autographs and introduced a special showing of Raiders. She talked about the two Indiana Jones movies, her connection to Paul Newman and how she barely kept her head above water while making ‘The Perfect Storm.’
Karen Allen at the Hollywood Palms Cinema in Naperville, Il, September 25th, 2009
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.
- 9/30/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
After 15 years on foreign shores, Carol Polakoff is setting up camp back in the U.S.
The director-producer is launching Carol Polakoff Prods., a New York-based feature film production and development company, with the project "Safe Haven." Oscar-nominated screenwriter and playwright Michael Weller ("Ragtime") is writing the multiple-story line drama inspired by up-to-the-minute real-life events stemming from Nebraska's controversial Safe Haven laws, which allow parents to leave troubled children at hospitals. Polakoff is producing.
"We've interviewed families and government officials in Nebraska, and this film will encompass unique situations and heartbreaking stories that intertwine for a compelling drama that some people may find shocking," said Polakoff, who hopes to focus her projects on social issues targeted at wide audiences.
Twenty years ago, the Gersh-repped Polakoff directed, wrote and/or produced the documentaries "In Our Lifetime" and "Envol" and several ABC and PBS drama specials and docs. She earned two DGA...
The director-producer is launching Carol Polakoff Prods., a New York-based feature film production and development company, with the project "Safe Haven." Oscar-nominated screenwriter and playwright Michael Weller ("Ragtime") is writing the multiple-story line drama inspired by up-to-the-minute real-life events stemming from Nebraska's controversial Safe Haven laws, which allow parents to leave troubled children at hospitals. Polakoff is producing.
"We've interviewed families and government officials in Nebraska, and this film will encompass unique situations and heartbreaking stories that intertwine for a compelling drama that some people may find shocking," said Polakoff, who hopes to focus her projects on social issues targeted at wide audiences.
Twenty years ago, the Gersh-repped Polakoff directed, wrote and/or produced the documentaries "In Our Lifetime" and "Envol" and several ABC and PBS drama specials and docs. She earned two DGA...
- 5/7/2009
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"9 to 5," the musical version of the 1980 hit movie comedy, received a generous stimulus package from the Drama Desk on Monday, netting a record 15 nominations from the organization of New York-based theater critics, reporters and editors for its annual awards.
Other top nominees included "Shrek the Musical" with 12, "Billy Elliot" with 10, "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" with six and the "Hair" revival with eight.
The previous record for the most noms was 14 shared by five shows -- "The Secret Garden" (1991), "Ragtime" (1998), "The Producers" (2001), "Hairspray" (2003) and "The Drowsy Chaperone" (2006).
"9 to 5" opened March 30 on the same night as Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of "Waiting for Godot," which received two nominations. Those are the last two productions of the 2007-08 Broadway season.
Unlike the Tony Awards, the DDs consider Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway equally in all of its categories. The noms were determined by a seven-member committee. The winners will be voted on by...
Other top nominees included "Shrek the Musical" with 12, "Billy Elliot" with 10, "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" with six and the "Hair" revival with eight.
The previous record for the most noms was 14 shared by five shows -- "The Secret Garden" (1991), "Ragtime" (1998), "The Producers" (2001), "Hairspray" (2003) and "The Drowsy Chaperone" (2006).
"9 to 5" opened March 30 on the same night as Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of "Waiting for Godot," which received two nominations. Those are the last two productions of the 2007-08 Broadway season.
Unlike the Tony Awards, the DDs consider Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway equally in all of its categories. The noms were determined by a seven-member committee. The winners will be voted on by...
- 4/27/2009
- by By David Sheward, Back Stage
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
All signs point to this being the year for Roger Hendricks Simon, an actor-director-teacher. As the founder of the Simon Studios, he is celebrating his 30th anniversary. As an actor, he has the lead role in the independent film The Sublet, which has received positive notices from Back Stage and Variety, among other places. "Simon creates a wholly sympathetic figure, a man breaking out of his self-imposed exile despite his better judgment," wrote Simi Horwitz in Back Stage. "The unabashed eagerness with which he hovers over drop-in visitors affords some well-timed comedy bits," wrote Variety. Simon sat down with Back Stage recently to reflect on his career, past, present, and future.You have a lot to celebrate this year.It's the 30th anniversary of the Simon Studios, and since I'm only 26 years old, that's quite a remarkable achievement. A remarkable, remarkable event.How did you choose to become a teacher?...
- 2/9/2009
- by Andrew Salomon
- backstage.com
Hollywood is famous for its abundance of hot actors, but the New York theater has its own cadre of guys who are seething with sex appeal. Here's our tribute to some of the fabulous fellows you're likely to find performing on stage in NYC. We tried to cast a wide net, so in addition to such pretty Broadway faces as Cheyenne Jackson and Matt Cavenaugh, you'll find less well-known but no less smokin' hot men who have made their mark Off- and Off-Off-Broadway.
We'd love to have your feedback, but before you begin noting who we left out, please know the criteria we used for our selections. We wanted to focus on men who are truly part of the fabric of New York theater, so we leaned toward those who've been consistently active in this arena over the past few years and/or have had two or more major roles during that time.
We'd love to have your feedback, but before you begin noting who we left out, please know the criteria we used for our selections. We wanted to focus on men who are truly part of the fabric of New York theater, so we leaned toward those who've been consistently active in this arena over the past few years and/or have had two or more major roles during that time.
- 1/28/2009
- by michael
- The Backlot
At the heart of Michael Weller’s new play Beast is a metaphor that captures the deep alienation of soldiers returning from Iraq. They exist in a kind of in-between world of the living and the dead, not truly of either, so changed, both visibly and invisibly. Directed by the talented Jo Bonney and produced at the New York Theatre Workshop, Beast is the surreal tale of two seriously wounded and disfigured veterans returning to the States from a military hospital in Germany. One of them, Jimmy Cato, has suffered facial scars and a missing arm, while his best pal and sergeant, Buddy Voychevsky, seems to have suffered the loss of an arm, massive burns, and a major head injury that has left him looking like a monster with a bowling ball for a head.
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- 10/2/2008
- by Victoria Sullivan
- www.culturecatch.com
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