Mubi Swoops For Andrea Arnold’s ‘Bird’
Mubi has acquired UK and Ireland rights to Bird, the Andrea Arnold feature that is getting its world premiere in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. Written and directed by Arnold, the pic stars Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski (Passages, Great Freedom), and newcomers Nykiya Adams and Jason Buda. The plot follows a 12-year-old girl, Bailey, who lives with her dad and brother in a squat in north Kent in southern England. As her dad has little time for his kids, Bailey seeks attention and adventure elsewhere. BBC Studios-owned House Productions made the film, which was shot in the UK around the Kent area. Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell and Lee Groombridge are the producers. Financiers include BBC Film, the BFI through National Lottery funding), Pinky Promise, FirstGen Content and Access Entertainment. Cornerstone is handling international sales and distribution, striking the deal with Mubi.
Mubi has acquired UK and Ireland rights to Bird, the Andrea Arnold feature that is getting its world premiere in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. Written and directed by Arnold, the pic stars Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski (Passages, Great Freedom), and newcomers Nykiya Adams and Jason Buda. The plot follows a 12-year-old girl, Bailey, who lives with her dad and brother in a squat in north Kent in southern England. As her dad has little time for his kids, Bailey seeks attention and adventure elsewhere. BBC Studios-owned House Productions made the film, which was shot in the UK around the Kent area. Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell and Lee Groombridge are the producers. Financiers include BBC Film, the BFI through National Lottery funding), Pinky Promise, FirstGen Content and Access Entertainment. Cornerstone is handling international sales and distribution, striking the deal with Mubi.
- 5/14/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
When the Tony Award nominations dust settled “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Stereophonic” received the most nominations with 13 each, followed by “The Outsiders” with 12, followed by the revivals of “Cabaret” with nine and “Appropriate” earning eight. Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose returns as host of the third consecutive year of the Tony Awards which CBS and Pluto will telecast June 16th from Lincoln Center.
How well to you know your Tony history? Here are some fun facts about the latest crop of nominees.
The revival of Stephen Sondheim’s 1981 musical “Merrily We Roll Along” earned seven nominations including best revival of a musical, best performance by an actor in a musical for Jonathan Groff, featured actor for Daniel Radcliffe, featured actress for Lindsay Mendez and best director for Maria Friedman (her sister Sonia Friedman is nominated for outstanding play for “Stereophonic”). The troubled original production of “Merrily We Roll Along’ only received a Tony nomination for original score.
How well to you know your Tony history? Here are some fun facts about the latest crop of nominees.
The revival of Stephen Sondheim’s 1981 musical “Merrily We Roll Along” earned seven nominations including best revival of a musical, best performance by an actor in a musical for Jonathan Groff, featured actor for Daniel Radcliffe, featured actress for Lindsay Mendez and best director for Maria Friedman (her sister Sonia Friedman is nominated for outstanding play for “Stereophonic”). The troubled original production of “Merrily We Roll Along’ only received a Tony nomination for original score.
- 5/1/2024
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Till now everyone has seen those incredible clips of Benedict Cumberbatch owning the stage in theaters. Well, what many don’t realize is that there was a moment when he almost said no to playing Doctor Strange. Why? Because he was getting ready to take on the iconic Shakespearean tragedy ‘Hamlet’, the same play that’s now making waves all over the internet.
Benedict Cumberbatch | Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
It was quite the dilemma for him, caught between the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and his deep love for the stage. Yet, as they often say, the show had to go on. Ultimately, his dedication to his craft won, and the rest is history.
Why Benedict Cumberbatch Initially Turned Down Doctor Strange?
Benedict Cumberbatch still to this day continues to mesmerize audiences with his unforgettable performance in Hamlet. Whether it’s through reels or YouTube shorts, there are countless reminders of his undeniable talent.
Benedict Cumberbatch | Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
It was quite the dilemma for him, caught between the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and his deep love for the stage. Yet, as they often say, the show had to go on. Ultimately, his dedication to his craft won, and the rest is history.
Why Benedict Cumberbatch Initially Turned Down Doctor Strange?
Benedict Cumberbatch still to this day continues to mesmerize audiences with his unforgettable performance in Hamlet. Whether it’s through reels or YouTube shorts, there are countless reminders of his undeniable talent.
- 5/1/2024
- by Sampurna Banerjee
- FandomWire
The Entertainment Community Fund has set its sights on Warner Bros. Television Group for top honors at an upcoming gala in New York City.
The studio division, led by chairman and CEO Channing Dungey, has been selected to receive a medal of honor during the gala, set for Manhattan’s New York Marriott Marquis on April 8. Additional honorees at the event include mogul and multihyphenate Seth MacFarlane, and Olivier and Tony award-winning producer Sonia Friedman (Funny Girl, The Book of Mormon).
“We are so honored to be recognized by the Entertainment Community Fund, an outstanding organization that has helped actors and artists for more than 140 years. In the wake of the pandemic and last year’s strikes, the work of the fund continues to be more critical than ever. Everyone at the Warner Bros. Television Group is proud to support the Fund and their incredible efforts,” offered Dungey in a statement.
The studio division, led by chairman and CEO Channing Dungey, has been selected to receive a medal of honor during the gala, set for Manhattan’s New York Marriott Marquis on April 8. Additional honorees at the event include mogul and multihyphenate Seth MacFarlane, and Olivier and Tony award-winning producer Sonia Friedman (Funny Girl, The Book of Mormon).
“We are so honored to be recognized by the Entertainment Community Fund, an outstanding organization that has helped actors and artists for more than 140 years. In the wake of the pandemic and last year’s strikes, the work of the fund continues to be more critical than ever. Everyone at the Warner Bros. Television Group is proud to support the Fund and their incredible efforts,” offered Dungey in a statement.
- 4/1/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Peter Morgan’s play Patriots, the drama about the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s fall, will transfer from a celebrated London run to Broadway this spring, with previews beginning April 1 at the Barrymore Theatre ahead of a reported April 22 opening.
The limited engagement will run through June 23.
The play, produced by Sonia Friedman with Rupert Goold directing, will star Will Keen, reprising his Olivier-winning performance as Vladimir Putin, with Luke Thallon, also a West End cast member, playing Roman Abramovich. Michael Stuhlbarg will portray Boris Berezovsky, with additional casting to be announced.
Official synopsis: In 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the new Russia belongs to its oligarchs – and no one is more powerful than billionaire Boris Berezovsky. When an eventual successor to President Boris Yeltsin is needed, Berezovsky turns to the little-known deputy mayor of St. Petersburg, Vladimir Putin. But soon Putin’s ruthless rise threatens Berezovsky’s reign,...
The limited engagement will run through June 23.
The play, produced by Sonia Friedman with Rupert Goold directing, will star Will Keen, reprising his Olivier-winning performance as Vladimir Putin, with Luke Thallon, also a West End cast member, playing Roman Abramovich. Michael Stuhlbarg will portray Boris Berezovsky, with additional casting to be announced.
Official synopsis: In 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the new Russia belongs to its oligarchs – and no one is more powerful than billionaire Boris Berezovsky. When an eventual successor to President Boris Yeltsin is needed, Berezovsky turns to the little-known deputy mayor of St. Petersburg, Vladimir Putin. But soon Putin’s ruthless rise threatens Berezovsky’s reign,...
- 1/22/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Stranger Things is now a stage play in London and a star-studded crowd stepped out for the world premiere’s opening night performance.
The TV show’s star David Harbour was joined by wife Lily Allen at the event on Thursday night (December 14) at the Phoenix Theatre in London, England.
Stranger Things actors Matthew Modine and Cara Buono were also in attendance, as were the show’s creators the Duffer Brothers.
Hugh Jackman and Jennifer Garner were both at the opening, as were Daniel Dae Kim, James McAvoy and wife Lisa Liberati, Heartstopper‘s Joe Locke and Tobie Donovan, Micheal Ward, and The Crown stars Dominic West, Meg Bellamy, and Ed McVey.
Hugh was seen hanging out with his director friend Shawn Levy and theatre producer Sonia Friedman.
Here is the play’s synopsis: “Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob’s...
The TV show’s star David Harbour was joined by wife Lily Allen at the event on Thursday night (December 14) at the Phoenix Theatre in London, England.
Stranger Things actors Matthew Modine and Cara Buono were also in attendance, as were the show’s creators the Duffer Brothers.
Hugh Jackman and Jennifer Garner were both at the opening, as were Daniel Dae Kim, James McAvoy and wife Lisa Liberati, Heartstopper‘s Joe Locke and Tobie Donovan, Micheal Ward, and The Crown stars Dominic West, Meg Bellamy, and Ed McVey.
Hugh was seen hanging out with his director friend Shawn Levy and theatre producer Sonia Friedman.
Here is the play’s synopsis: “Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob’s...
- 12/15/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Exclusive: The Stranger Things stage show, an unbelievably brilliant new blueprint for theatricality that premieres in London’s West End tonight, will be the first installment in a trilogy exploring the dark underbelly of Hawkins, Indiana.
Breaking Baz can reveal that parts two and three are set to follow the inaugural play, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, in two- or three-year intervals, according to insiders associated with the production. The stage sequels will launch in London first.
Meanwhile, there are already plans for Stranger Things: The First Shadow to transfer to Broadway.
None of that’s official yet, of course. Producers and backers will study reviews out on Friday and across the weekend and the box office receipts before green-lighting any further productions.
The Stranger Things play is set in the late 1950s — a time when a young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won...
Breaking Baz can reveal that parts two and three are set to follow the inaugural play, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, in two- or three-year intervals, according to insiders associated with the production. The stage sequels will launch in London first.
Meanwhile, there are already plans for Stranger Things: The First Shadow to transfer to Broadway.
None of that’s official yet, of course. Producers and backers will study reviews out on Friday and across the weekend and the box office receipts before green-lighting any further productions.
The Stranger Things play is set in the late 1950s — a time when a young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won...
- 12/14/2023
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
The team behind Stranger Things: The First Shadow has released a new image of the stage production and the title of its first act.
In the latest incremental update on the show, which was released the same day as previews for The First Shadow are set to begin at the Phoenix Theatre on London’s West End, the title of the play’s first act was revealed as being “Chapter One: The Girl From Nowhere.”
The new image of the production — the first major still of the play outside of previously released cast portraits and key art — features a teen Henry Creel (Louis McCartney), surrounded by a mix of smokey yellow, orange, purple and black light, which only somewhat obscures the presence of a familiar threat: a demogorgon.
During Netflix’s Geeked Week, the production released a light teaser of the upcoming show set to open Dec. 14, offering a few...
In the latest incremental update on the show, which was released the same day as previews for The First Shadow are set to begin at the Phoenix Theatre on London’s West End, the title of the play’s first act was revealed as being “Chapter One: The Girl From Nowhere.”
The new image of the production — the first major still of the play outside of previously released cast portraits and key art — features a teen Henry Creel (Louis McCartney), surrounded by a mix of smokey yellow, orange, purple and black light, which only somewhat obscures the presence of a familiar threat: a demogorgon.
During Netflix’s Geeked Week, the production released a light teaser of the upcoming show set to open Dec. 14, offering a few...
- 11/17/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a prequel play to the Netflix hit drama Stranger Things, is headed to London’s West End this month. In honor of “Stranger Things” Day, or the day Will Byers went missing in Hawkins back in 1983, Netflix released a new clip previewing Stranger Things: The First Shadow, with key creatives and cast behind the play describing the on-stage plot and special effects.
Matt and Ross Duffer, who both created the Netflix series, collaborated with writer Kate Trefry and screenwriter Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the...
Matt and Ross Duffer, who both created the Netflix series, collaborated with writer Kate Trefry and screenwriter Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the...
- 11/6/2023
- by Kalia Richardson
- Rollingstone.com
It might be awhile before we get to see Stranger Things season 5. Production on the fifth and final season of the Netflix juggernaut has been delayed, first by the Writers Guild of America’s (WGA) strike for an equitable contract from Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and then again by the Screen Actors Guild’s strike action against AMPTP (seems as though there is one common denominator in these two work stoppages…).
Though the WGA strike has been resolved and Sga seems well on its way to be, there will still be a lot of filming to get through before Stranger Things season 5 can get a Netflix release date. For all we know, the youth of Hawkins, Indiana might be well into their 20s by the time we get to see the ’80s horror/sci-fi saga come to an end.
Thankfully, Stranger Things fans have something else...
Though the WGA strike has been resolved and Sga seems well on its way to be, there will still be a lot of filming to get through before Stranger Things season 5 can get a Netflix release date. For all we know, the youth of Hawkins, Indiana might be well into their 20s by the time we get to see the ’80s horror/sci-fi saga come to an end.
Thankfully, Stranger Things fans have something else...
- 11/6/2023
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
While much time still stands before the conclusion to the Duffer Brothers’ “Stranger Things” Netflix series, with Season 5 awaiting a deal for its actors, the prequel play — “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” — will give audiences a glimpse further into the past and the origins of the Upside Down.
Set in 1959 Hawkins, the play will focus on the arrival of Henry Creel to “a regular town with regular worries.” Teenage Jim Hopper, Bob Newby and Joyce Maldonado also star, as does a younger Dr. Martin Brenner (Patrick Vaill), who began the cruel experiments on Young Henry.
As with any new iteration of “Stranger Things,” there’s a new crucial character — this time, it’s Patty Newby (Ella Karuna Williams). There is also a Principal Newby (Matthew Pigeon), but that figure is of less importance to the plot.
“The main thrust of the story is Patty and her little budding romance with Henry,...
Set in 1959 Hawkins, the play will focus on the arrival of Henry Creel to “a regular town with regular worries.” Teenage Jim Hopper, Bob Newby and Joyce Maldonado also star, as does a younger Dr. Martin Brenner (Patrick Vaill), who began the cruel experiments on Young Henry.
As with any new iteration of “Stranger Things,” there’s a new crucial character — this time, it’s Patty Newby (Ella Karuna Williams). There is also a Principal Newby (Matthew Pigeon), but that figure is of less importance to the plot.
“The main thrust of the story is Patty and her little budding romance with Henry,...
- 11/6/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Fans of “Stranger Things” can now get a close look at the process behind “The First Shadow,” the stage adaptation that’s soon hitting London’s West End.
In time for what Netflix calls “Stranger Things” Day — the date that Will Byers (Noah Schnapp in the TV series) went missing in Season 1 — the streamer released a video giving a preview into “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.” This comes after Netflix’s recent reveal of the first images from the play, which showed Henry Creel (Louis McCartney) standing off with Dr. Brenner (Patrick Vaill), Lonnie Byers (Chase Brown) holding Joyce Maldonado (Isabella Pappas) and more.
In the featurette, key creatives discuss how the “The First Shadow” came together and what it entails, including playwright Kate Trefry, who teases, “There are so many Easter eggs. It’s Easter morning.”
“The main thrust of the story is Patty [Newby, played by Ella Karuna Williams] and her little,...
In time for what Netflix calls “Stranger Things” Day — the date that Will Byers (Noah Schnapp in the TV series) went missing in Season 1 — the streamer released a video giving a preview into “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.” This comes after Netflix’s recent reveal of the first images from the play, which showed Henry Creel (Louis McCartney) standing off with Dr. Brenner (Patrick Vaill), Lonnie Byers (Chase Brown) holding Joyce Maldonado (Isabella Pappas) and more.
In the featurette, key creatives discuss how the “The First Shadow” came together and what it entails, including playwright Kate Trefry, who teases, “There are so many Easter eggs. It’s Easter morning.”
“The main thrust of the story is Patty [Newby, played by Ella Karuna Williams] and her little,...
- 11/6/2023
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
As the prequel play Stranger Things: The First Shadow prepares for its Dec. 4 debut at London’s Phoenix Theatre, we finally have our first look at some key cast members in action.
Among the new images are Henry Creel and Dr. Brenner (played by Louis McCartney and Patrick Vaill, respectively) in a high-stakes face-off (above), in addition to Lonnie Byers holding Joyce Maldonado (played by Chase Brown and Isabella Pappas). Stranger Things creators Ross and Matt Duffer can be seen enjoying the cast’s rehearsal, while the greater ensemble is also pictured below.
More from TVLineHeather Graham Dares Brandy Norwood to Deliver Best.
Among the new images are Henry Creel and Dr. Brenner (played by Louis McCartney and Patrick Vaill, respectively) in a high-stakes face-off (above), in addition to Lonnie Byers holding Joyce Maldonado (played by Chase Brown and Isabella Pappas). Stranger Things creators Ross and Matt Duffer can be seen enjoying the cast’s rehearsal, while the greater ensemble is also pictured below.
More from TVLineHeather Graham Dares Brandy Norwood to Deliver Best.
- 10/25/2023
- by Nick Caruso
- TVLine.com
‘Stranger Things’ Play Unveils Intense First Look at Cast Rehearsals, Sets Discounted Ticket Lottery
“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is shaping up to replicate the high stakes of the Netflix drama, as demonstrated by photos released from rehearsals of the West End stage play.
Among the first looks are images of Henry Creel and Dr. Brenner (played by Louis McCartney and Patrick Vaill) in an intense face-to-face standoff and Lonnie Byers sitting with and holding Joyce Maldonado (played by Chase Brown and Isabella Pappas), as well as of the larger company and “Stranger Things” creators Ross and Matt Duffer.
Additionally, the production has set a discounted ticket initiative titled “Shadow Seats” in partnership with TodayTix. For each performance of the show’s run, there will be 11 pairs of tickets available for £19.59 per seat, with some located in the front row of the stalls. Shadow seats will not be visible on the main booking page, instead appearing for sale via the lottery on the TodayTix...
Among the first looks are images of Henry Creel and Dr. Brenner (played by Louis McCartney and Patrick Vaill) in an intense face-to-face standoff and Lonnie Byers sitting with and holding Joyce Maldonado (played by Chase Brown and Isabella Pappas), as well as of the larger company and “Stranger Things” creators Ross and Matt Duffer.
Additionally, the production has set a discounted ticket initiative titled “Shadow Seats” in partnership with TodayTix. For each performance of the show’s run, there will be 11 pairs of tickets available for £19.59 per seat, with some located in the front row of the stalls. Shadow seats will not be visible on the main booking page, instead appearing for sale via the lottery on the TodayTix...
- 10/25/2023
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Mean Girls: The Musical was initially developed for a streaming debut on Paramount+, but the studio has now decided to give the movie a theatrical release. Mean Girls: The Musical will hit theaters on January 12, 2024.
Paramount pulled a similar move last year with Smile, a horror movie also developed for the streaming service before positive test screenings led them to release it in theaters. That proved to be the right choice, as the movie went on to gross over $200 million with a sequel on the way. Paramount must be hoping for a repeat of that success by pushing the release of Mean Girls: The Musical to theaters.
Mean Girls: The Musical stars Angourie Rice, Auliʻi Cravalho, Reneé Rapp, Jaquel Spivey, Jenna Fischer, Busy Philipps, and Jon Hamm. Tina Fey and Tim Meadows have also reprised their roles from the original film as Ms. Norbury and Principal Duvall.
Related Mean Girls...
Paramount pulled a similar move last year with Smile, a horror movie also developed for the streaming service before positive test screenings led them to release it in theaters. That proved to be the right choice, as the movie went on to gross over $200 million with a sequel on the way. Paramount must be hoping for a repeat of that success by pushing the release of Mean Girls: The Musical to theaters.
Mean Girls: The Musical stars Angourie Rice, Auliʻi Cravalho, Reneé Rapp, Jaquel Spivey, Jenna Fischer, Busy Philipps, and Jon Hamm. Tina Fey and Tim Meadows have also reprised their roles from the original film as Ms. Norbury and Principal Duvall.
Related Mean Girls...
- 9/22/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Break out your scarves, kids, a version of the award-winning play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child may be coming to a school near you.
The producers behind the Broadway and West End-produced adaptations announced a partnership with Broadway Licensing Group to bring a reworked version to high school and secondary school theater programs worldwide starting in 2024.
Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender said “We are delighted to be working with Broadway Licensing Group so that schools around the world can stage their own productions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. We’re very proud that over half of the play’s audiences worldwide have been first time theatregoers. With this schools version, we hope to broaden that audience even further by introducing younger generations to the magic of live theatre. We can’t wait to see how students embrace their creativity and bring the magic of the...
The producers behind the Broadway and West End-produced adaptations announced a partnership with Broadway Licensing Group to bring a reworked version to high school and secondary school theater programs worldwide starting in 2024.
Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender said “We are delighted to be working with Broadway Licensing Group so that schools around the world can stage their own productions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. We’re very proud that over half of the play’s audiences worldwide have been first time theatregoers. With this schools version, we hope to broaden that audience even further by introducing younger generations to the magic of live theatre. We can’t wait to see how students embrace their creativity and bring the magic of the...
- 9/2/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Patriots, the hot new play by The Crown’s Peter Morgan, has recouped during its 12-week run in London’s West End, making a move to Broadway more than likely.
The play’s success is a remarkable achievement. Transferring the drama from the Almeida Theatre in Islington to the Noel Coward Theatre was a risky proposition to start with and it was always a gamble.
All those involved were nervous, including Morgan, I understand.
The production team wondered whether audiences would be drawn to a story about Russian oligarchs and the rise to power of Vladimir Putin. But, as producer Sonia Friedman says, the play is both “incredibly timely and relevant,” although she notes that Morgan “wrote the bulk prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
Rupert Goold, the show’s director and artistic chief of the Almeida, says that he and Morgan began discussing the idea of Patriots...
The play’s success is a remarkable achievement. Transferring the drama from the Almeida Theatre in Islington to the Noel Coward Theatre was a risky proposition to start with and it was always a gamble.
All those involved were nervous, including Morgan, I understand.
The production team wondered whether audiences would be drawn to a story about Russian oligarchs and the rise to power of Vladimir Putin. But, as producer Sonia Friedman says, the play is both “incredibly timely and relevant,” although she notes that Morgan “wrote the bulk prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
Rupert Goold, the show’s director and artistic chief of the Almeida, says that he and Morgan began discussing the idea of Patriots...
- 8/17/2023
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Funny Girl has recouped its capitalization costs on Broadway, producers said Monday.
The musical, which originally opened at the August Wilson Theatre in April 2022, was capitalized for $16.5 million. The production, starring Lea Michele, is set to close on Broadway on Sept. 3. A North American tour, starring Katerina McCrimmon, will follow.
The production started with Beanie Feldstein in the leading role, but after she received mixed reviews, grosses and attendance began to fall. Feldstein was then replaced with Michele, who had already performed several of the songs on Glee and thus was a draw for audience members. However, Michele had to fight back against allegations of on-set bullying while on the television show as well as the controversy of taking over the role from Feldstein. She came into the production on Sept. 6, 2022, and was well-received in the role, and the box office began trending upward.
Since then, Funny Girl has set...
The musical, which originally opened at the August Wilson Theatre in April 2022, was capitalized for $16.5 million. The production, starring Lea Michele, is set to close on Broadway on Sept. 3. A North American tour, starring Katerina McCrimmon, will follow.
The production started with Beanie Feldstein in the leading role, but after she received mixed reviews, grosses and attendance began to fall. Feldstein was then replaced with Michele, who had already performed several of the songs on Glee and thus was a draw for audience members. However, Michele had to fight back against allegations of on-set bullying while on the television show as well as the controversy of taking over the role from Feldstein. She came into the production on Sept. 6, 2022, and was well-received in the role, and the box office began trending upward.
Since then, Funny Girl has set...
- 8/7/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New York, New York, the John Kander & Fred Ebb musical that arrived on Broadway last spring to considerable anticipation, will play its final performance on Sunday, July 30, having played just 33 preview and 110 regular performances.
The musical, which features additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and was directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, opened to mixed-to-negative reviews at the St. James Theatre on April 26. The approximately $25 million production was nominated for nine Tony Awards but took the trophy for only one – Beowulf Boritt’s elaborate scenic design.
Recent weeks have seen attendance at the St. James hovering around 70% of capacity.
“We would like to thank the extraordinarily gifted and committed performers, who have been a dream to work with, alongside all of the friends — John Kander, David Thompson, Sharon Washington, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the sublime orchestra, the unwaveringly dedicated creative, production and administrative teams, the backstage staff and technicians, all of whom were...
The musical, which features additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and was directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, opened to mixed-to-negative reviews at the St. James Theatre on April 26. The approximately $25 million production was nominated for nine Tony Awards but took the trophy for only one – Beowulf Boritt’s elaborate scenic design.
Recent weeks have seen attendance at the St. James hovering around 70% of capacity.
“We would like to thank the extraordinarily gifted and committed performers, who have been a dream to work with, alongside all of the friends — John Kander, David Thompson, Sharon Washington, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the sublime orchestra, the unwaveringly dedicated creative, production and administrative teams, the backstage staff and technicians, all of whom were...
- 7/24/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
New York, New York, the latest Kander and Ebb musical on Broadway, announced Sunday that it will close in one week.
The musical, which also features additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is inspired by the 1977 film, which was directed by Martin Scorsese and featured Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro. The show opened at the St. James Theatre on April 26 and will now play its final performance July 30.
The sudden closure comes as the large-scale production, which had a big cast and expansive scenery, has failed to pull in big numbers at the box office, amid unfavorable reviews. In recent weeks, capacity has hovered just above 70 percent. Additionally, the musical won only one Tony Award, for best scenic design, after being nominated for nine, including best musical.
New York, New York features direction and choreography by Susan Stroman and a book by David Thompson and Sharon Washington. The cast is led by Colton Ryan,...
The musical, which also features additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is inspired by the 1977 film, which was directed by Martin Scorsese and featured Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro. The show opened at the St. James Theatre on April 26 and will now play its final performance July 30.
The sudden closure comes as the large-scale production, which had a big cast and expansive scenery, has failed to pull in big numbers at the box office, amid unfavorable reviews. In recent weeks, capacity has hovered just above 70 percent. Additionally, the musical won only one Tony Award, for best scenic design, after being nominated for nine, including best musical.
New York, New York features direction and choreography by Susan Stroman and a book by David Thompson and Sharon Washington. The cast is led by Colton Ryan,...
- 7/23/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
While she was ebullient about Leopoldstadt‘s Tony Awards wins, including a crowning one for Best Play, producer Sonia Friedman offered some sobering thoughts about plays of its scale and cost Sunday night.
“Oooh, this is a big conversation,” Friedman said when asked about the challenges of producing a show like Tom Stoppard’s multi-layered look at the persecution of Jews in Vienna, with action spanning the years 1899 and 1955. Before mounting Leopoldstadt, Friedman had backed large-scale plays like The Ferryman and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which also struck Tony gold.
“Plays of this scale are under threat right now,” Friedman said, standing onstage in the press room Sunday next to Stoppard, who did not weigh in on the topic. “I don’t know that Broadway will see another play of this scale or breadth in terms of the number of people onstage for a while, until the economics...
“Oooh, this is a big conversation,” Friedman said when asked about the challenges of producing a show like Tom Stoppard’s multi-layered look at the persecution of Jews in Vienna, with action spanning the years 1899 and 1955. Before mounting Leopoldstadt, Friedman had backed large-scale plays like The Ferryman and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which also struck Tony gold.
“Plays of this scale are under threat right now,” Friedman said, standing onstage in the press room Sunday next to Stoppard, who did not weigh in on the topic. “I don’t know that Broadway will see another play of this scale or breadth in terms of the number of people onstage for a while, until the economics...
- 6/12/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Some Like It Hot, the musical comedy based on the classic MGM film, topped the Tony Awards nominations list with 13 nods.
The musical, which features a score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, was nominated for best musical, best original score, best book of a musical (written by Matthew López & Amber Ruffin) and best direction of a musical, as well as in the acting categories, with nominations for both Christian Borle and J. Harrison Ghee in the category of best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical and for Kevin Del Aguila and NaTasha Yvette Williams in the featured roles categories.
The plot, which has been revised from the 1959 film, sees two struggling jazz musicians, Borle and Ghee, on the run after witnessing a mob hit. The two disguise themselves within an all-female band and, as they travel across the country, they explore their own identities,...
The musical, which features a score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, was nominated for best musical, best original score, best book of a musical (written by Matthew López & Amber Ruffin) and best direction of a musical, as well as in the acting categories, with nominations for both Christian Borle and J. Harrison Ghee in the category of best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical and for Kevin Del Aguila and NaTasha Yvette Williams in the featured roles categories.
The plot, which has been revised from the 1959 film, sees two struggling jazz musicians, Borle and Ghee, on the run after witnessing a mob hit. The two disguise themselves within an all-female band and, as they travel across the country, they explore their own identities,...
- 5/2/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Veteran theater publicist Janine Shalom has died. She was 63.
Shalom, who died on March 25, was director of theater PR at Premier for 17 years, where she handled several high-profile productions like Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and Les Misérables. She also spent periods working at the Almeida Theatre in north London and The National Theatre.
Figures from across the world of theater shared tributes to Shalom after news of her death was announced late Sunday evening in a statement on the official Premier website.
“As one of the industry’s leading publicists, she has represented everything from the smallest theatre groups to the biggest productions in the West End; and every time she did so with her unique vigour, tenacity and passion,” the Premier statement read. “She was a titan and for those who knew her or had the privilege to work with her, we share your sense of profound loss.
Shalom, who died on March 25, was director of theater PR at Premier for 17 years, where she handled several high-profile productions like Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and Les Misérables. She also spent periods working at the Almeida Theatre in north London and The National Theatre.
Figures from across the world of theater shared tributes to Shalom after news of her death was announced late Sunday evening in a statement on the official Premier website.
“As one of the industry’s leading publicists, she has represented everything from the smallest theatre groups to the biggest productions in the West End; and every time she did so with her unique vigour, tenacity and passion,” the Premier statement read. “She was a titan and for those who knew her or had the privilege to work with her, we share your sense of profound loss.
- 3/27/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Funny Girl, Broadway’s riches-to-rags-to-riches smash hit, will close on Sunday, Sept. 3, with stars Lea Michele, Ramin Karimloo, Jared Grimes and Tovah Feldshuh extending their planned runs to see the show through to its final date.
The announcement was made today by Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani.
When Funny Girl plays its final performance at the aon Sept. 3, it will have played 599 performances and 30 previews.
The closing will mark the end of one of Broadway’s more tumultuous – and successful – productions of recent years. The first Broadway revival of the Jule Styne-Bob Merrill 1963 musical that made a star of Barbra Streisand (on both the stage and in the 1968 film adaptation) opened in April 2022 starring Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice and Jane Lynch as her mother. Though the revival initially proved popular with audiences and Feldstein fans, lukewarm (at best) reviews and a shut-out at the Tony Awards prompted...
The announcement was made today by Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani.
When Funny Girl plays its final performance at the aon Sept. 3, it will have played 599 performances and 30 previews.
The closing will mark the end of one of Broadway’s more tumultuous – and successful – productions of recent years. The first Broadway revival of the Jule Styne-Bob Merrill 1963 musical that made a star of Barbra Streisand (on both the stage and in the 1968 film adaptation) opened in April 2022 starring Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice and Jane Lynch as her mother. Though the revival initially proved popular with audiences and Feldstein fans, lukewarm (at best) reviews and a shut-out at the Tony Awards prompted...
- 3/2/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Lea Michele will play Fanny Brice through the end of Funny Girl’s run on Broadway.
The Broadway production will play its final performance Sept. 3. In addition to Michele, Ramin Karimloo, who plays Nick Arnstein, Tovah Feldshuh, who plays Fanny’s mother, Mrs. Brice, and Jared Grimes, who plays Eddie Ryan, will remain with the production through the closing.
A North American tour of Funny Girl will launch in September in Providence, R.I., before heading to more than 30 cities across the country.
The Broadway revival, the first since the 1964 production starring Barbra Streisand, began previews at the August Wilson Theatre on March 26, 2022 and opened April 24. Beanie Feldstein played the lead role until July 31, and Michele took over the role of Fanny Brice on Sept. 6, 2022. Standby Julie Benko filled in until Michele’s start date and continues to perform on Thursday evenings.
After Michele joined the production, and received rave reviews,...
The Broadway production will play its final performance Sept. 3. In addition to Michele, Ramin Karimloo, who plays Nick Arnstein, Tovah Feldshuh, who plays Fanny’s mother, Mrs. Brice, and Jared Grimes, who plays Eddie Ryan, will remain with the production through the closing.
A North American tour of Funny Girl will launch in September in Providence, R.I., before heading to more than 30 cities across the country.
The Broadway revival, the first since the 1964 production starring Barbra Streisand, began previews at the August Wilson Theatre on March 26, 2022 and opened April 24. Beanie Feldstein played the lead role until July 31, and Michele took over the role of Fanny Brice on Sept. 6, 2022. Standby Julie Benko filled in until Michele’s start date and continues to perform on Thursday evenings.
After Michele joined the production, and received rave reviews,...
- 3/2/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Stranger Things has spawned a stage play. Kate Trefry, a writer and co-executive producer on the critically acclaimed, award-winning Netflix series, wrote Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which will launch in London’s West End’s Phoenix Theatre later this year.
The play’s based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Kate Trefry, and is rooted in the world and mythology of the series. Netflix offered this description of Stranger Things: The First Shadow:
“Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy… and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.
Brought to...
The play’s based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Kate Trefry, and is rooted in the world and mythology of the series. Netflix offered this description of Stranger Things: The First Shadow:
“Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy… and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.
Brought to...
- 3/1/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Are you ready to travel to the past with some of your favorite Stranger Things characters?
Netflix on Wednesday morning announced Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a new play penned by Kate Trefry from a story from the Duffer Brothers, will launch in London in late 2023.
The project will be available to watch at Phoenix Theatre in London's West End.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow will be directed by Stephen Daldry with co-direction by Justin Martin.
According to Netflix, the stage play will be "rooted in the mythology and world of the Netflix global phenomenon."
"Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries," the logline teases.
"Young Jim Hopper's car won't start, Bob Newby's sister won't take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town."
"When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn't so easy…...
Netflix on Wednesday morning announced Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a new play penned by Kate Trefry from a story from the Duffer Brothers, will launch in London in late 2023.
The project will be available to watch at Phoenix Theatre in London's West End.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow will be directed by Stephen Daldry with co-direction by Justin Martin.
According to Netflix, the stage play will be "rooted in the mythology and world of the Netflix global phenomenon."
"Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries," the logline teases.
"Young Jim Hopper's car won't start, Bob Newby's sister won't take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town."
"When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn't so easy…...
- 3/1/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
The world of Stranger Things is expanding — to London’s West End.
A play based on the Netflix hit is set to make its debut at London’s Phoenix Theatre late in the year. It’s called Stranger Things: The First Shadow and written by Kate Trefry, a writer and co-executive producer on the series, from an original story by Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer, Jack Thorne (Enola Holmes) and Trefry.
Emmy, Tony and BAFTA winner Stephen Daldry (The Crown, Billy Elliot) will direct, with co-direction by Justin Martin. Netflix, making its first foray into live theater, and Sonia Friedman Productions are mounting the play, with series executive producer Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps serving as associate producer. The formal announcement comes a day after a cryptic teaser released on social media Tuesday. No casting has been announced yet.
“We are beyond excited about Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
A play based on the Netflix hit is set to make its debut at London’s Phoenix Theatre late in the year. It’s called Stranger Things: The First Shadow and written by Kate Trefry, a writer and co-executive producer on the series, from an original story by Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer, Jack Thorne (Enola Holmes) and Trefry.
Emmy, Tony and BAFTA winner Stephen Daldry (The Crown, Billy Elliot) will direct, with co-direction by Justin Martin. Netflix, making its first foray into live theater, and Sonia Friedman Productions are mounting the play, with series executive producer Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps serving as associate producer. The formal announcement comes a day after a cryptic teaser released on social media Tuesday. No casting has been announced yet.
“We are beyond excited about Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
- 3/1/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A stage-play adaptation of the hit Netflix franchise “Stranger Things” will premiere in London’s West End later this year, the streamer said Wednesday.
Based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Kate Trefry, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” will be set in the 1950s as an origin story that “will take you right back to the beginning of the ‘Stranger Things’ story – and may hold the key to the end.” The play, written by Trefry, a writer and co-executive producer for the TV series, will be rooted in the mythology and world of the Netflix global phenomenon.
“We are beyond excited about ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow,'” said the series’ creators, Matt and Ross Duffer. “Collaborating with the brilliant Stephen Daldry has been nothing short of inspiring, and Kate Trefry has written a play that is at turns surprising, scary, and heartfelt. You will meet endearing new characters,...
Based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Kate Trefry, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” will be set in the 1950s as an origin story that “will take you right back to the beginning of the ‘Stranger Things’ story – and may hold the key to the end.” The play, written by Trefry, a writer and co-executive producer for the TV series, will be rooted in the mythology and world of the Netflix global phenomenon.
“We are beyond excited about ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow,'” said the series’ creators, Matt and Ross Duffer. “Collaborating with the brilliant Stephen Daldry has been nothing short of inspiring, and Kate Trefry has written a play that is at turns surprising, scary, and heartfelt. You will meet endearing new characters,...
- 3/1/2023
- by Jeremy Bailey
- The Wrap
The full cast and creative team for the upcoming Kander & Ebb Broadway musical New York, New York were announced by producers today, with, among others, Tony Award nominee Emily Skinner (Stage Show) joining the previously announced stars Colton Ryan and Anna Uzele.
Inspired by the 1977 Martin Scorsese movie (written by Earl M. Rauch), New York, New York begins performances Friday, March 24 at Broadway’s St. James Theatre, with an official opening on Wednesday, April 26.
In addition to Skinner, the stage actor most recently seen on Broadway in The Cher Show and who will play a character named Madame Veltri, the New York, New York cast will include Clyde Alves (On The Town), John Clay III (Choir Boy), Janet Dacal (In The Heights), Ben Davis (Dear Evan Hansen), and, in their Broadway debuts, Oliver Prose and Angel Sigala .
The ensemble will include Wendi Bergamini, Allison Blackwell, Giovanni Bonaventura, Jim Borstelmann, Lauren Carr,...
Inspired by the 1977 Martin Scorsese movie (written by Earl M. Rauch), New York, New York begins performances Friday, March 24 at Broadway’s St. James Theatre, with an official opening on Wednesday, April 26.
In addition to Skinner, the stage actor most recently seen on Broadway in The Cher Show and who will play a character named Madame Veltri, the New York, New York cast will include Clyde Alves (On The Town), John Clay III (Choir Boy), Janet Dacal (In The Heights), Ben Davis (Dear Evan Hansen), and, in their Broadway debuts, Oliver Prose and Angel Sigala .
The ensemble will include Wendi Bergamini, Allison Blackwell, Giovanni Bonaventura, Jim Borstelmann, Lauren Carr,...
- 2/1/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Update, with song recordings Broadway’s upcoming Kander & Ebb musical New York, New York has found its stars: Colton Ryan (Girl From The North Country) and Anna Uzele (Six).
Producers Sonia Friedman and Tom Kirdahy announced the castings today. Performances begin Friday, March 24, at the St. James Theatre, with an official opening on Wednesday, April 26.
Ryan, who also has appeared in Hulu’s The Girl From Plainville, will play Jimmy Doyle, and Uzele (Apple TV+’s upcoming Dear Edward)will portray Francine Evans. Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli played the characters in the 1977 Martin Scorsese film, written by Earl M. Rauch, that inspired the stage musical.
The musical, with music by John Kander & Fred Ebb and additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is set in 1946 when post-war New York is beginning to rebuild. The synopsis: Francine Evans, a young singer just off the bus from Philadelphia encounters New York native Jimmy Doyle,...
Producers Sonia Friedman and Tom Kirdahy announced the castings today. Performances begin Friday, March 24, at the St. James Theatre, with an official opening on Wednesday, April 26.
Ryan, who also has appeared in Hulu’s The Girl From Plainville, will play Jimmy Doyle, and Uzele (Apple TV+’s upcoming Dear Edward)will portray Francine Evans. Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli played the characters in the 1977 Martin Scorsese film, written by Earl M. Rauch, that inspired the stage musical.
The musical, with music by John Kander & Fred Ebb and additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is set in 1946 when post-war New York is beginning to rebuild. The synopsis: Francine Evans, a young singer just off the bus from Philadelphia encounters New York native Jimmy Doyle,...
- 1/12/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Trailer
Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins can be heard narrating “The Smeds and the Smoos,” the upcoming BBC adaptation of the book of the same name by beloved children’s writer Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, in a new trailer released today.
A loose re-telling of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the charming adaptation, from Magic Light Pictures, “The Smeds and the Smoos” also features the voices of “Bridgerton’s” Adjoa Andoh and comedian Bill Bailey (“Black Books”) as well as Meera Syal (“Roar”), Rob Brydon (“Gavin and Stacey”), Ashna Rabheru (“Sex Education”) and Daniel Ezra (“All American”).
It will air in the U.K. on Christmas Day.
Check out the trailer below:
Commission
A biopic of one of the U.K.’s most famous soccer siblings, Justin and John Fashanu, has been set at U.K. broadcaster ITV. Justin, who became Britain’s first Black soccer star to command £1 million,...
Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins can be heard narrating “The Smeds and the Smoos,” the upcoming BBC adaptation of the book of the same name by beloved children’s writer Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, in a new trailer released today.
A loose re-telling of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the charming adaptation, from Magic Light Pictures, “The Smeds and the Smoos” also features the voices of “Bridgerton’s” Adjoa Andoh and comedian Bill Bailey (“Black Books”) as well as Meera Syal (“Roar”), Rob Brydon (“Gavin and Stacey”), Ashna Rabheru (“Sex Education”) and Daniel Ezra (“All American”).
It will air in the U.K. on Christmas Day.
Check out the trailer below:
Commission
A biopic of one of the U.K.’s most famous soccer siblings, Justin and John Fashanu, has been set at U.K. broadcaster ITV. Justin, who became Britain’s first Black soccer star to command £1 million,...
- 12/2/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Latanya Richardson Jackson’s star-studded helming of August Wilson’s fourth Pittsburgh Cycle entry The Piano Lesson is extending its Broadway run.
On Thursday, the play’s producers Brian Anthony Moreland, Sonia Friedman, Tom Kirdahy, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker announced that the revival will now close on Jan. 29 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
The show, which opened on Oct. 13 for a 17-week engagement, stars Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington and Danielle Brooks. The ensemble also includes Ray Fisher, Trai Byers, April Matthis, Michael Potts, Nadia Daniel and Jurnee Swan.
Opening more than 30 years after its Broadway debut in 1990 at the Walter Kerr Theatre, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Piano Lesson revival has since become the highest-grossing revival of a play on Broadway. The production doubles both as Tony Award nominee Richardson Jackson’s Broadway directorial debut and as the first Wilson play staged...
Latanya Richardson Jackson’s star-studded helming of August Wilson’s fourth Pittsburgh Cycle entry The Piano Lesson is extending its Broadway run.
On Thursday, the play’s producers Brian Anthony Moreland, Sonia Friedman, Tom Kirdahy, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker announced that the revival will now close on Jan. 29 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
The show, which opened on Oct. 13 for a 17-week engagement, stars Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington and Danielle Brooks. The ensemble also includes Ray Fisher, Trai Byers, April Matthis, Michael Potts, Nadia Daniel and Jurnee Swan.
Opening more than 30 years after its Broadway debut in 1990 at the Walter Kerr Theatre, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Piano Lesson revival has since become the highest-grossing revival of a play on Broadway. The production doubles both as Tony Award nominee Richardson Jackson’s Broadway directorial debut and as the first Wilson play staged...
- 11/17/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A newly recorded cast album for Broadway’s Funny Girl starring Lea Michele as Fanny Brice will be released digitally tomorrow – Friday, Nov. 18 at 12:01 a.m. Et. The surprise announcement was made by Michele herself during last night’s curtain call at the Broadway hit.
“We’re all so so so proud to announce that we’re going to be releasing our original cast album,” Michele said excitedly from the stage following the Wednesday night performance. “As the biggest Funny Girl fan my whole life, I am so proud and it’s so so so great!”
See video of her announcement below.
The news of the unexpected album release was also shared on this morning’s Today show.
Produced by David Caddick and David Lai and featuring the score by Jule Styne (music) and Bob Merrill (lyrics), a physical CD of the new cast recording is set for release on Friday,...
“We’re all so so so proud to announce that we’re going to be releasing our original cast album,” Michele said excitedly from the stage following the Wednesday night performance. “As the biggest Funny Girl fan my whole life, I am so proud and it’s so so so great!”
See video of her announcement below.
The news of the unexpected album release was also shared on this morning’s Today show.
Produced by David Caddick and David Lai and featuring the score by Jule Styne (music) and Bob Merrill (lyrics), a physical CD of the new cast recording is set for release on Friday,...
- 11/17/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
As Broadway moves through its first full season since the pandemic began, new content is pouring in and the industry continues to hope for a rebound.
But amid the spate of new shows, producers are also facing higher costs due to inflation and extra understudies, as well as the added stressors of unpredictable and changing audience behavior. There’s optimism that the industry will move past this moment, if audiences return in greater numbers, but the timeline and the exact method for getting there isn’t yet clear.
“If the productions are roughly 15 percent to 20 percent down, and they’re costing 10 percent more, you can see that we’re not out of this yet by any means,” said Sonia Friedman, a producer on many West End and Broadway productions, including Funny Girl, new play Leopoldstadt and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
While...
As Broadway moves through its first full season since the pandemic began, new content is pouring in and the industry continues to hope for a rebound.
But amid the spate of new shows, producers are also facing higher costs due to inflation and extra understudies, as well as the added stressors of unpredictable and changing audience behavior. There’s optimism that the industry will move past this moment, if audiences return in greater numbers, but the timeline and the exact method for getting there isn’t yet clear.
“If the productions are roughly 15 percent to 20 percent down, and they’re costing 10 percent more, you can see that we’re not out of this yet by any means,” said Sonia Friedman, a producer on many West End and Broadway productions, including Funny Girl, new play Leopoldstadt and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
While...
- 11/10/2022
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
The new Kander & Ebb musical New York, New York will come to Broadway this spring.
The musical, which features music and lyrics by the Chicago and Cabaret team John Kander and the late Fred Ebb, and additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, will play Broadway’s St. James Theatre starting March 24, 2023. Opening night is slated for April 26.
The stage production is inspired by the 1977 film, which was directed by Martin Scorsese and featured Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro. Kander and Ebb composed songs for the film.
The Broadway musical takes place in New York in 1946 and follows a group of artists trying to make it in the city in the aftermath of World War II. Susan Stroman (The Producers) directs and choreographs the stage adaptation, which features a book by David Thompson and Sharon Washington. The score includes new songs as well as...
The new Kander & Ebb musical New York, New York will come to Broadway this spring.
The musical, which features music and lyrics by the Chicago and Cabaret team John Kander and the late Fred Ebb, and additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, will play Broadway’s St. James Theatre starting March 24, 2023. Opening night is slated for April 26.
The stage production is inspired by the 1977 film, which was directed by Martin Scorsese and featured Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro. Kander and Ebb composed songs for the film.
The Broadway musical takes place in New York in 1946 and follows a group of artists trying to make it in the city in the aftermath of World War II. Susan Stroman (The Producers) directs and choreographs the stage adaptation, which features a book by David Thompson and Sharon Washington. The score includes new songs as well as...
- 10/26/2022
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The new Kander & Ebb stage musical New York, New York, inspired by the 1977 Martin Scorsese film starring Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro, will begin performances Friday, March 24, 2023 and officially open Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at Broadway’s St. James Theatre.
The opening was announced Wednesday by producers Sonia Friedman and Tom Kirdahy.
Featuring music and lyrics by John Kander & Fred Ebb, written by David Thompson, co-written by Sharon Washington (Audible’s Feeding The Dragon) and featuring additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, New York, New York will be directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman.
Casting and additional creative team members will be announced later.
The synopsis: It is 1946, the war is over, and a resurgent New York is beginning to rebuild. As steel beams swing overhead, a collection of artists has dreams as big and diverse as the city itself.
The opening was announced Wednesday by producers Sonia Friedman and Tom Kirdahy.
Featuring music and lyrics by John Kander & Fred Ebb, written by David Thompson, co-written by Sharon Washington (Audible’s Feeding The Dragon) and featuring additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, New York, New York will be directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman.
Casting and additional creative team members will be announced later.
The synopsis: It is 1946, the war is over, and a resurgent New York is beginning to rebuild. As steel beams swing overhead, a collection of artists has dreams as big and diverse as the city itself.
- 10/26/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Stranger Things season 4 was no stranger to the spotlight, receiving much acclaim and accolades, on top of already having been renewed for a fifth, final season.
However, the end of Stranger Things may not really be so near. Nearly a year ago, Netflix CEO and COO Ted Sarandos first hinted at a forthcoming Stranger Things franchise, referring to the series as “a franchise being born” and teasing spinoffs, according to Deadline.
Then in February of this year, upon the announcement of the final season, Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers further teased series spinoffs, saying, “There are still many more exciting stories to tell within the world of Stranger Things: new mysteries, new adventures, new unexpected heroes,” according to Deadline.
And most recently, Stranger Things producer Shawn Levy shared in an interview with Variety that a “Stranger Things Cinematic Universe” is currently in development.
“Yes, we are building out...
However, the end of Stranger Things may not really be so near. Nearly a year ago, Netflix CEO and COO Ted Sarandos first hinted at a forthcoming Stranger Things franchise, referring to the series as “a franchise being born” and teasing spinoffs, according to Deadline.
Then in February of this year, upon the announcement of the final season, Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers further teased series spinoffs, saying, “There are still many more exciting stories to tell within the world of Stranger Things: new mysteries, new adventures, new unexpected heroes,” according to Deadline.
And most recently, Stranger Things producer Shawn Levy shared in an interview with Variety that a “Stranger Things Cinematic Universe” is currently in development.
“Yes, we are building out...
- 9/29/2022
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
You know what they say about Broadway: If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.
Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda is set to be adapting a musical loosely inspired by Martin Scorsese’s beloved 1977 movie musical “New York, New York” for Broadway, set for a March 2023 release. The official opening night will be in April 2023, and Tony winner Susan Stroman will direct and choreograph the musical.
The Scorsese film starred Liza Minnelli as a lounge singer who falls for a saxophonist, played by Robert De Niro. Their romance gives way to their respective ambitions and dreams of music stardom against the backdrop of the Big Apple in the 1940s.
However, the same characters will not be appearing in the new iteration. Deadline reported the Broadway production will “feature little of Scorsese’s storyline” from the film. Yet the setting remains the same: post-war 1946 in Manhattan as the city recovers.
Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda is set to be adapting a musical loosely inspired by Martin Scorsese’s beloved 1977 movie musical “New York, New York” for Broadway, set for a March 2023 release. The official opening night will be in April 2023, and Tony winner Susan Stroman will direct and choreograph the musical.
The Scorsese film starred Liza Minnelli as a lounge singer who falls for a saxophonist, played by Robert De Niro. Their romance gives way to their respective ambitions and dreams of music stardom against the backdrop of the Big Apple in the 1940s.
However, the same characters will not be appearing in the new iteration. Deadline reported the Broadway production will “feature little of Scorsese’s storyline” from the film. Yet the setting remains the same: post-war 1946 in Manhattan as the city recovers.
- 8/25/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Start spreading the news! A new musical loosely based on Martin Scorsese’s 1977 film New York, New York will begin performances on Broadway, theater to be announced, in March 2023. Opening night will be in April, with Tony and Olivier Award winner Susan Stroman on board to direct and choreograph.
The show — of course it’s called New York, New York — will feature numbers written for the movie by legendary songwriting duo John Kander and Fred Ebb. Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) will write additional lyrics for new Kander tunes, Deadline has learned.
Four Kander and Ebb songs were used in Scorsese’s MGM film, including the fabled title track that will definitely feature big in the Broadway show.
Casting breakdowns for New York, New York were being issued today. The production is believed to have a cast of 31 and an orchestra of 19 musicians.
Producers Sonia Friedman...
The show — of course it’s called New York, New York — will feature numbers written for the movie by legendary songwriting duo John Kander and Fred Ebb. Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) will write additional lyrics for new Kander tunes, Deadline has learned.
Four Kander and Ebb songs were used in Scorsese’s MGM film, including the fabled title track that will definitely feature big in the Broadway show.
Casting breakdowns for New York, New York were being issued today. The production is believed to have a cast of 31 and an orchestra of 19 musicians.
Producers Sonia Friedman...
- 8/25/2022
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Script writing has begun on the final season of Stranger Things.
The Netflix series’ writing team posted an image on Twitter on Tuesday with the caption “Day 1,” noting that they are in the beginning stages of writing the season.
Back in February, showrunners the Duffer Brothers announced that Season 5 would be the final season of Netflix’s retro horror-thriller series. “There are still many more exciting stories to tell within the world of Stranger Things: new mysteries, new adventures, new unexpected heroes,” they wrote. “But first we hope you stay with us as we finish this tale.”
Day 1 pic.twitter.com/9m44RkJnc3
— stranger writers (@strangerwriters) August 2, 2022
While this Stranger Things arc in nearing its end, there’s plenty more to come in the series’ universe.
As Deadline broke last month, the Duffers formed their own shingle Upside Down Pictures and inked an overall deal with Netflix with a...
The Netflix series’ writing team posted an image on Twitter on Tuesday with the caption “Day 1,” noting that they are in the beginning stages of writing the season.
Back in February, showrunners the Duffer Brothers announced that Season 5 would be the final season of Netflix’s retro horror-thriller series. “There are still many more exciting stories to tell within the world of Stranger Things: new mysteries, new adventures, new unexpected heroes,” they wrote. “But first we hope you stay with us as we finish this tale.”
Day 1 pic.twitter.com/9m44RkJnc3
— stranger writers (@strangerwriters) August 2, 2022
While this Stranger Things arc in nearing its end, there’s plenty more to come in the series’ universe.
As Deadline broke last month, the Duffers formed their own shingle Upside Down Pictures and inked an overall deal with Netflix with a...
- 8/3/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
“Stranger Things” is a blockbuster TV franchise, but star David Harbour feared the show would be canceled after filming the first season. The Emmy nominee said on BBC’s “The One Show” (via Insider) that he started losing hope for the show’s success midway through filming Season 1.
“I remember when we were shooting the first season. We were down in Atlanta, Netflix had given us a budget of about 20,” Harbour said. “Halfway through I remember my hair person coming up to me, like about episode four we were shooting, and she was like, ‘I don’t think it’s gonna work.'”
“By the time we finished, we wrapped, I thought we wouldn’t get a second season, we’d be the first Netflix show kind of ever to never get a second season,” Harbour added. “We thought no one would watch it, it was going to be a disaster.
“I remember when we were shooting the first season. We were down in Atlanta, Netflix had given us a budget of about 20,” Harbour said. “Halfway through I remember my hair person coming up to me, like about episode four we were shooting, and she was like, ‘I don’t think it’s gonna work.'”
“By the time we finished, we wrapped, I thought we wouldn’t get a second season, we’d be the first Netflix show kind of ever to never get a second season,” Harbour added. “We thought no one would watch it, it was going to be a disaster.
- 7/29/2022
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Piano Lesson has a new Broadway home: The much anticipated production, which begins performances this fall and will star Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington and Danielle Brooks under the direction of Latanya Richardson Jackson, will play at the the Ethel Barrymore Theatre rather than the previously announced St. James Theatre.
The Piano Lesson will begin previews at the Barrymore, which has about 400 fewer seats than the St. James, on Monday, Sept. 19, for a 17-week run. The production begins rehearsals at the Barrymore on Aug. 15.
The switch comes amid speculation that the St. James’ current inhabitant, the hit revival of Into The Woods, will extend its engagement beyond its current limited summer run. Producers for Into The Woods have not announced an extension.
In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Richardson Jackson said she welcomes the venue-shift, noting that the Barrymore – which is where she gave her Tony-nominated performance...
The Piano Lesson will begin previews at the Barrymore, which has about 400 fewer seats than the St. James, on Monday, Sept. 19, for a 17-week run. The production begins rehearsals at the Barrymore on Aug. 15.
The switch comes amid speculation that the St. James’ current inhabitant, the hit revival of Into The Woods, will extend its engagement beyond its current limited summer run. Producers for Into The Woods have not announced an extension.
In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Richardson Jackson said she welcomes the venue-shift, noting that the Barrymore – which is where she gave her Tony-nominated performance...
- 7/26/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Fresh off some jaw-dropping viewership numbers, “Stranger Things” Season 4 Vol. 1 scored its fourth consecutive Outstanding Drama Series Emmy nominations, but acting hopefuls Sadie Sink and Millie Bobby Brown ultimately didn’t make the cut.
The penultimate season of “Stranger Things” received 13 nods in total, shy of the previous record of 18 total nominations in Season 1 and devoid of any acting nominations at all.
Other nominations for Season 4 Vol. 1 include Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup, Outstanding Casting and Outstanding Music Supervision.
Netflix released Season 4 Vol. 1 on May 27, just before the May 31 deadline for 2022 Emmy consideration, so only the first seven episodes were eligible for nominations.
Also Read:
7 Shows Like ‘Stranger Things’ to Watch Next
The series also received no acting nominations for Season 3. Past acting nominations include Millie Bobby Brown for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2018 and David Harbour for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2018, both for Season 2. Shannon Purser who appeared as beloved Barbara Holland,...
The penultimate season of “Stranger Things” received 13 nods in total, shy of the previous record of 18 total nominations in Season 1 and devoid of any acting nominations at all.
Other nominations for Season 4 Vol. 1 include Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup, Outstanding Casting and Outstanding Music Supervision.
Netflix released Season 4 Vol. 1 on May 27, just before the May 31 deadline for 2022 Emmy consideration, so only the first seven episodes were eligible for nominations.
Also Read:
7 Shows Like ‘Stranger Things’ to Watch Next
The series also received no acting nominations for Season 3. Past acting nominations include Millie Bobby Brown for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2018 and David Harbour for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2018, both for Season 2. Shannon Purser who appeared as beloved Barbara Holland,...
- 7/12/2022
- by Dessi Gomez and Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
“Stranger Things” is the gift that will keep on giving. Not only has the current fourth season reportedly broken viewership records for Netflix, it’s also about to expand with new projects that the Duffer Brothers are creating through their new Upside Down Pictures production company. Are you excited for things to get even “Stranger”?
Perhaps the most interesting news from the announcement is a stage play “set within the world and mythology of ‘Stranger Things'” to be produced by Sonia Friedman, Stephen Daldry (who will also direct), and Netflix. I’m eager to see how a visual effects extravaganza like “Stranger Things” will translate to the theater — though it worked out just fine for “Harry Potter.” We’re also getting a live-action “Stranger Things” spinoff “based on an original idea by The Duffer Brothers.”
See‘Stranger Things’: ‘Dear Billy’ episode looking to set new Emmy record
Hilary Leavitt will run Upside Down Pictures,...
Perhaps the most interesting news from the announcement is a stage play “set within the world and mythology of ‘Stranger Things'” to be produced by Sonia Friedman, Stephen Daldry (who will also direct), and Netflix. I’m eager to see how a visual effects extravaganza like “Stranger Things” will translate to the theater — though it worked out just fine for “Harry Potter.” We’re also getting a live-action “Stranger Things” spinoff “based on an original idea by The Duffer Brothers.”
See‘Stranger Things’: ‘Dear Billy’ episode looking to set new Emmy record
Hilary Leavitt will run Upside Down Pictures,...
- 7/6/2022
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The brothers’ new company is also developing a stage play set in the world of the series.
Stranger Things creators and directors Matt and Ross Duffer have launched a new production company and revealed plans for streaming and stage spin-offs from the hit Netflix series.
The company, Upside Down Pictures, is in active development on a number of projects under the Duffer brothers’ overall deal with Netflix, though few details have been revealed.
A spin-off series from Stranger Things is based on an original idea by the Duffers and will be produced by Upside Down and 21 Laps, the company of...
Stranger Things creators and directors Matt and Ross Duffer have launched a new production company and revealed plans for streaming and stage spin-offs from the hit Netflix series.
The company, Upside Down Pictures, is in active development on a number of projects under the Duffer brothers’ overall deal with Netflix, though few details have been revealed.
A spin-off series from Stranger Things is based on an original idea by the Duffers and will be produced by Upside Down and 21 Laps, the company of...
- 7/6/2022
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Just as fans are preparing to say goodbye to "Stranger Things" after season five, series creators Matt and Ross Duffer have confirmed that more adventures from the "Stranger Things" universe are on the way.
On July 6, Netflix announced that the Duffer Brothers have established their own production company in collaboration with the streamer called Upside Down Pictures, and confirmed that a "Stranger Things" spinoff is indeed happening. The streamer also announced a new stage play located in the "Stranger Things" universe, which will be produced by Sonia Friedman, Stephen Daldry, and Netflix. The Duffers' production company will also feature a series adaption of the Stephen King book "The Talisman" and a live-action version of the Japanese manga and anime series "Death Note," among other projects.
The Duffer Brothers' production company will "aim to create the kind of stories that inspired the Duffers growing up - stories that take place at...
On July 6, Netflix announced that the Duffer Brothers have established their own production company in collaboration with the streamer called Upside Down Pictures, and confirmed that a "Stranger Things" spinoff is indeed happening. The streamer also announced a new stage play located in the "Stranger Things" universe, which will be produced by Sonia Friedman, Stephen Daldry, and Netflix. The Duffers' production company will also feature a series adaption of the Stephen King book "The Talisman" and a live-action version of the Japanese manga and anime series "Death Note," among other projects.
The Duffer Brothers' production company will "aim to create the kind of stories that inspired the Duffers growing up - stories that take place at...
- 7/6/2022
- by Sabienna Bowman
- Popsugar.com
Stranger Things are going to be happening at the theater: Under their newly announced production company, Upside Down Pictures, the Duffer Brothers are developing a stage play set within the world and mythology of the hit Netflix series.
The project will be produced by Sonia Friedman, Stephen Daldry (The Crown, Billy Elliot, The Reader) and Netflix. Daldry will also direct.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Megan Boone to Accused, Bridgerton Spinoff Casting and MoreStranger Things Co-Creator Responds to Millie Bobby Brown's Call for More Deaths: 'This Is Hawkins, Not Westeros'TVLine Items: grown-ish Promotion, Issa Rae's Rap Sh!t Trailer...
The project will be produced by Sonia Friedman, Stephen Daldry (The Crown, Billy Elliot, The Reader) and Netflix. Daldry will also direct.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Megan Boone to Accused, Bridgerton Spinoff Casting and MoreStranger Things Co-Creator Responds to Millie Bobby Brown's Call for More Deaths: 'This Is Hawkins, Not Westeros'TVLine Items: grown-ish Promotion, Issa Rae's Rap Sh!t Trailer...
- 7/6/2022
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
The Upside Down is taking over.
The Duffer Brothers announced new production company Upside Down Pictures, with a slew of projects in the works including the “Stranger Things” spinoff and an upcoming stage play adaptation of the series.
According to The Duffer Brothers, Upside Down Pictures will “aim to create the kind of stories that inspired the Duffers growing up, stories that take place at that beautiful crossroads where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, where big spectacle co-exists with intimate character work, where heart wins out over cynicism.”
Upside Down Pictures will be run by Hilary Leavitt and produce film and television projects as part of the overall deal with Netflix.
The “Stranger Things” stage play will be set within the world and mythology of the record-breaking Netflix series and will be produced by prolific and multi-award-winning producers Sonia Friedman, Stephen Daldry, and Netflix. Daldry will also direct. 21 Laps serves as Associate Producer.
The Duffer Brothers announced new production company Upside Down Pictures, with a slew of projects in the works including the “Stranger Things” spinoff and an upcoming stage play adaptation of the series.
According to The Duffer Brothers, Upside Down Pictures will “aim to create the kind of stories that inspired the Duffers growing up, stories that take place at that beautiful crossroads where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, where big spectacle co-exists with intimate character work, where heart wins out over cynicism.”
Upside Down Pictures will be run by Hilary Leavitt and produce film and television projects as part of the overall deal with Netflix.
The “Stranger Things” stage play will be set within the world and mythology of the record-breaking Netflix series and will be produced by prolific and multi-award-winning producers Sonia Friedman, Stephen Daldry, and Netflix. Daldry will also direct. 21 Laps serves as Associate Producer.
- 7/6/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to Stranger Things — there’s only one more season — you’re in luck. The Duffer Brothers have announced their new production company, Upside Down Pictures, for film and television projects as part of their overall deal with Netflix. Hilary Leavitt has been hired to run the company. Upside Down Pictures will “aim to create the kind of stories that inspired the Duffers growing up — stories that take place at that beautiful crossroads where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, where big spectacle co-exists with intimate character work, where heart wins out over cynicism.” The announcement includes the slate of projects in active development at Netflix. There are two Stranger Things projects: a new stage play set within its world and mythology, produced by Sonia Friedman, Stephen Daldry, and Netflix and with 21 Laps as associate producer, and a live-action spinoff series based on...
- 7/6/2022
- TV Insider
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