Friday, July 27, 2012

Media Morsels 7.27.12

The Newsroom
We're half way through the inaugural season of The Newsroom - what do you think of the show thus far? "Amen" allowed Dev Patel's Neal to shine, and provided an interesting example of how traditional media and new media are working together. Below, catch a glimpse at next week's episode, "Bullies," which has shades of "Night Five" and "The Black Vera Wang" all over it!



Bonuses:

Election Update: Debates
The timing and format of the upcoming presidential debates have been announced. There will be a total of three debates, all in October and all lasting 90 minutes. First up will be the October 3 debate at the University of Denver; this will have six 15-minute segments, with different topics being debated during each segment. Topics will be announced in advance. The second debate will take place at Hofstra University on October 16 and will take on a town hall format, with undecided, Gallup Organization-selected voters asking questions about foreign and domestic policy. The third and final debate will cover foreign policy, and brings President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney to Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL. Find more details about the debate on The Wrap. 

And remember, decisions are made by people who show up! So educate yourselves about the issues, pay attention and show up and make your voice heard on Election Day (November 6). Visit Rock the Vote for election season info, including how to register to vote and find your polling place.


Bachelorette
Leslye Headland (Assistance) has adapted her acerbic, sharp and keenly observed play Bachelorette for the big screen, and the first trailer is now out. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan and Isla Fisher as bridesmaids gone bad, Bachelorette is part of Headland's serires of seven deadly sins plays, with Bachelorette representing gluttony. Watch the trailer below and then mark you calendar for September 7.



Downton Abbey Scoop
After the Television Critics Association press tour last week, E! Online is reporting lots of Downton Abbey scoop. The show (which received 16 Emmy nominations last week) will return to PBS for its third season on January 6, 2013. In addition to meeting Lady Cora's mother, played by Shirley MacLaine, and having her presence really shake things up, on season three we can expect to see Lady Sybil and her Irish lad Branson back on the Downton compound and (perish the thought) a rocky road for Lady Mary and Matthew. Get all the details at E! Online.

TV Line is reporting that Dan Harmon, who created Community and was the chief mastermind behind the incomparably funny show, is about to seal a deal with Fox for a new, multi-camera series. (I'm surprised he doesn't have some sort of non-compete clause in his contract.) You might remember that Harmon was rudely ousted from Community and new show runners are being brought in for the show's final season. Who knows if Community will have that same, zesty bite without Harmon, but I can tell you I will definitely watch whatever he does next.

Gangster Squad Gets Moved
Warner Bros. is pushing back the release of Gangster Squad in order to accommodate reshoots. The Ryan Gosling-led film, which also stars Emma Stone, Sean Penn and Josh Brolin, focuses on the LAPD's efforts to combat the Mafia in the 40s and 50s, and includes a scene (seen in the first trailer) in which the characters shoot through a movie screen and open fire on the audience. The trailer was pulled immediately after the tragedy in Aurora, CO, and now execs are figuring out how to rewrite the movie out of respect for the victims. Originally scheduled for release on September 7, the reworked film will be released on January 11, 2013. The Hollywood Reporter has details.

Ghost: The Musical
Word came this week that Ghost: The Musical will close on August 18. The show is a technical triumph, featuring some of the most dazzling effects seen in a Broadway house. On the night the closing notice was posted, I attended a post-show talk back with the cast and the stage manager; all were in great spirits. Caissie Levy, who plays Molly, said that she and the rest of the cast and crew are really proud of what they've done and that they are all looking forward to cherishing the next month. When Ghost closes, it won't be totally gone: the show is launching a national tour next year. Playbill has details.

In other Ghost news, Levy shared with Broadway.com her current obsessions, like Bob Dylan, The Perks of Being a Wallflower and lower case letters!

2012-2013 Theatre Season Update
  • Bebe Neuwirth will return to the New York stage this fall in Terrence McNally's Golden Age. The Manhattan Theatre Club production will be directed by Walter Bobbie (Venus in Fur). Previews begin November 13. MTC subscriptions are currently available; single tickets go on sale on October 1. Visit manhattantheatreclub.com for more information.

  • Comedian and sometimes Daily Show correspondent Lewis Black will bring his new show, Running on Empty, to Broadway for a week-long stop on his tour. The show will play the Richard Rogers Theatre from October 9 through 14. Playbill has details.

  • Speaking of Daily Show correspondents, Aasif Mandvi will appear off-Broadway in Ayad Akhtar's Disgraced. The limited engagement play will run through November 18 at Lincoln Center's newly opened Claire Tow Theatre; previews begin October 7, with opening night set for October 22. Broadway.com has details.

  • The Fonz Henry Winkler, Cheyenne Jackson (Finian's Rainbow), Ari Gaynor (Trust) and Daniel Breaker (By the Way, Meet Vera Stark) are among the cast members of The Performers, a new play by Dream of the Burning Boy playwright David West Read. The new play is coming to Broadway's Longacre Theatre this fall, with previews beginning October 23 and opening night set for November 14. The play concerns high school friends who reconnect at the Adult Film Awards. Yep. Wonder what the matinee crowd will think of that! (Also, Jackson is on the Tony nominating committee; I wonder how his being in a show will affect his ability to see Tony-eligible shows.) Playbill has details.

     
  • Fresh off the successful opening on their new musical Dogfight, composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul will bring A Christmas Story, The Musical! to Broadway for a limited holiday season engagement. Previews begin November 5 in advance of a November 19 opening, and will run at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre through December 30. Broadwayworld.com has details.
Dig This
  • My favorite headline of the week, courtesy of Rolling Stone: "Snoop Dogg to Release Reggae Album as Snoop Lion."

  • Tickets are now on sale for If There is I Haven't Found it Yet, a new off-Broadway play that will see Jake Gyllenhaal make is New York stage debut. (See "meet the press" photos)

  • From Modern Family to litigious family, the adult actors on the hit show are suing the show's production company over a contract dispute. Rolling Stone has details. 

  • Steven Van Zandt spoke with Rolling Stone about life on the road with The Boss and the possibility of a new album in 2013. 

  • American Idiot is hitting the road again, this time on an international tour. The cast was just announced and Playbill has the details.

  • Good news: Jeopardy host Alex Trebek has begun taping the 29th season of the beloved quiz show. He is doing well after his mild heart attack, according to a posting from Jeopardy's official Facebook page, and the new season will begin airing on September 17. 
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Friday, July 20, 2012

Media Morsels 7.20.12

The Newsroom
"I'll Try to Fix You" was so "Let Bartlet Be Barlet" - the episode starts slow, seems innocuous but steadily builds to this thrilling finish during which the collective finds its voice, becoming something truly inspirational. Absolutely brilliant. Broadway.com once again recaps what happened this week, offering some choice quotes. (Although, they left out my favorite of the night: Don (to Reese, in re: "calling" Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords): "She's a person. A doctor pronounces her dead, not the news.") And now, here's a look at what you can expect on the next episode, "Amen":



Bonus Newsroom goodies: 
  • John Gallagher, Jr., talks to Canadian magazine Filler about working on the show and the differences between stage and screen.
  • Jeff Daniels took part in an HBO Connect Q & A, answering fans' questions about the show and his career. Takeaways include: (1)When speaking about learning lines, "Aaron [Sorkin] once observed The Newsroom set resembles a psych ward; actors pacing around talking to themselves. Guilty as charged." and (2) His admiration for John Gallagher, Jr.: "He's a very talented musician. I can't wait for somebody to record him." Neither can I, Mr. Daniels! View the entire archived conversation on HBO Connect.
  • I'm not quite sure what to make of this, but apparently The Newsroom is making changes to its writers room. EW shares differing reports.

Green Day
This week, Rolling Stone brought us a sneak "listen" of the first single from Green Day's upcoming triple album, Uno! Dos! Tres! The first disc will be released on September 25, with the second arriving on November 13 and the third on January 15th. If this first song, "Oh Love," is any indication, these are going to be great albums. I love the tight, dirty opening groove. What do you think?



Seth MacFarlane on Larry King Now
Dear readers, did you know that Larry King now has a nightly show on Hulu? He does, it's called Larry King Now, and his first guest was Family Guy and Ted mastermind Seth MacFarlane. Check out the inaugural episode below, in which MacFarlane talks about funny vs. offensive, teaches King to draw Stewie, and shares the joke his mother told that made him blush. (Catch more of Larry King Now on Hulu. (And a tip from me to you: choose the option to watch a full length commercial before the program and then get to watch the show without commercial interruptions. It's much more pleasant.))



Aaron Tveit Talks Les Miz
Broadway.com recently caught up with Broadway favorite Aaron Tveit (Catch Me if You Can). The immensely talented Tveit has finished shooting the screen musical adaptation of Les Miserables, in which he plays Enjolras. As Broadway.com reports, Tveit said the process was "incredible, challenging, amazing. ...[The movie] is gonna be fantastic." Um, obviously. Aaron Tveit is singing. That's always fantastic! Les Miz opens on December 14.

Dogfight
The incredible new American musical Dogfight opened this week at Second Stage Theatre. (I saw an early preview.) Herein, opening night coverage:


Broadway Barks
Speaking of dogs, on July 14, Broadway stars gathered in support of Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters's venerable Broadway Barks, a pet adoption event. You can learn more about Broadway Barks (including how to adopt a dog or cat of your own) on the program's official website. And you can seen lots of great photos of your favorite Broadway stars cuddling with adorable puppies (to wit: at right, Steve Kazee with a puppy!) by following these links:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Sets the Record Straight
The talented Hit RECord founder (oh, and accomplished actor!) posted on Facebook (and Tumblr) regarding the new GQ article now on newsstands. JGL thanked the magazine for putting him on the cover, but says "I’m writing this because I have a problem with what their article says about my brother. I’ll be honest, it really made me feel terrible. Here’s a quote: ‘…the elder Gordon-Levitt died of an alleged drug overdose in 2010. “It was an accident” is all Joe will say about that.’ Using the word 'alleged' technically allows the writer to say whatever she wants. The 'allegations' to which she must be referring were made by a handful of gossip websites. They are factually incorrect according to the coroner’s office and the police department. I don’t like publicly speaking about my brother’s death, but I’m making an exception to correct this irresponsible claim. By the way, while I asked the writer not to dwell on how he died, I did say quite a bit about how he lived, and how much he means to me. Dan was a brightly positive, genuinely caring, and brilliantly inspiring person, and I liked the idea of such a wide readership learning about him. My parents and I are disappointed with what the article chose to focus on regarding this sensitive subject." Bravo to JGL for handling this situation with such grace and shame on GQ for so grossly misrepresenting the actor's brother.

2012-2013 Theatre Season Update
  • When David Mamet's Glenngarry Glen Ross returns to Broadway this fall, previously announced cast members Al Pacino and Bobby Cannavale will be joined by Toby Zeigler Richard Schiff (making his Broadway debut), Clyourne Park's Jeremy Shamos and The Newsroom's David Harbour. This is shaping up to be an amazing cast. Too bad it's in a David Mamet play. Theater Mania has details.
  • Theresa Rebeck (Seminar, Smash) will bring her new play, Dead Accounts to the Music Box Theatre this fall, and the play will star Katie Holmes, who returns to Broadway after a successful 2008 debut in All My Sons. Playbill has details.
  • The Olivier-winning production of Matilda the Musical is coming to Broadway in the spring. Previews at the Shubert Theatre will begin on March 4, 2013, with opening night set for April 11. Based on the Roald Dahl book, Matilda's book is wrtten by Dennis Kelly, has a score by Tim Minchin and is directed by one of my favorites, Matthew Warchus (currently represented on the boards by Ghost and also known for The Norman Conquests and La Bete). Visit Playbill for details.
  • Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson is a new musical coming to Broadway this fall. (It also has possibly the worst title.) Telling the story evangelist McPherson, the musical is written by Kathie Lee Gifford (yes, really) and composers David Friedman and David Pomeranz. Scandalous will play at the Neil Simon Theatre. Previews begin October 13 and opening night is scheduled for November 15. Playbill has details.

Sound City
You may recall that Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl is directing and producing a documentary about the legendary Sound City recording studio in Van Nuys, California. This week, Rolling Stone brought us a sneak peek at the film in the form of a clip that includes soundbites from Tom Petty, Trent Reznor, Wasting Light producer Butch Vig and others. As Grohl himself describes it, "Sound City is a film about America's greatest unsung recording studio." Anytime expert musicians and craftsmen talk about music, it's a beautiful thing.



Dig This
  • Emmy nominations were announced yesterday. Here's my take on this year's nominees. (And here, some interesting tidbits about the nominations, courtesy of Vulture.)
  • CBS announced the fall premiere dates for its shows, including The Good Wife (Sunday, September 30) and How I Met Your Mother (Monday, September 24). E! Online has the full schedule. (By the way, it looks like HIMYM will be back for a ninth season. The season beginning on the 24th will be its eighth.)
  • Nina Arianda (Venus in Fur) spoke to Broadway.com about taking on Janis Joplin in the upcoming biopic.
  • Not exactly diggable but news nonetheless: Porgy and Bess will conclude its Broadway run on September 23. Playbill has details.
  • Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine, The Miracle Worker) will play along side Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts in the upcoming screen adaptation of Tracy Letts's August: Osage County. Playbill has details. 
  • Do you love Veep and In the Loop? (Yes? You have good taste!) You're in luck because the man behind the hilarious TV show and film is bringing his BBC show, The Thick of It, to Hulu. Visit The Wrap for details.
  • Meet Broadway's new Annie and Sandy.
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Thursday, July 19, 2012

2012 Emmy Nominations

The 64th Primetime Emmy Award nominations have been announced! Without any further ado, here are the nominees in select categories. (For the full list, visit the Emmy Award website.):

COMEDY

Outstanding Comedy Series
  • The Big Bang Theory
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm
  • Girls
  • Modern Family
  • 30 Rock
  • Veep
Though I can't say I'm surprised, I am disappointed that Community and Wilfred are not nominated. We all expected Girls to be recognized in its debut season and it was, but maybe somewhat unexpected though certainly welcome is the nomination for Veep, which is one of the few shows that can make me laugh out loud.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
  • Lena Dunham, Girls
  • Melissa McCarthy, Mike and Molly
  • Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
  • Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
  • Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
  • Tina Fey, 30 Rock
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Women are funny! Anyone who tries to argue otherwise need only watch these gals do their thing. (Of course, I am referring mainly to Dunham, Falco, Poehler, Fey and Louis-Dreyfus; I've never watched Mike and Molly, and New Girl is awful.)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
  • Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
  • Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
  • Don Cheadle, House of Lies
  • Louis C. K., Louie
  • Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
  • Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Okay. Seriously, someone has to tell me exactly who watches Two and a Half Men and who thinks Jon Cryer is funny. And funnier than, say, Joel McHale, who absolutely deserves recognition for Community.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
  • Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory
  • Kathryn Joosten, Desperate Housewives
  • Julie Bowen, Modern Family
  • Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
  • Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie
  • Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Though I've never watched Desperate Housewives, I'm pleased that the late, great Kathryn Joosten (who excelled as Mrs. Landingham on The West Wing) received a nomination. Also, the understated Merritt Wever (currently so good downtown in Uncle Vanya) is totally deserving of her nomination.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
  • Ed O'Neill, Modern Family
  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
  • Ty Burrell, Modern Family
  • Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
  • Max Greenfield, New Girl
  • Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live
Last year, all the Modern Family men except Ed O'Neill were nominated; I'm glad they rectified that situation this year. And Bill Hader? Hell yes! He has been the MVP of SNL, in my opinion. Congratulations!

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
  • Dot-Marie Jones, Glee
  • Maya Rudolph, Saturday Night Live
  • Melissa McCarthy, Saturday Night Live
  • Elizabeth Banks, 30 Rock
  • Margaret Cho, 30 Rock
  • Kathy Bates, Two and a Half Men
I think it's hilarious that Margaret Cho, a woman, is nominated for playing Kim Jong-il, a man. Only in the wacky world of 30 Rock. Plus, way to go, Maya Rudolph. Girlfriend is one of the funniest ladies working today.

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
  • Michael J. Fox, Curb Your Enthusiasm
  • Greg Kinnear, Modern Family
  • Bobby Cannavale, Nurse Jackie
  • Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live
  • Will Arnett, 30 Rock
  • Jon Hamm, 30 Rock
Yay for stage veteran Bobby Cannavale!

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
  • Robert B. Weide, Curb Your Enthusiasm, "Palestinian Chicken"
  • Lena Dunham, Girls, "She Did"
  • Louis C.K., Louie, "Duckling"
  • Jason Winer, Modern Family, "Virgin Territory"
  • Steven Levitan, Modern Family, "Baby on Board"
  • Jake Kasdan, New Girl, "Pilot"
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
  • Chris McKenna, Community, "Remedial Chaos Theory" (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
  • Lena Dunham, Girls, "Pilot"
  • Louis C.K., Louie, "Pregnant"
  • Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation, "The Debate"
  • Michael Schur, Parks and Recreation, "Win, Lose or Draw"
DRAMA

Outstanding Drama Series
  • Boardwalk Empire
  • Breaking Bad
  • Downton Abbey
  • Game of Thrones
  • Homeland
  • Mad Men
I actually only watch two of these series, Boardwalk Empire and Downton Abbey, but knowing everyone else's feeling for the other shows (critics and fans alike), this is definitely a great, competitive category.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
  • Glenn Close, Damages
  • Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
  • Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
  • Kathy Bates, Harry's Law
  • Claire Danes, Homeland
  • Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Lady Mary Crawley is an Emmy nominee!

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
  • Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
  • Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
  • Michael C. Hall, Dexter
  • Hugh Bonneville, Downton Abbey
  • Damian Lewis, Homeland
  • Jon Hamm, Mad Men
The Earl of Grantham is an Emmy nominee! (Regardless, I think this race is between Steve Buscemi and Bryan Cranston.)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
  • Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
  • Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
  • Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey
  • Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
  • Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
  • Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
Obviously the Dowager Countess was nominated, but Anna, Mr. Bates's lover, too? Good job, Emmy nominators. (Also, good job on Archie Panjabi and Christine Baranski.)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
  • Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
  • Giancarlo Esposito, Breaking Bad
  • Brendan Coyle, Downton Abbey
  • Jim Carter, Downton Abbey
  • Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
  • Jared Harris, Mad Men
Free Bates! He's an Emmy nominee now! I'm super excited that Brendan Coyle (Mr. Bates) and Jim Carter (Mr. Carson) are nominees, but look for Peter Dinklage to become a repeat winner.

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
  • Martha Plimpton, The Good Wife
  • Loretta Devine, Grey's Anatomy
  • Jean Smart, Harry's Law
  • Julia Ormond, Mad Men
  • Joan Cusack, Shameless
  • Uma Thurman, Smash
Isn't it kind of ironic that the movie star who was brought in to star in Bombshell is the only actor from Smash to be nominated? Despite, let's say, Megan Hilty being AMAZING?

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
  • Mark Margolis, Breaking Bad
  • Dylan Baker, The Good Wife
  • Michael J. Fox, The Good Wife
  • Jeremy Davies, Justified
  • Ben Feldman, Mad Men
  • Jason Ritter, Parenthood
Pretty good slate. I'm surprised by Jason Ritter's nomination, though I think it's totally deserved. Michael J. Fox and Dylan Baker are both stellar on The Good Wife. (And this makes Fox a double nominee this year.)

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
  • Tim Van Patten, Boardwalk Empire, "To the Lost"
  • Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad, "Face Off"
  • Brian Percival, Downton Abbey, "Episode 7"
  • Michael Cuesta, Homeland, "Pilot"
  • Phil Abraham, Mad Men, "The Other Woman"
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
  • Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey, "Episode 7"
  • Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon and Gideon Raff, Homeland, "Pilot"
  • Semi Chellas and Matthew Weiner, Mad Men, "The Other Woman"
  • Andre Jacquemetton and Maria Jacquemetton, Mad Men, "Commissions and Fees"
  • Erin Levy and Matthew Weiner, Mad Men, "Far Away Places"
I'm a little disappointed that neither The Good Wife nor Boardwalk Empire received writing nominations.
Some additional notable nominations:
  • Sarah Paulson (Collected Stories, Martha Marcy May Marlene) is nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Game Change.

  • The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Real Time with Bill Maher and Saturday Night Live are nominated for Outstanding Variety Series.

  • Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett: Together Again is nominated for Outstanding Variety Special. If you haven't watched these two comedy legends kibbutz for 90 minutes, you haven't properly laughed. Log on to HBO Go to watch.

  • The broadcasts of the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Awards and Tony Awards are among the nominees for Outstanding Special Class Programs.

  • The writers of The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, Real Time with Bill Maher and Saturday Night Live are among the nominees for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.

  • Seth MacFarlane's American Dad! is nominated for Outstanding Animated Program, but Family Guy is not. I guess the Emmy nominators didn't care for the show's sardonic "for your consideration" promo, and let it be known in this category. However, MacFarlane's music special, Seth MacFarlane: Swingin' in Concert, did score a nomination for its music director, Bill Elliott, for Outstanding Music Direction.

  • Perennial Broadway gypsy Spencer Liff is nominated for Outstanding Choreography for his work on So You Think You Can Dance.

  • Boardwalk Empire and Downton Abbey are both nominees for Outstanding Costumes for a Series.

  • One of Downton Abbey's hairstylists, nominated for Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series, is officially listed as Anne "Nosh" Oldham. Nosh? I think I'm a little more in love with Downton Abbey than before.

  • Theatre favorite Marc Shaiman, along with Christian Bacon, is nominated for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) for Smash.

  • Speaking of Shaiman, he and Scott Wittman are among the nominees for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for "Let Me Be Your Star." Other nominees include Adam Schlesinger and David Javerbaum for "It's Not Just for Gays Anymore" from the 2011 Tony Awards, and Eli Brueggemann, Seth Meyers and John Mulaney for "I Can't Believe I'm Hosting" for the Jason Segel episode of Saturday Night Live.
So, to sum up: Modern Family leads the comedy pack with 14 nominations, while Mad Men (not Boardwalk Empire, as you might expect) holds the honor for drama series, with 17 nominations.

To find out who will go from Emmy nominee to Emmy winner, tune into ABC on Sunday, September 23, when Jimmy Kimmel hosts the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Bonus: Check out this nerd-heaven Facts and Figures sheet, which has tons of statistics about this year's slate of nominee and past winners. (For example, it includes a list of "Parents and Children Who Have Both Won Emmys." Amazing, right?)

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Monday, July 16, 2012

Dogfight

The best musical in New York isn’t on Broadway; it’s off-Broadway at the venerable Second Stage Theatre, the same company that helped develop Next to Normal. While Dogfight might not be as revelatory as that Pulitzer Prize and Tony winning masterpiece, it is very, very good. 

As in the obscure early 90s movie of the same name, Dogfight tells the story of three Marines on the night before they ship out for Vietnam. The world is a different place; it’s November 21, 1963, the day before President Kennedy was shot, and these Jarheads are looking for a little fun. They decide to have a dogfight, but it’s not the kind that got Michael Vick into trouble. In Marine parlance, a dogfight is a battle to see which Marine can score the ugliest date. In his search for a dog to bring to the fight, the leader of the pack Eddie Birdlace (Derek Klena) meets Rose Fenny (Lindsay Mendez), and discovers  that true connection and love is more than just what meets the eyes. 

With a book by Peter Duchan and music and lyrics by composing team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Dogfight is a terrific, solid new American musical. It also doesn’t hurt that it is directed by the (rightly) celebrated director and actor Joe Mantello (Other Desert Cities, as a director, and The Normal Heart, as an actor). (The evocative lighting design is by Paul Gallo and the multi-purpose set is by David Zinn.)

Pasek and Paul’s music works for the story and its time period. It is catchy and fresh. You can hear the duo’s influences, but the music is anything but derivative. They aren’t trying to be anyone else and they’re not copying anyone. Paul’s vocal arrangements and Michael Starobin’s orchestrations also add a powerful punch to the total score. 

The book is good, as well, showing off fine craft in the natural dialogue. And unlike some other screen-to-stage productions, this musical's book is not entirely lifted from the film. Yes, some of the movie's dialogue is used in the stage show, but there are plenty of Duchan's own words telling the story. As in the movie, a flashback is a framing device, with mixed results. By the end of the musical, you understand why they use the device, but its intrusion at the end of act one is more than unwelcome. (Note: I saw the show in early previews. The structure may have changed in the interim. There was no such middle of the movie intrusion.)

Speaking of the end of act one, let’s talk about the glorious “Isn’t it Funny.” This song closes the act and comes after the dogfight. And it’s absolutely devastating. It terrifically captures the way girls/women over analyze and justify things; the way we talk ourselves in and out of things; and how much of a female’s self-worth still comes from a man’s opinion of her - particularly of her looks. It is a much more powerful and poignant moment here than in the movie, and it's because of the song, 

Plus, the phenomenal Lindsay Mendez (Godspell) is singing the song so, you know, it’s out of this world! Mendez has created a character who is earnest and idealistic without being too naive. Mendez’s Rose is strong; she stands up for herself; and she is completely relatable. I was a little disappointed that Mendez didn’t get to show off her sassy belt voice, but her vocal chops are consummately incredible, and she did get to show off that.

None of Mendez’s cast mates shine quite as brightly as she does, but a couple come close. Annaleigh Ashford (Heathers) takes on a few characters, include a “dog for hire.” Her droll, dry delivery is a hoot. Nick Blaemire (Godspell) and Josh Segarra (Lysistrata Jones) do fine work as Marines Bernstein and Boland, with Blaemire bringing the immature goofiness (for most of the show) and Segarra bringing the aggressive male bravado. 

Derek Klena has a tough job in playing Birdlace. He’s likable for the first few minutes, but then he sets out on his quest to find a “dog” and it’s impossible to feel for him. Though he (predictably) tries, in act two, to make amends, I couldn’t help thinking it was too little, too late. (Although, Birdlace and Rose sing a song while en route to dinner that softened my grudge against the dodgy Marine.) Klena doesn’t really rise to the occasion. He’s not particularly charismatic and he’s not particularly powerful. He’s a bit milquetoast on stage. I suppose it could be said that this is a character choice - showing that he’s actually an underdog - but I just didn’t find him compelling. He has a great voice, though, and this being a musical, that definitely helps. (It's uncanny how much Derek Klena and Lindsay Mendez look like their film counterparts, River Phoenix and Lily Taylor. I'm wondering if Klena was cast mainly for his looks, seeing as his performance was forgettable.)

What Klena and the other Marines do successfully bring to light is the complex and disturbing psyche of the young people we send to war. They are young, immature and ill-trained. They are not nearly mentally prepared to fight in a war, to grasp the concept of killing people - possibly, though accidentally, civilians. Yet for all that, they display such bluster and a sickening sense of entitlement and superiority. It’s that kind of mentality that makes them think it’s okay to have a dogfight. Not knowing any Marines, I don’t know if this is an accurate portrayal of the culture, but these 1963 Marines aren’t so different from the early 90s ones portrayed in the excellent Jake Gyllenhaal film Jarhead, which looks exclusively at the psychological state of mind of Marines during the First Gulf War. Kudos to Duchan for bringing this to the story; the movie doesn't delve into the psychology of a Marine, and I think this deeper look at the Marines adds richness to the story.

While we're on the subject of the movie vs. the stage version, it's interesting to see where some of the songs or "underscoring" appears in the show as opposed to the film. For example, the movie and the show share the same ending, in terms of how the characters' journeys conclude, but the way the action plays out is different. In the show, they need a song to convey the emotional depth of what's happening, whereas in the film they just use close ups. You can't do "close ups" on stage, but you can sing a song, and it's mighty effective.

Without becoming too preachy or after-school-special on us, Dogfight nimbly tells Birdlace and Rose’s story, Marine entitlement and female image issues and all. It boasts an original and sophisticated score, a solid, smart book, and, best of all, the ready-to-break-out phenomenon that is Lindsay Mendez. I think Dogfight is going places; if I may be so bold, it is the next big sensation in musical theatre. So catch it now at Second Stage so you can say you’ve been a fan from the start.


For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Second Stage online.




Bonuses: Check out these production stills and this Vanity Fair profile of Pasek and Paul

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Friday, July 13, 2012

Media Morsels 7.13.12

I loved "The 112th Congress." This is classic Aaron Sorkin storytelling - jumping around in time to help move the story forward. (Think "The Midterms" or "The Stackhouse Filibuster," both from season two of The West Wing.) We got some lovely moments between the characters, met Jane Fonda's Leona Lansing and were reminded that Aaron Sorkin is a musical theatre scholar. (References included Gypsy, Little Shop of Horrors and Brigadoon) As is the new normal, Broadway.com has a rundown of favorite quotes from the episode, like this line uttered by John Gallagher, Jr.'s Jim: "I'm not going to 'get in there.' I'm not going to swoop in like she's a rent-controlled apartment." Another great thing about this episode: it was co-written by Gideon Yago, the cutie journalist you may remember from MTV's Idiot Savant and his IFC news program, The IFC Media Project. And now, here's a look at the next episode: (it's full of even more theatre vets, including Jeff Daniels's God of Carnage co-star, Hope Davis)


Bonus Newsroom coverage:

Dave Grohl and His Huge Drumsticks
The Foo Fighters frontman was recently honored in his hometown of Warren, Ohio. The town "unveiled gigantic 900-pound drumsticks to honor their native son [and] the massive pair have broken the Guinness World Record," reports Rolling Stone. The drumsticks are currently on display at the Warren Amphitheater and in September they'll be moved to Dave Grohl Alley. Watch the making of the record breaking sticks below:



Casting Update
Two big casting announcements this week:
  • Nina Arianda (who is a recent Tony winner for her worship-worthy performance in Venus in Fur) will play the legendary Janis Joplin in an upcoming biopic to be directed by Sean Durkin, who was at the helm of the eerie and interesting Martha Marcy May Marlene. According to the announcement on Deadline, the film "looks back at the final six months of the singer's life with flashbacks to her early career." In recent interviews Arianda gave while promoting Venus in Fur, she said she is interested in doing a musical and has the vocal chops to pull it off. I think this is brilliant casting. If there's one actress I trust to tackle the enigmatic Joplin, it's Arianda. Stay tuned for updates.

  • While Chris Cooper isn't above being silly on screen (to wit: his rapping scene in The Muppets), he will return to form when he appears in the film adaptation of Tracy Letts's August: Osage County. He joins previously announced Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts. Indie Wire has details.

2012-2013 Theatre Season Update
A couple of starry plays, one a New York premiere and one a revival, are heading to Broadway this fall, and this week brought updates regarding both plays:
  • Grace, the premiere, is written by Craig Lucas and stars Paul Rudd (How do You Know), Michael Shannon (Uncle Vanya, HBO's Boardwalk Empire) and Ed Asner. The limited engagement will run through December 16 at the Cort Theatre, with previews beginning September 13 in anticipation of an October 4 opening. Tickets are now available exclusively through an American Express pre-sale running through July 19. Visit graceonbroadway.com for more information.

  • The revival of The Heiress will begin previews at the Walter Kerr Theatre on the best day of the year, October 7. (That's my birthday, for those of you keeping score!) The play officially opens on November 1 and runs through February 10, 2013. The Heiress stars Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey), Jessica Chastain (The Help, Take Shelter) and David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck), and is directed by Moises Kaufman (The Laramie Project). To learn more about the Ruth and Augustus Goetz play, visit theheiressonbroadway.com.

Show People: Cheyenne Jackson
Hunky stage favorite Cheyenne Jackson talks to Broadway.com's Paul Wontorek about the secret to a long-lasting marriage, his new tattoos and which Broadway babe he'd like to have on his arm:


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Thursday, July 12, 2012

The Amazing Spider Man

Spidey is back, dear readers. Though it’s only been about five years since the last Tobey Maguire-led Spider-Man movie, Marvel comics has opted for a reboot. We now have the aptly named Marc Webb behind the camera and the impressive (and recent Tony-nominee) Andrew Garfield in the suit. 

The plot of this movie hews pretty closely to previous iterations: We meet the nerdy (and in this case, kind of angsty-emo) Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast in school. He visits Oscorp and is bitten by a radioactive spider, imbuing him with his spidey senses. He’s in love with a pretty girl, in this case it’s Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). One of his mentors (here it’s his absent father’s former colleague, Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans)) becomes a little overzealous with scientific experimentation. When Dr. Connors experiments on himself, it goes horribly wrong and Peter’s mentor becomes Spider-Man’s nemesis. 

I can’t report that this is particularly revelatory, although we do get a little more of Peter’s back story, like who his parents are and why he’s living with his Aunt May and Uncle Ben (Sally Field and President Bartlet Martin Sheen), which allows Webb and company to delve in Peter’s psyche here and, presumably, in the surely forthcoming sequels. Still, there are two things I really like about The Amazing Spider-Man: Spidey’s humanity and the on screen chemistry.

Establishing a difference, Garfield’s Spider-Man seems more human than Maguire’s. Not necessarily because of the performance, although Garfield’s is very good. (He has this wonderful, youthful glow about him that makes Peter entirely endearing.) Rather, we see physical evidence that Spidey is human. In The Amazing Spider-Man, when Spider-Man is in a fight and his opponent lands some punches, Peter has bruises on his face or slashes on his stomach once the mask and suit are removed. I don’t remember that being the case in the previous three films.

The best thing about this new franchise, however, is the chemistry between Garfield and Stone. The two of them banter and bat eyelashes like they’re in a classic Tracy-Hepburn screwball comedy. It’s simply delightful. Moreover, Gwen Stacy is so much more relatable than Mary Jane Watson ever was, making you care so much more when Spidey fights for his gal.

Did we really need another Spider-Man movie? Nope. But it’s fun and entertaining—so why not?
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Friday, July 6, 2012

Media Morsels 7.6.12

The Newsroom
First and foremost: The Newsroom has been picked up for a second season! Yay!!!!!!! And now, back to this season. What did you think of the second episode? I loved all the shades of Sports Night and the comedy of this episode. It definitely fits into Aaron Sorkin's description of this having ancestry in romantic screwball comedies. Plus, this episode featured the debuts of funny lady (and sometimes The Daily Show correspondent) Olivia Munn and the talented and appealing Chris Messina (Ira and Abbey). 

As promised, Broadway.com has a round up of their favorite moments of the episode, including this one: Reese (Messina) says to Will (Jeff Daniels), "Have you ever been at Sardi's on opening night of a Broadway show five minutes after word gets out that the Times panned it? They leave and they never come back." 

Next week, you'll have a chance to chat with John Gallagher, Jr! Head over to HBO Connect to learn more! 
Finally, here's a look at next week's episode, "The 112th Congress," which looks really good, and what we can expect in the next several episodes:



Peter and the Starcatcher
Here are some bits of starstuff (i.e., info about Peter and the Starcatcher):
  • Company member Greg Hildreth lets us join him, via photos, on a two-show day.
  • Christian Borle, who won a Tony for his performance in Starcatcher, took his final bow as Black Stache this past Saturday. He left the show to begin filming Smash's second season. Playbill and Broadwayworld.com have photos of his final curtain call, during which he handed over the stache (or rather, the coat) to his successor, Matthew Saldivar.
  • Welcome Matthew Saldivar as the new Black Stache.
  • Arnie Burton shares his five favorite things in his dressing room:



50 Unseen Movies
Entertainment Weekly brought us its list of the 50 Best Movies You've Never Seen. In my case, however, it's only 40 because I've seen ten of the movies on the list! While I can't say that all ten I have seen are worth a watch, this is a fun list to peruse. My favorites from the list? Safe Men (with Mark Ruffalo, Sam Rockwell and Game of Thrones' Peter Dinklage, among others), Happy Accidents (with Marisa Tomei) and Idiocracy (from Beavis and Buff-head creator Mike Judge and starring Luke Wilson). Which have you seen?

Bring It On
Today, via his Twitter account, Lin-Manuel Miranda shared the "B-roll" that's playing outside the St James theatre, the summer home to his new show, which he co-wrote with Tom Kitt (a genius), Amanda Green and Jeff Whitty. Find details about the show at its official website, bringitonmusical.com.



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