Today we are talking to a multi-talented creative force who has had a hand in crafting a wide range of memorable and vivid characters over the course of his career as both a screenwriter and a director - the earnest and energetic Richard LaGravenese. Detailing the finer points of his forthcoming stage-to-screen iteration of Jason Robert Brown's beloved cult musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan, LaGravenese traces the development of the project from his earliest inspiration through to the final finished film, now awaiting distribution. Additionally, LaGravenese opens up about the casting process and reformatting of the piece for the cinematic medium, as well as previews some of the standout moments we can anticipate when the film is finally released - musical, dramatic, stylistic and otherwise. Besides all about THE LAST FIVE YEARS, LaGravenese also discusses his screenplay for the recent rapturously-received HBO Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra and reacts to its international success, as well as shares thoughts on the cast and the script as it was realized on film by director Steven Soderbergh. Plus, LaGravenese offers us the exclusive 411 on his upcoming currently untitled CW TV series, directed by Taylor Hackford, and sheds some light on his contributions to Angelina Jole's new film UNBROKEN, as well as previews his forthcoming WE TV project coming up later this year, too. All of that, a look back at P.S. I LOVE YOU and more in this expansive conversation with a noted modern entertainment master.
Liberace News
Musical Theatre West presents the third production of their 61st season, the West Coast Premiere of S'WONDERFUL: The New Gershwin Musical, created and directed by Ray Roderick, musicaldirection by Bret Simmons with choreography by Charlie Williams. S'WONDERFUL will preview on Friday, April 4, open on Saturday, April 5 and perform for three weeks only through Sunday, April 20 at The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center, located at 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach on the campus of California State University, Long Beach.
Tony Award-winning Rupert Holmes will headline the second annual master class benefit event for the New York-based non-profit theatre company New York Theatre Barn called A Conversation with Rupert Holmes: From Platinum Piña Coladas to Tony-winning Playwright on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 2pm at the SVA Theatre in New York City. All proceeds will support New York Theatre Barn's convention-defying process for new musical development and its ongoing operations. This event follows on the heels of 2013's sold-out benefit event starring living legend Barry Manilow, and will be hosted by The New York Post theater columnist Michael Riedel.
As the result of her recent successful debut at the Metropolitan Room, singer Peggy King has added a revised new schedule. She will do a special St. Patrick's Weekend show this Sunday, March 16 at 12 Noon and then return on Wed., April 9 at 7 PM and Tuesday, April 29 at 7 PM, accompanied by Andy Kahn on piano. One of the best-loved stars of TV's Golden Age, as well as stage, screen and nightclubs, Peggy continues her resurgence after nearly a 30-year absence. She was re-discovered last year in the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning HBO film 'Behind the Candelabra,' in which Michael Douglas and Matt Damon watch a lengthy 1955 video clip of the young Peggy King singing 'When Liberace Winks at Me,' with the real Liberace on piano. It also became a popular YouTube video and is included on the Elektra soundtrack album. 'Pretty, perky Peggy King' has worked in films and television with nearly every star imaginable, from Frank Sinatra and Mel Torme (with whom she co-starred on a 50's TV series) to Sammy Davis, Jr. and Andre Previn, and her dozens of recordings through the years show just why she remains a favorite of America's finest composers and lyricists.
Walnut Street Theatre has announced the 2014-2015 Independence Studio on 3 season. This 80 seat theatre gives Philadelphia audiences an intimate setting to experience World Premiere plays, delightful musicals and Walnut's National Touring productions before they leave town. With every seat just inches away from amazing theatrical talent, the Independence Studio on 3 stage is Philadelphia's premier space for theatre that's up-close and personal.
Yesterday Artistic Director Mark Clements announced Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2014/15 Season. 'Next season will offer strong stories that are substantive pieces of theater that are both enlightening and entertaining,' said Clements. 'The season includes two exciting world premieres, after all the terrible things I do and Five Presidents. We will also continue the tradition that I started upon my arrival by including a musical on our main stage - the first production in the Quadracci Powerhouse will be the award-winning musical, The Color Purple. Audiences responded so enthusiastically to last year's production of Ragtime, I believe they are in for another treat with The Color Purple.'
According to Deadline, FAST & FURIOUS' Lucas Black has signed on to join Scott Bakula in CBS's upcoming NCIS spin-off, which will air in a two-part episode this Spring. Gary Glasberg and Mark Harmon will serve as executive producers. Zoe McLellan also co-stars.
54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Andrea McArdle returns to 54 Below with an all new show that celebrates the power and magic of performing "that great role." Lovers and liars, heroes and villains, elegant ladies and outrageous broads, there is nothing that excites the imagination more than watching a classic character come to vivid life on stage. In DREAM ROLES, Andrea brings her soaring vocals to some of the theatre's greatest roles, the roles she's loved, the role's she's played and the roles she's always dreamed of performing. DREAM ROLES also showcases the dynamic melodies of Broadway musical masters, Sondheim, Herman, Strouse, and more. Join Andrea as she pulls back the curtain, and turns up the spotlight on her greatest theatrical inspirations…along with a few surprises, after all, it's all about DREAM ROLES this time!
Vocalist Peggy King, one of the best-loved stars of TV's Golden Age, as well as stage, screen and nightclubs, continues her resurgence after nearly a 30-year absence, with a series of performances at the Metropolitan Room, starting Sunday, Feb. 23 at 4 PM, just a few days after celebrating her 84th birthday. She will be accompanied by musical director Andy Kahn on piano. She was re-discovered last year in the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning HBO film 'Behind the Candelabra,' in which Michael Douglas and Matt Damon watch a lengthy 1955 video clip of Peggy King singing 'When Liberace Winks at Me,' accompanied by the real Liberace on piano. It also became a popular YouTube video and is included on the Elektra soundtrack album. 'Pretty, perky Peggy King' has worked in films and television with nearly every star imaginable, from Frank Sinatra and Mel Torme (with whom she co-starred on a 50's TV series) to Sammy Davis, Jr. and Andre Previn, and her dozens of recordings through the years show just why she remains a favorite of America's finest composers and lyricists.
Scott Bakula has signed on to star in the upcoming NCIS spin-off series on CBS.
SAG-AFTRA presented its coveted Actor® statuette for the outstanding motion picture and primetime television performances of 2013 at the "20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®" in ceremonies attended by film and television's leading actors, held Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. The "20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®" was simulcast live coast-to-coast by TNT and TBS at 8 p.m. (ET) / 5 p.m. (PT). A live stream of the SAG Awards® was also available for viewing online at sagawards.tntdrama.com and tbs.com, as well as through the Watch TBS and Watch TNT apps for iOS or Android. An encore presentation was telecast on TNT at 10 p.m. (ET)/7 p.m. (PT).
HBO received 2 Golden Globe Awards, tied for the most of any television network this year, at the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards, which were announced yesterday in Los Angeles.
The LVH - Las Vegas Hotel & Casino is excited to announce that its spectacular show, 'Raiding the Rock Vault,' has signed a long term agreement to continue through 2014.
Jay is an enormous fan of Broadway and all its denizens and has done many Broadway Cast Albums, but he has also worked with every great star of our time in every category of music.
In the summer of 2013, comedian Rory Scovel headed to Nashville, TN to record a stand-up comedy album at Jack White's world-renowned Third Man Records. The result being an 12” vinyl LP recording of the performance that will be available for the public next week. Rory Scovel Live At Third Man Records will be released on Tuesday, December 17th and is currently available for pre-order.
Asolo Repertory Theatre will open its 2013-2014 season with SHOW BOAT, based on the novel by Edna Ferber, music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. This winner of the 1994 Tony Award for best revival features a score of timeless classics, including 'Ol' Man River, 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man' and 'Make Believe.' Previews will be held tonight, November 12 - 14 and the show will run from November 15 - December 29. Opening night will be held on Friday, November 15 at 8pm.
Sasha Alexander, star of the TNT original drama 'Rizzoli & Isles,' and Clark Gregg, star of the ABC series 'Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,' revealed the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® nominations this morning, Wednesday, Dec. 11 at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood at 8:50 a.m. ET.
Ryan Landry and the Gold Dust Orphans mash-up GREY GARDENS, Mrs. Grinchley, and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE for a new holiday musical parody that is sure to earn its wings. Clever sets, delicious costumes, creative choreography, and new stars join the Orphans regulars to put on a show that is anything but horrible.
Vocalist Peggy King--one of the few, certifiable stars of stage, screen, television and nightclubs still performing today-is returning to New York City for the first time in several decades, along with the charismatically swinging All-Star Jazz Trio. Peggy King and The All-Stars will appear at 54 Below-"New York's Supper Club," 254 West 54th Street-on Monday, December 30. Showtime is 7:00 p.m. Tickets are priced from $25 to $35, and are available in advance via www.54below.com Reservation details:646-468-7619.
Julien's Auctions, the world's premiere music and entertainment memorabilia auction house, has announced a very rare opportunity to own Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia's Custom Travis Bean TB500 Electric Guitar at a two-day auction event featuring the best of rock royalty.
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