Rock Hudson News

Premier Digital Publishing has announced the publication of The Thanksgiving Dinner Platter (eISBN 978-1-62467-238-5, $4.99) and The Boy Who Spoke To God (eISBN 978-1-62467-237-8, $4.99) from award-winning children's author and illustrator, Randa Handler. In her latest works, Ms. Handler crosses cultural boundaries by taking a multi-cultural approach to understanding gratitude as well as a higher power.

When he died in 1955 at the age of 24 in a car crash, James Dean was mourned by millions of fans throughout the world. Despite only making three films – all of them for Warner Bros. – Dean became one of Hollywood's most spectacular stars

In the 1960s in Hidden Hills, California, a handsome real estate agent is in a secret relationship with his male business partner in a context where being gay is the norm and straight is the minority. Not to mention they are Caucasian in a town where that is not the norm. On Friday, November 1, at 7:30 p.m., the Northeast Film Premiere of the comedy Hidden Hills, a comedy, starring Ted Trent and Tim O'Leary, will take place at The Ridgefield Playhouse, tackling the issues of race, sexuality, aging and weight while flipping the world upside down in a 72-minute feature film that mimics the classic styling of Rock Hudson and Doris Day movies. Up-and-coming Hollywood talent are featured in this innovative film event including Joy Sudduth (Criminal Minds), Wendy Shapero (Robot Chicken) and Chris Fennessy (Zoey 101) with a performance of an original song by Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go's. The movie was written and directed by Dan Steadman (Red Lodge) whose first project Jesus People: The Movie is to be released in early 2014 and will feature Wendi McLendon-Covey (Bridesmaids) and Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer (The Help). A post-screening Q&A with actor Tim O'Leary and his sister comedienne Christine O'Leary will allow audience members to learn more about how the film came to be. This event is underwritten by Cohen and Wolf, P.C. and The Ridgefield Press with media sponsor WSHU Public Radio Group.

Two one-of-a-kind film events are coming to The Ridgefield Playhouse beginning Friday, November 1, at 7:30 p.m. with Hidden Hills?starring Ted Trent and Tim O'Leary, in a Northeast Film Premiere. This is a comedy that turns social conventions on their heads, i.e. being overweight is ideal and being gay is the norm. A post-screening Q&A with actor Tim O'Leary and his sister comedienne Christine O'Leary will allow audience members to learn more about how the film came to be. Then on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m., Casting By, a Ridgefield Playhouse Documentary Film Series event, will shine the spotlight on the casting director and profile the last 50 years of Hollywood history where the old studio system was forsaken and the New Hollywood ushered in movies like Midnight Cowboy, The Graduate and Bonnie and Clyde. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with?Director Tom Donahue, Executive Producer?John Balis, Producer?Ilan Arboleda, Casting DirectorGretchen Rennell and Film Editor Jill Schweitzer.

On November 5, Warner Home Video will debut East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant (a George Stevens production), remastered Blu-ray as the James Dean Ultimate Collector's Edition

JUNE REIMER SPRINGER, of New York City, died peacefully on September 27, 2013 in Chico, CA at the age of 85.

Amas Musical Theatre has announced the first two shows of its 45th Season! The Amas Lab series begins in September with two new musicals: notes to MariAnne and Cookin'! Both shows take place during America's heady post-World War II years, but couldn't be more different.

The American Century Theater launches its 18th season to laughter with the Neil Simon comedy, Come Blow Your Horn, directed by Rip Claassen, opening tonight, September 12 and running through October 12 at Gunston Arts Center's Theatre Two in Arlington.

Howard Hawks, the quintessential Hollywood director known for his mastery of many genres, will be the subject of a complete retrospective at Museum of the Moving Image from today, September 7 through November 10, 2013. The Museum will present 39 features. All of the films will be shown in 35mm-many in stunning restorations-except for Red Line 7000, which will be shown in 16mm.

A lineup of top entertainers including, Julie Andrews, Lucie Arnaz, Tony Bennett, Tim Conway, Tina Fey, Rashida Jones, Vicki Lawrence, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short, Rosemary Watson and others will salute Carol Burnett at the 16th Annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. The evening will pay tribute the humor and accomplishments of Carol Burnett, and will be taped by WETA Washington, D.C. as Carol Burnett: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize. The program will air on PBS stations nationwide November 24, 2013 (check local listings). Artists are subject to change.

Amas Musical Theatre has announced the first two shows of its 45th Season! The Amas Lab series begins in September with two new musicals: notes to MariAnne and Cookin'! Both shows take place during America's heady post-World War II years, but couldn't be more different.

Howard Hawks, the quintessential Hollywood director known for his mastery of many genres, will be the subject of a complete retrospective at Museum of the Moving Image from September 7 through November 10, 2013. The Museum will present 39 features. All of the films will be shown in 35mm-many in stunning restorations-except for Red Line 7000, which will be shown in 16mm.

The American Century Theater launches its 18th season to laughter with the Neil Simon comedy, Come Blow Your Horn, directed by Rip Claassen, opening Thursday, September 12 and running through October 12 at Gunston Arts Center's Theatre Two in Arlington.

Bay Street Theatre presents the final production of the 2013 Mainstage Season with A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, beginning August 6 and running through September 1. The show stars Peter Scolari with Conrad John Schuck and Jackie Hoffman. The book is by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim; music direction by Ethyl Will; and directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge.

When he died in 1955 at the age of 24 in a car crash, James Dean was mourned by millions of fans throughout the world. Despite only making three films – all of them for Warner Bros. – Dean became one of Hollywood's most spectacular stars

Bay Street Theatre presents the final production of the 2013 Mainstage Season with A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, beginning tonight, August 6 and running through September 1. The show stars Peter Scolari with Conrad John Schuck and Jackie Hoffman. The book is by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim; music direction by Ethyl Will; and directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge.

The 2013 Pageant of the Masters, a celebration of art in tableaux vivants is honoring eighty years of 'living pictures' at the Festival of Arts, with 'The Big Picture.' It's a theme with a dual purpose: 1) contemplating the relationships between masterpieces of art and the movies they've inspired, and 2) taking a light-hearted look at the Pageant's own history. According to Pageant director Diane Challis Davy, while the resulting production will have an abundance of classical artworks, it will also feature opportunities for theatrical fun and special effects.

Bay Street Theatre presents the final production of the 2013 Mainstage Season with A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, beginning August 6 and running through September 1. The show stars Peter Scolari with Conrad John Schuck and Jackie Hoffman. The book is by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim; music direction by Ethyl Will; and directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge.

Today we are talking to a spectacularly talented composer/lyricist noted for his incredibly impressive and accomplished oeuvre thus far, having collectively composed more than twenty full-length musicals, operas and specialty performance pieces - Michael John LaChiusa. Discussing his vast array of projects from BUZZSAW BERKELEY to FIRST LADY SUITE, HELLO AGAIN and THE PETRIFIED PRINCE Off-Broadway through to his double-header in the 1999-2000 millennial season with MARIE CHRISTINE and THE WILD PARTY both on Broadway to his Off-Broadway, regional and international successes since, ranging from LITTLE FISH to another two-show-season in 2006 with BERNARDA ALBA and SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE as well as THE HIGHEST YELLOW and the recent Americana-themed epic musical pseudo-trilogy of LOS otros, QUEEN OF THE MIST and GIANT. Additionally, LaChiusa touches upon some of his lesser-known work, such as his musical revue HOTEL C'EST L'AMOUR, various operatic pieces, additional material he provided for pieces such as THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS and his previous and upcoming solo musicals for continuing collaborator Audra McDonald, such as SEND (who are you? i love you) and MARLENE DIETRICH'S ABCs OF LOVE. Most importantly, LaChiusa takes us behind the scenes of the sparkling new deluxe cast album for GIANT, starring Brian D'Arcy James, and discusses the themes, ideas and adaptation of the Edna Ferber novel itself in a fascinating and revealing analysis of the vast, enveloping and vivid score he has composed for GIANT. Also, LaChiusa offers the 411 on this year's Tony Awards specialty song composed for host Neil Patrick Harris and some starry cohorts (Megan Hilty, Laura Benanti and Andrew Rannells), as well as previous Tony show one-offs penned for Hugh Jackman and others. Plus, LaChiusa clues us in on his upcoming projects - including FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE - and much, much more in this career-spanning conversations with one of modern musical theatre's most daring and prolific artists.

Let's see what the critics had to say...