All About Us 2007 - Articles Page 29

Appearing in all three of Martin Scorsese's masterpieces - RAGING BULL, GOODFELLAS and CASINO - would surely suffice, at least for the artistic quotient of any resume, yet the suave and commanding presence of Frank Vincent as Tony Soprano's arch-nemesis Phil Leotardo on HBO's THE SOPRANOS may very well be his most beloved role to date. Yet, how to even choose? In addition to those four simply masterful entities, Mr. Vincent has also appeared in films for a wide array of highly notable directors, including: Spike Lee on DO THE RIGHT THING and JUNGLE FEVER; Brian DePalma on WISE GUYS; James Mangold on COP LAND; and the recently deceased Sidney Lumet on the 1996 crime thriller NIGHT FALLS ON MANHATTAN. In addition to a thorough discussion of his past roles, new and old - plus, what it was like to act as acting coach to Nas, Method Man and DMX on Hype Williams's BELLY - we also get down to brass nuts and bolts about his riveting new crime thriller CHICAGO OVERCOAT, available this week. In OVERCOAT, Mr. Vincent portrays perhaps his most rich and complex character to date and his powerful performance is something to cherish, cheer - and, surely, cower at; in fear. After all, who does badass boss better than Mr. Vincent? As it turns out, he's also a hell of a nice guy, to boot! Now, to quote Billy Batts in GOODFELLAS, 'Go home and get your shine box!' but, first enjoy his colorful comments!

Guided by extensive research into what today's daytime viewers want and the changing viewing patterns of the audience, ABC is evolving the face of daytime television with the launch of two new shows, 'The Chew,' which will premiere in September 2011, and 'The Revolution' (working title), which will premiere in January 2012. These new shows expand ABC Daytime's focus to include more programming that is informative and authentic and centers on transformation, food and lifestyle - cornerstones of programming that resonates with daytime viewers as evidenced by the success of 'The View.'

Ms. Howard shares with me all about the filming of the highly anticipated conclusion of the TWILIGHT series, TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN Parts 1 & 2 in which she plays a central role: that of Siobahn, an ancient Irish vampire. William Finn, Dan Fogler, Bill Condon, Michael Sheen, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and stories about working with many more of her exciting co-stars and collaborators await in this comprehensive conversation.

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell Bernard, Trustee) in association with the York Theatre (James Morgan, Artistic Director) is pleased to present an invitation-only showcase presentation entitled An Afternoon with Doug Cohen featuring the words and music of the 2010 Fred Ebb Award Winner. Featured in the presentation will be Heidi Blickenstaff, Bradley Dean, Tovah Feldshuh, Jackie Hoffman, Lauren Kennedy, Jeff McCarthy, Lindsay Roberts, Lance Rubin, Howie Michael Smith and Barbara Walsh.

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell Bernard, Trustee) in association with the York Theatre (James Morgan, Artistic Director) is pleased to present an invitation-only showcase presentation entitled An Afternoon with Doug Cohen featuring the words and music of the 2010 Fred Ebb Award Winner. Featured in the presentation will be Heidi Blickenstaff, Bradley Dean, Tovah Feldshuh, Jackie Hoffman, Lauren Kennedy, Jeff McCarthy, Lindsay Roberts, Lance Rubin, Howie Michael Smith and Barbara Walsh.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, which also houses the US Center of the International Theatre Institute (ITI-US), invites all theatres, individual artists, institutions and audiences to celebrate the 49th annual World Theatre Day on March 27, 2011.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, which also houses the US Center of the International Theatre Institute (ITI-US), invites all theatres, individual artists, institutions and audiences to celebrate the 49th annual World Theatre Day on March 27, 2011.

Neal Foster, the actor who plays the title character in the stage adaptation of David Almond's award-winning children's novel, Skellig, by The Birmingham Stage Company, relishes the challenge of becoming someone -- or is it something? -- who is as down-and-out as he is enigmatic.

Act II Playhouse continues its 2010-2011 season with the first American production of The Pride of Parnell Street (March 22-April 13) by renowned Irish playwright Sebastian Barry.

Florida Studio Theatre launched a special online discussion about the new play Race and the issues that arise in David Mamet's most recent work, now playing on the Keating stage. This online forum is in conjunction with the panel discussion that was held last Friday, February 4 with community leaders about race in our society. The online discussion can be found at http://RACEatFST.wordpress.com.

Contrast that with the loving attention to the stamps. Playwright Rebeck tells us all about the stamps, educates us, in fact, as the play goes on. And the pinnacle of the play, as a dramatic experience, is the moment Sterling gets to see them, after an enormous buildup. The payoff is worth it. Sterling gasps, staggers, a tough man momentarily reduced to helpless wonderment. To like effect is the moment shortly afterwards where the suitcase full of money intended to buy the stamps is unzipped; the bundles of cash literally glow, and Jackie hovers above them, almost inhaling the smell of the money. These objects, then, are presented with so much elaboration that the chiaroscuro handling of the characters is all the more puzzling.

Andy Donald, current Associate Artistic Director of Naked Angels since April 2009, will assume the role of Artistic Director of the company in July of 2011, succeeding current Artistic Director Geoffrey Nauffts, who has held the position since September 2007.

Talking to the UK Telegraph, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber tells the paper that The Wizard of Oz, which opens in February 2011 in London (and already has a $13+ million dollar advance) will play America next, with talks underway to do a television casting show for Dorothy as he's done in the UK. Britain's loss could be America's gain, however. 'A couple of the networks in the US have wanted to build something around what I do on TV, and I think with Oz something is definitely going to happen there. The X Factor juggernaut is going to be huge there next year but other networks are looking for something to go against it. Once we've found a Dorothy in the US, my instinct is to open the show in Kansas [Dorothy's home].'

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell Bernard, Trustee) has announced that its 2010 donation to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will total $1 million dollars, marking the largest single donation in BC/EFA history. The foundation, which is funded by royalties from the late award-winning lyricist Fred Ebb's vast catalogue of work, makes an annual donation to BC/EFA.

About Face Theatre Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Executive Director Jason Held are pleased to announce the world premiere of FLOAT by AFT Artistic Associate Patricia Kane, directed by 500 Clown founder Leslie B. Danzig, with dramaturgy by Artistic Associate Jessica Thebus.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) welcomes Inspector Sands with the US premiere of HYSTERIA and IF THAT'S ALL THERE IS, created by Inspector Sands, with Associate Direction by Joseph Alford (HYSTERIA) and Lu Kemp (IF THAT'S ALL THERE IS). Running in rep at the 2010 Brits Off Broadway festival, HYSTERIA and IF THAT'S ALL THERE IS begin performances on Tuesday, December 7 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 2.

Perhaps one of the best family Christmas shows returns this season to NoHo Arts Center: Yo Ho Ho! A Pirate's Christmas. It was my choice for Best Family Show in 2007.What puts it on top? It's light, frothy and fun, but most urgently it encourages the audience to interact with the actors throughout. Interaction is foremost in getting kids' attention. The pirates trample through the aisles, swing on ropes from the audience to the stage and never let us forget that they are pirates ... and naughty. The kids love it, and most of the big kids as well! Kudos to James J. Mellon for a theatrical staging of such bravado.

With over twelve million hits on YouTube for their 'Twelve Days of Christmas' alone, the all-male a capella group Straight No Chaser has become something of a global phenomenon following their humble collegiate debut in 1996. As one of the founding members of the group, Walter Chase recently spoke with me about his passion for music, the trials and tribulations - and joys - of a capella singing, touring the world as part of a group, fame, as well as all about the dazzling brand new Straight No Chaser DVD/2-CD box set ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS, which will be released this week, featuring over thirty holiday tracks - and a few surprises, too! Also, you can catch Straight No Chaser live in concert on December 1 as part of the Live From T5 concert series.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) welcomes Inspector Sands with the US premiere of HYSTERIA and IF THAT'S ALL THERE IS, created by Inspector Sands, with Associate Direction by Joseph Alford (HYSTERIA) and Lu Kemp (IF THAT'S ALL THERE IS). Running in rep at the 2010 Brits Off Broadway festival, HYSTERIA and IF THAT'S ALL THERE IS begin performances on Tuesday, December 7 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 2.

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell Bernard, Trustee) in association with the Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) will present the sixth annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to Douglas J. Cohen.

About Face Theatre Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Executive Director Jason Held are pleased to announce the world premiere of FLOAT by AFT Artistic Associate Patricia Kane, directed by 500 Clown founder Leslie B. Danzig, with dramaturgy by Artistic Associate Jessica Thebus.

THE CORNELIA STREET CAFE has announced an exciting schedule of events for the month of November full of diverse musical styles for all kinds of musical tastes!

As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, legendary theater writer Joseph Stein passed away yesterday, October 24, 2010 at the age of 98 according to those who have recently worked with him. Stein leaves behind the musicals Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba, and Mr. Wonderful, to name a few.

Legendary theater writer Joseph Stein passed away yesterday, October 24, 2010 at the age of 98. Stein leaves behind the musicals Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba, and Mr. Wonderful, to name a few.

THE CORNELIA STREET CAFE has announced an exciting schedule of events for the month of November full of diverse musical styles for all kinds of musical tastes!