Exclusive: Lighthouse Management + Media has signed buzzy writer-director Laura Kosann for representation in all areas.
A fast-rising star, Kosann was a 2021 Academy Nicholl Fellow and has had three features on The Black List in the last two years.
Currently, she is scripting Sony’s English-language remake of Hi, Mom, the Chinese film from director Jia Ling which, before Barbie, was the highest-grossing pic helmed by a solo female director. Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch and Becky Sanderman will produce alongside Wenxin She (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood).
Previously, Kosann adapted the comic book Mercy Sparx for MGM, with The Picture Company producing. She’s rewriting the live-action musical Santa Is Real, which Stephen Chbosky (Dear Evan Hansen) is set to direct for Amazon and Shiny Penny Productions, and is also working on a horror project for a streamer that is currently under wraps. Additionally, her Black Listed sci-fi thriller script,...
A fast-rising star, Kosann was a 2021 Academy Nicholl Fellow and has had three features on The Black List in the last two years.
Currently, she is scripting Sony’s English-language remake of Hi, Mom, the Chinese film from director Jia Ling which, before Barbie, was the highest-grossing pic helmed by a solo female director. Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch and Becky Sanderman will produce alongside Wenxin She (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood).
Previously, Kosann adapted the comic book Mercy Sparx for MGM, with The Picture Company producing. She’s rewriting the live-action musical Santa Is Real, which Stephen Chbosky (Dear Evan Hansen) is set to direct for Amazon and Shiny Penny Productions, and is also working on a horror project for a streamer that is currently under wraps. Additionally, her Black Listed sci-fi thriller script,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Stephen Sondheim has almost never been more popular than in the two years since his passing in November 2021. In that time, celebrated revivals of “Company,” “Into the Woods,” and “Sweeney Todd” have come to Broadway, and successful remounting of “Assassins” and “Merrily We Roll Along” have played Off-Broadway, which is a testament to the enduring appeal of his works.
This fall will once again spotlight Sondheim. The tremendously successful Off-Broadway run of “Merrily” starring Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, and Daniel Radcliffe opens on Broadway on October 10, which will mark the first remounting since its original, unsuccessful run in 1981. In addition, his final musical “Here We Are,” which is based on two Luis Buñuel films—“The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie” and “The Exterminating Angel”—will have its highly-anticipated world premiere Off-Broadway, opening on October 22.
In honor of another “season of Sondheim,” take a look back at every single Tony...
This fall will once again spotlight Sondheim. The tremendously successful Off-Broadway run of “Merrily” starring Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, and Daniel Radcliffe opens on Broadway on October 10, which will mark the first remounting since its original, unsuccessful run in 1981. In addition, his final musical “Here We Are,” which is based on two Luis Buñuel films—“The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie” and “The Exterminating Angel”—will have its highly-anticipated world premiere Off-Broadway, opening on October 22.
In honor of another “season of Sondheim,” take a look back at every single Tony...
- 9/29/2023
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
Ariana DeBose just earned her first Oscar nomination for her electrifying performance as Anita in “West Side Story,” Steven Spielberg‘s adaptation of the classic musical. The actress is on the precipice of following in the footsteps of Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for playing Anita in the 1961 version.
DeBose spoke with Gold Derby editor Christopher Rosen in December about her “West Side Story” origin story, the process of working with Spielberg and her interactions with Moreno, who also has a role in the new version. Watch the exclusive interview above and read the complete transcript below.
SEEHow to watch ‘West Side Story’
Gold Derby: Ariana, I’d love to hear your “West Side Story” story. I’m sure you’ve had to tell it a lot, but when did you first see it, the original, and what were your thoughts? What were your experiences with that version?
Ariana DeBose: Oh my gosh.
DeBose spoke with Gold Derby editor Christopher Rosen in December about her “West Side Story” origin story, the process of working with Spielberg and her interactions with Moreno, who also has a role in the new version. Watch the exclusive interview above and read the complete transcript below.
SEEHow to watch ‘West Side Story’
Gold Derby: Ariana, I’d love to hear your “West Side Story” story. I’m sure you’ve had to tell it a lot, but when did you first see it, the original, and what were your thoughts? What were your experiences with that version?
Ariana DeBose: Oh my gosh.
- 2/22/2022
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
Ariana DeBose is one of the biggest breakout stars of this awards season thanks to her performance in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.” The actress has scored nominations left and right for the musical, and she’s hoping that the Screen Actors Guild Awards will mark her first televised victory.
DeBose is a first-time SAG Award nominee. After working in the theater world for years, she piqued audiences’ interests when she was featured as “The Bullet” in the Broadway sensation “Hamilton.” She followed up that performance by embodying disco icon Donna Summer in “Summer,” which led to a Tony nomination. Hollywood scooped her up thereafter, and DeBose showed off impressive vocals in “The Prom” before nabbing the coveted role of Anita in this “West Side Story” adaptation.
DeBose has plenty of opportunities in the film to showcase her range of talents. She leads one of the musical’s biggest crowd-pleasers,...
DeBose is a first-time SAG Award nominee. After working in the theater world for years, she piqued audiences’ interests when she was featured as “The Bullet” in the Broadway sensation “Hamilton.” She followed up that performance by embodying disco icon Donna Summer in “Summer,” which led to a Tony nomination. Hollywood scooped her up thereafter, and DeBose showed off impressive vocals in “The Prom” before nabbing the coveted role of Anita in this “West Side Story” adaptation.
DeBose has plenty of opportunities in the film to showcase her range of talents. She leads one of the musical’s biggest crowd-pleasers,...
- 2/17/2022
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Prolific Broadway star Ariana DeBose first encountered “West Side Story” when she was seven or eight years old, sitting in her grandmother’s living room. “I was totally enamored with the woman in the purple dress who was just dancing with this reckless abandon,” DeBose tells Gold Derby. “I so desperately wanted to do that because I think I came out of the womb dancing. I just loved it and I loved that she sort of looked like me. I guess it felt like it gave me permission to try and do things and move very freely.” Watch the exclusive video interview above.
Decades later, DeBose is now playing that “woman in the purple dress,” picking up the mantle from Oscar-winning legend Rita Moreno as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s fresh take on “West Side Story.” The actress, a Tony nominee for “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” who has also...
Decades later, DeBose is now playing that “woman in the purple dress,” picking up the mantle from Oscar-winning legend Rita Moreno as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s fresh take on “West Side Story.” The actress, a Tony nominee for “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” who has also...
- 12/6/2021
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Broadway has just reopened after shuttering on March 13, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To mark the return of the rialto, the 74th annual Tonys were handed out on Sunday, September 26 at the Winter Garden theater. This two-part ceremony, which will be hosted by six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald on Paramount+ and “Hamilton” star Leslie Odom, Jr. on CBS, comes almost one year after nominations were announced on October 15, 2020.
Two new musicals – “Jagged Little Pill” and “Moulin Rouge!” — lead the Tony Awards nominations with 15 and 14 bids respectively including Best Musical. A third tuner, “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical,” reaped a dozen bids as did the new drama “Slave Play.” While the nominees were decided by 48 theater professionals, the winners were voted on by 831 members of the Broadway community.
Below, the 2020 Tony Awards winners list in all 25 competitive categories.
See Broadway insiders dishing the 2020 Tony Awards nominations in our theater forum
Musicals...
Two new musicals – “Jagged Little Pill” and “Moulin Rouge!” — lead the Tony Awards nominations with 15 and 14 bids respectively including Best Musical. A third tuner, “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical,” reaped a dozen bids as did the new drama “Slave Play.” While the nominees were decided by 48 theater professionals, the winners were voted on by 831 members of the Broadway community.
Below, the 2020 Tony Awards winners list in all 25 competitive categories.
See Broadway insiders dishing the 2020 Tony Awards nominations in our theater forum
Musicals...
- 9/26/2021
- by Sam Eckmann and David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
Update, with additional cast Adrienne Warren will be joined by her original Broadway principal cast mates of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical when the show returns to the stage in October. Among the actors now confirmed to return are Tony Award nominee Daniel J. Watts as Ike Turner.
Producers announced the cast today.
When the musical reopens at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Friday, Oct. 8, the principal cast will include Warren, Watts, Dawnn Lewis as Zelma, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe as Tina Turner at some performances, Tony Award nominee Myra Lucretia Taylor as Gran Georgeanna and Jessica Rush as Rhonda.
Tina will also feature Juliet Benn, Steven Booth, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Gerald Caesar, Julius Chase, Ayla Ciccone-Burton, Holli’ Conway, Kayla Davion, Leandra Ellis-Gaston, Charlie Franklin, Judith Franklin, Matthew Griffin, Ari Groover, Sheldon Henry,...
Producers announced the cast today.
When the musical reopens at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Friday, Oct. 8, the principal cast will include Warren, Watts, Dawnn Lewis as Zelma, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe as Tina Turner at some performances, Tony Award nominee Myra Lucretia Taylor as Gran Georgeanna and Jessica Rush as Rhonda.
Tina will also feature Juliet Benn, Steven Booth, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Gerald Caesar, Julius Chase, Ayla Ciccone-Burton, Holli’ Conway, Kayla Davion, Leandra Ellis-Gaston, Charlie Franklin, Judith Franklin, Matthew Griffin, Ari Groover, Sheldon Henry,...
- 8/5/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Natalie Mendoza, a star of the BBC One drama series Hotel Babylon and The Descent horror film franchise, has been cast in the lead role of Broadway’s Moulin Rouge! The Musical, filling the vacancy left when the Tony-nominated Karen Olivo resigned in April over what she perceived as industry silence regarding the workplace harassment and abuse claims levied against theater producer Scott Rudin.
(Rudin had no involvement in Moulin Rouge!)
With the casting of Mendoza, announced today by producers Carmen Pavlovic and Bill Damaschke, the full Moulin Rouge! cast is in place for the resumption of performances on Friday, September 24, at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. The musical originally opened on July 25, 2019, but performances were suspended in March 2020 when Broadway went dark due to the Covid pandemic shutdown.
Mendoza joins a principal cast that also includes Aaron Tveit, Danny Burstein, Sahr Ngaujah, Tam Mutu, Ricky Rojas and Robyn Hurder.
The...
(Rudin had no involvement in Moulin Rouge!)
With the casting of Mendoza, announced today by producers Carmen Pavlovic and Bill Damaschke, the full Moulin Rouge! cast is in place for the resumption of performances on Friday, September 24, at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. The musical originally opened on July 25, 2019, but performances were suspended in March 2020 when Broadway went dark due to the Covid pandemic shutdown.
Mendoza joins a principal cast that also includes Aaron Tveit, Danny Burstein, Sahr Ngaujah, Tam Mutu, Ricky Rojas and Robyn Hurder.
The...
- 8/2/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Aaron Tveit and Karen Olivo in "Moulin Rouge: The Musical"
Here's a twist we didn't see coming: the long delayed Tony Awards will be on Paramount+ streaming service this September 26th at 7 Pm Est followed by a starry Broadway-celebrating concert on CBS (the usual home of the Tony Awards) at 9 Pm Est (both shows are two hours long). That's great timing since the shows begin to return on September 2nd (as previously discussed).
All of the awards but three will be handed out on the Paramount portion of the evening...
Here's a twist we didn't see coming: the long delayed Tony Awards will be on Paramount+ streaming service this September 26th at 7 Pm Est followed by a starry Broadway-celebrating concert on CBS (the usual home of the Tony Awards) at 9 Pm Est (both shows are two hours long). That's great timing since the shows begin to return on September 2nd (as previously discussed).
All of the awards but three will be handed out on the Paramount portion of the evening...
- 5/28/2021
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Multiple Tony nominee Moulin Rouge! The Musical will resume Broadway performances on Friday, September 24 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, producers announced today, but the successor to former (and Tony-nominated) lead actress Karen Olivo, who left the role in protest of Broadway’s silence over Scott Rudin, was not revealed.
Back on stage will be Aaron Tveit, Danny Burstein, Sahr Ngaujah, Robyn Hurder, Tam Mutu and Ricky Rojas. Ashley Loren has been cast at the alternate Satine (a position she held at the time of the shutdown). Additional casting, including the role of Satine, will be confirmed at a later date.
Produces also announced that Moulin Rouge! will honor New York’s Frontline Workers at a special dress rehearsal on September 23.
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a story about artists fighting to keep...
Back on stage will be Aaron Tveit, Danny Burstein, Sahr Ngaujah, Robyn Hurder, Tam Mutu and Ricky Rojas. Ashley Loren has been cast at the alternate Satine (a position she held at the time of the shutdown). Additional casting, including the role of Satine, will be confirmed at a later date.
Produces also announced that Moulin Rouge! will honor New York’s Frontline Workers at a special dress rehearsal on September 23.
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a story about artists fighting to keep...
- 5/13/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Egot-winning producer has come under fire for abusive workplace behavior
Scott Rudin is resigning from the Broadway League, the trade association of producers and theater owners.
“I know apologizing is not, by any means, enough,” Rudin told the New York Times in a Saturday statement. “In stepping back, I intend to work on my issues and do so fully aware that many will feel that this is too little and too late.”
Rudin has come under fire in recent weeks over accusations of abusive workplace behavior.
Also Read:
Michael Chabon ‘Ashamed’ He Didn’t Speak Up About Scott Rudin’s ‘Abusive Behavior’
The Egot-winning producer had already said he would step back from his Broadway, film and streaming productions following a damaging story in The Hollywood Reporter that included accusations of decades of abusive and violent behavior toward staffers.
He was accused in an April 7 article in THR by several...
Scott Rudin is resigning from the Broadway League, the trade association of producers and theater owners.
“I know apologizing is not, by any means, enough,” Rudin told the New York Times in a Saturday statement. “In stepping back, I intend to work on my issues and do so fully aware that many will feel that this is too little and too late.”
Rudin has come under fire in recent weeks over accusations of abusive workplace behavior.
Also Read:
Michael Chabon ‘Ashamed’ He Didn’t Speak Up About Scott Rudin’s ‘Abusive Behavior’
The Egot-winning producer had already said he would step back from his Broadway, film and streaming productions following a damaging story in The Hollywood Reporter that included accusations of decades of abusive and violent behavior toward staffers.
He was accused in an April 7 article in THR by several...
- 4/24/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Scott Rudin is no longer involved with five A24 film productions, including Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth” and the Alex Garland film “Men,” a source told TheWrap.
The five films are “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” “The Humans,” “Red, White and Water” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” which are all in post, as well as “Men” currently in production, effectively ending his longstanding relationship with the studio. It remains unclear whether Rudin’s name will be removed from the credits of the films or if other producers will fill in for Rudin.
A24 had no comment. A representative for Rudin did not immediately respond to a new request for comment.
The news comes after Rudin said on Tuesday that he would be “stepping back” from his film and streaming projects, in addition to his Broadway projects that he first announced on Saturday, after a THR article in which...
The five films are “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” “The Humans,” “Red, White and Water” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” which are all in post, as well as “Men” currently in production, effectively ending his longstanding relationship with the studio. It remains unclear whether Rudin’s name will be removed from the credits of the films or if other producers will fill in for Rudin.
A24 had no comment. A representative for Rudin did not immediately respond to a new request for comment.
The news comes after Rudin said on Tuesday that he would be “stepping back” from his film and streaming projects, in addition to his Broadway projects that he first announced on Saturday, after a THR article in which...
- 4/20/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Update: With Rudin announcing he is stepping back from all film work, sources tell Deadline that includes five upcoming A24 projects: Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth” (Coen is now sole producer), Stephen Karam’s “The Humans” (Eli Bush now sole producer), Lila Neugebauer’s “Red, White and Water”, Dan Kwan & Daniel Scheinert’s “Everywhere All at Once”, and Alex Garland’s “Men” (A24 producer)
Earlier: Scott Rudin is now extending his career step back to all of his film and streaming projects after announcing over the weekend that he would be taking time away from his various Broadway projects. The producer said in a new statement: “I am stepping back from my film and streaming projects in addition to my work on Broadway. I am doing so to take the time to work on personal issues I should have long ago.”
“When I commented over the weekend, I...
Earlier: Scott Rudin is now extending his career step back to all of his film and streaming projects after announcing over the weekend that he would be taking time away from his various Broadway projects. The producer said in a new statement: “I am stepping back from my film and streaming projects in addition to my work on Broadway. I am doing so to take the time to work on personal issues I should have long ago.”
“When I commented over the weekend, I...
- 4/20/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Scott Rudin has now announced that he will also take a step back from his film and streaming productions after announcing over the weekend that he would step back from his Broadway productions.
In a new statement issued Tuesday, Rudin reiterated his apology for “the pain my behavior has caused.” Rudin was accused in an April 7 article in THR by several named former assistants and employees of physical and mental abuse, including allegedly breaking a computer monitor on an assistant’s hand and throwing objects like potatoes and glass bowls at staffers. A rep for Rudin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“When I commented over the weekend, I was focused on Broadway reopening successfully and not wanting my previous behavior to detract from everyone’s efforts to return,” Rudin said. “It’s clear to me I should take the same path in film and streaming. I...
In a new statement issued Tuesday, Rudin reiterated his apology for “the pain my behavior has caused.” Rudin was accused in an April 7 article in THR by several named former assistants and employees of physical and mental abuse, including allegedly breaking a computer monitor on an assistant’s hand and throwing objects like potatoes and glass bowls at staffers. A rep for Rudin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“When I commented over the weekend, I was focused on Broadway reopening successfully and not wanting my previous behavior to detract from everyone’s efforts to return,” Rudin said. “It’s clear to me I should take the same path in film and streaming. I...
- 4/20/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast stage director Rob Roth has resigned from the Disney show’s upcoming U.K. and Ireland tour after the text of an email he either sent or intended to send praising Scott Rudin and belittling actress Karen Olivo was leaked on social media by an airline passenger seated next to Roth on a recent commercial flight.
In a statement Roth made to the U.K. theater publication The Stage yesterday, the director said, “Upon consideration of recent events, it is clear that I am not in a position to lead this production at this time. I see now that the sentiments included in a private email that went public were thoughtless and insensitive, and I am profoundly sorry that my comments have caused unintended pain. I deeply regret making light of bullying, which I know to be a horrible experience. For the good of...
In a statement Roth made to the U.K. theater publication The Stage yesterday, the director said, “Upon consideration of recent events, it is clear that I am not in a position to lead this production at this time. I see now that the sentiments included in a private email that went public were thoughtless and insensitive, and I am profoundly sorry that my comments have caused unintended pain. I deeply regret making light of bullying, which I know to be a horrible experience. For the good of...
- 4/20/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
When Broadway returns this fall, Karen Olivo will not return to her Tony-nominated role of Satine in Moulin Rouge!, following Broadway’s silence to accusations made against producer Scott Rudin last week. In a Wednesday Instagram video, Olivo spoke out on why she will not be returning to the musical once Broadway reopens. “Social justice is more important than […]
The post Karen Olivo Won’t Return To Broadway’s ‘Moulin Rouge!’ Over Scott Rudin Abuse Allegations appeared first on uInterview.
The post Karen Olivo Won’t Return To Broadway’s ‘Moulin Rouge!’ Over Scott Rudin Abuse Allegations appeared first on uInterview.
- 4/18/2021
- by Demi Tsatsaronis
- Uinterview
Producer Scott Rudin announced Saturday that he would step away from his Broadway productions following a story detailing his alleged abusive behavior by former employees.
In an apology published Saturday in The Washington Post, Rudin wrote, “After a period of reflection, I’ve made the decision to step back from active participation on our Broadway productions, effective immediately,” he said in the statement.
“Much has been written about my history of troubling interactions with colleagues, and I am profoundly sorry for the pain my behavior caused to individuals, directly and indirectly.
In an apology published Saturday in The Washington Post, Rudin wrote, “After a period of reflection, I’ve made the decision to step back from active participation on our Broadway productions, effective immediately,” he said in the statement.
“Much has been written about my history of troubling interactions with colleagues, and I am profoundly sorry for the pain my behavior caused to individuals, directly and indirectly.
- 4/17/2021
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Producer Scott Rudin will “step back” from active involvement in his Broadway shows in response to allegations of abusive and bullying treatment of employees stretching back for years, Deadline has confirmed.
In a statement released this morning, Rudin said he was “profoundly sorry for the pain my behavior caused to individuals, directly and indirectly,” and that he would “step back from active participation on our Broadway productions, effective immediately.”
Deadline has obtained the statement, initially released exclusively to The Washington Post. Read it in full below.
Among Rudin’s current Broadway productions are Aaron Sorkin’s hit adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, Ivo van Hove’s reimagining of West Side Story, the long-running The Book of Mormon and the upcoming The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster.
The shows, as with all Broadway productions, are currently suspended due to the Covid pandemic shutdown. Rudin’s statement did...
In a statement released this morning, Rudin said he was “profoundly sorry for the pain my behavior caused to individuals, directly and indirectly,” and that he would “step back from active participation on our Broadway productions, effective immediately.”
Deadline has obtained the statement, initially released exclusively to The Washington Post. Read it in full below.
Among Rudin’s current Broadway productions are Aaron Sorkin’s hit adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, Ivo van Hove’s reimagining of West Side Story, the long-running The Book of Mormon and the upcoming The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster.
The shows, as with all Broadway productions, are currently suspended due to the Covid pandemic shutdown. Rudin’s statement did...
- 4/17/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Producer Scott Rudin says he will step back from his active Broadway productions and has apologized for his past abusive behavior in the workplace, in his first public statement since an exposé published in the Hollywood Reporter has stirred industry backlash.
Rudin, an Egot-winning producer, was accused in an April 7 article in THR by several named former assistants and employees of physical and mental abuse, including allegedly breaking a computer monitor on an assistant’s hand and throwing objects like potatoes and glass bowls at staffers.
“Much has been written about my history of troubling interactions with colleagues, and I am profoundly sorry for the pain my behavior caused to individuals, directly and indirectly,” he wrote in a three-paragraph statement which he sent to The Washington Post Saturday. “After a period of reflection, I’ve made the decision to step back from active participation on our Broadway productions, effective immediately.
Rudin, an Egot-winning producer, was accused in an April 7 article in THR by several named former assistants and employees of physical and mental abuse, including allegedly breaking a computer monitor on an assistant’s hand and throwing objects like potatoes and glass bowls at staffers.
“Much has been written about my history of troubling interactions with colleagues, and I am profoundly sorry for the pain my behavior caused to individuals, directly and indirectly,” he wrote in a three-paragraph statement which he sent to The Washington Post Saturday. “After a period of reflection, I’ve made the decision to step back from active participation on our Broadway productions, effective immediately.
- 4/17/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Update: Since Rudin’s Saturday announcement, the Actors’ Equity Association has called upon the Broadway producer to release employees from their nondisclosure agreements.
“Since news reports emerged about Scott Rudin, we have had many private conversations with our sibling unions and the Broadway League,” the association said in a statement. “We have heard from hundreds of members that these allegations are inexcusable, and everyone deserves a safe workplace whether they are a union member or not.
“We salute the courage of those who came forward. We hope that Scott Rudin will also release his staff from any nondisclosure agreements they may have signed as a condition of employment,” the statement read. “This is an important step in creating truly safe and harassment-free theatrical workplaces on Broadway and beyond. It is not the end of our work to ensure a workplace safe for everyone in the industry as we work toward reopening.
“Since news reports emerged about Scott Rudin, we have had many private conversations with our sibling unions and the Broadway League,” the association said in a statement. “We have heard from hundreds of members that these allegations are inexcusable, and everyone deserves a safe workplace whether they are a union member or not.
“We salute the courage of those who came forward. We hope that Scott Rudin will also release his staff from any nondisclosure agreements they may have signed as a condition of employment,” the statement read. “This is an important step in creating truly safe and harassment-free theatrical workplaces on Broadway and beyond. It is not the end of our work to ensure a workplace safe for everyone in the industry as we work toward reopening.
- 4/17/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Update, with Moulin Rouge producers’ statement Karen Olivo, the Tony-nominated star of Broadway hit musical Moulin Rouge!, will not return to the production when the industry re-opens in protest of what she says is the industry silence over the workplace harassment and abuse claims levied against film and theater producer Scott Rudin.
“Social justice is more important than being the sparkling diamond,” referencing one of their big Moulin Rouge! numbers in a scathing Instagram video today. “Building a better industry for my students is more important than me putting money in my pockets. Building a better industry – I’m yelling now – building a better industry is more important than putting money in my pockets.
Moulin Rouge! producers Carmen Pavlovic and Bill Damaschke released a statement to Deadline confirming Olivo’s departure and expressing support for the actress. (Rudin is not a producer of Moulin Rouge!).
“We can confirm that Karen...
“Social justice is more important than being the sparkling diamond,” referencing one of their big Moulin Rouge! numbers in a scathing Instagram video today. “Building a better industry for my students is more important than me putting money in my pockets. Building a better industry – I’m yelling now – building a better industry is more important than putting money in my pockets.
Moulin Rouge! producers Carmen Pavlovic and Bill Damaschke released a statement to Deadline confirming Olivo’s departure and expressing support for the actress. (Rudin is not a producer of Moulin Rouge!).
“We can confirm that Karen...
- 4/14/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Broadway star Karen Olivo says she won’t return to “Moulin Rouge” once the musical reopens in protest of the theater industry’s silence on allegations of workplace harassment and abuse leveled against the prolific theater producer Scott Rudin.
“I could easily go back to the show and make a lot of money, but I still wouldn’t be able to control what I was putting out into the world,” the Tony-winning actor said Wednesday via Instagram Live. “And what I’m seeing in this space right now, with our industry, is that everybody is scared, and nobody is really doing a lot of the stuff that needs to be done. People aren’t speaking out.”
She specifically called out the behavior of Rudin, who was the subject of a scathing expose in the Hollywood Reporter. The report, published earlier in April, detailed instances of alleged abusive behavior to his employees,...
“I could easily go back to the show and make a lot of money, but I still wouldn’t be able to control what I was putting out into the world,” the Tony-winning actor said Wednesday via Instagram Live. “And what I’m seeing in this space right now, with our industry, is that everybody is scared, and nobody is really doing a lot of the stuff that needs to be done. People aren’t speaking out.”
She specifically called out the behavior of Rudin, who was the subject of a scathing expose in the Hollywood Reporter. The report, published earlier in April, detailed instances of alleged abusive behavior to his employees,...
- 4/14/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Moulin Rouge! actor Karen Olivo says she’s not returning to the Broadway production as a form of protest against Scott Rudin, the prolific theater and film producer who former employees accused of abusive behavior in the workplace in a recent Hollywood Reporter story.
Olivo, who played Satine in the Broadway production that began in 2019, announced her departure from the role in an Instagram video on Monday. “Social justice is more important than being a sparkling diamond. Building a better industry for my students is more important than me putting money in my pockets,” the Tony-winning performer said in the video. “...
Olivo, who played Satine in the Broadway production that began in 2019, announced her departure from the role in an Instagram video on Monday. “Social justice is more important than being a sparkling diamond. Building a better industry for my students is more important than me putting money in my pockets,” the Tony-winning performer said in the video. “...
- 4/14/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Moulin Rouge! actor Karen Olivo says she’s not returning to the Broadway production as a form of protest against Scott Rudin, the prolific theater and film producer who former employees accused of abusive behavior in the workplace in a recent Hollywood Reporter story.
Olivo, who played Satine in the Broadway production that began in 2019, announced her departure from the role in an Instagram video on Monday. “Social justice is more important than being a sparkling diamond. Building a better industry for my students is more important than me putting money in my pockets,” the Tony-winning performer said in the video. “...
Olivo, who played Satine in the Broadway production that began in 2019, announced her departure from the role in an Instagram video on Monday. “Social justice is more important than being a sparkling diamond. Building a better industry for my students is more important than me putting money in my pockets,” the Tony-winning performer said in the video. “...
- 4/14/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The story of Rita Moreno’s triumphant career is coming to theaters this summer.
Following its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Roadside Attractions has acquired the rights to “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It.” It will debut in theaters on June 18.
“Stars like Rita are few and far between, her showbiz story and personal remembrances resonate for a large, diverse audience, and the heights she continues to achieve are a true crowd pleasing uplift after the year we’ve all had,” said Roadside Attractions co-presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff.
On behalf of the filmmakers, Matt Burke and Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment negotiated the deal with Cohen and Angel An, Roadside Attractions’ senior director of acquisitions. PBS’ “American Masters” still holds a TV license for the documentary and will present the U.S. broadcast premiere after a broad theatrical release.
Following its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Roadside Attractions has acquired the rights to “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It.” It will debut in theaters on June 18.
“Stars like Rita are few and far between, her showbiz story and personal remembrances resonate for a large, diverse audience, and the heights she continues to achieve are a true crowd pleasing uplift after the year we’ve all had,” said Roadside Attractions co-presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff.
On behalf of the filmmakers, Matt Burke and Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment negotiated the deal with Cohen and Angel An, Roadside Attractions’ senior director of acquisitions. PBS’ “American Masters” still holds a TV license for the documentary and will present the U.S. broadcast premiere after a broad theatrical release.
- 3/29/2021
- by Haley Bosselman
- Variety Film + TV
“Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It” has sold to Roadside Attractions two months after its debut at Sundance, the distributor announced on Monday.
The documentary film covers painful subjects from Moreno’s past, including a sexual assault by her agent, and the heartbreak of her relationship with Marlon Brando. Moreno is an Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress for playing Anita in 1961’s “West Side Story” as well as a rare Egot winner for additional work on TV, theater and music.
Mariem Perez Riera directed, and Brent Miller and Riera produced the documentary, while Michael Kantor, Lyn Davis Lear, Norman Lear, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Regina K. Scully executive produced. Ilia J. Vélez-Dávila co-produced.
Others featured in the documentary include George Chakiris, Héctor Elizondo, Gloria Estefan, Tom Fontana, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Norman Lear, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo.
The documentary film covers painful subjects from Moreno’s past, including a sexual assault by her agent, and the heartbreak of her relationship with Marlon Brando. Moreno is an Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress for playing Anita in 1961’s “West Side Story” as well as a rare Egot winner for additional work on TV, theater and music.
Mariem Perez Riera directed, and Brent Miller and Riera produced the documentary, while Michael Kantor, Lyn Davis Lear, Norman Lear, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Regina K. Scully executive produced. Ilia J. Vélez-Dávila co-produced.
Others featured in the documentary include George Chakiris, Héctor Elizondo, Gloria Estefan, Tom Fontana, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Norman Lear, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo.
- 3/29/2021
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Roadside Attractions has acquired North American distribution rights on the 2021 Sundance Film Festival documentary Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided To Go For It.
A release is planned for June 18. Roadside’s deal excludes the TV license to PBS’ American Masters, which will present the exclusive U.S. broadcast premiere of the docu after it hits theaters.
In addition to Moreno, others featured in the Mariem Pérez Riera-directed doc include George Chakiris, Héctor Elizondo, Gloria Estefan, Tom Fontana, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Norman Lear, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo.
The docu covers Moreno’s 70-year-plus career rise and struggles, from her beginnings in poverty on a Puerto Rican farm to becoming a rare Egot winner. She’s the first Latina actress to win an Oscar (for her role as Anita in 1961’s West Side Story). Despite the win, studios continued...
A release is planned for June 18. Roadside’s deal excludes the TV license to PBS’ American Masters, which will present the exclusive U.S. broadcast premiere of the docu after it hits theaters.
In addition to Moreno, others featured in the Mariem Pérez Riera-directed doc include George Chakiris, Héctor Elizondo, Gloria Estefan, Tom Fontana, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Norman Lear, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo.
The docu covers Moreno’s 70-year-plus career rise and struggles, from her beginnings in poverty on a Puerto Rican farm to becoming a rare Egot winner. She’s the first Latina actress to win an Oscar (for her role as Anita in 1961’s West Side Story). Despite the win, studios continued...
- 3/29/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Actors’ Equity Association will hold a town hall event to address issues about safety protocols and get-back-to-work efforts raised in a petition from more than 2,000 union members last week.
Details about the town hall, including location and date, will be announced shortly, the union writes.
The petition, organized by Hadestown actor Timothy Hughes and signed by such Broadway stars such as Karen Olivo, Aaron Tveit, Stephanie J. Block, Rachel Bay Jones, Eva Noblezada, Rob McClure, Ato Blankson-Wood, Robyn Hurder and Emily Skinner, among many others, expressed concern that “while many aspects of our lives are moving forward towards a new sense of normalcy, our Union is not.”
Many Equity members, the petition states, “have grown deeply frustrated and increasingly concerned about the lack of practical details in how to return to work.” The petition also criticized “the increasingly problematic lack of communication” on the issue from Equity.
In its response,...
Details about the town hall, including location and date, will be announced shortly, the union writes.
The petition, organized by Hadestown actor Timothy Hughes and signed by such Broadway stars such as Karen Olivo, Aaron Tveit, Stephanie J. Block, Rachel Bay Jones, Eva Noblezada, Rob McClure, Ato Blankson-Wood, Robyn Hurder and Emily Skinner, among many others, expressed concern that “while many aspects of our lives are moving forward towards a new sense of normalcy, our Union is not.”
Many Equity members, the petition states, “have grown deeply frustrated and increasingly concerned about the lack of practical details in how to return to work.” The petition also criticized “the increasingly problematic lack of communication” on the issue from Equity.
In its response,...
- 3/22/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
In honor of both Halloween and the upcoming presidential election on November 3rd, Tim Curry and the Wisconsin Democrats will be hosting a Rocky Horror Picture Show virtual fundraiser for the Wisconsin Democratic Party on Saturday, October 31st at 10:00 p.m. Et.
Dubbed the Rocky Horror Show Halloween Livestream, the event will feature an all-star cast reading through the show, including Wilmer Valderrama, Lance Bass, Rosario Dawson, Jason George, Nell Campbell, Seth Green, Jason Alexander, David Arquette, and more.
In addition to the read-through, the show will also feature...
Dubbed the Rocky Horror Show Halloween Livestream, the event will feature an all-star cast reading through the show, including Wilmer Valderrama, Lance Bass, Rosario Dawson, Jason George, Nell Campbell, Seth Green, Jason Alexander, David Arquette, and more.
In addition to the read-through, the show will also feature...
- 10/26/2020
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
Yesterday, the nominees for the 74th annual Tony Awards were announced. Honoring Broadway’s best, it comes as the industry is shut down due to Covid-19, reminding us all that the film industry isn’t the only one feeling the brunt of Coronavirus. Covid may have shut down the theaters, but the show will go on, Tony-wise. In terms of what faired the best with these nominations, the musical Jagged Little Pill led the way with a whopping fifteen nominations, with Moulin Rouge! next in line at fourteen. They led the pack, though also getting double digit citations were Slave Play and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at a dozen each, while The Inheritance managed eleven. Here are all of the Tony nominees for this year: Best Play Grand Horizons by Bess Wohl The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez Sea Wall/A Life by Simon Stephens and Nick Payne Slave Play...
- 10/16/2020
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Refresh for updates Acknowledgements, thank yous, laments for shuttered theaters, pleas for racial justice and get-out-the-vote plugs are being offered by this year’s crop of Tony Award nominees.
“It is an uncertain time for the theater world and the world at large,” said Jake Gyllenhaal, a triple nominee, “so if you are able, I encourage you first to Vote and then – if you can – to donate to The Actors Fund.”
See full statements below.
“The closing of Broadway theatres (indeed almost all American theatres) this year has left us without a vital resource to gather together and examine ourselves and our nation and has reminded us just how important live theatre is to our personal and civil lives,” said playwright Matthew López, whose The Inheritance was nominated in 11 categories.
“It is an uncertain time for the theater world and the world at large,” said Jake Gyllenhaal, a triple nominee, “so if you are able, I encourage you first to Vote and then – if you can – to donate to The Actors Fund.”
See full statements below.
“The closing of Broadway theatres (indeed almost all American theatres) this year has left us without a vital resource to gather together and examine ourselves and our nation and has reminded us just how important live theatre is to our personal and civil lives,” said playwright Matthew López, whose The Inheritance was nominated in 11 categories.
- 10/15/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Tony Awards nominations were announced on Thursday, October 15 by Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart (“Aladdin”). The reveal of the roster of contenders was carried on the Tonys YouTube channel. While the nominations for the 74th annual Tony Awards were determined by 41 theater professionals, winners will be decided by 784 members of the Broadway community.
Only 18 shows were eligible for consideration by the nominating committee. On the play side, there are 10 original works and four revivals in the running. Over on the musical side, four new tuners are in contention; no musical revivals qualified. The cutoff date for eligibility was February 19, 2020. As both the Bob Dylan tuner “Girl From the North Country” and a new revival of “West Side Story” opened after that, don’t look for them on the list of nominations below.
Broadway has remained closed since March 13 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Tony Awards had been set...
Only 18 shows were eligible for consideration by the nominating committee. On the play side, there are 10 original works and four revivals in the running. Over on the musical side, four new tuners are in contention; no musical revivals qualified. The cutoff date for eligibility was February 19, 2020. As both the Bob Dylan tuner “Girl From the North Country” and a new revival of “West Side Story” opened after that, don’t look for them on the list of nominations below.
Broadway has remained closed since March 13 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Tony Awards had been set...
- 10/15/2020
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
With the 2020 Tony Awards going virtual this fall, all eyes are on the prospective nominees. Just four musicals were able to open before the newly announced February eligibility cutoff, so these tuners could wind up with massive nomination tallies. In order to help you sift through the possible outcomes before nominations are announced, I’ve offered my best insights to each of the musical categories below.
See 2020 Tony Awards: Every eligible contender from the shortened 2019-2020 Broadway season
Best Musical
With four eligible musicals there will only be three nomination slots in the top category this year. “Moulin Rouge!” is a big fat hit, and its sumptuous escapism makes it the frontrunner for now. “Jagged Little Pill” will make the cut for its heart. “Tina: The Tina Turner” musical should find a spot as a pure crowd pleaser. That leaves “The Lightning Thief” as the one tuner left behind. The...
See 2020 Tony Awards: Every eligible contender from the shortened 2019-2020 Broadway season
Best Musical
With four eligible musicals there will only be three nomination slots in the top category this year. “Moulin Rouge!” is a big fat hit, and its sumptuous escapism makes it the frontrunner for now. “Jagged Little Pill” will make the cut for its heart. “Tina: The Tina Turner” musical should find a spot as a pure crowd pleaser. That leaves “The Lightning Thief” as the one tuner left behind. The...
- 10/13/2020
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Stars of Broadway will stage a fundraising concert for Joe Biden’s presidential campaign, with plans to stream the event on Oct. 21.
The event, which starts at 8 Pm Et, is organized by the group Broadway for Biden and is called In Our America: A Concert for the Soul of the Nation, with donations going to the Biden Victory Fund.
The lineup of the concert includes Derrick Baskin, Laura Benanti, Victoria Clark, Glenn Close, Chuck Cooper, Darren Criss, André De Shields, Renée Elise Goldsberry, John Goodman, Jayne Houdyshell, Jennifer Hudson, James Monroe Iglehart, Latanya Richardson Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson, Norman Lear, Norm Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Rita Moreno, Karen Olivo, Ashley Park, Steven Pasquale, Carrie Preston, Kelani Queypo, Chita Rivera, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Phillipa Soo, Ephraim Sykes, Bd Wong, the Broadway Dreams Foundation Choir, and the casts of Six and Kpop.
Liesl Tommy, director of the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic Respect...
The event, which starts at 8 Pm Et, is organized by the group Broadway for Biden and is called In Our America: A Concert for the Soul of the Nation, with donations going to the Biden Victory Fund.
The lineup of the concert includes Derrick Baskin, Laura Benanti, Victoria Clark, Glenn Close, Chuck Cooper, Darren Criss, André De Shields, Renée Elise Goldsberry, John Goodman, Jayne Houdyshell, Jennifer Hudson, James Monroe Iglehart, Latanya Richardson Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson, Norman Lear, Norm Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Rita Moreno, Karen Olivo, Ashley Park, Steven Pasquale, Carrie Preston, Kelani Queypo, Chita Rivera, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Phillipa Soo, Ephraim Sykes, Bd Wong, the Broadway Dreams Foundation Choir, and the casts of Six and Kpop.
Liesl Tommy, director of the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic Respect...
- 10/6/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Good News: The 2020 Tony Awards will be held virtually this fall, giving the shuttered Broadway industry a desperately needed shot of good will. Bad news: Only four new musicals opened before the new eligibility cut off date of February 19, 2019. The limited number of contenders has industry insiders scratching their heads as to what the musical categories will look like.
The four new musicals competing for the coveted Best Musical prize are “Jagged Little Pill,” “The Lightning Thief,” “Moulin Rouge!,” and “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.” Under the usual Tony Awards rules for show categories, there can only be three nominees for categories with four or five eligible contenders. So one of these four musicals will be left in the dust unless there is a tie for third place.
See 2020 Tony Awards: Which 18 plays and musicals are eligible for the autumn ceremony?
A huge question mark hangs over the Lead Actor in a Musical category.
The four new musicals competing for the coveted Best Musical prize are “Jagged Little Pill,” “The Lightning Thief,” “Moulin Rouge!,” and “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.” Under the usual Tony Awards rules for show categories, there can only be three nominees for categories with four or five eligible contenders. So one of these four musicals will be left in the dust unless there is a tie for third place.
See 2020 Tony Awards: Which 18 plays and musicals are eligible for the autumn ceremony?
A huge question mark hangs over the Lead Actor in a Musical category.
- 8/30/2020
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
If you’re confused as to who is actually able to compete for the newly announced virtual Tony Awards this fall, you’re not alone. The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced a new cut off date of February 19, 2020. That means that the 2019-2020 Broadway season was cut incredibly short.
Musical races are most heavily affected by the shortened season. “West Side Story” will have to wait until next year to compete as it opened after the February 19th eligibility cutoff date. Other scheduled revivals of “Caroline, or Change” and “Company” were postponed due to the Broadway shutdown. As such there will be no Revival of a Musical category this year. Other categories, like Best Musical and Director of a Musical, will likely see their number of nominees reduced to three due to a limited number of contenders.
Luckily, there are plenty of plays in contention since many of these non-musical outings premiere in the fall.
Musical races are most heavily affected by the shortened season. “West Side Story” will have to wait until next year to compete as it opened after the February 19th eligibility cutoff date. Other scheduled revivals of “Caroline, or Change” and “Company” were postponed due to the Broadway shutdown. As such there will be no Revival of a Musical category this year. Other categories, like Best Musical and Director of a Musical, will likely see their number of nominees reduced to three due to a limited number of contenders.
Luckily, there are plenty of plays in contention since many of these non-musical outings premiere in the fall.
- 8/29/2020
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Hollywood stars and Broadway veterans are teaming up on May 18th to celebrate Covenant House, the international charity providing housing, food and healthcare to children and youth facing homelessness.
In a special virtual concert, titled A Night of Covenant House Stars, more than 50 powerhouse performers are uniting to sing and share a message of inspiration for young people.
The concert will by co-hosted by 6-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (CBS’ The Good Fight) and CBS 60 Minutes correspondent John Dickerson, both members of the Covenant House Board of Directors. A Night of Covenant House Stars will feature performances and appearances by Jon Bon Jovi, Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Rachel Brosnahan, Stephen Colbert, Martin Short, Dolly Parton, Dionne Warwick, Stephanie J. Block, Tony Shalhoub, Charlie Day, Chris O’Dowd, Zachary Levi, Zack Quinto, Robin Thicke, Deborah Cox, Quentin Earl Darrington, Ariana DeBose, Darius de Haas, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Eden Espinosa, Jordan Fisher,...
In a special virtual concert, titled A Night of Covenant House Stars, more than 50 powerhouse performers are uniting to sing and share a message of inspiration for young people.
The concert will by co-hosted by 6-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (CBS’ The Good Fight) and CBS 60 Minutes correspondent John Dickerson, both members of the Covenant House Board of Directors. A Night of Covenant House Stars will feature performances and appearances by Jon Bon Jovi, Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Rachel Brosnahan, Stephen Colbert, Martin Short, Dolly Parton, Dionne Warwick, Stephanie J. Block, Tony Shalhoub, Charlie Day, Chris O’Dowd, Zachary Levi, Zack Quinto, Robin Thicke, Deborah Cox, Quentin Earl Darrington, Ariana DeBose, Darius de Haas, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Eden Espinosa, Jordan Fisher,...
- 5/15/2020
- Look to the Stars
On Monday night, Billy Joel was one of the few faces lingering in the otherwise largely deserted Times Square. His face appeared high in the sky, beamed onto 12 giant digital billboards in the famously chaotic midtown Manhattan neighborhood. It simultaneously beamed into TVs and internet livestreams as part of the Rise Up New York! Covid-19 benefit telethon, which Joel brought to a close with his 1976 New York City anthem, “Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway).” A few blocks away, the lights of the Empire State Building sparkled in time with his piano.
- 5/12/2020
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
A virtual concert event to benefit the Covenant House charity for homeless and trafficked youth has lined up a 50-plus roster of stars to perform or appear for the May 18 fundraiser, including Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Jon Bon Jovi, Rachel Brosnahan, Stephen Colbert, Martin Short, Dolly Parton, Dionne Warwick, Stephanie J. Block, Tony Shalhoub, Charlie Day, Chris O’Dowd, Zachary Levi and Zachary Quinto.
A Night of Covenant House Stars, to be held Monday, May 18 at 8 p.m Et on the Broadway on Demand streaming platform, will be co-hosted by six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald and 60 Minutes correspondent John Dickerson, both members of the Covenant House Board of Directors.
The event is designed to support Covenant House, the international, mostly privately funded charity providing housing, food and healthcare to children and youth facing homelessness, and the front-line staff working during the Covid-19 crisis.
“This virus does not get the last word,...
A Night of Covenant House Stars, to be held Monday, May 18 at 8 p.m Et on the Broadway on Demand streaming platform, will be co-hosted by six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald and 60 Minutes correspondent John Dickerson, both members of the Covenant House Board of Directors.
The event is designed to support Covenant House, the international, mostly privately funded charity providing housing, food and healthcare to children and youth facing homelessness, and the front-line staff working during the Covid-19 crisis.
“This virus does not get the last word,...
- 5/6/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Just last month, Broadway celebrated the return of West Side Story- a daring new interpretation from director Ivo van Hove. In 2009, Broadway was celebrating the opening of a different West Side Story. This version, which opened March 19 at the Palace Theatre,starred Matt Cavenaugh,Josefina Scaglione, and Tony winner Karen Olivo, and new Spanish lyrics from Lin-Manuel Miranda. The revival would go on to play 748 performances, running just under two years.
- 3/18/2020
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
Welcome to the most wide open Tony Awards season in recent memory. Recent Broadway seasons have produced surefire winners like “Hamilton,” “The Band’s Visit,” or “Hadestown” that robbed awards season of some suspense. But the 2020 Tony race for Best Musical does not appear to include such a juggernaut, and there are plenty of new tuners with a viable path to victory. Now is the time to jump into our predictions center and make your early, gutsy Tony nomination picks.
SEEWho Needs a Tony to Reach Egot?
This season features a slew of jukebox musicals which use pre-existing song catalogs. “Moulin Rouge!” has proved the most popular so far, letting Karen Olivo and Aaron Tveit belt their faces off to pop hits on the most lush scenic design of the season. “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” tells the real life story of the queen of rock n’ roll with a star making turn from Adrienne Warren,...
SEEWho Needs a Tony to Reach Egot?
This season features a slew of jukebox musicals which use pre-existing song catalogs. “Moulin Rouge!” has proved the most popular so far, letting Karen Olivo and Aaron Tveit belt their faces off to pop hits on the most lush scenic design of the season. “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” tells the real life story of the queen of rock n’ roll with a star making turn from Adrienne Warren,...
- 3/6/2020
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
“West Side Story,” one of the most beloved and enduring Broadway musicals of all time, has often been seen on the Great White Way since it premiered more than sixty years ago, but never quite like this. The revolutionary musical has been reimagined in equally revolutionary fashion this season by Tony-winning director Ivo van Hove (“A View From the Bridge”), whose production opened at the Broadway Theatre on February 20.
This modern, taut staging of the Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents musical stars Isaac Powell and Shereen Pimentel as star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria, who lead a company that boasts dozens of Broadway debuts. To distinguish his take on this iconic material, van Hove enlisted Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker to contribute new choreography––controversially replacing Jerome Robbins’ original, indelible dances––as well as designer Luke Halls to create videos that accompany the onstage action on a massive screen that...
This modern, taut staging of the Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents musical stars Isaac Powell and Shereen Pimentel as star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria, who lead a company that boasts dozens of Broadway debuts. To distinguish his take on this iconic material, van Hove enlisted Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker to contribute new choreography––controversially replacing Jerome Robbins’ original, indelible dances––as well as designer Luke Halls to create videos that accompany the onstage action on a massive screen that...
- 2/21/2020
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
Like Baz Luhrmann’s groundbreaking 2001 romantic-tragedy movie before it, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a poptastic spectacle with a grab bag of famous pop songs.
For the stage production, music supervisor, arranger, and orchestrator Justin Levine expanded its sonic landscape, using more than 70 pop songs (credited to 161 writers) in the construction of the score, which includes Karen Olivo singing Katy Perry’s “Firework” and Aaron Tveit singing “Roxanne,” by the Police.
The album has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album and, with no composers on the show,...
For the stage production, music supervisor, arranger, and orchestrator Justin Levine expanded its sonic landscape, using more than 70 pop songs (credited to 161 writers) in the construction of the score, which includes Karen Olivo singing Katy Perry’s “Firework” and Aaron Tveit singing “Roxanne,” by the Police.
The album has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album and, with no composers on the show,...
- 12/20/2019
- by Jerry Portwood
- Rollingstone.com
Lights up in Washington Heights The trailer for the upcoming film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony-winning musical In the Heights was just released, and the Broadway community is buzzing with excitement for Washington Heights coming to the big screen Stage favorites including Lea Salonga, Karen Olivo, Josh Gad, Telly Leung, and more have taken to Twitter to express their emotions about the new trailer. Check out what they all had to say...
- 12/12/2019
- by Linnae Medeiros
- BroadwayWorld.com
This year’s Grammy nominees for Best Musical Theater Album are “Ain’t Too Proud,” “Hadestown,” “Moulin Rouge!,” “The Music of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — In Four Contemporary Suites” and “Oklahoma!” Six of the last 10 winners in this category matched up with the Tony Award for Best Musical. So does this bode well for the 2019 Tonys champ, “Hadestown”?
In the musical, songwriter Orpheus and his muse Eurydice fall in love during the warmth of summertime. But as winter approaches, reality sets in: these young dreamers can’t survive on songs alone. Tempted by the promise of plenty, Eurydice is lured to the depths of industrial Hadestown. On a quest to save her, Orpheus journeys to the underworld where their trust is put to a final test.
Sign UPfor Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
The nominated principal soloists on the recording are Reeve Carney, André De Shields,...
In the musical, songwriter Orpheus and his muse Eurydice fall in love during the warmth of summertime. But as winter approaches, reality sets in: these young dreamers can’t survive on songs alone. Tempted by the promise of plenty, Eurydice is lured to the depths of industrial Hadestown. On a quest to save her, Orpheus journeys to the underworld where their trust is put to a final test.
Sign UPfor Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
The nominated principal soloists on the recording are Reeve Carney, André De Shields,...
- 12/8/2019
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
The Grammys took a fairly expansive sweep with this morning’s nominations for Best Musical Theater Album, The Motown sound, Rodgers & Hammerstein, the folk-rock music of Anaïs Mitchell, the reworked radio hits of Moulin Rouge! and Imogen Heap’s Harry Potter musical suites were all represented.
But four of the five nominations did not include composers, since the music was not original to the cast albums. In the case of several, the musical numbers consist largely of oldies, some reworked for contemporary settings. Anaïs Mitchell’s previous concept album for Hadestown was already Grammy-nominated upon its release in 2010.
The nominees:
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life And Times Of The Temptations is a rousing recreation of the Motown sound, focusing largely, but not exclusively, on the title group’s hits. Nominated were original cast members Saint Aubyn, Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope and Ephraim Sykes and...
But four of the five nominations did not include composers, since the music was not original to the cast albums. In the case of several, the musical numbers consist largely of oldies, some reworked for contemporary settings. Anaïs Mitchell’s previous concept album for Hadestown was already Grammy-nominated upon its release in 2010.
The nominees:
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life And Times Of The Temptations is a rousing recreation of the Motown sound, focusing largely, but not exclusively, on the title group’s hits. Nominated were original cast members Saint Aubyn, Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope and Ephraim Sykes and...
- 11/20/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Tony Awards Administration Committee met for the first time during the 2019-2020 Broadway season to discuss eligibility of six productions for the 2020 American Theatre Wing’s 74th Annual Tony Awards.
The six discussed shows were: “Betrayal,” “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” “The Great Society,” “The Height of the Storm,” “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” and “Sea Wall/A Life.” The Tony Awards Administration Committee will meet a total of four times throughout the season.
The following determinations were made:
Aaron Tveit and Karen Olivo will be considered eligible for Lead Actor/Actress in a Musical for their respective performances in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”
Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Cox, and Zawe Ashton will be considered eligible for Lead Actor/Actress in a Play for their respective performances in “Betrayal.”
Jonathan Pryce and Eileen Atkins will be considered eligible for Lead Actor/Actress in a Play for their respective...
The six discussed shows were: “Betrayal,” “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” “The Great Society,” “The Height of the Storm,” “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” and “Sea Wall/A Life.” The Tony Awards Administration Committee will meet a total of four times throughout the season.
The following determinations were made:
Aaron Tveit and Karen Olivo will be considered eligible for Lead Actor/Actress in a Musical for their respective performances in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”
Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Cox, and Zawe Ashton will be considered eligible for Lead Actor/Actress in a Play for their respective performances in “Betrayal.”
Jonathan Pryce and Eileen Atkins will be considered eligible for Lead Actor/Actress in a Play for their respective...
- 10/24/2019
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Producers of Moulin Rouge The Musical announced today that the production will commemorate its 100th Broadway performance by partnering with the organization Broadway for All to welcome 70 New York City area arts students as special guests at today's matinee performance. Following the show, the students will have the opportunity to participate in a talkback with the cast, led by Tony Award-winner Karen Olivo.
- 10/24/2019
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
If you’re entertainment savvy and know your theater then it’s likely that you know who Karen Olivo is and have even heard or watched her a time or two. If not then it might be time for you to soak up a bit of culture and really go over what she’s done and why she’s important to the realm of pop culture. It’s not just anyone that can get up on stage and dazzle the audience on a regular basis, and those that take to the theater are often those that are quite talented in more than one discipline since
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Karen Olivo...
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Karen Olivo...
- 9/14/2019
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
Spectacular Spectacular!
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban stopped by Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Friday night and gave the new Broadway musical their seal of approval!
From their seats inside the theater, Kidman — who starred as Satine in the original 2001 film — had a big smile on her face as she praised the production.
“How wonderful life is….” she wrote alongside a video from the night out, which showcased a glimpse at the show’s set design.
Turning the camera around, the actress, 52, and Urban, 51, quickly summed up their thoughts on the production. “Wow,” Kidman remarked, while Urban gave the show a thumbs up.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban stopped by Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Friday night and gave the new Broadway musical their seal of approval!
From their seats inside the theater, Kidman — who starred as Satine in the original 2001 film — had a big smile on her face as she praised the production.
“How wonderful life is….” she wrote alongside a video from the night out, which showcased a glimpse at the show’s set design.
Turning the camera around, the actress, 52, and Urban, 51, quickly summed up their thoughts on the production. “Wow,” Kidman remarked, while Urban gave the show a thumbs up.
- 8/10/2019
- by Maria Pasquini, Dave Quinn
- PEOPLE.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.