The defamation lawsuit Paradise Square producer Garth Drabinsky filed against Actors’ Equity has been dismissed with prejudice.
In the lawsuit, filed in October 2022 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Drabinsky sued the union, claiming defamation, after it placed him on its “Do Not Work” list following his production of Paradise Square. Actors’ Equity, as well as other unions and workers on the production, have separately sued Drabinsky for what they claim is thousands of dollars in owed payments, wages and health contributions.
The musical Paradise Square ran on Broadway from March 15, 2022 through July 17 of that year.
Upon its closure, Drabinksy was placed on the “Do Not Work List,” which effectively bars him from working on Broadway or other professional productions, after company members spoke out about their experience on the production, alleging that the producer had “had withheld benefits and pay from many company members,...
In the lawsuit, filed in October 2022 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Drabinsky sued the union, claiming defamation, after it placed him on its “Do Not Work” list following his production of Paradise Square. Actors’ Equity, as well as other unions and workers on the production, have separately sued Drabinsky for what they claim is thousands of dollars in owed payments, wages and health contributions.
The musical Paradise Square ran on Broadway from March 15, 2022 through July 17 of that year.
Upon its closure, Drabinksy was placed on the “Do Not Work List,” which effectively bars him from working on Broadway or other professional productions, after company members spoke out about their experience on the production, alleging that the producer had “had withheld benefits and pay from many company members,...
- 4/14/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Three months after his hoped-for Broadway comeback Paradise Square closed amidst bad box office, legal battles, a Covid outbreak and allegations of a toxic work environment, producer Garth Drabinsky is suing Actors’ Equity for 50 million, accusing the union of waging “an intentional campaign of harassment and abuse” when it placed the Canada-based Drabinsky on its Do Not Work list last summer.
Equity says it will fight the claim. “The lawsuit filed against Equity is entirely without merit, and Equity is confident it will prevail in this lawsuit,” an Equity spokesman said in a statement. “Equity will vigorously contest the suit and demonstrate that our actions were fully consistent with our legal responsibilities to protect our members.”
The 57-page complaint was filed today in the Southern District of New York. Read it here.
Last July, Equity announced that Drabinsky had “made it clear that he is unable to uphold the terms of a union contract,...
Equity says it will fight the claim. “The lawsuit filed against Equity is entirely without merit, and Equity is confident it will prevail in this lawsuit,” an Equity spokesman said in a statement. “Equity will vigorously contest the suit and demonstrate that our actions were fully consistent with our legal responsibilities to protect our members.”
The 57-page complaint was filed today in the Southern District of New York. Read it here.
Last July, Equity announced that Drabinsky had “made it clear that he is unable to uphold the terms of a union contract,...
- 10/20/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Broadway producer Garth Drabinsky is suing Actors’ Equity for defamation after the union placed him on its “Do Not Work” list following his production of Paradise Square.
“Drabinsky, more than any other producer in recent musical theatre history, has tackled the insidious issues of racism, prejudice and bigotry in America through the musicals he has produced for Broadway,” the suit reads.
Filed Thursday in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, the suit follows the closure of Paradise Square after four months on Broadway and ensuing legal actions brought against the production from unions such as Actors’ Equity, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and United Scenic Artists seeking thousands in what they say were owed payments, wages and health contributions.
Following the closure of the show, Equity placed Drabinsky on its “Do Not Work” list, effectively barring him from Broadway producing,...
Broadway producer Garth Drabinsky is suing Actors’ Equity for defamation after the union placed him on its “Do Not Work” list following his production of Paradise Square.
“Drabinsky, more than any other producer in recent musical theatre history, has tackled the insidious issues of racism, prejudice and bigotry in America through the musicals he has produced for Broadway,” the suit reads.
Filed Thursday in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, the suit follows the closure of Paradise Square after four months on Broadway and ensuing legal actions brought against the production from unions such as Actors’ Equity, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and United Scenic Artists seeking thousands in what they say were owed payments, wages and health contributions.
Following the closure of the show, Equity placed Drabinsky on its “Do Not Work” list, effectively barring him from Broadway producing,...
- 10/20/2022
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Broadway musical Paradise Square is facing another legal complaint, this time from the union representing the directors and choreographers who worked on the show.
The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society is seeking to enforce payment of owed royalties, fees and pension and health contributions to the musical’s director, Moisés Kaufman, choreographer Bill T. Jones, and three specialty choreographers who worked on the production. As of May 15, these payments totaled more than 140,000.
According to the complaint, filed in the United States District Court Southern District of New York on July 22, the union and producer Bernard Abrams, head of the production’s limited liability company, both signed a joint stipulation in May, agreeing on the amount owed. However, payment is still outstanding, according to Sdc, which is bringing Paradise Square to court to enforce the award.
This follows similar actions taken by Actors’ Equity and United Scenic Artists,...
Broadway musical Paradise Square is facing another legal complaint, this time from the union representing the directors and choreographers who worked on the show.
The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society is seeking to enforce payment of owed royalties, fees and pension and health contributions to the musical’s director, Moisés Kaufman, choreographer Bill T. Jones, and three specialty choreographers who worked on the production. As of May 15, these payments totaled more than 140,000.
According to the complaint, filed in the United States District Court Southern District of New York on July 22, the union and producer Bernard Abrams, head of the production’s limited liability company, both signed a joint stipulation in May, agreeing on the amount owed. However, payment is still outstanding, according to Sdc, which is bringing Paradise Square to court to enforce the award.
This follows similar actions taken by Actors’ Equity and United Scenic Artists,...
- 8/1/2022
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As widely expected, the smash revival of Into The Woods will extend its limited engagement at Broadway’s St. James Theatre, producers announced today.
Initially scheduled to close on August 21, the production has been extended for an additional eight weeks, with tickets now on sale through October 16. Additional extensions are possible.
Jordan Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theaters, announced the extension today. The production began life this past spring as a New York City Center Encores! production. The James Lapine-Stephen Sondheim musical is directed by Lear deBessonet,
The production currently stars Sara Bareilles, Brian d’Arcy James , Gavin Creel, Julia Lester, Patina Miller, Phillipa Soo and Joshua Henry, among others, but casting for the extension was not announced.
The extension comes as news of the venue’s availability was made yesterday when Deadline exclusively reported that the upcoming The Piano Lesson would play the Ethel Barrymore Theatre rather than the previously...
Initially scheduled to close on August 21, the production has been extended for an additional eight weeks, with tickets now on sale through October 16. Additional extensions are possible.
Jordan Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theaters, announced the extension today. The production began life this past spring as a New York City Center Encores! production. The James Lapine-Stephen Sondheim musical is directed by Lear deBessonet,
The production currently stars Sara Bareilles, Brian d’Arcy James , Gavin Creel, Julia Lester, Patina Miller, Phillipa Soo and Joshua Henry, among others, but casting for the extension was not announced.
The extension comes as news of the venue’s availability was made yesterday when Deadline exclusively reported that the upcoming The Piano Lesson would play the Ethel Barrymore Theatre rather than the previously...
- 7/27/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Box office for most Broadway shows – Funny Girl and Mr. Saturday Night included – was up a bit last week, as the hits – Into The Woods and Mj included – stayed strong and even some struggling shows saw a slight uptick in attendance.
Although total Broadway box office was down 4 from the previous week, that was largely attributable to three fewer productions on the roster for the week ending July 17 – 26 shows compared to the previous week’s 29. Absent from list were the now-closed heavy hitters Plaza Suite, Macbeth and American Buffalo.
In all, the 26 productions grossed 28,989,978 for the week ending July 17. Attendance of 225,011 was down a commensurate 4 from the previous week as well.
Funny Girl, which has been slipping at the box office in recent weeks, saw a bit of an upturn, despite star Beanie Feldstein missing weekend performances due to tonsillitis (no official word yet on her return date). The musical...
Although total Broadway box office was down 4 from the previous week, that was largely attributable to three fewer productions on the roster for the week ending July 17 – 26 shows compared to the previous week’s 29. Absent from list were the now-closed heavy hitters Plaza Suite, Macbeth and American Buffalo.
In all, the 26 productions grossed 28,989,978 for the week ending July 17. Attendance of 225,011 was down a commensurate 4 from the previous week as well.
Funny Girl, which has been slipping at the box office in recent weeks, saw a bit of an upturn, despite star Beanie Feldstein missing weekend performances due to tonsillitis (no official word yet on her return date). The musical...
- 7/19/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Actors’ Equity says it will place Broadway producer Garth Drabinsky on its “Do Not Work” list just as soon as his financially troubled musical Paradise Square ends its run with a matinee on Sunday at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
Once he’s on the list, Equity members won’t be allowed to work on Drabinsky’s stage productions until he’s made things right with the union. He already is being sued by Equity and United Scenic Artists Local 829 for unpaid wages and benefit contributions. Equity is seeking 174,000 and United Scenic Artists is seeking 156,965.
“The company of Paradise Square has expressed their commitment to this show and want to continue to tell this story through its planned closing on July 17,” Equity said in a statement. “However, Garth Drabinsky has made it clear that he is unable to uphold the terms of a union contract, so Equity intends to add him...
Once he’s on the list, Equity members won’t be allowed to work on Drabinsky’s stage productions until he’s made things right with the union. He already is being sued by Equity and United Scenic Artists Local 829 for unpaid wages and benefit contributions. Equity is seeking 174,000 and United Scenic Artists is seeking 156,965.
“The company of Paradise Square has expressed their commitment to this show and want to continue to tell this story through its planned closing on July 17,” Equity said in a statement. “However, Garth Drabinsky has made it clear that he is unable to uphold the terms of a union contract, so Equity intends to add him...
- 7/15/2022
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Actors’ Equity said it plans to put producer Garth Drabinsky on the “Do Not Work” list after Paradise Square castmembers sent a letter speaking out against him.
In a letter sent to Actors’ Equity, and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, the actors and stage managers of the show asked for Drabinsky to be put on the list due to “outstanding payments and benefits, and a continued pattern of abuse and neglect that created an unsafe and toxic work environment.” The decision comes after the cast and stage managers in the Broadway show initially reported not receiving their weekly direct deposit Thursday morning.
“The company of Paradise Square has expressed their commitment to this show and want to continue to tell this story through its planned closing on July 17. However, Garth Drabinsky has made it clear that he is unable to uphold the terms of a union contract,...
Actors’ Equity said it plans to put producer Garth Drabinsky on the “Do Not Work” list after Paradise Square castmembers sent a letter speaking out against him.
In a letter sent to Actors’ Equity, and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, the actors and stage managers of the show asked for Drabinsky to be put on the list due to “outstanding payments and benefits, and a continued pattern of abuse and neglect that created an unsafe and toxic work environment.” The decision comes after the cast and stage managers in the Broadway show initially reported not receiving their weekly direct deposit Thursday morning.
“The company of Paradise Square has expressed their commitment to this show and want to continue to tell this story through its planned closing on July 17. However, Garth Drabinsky has made it clear that he is unable to uphold the terms of a union contract,...
- 7/14/2022
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Actors’ Equity and the union representing theatrical designers are separately taking Broadway musical Paradise Square to court for close to 350,000 total in owed benefit contributions, wages and other fees.
United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, which is a part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, is taking legal action against the production company after winning more than 150,000 in unpaid wages and benefits in arbitration, but not yet receiving any of the award for the impacted designers, according to court filings from early July. Separately, Actors’ Equity is seeking 189,877 in unpaid union dues and benefit fund contributions and interest, after the production failed to keep up with a payment schedule set up as part of a settlement agreement in May, according to a court filing.
The money may be difficult to come by. Paradise Square announced Monday that it would close July 17, following...
Actors’ Equity and the union representing theatrical designers are separately taking Broadway musical Paradise Square to court for close to 350,000 total in owed benefit contributions, wages and other fees.
United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, which is a part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, is taking legal action against the production company after winning more than 150,000 in unpaid wages and benefits in arbitration, but not yet receiving any of the award for the impacted designers, according to court filings from early July. Separately, Actors’ Equity is seeking 189,877 in unpaid union dues and benefit fund contributions and interest, after the production failed to keep up with a payment schedule set up as part of a settlement agreement in May, according to a court filing.
The money may be difficult to come by. Paradise Square announced Monday that it would close July 17, following...
- 7/12/2022
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
New musical Paradise Square will close on July 17, after garnering a Tony win for its leading actress, but struggling at the box office.
The musical, which tells the story of Irish immigrants and Black Americans living together in New York City during the Civil War, opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on April 3. Since starting performances, the production has encountered a number of challenges, including performance cancellations due to Covid-19 cases in the cast, as well as low box office receipts throughout the run.
In the most recent week of grosses, ended July 7, the production brought in just 300,000 and played to a capacity of 55 percent. The show brought in its highest gross on record, 387,669, in the week following the Tony Awards, where Joaquina Kalukango took home the award for best leading actress in a musical and delivered a stand-out performance of “Let It Burn,...
New musical Paradise Square will close on July 17, after garnering a Tony win for its leading actress, but struggling at the box office.
The musical, which tells the story of Irish immigrants and Black Americans living together in New York City during the Civil War, opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on April 3. Since starting performances, the production has encountered a number of challenges, including performance cancellations due to Covid-19 cases in the cast, as well as low box office receipts throughout the run.
In the most recent week of grosses, ended July 7, the production brought in just 300,000 and played to a capacity of 55 percent. The show brought in its highest gross on record, 387,669, in the week following the Tony Awards, where Joaquina Kalukango took home the award for best leading actress in a musical and delivered a stand-out performance of “Let It Burn,...
- 7/11/2022
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paradise Square, the musical that marked producer Garth H. Drabinsky’s Broadway return and won its lead actress a Tony but failed to catch on at the box office, will conclude its run at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre with the July 17 Sunday matinee.
The closing notice was announced today, with the caveat “barring a dramatic upturn in business.”
Such an upturn is unlikely: Even after star Joaquina Kalukango’s Tony win and her show-stealing performance of the song “Let It Burn” at the June 12 awards ceremony, the musical failed to ignite at the box office. For the week ending July 3, the Barrymore was filling little more than half of its seats, even at a modest average ticket price of 70.
“We wanted to give Paradise Square every chance to succeed,” Drabinsky said in a lengthy statement (read the entire message below) “but various challenges proved insurmountable. We endured two Covid shutdowns,...
The closing notice was announced today, with the caveat “barring a dramatic upturn in business.”
Such an upturn is unlikely: Even after star Joaquina Kalukango’s Tony win and her show-stealing performance of the song “Let It Burn” at the June 12 awards ceremony, the musical failed to ignite at the box office. For the week ending July 3, the Barrymore was filling little more than half of its seats, even at a modest average ticket price of 70.
“We wanted to give Paradise Square every chance to succeed,” Drabinsky said in a lengthy statement (read the entire message below) “but various challenges proved insurmountable. We endured two Covid shutdowns,...
- 7/11/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Some of the biggest names in film, television and the Broadway stage won’t be making the coveted pilgrimage to Radio City Music Hall this June when the 75th annual Tony Awards are handed out, as such high-profile performers as Daniel Craig, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Katrina Lenk, Beanie Feldstein, Jane Lynch and Patrick J. Adams were not among the nominations announced Monday morning.
And at least as surprising as the snubs was the strong showing of Paradise Square, a musical that received fairly mixed reviews and has been struggling at the box office since opening April 3. The musical, a comeback for producer Garth H. Drabinsky, scored 10 nominations (tying with Mj and second only to A Strange Loop). Among Paradise Square‘s are Best Musical, Joaquina Kalukango’s nom for Best Lead Actress/Musical, and A.J. Shively’s nom for Featured Actor/Musical.
Among the biggest surprises and take-aways...
And at least as surprising as the snubs was the strong showing of Paradise Square, a musical that received fairly mixed reviews and has been struggling at the box office since opening April 3. The musical, a comeback for producer Garth H. Drabinsky, scored 10 nominations (tying with Mj and second only to A Strange Loop). Among Paradise Square‘s are Best Musical, Joaquina Kalukango’s nom for Best Lead Actress/Musical, and A.J. Shively’s nom for Featured Actor/Musical.
Among the biggest surprises and take-aways...
- 5/9/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Several Broadway shows impacted by the uptick in New York City Covid cases last week were still feeling the effects this week: Plaza Suite has announced that it will resume performances tomorrow with Matthew Broderick back but co-star Sarah Jessica Parker still out, and Paradise Square has canceled performances for the entire week.
Producers of Plaza Suite said today that performances of the hit comedy will resume Thursday, April 14, at the Hudson Theatre with Broderick performing opposite Erin Dilly playing the roles usually portrayed by Broderick’s co-star and wife Parker.
Parker is expected to return to the production starting with the matinee on Saturday, April 16.
Last week, Plaza Suite canceled performances after both Broderick and Parker tested positive for Covid. Broderick had already been out for two days – replaced by an understudy – when Parker announced on April 7 that she too had tested positive.
Producers of Plaza Suite said today that performances of the hit comedy will resume Thursday, April 14, at the Hudson Theatre with Broderick performing opposite Erin Dilly playing the roles usually portrayed by Broderick’s co-star and wife Parker.
Parker is expected to return to the production starting with the matinee on Saturday, April 16.
Last week, Plaza Suite canceled performances after both Broderick and Parker tested positive for Covid. Broderick had already been out for two days – replaced by an understudy – when Parker announced on April 7 that she too had tested positive.
- 4/13/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Paradise Square, the musical from producer Garth H. Drabinsky set during the history-making New York Draft Riots of the 1860s, has postponed its Broadway arrival by three weeks due to the recent Omicron surge. The production now will begin previews at the Barrymore Theatre on Tuesday, March 15, with an official opening on Sunday, April 3.
“During Christmas week, when there were over 560,000 positive daily cases in the US, over 70,000 positive daily cases in NYC and scientists suggested that the virus had yet to peak, we grew deeply concerned for the ongoing safety of our cast, crew and creative team, who were scheduled to begin Broadway rehearsals this month,” said Drabinsky in a statement. “We hope that a later start date for rehearsals and performances after the current wave is predicted to subside will better protect our company, audience and theatre community.”
Paradise Square had been set to begin previews at the...
“During Christmas week, when there were over 560,000 positive daily cases in the US, over 70,000 positive daily cases in NYC and scientists suggested that the virus had yet to peak, we grew deeply concerned for the ongoing safety of our cast, crew and creative team, who were scheduled to begin Broadway rehearsals this month,” said Drabinsky in a statement. “We hope that a later start date for rehearsals and performances after the current wave is predicted to subside will better protect our company, audience and theatre community.”
Paradise Square had been set to begin previews at the...
- 1/4/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Paradise Square, the new Broadway-bound musical from producer Garth H. Drabinsky set during the history-making New York Draft Riots of the 1860s, will arrive at the Barrymore Theatre in February with several news songs added since its 2019 West Coast incarnation, including an anthemic new musical number that can’t help but summon thoughts of the galvanizing response to recent racial discord: The new number is called “Breathe Easy.”
In this new music video, debuting on Deadline, listeners can hear what Broadway audiences have in store.
The musical features a book by Christina Anderson, Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan, and a score by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen, with additional material provided by Masi Asare and Kirwan. The new song was written by Howland (music) and Tysen & Asare (lyrics).
In the video, recorded at New York City’s Seer Sound, the number – which includes lines like “In your...
In this new music video, debuting on Deadline, listeners can hear what Broadway audiences have in store.
The musical features a book by Christina Anderson, Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan, and a score by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen, with additional material provided by Masi Asare and Kirwan. The new song was written by Howland (music) and Tysen & Asare (lyrics).
In the video, recorded at New York City’s Seer Sound, the number – which includes lines like “In your...
- 9/17/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Paradise Square, the original musical from a creative team that includes Moisés Kaufman, Bill T. Jones, Craig Lucas and Black 47 singer Larry Kirwan, will begin Broadway previews at the Shubert Organization’s Barrymore Theatre on February 22, 2022, with an opening night set for Sunday, March 20.
Producer Garth H. Drabinsky announced the dates today, along with the new casting of Joaquina Kalukango, currently Tony-nominated for her performance in Slave Play.
As previously reported, the production will arrive on Broadway directly from a five-week Chicago engagement.
The musical’s creative team includes director Moisés Kaufman and choreographer Bill T. Jones, with a book by Christina Anderson, Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan. Graciela Daniele will provide musical staging, in collaboration with Kaufman and Jones.
The score of Paradise Square is by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen, with additional material provided by Masi Asare and Kirwan. The musical features original songs as well...
Producer Garth H. Drabinsky announced the dates today, along with the new casting of Joaquina Kalukango, currently Tony-nominated for her performance in Slave Play.
As previously reported, the production will arrive on Broadway directly from a five-week Chicago engagement.
The musical’s creative team includes director Moisés Kaufman and choreographer Bill T. Jones, with a book by Christina Anderson, Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan. Graciela Daniele will provide musical staging, in collaboration with Kaufman and Jones.
The score of Paradise Square is by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen, with additional material provided by Masi Asare and Kirwan. The musical features original songs as well...
- 6/7/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Paradise Square, the original musical from a creative team that includes Moisés Kaufman, Bill T. Jones, Craig Lucas and Black 47 singer Larry Kirwan, will begin a limited, month-long pre-Broadway engagement in Chicago on Nov. 2.
Casting and details about a Broadway engagement will be announced shortly.
The musical, set in the notorious Civil War-era Lower Manhattan Five Points slum, is produced by Garth H. Drabinsky, marking a return of the once ubiquitous Canadian theater executive following years of legal and financial woes around his former company Livent. Drabinsky, whose previous Broadway productions included Kiss of the Spider Woman, Show Boat, Ragtime and Fosse, is teamed on Paradise Square with longtime colleague Peter LeDonne, who co-produces.
Paradise Square will be the first major pre-Broadway show to open in Chicago after the pandemic shutdown. The musical will play from Nov. 2 – Dec. 5 at Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre.
As described by the production,...
Casting and details about a Broadway engagement will be announced shortly.
The musical, set in the notorious Civil War-era Lower Manhattan Five Points slum, is produced by Garth H. Drabinsky, marking a return of the once ubiquitous Canadian theater executive following years of legal and financial woes around his former company Livent. Drabinsky, whose previous Broadway productions included Kiss of the Spider Woman, Show Boat, Ragtime and Fosse, is teamed on Paradise Square with longtime colleague Peter LeDonne, who co-produces.
Paradise Square will be the first major pre-Broadway show to open in Chicago after the pandemic shutdown. The musical will play from Nov. 2 – Dec. 5 at Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre.
As described by the production,...
- 5/18/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The absolute best small scale ‘perfect crime’ thriller has nail-biting suspense, humor, sexy scenes, a shocking violent scene and apparently a terrific collaboration between director Daryl Duke and writer Curtis Hanson. Elliott Gould and Christopher Plummer give unique, superb performances, and Susannah York is enticing as well. It’s not neo-noir, it’s better than neo-noir. With a very early John Candy performance, too.
The Silent Partner
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1978 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 101 min./ Street Date June 18, 2019 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Elliott Gould, Christopher Plummer, Susannah York, Céline Lomez, John Candy.
Cinematography: Billy Williams
Film Editor: George Appleby
Original Music: Oscar Peterson
Written by Curtis Hanson from the book Think of a Number by Anders Bodelsen
Produced by Garth H. Drabinsky, Joel B. Michaels, Stephen Young
Directed by Daryl Duke
“We grab each moment and we make it count!”
The Silent Partner is a wonderful sleeper that most...
The Silent Partner
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1978 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 101 min./ Street Date June 18, 2019 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Elliott Gould, Christopher Plummer, Susannah York, Céline Lomez, John Candy.
Cinematography: Billy Williams
Film Editor: George Appleby
Original Music: Oscar Peterson
Written by Curtis Hanson from the book Think of a Number by Anders Bodelsen
Produced by Garth H. Drabinsky, Joel B. Michaels, Stephen Young
Directed by Daryl Duke
“We grab each moment and we make it count!”
The Silent Partner is a wonderful sleeper that most...
- 6/18/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast and creative team for Paradise Square An American Musical. The world premiere is helmed by acclaimed director Moises Kaufman, with choreography by the legendary Bill T. Jones and a book by Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan. Music by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan, with lyrics by Nathan Tysen, and based on the songs of Stephen Foster. Paradise Square is produced by special arrangement with Garth H. Drabinsky in association with Peter LeDonne and Teatro Proscenium Limited Partnership.
- 11/7/2018
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Playfully divided into “Lots,” Barry Avrich’s sweeping and enlightening Blurred Lines: Inside the Art World investigates the entire ecosystem that comprises the art market: the auction house, the brokers, the secondary and primary markets, mega art fairs, and multiple institutions, from the Bfa and Mfa granting institutions that matter (hint: they’re mostly in New York) to great museums and collections of the world. Blurred Lines condenses a semester’s long seminar into a lively documentary with too many talking heads to name, representing established and emerging artists, buyers, tastemakers, curators, dealers, gallerists, journalists and critics. They all attempt to connect the dots as a work of art becomes a commodity worth protecting while lesser works by an artist are bid-up at auctions to preserve the value of an existing collection.
At times Blurred Lines may seem like an oversimplification of a broader, more interesting story; it does what...
At times Blurred Lines may seem like an oversimplification of a broader, more interesting story; it does what...
- 5/7/2017
- by John Fink
- The Film Stage
Above the Elgin Theatre in Toronto on the 4th floor, magical things are happening. A company with 70 Tony Award nominations and 12 wins between them are gearing up to premiere a new musical, Sousatzka, based on the 1988 Shirley MacLaine film Madame Sousatzka. At the helm of the project, notorious theatre impresario Garth Drabinsky - who is making his comeback to 'artistic producing' following his convictions for fraud and forgery during his time as the head of Livent. Livent, of course, was once a division of Cineplex Odeon which produced the Sousatzka film before being bought out by Drabinsky and his then business partner Myron Gottlieb.
- 1/31/2017
- by Alan Henry
- BroadwayWorld.com
The world premiere of the Garth Drabinsky production of Sousatzka, the new musical by three-time Tony Award-nominated book writer Craig Lucas and the legendary composing team of Tony Award winner Richard Maltby, Jr. Lyrics and Academy Award winner David Shire Music, is headed to Broadway in 2017. The show will star Tony Award winner Victoria Clark in the title role of Madame Sousatzka, a celebrated, eccentric, Polish-born piano teacher who was forced into exile. Today, Clark shared what drew her to the role in a post on the musical's Facebook page.
- 11/4/2016
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
As reported by BroadwayWorld, equal parts infamous and revered Broadway producer Garth Drabinsky is following up his stint in prison with a new musical, Sousatzka, starring Victoria Clark, Montego Glover, and Judy Kaye. The production is set for an out-of-town tryout in Toronto this winter, before taking a bow on Broadway in fall 2017. In a new, in-depth feature with The Star, Drabinsky covers his plans for returning to the theatrical world, and shares his thoughts about his past financialindiscretions as a producer and business owner.
- 10/31/2016
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Is Garth Drabinsky aiming for a comeback in the Toronto and Broadway Theatre scene It seems unlikely considering he's been convicted of and served a sentence in Canada for fraud and forgery that occurred during his time as the head of Livent. Drabinsky was never extradited to the United States and the charges relating to 16 counts of fraud and conspiracy have not been tested in the American courts.
- 1/9/2015
- by Alan Henry
- BroadwayWorld.com
Toronto -- Former Livent CEO Garth Drabinsky has been denied full parole after failing to assure authorities his current business ventures do not risk a return to fraudulent activities. Drabinsky, who appeared before a National Parole Board panel Monday via teleconference, in 2009 was convicted along with longtime business partner Myron Gottlieb on two counts of fraud for cooking the books at a company they eventually sold to former Hollywood super agent Michael Ovitz in 1998. The parole board officials questioned Drabinsky on his current business activities with corporate shingle Ambassador Entertainment, which includes producing live TV shows. "Our concern is
read more...
read more...
- 12/3/2013
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Garth Drabinsky, the Canadian entertainment mogul whose acquisition of American movie theaters in the 1980s sparked the consolidation of exhibition that continues to this day, has been granted day-parole after serving 17 months of a five-year prison sentence in Ontario. The 63-year old Drabinsky, a larger-than-life impresario who also produced movies and Broadway shows as well as restoring theaters, had been convicted along with partner Myron Gottlieb of fraud in relation to the loss of hundreds of millions of investors' money at their public company Livent. That included fleecing former uber-agent Michael Ovitz by cooking the Livent books before selling him the comnpany, which he eventually had to take into bankruptcy. (There are multiple reasons why the Canadian mogul was often called "Darth" Drabinsky.) Drabinsky has been transferred to a Toronto halfway house for what is expected to be several months, but is now able to return to his office during the.
- 2/21/2013
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Thompson on Hollywood
According to the Huffington Post's Liz Smith, Elaine Stritch says after another stage appearance, she is going to move out of the Carlyle Hotel and move home to Birmingham, Michigan, but then adds that she will stay in showbiz until theater producer Garth Drabinsky has a parole hearing and is released from prison. ...he and I have another show in us she says.
- 9/3/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Above: Ernie Gehr's Auto-Collider Xv.
The vast bulk of Tiff's 2012 has been announced and listed here, below. We'll be updating the lineup with the previous films announced, as well as updating links to specific films for more information on them in the coming days. Of particular note is that the Wavelengths and Visions programs have been combined to create what is undoubtedly the most interesting section of the festival. Stay tuned, too, for our own on the ground coverage of Tiff.
Galas
A Royal Affair (Nikolai Arcel, Demark/Sweden/Czech Republic/Germany)
Argo (Ben Affleck, USA)
The Company You Keep (Robert Redford, USA)
Dangerous Liaisons (Hur Jin-ho, China)
Emperor (Peter Webber, Japan/USA)
English Vinglish (Gauri Shinde, India)
Free Angela & All Political Prisoners (Shola Lynch)
Great Expectations (Mike Newell, UK)
Hyde Park on Hudson (Roger Michell, UK)
Inescapable (Ruba Nadda, Canada)
Jayne Mansfield's Car (Billy Bob Thorton, USA/Russia)
Looper (Rian Johnson,...
The vast bulk of Tiff's 2012 has been announced and listed here, below. We'll be updating the lineup with the previous films announced, as well as updating links to specific films for more information on them in the coming days. Of particular note is that the Wavelengths and Visions programs have been combined to create what is undoubtedly the most interesting section of the festival. Stay tuned, too, for our own on the ground coverage of Tiff.
Galas
A Royal Affair (Nikolai Arcel, Demark/Sweden/Czech Republic/Germany)
Argo (Ben Affleck, USA)
The Company You Keep (Robert Redford, USA)
Dangerous Liaisons (Hur Jin-ho, China)
Emperor (Peter Webber, Japan/USA)
English Vinglish (Gauri Shinde, India)
Free Angela & All Political Prisoners (Shola Lynch)
Great Expectations (Mike Newell, UK)
Hyde Park on Hudson (Roger Michell, UK)
Inescapable (Ruba Nadda, Canada)
Jayne Mansfield's Car (Billy Bob Thorton, USA/Russia)
Looper (Rian Johnson,...
- 8/22/2012
- MUBI
In terms of documentary film servings in the fall (pre Idfa in November), in the hands of Thom Powers, Tiff’s former Real to Reel section now simply known as Tiff Docs is the equivalent to riding the gravy train. To be housed at the new spanking brand new Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, this year’s docu items included such names/titles as Ken Burns and what looks to be the Telluride preemed The Central Park Five, Julien Temple’s London – The Modern Babylon, Marina Zenovich’s sequel Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out, another hot topic subject for Alex Gibney with Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God and an exec produced item from Errol Morris with Joshua Oppenheimer’s The Act of Killing side by side with with the latest from Crossing the Line helmer Daniel Gordon (9.79*) and Operation Filmmaker helmer Nina Davenport (First Comes Love). Here...
- 7/31/2012
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Following up an already stellar initial line-up, the Toronto International Film Festival 2012 has announced additional sections including Midnight Madness, Documentaries and Vanguard. When the clock strikes 12, some titles one will be able to see include the highly anticipated Seven Psychopaths, from In Bruges director Martin McDonagh. There’s also the world premiere of the horror anthology The ABCs of Death, as well as Dredd and Eli Roth‘s Aftershock and new films from Rob Zombie and Barry Levinson.
The documentary section brings new films from Alex Gibney, Ken Burns and an interesting one titled How to Make Money Selling Drugs, featuring interviews with 50 Cent, Eminem and more. Rounding out the Vanguard section is many titles screened elsewhere, including the excellent documentary on The Shining, Room 237, as well as the next from Kill List director Ben Wheatley, Sightseers (Cannes review). We also have Luis Prieto‘s Pusher remake, and Michel Gondry...
The documentary section brings new films from Alex Gibney, Ken Burns and an interesting one titled How to Make Money Selling Drugs, featuring interviews with 50 Cent, Eminem and more. Rounding out the Vanguard section is many titles screened elsewhere, including the excellent documentary on The Shining, Room 237, as well as the next from Kill List director Ben Wheatley, Sightseers (Cannes review). We also have Luis Prieto‘s Pusher remake, and Michel Gondry...
- 7/31/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Some big purchases were recently made – first, Anchor Bay acquired the rights to the SXSW 2012 Midnight selection Girls Against Boys, which resulted in one of the first film distribution deals at the festival. Directed by Austin Chick (Xx/Xy) and produced by Aimee Shieh and Clay Floren, the thriller follows Shea, a 21-year old student who, after a brutal sexual assault, teams up with fellow nightclub bartender Lu for a weekend of “one beautifully staged execution after another.” Danielle Panabaker (Friday the 13th, The Crazies) and Nicole Laliberte (Dinner for Schmucks, Kaboom) play the murderous duo in the rape revenge film that has already been described as “controversial.” [Deadline]
And we won’t have to wait long to see their killing spree – it was confirmed by Kevin Kasha, executive vice president of acquisitions and co-productions for Anchor Bay, that the film will be released this year as part of their “2012 line-up.
And we won’t have to wait long to see their killing spree – it was confirmed by Kevin Kasha, executive vice president of acquisitions and co-productions for Anchor Bay, that the film will be released this year as part of their “2012 line-up.
- 3/14/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
A report out in the Toronto Star today suggests that Garth Drabinsky, convicted and sentenced to 7 years in prison for fraud, is back in action...at least for now. According to the report, Drabinsky has three new large-scale productions in the works for the 2010-2011 season: Christopher Plummer in Barrymore; Colm Wilkinson in Finian's Rainbow; and an all-black revival of Kiss of a Spider Woman.
- 12/5/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Two former producers of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Ragtime have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for participating in large-scale accounting fraud.
Garth Drabinsky and Myron Gottlieb, who founded the Canada-based theatre company Livent in the 1990s, face seven and six years behind bars respectively.
During sentencing in Toronto on Wednesday, Ontario Superior Court Justice Mary Lou Benotto said, "The court has a duty to strongly denounce such conduct. Those in business must know... that this will be the court's response to corporate fraud."
The pair was convicted on two counts of fraud and one count of forgery in March after Benotto ruled that they knowingly overstated their company's financial position to investors from 1994-1998.
The fraud was revealed in 1998 when Livent filed for bankruptcy - ironically the same year their production of Ragtime won the Tony Award for Best Original Score, and the show's star Audra McDonald was named Best Featured Actress.
In 1999, the pair was indicted in the U.S. on charges of misappropriating millions of dollars from American investors, and Canadian authorities charged Drabinsky and Gottlieb in 2002.
Drabinsky was sentenced to seven years and four years for the two counts of fraud, while Gottlieb was given six years and four years for the charges. The sentences are to be served concurrently. The one count of forgery against each man was suspended.
Garth Drabinsky and Myron Gottlieb, who founded the Canada-based theatre company Livent in the 1990s, face seven and six years behind bars respectively.
During sentencing in Toronto on Wednesday, Ontario Superior Court Justice Mary Lou Benotto said, "The court has a duty to strongly denounce such conduct. Those in business must know... that this will be the court's response to corporate fraud."
The pair was convicted on two counts of fraud and one count of forgery in March after Benotto ruled that they knowingly overstated their company's financial position to investors from 1994-1998.
The fraud was revealed in 1998 when Livent filed for bankruptcy - ironically the same year their production of Ragtime won the Tony Award for Best Original Score, and the show's star Audra McDonald was named Best Featured Actress.
In 1999, the pair was indicted in the U.S. on charges of misappropriating millions of dollars from American investors, and Canadian authorities charged Drabinsky and Gottlieb in 2002.
Drabinsky was sentenced to seven years and four years for the two counts of fraud, while Gottlieb was given six years and four years for the charges. The sentences are to be served concurrently. The one count of forgery against each man was suspended.
- 8/6/2009
- WENN
Theater giants Gottlieb, Drabinsky accused of fraud.
By Michael Speier
Garth Drabinsky and Myron Gottlieb were sentenced to prison on Wednesday for defrauding investors in the Toronto-based production company Livent.
Drabinsky received seven years; Gottlieb received a six-year term. The maximum possible punishment was 14 years.
Rather than be sentenced to prison, the defendants asked if they could visit schools to lecture about their experience; several writers and actors, including Christopher Plummer, plead for leniency at the sentencing hearing.
Drabinsky and Gottlieb were charged in 2002 with lying ab...
By Michael Speier
Garth Drabinsky and Myron Gottlieb were sentenced to prison on Wednesday for defrauding investors in the Toronto-based production company Livent.
Drabinsky received seven years; Gottlieb received a six-year term. The maximum possible punishment was 14 years.
Rather than be sentenced to prison, the defendants asked if they could visit schools to lecture about their experience; several writers and actors, including Christopher Plummer, plead for leniency at the sentencing hearing.
Drabinsky and Gottlieb were charged in 2002 with lying ab...
- 8/5/2009
- by Michael Speier
- The Wrap
Toronto -- Garth Drabinsky, the former Broadway producer convicted of fraud for cooking the books at a theater company he ran during the 1990s, was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison.
Justice Mary Lou Benotto of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice also sentenced Drabinsky's longtime business partner Myron Gottlieb to six years in jail, also for fraud.
The former Broadway impresarios each was found guilty in March on three counts of fraud and forgery that stemmed from their running of Livent Inc. from 1993-98. The third court of forgery was stayed by the court.
Canadian law allows first-time nonviolent offenders like Drabinsky and Gottlieb to serve only one-sixth of their jail sentence before they are fast-tracked to parole.
The men were briefly taken into custody after their sentencing to allow bond to be posted before their release. Edward Greenspan, Drabinsky's defense lawyer, offered no comment on whether his...
Justice Mary Lou Benotto of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice also sentenced Drabinsky's longtime business partner Myron Gottlieb to six years in jail, also for fraud.
The former Broadway impresarios each was found guilty in March on three counts of fraud and forgery that stemmed from their running of Livent Inc. from 1993-98. The third court of forgery was stayed by the court.
Canadian law allows first-time nonviolent offenders like Drabinsky and Gottlieb to serve only one-sixth of their jail sentence before they are fast-tracked to parole.
The men were briefly taken into custody after their sentencing to allow bond to be posted before their release. Edward Greenspan, Drabinsky's defense lawyer, offered no comment on whether his...
- 8/5/2009
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Financial Post is reporting that former Livent theatre producers Garth Drabinsky and his business partner Myron Gottlieb will likely be granted bail while pending an appeal of their verdict and sentence, which will be announced tomorrow, August 5th. It is thought the pair will spend no more than a few hours in custody, should they be sentenced to a prison term.
- 8/4/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Former producers of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Ragtime have been convicted for participating in large-scale accounting fraud.
Garth Drabinsky and Myron Gottlieb, who founded Toronto, Canada-based theatre company Livent in the 1990s, were convicted on two counts of fraud and one count of forgery on Wednesday.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Mary Lou Benotto ruled Drabinsky, 59, and Gottlieb, 65, knowingly overstated their company's financial position to investors from 1994-1998.
The fraud was revealed in 1998 when Livent filed for bankruptcy - the same year their production of Ragtime won the Tony for Best Original Score, Book, and Orchestrations and Best Featured Actress for Audra McDonald.
The pair was indicted in the U.S. in 1999 on charges that they had misappropriated millions of dollars from American investors; they still face charges in the country.
Canadian authorities charged Drabinsky and Gottlieb in 2002. They face a maximum of 14 years in prison when they are sentenced at a later date.
Garth Drabinsky and Myron Gottlieb, who founded Toronto, Canada-based theatre company Livent in the 1990s, were convicted on two counts of fraud and one count of forgery on Wednesday.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Mary Lou Benotto ruled Drabinsky, 59, and Gottlieb, 65, knowingly overstated their company's financial position to investors from 1994-1998.
The fraud was revealed in 1998 when Livent filed for bankruptcy - the same year their production of Ragtime won the Tony for Best Original Score, Book, and Orchestrations and Best Featured Actress for Audra McDonald.
The pair was indicted in the U.S. in 1999 on charges that they had misappropriated millions of dollars from American investors; they still face charges in the country.
Canadian authorities charged Drabinsky and Gottlieb in 2002. They face a maximum of 14 years in prison when they are sentenced at a later date.
- 3/25/2009
- WENN
Toronto -- Former Broadway producers Garth Drabinsky and Myron Gottlieb have been found guilty of fraud and forgery following a criminal trial in a Toronto courtroom.
After the verdict Wednesday by Ontario Superior Court Justice Mary Lou Bennotto, Drabinsky and Gottlieb were ordered to return to court April 8 for pre-sentence motions. Drabinsky potentially faces 14 years in prison.
Justice Bennotto, who conducted the 10-month trial without a jury, said in her decision that she was persuaded there had been "systematic and longstanding" manipulation of the books at Livent.
"Mr. Drabinsky and Mr. Gottlieb were so devoted to the continuation of Livent that they directed the falsification of the financial statements in order to continue the flow of money to the company," the judge said in an 85-page written decision.
Drabinsky and Gottlieb were convicted on three fraud and forgery charges that defrauded investors of $500 million between 1993 and 1998. The court found that...
After the verdict Wednesday by Ontario Superior Court Justice Mary Lou Bennotto, Drabinsky and Gottlieb were ordered to return to court April 8 for pre-sentence motions. Drabinsky potentially faces 14 years in prison.
Justice Bennotto, who conducted the 10-month trial without a jury, said in her decision that she was persuaded there had been "systematic and longstanding" manipulation of the books at Livent.
"Mr. Drabinsky and Mr. Gottlieb were so devoted to the continuation of Livent that they directed the falsification of the financial statements in order to continue the flow of money to the company," the judge said in an 85-page written decision.
Drabinsky and Gottlieb were convicted on three fraud and forgery charges that defrauded investors of $500 million between 1993 and 1998. The court found that...
- 3/25/2009
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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.