The 2024 Tony Awards nominations were announced on Tuesday, April 30. Out of all the nominees spread across 26 categories, 23 fascinating facts, stats, trivia and achievements stand out as particularly noteworthy.
1. The following shows only received one Tony nomination: “The Great Gatsby,” “Gutenberg! The Musical!,” “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” “Patriots” “Uncle Vanya” and “The Who’s Tommy.”
2. The following Broadway productions from this past season were completely snubbed: “The Cottage,” “Harmony,” “The Heart of Rock and Roll,” “How to Dance in Ohio,” “I Need That,” “Once Upon a One More Time,” “The Shark is Broken” and “The Wiz.”
3. The following individuals nominated last year are recognized again this year: Kai Harada, Tim Hatley, Amy Herzog, Brian d’Arcy James, Natasha Katz, Bradley King, Tom Kitt, Gareth Owen, Emilio Sosa, Jessica Stone, and Kara Young.
SEETony Awards snubs: ‘Patriots,’ Steve Carell, Chip Zien …
4. Some noteworthy names who happen to be nominated for producing at least one...
1. The following shows only received one Tony nomination: “The Great Gatsby,” “Gutenberg! The Musical!,” “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” “Patriots” “Uncle Vanya” and “The Who’s Tommy.”
2. The following Broadway productions from this past season were completely snubbed: “The Cottage,” “Harmony,” “The Heart of Rock and Roll,” “How to Dance in Ohio,” “I Need That,” “Once Upon a One More Time,” “The Shark is Broken” and “The Wiz.”
3. The following individuals nominated last year are recognized again this year: Kai Harada, Tim Hatley, Amy Herzog, Brian d’Arcy James, Natasha Katz, Bradley King, Tom Kitt, Gareth Owen, Emilio Sosa, Jessica Stone, and Kara Young.
SEETony Awards snubs: ‘Patriots,’ Steve Carell, Chip Zien …
4. Some noteworthy names who happen to be nominated for producing at least one...
- 4/30/2024
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
Broadway fans: the 2024 Tony Award nominations are finally here!
Each year, the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre (aka the Tonys), celebrates the best on Broadway. The nominations were announced by two past Tony winners: Take Me Out‘s Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Hamilton‘s Renée Elise Goldsberry.
This year, the Tonys will be held on June 16, 2024 with host Ariana DeBose returning to host for a third time. Just Jared will be live updating throughout the entire event, so stick with us that night!
Head inside to see the full list of Tony Award nominations…
Scroll down for the full list of Tony Award nominees…
Best Musical
Hell’s Kitchen
Illinoise
The Outsiders
Suffs
Water for Elephants
Best Play
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Mary Jane
Mother Play
Prayer for the French Republic
Stereophonic
Best Revival of a Play
Appropriate
An Enemy of the People
Purlie Victorious: A...
Each year, the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre (aka the Tonys), celebrates the best on Broadway. The nominations were announced by two past Tony winners: Take Me Out‘s Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Hamilton‘s Renée Elise Goldsberry.
This year, the Tonys will be held on June 16, 2024 with host Ariana DeBose returning to host for a third time. Just Jared will be live updating throughout the entire event, so stick with us that night!
Head inside to see the full list of Tony Award nominations…
Scroll down for the full list of Tony Award nominees…
Best Musical
Hell’s Kitchen
Illinoise
The Outsiders
Suffs
Water for Elephants
Best Play
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Mary Jane
Mother Play
Prayer for the French Republic
Stereophonic
Best Revival of a Play
Appropriate
An Enemy of the People
Purlie Victorious: A...
- 4/30/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
The 2024 Tony Awards nominations were announced on Tuesday, May 2 by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Renée Elise Goldsberry. The reveal of the roster of contenders was carried on the Tonys YouTube channel. While the nominations for the 77th annual Tony Awards were determined by a few dozen theater professionals, winners will be decided by upwards of 800 members of the Broadway community.
Three dozen shows were eligible for consideration by the nominating committee. On the play side, there are 10 original works and five revivals in the running. Over on the musical side, 15 new tuners were in contention as were six musical revivals. The cutoff date for eligibility was April 27.
The Tony Awards are set for June 16 at Lincoln Center and will be hosted for the third year in a row by Oscar winner Ariana DeBose.
The 2024 Tony Awards nominations list below includes all 26 competitive categories.
Musicals
Best Musical
Hell’s Kitchen
Illinoise...
Three dozen shows were eligible for consideration by the nominating committee. On the play side, there are 10 original works and five revivals in the running. Over on the musical side, 15 new tuners were in contention as were six musical revivals. The cutoff date for eligibility was April 27.
The Tony Awards are set for June 16 at Lincoln Center and will be hosted for the third year in a row by Oscar winner Ariana DeBose.
The 2024 Tony Awards nominations list below includes all 26 competitive categories.
Musicals
Best Musical
Hell’s Kitchen
Illinoise...
- 4/30/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The Tony Awards Administration Committee met for the first time during the 2023-2024 Broadway season on November 30, to discuss eligibility of 10 productions for the 77th Annual Tony Awards in 2024.
The productions discussed were: “Grey House,” “Once Upon a One More Time,” “Here Lies Love,” “The Cottage,” “Back to the Future: The Musical,” “The Shark is Broken,” “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch,” “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Gutenberg! The Musical!”
See‘Here We Are’ reviews: Stephen Sondheim’s final musical is ‘enchanting,’ ‘compelling’ with ‘exceptional’ cast
The following determinations were made:
Briga Heelan and Justin Guarini will be considered eligible in the Lead Actress/Actor in a Musical categories for their respective performances in “Once Upon a One More Time.”
Anna Fleischle (scenic design) and Sven Ortel (projection design) will be considered jointly eligible in the Best Scenic Design of a Musical...
The productions discussed were: “Grey House,” “Once Upon a One More Time,” “Here Lies Love,” “The Cottage,” “Back to the Future: The Musical,” “The Shark is Broken,” “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch,” “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Gutenberg! The Musical!”
See‘Here We Are’ reviews: Stephen Sondheim’s final musical is ‘enchanting,’ ‘compelling’ with ‘exceptional’ cast
The following determinations were made:
Briga Heelan and Justin Guarini will be considered eligible in the Lead Actress/Actor in a Musical categories for their respective performances in “Once Upon a One More Time.”
Anna Fleischle (scenic design) and Sven Ortel (projection design) will be considered jointly eligible in the Best Scenic Design of a Musical...
- 12/1/2023
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Daniel Radcliffe won’t be competing against his Merrily We Roll Along Broadway co-star Jonathan Groff for a Tony Award next June, and the reason has nothing to do with performance quality: The awards administration committee ruled today that Radcliffe will be eligible in the featured performer category, apparently leaving the lead category to Groff.
Lindsay Mendez, who plays Mary Flynn, the musical’s most prominent female character, will, like Radcliffe, who plays Charley Kringas, be eligible in the featured slot (the Tony’s equivalent to Oscar’s “supporting” categories).
While Groff’s character of Franklin Shepard has traditionally been considered the main character of the Stephen Sondheim-George Furth musical, this year’s hit Maria Friedman-directed revival included the three stars’ names above the title, leaving some wiggle room with regard to the category decisions.
Indeed, audience members might be hard-pressed to decide which actor goes where: While...
Lindsay Mendez, who plays Mary Flynn, the musical’s most prominent female character, will, like Radcliffe, who plays Charley Kringas, be eligible in the featured slot (the Tony’s equivalent to Oscar’s “supporting” categories).
While Groff’s character of Franklin Shepard has traditionally been considered the main character of the Stephen Sondheim-George Furth musical, this year’s hit Maria Friedman-directed revival included the three stars’ names above the title, leaving some wiggle room with regard to the category decisions.
Indeed, audience members might be hard-pressed to decide which actor goes where: While...
- 11/30/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
This review contains spoilers for the show's visual surprises.
The original 1985 "Back to the Future" movie is a fantasy. It's a teen time travel fantasy about knocking sense into your disappointing parents and ensuring they grow into better people. It's a fantasy where "If You Put Your Mind To It, You Can Accomplish Anything" pays dividends as an adage. It's also a visual effects dream — courtesy of its director-screenwriter Robert Zemeckis and Ilm — that rode the waves of critical and commercial success, two sequels, pop culture homages, and now a "Back to the Future: The Musical."
The famed DeLorean time machine skids onto Broadway's Winter Garden stage, as the West End version dances on. Within a few blinding flashes, the vehicle pops up like magic thanks to Chris Fisher's illusion work and Tim Lutkin & Hugh Vanstone's tactful lighting. Its 3D scan designed by Tim Hatley, the DeLorean feels alive.
The original 1985 "Back to the Future" movie is a fantasy. It's a teen time travel fantasy about knocking sense into your disappointing parents and ensuring they grow into better people. It's a fantasy where "If You Put Your Mind To It, You Can Accomplish Anything" pays dividends as an adage. It's also a visual effects dream — courtesy of its director-screenwriter Robert Zemeckis and Ilm — that rode the waves of critical and commercial success, two sequels, pop culture homages, and now a "Back to the Future: The Musical."
The famed DeLorean time machine skids onto Broadway's Winter Garden stage, as the West End version dances on. Within a few blinding flashes, the vehicle pops up like magic thanks to Chris Fisher's illusion work and Tim Lutkin & Hugh Vanstone's tactful lighting. Its 3D scan designed by Tim Hatley, the DeLorean feels alive.
- 8/7/2023
- by Caroline Cao
- Slash Film
If you’re seeing an eight p.m. performance of Back to the Future: The Musical on Broadway, I’ve got a time-travel tip for you: Set your DeLorean for about 10:10 p.m. and hit the gas, because it’s only in the final action sequence that this meandering remodeling of Robert Zemeckis’s 1985 sci-fi classic pivots from tedious fan service to stunning stage magic.
Few shows have mastered the varied arts of cinematic recreation quite like this one. Finn Ross’s video design brings the film’s iconic scenes of warp-speed time travel to thrilling life, while lit for maximal dizzying impact by Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone. The reenactment of the moment when scientist Doc Brown (Roger Bart) clambers atop a clock tower during a lightning storm while Marty McFly (Casey Likes) revs the DeLorean in the distance is a perfect marriage of design elements, with video,...
Few shows have mastered the varied arts of cinematic recreation quite like this one. Finn Ross’s video design brings the film’s iconic scenes of warp-speed time travel to thrilling life, while lit for maximal dizzying impact by Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone. The reenactment of the moment when scientist Doc Brown (Roger Bart) clambers atop a clock tower during a lightning storm while Marty McFly (Casey Likes) revs the DeLorean in the distance is a perfect marriage of design elements, with video,...
- 8/4/2023
- by Dan Rubins
- Slant Magazine
Life of Pi, the Tony-winning play based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel, will close this July.
The show will play its last performance on July 23 at Broadway’s Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, with Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera portraying lead character Pi Patel through July 9. Cast member Uma Paranjpe will then take over the role, beginning July 11 until the show closes, in a gender-reversed version of Lolita Chakrabarti’s original script. The show’s closing comes less than fourth months after its official opening.
Life of Pi, which was also adapted into an Academy Award-winning movie, is set to launch a North American tour beginning in fall 2024, with locations and dates to be announced at a later date.
Written by Chakrabarti and directed by Max Webster, the play opened on March 30, 2023 following previews, which began on March 9. The story follows a 16-year-old Indian boy, Pi Patel, who survives more than 200 days...
The show will play its last performance on July 23 at Broadway’s Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, with Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera portraying lead character Pi Patel through July 9. Cast member Uma Paranjpe will then take over the role, beginning July 11 until the show closes, in a gender-reversed version of Lolita Chakrabarti’s original script. The show’s closing comes less than fourth months after its official opening.
Life of Pi, which was also adapted into an Academy Award-winning movie, is set to launch a North American tour beginning in fall 2024, with locations and dates to be announced at a later date.
Written by Chakrabarti and directed by Max Webster, the play opened on March 30, 2023 following previews, which began on March 9. The story follows a 16-year-old Indian boy, Pi Patel, who survives more than 200 days...
- 6/20/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel Life Of Pi on Jun 11th! Life Of Pi, which won Best Lighting Design of a Play, Best Scenic Design of a Play, and Best Sound Design of a Play, is the first Broadway play with a majority South Asian cast/creative team to win 3 Tony Awards.
Life Of Pi is an epic tale of adventure that is “giving new life to Broadway” (The Today Show). After a shipwreck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi survives on a lifeboat with four companions— a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger. This remarkable story of hope, faith, and perseverance speaks to every generation. Told through incomparable puppetry and exquisite stagecraft, Life Of Pi creates a visually breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy.
By Matthew Murphy...
Life Of Pi is an epic tale of adventure that is “giving new life to Broadway” (The Today Show). After a shipwreck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi survives on a lifeboat with four companions— a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger. This remarkable story of hope, faith, and perseverance speaks to every generation. Told through incomparable puppetry and exquisite stagecraft, Life Of Pi creates a visually breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy.
By Matthew Murphy...
- 6/14/2023
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
The 2023 Tony Awards just honored a fresh group of incredible talents. Trophies were handed out at the United Palace Theater in NYC on June 11. This year's big winners include "Killing Eve" star Jodie Comer for her role in "Prima Facie," the play "Leopoldstadt," and the musical "Kimberly Akimbo."
"Shucked" star Alex Newell and "Some Like It Hot" star J. Harrison Ghee also made history as they became the award show's first openly nonbinary acting winners. The Tony Awards do not have gender-neutral acting categories. Newell, an alum of "The Glee Project," took home the award for featured actor in a musical. Ghee also won in their category, best actor in a musical.
The annual theater award ceremony was hosted by Oscar winner Ariana DeBose, who is emceeing without a script amid the 2023 writers strike.
Ahead, these are the 2023 Tony winners.
Best Musical
"& Juliet"
Winner: "Kimberly Akimbo"
"New York, New York...
"Shucked" star Alex Newell and "Some Like It Hot" star J. Harrison Ghee also made history as they became the award show's first openly nonbinary acting winners. The Tony Awards do not have gender-neutral acting categories. Newell, an alum of "The Glee Project," took home the award for featured actor in a musical. Ghee also won in their category, best actor in a musical.
The annual theater award ceremony was hosted by Oscar winner Ariana DeBose, who is emceeing without a script amid the 2023 writers strike.
Ahead, these are the 2023 Tony winners.
Best Musical
"& Juliet"
Winner: "Kimberly Akimbo"
"New York, New York...
- 6/12/2023
- by Victoria Edel
- Popsugar.com
Kimberly Akimbo was the big winner at the 76th annual Tony Awards, which were handed out Sunday night in New York. It won five awards including Best Musical and Lead Actress for Victoria Clark.
Related: Tony Awards Review & Recap: A Writer-Less Ceremony Goes Off Without A Hitch As Broadway Improvises A Winner
Leopoldstadt won four Tonys including Best Play, tying for second-most with Some Like It Hot. See the full list of winners below.
Julie Comer and (Prima Facie) and J. Harrison Ghee (Some Like It Hot) took Lead Actress and Actor in a Musical, respectively, and Sean Hayes won Lead Actor in a Play for Good Night, Oscar, which was that shows lone win – as was Comer’s for Prima Facie.
Related: Tony Awards 2023: The Best Of The Red Carpet
Eleven Tonys were presented during the hour-plus preshow, and 15 more are were doled out in primetime. Oscar...
Related: Tony Awards Review & Recap: A Writer-Less Ceremony Goes Off Without A Hitch As Broadway Improvises A Winner
Leopoldstadt won four Tonys including Best Play, tying for second-most with Some Like It Hot. See the full list of winners below.
Julie Comer and (Prima Facie) and J. Harrison Ghee (Some Like It Hot) took Lead Actress and Actor in a Musical, respectively, and Sean Hayes won Lead Actor in a Play for Good Night, Oscar, which was that shows lone win – as was Comer’s for Prima Facie.
Related: Tony Awards 2023: The Best Of The Red Carpet
Eleven Tonys were presented during the hour-plus preshow, and 15 more are were doled out in primetime. Oscar...
- 6/12/2023
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The 76th Tony Awards took place on Sunday, June 11 in a two-part telecast staged at the United Palace in Washington Heights. Nominations were announced on May 2, 2023. Of the 38 eligible productions from the 2022-2023 Broadway season, 29 reaped bids across 26 competitive categories.
13 of the 15 eligible musicals and musical revivals earned at least one nomination. A new stage adaptation of the 1959 film “Some Like It Hot” leads all productions with 13 nominations. Its tally includes a nomination for the top honor of Best Musical and four bids for its performers. Three other new musicals are tied for second place with nine nominations: “& Juliet,” “New York, New York,” and “Shucked,” all earning Best Musical bids. Best musical frontrunner “Kimberly Akimbo” nabbed eight total bids. Of the six eligible Musical Revivals, the late Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” leads with eight, including Best Revival and three acting nominations; “Parade” and...
13 of the 15 eligible musicals and musical revivals earned at least one nomination. A new stage adaptation of the 1959 film “Some Like It Hot” leads all productions with 13 nominations. Its tally includes a nomination for the top honor of Best Musical and four bids for its performers. Three other new musicals are tied for second place with nine nominations: “& Juliet,” “New York, New York,” and “Shucked,” all earning Best Musical bids. Best musical frontrunner “Kimberly Akimbo” nabbed eight total bids. Of the six eligible Musical Revivals, the late Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” leads with eight, including Best Revival and three acting nominations; “Parade” and...
- 6/11/2023
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
On Sunday, Broadway stepped out for its biggest night as the Tony Awards celebrated the year’s best talent live from the United Palace in New York City. The ceremony was hosted by stage star-turned-Oscar winner Ariana DeBose in a three-hour ceremony that aired at 8/7c on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
Going into the 76th annual awards, Some Like It Hot led the pack of musicals with a whopping 13 nominations, including one for Best New Musical. But Kimberly Akimbo ultimately won the top prize, in addition to other top honors for both its lead and supporting actress. As far as plays go,...
Going into the 76th annual awards, Some Like It Hot led the pack of musicals with a whopping 13 nominations, including one for Best New Musical. But Kimberly Akimbo ultimately won the top prize, in addition to other top honors for both its lead and supporting actress. As far as plays go,...
- 6/11/2023
- by Claire Franken
- TVLine.com
Broadway insiders are always quick to offer their predictions for the big races at the Tony Awards, but if you’re aiming for a top score in our Tony Awards prediction contest you’ll need to make informed decisions in the below-the-line races. It’s time to look past the acting races and figure out who is ahead in the four design categories which could make or break your score.
This season’s crop of plays serve up some sensational stagecraft. There are life-like animal puppets, ghostly apparitions, elegant period gowns, amorphous dreamscapes, and more. The level of artistry on display with this set of nominees makes for challenging categories to predict. So let’s wade into these turbulent waters and attempt to make sense of each race.
Scenic Design
This should be an epic battle between “Life of Pi” and “A Christmas Carol.” The stagecraft on display in both plays is so impressive,...
This season’s crop of plays serve up some sensational stagecraft. There are life-like animal puppets, ghostly apparitions, elegant period gowns, amorphous dreamscapes, and more. The level of artistry on display with this set of nominees makes for challenging categories to predict. So let’s wade into these turbulent waters and attempt to make sense of each race.
Scenic Design
This should be an epic battle between “Life of Pi” and “A Christmas Carol.” The stagecraft on display in both plays is so impressive,...
- 6/10/2023
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
To Washington Heights we go. The Tony Awards head to a new venue this year, the United Palace, but the excitement of honoring the year’s best in theater is the same as ever. If, like me, you can’t wait for Sunday night’s event to begin, that’s where math can come in.
Similar to the Oscars, I’ve built a mathematical model to predict the Tonys in all 26 categories, based on a combination of which categories a show is nominated in, the aggregated predictions of various Broadway critics, and the results of the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama League Awards. The model is trained on historical Tony Awards data over the past quarter-century — inputs that have done a better job of predicting each category in the past get more weight in this year’s predictions. In some years, the favorites will dominate, like the final...
Similar to the Oscars, I’ve built a mathematical model to predict the Tonys in all 26 categories, based on a combination of which categories a show is nominated in, the aggregated predictions of various Broadway critics, and the results of the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama League Awards. The model is trained on historical Tony Awards data over the past quarter-century — inputs that have done a better job of predicting each category in the past get more weight in this year’s predictions. In some years, the favorites will dominate, like the final...
- 6/10/2023
- by Ben Zauzmer
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2023 Tony Awards nominations were announced on Tuesday, May 2. Out of all the nominees spread across the 26 categories, a number of them stand out as particularly noteworthy. Read my 31 fascinating facts, stats and trivia for this year’s contenders below.
See 2023 Tony Awards nominations: Full List
1. The following shows only received one Tony nomination: “Almost Famous,” “Ohio State Murders,” and “Summer, 1976.”
2. The following Broadway productions from this past season were completely snubbed: “1776,” “Bad Cinderella,” “A Beautiful Noise,” “Bob Fosse’s Dancin’,” “The Collaboration,” “The Kite Runner,” “Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool,” “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” “Pictures From Home,” “The Thanksgiving Play,” and “Walking with Ghosts.”
3. Two of this year’s nominees for Best Revival of a Musical (“Into the Woods” and “Parade”) are transfers from successful runs at New York City Center.
4. Some noteworthy names who happen to be nominated for producing at least one Broadway...
See 2023 Tony Awards nominations: Full List
1. The following shows only received one Tony nomination: “Almost Famous,” “Ohio State Murders,” and “Summer, 1976.”
2. The following Broadway productions from this past season were completely snubbed: “1776,” “Bad Cinderella,” “A Beautiful Noise,” “Bob Fosse’s Dancin’,” “The Collaboration,” “The Kite Runner,” “Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool,” “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” “Pictures From Home,” “The Thanksgiving Play,” and “Walking with Ghosts.”
3. Two of this year’s nominees for Best Revival of a Musical (“Into the Woods” and “Parade”) are transfers from successful runs at New York City Center.
4. Some noteworthy names who happen to be nominated for producing at least one Broadway...
- 5/2/2023
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
Lea Michele and Myles Frost hosted ‘The 76th Annual Tony Award Nominations (Photo by Jenny Anderson / Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Funny Girl‘s Lea Michele and Tony Award winner Myles Frost had the honor of announcing The 76th Annual Tony Awards. Some Like It Hot earned the most nominations with 13, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and two in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical category.
Shucked, & Juliet, and New York, New York picked up nine nominations each. Kimberly Akimbo and Sweeney Todd earned eight, followed by Ain’t No Mo’, A Doll’s House, Into the Woods, Parade, and Leopoldstadt with six.
Oscar winner Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) returns to host the live Tony Awards show airing on June 11, 2023 at 5pm Pt / 8pm Et. This year’s ceremony will be broadcast on CBS and will stream live on Paramount+.
Funny Girl‘s Lea Michele and Tony Award winner Myles Frost had the honor of announcing The 76th Annual Tony Awards. Some Like It Hot earned the most nominations with 13, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and two in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical category.
Shucked, & Juliet, and New York, New York picked up nine nominations each. Kimberly Akimbo and Sweeney Todd earned eight, followed by Ain’t No Mo’, A Doll’s House, Into the Woods, Parade, and Leopoldstadt with six.
Oscar winner Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) returns to host the live Tony Awards show airing on June 11, 2023 at 5pm Pt / 8pm Et. This year’s ceremony will be broadcast on CBS and will stream live on Paramount+.
- 5/2/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
It’s a big day for Broadway: With just over a month until the 2023 Tony Awards, we’re finally learning which shows and stars are being recognized.
Funny Girl star Lea Michele and Tony winner Myles Frost (Mj) are announcing this year’s nominees from the Sofitel New York, which you can watch in the live stream above beginning at 9 am. (Some nominations were also announced live on CBS Mornings at 8:30 am.)
More from TVLineJoe Pickett Sneak Peek: Nate Is Back -- With a Grave Warning (Exclusive)Good Omens Season 2 Trailer: Crowley and Aziraphale's Unholy Bond, Heavenly Hijinks, a...
Funny Girl star Lea Michele and Tony winner Myles Frost (Mj) are announcing this year’s nominees from the Sofitel New York, which you can watch in the live stream above beginning at 9 am. (Some nominations were also announced live on CBS Mornings at 8:30 am.)
More from TVLineJoe Pickett Sneak Peek: Nate Is Back -- With a Grave Warning (Exclusive)Good Omens Season 2 Trailer: Crowley and Aziraphale's Unholy Bond, Heavenly Hijinks, a...
- 5/2/2023
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
The Tony Awards Administration Committee met on April 28, for the third and final time during the 2022-2023 Broadway season, to discuss the eligibility of 11 productions for the 76th Annual Tony Awards. This year’s ceremony will be held at the United Palace in Washington Heights, and will broadcast live on Sunday, June 11, 2023, on the CBS Television Network, and stream live and on demand on Paramount+. The Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.
The productions under discussion were: “Life of Pi,” “Shucked,” “Fat Ham,” “Camelot,” “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,’ “The Thanksgiving Play,” “Prima Facie,” “Good Night, Oscar,” “Summer, 1976,” “New York, New York,” and “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window.”
See 2023 Tony Awards eligibility rulings (round 2): Stephen McKinley Henderson, Linedy Genao confirmed as lead actors
The following determinations were made:
Hiran Abeysekera will be considered eligible in the Lead Actor in a Play...
The productions under discussion were: “Life of Pi,” “Shucked,” “Fat Ham,” “Camelot,” “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,’ “The Thanksgiving Play,” “Prima Facie,” “Good Night, Oscar,” “Summer, 1976,” “New York, New York,” and “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window.”
See 2023 Tony Awards eligibility rulings (round 2): Stephen McKinley Henderson, Linedy Genao confirmed as lead actors
The following determinations were made:
Hiran Abeysekera will be considered eligible in the Lead Actor in a Play...
- 4/28/2023
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
When a character promises a life story so inspirational it’ll make a believer of an atheist, the tale better come through on some big-time convincing. Life of Pi, Lolita Chakrabarti’s stage adaption of Yann Martel’s heart-tugging 2001 novel opening tonight at Broadway’s Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, won’t likely be churning out any religious converts, but renewed faith in the art of puppetry is all but guaranteed.
Starring the winning young actor Hiran Abeysekera, reprising his Olivier Award-winning London turn as the title character, Life of Pi, directed by Max Webster, sticks closer to the novel than to Ang Lee’s 2012 film adaptation, building the plot around a maritime investigation rather than the writing of a book – and, of course, replacing CGI beasties with enough fully articulated life-size puppets to populate a zoo, or at least a lifeboat. All aboard, at one time or another, are a hyena,...
Starring the winning young actor Hiran Abeysekera, reprising his Olivier Award-winning London turn as the title character, Life of Pi, directed by Max Webster, sticks closer to the novel than to Ang Lee’s 2012 film adaptation, building the plot around a maritime investigation rather than the writing of a book – and, of course, replacing CGI beasties with enough fully articulated life-size puppets to populate a zoo, or at least a lifeboat. All aboard, at one time or another, are a hyena,...
- 3/31/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Broadway’s Almost Famous star Casey Likes has landed the coveted role of Marty McFly in the upcoming Back To The Future: The Musical, joining the previously announced Roger Bart as Doc Brown.
The casting was announced today by lead producer Colin Ingram with Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale. On Good Morning America today, Likes was introduced by Bob Gale, co-writer of Back to the Future film trilogy, as the young actor emerged from a DeLorean in Times Square.
Previews of Back To The Future begin Friday, June 30, at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre, with an opening night on Thursday, August 3. Also in the cast is Hugh Coles as George McFly, who, like Bart, is reprising his performance from the original West End production.
Likes was named a 2019 finalist at the Jimmy Awards, the nationwide high school musical theater awards presented by the Broadway League. He made his Broadway debut last September as William Miller,...
The casting was announced today by lead producer Colin Ingram with Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale. On Good Morning America today, Likes was introduced by Bob Gale, co-writer of Back to the Future film trilogy, as the young actor emerged from a DeLorean in Times Square.
Previews of Back To The Future begin Friday, June 30, at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre, with an opening night on Thursday, August 3. Also in the cast is Hugh Coles as George McFly, who, like Bart, is reprising his performance from the original West End production.
Likes was named a 2019 finalist at the Jimmy Awards, the nationwide high school musical theater awards presented by the Broadway League. He made his Broadway debut last September as William Miller,...
- 3/1/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling stage adaption of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel Life Of Pi will premiere at Broadway’s Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street) in March! The five-time Olivier Award-winning, Life Of Pi, begins performances Thursday, March 9, 2023, and opens Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction – winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide – Life Of Pi is a breath-taking new theatrical adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope.
After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them; nature is harsh. Who will survive?
The cast for the Broadway production has been announced and it includes some of the cast from the original London West End production.
Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction – winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide – Life Of Pi is a breath-taking new theatrical adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope.
After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them; nature is harsh. Who will survive?
The cast for the Broadway production has been announced and it includes some of the cast from the original London West End production.
- 2/11/2023
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Hiran Abeysekera, who won the 2022 Best Actor Olivier Award for his performance of the title character in the London stage production of Lolita Chakrabarti’s Life of Pi, will lead the Broadway cast when the play arrives at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre next month.
Joining him will be Fred Davis and Scarlet Wilderink, who shared the Olivier for Best Supporting Actor as the puppeteers behind “Richard Parker” the tiger.
Life of Pi begins performances Thursday, March 9, at the Schoenfeld, with an opening night of Thursday, March 30.
Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel, Chakrabarti’s stage adaptation won a total of five Oliviers including Best New Play. In addition to Abeysekera, Davis and Wilderink, the Broadway cast will feature Brian Thomas Abraham as Cook/Voice of “Richard Parker,” Rajesh Bose as Father and Avery Glymph, Mahira Kakkar, Kirstin Louie, Salma Qarnain, Sathya Sridharan, Daisuke Tsuji, and Sonya Venugopal.
Also in the cast: Nikki Calonge,...
Joining him will be Fred Davis and Scarlet Wilderink, who shared the Olivier for Best Supporting Actor as the puppeteers behind “Richard Parker” the tiger.
Life of Pi begins performances Thursday, March 9, at the Schoenfeld, with an opening night of Thursday, March 30.
Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel, Chakrabarti’s stage adaptation won a total of five Oliviers including Best New Play. In addition to Abeysekera, Davis and Wilderink, the Broadway cast will feature Brian Thomas Abraham as Cook/Voice of “Richard Parker,” Rajesh Bose as Father and Avery Glymph, Mahira Kakkar, Kirstin Louie, Salma Qarnain, Sathya Sridharan, Daisuke Tsuji, and Sonya Venugopal.
Also in the cast: Nikki Calonge,...
- 2/10/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The stage version of Yann Martel’s brilliant novel Life of Pi is getting ready to hit the stage lights of Broadway! The 2022 Olivier Award-winning Best Play, will move from London to Broadway’s Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in March 2023. Performance of this dazzling theatre experience begins March 9th, with opening night on March 30th.
Life Of Pi is currently playing at Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End where it won five Olivier Awards including Best New Play, Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design. In an historic first for the Olivier Awards, the seven performers who play Royal Bengal tiger ‘Richard Parker’ were collectively awarded Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The London production with its cutting-edge visual effects has garnered great critical acclaim, with one review calling it breathtaking and another saying it is not to be missed!
Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction...
Life Of Pi is currently playing at Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End where it won five Olivier Awards including Best New Play, Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design. In an historic first for the Olivier Awards, the seven performers who play Royal Bengal tiger ‘Richard Parker’ were collectively awarded Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The London production with its cutting-edge visual effects has garnered great critical acclaim, with one review calling it breathtaking and another saying it is not to be missed!
Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction...
- 10/25/2022
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Click here to read the full article.
The stage version of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel Life of Pi , which was also adapted into an Academy Award-winning movie, will arrive on Broadway in March, producers said Monday.
Written by Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by Max Webster, the Olivier Award-winning play will open at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on March 30, 2023. Previews for the show, which will announce its cast at a later date, will begin on March 9.
The story follows a 16-year-old Indian boy, Piscine Molitor “Pi” Patel, who survives over 200 days stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger, a hyena, a zebra and an orangutan after a cargo ship wrecks and sinks in the Pacific Ocean. Themes center on spirituality and metaphysics and explore not only the nature of reality but both how it is told and perceived.
In a statement, Chakrabarti describes her adaptation process as “daunting,...
The stage version of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel Life of Pi , which was also adapted into an Academy Award-winning movie, will arrive on Broadway in March, producers said Monday.
Written by Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by Max Webster, the Olivier Award-winning play will open at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on March 30, 2023. Previews for the show, which will announce its cast at a later date, will begin on March 9.
The story follows a 16-year-old Indian boy, Piscine Molitor “Pi” Patel, who survives over 200 days stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger, a hyena, a zebra and an orangutan after a cargo ship wrecks and sinks in the Pacific Ocean. Themes center on spirituality and metaphysics and explore not only the nature of reality but both how it is told and perceived.
In a statement, Chakrabarti describes her adaptation process as “daunting,...
- 10/24/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lolita Chakrabarti’s stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel Life of Pi will premiere at Broadway’s Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre with performances beginning Thursday, March 9, 2023, ahead of an official opening on Thursday, March 30, 2023.
The Broadway staging is produced by Simon Friend, Daryl Roth, Hal Luftig, Mark Gordon and Playing Field. Prior to Broadway, Life of Pi will make its North American Premiere at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, co-led by Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director Diane Paulus and Executive Director Kelvin Dinkins, Jr. from December 4, 2022, through January 29, 2023.
Life of Pi is directed by Max Webster, with Set and Costume Design by Tim Hatley, Puppet and Movement Direction by Finn Caldwell, Puppet Design by Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, Video Design by Andrzej Goulding, Lighting Design by Tim Lutkin, Sound Design by Carolyn Downing, and Original Music by Andrew T Mackay.
“Having started work seven years...
The Broadway staging is produced by Simon Friend, Daryl Roth, Hal Luftig, Mark Gordon and Playing Field. Prior to Broadway, Life of Pi will make its North American Premiere at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, co-led by Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director Diane Paulus and Executive Director Kelvin Dinkins, Jr. from December 4, 2022, through January 29, 2023.
Life of Pi is directed by Max Webster, with Set and Costume Design by Tim Hatley, Puppet and Movement Direction by Finn Caldwell, Puppet Design by Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, Video Design by Andrzej Goulding, Lighting Design by Tim Lutkin, Sound Design by Carolyn Downing, and Original Music by Andrew T Mackay.
“Having started work seven years...
- 10/24/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Broadway is going Back to the Future this summer when the Olivier Award-winning musical stage adaptation of the 1985 film begins previews at the Winter Garden Theatre. Making the trip stateside will be Roger Bart and Hugh Coles reprising their West End performances as Doc Brown and George McFly.
Broadway previews begin Friday, June 30, ahead of an official opening on Thursday, August 3.
The role of Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox in the film franchise, will be announced soon, as will additional casting.
Producers made the announcement today to coincide with Back To The Future Day, the October 21 date used for the setting of the future events in the film franchise’s Back to the Future Part II. They also released a teaser trailer featuring Bart and the films’ Doc Brown Christopher Lloyd. Watch it below.
Roger Bart (Courtesy Production)
“Marty, Doc and everyone in Hill Valley will be living...
Broadway previews begin Friday, June 30, ahead of an official opening on Thursday, August 3.
The role of Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox in the film franchise, will be announced soon, as will additional casting.
Producers made the announcement today to coincide with Back To The Future Day, the October 21 date used for the setting of the future events in the film franchise’s Back to the Future Part II. They also released a teaser trailer featuring Bart and the films’ Doc Brown Christopher Lloyd. Watch it below.
Roger Bart (Courtesy Production)
“Marty, Doc and everyone in Hill Valley will be living...
- 10/21/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: A gleaming, stainless steel Dmc DeLorean is ready for its star turn in New York. Phantom of the Opera has its chandelier, while Miss. Saigon boasted a helicopter hovering into view. And now, the Broadway-bound hit West End musical Back to the Future is revving up with a scene-stealing DeLorean time machine.
At a recent matinee performance at London’s Adelphi Theatre of Back to the Future, based on the 1985 movie starring Michael J. Fox, written by Bob Zemeckis and Bob Gale, and directed by Zemeckis, grown men — many with partners and children — gave their loudest cheers when the DeLorean made its appearance. It arrived in a haze of smoke and flashing blue and white lights some 20 minutes into the first act. “It does get them excited,” the show’s lead producer, Colin Ingram, marveled. “Especially when it travels for the first time, back to 1955,” he said.
The British-designed,...
At a recent matinee performance at London’s Adelphi Theatre of Back to the Future, based on the 1985 movie starring Michael J. Fox, written by Bob Zemeckis and Bob Gale, and directed by Zemeckis, grown men — many with partners and children — gave their loudest cheers when the DeLorean made its appearance. It arrived in a haze of smoke and flashing blue and white lights some 20 minutes into the first act. “It does get them excited,” the show’s lead producer, Colin Ingram, marveled. “Especially when it travels for the first time, back to 1955,” he said.
The British-designed,...
- 7/10/2022
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
A revival of Kander and Ebb musical Cabaret was the big winner at Sunday’s Olivier Awards in London. Cabaret At The Kit Kat Club scooped seven of the prestigious trophies, including Best Musical Revival and Best Actor and Actress in a Musical for Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley, respectively. Redmayne plays the Emcee while Buckley is Sally Bowles. (Scroll down for the full list of winners).
Held at the Royal Albert Hall, the Oliviers ceremony was the first time the event took place in person since the start of Covid. It was also an opportunity for host Jason Manford to get in some references to the recent Oscars ceremony scandal. According to the BBC, Manford appeared on stage before the proceedings began and quipped, “There will be moments where I’ve got to fill a bit of time when they’re changing the set, so I’ll come out...
Held at the Royal Albert Hall, the Oliviers ceremony was the first time the event took place in person since the start of Covid. It was also an opportunity for host Jason Manford to get in some references to the recent Oscars ceremony scandal. According to the BBC, Manford appeared on stage before the proceedings began and quipped, “There will be moments where I’ve got to fill a bit of time when they’re changing the set, so I’ll come out...
- 4/11/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
The West End production of Cabaret featuring Eddie Redmayne leads the roster of 2022 Olivier Awards nominations released Tuesday, with the musical revival scoring 11 nominations.
Winners will be announced April 10 at London’s Royal Albert Hall, marking the first in-person ceremony for the Oliviers since Covid hit two years ago.
See the complete list of nominations below.
In addition to Redmayne, who was nominated in the Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as the Emcee, Cabaret was nominated for Best Musical Revival, as well as nods for actors Jessie Buckley, Liza Sadovy and Elliot Levey. Also nominated were the revival’s costume and scenic designs, sound design, choreography and lighting.
Sutton Foster, currently co-starring with Hugh Jackman in Broadway’s The Music Man, earned a Best Actress in a Musical nomination for her portrayal of Reno Sweeney in the West End revival of Anything Goes.
The complete list of...
Winners will be announced April 10 at London’s Royal Albert Hall, marking the first in-person ceremony for the Oliviers since Covid hit two years ago.
See the complete list of nominations below.
In addition to Redmayne, who was nominated in the Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as the Emcee, Cabaret was nominated for Best Musical Revival, as well as nods for actors Jessie Buckley, Liza Sadovy and Elliot Levey. Also nominated were the revival’s costume and scenic designs, sound design, choreography and lighting.
Sutton Foster, currently co-starring with Hugh Jackman in Broadway’s The Music Man, earned a Best Actress in a Musical nomination for her portrayal of Reno Sweeney in the West End revival of Anything Goes.
The complete list of...
- 3/8/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Great Scott! Over seven years after the musical adaptation of Back to the Future was announced, it’s finally ready to go and will premiere in 2020! After seven years of radio silence on the project I never thought it would actually happen, but here we are.
Co-writer and director of the original film Robert Zemeckis is involved with the musical as well as co-writer and producer Bob Gale and the movie’s composer, Alan Silvestri. It will be directed by Tony winner John Rando (Urinetown, On the Town) and it will feature a score by Glen Ballard (Jagged Little Pill) along with Silvestri. The show also promises to include memorable musical moments from the movie, such as "The Power of Love" and "Johnny B. Goode."
The show will star Olly Dobson (Bat Out of Hell and Matilda) as Marty McFly. Additional casting, including for the role of Dr. Emmett Brown,...
Co-writer and director of the original film Robert Zemeckis is involved with the musical as well as co-writer and producer Bob Gale and the movie’s composer, Alan Silvestri. It will be directed by Tony winner John Rando (Urinetown, On the Town) and it will feature a score by Glen Ballard (Jagged Little Pill) along with Silvestri. The show also promises to include memorable musical moments from the movie, such as "The Power of Love" and "Johnny B. Goode."
The show will star Olly Dobson (Bat Out of Hell and Matilda) as Marty McFly. Additional casting, including for the role of Dr. Emmett Brown,...
- 5/20/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Tom Stoppard’s Tony-winning 1974 play Travesties, stuffed thick as a English gentleman’s armchair, its ideas on art, war, patriotism and purposeful nonsense fashioned into a nonstop tourney of wit and erudition, has often been called a brainteaser, but brain tickler comes so much closer to the jubilant staging presented by Broadway’s Roundabout Theatre Company.
Directed by Patrick Marber and starring Tom Hollander, this Travesties arrives at Roundabout’s American Airlines Theatre following its well-received 2016 London staging, its mostly new cast missing not so much as a breath or a notion.
The play, which points to the luxurious density of Stoppard’s later masterworks Arcardia and The Coast of Utopia, launches with a hang-on-tight monologue delivered by Henry Carr (Hollander), an aging British consul whose first claim to literary immortality was a passing mention in James Joyce’s Ulysses.
Here, Carr, a real-life figure,...
Directed by Patrick Marber and starring Tom Hollander, this Travesties arrives at Roundabout’s American Airlines Theatre following its well-received 2016 London staging, its mostly new cast missing not so much as a breath or a notion.
The play, which points to the luxurious density of Stoppard’s later masterworks Arcardia and The Coast of Utopia, launches with a hang-on-tight monologue delivered by Henry Carr (Hollander), an aging British consul whose first claim to literary immortality was a passing mention in James Joyce’s Ulysses.
Here, Carr, a real-life figure,...
- 4/25/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Deborah Cox is getting ready to hit the road.
People can exclusively reveal that the 42-year-old Grammy nominee is stepping into Whitney Houston's shoes, taking on the late singer's iconic role of Rachel Marron in the national tour of The Bodyguard.
In the exclusive First Look photo, Cox shines in costume designer Tim Hatley's sparkly blue sequined, feathered dress that's accented with a stunning blue necklace fit for any "Queen of the Night."
Based on Lawrence Kasdan's Oscar-nominated 1992 film, The Bodyguard features a score filled with Houston's irresistible classic songs, including "Saving All My Love," "I Have Nothing,...
People can exclusively reveal that the 42-year-old Grammy nominee is stepping into Whitney Houston's shoes, taking on the late singer's iconic role of Rachel Marron in the national tour of The Bodyguard.
In the exclusive First Look photo, Cox shines in costume designer Tim Hatley's sparkly blue sequined, feathered dress that's accented with a stunning blue necklace fit for any "Queen of the Night."
Based on Lawrence Kasdan's Oscar-nominated 1992 film, The Bodyguard features a score filled with Houston's irresistible classic songs, including "Saving All My Love," "I Have Nothing,...
- 8/8/2016
- by Dave Quinn, @NineDaves
- People.com - TV Watch
Deborah Cox is getting ready to hit the road. People can exclusively reveal that the 42-year-old Grammy nominee is stepping into Whitney Houston's shoes, taking on the late singer's iconic role of Rachel Marron in the national tour of The Bodyguard. In the exclusive First Look photo, Cox shines in costume designer Tim Hatley's sparkly blue sequined, feathered dress that's accented with a stunning blue necklace fit for any "Queen of the Night." Based on Lawrence Kasdan's Oscar-nominated 1992 film, The Bodyguard features a score filled with Houston's irresistible classic songs, including "Saving All My Love," "I Have Nothing,...
- 8/8/2016
- by Dave Quinn, @NineDaves
- PEOPLE.com
Deborah Cox is getting ready to hit the road. People can exclusively reveal that the 42-year-old Grammy nominee is stepping into Whitney Houston's shoes, taking on the late singer's iconic role of Rachel Marron in the national tour of the The Bodyguard. In the exclusive First Look photo, Cox shines in costume designer Tim Hatley's a sparkly blue sequined, feathered dress that's accented with a stunning blue necklace fit for any "Queen of the Night." Based on Lawrence Kasdan's Oscar-nominated 1992 film, The Bodyguard features a score filled with Houston's irresistible classic songs, including "Saving All My Love,...
- 8/8/2016
- by Dave Quinn, @NineDaves
- PEOPLE.com
Richard Bean's new play Great Britain opened in the West End on September 26,following a sell-out run at the National Theatre. With a cast led by Lucy Punch andRobert Glenister, Nicholas Hytner's production now continues at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in a strictly limited season to 10 January 2015. Designs are by Tim Hatley, with video design by 59 Productions, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Grant Olding and sound by Paul Arditti.Go inside opening night in the video below...
- 9/30/2014
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
Win A Copy Of Shrek The Musical
Now Available on Blu-ray and DVD!
The greatest fairy tale never told comes to life as never before in DreamWorks’ Shrek The Musical, the highly acclaimed Broadway production based on the smash-hit movie. Shrek The Musical received eight 2009 Tony Award® nominations including Best Musical, winning Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tim Hatley) and received a Grammy Award® nomination for Best Musical Show Album. Fans can join in on the performance with sing along Shrek-tastic songs on the Deluxe Edition Blu-ray™ + DVD + Digital HD™ or single-disc DVD!
I’ve got two copies to up for grabs!
For your chance to win a copy of Shrek: The Musical on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD simply answer the following question:
Which character is Shrek’s best sidekick?
• Donkey
• Pinocchio
• Lord Farquaad
Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on: Twitter @FoxHomeEnt
Ru?
The post Shrek The...
Now Available on Blu-ray and DVD!
The greatest fairy tale never told comes to life as never before in DreamWorks’ Shrek The Musical, the highly acclaimed Broadway production based on the smash-hit movie. Shrek The Musical received eight 2009 Tony Award® nominations including Best Musical, winning Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tim Hatley) and received a Grammy Award® nomination for Best Musical Show Album. Fans can join in on the performance with sing along Shrek-tastic songs on the Deluxe Edition Blu-ray™ + DVD + Digital HD™ or single-disc DVD!
I’ve got two copies to up for grabs!
For your chance to win a copy of Shrek: The Musical on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD simply answer the following question:
Which character is Shrek’s best sidekick?
• Donkey
• Pinocchio
• Lord Farquaad
Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on: Twitter @FoxHomeEnt
Ru?
The post Shrek The...
- 10/19/2013
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
The greatest fairy tale never told comes to life as never before in DreamWorks’ Shrek The Musical, the highly acclaimed Broadway production based on the smash-hit movie.
You can bring the magic of Broadway to your home and get the best seat in the house when the Deluxe Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD arrives Today – October 15th.
Called a “triumph of comic imagination” (Elysa Gardner, USA Today) that “never stints on spectacle or laughs” (David Rooney, Variety), Shrek The Musical received eight 2009 Tony Award® nominations including Best Musical, winning Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tim Hatley) and received a Grammy Award® nomination for Best Musical Show Album.
Featuring a fantasic score of 17 all-new songs, Shrek The Musical was filmed on stage to capture the magic of a Broadway performance and stars an amazing celebrated cast including Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek), Sutton Foster (Fiona), Daniel Breaker (Donkey), Christopher Sieber (Lord...
You can bring the magic of Broadway to your home and get the best seat in the house when the Deluxe Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD arrives Today – October 15th.
Called a “triumph of comic imagination” (Elysa Gardner, USA Today) that “never stints on spectacle or laughs” (David Rooney, Variety), Shrek The Musical received eight 2009 Tony Award® nominations including Best Musical, winning Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tim Hatley) and received a Grammy Award® nomination for Best Musical Show Album.
Featuring a fantasic score of 17 all-new songs, Shrek The Musical was filmed on stage to capture the magic of a Broadway performance and stars an amazing celebrated cast including Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek), Sutton Foster (Fiona), Daniel Breaker (Donkey), Christopher Sieber (Lord...
- 10/15/2013
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The greatest fairy tale never told comes to life as never before in DreamWorks’ Shrek The Musical, the highly acclaimed Broadway production based on the smash-hit movie. Called a “triumph of comic imagination” (Elysa Gardner, USA Today) that “never stints on spectacle or laughs” (David Rooney, Variety), Shrek The Musical received eight 2009 Tony Award® nominations including Best Musical, winning Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tim Hatley) and received a Grammy Award® nomination for Best Musical Show Album.
Featuring a fantasic score of 17 all-new songs, Shrek The Musical was filmed on stage to capture the magic of a Broadway performance and stars an amazing celebrated cast including Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek), Sutton Foster (Fiona), Daniel Breaker (Donkey), Christopher Sieber (Lord Farquaad), and John Tartaglia (Pinocchio). The film was shot live on Broadway with 10 cameras and directed by Michael Warren.
Wamg is offering you the chance to see it on...
Featuring a fantasic score of 17 all-new songs, Shrek The Musical was filmed on stage to capture the magic of a Broadway performance and stars an amazing celebrated cast including Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek), Sutton Foster (Fiona), Daniel Breaker (Donkey), Christopher Sieber (Lord Farquaad), and John Tartaglia (Pinocchio). The film was shot live on Broadway with 10 cameras and directed by Michael Warren.
Wamg is offering you the chance to see it on...
- 10/6/2013
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The greatest fairy tale never told comes to life as never before in DreamWorks’ Shrek The Musical, the highly acclaimed Broadway production based on the smash-hit movie. Called a “triumph of comic imagination” (Elysa Gardner, USA Today) that “never stints on spectacle or laughs” (David Rooney, Variety), Shrek The Musical received eight 2009 Tony Award® nominations including Best Musical, winning Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tim Hatley) and received a Grammy Award® nomination for Best Musical Show Album.
Featuring a fantasic score of 17 all-new songs, Shrek The Musical was filmed on stage to capture the magic of a Broadway performance and stars an amazing celebrated cast including Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek), Sutton Foster (Fiona), Daniel Breaker (Donkey), Christopher Sieber (Lord Farquaad), and John Tartaglia (Pinocchio). The film was shot live on Broadway with 10 cameras and directed by Michael Warren. Now you can bring the magic of Broadway to your...
Featuring a fantasic score of 17 all-new songs, Shrek The Musical was filmed on stage to capture the magic of a Broadway performance and stars an amazing celebrated cast including Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek), Sutton Foster (Fiona), Daniel Breaker (Donkey), Christopher Sieber (Lord Farquaad), and John Tartaglia (Pinocchio). The film was shot live on Broadway with 10 cameras and directed by Michael Warren. Now you can bring the magic of Broadway to your...
- 8/21/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The complete list of nominees for this year's Olivier awards, celebrating the best of British theatre, dance and opera
Best actor
Rupert Everett – The Judas Kiss
James McAvoy – Macbeth
Mark Rylance – Twelfth Night
Rafe Spall – Constellations
Luke Treadaway – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Best actress
Helen Mirren – The Audience
Hattie Morahan – A Doll's House
Billie Piper – The Effect
Kristin Scott Thomas – Old Times
Best actor in a supporting role
Paul Chahidi – Twelfth Night
Richard McCabe – The Audience
Adrian Scarborough – Hedda Gabler
Kyle Soller – Long Day's Journey Into Night
Best actress in a supporting role
Janie Dee – Nsfw
Anastasia Hille – The Effect
Cush Jumbo – Julius Caesar (Donmar Warehouse)
Helen McCrory – The Last of the Haussmans
Nicola Walker – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Mastercard best new play
Constellations
The Audience
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
This House
Best director
Stephen Daldry...
Best actor
Rupert Everett – The Judas Kiss
James McAvoy – Macbeth
Mark Rylance – Twelfth Night
Rafe Spall – Constellations
Luke Treadaway – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Best actress
Helen Mirren – The Audience
Hattie Morahan – A Doll's House
Billie Piper – The Effect
Kristin Scott Thomas – Old Times
Best actor in a supporting role
Paul Chahidi – Twelfth Night
Richard McCabe – The Audience
Adrian Scarborough – Hedda Gabler
Kyle Soller – Long Day's Journey Into Night
Best actress in a supporting role
Janie Dee – Nsfw
Anastasia Hille – The Effect
Cush Jumbo – Julius Caesar (Donmar Warehouse)
Helen McCrory – The Last of the Haussmans
Nicola Walker – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Mastercard best new play
Constellations
The Audience
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
This House
Best director
Stephen Daldry...
- 3/26/2013
- The Guardian - Film News
London — Does "The Bodyguard" have the muscle to be a hit?
A stage musical based on the 1992 movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner has opened at London's Adelphi Theatre to a mixed critical reception – but universal praise for its big-voiced star.
Reviewers raved Thursday about Heather Headley's performance as Rachel Marron, a superstar singer who falls for the former secret service agent (Lloyd Owen) assigned to protect her from a stalker.
Critic Mark Shenton in The Stage newspaper found Headley – an American actor and singer who has won both a Tony and a Grammy Award – "an utterly compelling star" who combines "an authentic glamour and blazingly soulful vocals."
Evening Standard newspaper critic Henry Hitchings called her "mesmerizing," while the Daily Telegraph's Charles Spencer praised Headley's "sassy stage presence" and declared her renditions of songs such as "I Will Always Love You" even better than those by Houston, who...
A stage musical based on the 1992 movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner has opened at London's Adelphi Theatre to a mixed critical reception – but universal praise for its big-voiced star.
Reviewers raved Thursday about Heather Headley's performance as Rachel Marron, a superstar singer who falls for the former secret service agent (Lloyd Owen) assigned to protect her from a stalker.
Critic Mark Shenton in The Stage newspaper found Headley – an American actor and singer who has won both a Tony and a Grammy Award – "an utterly compelling star" who combines "an authentic glamour and blazingly soulful vocals."
Evening Standard newspaper critic Henry Hitchings called her "mesmerizing," while the Daily Telegraph's Charles Spencer praised Headley's "sassy stage presence" and declared her renditions of songs such as "I Will Always Love You" even better than those by Houston, who...
- 12/6/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Adelphi theatre, London
Lawrence Kasdan has recorded his surprise at the idea of his screenplay for the 1992 movie, starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, being used as the basis for a musical. My own reaction, having seen the finished product, is more one of mild dismay. Although the show is staged with enormous technical efficiency, it is one more example of the necrophiliac musical morbidly attracted to a cinematic corpse.
I admit that the book by Alexander Dinelaris shifts the focus so that the rock star, Rachel Marron, occupies centre-stage rather than the bodyguard, Frank Farmer, who seeks to protect her from a venomous stalker. But, even though the songs are now foregrounded, the central paradox of the story remains unresolved.
The more Rachel and Frank fall in love, the more of an incompetent loon he seems. In this version he not only escorts the threatened superstar to a bar,...
Lawrence Kasdan has recorded his surprise at the idea of his screenplay for the 1992 movie, starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, being used as the basis for a musical. My own reaction, having seen the finished product, is more one of mild dismay. Although the show is staged with enormous technical efficiency, it is one more example of the necrophiliac musical morbidly attracted to a cinematic corpse.
I admit that the book by Alexander Dinelaris shifts the focus so that the rock star, Rachel Marron, occupies centre-stage rather than the bodyguard, Frank Farmer, who seeks to protect her from a venomous stalker. But, even though the songs are now foregrounded, the central paradox of the story remains unresolved.
The more Rachel and Frank fall in love, the more of an incompetent loon he seems. In this version he not only escorts the threatened superstar to a bar,...
- 12/6/2012
- by Michael Billington
- The Guardian - Film News
On Twitter Watch, Heather Headley wrote So I just had my fitting for TheBodyguardUK..wow Tim Hatley has gone couture on us. Yep I had my last sweet potato fry at lunch.Starring Heather Headley as Rachel Marron and Lloyd Owen as Frank Farmer in the roles made famous on film by the late Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, tickets for The Bodyguard went on sale on May 1, taking bookings until 27 April 2013 for the productions first booking period. Previews begin on 6 November 2012, twenty years after the release of the Oscar nominated film. Opening night is 5 December.
- 9/26/2012
- by BWW
- BroadwayWorld.com
Previews for The Bodyguard the musical are set to start November 6 with its official opening on December 5 at the Adelphi Theater in Londons West End. As previously reported the musical will star Tony winner Heather Headley as Rachel Marron and Lloyd Owens as Frank Farmer in the roles made famous by Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. The musical will be Directed by Thea Sparrok (Equus) and feature music from the original motion picture as well as other classic Whitney Houston songs. The new Book adapted from the Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdon will be done by Alx Dinelaris with Scenic and Costume Design by Tim Hatley, Choreography by Arthur Pita and Orchestrations by Chris...
- 9/6/2012
- by Natasha Greeves
- ShadowAndAct
Thea Sharrock will direct Clare Higgins in the title role of Mrs Klein in the first London revival of Nicholas Wright's play. Mrs Klein previews at the Almeida Theatre from 22 October 2009 with press night on 29 October 2009 and will run until 5 December 2009. Joining Clare Higgins are Nicola Walker as Paula and Zoe Waites as Melitta. Designs are by Tim Hatley with lighting by Neil Austin and sound by Ian Dickinson.
- 10/27/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
This review was written for the festival screening of "Notes on a Scandal".This may run counter of the auteur theory, but "Notes on a Scandal" feels much more like a film by writer Patrick Marber than by director Richard Eyre. Eyre does a fine job overseeing performances by a terrific cast that rings true until female hysteria takes over the final act. But in tone and theme, the film has all the hallmarks of playwright-screenwriter Marber's stark, uncompromising misanthropy, if not misogyny.
That would mean neurotic women daring to experiment with unconventional if not outlaw sexual relationships ("Asylum") and the depiction of love as tawdry acts of betrayal and exploitation ("Closer"). While "Scandal" is indeed based on a novel by another writer, Zoe Heller's "What Was She Thinking: Notes on a Scandal," Marber never bothers to import into his screen version any of the wit or subtlety that so pleased its literary critics. Instead, he goes for a dispiriting hard-heartedness.
To whom will such a film appeal? To misanthropes perhaps? Perhaps lonely, bitter folks with no Christmas bird to share with friends or family. Remarkably, Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench almost make sense of these extreme characters. Possibly enough enthusiasts of these fine actresses may turn out to deliver a modest art house boxoffice for Fox Searchlight.
The story tells of a scandal provoked by a colossally foolish affair between a married female schoolteacher and a 15-year-old male student. The arrival of art teacher Sheba Hart (Blanchett) at a comprehensive high school in north London catches everyone off guard. Her slightly bohemian manner and oddly out-of-fashion attire furrows the brows of fellow teachers and provokes sex-crazed male students. One student, Steven Connolly (Andrew Simpson), pursues her with great ardor. He has about him just enough modest artistic talent and a whiff of poverty within an abusive household to provoke her unhealthy interest.
Sheba appears to have a content home life with a lawyer husband several years her senior (Bill Nighy), a teen daughter (Juno Temple) at a difficult age and a cheerful son (Max Lewis) with Down syndrome. Perhaps that contentment comes from this being a household of "semiprofessional drinkers."
But none of these characters narrate the story. That tasks falls to diarist Barbara Covett (Dench), a history teacher nearing retirement who describes herself as a "battle-ax." Barbara takes the novice teacher under her wing. When she discovers the affair, she acts as mother confessor. When it becomes public knowledge, she acts as Sheba's only defender.
However, she proves both an unreliable narrator and friend. She sees Sheba's dilemma as a personal opportunity to gain the upper hand in the relationship. Marber's screen adaptation makes it clear that Barbara's friendship with and defense of Sheba springs from a strong Sapphic impulse.
Barbara believes the affair puts this good-looking woman in her power. When that power fails her, when Sheba shows insufficient compassion for her dying cat -- a cat, for Pete's sake -- Barbara makes certain rumors will spread, thereby destroying Sheba's life and family. From this point on, female hysteria reigns, egged on by an unusually emotional Philip Glass score.
For a while, two of the finest actresses in cinema make these characters believable. Nothing they do in the final act, however, retains this credibility. Nighy certainly earns our sympathy, though we don't really get to know the man. The youngsters are more props than flesh-and-blood characters, more like Barbara's cat, in fact.
On the plus side, the film nicely surveys the scruffy, genteel sections of contemporary London thanks to excellent design by Tim Hatley and cinematography by Chris Menges.
That would mean neurotic women daring to experiment with unconventional if not outlaw sexual relationships ("Asylum") and the depiction of love as tawdry acts of betrayal and exploitation ("Closer"). While "Scandal" is indeed based on a novel by another writer, Zoe Heller's "What Was She Thinking: Notes on a Scandal," Marber never bothers to import into his screen version any of the wit or subtlety that so pleased its literary critics. Instead, he goes for a dispiriting hard-heartedness.
To whom will such a film appeal? To misanthropes perhaps? Perhaps lonely, bitter folks with no Christmas bird to share with friends or family. Remarkably, Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench almost make sense of these extreme characters. Possibly enough enthusiasts of these fine actresses may turn out to deliver a modest art house boxoffice for Fox Searchlight.
The story tells of a scandal provoked by a colossally foolish affair between a married female schoolteacher and a 15-year-old male student. The arrival of art teacher Sheba Hart (Blanchett) at a comprehensive high school in north London catches everyone off guard. Her slightly bohemian manner and oddly out-of-fashion attire furrows the brows of fellow teachers and provokes sex-crazed male students. One student, Steven Connolly (Andrew Simpson), pursues her with great ardor. He has about him just enough modest artistic talent and a whiff of poverty within an abusive household to provoke her unhealthy interest.
Sheba appears to have a content home life with a lawyer husband several years her senior (Bill Nighy), a teen daughter (Juno Temple) at a difficult age and a cheerful son (Max Lewis) with Down syndrome. Perhaps that contentment comes from this being a household of "semiprofessional drinkers."
But none of these characters narrate the story. That tasks falls to diarist Barbara Covett (Dench), a history teacher nearing retirement who describes herself as a "battle-ax." Barbara takes the novice teacher under her wing. When she discovers the affair, she acts as mother confessor. When it becomes public knowledge, she acts as Sheba's only defender.
However, she proves both an unreliable narrator and friend. She sees Sheba's dilemma as a personal opportunity to gain the upper hand in the relationship. Marber's screen adaptation makes it clear that Barbara's friendship with and defense of Sheba springs from a strong Sapphic impulse.
Barbara believes the affair puts this good-looking woman in her power. When that power fails her, when Sheba shows insufficient compassion for her dying cat -- a cat, for Pete's sake -- Barbara makes certain rumors will spread, thereby destroying Sheba's life and family. From this point on, female hysteria reigns, egged on by an unusually emotional Philip Glass score.
For a while, two of the finest actresses in cinema make these characters believable. Nothing they do in the final act, however, retains this credibility. Nighy certainly earns our sympathy, though we don't really get to know the man. The youngsters are more props than flesh-and-blood characters, more like Barbara's cat, in fact.
On the plus side, the film nicely surveys the scruffy, genteel sections of contemporary London thanks to excellent design by Tim Hatley and cinematography by Chris Menges.
- 12/11/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This may run counter of the auteur theory, but Notes on a Scandal feels much more like a film by writer Patrick Marber than by director Richard Eyre. Eyre does a fine job overseeing performances by a terrific cast that rings true until female hysteria takes over the final act. But in tone and theme, the film has all the hallmarks of playwright-screenwriter Marber's stark, uncompromising misanthropy, if not misogyny.
That would mean neurotic women daring to experiment with unconventional if not outlaw sexual relationships (Asylum) and the depiction of love as tawdry acts of betrayal and exploitation (Closer). While Scandal is indeed based on a novel by another writer, Zoe Heller's "What Was She Thinking: Notes on a Scandal," Marber never bothers to import into his screen version any of the wit or subtlety that so pleased its literary critics. Instead, he goes for a dispiriting hard-heartedness.
To whom will such a film appeal? To misanthropes perhaps? Perhaps lonely, bitter folks with no Christmas bird to share with friends or family. Remarkably, Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench almost make sense of these extreme characters. Possibly enough enthusiasts of these fine actresses may turn out to deliver a modest art house boxoffice for Fox Searchlight.
The story tells of a scandal provoked by a colossally foolish affair between a married female schoolteacher and a 15-year-old male student. The arrival of art teacher Sheba Hart (Blanchett) at a comprehensive high school in north London catches everyone off guard. Her slightly bohemian manner and oddly out-of-fashion attire furrows the brows of fellow teachers and provokes sex-crazed male students. One student, Steven Connolly (Andrew Simpson), pursues her with great ardor. He has about him just enough modest artistic talent and a whiff of poverty within an abusive household to provoke her unhealthy interest.
Sheba appears to have a content home life with a lawyer husband several years her senior (Bill Nighy), a teen daughter (Juno Temple) at a difficult age and a cheerful son (Max Lewis) with Down syndrome. Perhaps that contentment comes from this being a household of "semiprofessional drinkers."
But none of these characters narrate the story. That tasks falls to diarist Barbara Covett (Dench), a history teacher nearing retirement who describes herself as a "battle-ax." Barbara takes the novice teacher under her wing. When she discovers the affair, she acts as mother confessor. When it becomes public knowledge, she acts as Sheba's only defender.
However, she proves both an unreliable narrator and friend. She sees Sheba's dilemma as a personal opportunity to gain the upper hand in the relationship. Marber's screen adaptation makes it clear that Barbara's friendship with and defense of Sheba springs from a strong Sapphic impulse.
Barbara believes the affair puts this good-looking woman in her power. When that power fails her, when Sheba shows insufficient compassion for her dying cat -- a cat, for Pete's sake -- Barbara makes certain rumors will spread, thereby destroying Sheba's life and family. From this point on, female hysteria reigns, egged on by an unusually emotional Philip Glass score.
For a while, two of the finest actresses in cinema make these characters believable. Nothing they do in the final act, however, retains this credibility. Nighy certainly earns our sympathy, though we don't really get to know the man. The youngsters are more props than flesh-and-blood characters, more like Barbara's cat, in fact.
On the plus side, the film nicely surveys the scruffy, genteel sections of contemporary London thanks to excellent design by Tim Hatley and cinematography by Chris Menges.
That would mean neurotic women daring to experiment with unconventional if not outlaw sexual relationships (Asylum) and the depiction of love as tawdry acts of betrayal and exploitation (Closer). While Scandal is indeed based on a novel by another writer, Zoe Heller's "What Was She Thinking: Notes on a Scandal," Marber never bothers to import into his screen version any of the wit or subtlety that so pleased its literary critics. Instead, he goes for a dispiriting hard-heartedness.
To whom will such a film appeal? To misanthropes perhaps? Perhaps lonely, bitter folks with no Christmas bird to share with friends or family. Remarkably, Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench almost make sense of these extreme characters. Possibly enough enthusiasts of these fine actresses may turn out to deliver a modest art house boxoffice for Fox Searchlight.
The story tells of a scandal provoked by a colossally foolish affair between a married female schoolteacher and a 15-year-old male student. The arrival of art teacher Sheba Hart (Blanchett) at a comprehensive high school in north London catches everyone off guard. Her slightly bohemian manner and oddly out-of-fashion attire furrows the brows of fellow teachers and provokes sex-crazed male students. One student, Steven Connolly (Andrew Simpson), pursues her with great ardor. He has about him just enough modest artistic talent and a whiff of poverty within an abusive household to provoke her unhealthy interest.
Sheba appears to have a content home life with a lawyer husband several years her senior (Bill Nighy), a teen daughter (Juno Temple) at a difficult age and a cheerful son (Max Lewis) with Down syndrome. Perhaps that contentment comes from this being a household of "semiprofessional drinkers."
But none of these characters narrate the story. That tasks falls to diarist Barbara Covett (Dench), a history teacher nearing retirement who describes herself as a "battle-ax." Barbara takes the novice teacher under her wing. When she discovers the affair, she acts as mother confessor. When it becomes public knowledge, she acts as Sheba's only defender.
However, she proves both an unreliable narrator and friend. She sees Sheba's dilemma as a personal opportunity to gain the upper hand in the relationship. Marber's screen adaptation makes it clear that Barbara's friendship with and defense of Sheba springs from a strong Sapphic impulse.
Barbara believes the affair puts this good-looking woman in her power. When that power fails her, when Sheba shows insufficient compassion for her dying cat -- a cat, for Pete's sake -- Barbara makes certain rumors will spread, thereby destroying Sheba's life and family. From this point on, female hysteria reigns, egged on by an unusually emotional Philip Glass score.
For a while, two of the finest actresses in cinema make these characters believable. Nothing they do in the final act, however, retains this credibility. Nighy certainly earns our sympathy, though we don't really get to know the man. The youngsters are more props than flesh-and-blood characters, more like Barbara's cat, in fact.
On the plus side, the film nicely surveys the scruffy, genteel sections of contemporary London thanks to excellent design by Tim Hatley and cinematography by Chris Menges.
- 12/11/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hit Broadway show Monty Python's Spamalot has started its award-winning run early by being named Best Musical by New York's critics forum Drama Desk. The musical, based on the British comedy troupe's Monty Python & The Holy Grail, is up for 14 Tony Awards next month - but the honors are already piling up for the show. As well as being voted Best Musical by the Drama Desk critics at Sunday's ceremony, Spamalot also claimed honors for Best Lyrics (Eric Idle) and Best Costumes (Tim Hatley).
- 5/25/2005
- WENN
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