Film
Musicals Are About To Flood The Big Screen
There are over 28 musicals looking to come to the big screen. Already filming are Wicked, Mean Girls, Merrily We Roll Along. Then there is South Pacific directed by Michael Mayer with Hugh Jackman, Justin Timberlake and Michelle Williams, Oliver with Ice Cube and Sunset Blvd with Glenn Close.
The Little Mermaid will be released May 26, 2023 by Walt Disney Pictures, Lucamar Productions, Marc Platt Productions. Directed by Rob Marshall, starring Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Awkwafina, Daveed Diggs, Noma Dumezweni, Jacob Tremblay, Melissa McCarthy and Javier Bardem. There will be new songs added by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The Color Purple will be released December 20, 2023 by Warner Bros. starring Fantasia Barrino, Halle Bailey, Jon Batiste, Danielle Brooks, Ciara, Deon Cole, Colman Domingo, Aunjanue Ellis, Louis Gossett Jr., David Alan Grier, Corey Hawkins, Taraji P. Henson, H.E.R., Stephen Hill, Tamela Mann, Elizabeth Marvel and Phylicia Mpasi. This version is directed by Blitz Bazawule.
For the rest here is what we know:
Joining Ariana Grande as Glinda, Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba are Ethan Slater as Boq, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero. Also recently added are Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Elphaba’s younger sister, Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James as Shiz University classmates Pfannee and ShenShen, Aaron Teoh as Avaric, Michael Carmichael as Nikidik and Keala Settle as Miss Coddle. Doctor Dillamond has not yet been announced.
Marissa Bode is a disabled actress who has performed in musicals like Little Shop of Horrors, The Diviners, Peter Pan, and Mary Poppins.
Bowen Yang was nominated for an Emmy Award for his performance as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. He has also been seen in films like Fire Island and Bros.
Bronwyn James was seen in The Ballad of Renegade Nell on Disney+ and in Lockwood & Co. on Netflix.
Aaron Teoh was seen in U.K. in Merrily We Roll Along and The King and I.
Michael Carmichael will shortly be seen in Disney’s upcoming live action remake of Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Godot.
Keala Settle is best known for her portrayal of bearded woman “Lettie Lutz” inl “The Greatest Showman.” The film’s song, “This Is Me,” won the 2018 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Settle made her Broadway debut in 2011 in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. She originated the role of “Norma Valverde” in Hands on a Hardbody and was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award and Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Settle originated the role of “Becky” in the musical Waitress, and played the roles of “Madame Thenardier” in the revival of Les Misérables and “Tracy Turnblad” in the national tour of Hairspray.
In 2019, Settle sang “Seasons of Love” in Fox’s Rent: Live. She was recently seen on the West End in the revival of Sister Act.
The musical’s book writer, Winnie Holzman, is adapting her piece into a screenplay. Composer Stephen Schwartz is returning to write new music for the film. He recently revealed that the second part of the film will include two new songs. The Wicked movie will also include costumes from Paul Tazewell and choreography from Christopher Scott.
Jon M. Chu’s two-part film adaption of the hit Broadway musical Wicked. The first part will be released during the 2024 holiday season.
Tina Fey and Reneé Rapp on the Today Show
Reneé Rapp, Angourie Rice, Jaquel Spivey and Auli’i Cravalho will star in Paramount’s upcoming “Mean Girls” movie musical. Rapp, who played Regina George in the Broadway musical, will reprise her role in the film. Rice, Spivey and Cravalho will play Cady, Damian and and Janis.
Rapp is currently starring in Season 2 of HBO Max’s “Sex Lives of College Girls.” She also recently released her first EP, “Everything to Everyone.” Rice broke out last year starring opposite Kate Winslet on HBO’s “Mare of Easttown,” and has recently starred in Paramount+’s “Honor Society” and Netflix’s “Senior Year.” Cravalho became a household voice in 2016 when she was cast as the lead in Disney’s “Moana,” and has since appeared in Netflix’s “All Together Now” and Hulu’s “Crush.” Tony and Grammy-nominated Spivey made his professional theater debut as Usher in Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop.
Original film and stage musical writer Tina Fey is penning the movie, with Arturo Perez and and Samantha Jayne directing. The music is by Jeff Richmond with lyrics from Nell Benjamin.
Also in development are the following:
“American Psycho” Duncan Sheik Playtone
“Bare: A Pop Opera” Screenplay and director Kristin Hanggi
“Be More Chill” 21 Laps, Berlanti Productions
“Beautiful, The Life of Carole King” Sony Pictures, Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, and Paul Blake are set to produce.
“Flower Drum Song” Concord Originals, 3AD, Janet Yang Productions. A new adaptation of Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, and Joseph Fields’ 1958 musical based on the C.Y. Lee novel.
“Follies” BBC Films, Heyday Films Director Dominic Cooke
“Guys and Dolls” TriStar Pictures Director: Bill Condon
“Gypsy” in development with Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino New Regency
Frank Wildhorn’s “Jekyll & Hyde” Lexicon, Bluestone Entertainment, Fezziwig Studios
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Elton John “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat“ STX, The Really Useful Group, Rocket Pictures
“Little Shop of Horrors” Marc Platt Productions, Warner Bros.Screenplay: Matthew Robinson Director: Greg Berlanti
“Lysistrata Jones” Branded Pictures Entertainment, Peck Entertainment Screenplay: Douglas Carter Beane and Lewis Flinn Director: Andy Fickman
“Memphis” Alcon Entertainment, Belle Pictures, The Mark Gordon Company, Warner Bros. Screenplay: Joe DiPietro
“Merrily We Roll Along” Blumhouse Director: Richard Linklater Cast: Beanie Feldstein, Blake Jenner, and Ben Platt
“Miss Saigon“ `Cameron Mackintosh, Working Title Films Director: Danny Boyle
“Once On This Island” Walt Disney Studios, Marc Platt Productions Screenplay: Jocelyn Bioh Director: Wanuri Kahiu
“Oliver! ” Disney, Cube Vision, Marc Platt Productions Screenplay: Danny Strong Director: Thomas Kail Cast: Ice Cube
“Pippin” Craig Zadan and Neil Meron Will Partner with the Weinstein Company
“Porgy and Bess ” MGM, Winkler Films Screenplay and director Dee Rees
“The Shaggs” In Cahoots Screenplay: Joy Gregory Director: Ken Kwapis Cast: Elsie Fisher
“Spamalot” Paramount Pictures Screenplay: Eric Idle Director: Casey Nicholaw
“South Pacific” Chicagofilms Screenplay: Lynn Grossman Director: Michael Mayer Cast: Hugh Jackman, Justin Timberlake and Michelle Williams
“Spring Awakening” Playtone Screenplay: Steven Sater
“Sunset Boulevard“Paramount Pictures Rob Ashford director Cast: Glenn Close
” The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Walt Disney Pictures
“The King and I“ Paramount Pictures, Temple Hill, Concord
G.H. Harding
TODD’S AWATS — (from World Cafe) Fifty years ago, Todd Rundgren released his album A Wizard, a True Star, and it sounded like nothing else. World Cafe correspondent John Morrison says Rundgren was pushing boundaries, both in the technical creation of the music but also on a higher level. “Really, the entire approach to sound in this record is exploration of the mind, the spirit, the nature of sound itself,” Morrison says. “Like, the whole album is a trip.” In this session, Morrison takes us on a journey through Rundgren’s A Wizard, a True Star, exploring what the album meant when it came out and how its influence continues to reverberate.
War Babies
Currently he’s touring with Daryl Hall and there’s a bunch of sessions with Hall that are on Daryl’s House. The way their two voices blend is simply amazing. One of my all-time favorite albums is War Babies, from Hall & Oates in 1974. Just amazing songs and the production, courtesy of Todd, is equally compelling. Stunning!
Joe Pantoliano
SHORT TAKES — Joe Pantoliano (Joey Pants) is essaying Morris Levy in the forthcoming play Rock & Roll Man about Alan Freed. Freed is played by Constantine Maroulis. Also coming is the movie Spinning Gold; the story of record exec-Neil Bogart. Both should be something to see … Am reading and reading nothing but rave reviews of Sunday’s Succession on HBO; the first of ten episodes which will wrap up the story. In all the reviews, the writing emerges the star. Jesse Armstrong, a genius for sure. Can’t wait. Check out Roger Friedman’s take from his Showbiz 411: https://www.showbiz411.com/2023/03/22/succession-returns-for-finale-season-sit-down-have-a-drink-or-two-its-intense-as-ever … 79 year old Top Gun: Maverick producer Jerry Bruckheimer: “Don Simpson (Bruckheimer’s late-producing partner) used to say we’re in the transportation business: we transport you from one place to another” …
Jason Ritter
Terrific Accused episode this week, starring Jason Ritter in Jack’s Story. Jason, John Ritter’s son was just excellent; the show was just renewed by Fox … Steve Miller, out on the road, has some interesting openers for his upcoming tour: Dave Mason and Joe Bonamassa. Mason’s book (Only You Know and I Know) is out in May … Dennis Scott hosted a special invitation-only Happy Birthday, Mister Rogers event in Nashville for media, TV, radio and music industry professionals, with support from ASCAP, this past Monday.
Fred Rogers cake
The event featured special musical performances given by country singer-songwriter Teea Goans, singer-songwriter & guitar virtuoso Parker Hastings, who put a Chet Atkins-like spin on the original Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood theme song “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” and studio vocalist Gary Janney. Here’s the cake prepared for the event … Happy Bday William Shatner ; Chaka Khan; Reese Witherspoon; and Anthony Pomes!
Spring, makes us gather as much sun as possible, but it also brings rain and it’s time to hop inside and catch your favorite performer. Here are our picks for April.
92 Street Y: 1395 Lexington Ave. 4/11: Apple TV+’s The Last Thing He Told Me: Jennifer Garner and Laura Dave; 4/19: Al Pacino in Conversation with David Rubenstein (In-Person); 4/30: Celebrating Balanchine: A Screening, Book Reading, Conversation and Performance with Director Connie Hochman, Heather Watts, Jennifer Homans, Tiler Peck, Unity Phelan, and Calvin Royal III Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of George Balanchine’s Death (In-Person)
Tony DeSare
Birdland Jazz: 315 West 44 St. Every Monday at 9:30pm Jim Caruso’s Cast Party; Every Tuesday at 8:30pm The Lineup with Susie Mosher; Every Saturday at 7pm Eric Comstock with Sean Smith (Bass) & special guest Barbara Fasano (Voice); 4/1: Eliane Elias; 4/3: Susie Mosher & John Boswell in CASHINO; 4/17: Anita Gillette & Penny Fuller: “Sin Twisters: The Next Frontier”; 4/17: Sean McDermott & Cassidy Place; 4/21 – 22: Tony DeSare; 4/24: Karen Akers and 4/25 – 29: John Pizzarelli Album Release
Christine Andreas
Cafe Carlyle: 35 E 76th St. 4/1: John Lloyd Young; 4/3: Seth Rudetsky; 4/5 -15; Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro; 18- 19 Christine Andreas; 4/20-21; John Brancy and Peter Dugan; 4/22; Richard Tognetti, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra and 4/25-29 Candace Bushnell.
Carnegie Hall: 881 7th Ave at 57th St.
Chelsea Table + Stage: Hilton Fashion District Hotel, 152 W 26th St. 4/14: Marieann Meringolo and 4/17: The Skivvies.
Don’t Tell Mama: 343 W. 46 St. 4/ 21: Tanya Moberly and 4/28: Ricky Ritzel’s Broadway!
Dizzys Club Coca Cola: Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street. 4/21 -22: Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour
Gabrielle Stravelli
The DJango: 2 Avenue of the Americas. 4/9: Gabrielle Stravelli
54 Below: 254 West 54 St. 4/1: Jennifer Simard: Can I Get Your Number?; 4/1: Bianca Marroquín; 4/4: LIVESTREAM | The Tom Kitt Band; 4/7, 11, 15: Linda Eder; 4/12-14: Kate Baldwin & Aaron Lazar: All For You; 4/21-22: LIVESTREAM | Seth Sikes & Nicolas King with Billy Stritch and 4/29: Darius de Haas: Maisel and More!
Reeve Carney – Photo by Matthew Tammaro
The Green Room 42: 570 10th Ave. 4/2: Melissa Errico; 4/13, 15: Sharon McKnight and 4/23: Reeve Carney
Sony Hall: 235 W. 46th St. 1/15:
Theatre at the West Bank Café: 407 West 42 St.
Jesse Luttrell
The Triad: 158 W. 72 St. 4/21: Jesse Luttrell
Mariza
The Town Hall: 123 West 43rd Street. 4/23: Mariza
G.H. Harding
WOODSTOCK COVER STARS — (Via Best Classic Bands) — Bobbi Ercoline’s name may not be familiar to most, but millions own her photograph: Bobbi, whose last name at the time was Kelly, and her then-boyfriend, Nick Ercoline, were huddled together under a quilt at the 1969 Woodstock festival when photographer Burk Uzzle snapped their picture. The couple, both then 20, were unaware that their photo had even been taken until several months later, when the three-LP Woodstock soundtrack album was released. They were among friends when they first realized the couple on the album cover was them.
“We were passing the jacket around when someone pointed out the staff with the orange and yellow butterfly,” Nick told AARP in 2019 for the organization’s magazine. “That belonged to Herbie, a guy from Huntington Beach, Calif. He was lost and having a bad trip, and we hooked arms with him until he was clear-headed. Then we saw the blanket. Oh my lord, that’s us!”
Bobbi and Nick only lasted one night at Woodstock, and never even got near the stage. They had given it their all trying to get to the festival, ditching their car when traffic became snarled and walking the final two miles. They spent most of their single day there on the hillside where the famous photo was taken.
Two years later, in 1971, they married. They remained together until Bobbi Ercoline’s death Saturday (March 18, 2023).
Nick posted the news on Facebook: “It’s with beyond great sadness that I tell my FB family and friends, that after 54 years of life together, of the death of my beautiful wife, Bobbi, last night surrounded by her family. She lived her life well, and left this world in a much better place. If you knew her, you loved her. She lived by her saying, ‘Be kind.’ As a School Nurse she always championed the kids … ALWAYS! As a person, she always gave. ‘How much do you really need if you have all you need or want?’ So she gave and gave and gave. She didn’t deserve this past year’s nightmare, but she isn’t suffering from the physical pain anymore and that brings some comfort to us.”
We’ve spoken much over the years about how that Woodstock event was so cataclysmic – culturally; musically; and certainly philosophically. Elliot Tiber wrote beautifully about it in his first book Taking Woodstock – a classic if you’ve never read it.
They tried to re-create it in 1994 and though it was good, it just didn’t have that magical flavor of the first one. I wasn’t at either, but as you can imagine, music from that 1969 concert still lives passionately today. I was, however, at Live Aid and that was my Woodstock for sure.
Not to get too poetic, but I came across a great quote yesterday: It’s worth being older now, to have been young then.
Derek And The Dominoes
SHORT TAKES — Derek & The Dominoes Bobby Whitlock on Jim Gordon: “Carl Radle and Jim Gordon … Didn’t get any better than that. The only other alternative [for Derek and the Dominoes] was Jim Keltner. And that’s who should have been the guy and who was supposed to be the guy. But it didn’t turn out that way. He was busy. The rhythm section of Carl and Jim propelled the songs we put together. Jim Gordon is the most musical drummer I ever heard. All of the drums were in tune. literally tuned to a key on the piano. Big kit. But Jim had this wonderful ability to interpret the nuances you could feel but not hear. Carl was solid as a rock. A downbeat player and right on it. So, we have Carl who is solid and down and Jim who is up and on it. So, it was perpetual motion” …
The Ides of March
Do you remember “Vehicle” by The Idea of March back in 1970? It became the fastest-selling single in Warner Brothers history. A little-known fact is that 14 seconds of the completed master of “Vehicle” was accidentally erased in the recording studio, (primarily the guitar solo), and the missing section was spliced in from a previously discarded take. The song reached #2 in Billboard, and #1 in Cashbox. The album “Vehicle” reached #55 nationally … Dolly Parton sings with Elton John on “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” on her forthcoming rock ‘n roll album. I bet it’ll sound great, but how many covers of that song has there been? Maybe they should have picked a John/Taupin deep-cut like “Come Down In Time” or “Amoreena.” Just saying … Does the phrase DLYZECOMKIN mean anything to you?
Micky Dolenz
Believe it or not, in one of those crazy-jumble games online, the phrase translates into Micky Dolenz. Crazy, right? See for yourself: https://invasion24.com/2023/03/19/daily-jumble-puzzle-answers-march-19-2023/
… Speaking of Dolenz, he departs Thursday on a Flower Power Cruise; then starts his Headquarters-tour on April 1 in Orlando …
Charles F. Rosenay does the Zach Martin Big Fat American Podcast next week, for his new release, The Book of Top 10 Beatles Lists (KIWI Publishing) … HAPPY BDAY Gia Ramsey!
NAMES IN THE NEWS — Carol Geiser; Bob Meyerowitz; eYada; Andy Rosen; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Paul Haig; Terry Jastrow; Anthony Pomes; Mark Bego; Charles F. Rosenay; Bill Graham; Kip Cohen; Heather Moore; Charley Crespo; [Robert Miller; John Luongo; LIME; Carl Strube; Jen Ramos; and CHIP!
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