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Woodstock Daddy Resurrected — in Audio!
Elliot Tiber’s 2007 book Taking Woodstock: A True Story of a Riot, a Concert and a Life –written with Tom Monte- (Square One Publishers) was both a hit in the bookstores (https://a.co/d/9OgjOXP) and on the screen in director Ang Lee’s 2009 film adaptation.
Elliot Tiber (photo by Calvin Ki)
The book chronicles how Tiber’s parental home in the area became the backdrop for the 1969 groundbreaking festival. His interactions with all the Woodstock characters made for a splendid and often hilarious read.
Edwin Wald
With another anniversary (August 15-18) upon us, Square One will soon release an audiobook of Tiber’s follow-up After Woodstock ( https://a.co/d/bQB1NPi )and his memoir Palm Tress on the Hudson (https://www.amazon.com/Palm-Trees-on-the-Hudson/dp/B088K8561D/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=9FK2MLJDQ69Q&keywords=palm+trees+on+the+Hudson+audiobook&qid=1659884844&sprefix=palm+trees+on+the+hudson+audiobook+%2Caps%2C64&sr=8-1, )both narrated by Edwin Wald.
Wald sat for an exclusive interview with TSC:
Q: What in your career background led to you working as an audiobook narrator—and what led you into the world of “Woodstock Daddy” Elliot Tiber?
A: I have always focused on playing a multitude of characters—frequently within the same production. I discovered Elliot Tiber through my appreciation of Demetri Martin’s comedy, and his subsequent role in Taking Woodstock. When the title Palm Trees on the Hudson became available for narration on Amazon’s ACX/Audible production site, I jumped at the opportunity to audition. I loved the idea of voicing so many different and wild characters, ranging from mobsters to Judy Garland.
Q: As a gay man yourself, what was it about Tiber’s stories of coming out during the 1969 Woodstock festival that spoke to you most?
A: Although I came out ten years after Woodstock, there were quite a number of parallels between Elliot’s experiences and my own. We were both essentially adrift in a sea of mainly unattainable people and were similarly lonely and aimless for a few years until finding love in our mid-thirties.
Q: Although Tiber’s first memoir Taking Woodstock—which was made into the acclaimed 2009 feature film by two-time Oscar winning director Ang Lee—was already recorded for audiobook format (narrated by Jim Frangione), you were selected instead to narrate Tiber’s “prequel” memoir Palm Trees on the Hudson. How did you get the gig, and what was it about the project that convinced you that you wanted to do it?
Q: Tiber’s publisher, Square One Publishers, and you shared in winning a “Best Audio-Nonfiction” award for Palm Trees on the Hudson from the “Benjamin Franklin Book Awards” given by the West Coast-based Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). What was it like to win?
A:The Ben Franklin Award was a terrific surprise and a great honor. Palm Trees on the Hudsonwas also my first full-length audiobook, so I was doubly thrilled to win the award. I keep the award in a place of honor, where I see it every day.
Q: Tell us a little about what it has been like working now to narrate the “sequel” memoir in the “Tiber Trilogy” – a book titled, aptly enough, After Woodstock.
A: After Woodstock is a very challenging book to narrate. So many different characters! [laughs] Thankfully I have been able to collaborate closely on this project with [Square One’s] Anthony Pomes, who served as audio director on Palm Trees on the Hudson as well. Together we have worked to ensure that the full scope of Elliot’s life richly informs each and every moment in the tale. But it has been a challenge in various other ways, as well. I didn’t expect it, but there are situations in the book that hearken back to difficult periods in my own life.
Q: From the many glowing reviews that it received, it seems like After Woodstock was not only Tiber’s swan song—but also likely his masterpiece. As you’ve narrated the book, what have been some of the more surprising or especially entertaining aspects of the memoir? And since much of it is based on the grittier vagaries of “showbiz,” are there any celebrities or creative artists in the book that you may have actually known yourself over the years?
A: For me, Elliot’s life as revealed in the book is endlessly fascinating. He, and André (Tiber’s partner) as well, went through so much in their respective careers and personal lives that make the story so relatable and resonant. The most prominent celebrity in the book whom I knew personally is Colleen Dewhurst, whom I knew from her presidency of Actors Equity Association, in which I have been a member for many years. I am sure there were others, as I have known many actors who have lived in Manhattan Plaza over the years. We are bound to have crossed paths.
Q: This year is the 53rd anniversary of the original 1969 Woodstock festival. How do you think you’ll be celebrating Woodstock this time around?
A: I will likely get high and listen to the album again!
Q: Last question: In a wrestling match between late actress Shelley Winters and Elliot’s crazy Russian Jewish mother, who do you think would win?
A: Ooh! That’s a tough one! It would probably devolve into a Yiddish curse match between the two of them, but ultimately Sonia Teichberg would be declared the winner, with a well-placed “May you live in a house with a thousand rooms and have a temperature of 114 in each and every room!” I know, it loses something in the translation, but you get the gist.
Q: Where can folks go to get your audiobook narrations of Elliot Tiber’s Palm Trees on the Hudson and the soon-to-be-released After Woodstock. They can find them on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.
We will not be posting today and possibly tomorrow, as we are upgrading to a faster server. Look for some changes at T2C that should improve the performance of the site and make the experience even better for our readers.
Expect some fabulous articles coming your way very soon.
T2C
G.H. Harding
JIM GORDON RIP — If you’re a music fan, you know the name Jim Gordon well. Brilliant musician, part of the Wrecking Crew; Mad Dogs & Englishmen; Delaney & Bonnie; Derek & The Dominoes; Eric Clapton; George Harrison … dead at 77. I’m not going to go into the trouble he had, you can read it below in Variety’s terrific story, but suffice to say, he was an amazing musicianDid he do things that he shouldn’t have? Of course … as we all have. He had a most troubled road and hopefully is now at peace. His music will however, live on. Sad, sad story for sure.
Celebrity-scribe Mark Bego, who is working on a bio of Joe Cocker (for Yorkshire Publishing) had this to say: “Gordon brought a very professional edge to Joe Cocker and his still-gestating Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour. Gordon was one of three drummers on stage for that outrageous tour. Having been a member of The Wrecking Crew, Gordon, despite some head-scratching antics, helped give the rough-and-tumble troupe a much-needed degree of professionalism. However, Gordon began displaying a violent nature on that tour when he hauled off and punched Rita Coolidge in the face, one night after the show.”
Bego’s Cocker bio is provisionally set for release during the holidays.
GOTHAM — Gotham: The Fall and Rise of New York is an exciting exploration of New York City’s history and the legacy of its six mayors from 1966-2013. At the turn of a new century, learn how New York went from a failing city with over 2,200 murders, 93,000 violent robberies and over 500,000 annual felonies only to rise-up as America’s Greatest City.
Featuring twenty-six interviews, archival footage and re-enactments, Gotham puts viewers in the middle of the action exploring how a city turn-around happens.
New York City became what it is today through the blood, sweat, hard work, innovation, and creativity of a handful of heroes who were willing to challenge the status quo. Learn what they did and why it matters.
“We want the audience to get a historical sense of what was going on in New York during this tumultuous time,” said writer, director, and producer Matthew Taylor. “Through the courageous leadership and determination of many, the city was able to turn-around a common perception regarding crime in the area, which can serve as a blueprint on how to revitalize our great cities today.”
Featuring candid interviews with former NYC mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, and former NYPD commissioners Ray Kelly and William “Bill” Bratton, the film also features interviews with more than one dozen important figures who helped resurrect the city. Here’s the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45EXpx2JDz8&t=2s
REVIVAL69 — (Via Deadline) Shout! Studios has acquired North American rights to the music documentary Revival69: The Concert That Rocked The World, about a historic happening that’s been called “the second most important event in rock & roll history.”
Ron Chapman directed the film, which held its U.S. premiere this week at SXSW in Austin, Texas, playing in the festival’s 24 Beats Per Second section. The documentary tells “the remarkable, behind-the-scenes story of how a little known, but life-altering music festival came together — against all odds,” according to a description of the film. “Young, scrappy concert promoter John Brower puts his life on the line (literally) to turn his failing Toronto Rock n Roll Revival into a one-day event… The festival united rock legends like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, and Gene Vincent, with The Doors, who were the biggest band in the world. But it was the 11th hour arrival of John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band that ignited a truly seminal moment for the 20,000 fans at Toronto’s Varsity Stadium.”
The film draws on rare behind-the-scenes material, as well as unreleased concert footage shot by D.A. Pennebaker, the vérité/direct cinema legend who directed the landmark Monterey Pop documentary.
“With its improbable backstory, incredible line-up and indelible D.A. Pennebaker footage, Ron’s wonderful film joins an elite group of unforgettable music documentaries that tell a great story while preserving a seminal moment in pop culture history, Shout has deep roots in the music business, so this was a very happy deal to do.” read a statement from the company.
The film draws on rare behind-the-scenes material, as well as unreleased concert footage shot by D.A. Pennebaker, the vérité/direct cinema legend who directed the landmark Monterey Pop documentary.
The second most important event in rock and roll history? Dunno about that, Bangladesh and Live AID sort of stand out a bit more. That said, interestingly enough, the packaging of the film in its box, looks a lot like Harrison’s show, so maybe its more of an intended subliminal message. In any event, it solidified Lennon’s full departure from The Beatles and his performance was extraordinary as usual. Definitely an integral part of rock history.
Here’s the trailer:
Little Richard
SHORT TAKES — Here’s the trailer for the forthcoming doc on Little Richard entitled I Am Everything. Looks fantastic.
Friar’s Club
Roger Friedman’s Showbiz 411 reported that the Friar’s Club on 55th street in NYC is officially closed for now. https://www.showbiz411.com/2023/03/16/sad-obit-the-friars-club-is-padlocked-shut-closed-after-years-of-mismanagement-and-malfeasance-comes-end-of-era Sad. I spent many marvelous nights there as well as having numerous meals there – I always said they had the best chopped salad in town. 21’s gone; Tortilla Flats; Lucky Strike; China Grill … 3 of the 4 Palms, all gone now. New York’s a changed place now for certain … Great post by producer/manager John Luongo on the resurgence of vinyl. Check it out and BTW, he’s absolutely right: https://www.johnluongomusic.com/post/a-vinyl-countdown …
David Johansen
And, the long-awaited David Johansen movie, Personality Crisis is here (executive produced by Martin Scorsese). Check out the trailer: https://deadline.com/2023/03/david-johansen-personality-crisis-trailer-streaming-premiere-date-showtime-1235301450/
… RIP Lance Reddick from Fringe and Bosch … HAPPY BDAY Steve Garrin and Donna Dolenz!
NAMES IN THE NEWS — Scarlett Rae; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Kent Kotal; Cynthia Ronzoni; Kim Garner; Steve Ross; Ahmet Ertegun; Andrew Sandoval; Terry Jastrow; Harrison Jordan; Bob Small; Kent and Laura Denmark; Jim Kerr; Liz Rosenberg; Ken Dashow; Joe Banadonna; Eppy; Wayne Avers; Jay Fagen; and CHIP.
Producers Sonia Friedman Productions, David Babani, Patrick Catullo, and Jeff Romley announced today that the first ever Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along will begin performances on Tuesday, September 19 at the Hudson Theatre (141 W 44th Street) for a strictly limited, 18-week engagement. Directed by multi-Olivier Award® winner Maria Friedman, Merrily We Roll Along features music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a book by George Furth, and is based on the original play by George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart.
Please visit MerrilyOnBroadway.com to sign up for first-access tickets.
First-Access tickets will go on sale beginning on Thursday, March 23 at 10am E.T.
Tickets on sale to the General Public beginning on Friday, March 24 at 10am E.T.
Tickets will be available from $59. A TodayTix Lottery will be available for all performances, with details to be announced at a later date.
As previously announced, Merrily We Roll Along will star Daniel Radcliffe as Charley Kringas, Jonathan Groff as Franklin Shepard, and Lindsay Mendez as Mary Flynn.
Additionally, the production will feature Krystal Joy Brown as Gussie Carnegie, Katie Rose Clarke as Beth Shepard, and Reg Rogers as Joe Josephson. The cast will also include Sherz Aletaha, Leana Rae Concepcion, Morgan Kirner, Corey Mach, Talia Robinson, Amanda Rose, Jamila Sabares-Klemm, Brian Sears, Evan Alexander Smith, Christian Strange, Koray Tarhan, Vishal Vaidya, Natalie Wachen, and Jacob Keith Watson.
The production recently enjoyed a critically acclaimed and completely sold-out run at New York Theatre Workshop, after its sold-out runs at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory and the Olivier Award-winning West End transfer produced by Sonia Friedman Productions.
To receive the latest information on Merrily We Roll Along please visit MerrilyOnBroadway.com.
Spanning three decades in the entertainment business, Merrily We Roll Along charts the turbulent relationship between composer Franklin Shepard and his two lifelong friends — writer Mary and lyricist & playwright Charley. An inventive cult-classic ahead of its time, Merrily We Roll Along features some of Stephen Sondheim’s most celebrated and personal songs. Maria Friedman first directed the musical at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory – a production that subsequently transferred to the Harold Pinter Theatre, where it garnered the most five-star reviews in West End history before going on to win the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.
Merrily We Roll Along also features choreography by Tim Jackson and orchestrations by Tony Award winner Jonathan Tunick.
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