Fame or Famine

People are missing the point.

photo used with permission: FinalPixxx/Newscom
There’s a lot of buzz out there about a recent photo shoot that Julianne Moore did with Annie Liebovitz. The subject was Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and the copper-haired beauty was perched on a rock complete with a large rubber tail. Ms. Liebovitz has been doing a series of portraits like this, with people like Jessica Biels as Pocahontas. “It is about bringing great stories to life,” Leibovitz has been quoted as saying. “Working with great actors – these are stories that they know. It’s embedded in them. And when they …read more

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As you’ll see from this collection of reviews, the stage adaptation of the John Waters‘ film Cry Baby is less than stellar. Perhaps too many were hoping that Johnny Depp would reprise his role, or that this would have some of the charm and appeal of another Waters hit, Hairspray.
Instead, the best all but one critic could say was that the chorus was one of the finest on Broadway – and therefore wasted on a musical as bland and tepid as this. I suspect it will have a good run anyway – there’s enough fans out there to keep it …read more

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We’re rarely surprised when a musical goes overseas to the U.K. or Australia, or vice versa. Even shows like “Dancing With the Stars” have versions down under that are even more popular, in their countries, than they are here in the states.
But I had to blink when I found out that a theatre group in Beirut, Lebanon is putting on a version of Disney’s “High School Musical“. Why would they do that? Says one actress, “since this is Lebanon, lots of foreigners have this image of war. They don’t realize we have arts and theater. We’re giving a good message …read more

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Image details: So You Think You Can Dance Australia – Top 20 Photo Call served by picapp.com
I’m kind of shooting myself in the foot here, because by telling you I’m decreasing my own chances of winning…but TVSquad is offering an all-expense paid trip for two to L.A. including air fare, hotel, $200 cash (should be good for lunch) and tickets to see the show.
All you have to do is comment there and you’ll be entered in the random drawing. Good luck – and if you win, remember I’m a very pleasant travel companion…

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Image details: Opening Of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Woman in White” – After Party served by picapp.com

Trevor Nunn (director of Les Mis, among others) has set his sights on the American Civil War and a musical adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind. With an ensemble cast including veterans of Chicago and Guys & Dolls and a slew of other Broadway hits, it really seems destined for a fantastic opening tonight at the New London Theatre. No word yet as to when it will travel across the waves, but my girlfriend is going to the UK for a wedding …read more

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Forget the idea of websurfing on your phone – that’s so last millenium. No, THQ is a company that has launched “Dancing with the Stars” for online download and mobile phones.
Choose Wisely, Dance Wildly
Apparently the game is something along the lines of you picking out your celebrity, your costumes, and then dancing before virtual judges for a simulated eight-week competition. I would imagine that the higher your score, the more costumes become available, and perhaps it runs like several popular snow- & skateboarding games where you get new moves available the better you do.
Tiny Dancer in my Hand
The problem I …read more

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It always bugs me, as a professional dance instructor, when people walk up to me and say they can’t dance. In my opinion, dance is nothing but intentional movement; the level of intent and the focus determine the skill of the dance. This is why watching an 80 year old Merce Cunningham is more interesting than watching an 18 year old novice dancer – Merce has spent his life learning to move.
What about Mario Lopez?
Oh, that quote? It’s what he said about himself in response to a question about his singing and dancing in the role of Zach in A …read more

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Here’s an interesting addition to Broadway legend: while we’re not sure if Kate Holmes will actually get to be in the “straight play” (which apparently is what anything not a Disney musical is called these days) restaging of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, if she does she will be playing along with screen and stage star John Lithgow. Dianne Wiest is also cast, and director Simon McBurney “loves” Katie for the part of Ann Deever. She’s got to be looking forward (or wincing) at some of the famous lines from the play: “I owe him a good kick in the …read more

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Image details: Big Brothers Big Sisters Rising Stars 2006 – Inside served by picapp.com
Randy Newman is the inspiration for the duo Valerie Vigoda and Brendan Milburn (of GrooveLily) to produce seven songs for the Disney cruise version of Toy Story – the Musical.
Described as a musical of “heartfelt whimsy” the set and costumes are some of the most complex ever produced for Disney. Ann Closs-Farley designed them all, including a 9′ tall Rex the Dinosaur.
Catch the video interview with the producers as well as some pics over at Laughing Place.
I have to give some kudos to the brains over at …read more

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(sigh) More reason to wish that I lived in the Big Apple: “A Dance Sampler” Sixteen female choreographers, all New York-based and of varying backgrounds, showcase the world of contemporary ballet, modern and world dance in a “four-hour dance extravaganza”. The styles vary – flamenco, tap, Indian and more – but I would want to move if only to catch Molissa Fenley – the woman has more dancerly movement in one arm than some entire dance companies. But the showcase will also be featuring works by:

Alexandra Beller
Camille A. Brown
Roxane Butterfly
Caren Calder
Darrah Carr
Jane Comfort
Molissa Fenley
Maureen Fleming
Sara Joel with Anna and Emily …read more

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