"Her clock is ticking, her days are numbered." She'll try anything! That's the premise for this film. Vertical Ent. has revealed an official trailer for an indie pregnancy comedy called Good Egg, which will be available to watch on VOD this weekend. It premiered last year and has been waiting for a release ever since. A high school drama teacher, after failed attempts with IVF to conceive a child, considers an unconventional egg donor scenario that plunges her into a dangerous & exhilarating adventure with her husband involving some criminals. Starring Yara Martinez as Jessica, with Andrea Londo, Nicholas Cirillo, Priscilla Lopez, Myles Clohessy, Haas Manning, Sharinna Allan, Joel Johnstone, Nick Creegan, and Ben Wang. Alas, this seems too crazy and over-the-top to be any good. Both of the posters are better than the footage. // Continue Reading ›...
- 11/17/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: Ahead of TIFF, Concourse Media has sold North American and UK rights on the adventure comedy Good Egg, starring Jane The Virgin actor Yara Martinez, to Vertical.
Written and directed by Nicole Gomez Fisher (Sleeping with the Fishes), the pic follows a warmhearted schoolteacher, played by Martinez, who inadvertently gets plunged into a dangerous scheme by her suspicious IVF egg donor, played by Andrea Londo (Narcos). As the thrilling escapade unfolds, Yara and her husband, played by Joel Johnstone (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), must outsmart their criminal pursuers amidst escalating chaos.
The film was produced by Fisher alongside Dorottya Mathe and Martinez. Martinez and Londo star alongside Priscilla Lopez (Maid in Manhattan), Joseph Melendez (Ozark), and Sharinna Allan (Billions), alongside Johnstone, Nick Creegan (Law and Order: Organized Crime), Haas Manning (Blue Bloods) and Nicholas Cirillo (Outer Banks). The film is set for a November release.
“Releasing a movie with...
Written and directed by Nicole Gomez Fisher (Sleeping with the Fishes), the pic follows a warmhearted schoolteacher, played by Martinez, who inadvertently gets plunged into a dangerous scheme by her suspicious IVF egg donor, played by Andrea Londo (Narcos). As the thrilling escapade unfolds, Yara and her husband, played by Joel Johnstone (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), must outsmart their criminal pursuers amidst escalating chaos.
The film was produced by Fisher alongside Dorottya Mathe and Martinez. Martinez and Londo star alongside Priscilla Lopez (Maid in Manhattan), Joseph Melendez (Ozark), and Sharinna Allan (Billions), alongside Johnstone, Nick Creegan (Law and Order: Organized Crime), Haas Manning (Blue Bloods) and Nicholas Cirillo (Outer Banks). The film is set for a November release.
“Releasing a movie with...
- 9/7/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
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
Unlike other major awards bodies, the Tony Awards decide their nominations via a committee of industry members who commit to seeing every single production that opens during the Broadway season. This committee can thus make informed decisions on what shows, performers and creatives should earn recognition from New York theatre’s top honor.
In 2023, 40 theatre professionals saw all 38 eligible musicals and plays and selected the nominees in 26 competitive categories.
Below, a complete list of the 2023 Tony Awards nominating committee members including their professions plus past Tony nominations and wins:
Warren Adams, choreographer, director and producer
Tony winner for Best Revival of a Musical for “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” (2014)
Becky Ann Baker, actor
Pun Bandhu, actor and producer
Two-time Tony winner for Best Revival of a Play for “Glengarry Glen Ross” (2005) and Best Musical for “Spring Awakening” (2007) and Tony nominee for “Beetlejuice” (2019)
Brenda Braxton, actor and author
Tony-nominee for Featured...
In 2023, 40 theatre professionals saw all 38 eligible musicals and plays and selected the nominees in 26 competitive categories.
Below, a complete list of the 2023 Tony Awards nominating committee members including their professions plus past Tony nominations and wins:
Warren Adams, choreographer, director and producer
Tony winner for Best Revival of a Musical for “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” (2014)
Becky Ann Baker, actor
Pun Bandhu, actor and producer
Two-time Tony winner for Best Revival of a Play for “Glengarry Glen Ross” (2005) and Best Musical for “Spring Awakening” (2007) and Tony nominee for “Beetlejuice” (2019)
Brenda Braxton, actor and author
Tony-nominee for Featured...
- 5/2/2023
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Concourse Media has acquired worldwide sales rights to comedy Good Egg ahead of its premiere at the Bentonville Film Festival this week.
The film follows a warmhearted schoolteacher, played by Yara Martinez, who inadvertently gets plunged into a dangerous scheme by her suspicious IVF egg donor, played by Andrea Londo (Narcos). As the adventure ensues, she and her husband, played by Joel Johnstone (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), must evade criminal captors.
The film was written and directed by Nicole Gomez Fisher (Sleeping With The Fishes) and produced by Fisher alongside Dorottya Mathe and Yara Martinez.
Also starring are Priscilla Lopez (Maid In Manhattan), Joseph Melendez (Ozark), and Sharinna Allan (Billions), alongside Johnstone, Nick Creegan (Law and Order: Organized Crime), Haas Manning (Blue Bloods) and Nicholas Cirillo (Outer Banks).
Concourse Media will be presenting the film to select domestic distributors during this week’s Bentonville festival...
The film follows a warmhearted schoolteacher, played by Yara Martinez, who inadvertently gets plunged into a dangerous scheme by her suspicious IVF egg donor, played by Andrea Londo (Narcos). As the adventure ensues, she and her husband, played by Joel Johnstone (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), must evade criminal captors.
The film was written and directed by Nicole Gomez Fisher (Sleeping With The Fishes) and produced by Fisher alongside Dorottya Mathe and Yara Martinez.
Also starring are Priscilla Lopez (Maid In Manhattan), Joseph Melendez (Ozark), and Sharinna Allan (Billions), alongside Johnstone, Nick Creegan (Law and Order: Organized Crime), Haas Manning (Blue Bloods) and Nicholas Cirillo (Outer Banks).
Concourse Media will be presenting the film to select domestic distributors during this week’s Bentonville festival...
- 6/21/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Eighty years after Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Skin of Our Teeth” debuted on Broadway, the sprawling work has returned to the New York stage in a lavish production at Lincoln Center. Unspooling over three distinct periods of history in its three acts, “Teeth” blends the modern with the Paleolithic as the Anthrobus family and their maid Sabina withstand environmental and human devastation as the great world spins.
In this production, which opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre on April 25, the Anthrobus family and the majority of the cast are portrayed by Black actors. Lileana Blain-Cruz directs the large ensemble cast, which includes James Vincent Meredith and Roslyn Ruff as Mr. and Mrs. Anthrobus, Gabby Beans as their maid Sabina, and Priscilla Lopez as the fortune teller in the second act. This production also features contributions and some revisions by Pulitzer-finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.
Watch 2022 Tony Awards slugfest: 21 productions vie...
In this production, which opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre on April 25, the Anthrobus family and the majority of the cast are portrayed by Black actors. Lileana Blain-Cruz directs the large ensemble cast, which includes James Vincent Meredith and Roslyn Ruff as Mr. and Mrs. Anthrobus, Gabby Beans as their maid Sabina, and Priscilla Lopez as the fortune teller in the second act. This production also features contributions and some revisions by Pulitzer-finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.
Watch 2022 Tony Awards slugfest: 21 productions vie...
- 5/6/2022
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
A Brontosaurus and a Woolly Mammoth taking up residence among the mid-century modern trappings of a middle-class New Jersey household will now and forever make a theatrical impact – that, at least, hasn’t changed since playwright Thornton Wilder’s days – but so much else has, not least of all the ability of The Skin of Our Teeth, a seminal post-modern avant-garde winner of the 1943 Pulitzer Prize, to beguile merely on the strength of the post-modern avant-gardeness of it all.
Lincoln Center Theater’s major new revival of the play, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, with additional material by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and the tireless efforts of an exemplary cast, does, in fact, afford some newfound vitality for a work so often more admired than loved. An exercise in endurance – for the cast, for the audience – The Skin of Our Teeth long ago passed along the novelty of its time-tripping, allegorical flourishes to subsequent heirs, from Caryl Churchill to Tony Kushner to the Wachowskis, so any attempt to meet and rise above the play’s inherent challenges would seem to require a vision, maybe a ruthlessness and certainly a firm grasp of the play’s continued reason for being.
Blain-Cruz does in fact display occasional moments of just those things, and so this Skin of Our Teeth, in fleeting sequences, lifts itself from the play’s traditional slog.
With a Black cast, loving references to bell hooks and allusions to youthful rage that seem as ferociously essential as the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, Blain-Cruz reshapes Wilder’s universe just enough to encompass the Black experience, placing it firmly within the sweep of Wilder’s epoch-spanning tragicomic history of humanity.
As always, The Skin of Our Teeth opens with Sabina, maid to the upwardly mobile Antrobus family of Excelsior, New Jersey. Sabina nervously tidies the attractive house while catching us all up on the who’s who and what’s what – Mr. Antribus (James Vincent Meredith) has been very busy at the office of late, consumed as he is with inventing the wheel, while Mrs. Antribus (Roslyn Ruff) fusses protectively over the kids, little Gladys (Paige Gilbert) who is picking up some bad lipstick habits from the girls at school and young Henry (Julian Robertson) who just can’t keep his hands off rocks and other boys’ skulls any more than he can outrun the real name – Cain.
And on top of everything, the Ice Age is heading toward New Jersey, and not even the friendly
Bronto who lumbers around the living room – a marvelous and massive hand-operated puppet designed by James Ortiz – or the orange mammoth who romps like a puppy are likely to survive.
And so they don’t. Come Act II, when the action and the Antrobus Family finds itself on the boardwalk of Atlantic City during what appears to be both the 1920s and the Biblical Flood, the mammoth and the dinosaur will not be among the chosen two-by-twos to take refuge on that big boat just off the Jersey Shore. Violent Henry is still causing trouble, Sabina now calls herself Lily and Mrs. Antrobus has all but had it with her pathetic excuse for a husband, but, hey, family’s family, and that storm is coming hard.
When Skin finally arrives at Act II, the Antrobuses have been torn asunder by war – the blue and gray uniforms and antebellum dresses leave no doubt which war – and the long-in-coming, but never resolving, conflicts between father and son, husband and wife, mother and daughter, reach both a zenith and, Wilder suggests, a sort of equilibrium that can only exist in forgiveness. The next calamity is always in the offing, so stop squabbling.
Except of course that Wilder couldn’t have imagined nuclear holocaust or existential climate change, so The Skin of Our Teeth is always going to feel a bit, well, quaint in its ancient disasters and feel-good proposals. As theater, the Lincoln Center staging makes impressive use of the puppetry and the projections of hurricanes and a gorgeous evocation of the Atlantic City boardwalk as a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah – which, by the way, looks like terrific fun, with loads of cool people, not least the all-knowing fortune teller played, in a relatively brief but wonderfully commanding performance, by the great stage star Priscilla Lopez. In a lovely final image, human wanderers follow the sun through distant fields. Here’s hoping they get where they are going – it’s been a long hike.
Lincoln Center Theater’s major new revival of the play, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, with additional material by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and the tireless efforts of an exemplary cast, does, in fact, afford some newfound vitality for a work so often more admired than loved. An exercise in endurance – for the cast, for the audience – The Skin of Our Teeth long ago passed along the novelty of its time-tripping, allegorical flourishes to subsequent heirs, from Caryl Churchill to Tony Kushner to the Wachowskis, so any attempt to meet and rise above the play’s inherent challenges would seem to require a vision, maybe a ruthlessness and certainly a firm grasp of the play’s continued reason for being.
Blain-Cruz does in fact display occasional moments of just those things, and so this Skin of Our Teeth, in fleeting sequences, lifts itself from the play’s traditional slog.
With a Black cast, loving references to bell hooks and allusions to youthful rage that seem as ferociously essential as the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, Blain-Cruz reshapes Wilder’s universe just enough to encompass the Black experience, placing it firmly within the sweep of Wilder’s epoch-spanning tragicomic history of humanity.
As always, The Skin of Our Teeth opens with Sabina, maid to the upwardly mobile Antrobus family of Excelsior, New Jersey. Sabina nervously tidies the attractive house while catching us all up on the who’s who and what’s what – Mr. Antribus (James Vincent Meredith) has been very busy at the office of late, consumed as he is with inventing the wheel, while Mrs. Antribus (Roslyn Ruff) fusses protectively over the kids, little Gladys (Paige Gilbert) who is picking up some bad lipstick habits from the girls at school and young Henry (Julian Robertson) who just can’t keep his hands off rocks and other boys’ skulls any more than he can outrun the real name – Cain.
And on top of everything, the Ice Age is heading toward New Jersey, and not even the friendly
Bronto who lumbers around the living room – a marvelous and massive hand-operated puppet designed by James Ortiz – or the orange mammoth who romps like a puppy are likely to survive.
And so they don’t. Come Act II, when the action and the Antrobus Family finds itself on the boardwalk of Atlantic City during what appears to be both the 1920s and the Biblical Flood, the mammoth and the dinosaur will not be among the chosen two-by-twos to take refuge on that big boat just off the Jersey Shore. Violent Henry is still causing trouble, Sabina now calls herself Lily and Mrs. Antrobus has all but had it with her pathetic excuse for a husband, but, hey, family’s family, and that storm is coming hard.
When Skin finally arrives at Act II, the Antrobuses have been torn asunder by war – the blue and gray uniforms and antebellum dresses leave no doubt which war – and the long-in-coming, but never resolving, conflicts between father and son, husband and wife, mother and daughter, reach both a zenith and, Wilder suggests, a sort of equilibrium that can only exist in forgiveness. The next calamity is always in the offing, so stop squabbling.
Except of course that Wilder couldn’t have imagined nuclear holocaust or existential climate change, so The Skin of Our Teeth is always going to feel a bit, well, quaint in its ancient disasters and feel-good proposals. As theater, the Lincoln Center staging makes impressive use of the puppetry and the projections of hurricanes and a gorgeous evocation of the Atlantic City boardwalk as a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah – which, by the way, looks like terrific fun, with loads of cool people, not least the all-knowing fortune teller played, in a relatively brief but wonderfully commanding performance, by the great stage star Priscilla Lopez. In a lovely final image, human wanderers follow the sun through distant fields. Here’s hoping they get where they are going – it’s been a long hike.
- 4/26/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
“It’s been a great season for Black playwrights,” Sam Eckmann says as he introduces Gold Derby’s first slugfest of the 2022 Tony Awards season. A whopping 20 new plays and play revivals are eligible this season, with many of those written by, directed by, and starring Black artists. Sam and I met six weeks ahead of the nominations – which will be announced on May 3 – to debate which productions, actors, and directors will make the shortlists. Watch the full video above.
From the jump, we tackle one of the biggest categories of the ceremony with Best Play but choose different frontrunners. While I have “The Lehman Trilogy” in first place for now since so many of the contenders have not yet even started previews, Sam warns, “You have to go back to 2007 with ‘Coast of Utopia’ to find a play that was closed by the time of the Tony ceremony that won.
From the jump, we tackle one of the biggest categories of the ceremony with Best Play but choose different frontrunners. While I have “The Lehman Trilogy” in first place for now since so many of the contenders have not yet even started previews, Sam warns, “You have to go back to 2007 with ‘Coast of Utopia’ to find a play that was closed by the time of the Tony ceremony that won.
- 4/2/2022
- by David Buchanan and Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
The large ensemble cast of Lincoln Center Theater’s upcoming revival of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic The Skin of Our Teeth will include Priscilla Lopez, James Vincent Meredith (The Book of Mormon) and Gabby Beans (Succession).
Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, making her Broadway debut, The Skin of Our Teeth begins previews Friday, April 1, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater with opening night set for Monday, April 25. (Previews had previously been scheduled to begin March 31).
Lincoln Center also announced that playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins will contribute additional material for the production.
In addition to Lopez, Meredith and Beans, the cast will include Eunice Bae, Terry Bell, Ritisha Chakraborty, William DeMeritt, Jeremy Gallardo, Paige Gilbert, Avery Glymph, Donnetta Lavinia Grays, Tyrone Mitchell Henderson, Maya Loren Jackson, Anaseini Katoa, Cameron Keitt, Megan Lomax, Kathiamarice Lopez, Lindsay Rico, Julian Robertson, Julian Rozzell, Jr., Roslyn Ruff, Julyana Soelistyo, Phillip Taratula,...
Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, making her Broadway debut, The Skin of Our Teeth begins previews Friday, April 1, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater with opening night set for Monday, April 25. (Previews had previously been scheduled to begin March 31).
Lincoln Center also announced that playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins will contribute additional material for the production.
In addition to Lopez, Meredith and Beans, the cast will include Eunice Bae, Terry Bell, Ritisha Chakraborty, William DeMeritt, Jeremy Gallardo, Paige Gilbert, Avery Glymph, Donnetta Lavinia Grays, Tyrone Mitchell Henderson, Maya Loren Jackson, Anaseini Katoa, Cameron Keitt, Megan Lomax, Kathiamarice Lopez, Lindsay Rico, Julian Robertson, Julian Rozzell, Jr., Roslyn Ruff, Julyana Soelistyo, Phillip Taratula,...
- 2/22/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
B Positive is going in a whole new direction, complete with a revamped opening title sequence that puts Annaleigh Ashford’s Gina Dabrowski front and center.
Season 2’s third episode — the official start to what executive producer Chuck Lorre refers to as “Chapter 2” of the CBS comedy — revolves around Gina’s first day as the new owner of the Valley Hills retirement home. She also moves out of Drew’s house — a home she has shared with the recipient of her kidney for the better part of a year — then calls on him to meet with Harry (Last Man Standing...
Season 2’s third episode — the official start to what executive producer Chuck Lorre refers to as “Chapter 2” of the CBS comedy — revolves around Gina’s first day as the new owner of the Valley Hills retirement home. She also moves out of Drew’s house — a home she has shared with the recipient of her kidney for the better part of a year — then calls on him to meet with Harry (Last Man Standing...
- 10/29/2021
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
Not since tech billionaire Walden Schmidt descended upon Two and a Half Men‘s Malibu beach house 10 years ago has a Chuck Lorre sitcom suddenly been infused with so much wealth.
During B Positive‘s Season 2 premiere, Gina discovers that one of her favorite residents at Valley Hills retirement home — Mr. Knudsen, played in Season 1 by The Love Boat‘s Bernie Kopell — has died, and he’s left her a generous nest egg: $48 million. (It’ll be $24 million after taxes, an attorney tells her, which is still enough to induce a sudden orgasm.)
More from TVLine'b Positive' Boss Chuck Lorre...
During B Positive‘s Season 2 premiere, Gina discovers that one of her favorite residents at Valley Hills retirement home — Mr. Knudsen, played in Season 1 by The Love Boat‘s Bernie Kopell — has died, and he’s left her a generous nest egg: $48 million. (It’ll be $24 million after taxes, an attorney tells her, which is still enough to induce a sudden orgasm.)
More from TVLine'b Positive' Boss Chuck Lorre...
- 10/15/2021
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
Anyone familiar with B Positive boss Chuck Lorre’s other comedies knows that he’s not afraid to take big swings. Take, for instance, when Mom, which began as a story about a recovering drug- and alcohol-dependent single mother, morphed into a show about a group of women — a chosen family, really — who were bonded by their shared demons and a desire to overcome them. Or more recently when United States of Al, a series about a U.S. Marine and his Afghan interpreter, shifted gears to address the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan.
To follow through and take these big...
To follow through and take these big...
- 10/11/2021
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
“It was a crazy experience,” Patrick Foley chats about the flurry of activity it took to produce “Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical” in just one month. Foley and Michael Breslin are both executive producers and writers of the musical special, which grew out of the phenomenon of hundreds of TikTok users writing original songs for a then-hypothetical musical adaptation of the 2007 Disney/Pixar film. Watch our exclusive video interview above.
As executive producers, Breslin and Foley assembled an all-star team behind the scenes, including Jeremy O. Harris as fellow executive producer, Lucy Moss as director, Ellenore Scott as choreographer, and David Bengali as video designer. “Once we had those core pieces together, then we were off to the races,” Foley shares. The entire team, he adds, shared a goal to “honor and lift up the TikTok material,” especially the original creators’ “exuberance and joy of invention.”
Watch our exclusive video interview...
As executive producers, Breslin and Foley assembled an all-star team behind the scenes, including Jeremy O. Harris as fellow executive producer, Lucy Moss as director, Ellenore Scott as choreographer, and David Bengali as video designer. “Once we had those core pieces together, then we were off to the races,” Foley shares. The entire team, he adds, shared a goal to “honor and lift up the TikTok material,” especially the original creators’ “exuberance and joy of invention.”
Watch our exclusive video interview...
- 6/17/2021
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
What began as a “hey, kids, let’s put on a show!” by some ambitious TikTok users grew into a million-dollar fundraiser, kicking off 2021 with some much-needed cheer. Yes, “Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical” made us all forget about the headache-inducing year that passed and put a smile on our faces (even if for only a few minutes). Here’s a look at the stellar cast of the virtual concert and the animated counterparts they played in the 2007 Pixar film.
Tituss Burgess as Remy, an average rat with very big dreams of becoming a chef. Patton Oswald voiced him in the film.
Andrew Barth Feldman as Alfredo Linguini, a young man who failed as a cook and is as kindhearted as he is clumsy. Lou Romano voiced him in the film.
Ashley Park as Colette Tatou, the only female in the male-dominated world of fine cuisine, which has made her tough and assertive.
Tituss Burgess as Remy, an average rat with very big dreams of becoming a chef. Patton Oswald voiced him in the film.
Andrew Barth Feldman as Alfredo Linguini, a young man who failed as a cook and is as kindhearted as he is clumsy. Lou Romano voiced him in the film.
Ashley Park as Colette Tatou, the only female in the male-dominated world of fine cuisine, which has made her tough and assertive.
- 1/2/2021
- by Rosemary Rossi
- The Wrap
The crowdsourced Ratatouille musical that was cooked up on TikTok has progressed to a new stage with a cast — including Tituss Burgess, Adam Lambert, Wayne Brady, Andre De Sheilds, and Ashley Park — announced for a one-night-only benefit concert. You can check out a rendition of “Remember My Name” above performed by music supervisor Daniel Mertzlufft — Burgess will perform the song in the official show.
Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical will stream on Friday at 7 p.m. Et for 72 hours. The $5 tickets are on sale exclusively on TodayTix.com, with proceeds benefiting the Actors Fund,...
Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical will stream on Friday at 7 p.m. Et for 72 hours. The $5 tickets are on sale exclusively on TodayTix.com, with proceeds benefiting the Actors Fund,...
- 12/30/2020
- by Jerry Portwood
- Rollingstone.com
Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical will have an all-star cast for its one-time-only streaming performance, a line-up that includes Wayne Brady, Kevin Chamberlin, Adam Lambert and André De Shields, with Tituss Burgess as Remy the rat.
Casting for the Jan. 1 Actors Fund benefit performance was announced today by production company Seaview.
The musical was created by TikTok members as a collective work that has engaged more than 200 million fans worldwide. The musical numbers – each created by a TikToker, all inspired by the Disney-Pixar 2007 animated film Ratatouille, and has become a viral internet phenomenon in recent months.
The one-time performance of Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical will feature content created by and culled from the TikTokers, backed by the 20-piece Broadway Sinfonietta orchestra.
The cast and roles announced today are Brady (Django), Burgess (Remy), Chamberlin (Gusteau), De Shields (Ego), Lambert (Emile), Andrew Barth Feldman (Linguini), Priscilla Lopez (Mabel), Ashley Park (Colette), Owen Tabaka...
Casting for the Jan. 1 Actors Fund benefit performance was announced today by production company Seaview.
The musical was created by TikTok members as a collective work that has engaged more than 200 million fans worldwide. The musical numbers – each created by a TikToker, all inspired by the Disney-Pixar 2007 animated film Ratatouille, and has become a viral internet phenomenon in recent months.
The one-time performance of Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical will feature content created by and culled from the TikTokers, backed by the 20-piece Broadway Sinfonietta orchestra.
The cast and roles announced today are Brady (Django), Burgess (Remy), Chamberlin (Gusteau), De Shields (Ego), Lambert (Emile), Andrew Barth Feldman (Linguini), Priscilla Lopez (Mabel), Ashley Park (Colette), Owen Tabaka...
- 12/28/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
With the holiday season underway, Disney Channel has announced that its original movie Christmas Again has started production and revealed the cast members set to star in the magical flick. Joining the Christmas Again cast are Scarlett Estevez, Daniel Sunjata, Alexis Carra and Priscilla Lopez.
The new Disney Channel holiday movie centers on Rowena aka “Ro” (Estevez), a high-spirited 11-year-old hoping to add more spunk to her Christmas celebrations when her parents’ (Sunjata and Carra) divorce is going anything but smoothly. Hoping get things back to the way they were before her father’s new girlfriend and her son entered the scene, Ro makes a wish to a mall Santa. However, her Christmas wishes go awry as Ro finds herself living the same day over and over again. Stuck in this endless loop, Ro must learn to love her new blended family and learn the true meaning of Christmas.
Rounding...
The new Disney Channel holiday movie centers on Rowena aka “Ro” (Estevez), a high-spirited 11-year-old hoping to add more spunk to her Christmas celebrations when her parents’ (Sunjata and Carra) divorce is going anything but smoothly. Hoping get things back to the way they were before her father’s new girlfriend and her son entered the scene, Ro makes a wish to a mall Santa. However, her Christmas wishes go awry as Ro finds herself living the same day over and over again. Stuck in this endless loop, Ro must learn to love her new blended family and learn the true meaning of Christmas.
Rounding...
- 11/10/2020
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
If you’re confused as to who is actually able to compete for the newly announced virtual Tony Awards this fall, you’re not alone. The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced a new cut off date of February 19, 2020. That means that the 2019-2020 Broadway season was cut incredibly short.
Musical races are most heavily affected by the shortened season. “West Side Story” will have to wait until next year to compete as it opened after the February 19th eligibility cutoff date. Other scheduled revivals of “Caroline, or Change” and “Company” were postponed due to the Broadway shutdown. As such there will be no Revival of a Musical category this year. Other categories, like Best Musical and Director of a Musical, will likely see their number of nominees reduced to three due to a limited number of contenders.
Luckily, there are plenty of plays in contention since many of these non-musical outings premiere in the fall.
Musical races are most heavily affected by the shortened season. “West Side Story” will have to wait until next year to compete as it opened after the February 19th eligibility cutoff date. Other scheduled revivals of “Caroline, or Change” and “Company” were postponed due to the Broadway shutdown. As such there will be no Revival of a Musical category this year. Other categories, like Best Musical and Director of a Musical, will likely see their number of nominees reduced to three due to a limited number of contenders.
Luckily, there are plenty of plays in contention since many of these non-musical outings premiere in the fall.
- 8/29/2020
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
In this episode, Ben and Daniel discuss the 1998 Carnegie Hall concert 'My Favorite Broadway The Leading Ladies.' The concert was hosted by Julie Andrews and featured Broadway superstars such as Nell Carter, Lea DeLaria, Linda Eder, Jennifer Holliday, Anna Kendrick, Judy Kuhn, Priscilla Lopez, Dorothy Loudon, Rebecca Luker, Marin Mazzie, Andrea McArdle, Audra McDonald, Liza Minnelli, Debra Monk, Rosie O'Donnell, Faith Prince, and Karen Ziemba. It was directed by Scott Ellis and conducted by Paul Gemignani. Subscribe to Broken Records on YouTube and follow our QuaranStreams playlist.
- 3/30/2020
- by Ben Rimalower
- BroadwayWorld.com
Amas Musical Theatre Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer, New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, will celebrate its 51st Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit Concert on Monday, April 6, 2020 at the The Baruch Performing Arts Center East 25th Street - between Lexington Third Avenues, NYC. Honorary Chair for the event is Grammy Award-winning Latin recording artist and activist Rubn Blades. Tony Award-winner Priscilla Lopez will be Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening.
- 2/20/2020
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
As we are now about halfway through the Broadway season, and there are currently 12 productions of plays set to open this spring. Could we be seeing any of them contend at this year’s Tony Awards? Below, we recap the plot of each play as well as the awards history of its author, cast, creative types, the opening, and (where applicable) closing dates.
“My Name is Lucy Barton” (opens January 15; closes February 29)
In this stage adaptation of Elizabeth Strout’s 2016 novel of the same name, the story follows the title character, who, unsteady after an operation, awakens to find her mother sitting at the foot of her bed. She hasn’t seen her in years, and her visit brings Lucy back to her desperate rural childhood and her escape to New York. As she begins to find herself as a writer, she is still gripped by the urgent complexities of family life.
“My Name is Lucy Barton” (opens January 15; closes February 29)
In this stage adaptation of Elizabeth Strout’s 2016 novel of the same name, the story follows the title character, who, unsteady after an operation, awakens to find her mother sitting at the foot of her bed. She hasn’t seen her in years, and her visit brings Lucy back to her desperate rural childhood and her escape to New York. As she begins to find herself as a writer, she is still gripped by the urgent complexities of family life.
- 1/29/2020
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
Grand Horizons officially opened on January 23 at The Hayes Theater, where it will play a limited 10-week engagement. Directed by Leigh Silverman, Grand Horizons stars Jane Alexander Nancy, James Cromwell Bill, Priscilla Lopez Carla, Ben McKenzie Ben, Maulik Pancholy Tommy, Ashley Park Jess, and Michael Urie Brian. The brilliant mind behind this original play belongs to none other than playwright Bess Wohl, who may be making her Broadway debut with Grand Horizons but is far from a stranger of the stage.
- 1/25/2020
- by Chloe Rabinowitz
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Hayes theatre was hoppin' last night as Grand Horizons officially opened on Broadway. Written by Bess Wohl and directed by Leigh Silverman, Grand Horizons stars Jane Alexander Nancy, James Cromwell Bill, Priscilla Lopez Carla, Ben McKenzie Ben, Maulik Pancholy Tommy, Ashley Park Jess, and Michael Urie Brian. Find out what happened after the curtain came down as BroadwayWorld takes you inside the opening night festivities with the company...
- 1/24/2020
- by TV - Opening Night Special
- BroadwayWorld.com
Even before the great James Cromwell arrives at the punchline of a decrepit dirty nun joke, or the incomparable Jane Alexander gets to a vibrator bit exhausted seasons ago by Grace and Frankie, Bess Wohl’s affable, unremarkable marriage comedy Grand Horizons has its “something borrowed” locked down. The “something new,” on the other hand…
Opening tonight (at the Second Stage’s Helen Hayes Theater) in a spit-shined and smartly cast Broadway production directed by Leigh Silverman, Grand Horizons moves with a confidence that comes close to convincing. You’ll root for it even while you’re trying to place where, exactly, you’ve seen each scenario before.
Alexander and Cromwell play a comfortably retired couple who, after 50 years, suddenly decide to call an end to the bland, bored, practiced routine of their mostly silent marriage. “I think I would like a divorce,” says Alexander’s Nancy, capping a nicely choreographed,...
Opening tonight (at the Second Stage’s Helen Hayes Theater) in a spit-shined and smartly cast Broadway production directed by Leigh Silverman, Grand Horizons moves with a confidence that comes close to convincing. You’ll root for it even while you’re trying to place where, exactly, you’ve seen each scenario before.
Alexander and Cromwell play a comfortably retired couple who, after 50 years, suddenly decide to call an end to the bland, bored, practiced routine of their mostly silent marriage. “I think I would like a divorce,” says Alexander’s Nancy, capping a nicely choreographed,...
- 1/24/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Ben McKenzie has been cast in Bess Wohl’s Broadway-Bound Grand Horizons, joining the previously announced Jane Alexander and James Cromwell, among others.
The strictly limited 10-week engagement begins previews Dec. 23, officially opening on January 23, 2020 at The Hayes Theater. Today’s announcement was made by producer Second Stage Theater.
Also previously announced were Priscilla Lopez, Maulik Pancholy, Ashley Park and Michael Urie. Leigh Silverman directs.
McKenzie most recently portrayed Det. James Gordon on Fox’s Gotham, which just wrapped its five-season run. The actor first came to public attention in The O.C.; other credits include Southland and Junebug. He was last seen on stage in The Glass Menagerie at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.
Wohl’s new play chronicles the family of long-married couple Bill and Nancy, who have been together for 50 years when Nancy decides she wants out, shocking the couple’s two adult sons and...
The strictly limited 10-week engagement begins previews Dec. 23, officially opening on January 23, 2020 at The Hayes Theater. Today’s announcement was made by producer Second Stage Theater.
Also previously announced were Priscilla Lopez, Maulik Pancholy, Ashley Park and Michael Urie. Leigh Silverman directs.
McKenzie most recently portrayed Det. James Gordon on Fox’s Gotham, which just wrapped its five-season run. The actor first came to public attention in The O.C.; other credits include Southland and Junebug. He was last seen on stage in The Glass Menagerie at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.
Wohl’s new play chronicles the family of long-married couple Bill and Nancy, who have been together for 50 years when Nancy decides she wants out, shocking the couple’s two adult sons and...
- 11/12/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Jane Alexander and James Cromwell have boarded the previously announced Broadway production of Bess Wohl’s Grand Horizons. Directed by Leigh Silverman, the play, a Second Stage production and also featuring Priscilla Lopez, Maulik Pancholy, Ashley Park and Michael Urie, is set to begin a 10-week engagement at the Hayes Theater in December.
Previews begin December 23, with an official opening set for January 23, 2020.
Cromwell and Alexander will play Bill and Nancy, who have spent fifty years as husband and wife. As the production describes, “They practically breathe in unison, and can anticipate each other’s every sigh, snore and sneeze. But just as they settle comfortably into their new home in Grand Horizons, the unthinkable happens: Nancy suddenly wants out. As their two adult sons struggle to cope with the shocking news, they are forced to question everything they assumed about the people they thought they knew best. By turns funny,...
Previews begin December 23, with an official opening set for January 23, 2020.
Cromwell and Alexander will play Bill and Nancy, who have spent fifty years as husband and wife. As the production describes, “They practically breathe in unison, and can anticipate each other’s every sigh, snore and sneeze. But just as they settle comfortably into their new home in Grand Horizons, the unthinkable happens: Nancy suddenly wants out. As their two adult sons struggle to cope with the shocking news, they are forced to question everything they assumed about the people they thought they knew best. By turns funny,...
- 10/22/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Thomas Sadoski is staying at CBS. Less than three months after the network canceled praised family comedy series Life in Pieces after four seasons, one of its stars, Thomas Sadoski, has been tapped for a series-regular role opposite Edie Falco in the network’s upcoming midseason drama series Tommy in a recasting.
Sadoski will play the charming, seductive and morally complex second-term mayor of Los Angeles, who appoints Tommy (Falco) as the first female police chief in the city’s history, only to wonder what he’s gotten himself into. He takes over the role played by David Fierro in the pilot.
Tommy, from the Bull team of co-creator Paul Attanasio and producer Amblin TV, stars Falco as Abigail “Tommy” Thomas, a former high-ranking NYPD officer who becomes the first female Chief of Police for Los Angeles. She uses her unflinching honesty and hardball tactics to navigate the social,...
Sadoski will play the charming, seductive and morally complex second-term mayor of Los Angeles, who appoints Tommy (Falco) as the first female police chief in the city’s history, only to wonder what he’s gotten himself into. He takes over the role played by David Fierro in the pilot.
Tommy, from the Bull team of co-creator Paul Attanasio and producer Amblin TV, stars Falco as Abigail “Tommy” Thomas, a former high-ranking NYPD officer who becomes the first female Chief of Police for Los Angeles. She uses her unflinching honesty and hardball tactics to navigate the social,...
- 8/5/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael Urie, Thomas Sadoski, Ashley Park, Maulik Pancholy and Priscilla Lopez have been cast in Broadway’s upcoming Grand Horizons, the Bess Wohl play to be directed by Leigh Silverman at the Hayes Theatre beginning in December.
The Second Stage Theatre production is set for a strictly limited 10-week engagement, with previews starting December 20 and an official opening on January 23, 2020.
The full creative team includes scenic design and costume design by Clint Ramos, lighting design by Jen Schriever, and sound design by Palmer Hefferan.
Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
Wohl’s new comedic play, co-commissioned by Williamstown Theatre Festival and Second Stage Theater, charts a family’s reaction to the sudden break-up of a 50-year marriage. As described by Second Stage: “Bill and Nancy have spent fifty full years as husband and wife. They practically breathe in unison, and can anticipate each other’s every sigh,...
The Second Stage Theatre production is set for a strictly limited 10-week engagement, with previews starting December 20 and an official opening on January 23, 2020.
The full creative team includes scenic design and costume design by Clint Ramos, lighting design by Jen Schriever, and sound design by Palmer Hefferan.
Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
Wohl’s new comedic play, co-commissioned by Williamstown Theatre Festival and Second Stage Theater, charts a family’s reaction to the sudden break-up of a 50-year marriage. As described by Second Stage: “Bill and Nancy have spent fifty full years as husband and wife. They practically breathe in unison, and can anticipate each other’s every sigh,...
- 8/5/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Opening Act, an innovative nonprofit providing free after-school theater programming to New York City’s most under-served public high schools, announced today the cast of its 12th Annual Benefit Play Reading, Hear Me Here, directed by Tony Award-Winner Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun), on Tuesday March 13 at New World Stages in New York.
Written by Christopher Oscar Peña (Insecure) and Dominique Fishback (The Deuce), Hear Me Here will star Anthony Ramos (Hamilton; She’s Gotta Have It), Billy Porter (Kinky Boots), Dominique Fishback (The Deuce), Willow McCarthy (Matilda), Priscilla Lopez (A Chorus Line, In the Heights), Natalie Paul (The Deuce) and more.
For more than a decade, Opening Act has provided free after-school theater programming to New York City’s most under-served public high schools, with past Play Reading actors including Uzo Aduba, Edie Falco, Joshua Jackson, Bernadette Peters, Cynthia Nixon, Aja Naomi King, Loretta Devine, Auli’i Cravalho,...
Written by Christopher Oscar Peña (Insecure) and Dominique Fishback (The Deuce), Hear Me Here will star Anthony Ramos (Hamilton; She’s Gotta Have It), Billy Porter (Kinky Boots), Dominique Fishback (The Deuce), Willow McCarthy (Matilda), Priscilla Lopez (A Chorus Line, In the Heights), Natalie Paul (The Deuce) and more.
For more than a decade, Opening Act has provided free after-school theater programming to New York City’s most under-served public high schools, with past Play Reading actors including Uzo Aduba, Edie Falco, Joshua Jackson, Bernadette Peters, Cynthia Nixon, Aja Naomi King, Loretta Devine, Auli’i Cravalho,...
- 3/12/2018
- Look to the Stars
BroadwayCon has announced today that Mandy Gonzalez, Priscilla Lopez, Seth Stewart, and Krysta Rodriguez have joined the lineup for the In The Heights 10 Year Reunion at BroadwayCon 2018. They join previously announced cast members and creatives Lin-Manuel Miranda, Karen Olivo, Olga Merediz, and Javier Mu oz, and moderator Luis Miranda, for a discussion on the impact that In The Heights had on Broadway.
- 1/16/2018
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Humor Me Shout! Studios Director: Sam Hoffman Screenwriter: Sam Hoffman Cast: Jemaine Clement, Elliott Gould, Ingrid Michaelson, Annie Potts, Priscilla Lopez, Bebe Neuwirth Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, 1/8/17 Opens: January 12, 2018 Zimmerman goes to the doctor with a carrot in one ear, a stalk of celery in the other, and a string bean […]
The post Humor Me Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Humor Me Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 1/8/2018
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
"A warm, witty response to dark times." Shout! Studios has debuted an official trailer for an indie comedy titled Humor Me, from first-time director Sam Hoffman. The film stars Jemaine Clement as a struggling New York playwright who is forced to move in with his eccentric dad in a New Jersey retirement community after his wife decides to leave him. Elliot Gould stars as his father, and the two find awkward ways to bond in this predicament while figuring out how best to enjoy life. The cast includes Ingrid Michaelson, Annie Potts, Bebe Neuwirth, Priscilla Lopez, Erich Bergen, and Maria Dizzia. I haven't heard of this film before, but I'm always down for anything with Jemaine Clement in it, and this looks like it will be enjoyable. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Sam Hoffman's Humor Me, in high def on Apple: Humor Me is a heartfelt father-son...
- 12/14/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: Here’s the first look at Humor Me, the film from writer-director Sam Hoffman that toplines Elliott Gould and Jemaine Clement. It’s having its world premiere tonight at the Los Angeles Film Festival in the Premieres section. Inspired by Hoffman’s web series Old Jews Telling Jokes, the pic centers on an aging father who refuses to engage emotionally with his son, who is desperate for approval. Ingrid Michaelson, Annie Potts, Bebe Neuwirth, Priscilla Lopez and…...
- 6/16/2017
- Deadline
The Tony Awards and Dress Circle Publishing announce a special fan experience at the Tony Awards Pop-Up Shop. Author and Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky will be joined by Broadway favorites Julia Murney Wicked, Priscilla Lopez In The Heights, and more who will be reading excerpts from Seth's Broadway Diary, tonight, June 3rd from 600 - 700Pm. The Tony Awards Pop-Up Shop is located at the Paramount Hotel and is open daily to visitors.
- 6/3/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Tony Awards and Dress Circle Publishing announce a special fan experience at the Tony Awards Pop-Up Shop. Author and Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky will be joined by Broadway favorites Julia Murney Wicked, Priscilla Lopez In The Heights, and more who will be reading excerpts from Seth's Broadway Diary, on Wednesday, June 3rd from 600 - 700Pm. The Tony Awards Pop-Up Shop is located at the Paramount Hotel and is open daily to visitors.
- 5/27/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Tony Award winner Priscilla Lopez, who appeared in the legendary original cast of A Chorus Line and was also a replacement for the role of Fastrada in the original production of Pippin in 1973, will re-join the all-new Tony Award winning production of Pippin in the role of Berthe beginning tonight, Tuesday, November 11. Lucie Arnaz played her final performance in the role on Sunday, November 9 and has rejoined the Us national tour. Pippin is now playing through Sunday, January 4, 2015 at the Music Box Theatre 239 West 45th Street.
- 11/11/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
It’s a not-so-hidden secret that there are hundreds of surprising stories lurking beneath every board on Broadway. Luckily, there’s at least one guy out there who’s willing to spill. Seth Rudetsky—Sirius Xm host, comedian, playwright, music director, and more—is known inside the theater community for sharing the secrets of the stage and deconstructing every high C ever belted. In his book Seth’s Broadway Diary, Rudetsky chronicles just about every scandalous secret he’s seen, so EW decided to tap into Rudetsky’s well of knowledge and pose this question: What are the 10 biggest Broadway...
- 11/4/2014
- by Marc Snetiker
- EW.com - PopWatch
Lucie Arnaz is set to return to Broadway in the role of Berthe in the Tony Award winning Pippin for a limited engagement beginningThursday, October 9 through Sunday, November 9. Ms. Arnaz is currently playing the role in the Pippin national tour which opens this week at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco, CA. Tony Award winner Priscilla Lopez recently returned to the Broadway cast in the role of Berthe. Pippin is now playing at the Music Box Theatre 239 West 45th Street.
- 9/23/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End and everywhere in between with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include Priscilla Lopez's first performance as Berthe in Pippin, production photos from the A.R.T's Finding Neverland, a first look at Patti LuPone at 54 Below, and more...
- 7/25/2014
- by Louisa Brady
- BroadwayWorld.com
The producers of the Tony Award winning Best Revival of a Musical Pippin just announced that Andrea Martin, who won 2013 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for creating the role of Berthe in the production, will return to the role for 24 performances only, Tuesday September 2nd through Sunday September 21st. Tony Award winner Priscilla Lopez will now perform the role of Berthe through Sunday, August 31. Pippin is now in its second smash year at Broadway's Music Box Theatre 239 West 45th Street.
- 7/24/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Tony Award winner Priscilla Lopez, who appeared in the legendary original cast of A Chorus Line and was also a replacement for the role of 'Fastrada' in the original production of Pippin in 1973, just joined the all-new Tony Award winning production of Pippin in the role of 'Berthe' last night. BroadwayWorld was at the Music Box Theatre for the special night and you can check out photos from backstage below...
- 7/23/2014
- by Kevin Thomas Garcia
- BroadwayWorld.com
Tony Award winner Priscilla Lopez, who appeared in the legendary original cast of A Chorus Line and was also a replacement for the role of Fastrada in the original production of Pippin in 1973, will join the all-new Tony Award winning production of Pippin in the role of Berthe for a limited engagement, Tuesday, July 22 Wednesday, August 27. Annie Potts will play her final performance in the role on Sunday, July 20. Tony Award winner John Rubinstein, who created the role of Pippin in the original 1972 production, will extend his run in the show as Charles through Sunday, August 17. Pippin is now playing at the Music Box Theatre 239 West 45th Street.
- 7/10/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
LatinoBuzz: Participant’s 'Cesar Chavez' is Nominated for Four Imagen Awards, Including Best Picture
The nominees for the 29th Annual Imagen Awards, honoring portrayals of Latinos and Latino cultures in television and film, have been announced and Diego Luna's "Cesar Chavez" is up for four awards:
Best Picture Best Actor (Michael Pena) Best Actress (America Ferrera) Best Actress (Rosario Dawson) The awards will be presented at a gala black-tie dinner on Friday evening, August 1st, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, airing as a one hour special on PBS SoCal.
The complete list of nominees is below:
Best Primetime Television Program: Drama or Comedy
The Bridge (FX Networks/Shine America and FX Productions) Chicago P.D. (NBC/Wolf Films/NBCUniversal Television) The Fosters (ABC Family in association with Prodco, Inc.) Law & Order: Svu (NBC/Wolf Films/NBCUniversal Television) Switched at Birth (Prodco, Inc. in association with ABC Family) Best Primetime Program: Special or Movie-of-the-Week
Historias Detras Del Diamante: Yasiel Puig (Time Warner Cable Deportes) John Leguizamo's Ghetto Klown (HBO Entertainment in association with Silver Lining Entertainment, Insurgent Media and Rebel Films) The 2013 Nclr Alma Awards (Big Vida Entertainment) Best Actor/Television
Demian Bichir, The Bridge (FX Networks/Shine America and FX Productions) Raul Castillo, Looking (HBO Entertainment in association with Fair Harbor Productions) Ian Gomez, Cougar Town (TBS) Danny Pino, Law & Order: Svu (NBC/Wolf Films/NBCUniversal Television) Best Actress/Television
Edy Ganem, Devious Maids (Lifetime/ABC Studios) Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, The Fresh Beat Band (Nickelodeon) Ana Ortiz, Devious Maids (Lifetime/ABC Studios) Dania Ramirez, Devious Maids (Lifetime/ABC Studios) Judy Reyes, Devious Maids (Lifetime/ABC Studios) Roselyn Sanchez, Devious Maids (Lifetime/ABC Studios) Best Supporting Actor/Television
Frankie J. Alvarez , Looking (HBO Entertainment in association with Fair Harbor Productions) Nestor Carbonell, Bates Motel (A&E/ Universal Television) Al Madrigal, About a Boy (Universal Television) Joe Minoso, Chicago Fire (NBC/Wolf Films/NBCUniversal Television) Mel Rodriguez, Getting On (HBO Entertainment in association with Anima Sola Productions and BBC Worldwide) Jon Seda, Chicago P.D. (NBC/Wolf Films/NBCUniversal Television) Best Supporting Actress/Television
Stephanie Beatriz, Brooklyn Nine Nine (Universal Television) Constance Marie, Switched at Birth (ABC Family/ ABC Studios) Hayley Orrantia, The Goldbergs (ABC) Aubrey Plaza, Parks and Recreation (Universal Television) Monica Raymund, Chicago Fire (NBC/Wolf Films/NBCUniversal Television) Emily Rios, The Bridge (FX Networks/Shine America and FX Productions) Catalina Sandino Moreno, The Bridge (FX Networks/Shine America and FX Productions) Best Young Actress/Television
Paola Andino, Every Witch Way (Nickelodeon in association with Cinemat) Amber Montana, The Haunted Hathaways (Nickelodeon) Fatima Ptacek, Dora the Explorer (Nickelodeon) Bella Thorne, Shake It Up! (Disney Channel/ It's A Laugh Productions) Best Young Actor/Television
Mateo Arias, Kickin' It (Disney Xd/ Poor Soul/ It's A Laugh Productions) Benjamin "lil-p-Nut" Flores Jr., The Haunted Hathaways (Nickelodeon) Fabrizio Zacharee Guido, Welcome to the Family (NBC) Adam Irigoyen, Shake It Up! (Disney Channel/ It's A Laugh Productions) Xolo Mariduena, Parenthood (Universal Television) Best Children’s Programming
Dora the Explorer (Nickelodeon) Every Witch Way (Nickelodeon in association with Cinemat) Best Documentary/Film or Television
America ReFramed: Deputized (American Documentary, Inc.; World Channel) El Boxeo (El Boxeo Productions) Mendota (Espn ) Ruben Salazar: Man in the Middle (City Projects, LLC; Latino Public Broadcasting) The State of Arizona (Camino Bluff Productions, Inc.) Valentine Road (HBO Documentary Films Presents a Bmp Film in association with Eddie Schmidt Productions) Best National Informational Program
LatiNation (Latv Networkds) Latino Americans (Weta; Bosch and Co., Inc; Latino Public Broadcasting; In association with Itvs) mun2 News Special: Hecho en America (mun2) Oprah's Next Chapter (Own/Harpo Studios) Pati's Mexican Table (Weta/Follow Productions) Best Local Informational Program
#LAPrepa (Time Warner Cable Deportes) CBS2/KCAL9 News Special (CBS) Kvcr Now (Kvcr TV (PBS)) Latino Americans of NY & NJ (Wliw) Vista L.A. (Kabc - TV/ABC7) Best On-Air Advertising
"Premio lo nuestro " Award Show On-Air Promotion (Univision Network) Combate Americas (mun2) Friends for Change (Riverstreet and 7ate9) PBS SoCaL Community Champions (PBS SoCal) Best Variety or Reality Show
Brain Games (National Geographic Channel) Cesar 911 (Nat Geo Wild) Combate Americas (mun2/Bunim-Murray Productions) I Love Jenni (mun2/Blank Paige) The Voice (Mark Burnett's One Three Inc. and Talpa Media USA in association with Warner Horizon Television) Best Picture
A Miracle in Spanish Harlem (DigiNext/Vista Clara Productions) After School (True Form Film and Plus Entertainment) Cesar Chavez (Canana Films) Coyote (Toe Pictures/Gravitas Ventures) Sleeping with the Fishes (Unikki Productions, LLC) Best Director
Carlos Melendez, After School (True Form Film and Plus Entertainment) Jeffrey Travis, Dragon Day (Burning Myth Films/Entertainment One) Christopher Landon, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (Paramount Pictures/ Blumhouse Productions) Nicole Gomez Fisher, Sleeping with the Fishes (Unikki Productions, LLC) Best Actor/Supporting Actor - Feature Film
Jorge Diaz, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (Paramount Pictures/Blumhouse Productions) Mauricio Mendoza, After School (True Form Film and Plus Entertainment) Adrian Moreira-Behrens, After School (True Form Film and Plus Entertainment) Diogo Morgado, Son of God (20th Century Fox Film) Michael Pena, Cesar Chavez (Canana Films) Carlos Pratts, Coyote (Toe Pictures/Gravitas Ventures) Best Actress/Supporting Actress - Feature Film
Rosario Dawson, Cesar Chavez (Canana Films) America Ferrera, Cesar Chavez (Canana Films) Priscilla Lopez, Sleeping with the Fishes (Unikki Productions, LLC) Ana Ortiz, Sleeping with the Fishes (Unikki Productions, LLC) Gina Rodriguez, Sleeping with the Fishes (Unikki Productions, LLC) Michelle Rodriguez, Fast & Furious 6 (Universal Pictures) Best Theatrical Short or Student Film
Chub (Yb Project) Dirty Laundry (The Other Sock Productions) El Toro (Juan Ramirez) Madrugada quebradiza: The Break of Day (USC School of Cinematic Arts) Mediation (Top Rebel Productions) You're Dead to Me (PBS) Best Web Series: Drama
Caribe Road (Helu Films) Encounters Web Series (Angel Flight Media in association with True Form Films) Fixing Paco (Mendez National Institute of Transplantation) Best Web Series: Comedy
Fixing Paco (Mendez National Institute of Transplantation) Larry Hernandez: El Presidente (mun2) Saved by the Pole (Blame it on Rios) Best Web Series: Reality or Informational
Fixing Paco (Mendez National Institute of Transplantation) Big Shots, Los Angeles Magazine Online Web Series (Giselle Fernandez Productions for Los Angeles Magazine) Newsbreaker en Español (Ora TV) Street Knowledge 2 College (Specific Pictures, Latino Public Broadcasting)...
Best Picture Best Actor (Michael Pena) Best Actress (America Ferrera) Best Actress (Rosario Dawson) The awards will be presented at a gala black-tie dinner on Friday evening, August 1st, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, airing as a one hour special on PBS SoCal.
The complete list of nominees is below:
Best Primetime Television Program: Drama or Comedy
The Bridge (FX Networks/Shine America and FX Productions) Chicago P.D. (NBC/Wolf Films/NBCUniversal Television) The Fosters (ABC Family in association with Prodco, Inc.) Law & Order: Svu (NBC/Wolf Films/NBCUniversal Television) Switched at Birth (Prodco, Inc. in association with ABC Family) Best Primetime Program: Special or Movie-of-the-Week
Historias Detras Del Diamante: Yasiel Puig (Time Warner Cable Deportes) John Leguizamo's Ghetto Klown (HBO Entertainment in association with Silver Lining Entertainment, Insurgent Media and Rebel Films) The 2013 Nclr Alma Awards (Big Vida Entertainment) Best Actor/Television
Demian Bichir, The Bridge (FX Networks/Shine America and FX Productions) Raul Castillo, Looking (HBO Entertainment in association with Fair Harbor Productions) Ian Gomez, Cougar Town (TBS) Danny Pino, Law & Order: Svu (NBC/Wolf Films/NBCUniversal Television) Best Actress/Television
Edy Ganem, Devious Maids (Lifetime/ABC Studios) Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, The Fresh Beat Band (Nickelodeon) Ana Ortiz, Devious Maids (Lifetime/ABC Studios) Dania Ramirez, Devious Maids (Lifetime/ABC Studios) Judy Reyes, Devious Maids (Lifetime/ABC Studios) Roselyn Sanchez, Devious Maids (Lifetime/ABC Studios) Best Supporting Actor/Television
Frankie J. Alvarez , Looking (HBO Entertainment in association with Fair Harbor Productions) Nestor Carbonell, Bates Motel (A&E/ Universal Television) Al Madrigal, About a Boy (Universal Television) Joe Minoso, Chicago Fire (NBC/Wolf Films/NBCUniversal Television) Mel Rodriguez, Getting On (HBO Entertainment in association with Anima Sola Productions and BBC Worldwide) Jon Seda, Chicago P.D. (NBC/Wolf Films/NBCUniversal Television) Best Supporting Actress/Television
Stephanie Beatriz, Brooklyn Nine Nine (Universal Television) Constance Marie, Switched at Birth (ABC Family/ ABC Studios) Hayley Orrantia, The Goldbergs (ABC) Aubrey Plaza, Parks and Recreation (Universal Television) Monica Raymund, Chicago Fire (NBC/Wolf Films/NBCUniversal Television) Emily Rios, The Bridge (FX Networks/Shine America and FX Productions) Catalina Sandino Moreno, The Bridge (FX Networks/Shine America and FX Productions) Best Young Actress/Television
Paola Andino, Every Witch Way (Nickelodeon in association with Cinemat) Amber Montana, The Haunted Hathaways (Nickelodeon) Fatima Ptacek, Dora the Explorer (Nickelodeon) Bella Thorne, Shake It Up! (Disney Channel/ It's A Laugh Productions) Best Young Actor/Television
Mateo Arias, Kickin' It (Disney Xd/ Poor Soul/ It's A Laugh Productions) Benjamin "lil-p-Nut" Flores Jr., The Haunted Hathaways (Nickelodeon) Fabrizio Zacharee Guido, Welcome to the Family (NBC) Adam Irigoyen, Shake It Up! (Disney Channel/ It's A Laugh Productions) Xolo Mariduena, Parenthood (Universal Television) Best Children’s Programming
Dora the Explorer (Nickelodeon) Every Witch Way (Nickelodeon in association with Cinemat) Best Documentary/Film or Television
America ReFramed: Deputized (American Documentary, Inc.; World Channel) El Boxeo (El Boxeo Productions) Mendota (Espn ) Ruben Salazar: Man in the Middle (City Projects, LLC; Latino Public Broadcasting) The State of Arizona (Camino Bluff Productions, Inc.) Valentine Road (HBO Documentary Films Presents a Bmp Film in association with Eddie Schmidt Productions) Best National Informational Program
LatiNation (Latv Networkds) Latino Americans (Weta; Bosch and Co., Inc; Latino Public Broadcasting; In association with Itvs) mun2 News Special: Hecho en America (mun2) Oprah's Next Chapter (Own/Harpo Studios) Pati's Mexican Table (Weta/Follow Productions) Best Local Informational Program
#LAPrepa (Time Warner Cable Deportes) CBS2/KCAL9 News Special (CBS) Kvcr Now (Kvcr TV (PBS)) Latino Americans of NY & NJ (Wliw) Vista L.A. (Kabc - TV/ABC7) Best On-Air Advertising
"Premio lo nuestro " Award Show On-Air Promotion (Univision Network) Combate Americas (mun2) Friends for Change (Riverstreet and 7ate9) PBS SoCaL Community Champions (PBS SoCal) Best Variety or Reality Show
Brain Games (National Geographic Channel) Cesar 911 (Nat Geo Wild) Combate Americas (mun2/Bunim-Murray Productions) I Love Jenni (mun2/Blank Paige) The Voice (Mark Burnett's One Three Inc. and Talpa Media USA in association with Warner Horizon Television) Best Picture
A Miracle in Spanish Harlem (DigiNext/Vista Clara Productions) After School (True Form Film and Plus Entertainment) Cesar Chavez (Canana Films) Coyote (Toe Pictures/Gravitas Ventures) Sleeping with the Fishes (Unikki Productions, LLC) Best Director
Carlos Melendez, After School (True Form Film and Plus Entertainment) Jeffrey Travis, Dragon Day (Burning Myth Films/Entertainment One) Christopher Landon, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (Paramount Pictures/ Blumhouse Productions) Nicole Gomez Fisher, Sleeping with the Fishes (Unikki Productions, LLC) Best Actor/Supporting Actor - Feature Film
Jorge Diaz, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (Paramount Pictures/Blumhouse Productions) Mauricio Mendoza, After School (True Form Film and Plus Entertainment) Adrian Moreira-Behrens, After School (True Form Film and Plus Entertainment) Diogo Morgado, Son of God (20th Century Fox Film) Michael Pena, Cesar Chavez (Canana Films) Carlos Pratts, Coyote (Toe Pictures/Gravitas Ventures) Best Actress/Supporting Actress - Feature Film
Rosario Dawson, Cesar Chavez (Canana Films) America Ferrera, Cesar Chavez (Canana Films) Priscilla Lopez, Sleeping with the Fishes (Unikki Productions, LLC) Ana Ortiz, Sleeping with the Fishes (Unikki Productions, LLC) Gina Rodriguez, Sleeping with the Fishes (Unikki Productions, LLC) Michelle Rodriguez, Fast & Furious 6 (Universal Pictures) Best Theatrical Short or Student Film
Chub (Yb Project) Dirty Laundry (The Other Sock Productions) El Toro (Juan Ramirez) Madrugada quebradiza: The Break of Day (USC School of Cinematic Arts) Mediation (Top Rebel Productions) You're Dead to Me (PBS) Best Web Series: Drama
Caribe Road (Helu Films) Encounters Web Series (Angel Flight Media in association with True Form Films) Fixing Paco (Mendez National Institute of Transplantation) Best Web Series: Comedy
Fixing Paco (Mendez National Institute of Transplantation) Larry Hernandez: El Presidente (mun2) Saved by the Pole (Blame it on Rios) Best Web Series: Reality or Informational
Fixing Paco (Mendez National Institute of Transplantation) Big Shots, Los Angeles Magazine Online Web Series (Giselle Fernandez Productions for Los Angeles Magazine) Newsbreaker en Español (Ora TV) Street Knowledge 2 College (Specific Pictures, Latino Public Broadcasting)...
- 6/25/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Earlier this month, BroadwayWorld uncovered a vintage video featuring Broadway legend Patti LuPone in 'Love Cycle A Soap Operetta', a 'mini-musical' made for PBS in 1984 which was never broadcast. The mini-musical also featured a full cast of up-and-coming stars of the 1980's, including Walter Bobbie, Lonny Price, Martin Vidnovic, Priscilla Lopez and Ellen Foley. If you missed it the first time, catch the full operetta below...
- 1/23/2014
- by Nicole Rosky
- BroadwayWorld.com
George C Wolfe has come on board to direct Mankind Entertainment’s adaptation of playwright Nilo Cruz’s Broadway hit Anna In The Tropics. The play had its Broadway berth in 2003, and starred Jimmy Smits, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Priscilla Lopez, John Ortiz, Vanessa Aspillaga, Victor Argo and David Zayas. Playwright Cruz's play is set in a Cuban-American cigar factory in 1929. The factory employs "lectors" to entertain and educate the factory workers, and a new lector who reads aloud from Anna Karenina becomes "a catalyst in the lives of his avid listeners, for whom Tolstoy, the tropics, and the American dream prove a volatile combination." No casting yet but filming is scheduled...
- 12/10/2013
- by Natasha Greeves
- ShadowAndAct
Review by Dana Jung
Alexis Fish (a revelatory Gina Rodriguez) is a twenty-something widow who is slowly eroding away in Los Angeles; her husband left her in debt, she’s working menial jobs like dressing up as a giant panda for a restaurant, and she is taking medication to help her with feelings of depression, anxiety, anger, you name it. She misses her family in New York, especially her sister Kayla (the wonderful Ana Ortiz) and her father (Tibor Feldman). However, even the distance from East coast to West doesn’t seem to be enough to nullify the contentious relationship she has with her mother (Priscilla Lopez). The mother/daughter conflict is one of the main themes that propels the funny and moving new film Sleeping With The Fishes.
When a family funeral brings Alexis back to New York, things at first seem to go from bad to worse. As her freespirited sister explains,...
Alexis Fish (a revelatory Gina Rodriguez) is a twenty-something widow who is slowly eroding away in Los Angeles; her husband left her in debt, she’s working menial jobs like dressing up as a giant panda for a restaurant, and she is taking medication to help her with feelings of depression, anxiety, anger, you name it. She misses her family in New York, especially her sister Kayla (the wonderful Ana Ortiz) and her father (Tibor Feldman). However, even the distance from East coast to West doesn’t seem to be enough to nullify the contentious relationship she has with her mother (Priscilla Lopez). The mother/daughter conflict is one of the main themes that propels the funny and moving new film Sleeping With The Fishes.
When a family funeral brings Alexis back to New York, things at first seem to go from bad to worse. As her freespirited sister explains,...
- 11/23/2013
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Unveiling at the Brooklyn Film Festival this weekend is the world premiere of Sleeping with the Fishes, the directorial debut of former stand up comic and actor, Nicole Gomez Fisher. Gina Rodriguez plays the hilariously real and spirited star of the movie, Alexis Fish, a role she booked right as Filly Brown started making waves at film festivals last year. A great cast of women join her including Tony Award winning stage and film actor, Priscilla Lopez who plays her mother, and Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty) who is enjoyably pert, as Gina's sister. Sleeping with the Fishes is also the first feature produced independently by Courtney Andrialis, a rising producer with many more exciting projects in development (she started her career as assistant to Bingham Ray in 2003). I gotta say, I just love the female power of this film! Check out the just- released trailer of the film, and read the interview I did where I check in with Nicole, a week before she releases her first baby (film) into the world.
Logline: Sleeping with the Fishes is a comedy which captures one girl’s journey of self-discovery and the dynamics of her zany family. With its fair share of “ay dios mio” and “oy vey” moments, the film comes to life with colorful characters and one-liners that can only be found in a Latino Jewish home in Brooklyn.
How did your Latino/Jewish background and childhood inform your creative expression as you started conceiving of your first feature?
I was born and raised in Brooklyn…a true Brooklynite at heart. My mother is Puerto Rican and my father is of Jewish descent, an interesting mix that has clearly influenced my life and my writing. I don’t necessarily identify with one over the other…both sides make up who I am. I knew when starting Sleeping With The Fishes that my background and my point of view wasn’t a filmmaker’s voice heard too often. I wanted to express myself and tell a story about a young woman trying to find herself in a world that she felt excluded from…not only from the outside world, but from her immediate as well.
What’s your connection with Gina? How was it to work with her in comedy? She’s got great timing and tons of energy.
I did not know Gina Rodriguez before making Sleeping with the Fishes. We met through our casting directors Sig DeMiguel and Steve Vincent. Her agent read the script and loved it, passed it on to her and Boom! A meeting was set. We actually met in the bathroom of Rosa Mexicana and it was love at first sight! Gina was incredibly energetic, bright, enthusiastic and funny! I was excited to work with someone “fresh”. I knew before we even ordered that we would work well together. She was just coming off the Sundance premiere for Filly Brown. It was an exciting time for her and it showed. She’s a natural when it comes to comedy, so she made directing incredibly easy. Gina’s choices were spot on and she just understood the timing of comedy. It takes a real pro to know when to “go there” and when to pull back and she did. I would say try this and within seconds she would make a slight adjustment and go. If she thought something didn’t work or wanted to try another shot, we went with it. Collaborating with her was such fun. She made directing my first feature a pleasure.
The tale of a 30something whose life has not gone as expected and must deal with the pressure of returning to a childhood like dynamic at home with the parents, is so relatable and universal, but it can also be quite personal and individual, how personal is this screen variation to you? What did you want to convey that you had not typically seen in this popular canon? (For me I think the female character’s resilience of staying true to herself, her exhaustive efforts of having to tolerate her mother’s views, and sheer tenacity...
It’s personal. The story itself is loosely based on my family, but there are many aspects to it that are a mix of truth and fiction. For my lead, Alexis Rodriguez Fish (played by Gina Rodriguez), her coming back home after years of living a lie all in the name of “saving face” is paralyzing for her. As you mentioned, her resilience to stay true to herself has been an exhausting journey. Having to deal with the loss of a loved one while trying to pick up the pieces of your life only makes it that much harder to overcome. I wanted to take a classic story and make it new. Yes, she is returning home to the pressures of family, but in Alexis’ case, returning home to her mother is what is so daunting. You have two strong women who don’t see eye-to-eye: one whose pride identifies her, the other whose pride is crushed as she struggles to find her identity.
I love that you chose to do your first film a comedy. There doesn't seem to be as many first films as comedies tackled in the indie world, and even less from a female written and directed perspective. What are your influences in this vein? Also, what is it about our passionate Latino culture in particular you think that makes family dysfunction so melodramatic, ripe for comedy and so affectionate and warm at the same time?
I was a stand up comic for years and I love writing comedy. I’m a huge fan of films that blend comedy and drama. It’s what life is made of—the ying and the yang. Some of the funniest moments in life are also the saddest. When you can stop and laugh at a time when hope seems dim, that is life changing. Laughter has pulled me through some really hard times. ...Where there is passion, there is drama. From my experience, Latinos are very strong-minded, very passionate and very vocal about what we believe. The combination makes for some terrific melodrama. It’s who we are—they go hand in hand.
Who were some key collaborators and mentors for you during the launching of your first feature? Tells us about Courtney as producer - she’s from HD net films, how did you two bond about the making of this film?
Some of the key collaborators were my husband Joe, my friend and fellow screenwriter A.J. Meyers, my casting directors, my father and of course, my producer Courtney Andrialis. Courtney and I have built a solid relationship around Sleeping with the Fishes. I met her via our casting directors. She’s young, eager and has a ton of knowledge. She was an integral part of the making the film. She brought on an amazing team that held me up throughout the entire process, which for a first time director is so integral. There were a lot of learning curves for me. Courtney did a great job of keeping me together and supporting me throughout the entire process.
As you navigate the wild west of distribution, how are you feeling and where are your expectations with getting the film out there? Are you going to be exploring the newly paved roads of direct distribution models or pursuing the traditional theatrical and window route?
It’s great that now filmmakers have so many ways to reach their audience. We are excited for our world premiere at the Brooklyn Film Festival on June 1st. After that, we’ll keep our fingers crossed and see!
Best of luck with the film and have a blast at your premiere, Nik!
For tickets & screening info (June 1 is sold out, but June 8 still available for all y'all NYers)
Film Contact: swtf13[a]gmail.com.
Website
Facebook
Twitter...
Logline: Sleeping with the Fishes is a comedy which captures one girl’s journey of self-discovery and the dynamics of her zany family. With its fair share of “ay dios mio” and “oy vey” moments, the film comes to life with colorful characters and one-liners that can only be found in a Latino Jewish home in Brooklyn.
How did your Latino/Jewish background and childhood inform your creative expression as you started conceiving of your first feature?
I was born and raised in Brooklyn…a true Brooklynite at heart. My mother is Puerto Rican and my father is of Jewish descent, an interesting mix that has clearly influenced my life and my writing. I don’t necessarily identify with one over the other…both sides make up who I am. I knew when starting Sleeping With The Fishes that my background and my point of view wasn’t a filmmaker’s voice heard too often. I wanted to express myself and tell a story about a young woman trying to find herself in a world that she felt excluded from…not only from the outside world, but from her immediate as well.
What’s your connection with Gina? How was it to work with her in comedy? She’s got great timing and tons of energy.
I did not know Gina Rodriguez before making Sleeping with the Fishes. We met through our casting directors Sig DeMiguel and Steve Vincent. Her agent read the script and loved it, passed it on to her and Boom! A meeting was set. We actually met in the bathroom of Rosa Mexicana and it was love at first sight! Gina was incredibly energetic, bright, enthusiastic and funny! I was excited to work with someone “fresh”. I knew before we even ordered that we would work well together. She was just coming off the Sundance premiere for Filly Brown. It was an exciting time for her and it showed. She’s a natural when it comes to comedy, so she made directing incredibly easy. Gina’s choices were spot on and she just understood the timing of comedy. It takes a real pro to know when to “go there” and when to pull back and she did. I would say try this and within seconds she would make a slight adjustment and go. If she thought something didn’t work or wanted to try another shot, we went with it. Collaborating with her was such fun. She made directing my first feature a pleasure.
The tale of a 30something whose life has not gone as expected and must deal with the pressure of returning to a childhood like dynamic at home with the parents, is so relatable and universal, but it can also be quite personal and individual, how personal is this screen variation to you? What did you want to convey that you had not typically seen in this popular canon? (For me I think the female character’s resilience of staying true to herself, her exhaustive efforts of having to tolerate her mother’s views, and sheer tenacity...
It’s personal. The story itself is loosely based on my family, but there are many aspects to it that are a mix of truth and fiction. For my lead, Alexis Rodriguez Fish (played by Gina Rodriguez), her coming back home after years of living a lie all in the name of “saving face” is paralyzing for her. As you mentioned, her resilience to stay true to herself has been an exhausting journey. Having to deal with the loss of a loved one while trying to pick up the pieces of your life only makes it that much harder to overcome. I wanted to take a classic story and make it new. Yes, she is returning home to the pressures of family, but in Alexis’ case, returning home to her mother is what is so daunting. You have two strong women who don’t see eye-to-eye: one whose pride identifies her, the other whose pride is crushed as she struggles to find her identity.
I love that you chose to do your first film a comedy. There doesn't seem to be as many first films as comedies tackled in the indie world, and even less from a female written and directed perspective. What are your influences in this vein? Also, what is it about our passionate Latino culture in particular you think that makes family dysfunction so melodramatic, ripe for comedy and so affectionate and warm at the same time?
I was a stand up comic for years and I love writing comedy. I’m a huge fan of films that blend comedy and drama. It’s what life is made of—the ying and the yang. Some of the funniest moments in life are also the saddest. When you can stop and laugh at a time when hope seems dim, that is life changing. Laughter has pulled me through some really hard times. ...Where there is passion, there is drama. From my experience, Latinos are very strong-minded, very passionate and very vocal about what we believe. The combination makes for some terrific melodrama. It’s who we are—they go hand in hand.
Who were some key collaborators and mentors for you during the launching of your first feature? Tells us about Courtney as producer - she’s from HD net films, how did you two bond about the making of this film?
Some of the key collaborators were my husband Joe, my friend and fellow screenwriter A.J. Meyers, my casting directors, my father and of course, my producer Courtney Andrialis. Courtney and I have built a solid relationship around Sleeping with the Fishes. I met her via our casting directors. She’s young, eager and has a ton of knowledge. She was an integral part of the making the film. She brought on an amazing team that held me up throughout the entire process, which for a first time director is so integral. There were a lot of learning curves for me. Courtney did a great job of keeping me together and supporting me throughout the entire process.
As you navigate the wild west of distribution, how are you feeling and where are your expectations with getting the film out there? Are you going to be exploring the newly paved roads of direct distribution models or pursuing the traditional theatrical and window route?
It’s great that now filmmakers have so many ways to reach their audience. We are excited for our world premiere at the Brooklyn Film Festival on June 1st. After that, we’ll keep our fingers crossed and see!
Best of luck with the film and have a blast at your premiere, Nik!
For tickets & screening info (June 1 is sold out, but June 8 still available for all y'all NYers)
Film Contact: swtf13[a]gmail.com.
Website
Twitter...
- 5/29/2013
- by Christine Davila
- Sydney's Buzz
TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents the regional premiere of Somewhere, a captivating new play told in exuberant dance as well as drama by playwright Matthew Lopez The Whipping Man, and featuring Tony Award winner Priscilla Lopez Broadway's A Chorus Line. This compelling tale of a 1960s Puerto Rican family dreaming and dancing its way toward show business will be helmed by director Giovanna Sardelli. Somewhere plays now through February 10, 2013 press opening January 19 at TheatreWorks at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production in the photos below...
- 1/17/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents the regional premiere of Somewhere, a captivating new play told in exuberant dance as well as drama by playwright Matthew Lopez The Whipping Man, and featuring Tony Award winner Priscilla Lopez Broadway's A Chorus Line. This compelling tale of a 1960s Puerto Rican family dreaming and dancing its way toward show business will be helmed by director Giovanna Sardelli. Somewhere plays tonight, January 16 - February 10, 2013 press opening January 19 at TheatreWorks at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production in the photos below...
- 1/16/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents the regional premiere of Somewhere, a captivating new play told in exuberant dance as well as drama by playwright Matthew Lopez The Whipping Man, and featuring Tony Award winner Priscilla Lopez Broadway's A Chorus Line. This compelling tale of a 1960s Puerto Rican family dreaming and dancing its way toward show business will be helmed by director Giovanna Sardelli. Somewhere plays January 16 - February 10, 2013 press opening January 19 at TheatreWorks at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production in the photos below...
- 1/9/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
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