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Cheapjack Shakespeare: Graphic Novel Play Breaks Records
Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Reviews,
That new Spider-Man musical might want to call Shaun McLaughlin and ask him how it’s done. His play Cheapjack Shakespeare: The Non Musical just opened to a sold out crowd, “the largest fall opening in the history of (Buffalo’s) Alt Theatre,” according to the press release. According to McLaughlin, “Sex, drugs and iambic pentameter has proved a potent draw.”
And competition for opening night was fierce: Friday night’s debut was the kick off of Curtain Up!, the official start of Buffalo’s theatre season. Cheapjack Shakespeare: The Non Musical was competing against 16 other show openings. And first-time playwright McLaughlin emerged victorious. According to the author, “it was a sell out crowd. And they laughed. A lot.”
I’ve written about Cheapjack Shakespeare before. It’s McLaughlin’s adaptation of his own graphic novel, a comedy about a summer Shakespeare company falling apart as they’re beset by infidelity, egos, ambition “and a particularly ill-timed lightning strike.”
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Cheapjack Shakespeare: The Graphic Novel Play
Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Independent,
With all this talk of comic books being turned into movies (I’m looking at you Scott Pilgrim and Green Lantern and countless others), how about one that’s being turned into…a play? And no I’m not talking about the expensive Spider-Man musical.
I’m talking about Cheapjack Shakespeare, a comedy about a summer Shakespeare company that’s falling apart as they’re “beset by infidelity, egos, ambition and a particularly ill-timed lightning strike.” Shaun McLaughlin, a reknowned comic book writer (Aquaman) and TV producer (Batman Beyond, Static Shock and various incarnations of Justice League), created the online graphic novel that debuted earlier this year. “It’s like Glee with booze and Shakespeare,” McLaughlin says.
Cheapjack Shakespeare: The Non-Musical has finalized its casting, begun rehearsals and set its premiere date for September 9th at the Alt Theatre in Buffalo, NY. Additional performances will be on September 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25.
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Ashlee Simpson Confirmed to Chicago Cast
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Where Are They Now?,
As reported earlier, Ashlee Simpson will soon be appearing on Broadway.
Chicago producer Barry Weissler told reporters that Simpson will start her Broadway run on November 30, for a ten-week commitment.
Ashlee formerly played the role in the London production of the play, back in 2006.
Read More 
| Yahoo! News
Ashlee Simpson Moving from Melrose to Broadway?
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Television, Rumors, Where Are They Now?,
Maybe Ashlee Simpson won’t suffer too badly from being ousted from Melrose Place, after all.
Gossip suggests that Simpson will soon be playing Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago. However, reps for Simpson and the show have yet to confirm the rumors.
This wouldn’t be Ashlee’s first time tackling the role. She also appeared in a London version of the musical in 2006.
Read More | Entertainment Weekly
Abigail Breslin Nabs Broadway Gig
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Movies, Child Stars, Where Are They Now?,
Academy Award-nominated Abigail Breslin will be following in Patty Duke’s footsteps. The actress, 13, will soon be starring in the first Broadway revival of The Miracle Worker as Helen Keller. Duke originally played the role on Broadway and in the subsequent movie (for which she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, the youngest actress ever to receive the honor at that time).
Breslin is the fourth-youngest actress ever to receive the Academy nomination; she was selected for the award thanks to her work in Little Miss Sunshine.
“I am so honored,” she said of receiving the Broadway role. “It’s like the biggest thing in the world…I’ve always known the story, and it’s always been something I wanted to play.”
Read More | Yahoo! News
John Cleese Bringing A Fish Called Wanda to the Stage
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Adaptation, Comedy, Celebrity Gossip,
John Cleese is turning a comedy from 1988 into a stage production.
“One thing I am doing which amuses me immensely is the musical version of A Fish Called Wanda,” The Monty Python comic has revealed.
The movie about a jewel heist - which John wrote and starred in - also featured Jamie Lee Curtis and and Oscar-winning performance from Kevin Kline.
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Philips Cinema 21:9 LCD TV
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Movies,
Philips is in the midst of developing a 56-inch LCD TV with a 21:9 aspect ratio. The Cinema is supposed to be more like a film screen, which is always a good thing. The TV will feature the company’s Ambilight bordered technology. Unfortunately, unless you are in Germany, Belgium, France or the UK, the wait may be a long one. Philips is hoping to release their new creation this spring, far enough away to start stockpiling microwave popcorn and Raisinettes.
Read More | Newlaunches
Katie Holmes: A Broadway Bomb?
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Movies,
And to think they bumped Mario Lopez for this…
Although Katie Holmes’ is apparently getting a sizable paycheck for her Broadway debut, ticket sales have reportedly been underwhelming. According to the New York Post, advance purchases for All My Sons have not yet reached the $1 million mark. In comparison, when Tom’s last wife (a.k.a. Nicole Kidman) hit the stage, The Blue Room raked in $4 million before opening night. (And that was at 1998 prices!)
Of course, both ladies have to take a back seat to Julia Roberts’ 2006 stint; tickets for Three Days of Rain were snapped up in just one day.
So if you have the free time and $300 to spare, it sounds like you may have your choice of seats to jump on this September.
New York Post
Katie Holmes’ Paycheck Means a Smaller One for Mario Lopez
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Movies,
While I’ve never been a huge fan of Ms. Holmes, I like to think of this as karma coming back to bite Mario in the ass.
In case you haven’t already heard the news, Katie Holmes has finally chosen to put Suri down and get back to work. (Seems her Mad Money gig wasn’t satisfying enough for her or anyone who watched it.) But instead of returning to the big screen, Holmes has chosen to make her Broadway debut in All My Sons, a revival of an Arthur Miller play.
So what does Katie’s decision have to do with Lopez? Well, in order to recoup the money for
the actress’ paycheck, the producers had to seek out a venue with more seats. Unfortunately, taking over the Schoenfeld Theater meant an early end to the show currently performing there: A Chorus Line starring Mario Lopez. Needless to say, Lopez is reportedly “pissed” by this news. (Oh, poor baby.)
You can expect lengthy reviews on Holmes’ performance this September.
TV Guide
Friends, Fun and Fashion: Sex and the City Movie Review
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: New Line, Romance, Comedy, Box Office, New Releases, Theatrical Reviews,
I awoke on Friday feeling energized, excited and expectant, one thought drumming through my head: today is the day. A special outfit, picked out two days in advance, hung at the front of my closet. The tickets to the show were sitting securely in my purse. I could almost feel an electric buzz in the air as I thought to myself, in just a few hours I’ll be seeing the Sex and the City movie. If I could stand the suspense long enough.
I set my hair early, wrapping my head in a green bandana so no one could see my curlers. I started making confirmation calls at four in the afternoon (I was going to leave my apartment at eight), and by the time the clock struck five I was sitting on the couch with three bags of make-up spread around me. For this special opening night, I was leaving absolutely nothing to chance.
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