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Spider Man Broadway Show Promised for Fall (Or Winter)

Roger Friedman
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“Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” is coming. Really. This fall.

Original producer David Garfinkle tells me the $45 million Julie Taymor-U2 extravaganza has its money in place. There will be announcements shortly concerning a schedule and a replacement for Evan Rachel Wood, who bowed out of the part of Mary Jane.

Garfinkle says it’s all in hand, and that Alan Cumming and Reeve Carney are still all set. “Everything is ready. We’re getting ready to make some announcements.”

“Spider Man” has been in trouble forever. Recently a Broadway investor told me the budget was up to $52 million and that it would take five years to recoup investments if the show sold out every night and the entire audience bought T shirts. Who knows? The beauty of “Spider Man” succeeding is that would put the naysayers in their places forever.

So who should play Mary Jane? They’re going to need a name, a great girl who can sing and dance and be funny. It’s so hard to find one of those in New York!

Rielle Hunter: Oprah May Not Know About Her ‘24′ Role

Roger Friedman
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John Edwards‘ ex mistress and babymama Rielle Hunter is obviously not getting what she expected from the former U.S. senator.

First she did a sexy photo spread and interview with GQ magazine. Now she’s sitting down with Oprah for an hour long fess up during May sweeps. Edwards obviously has not come up with what Hunter demanded. The tawdry saga continues. (Let’s hope Oprah doesn’t bond with her the way she has with Kirstie Alley, Sarah Palin, and John Travolta.)

But sources in LaLa Land tell me that the big May sweeps finale of  Kiefer Sutherland’s show, “24,” would be much more exciting if Hunter’s “story arc” from the series were included. Sources there are still talking about Hunter’s days on their set and at their parties prior to (and during) her Edwards episode. She was quite popular — in fact, too popular.

According to sources, there was some surprise and anxiety expressed when Hunter’s pregnancy was revealed a couple of years ago. These insiders say Hunter had a close relationship with a member of the ‘24′ family–and I am not talking about Sutherland.

Hunter clearly came to Hollywood with dollar signs in her eyes when she divorced husband Kip Hunter in 2000. and moved to Hollywood. “It was clear,” says Emmy-nominated cinematographer George Mooradian, “that she wanted to be in the movie business.”

As I wrote in 2008:

In 2000, Lisa Druck re-emerged in Los Angeles as newly single Rielle Hunter, writer and producer of a 20-minute-long comedy called “Billy Bob and Them,” which she also acted in and self-distributed.

Mooradian worked on “Billy Bob and Them.” When he met Rielle, he said, she was just getting or had gotten a divorce.

He conceded he was paid about $50, if that, to shoot the low-budget film in Hunter’s “very nice” Los Angeles-area home that he supposed she’d gotten in the divorce.

The film, he said, didn’t have much of a plot. “It was very New Age-y. It had something to do with altars and temples and crystals.” The shoot lasted two days.

Mooradian told me: “She definitely had some connection to the Dalai Lama and Richard Gere, and there was an offer to meet the Dalai Lama.”

Things have definitely changed. Hunter’s name sends a cold chill up the spines of the ‘24′ gang– and their show is about terrorism!

And there is still a much disputed story about Hunter’s friendship with actor Jeff Goldblum before he got added to “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and moved to New York. Hunter denies it, but the LA peeps can’t stop talking about it.

Carly Simon’s Dad Had the JUMP on Everyone

Roger Friedman
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Carly Simon’s dad, Richard Simon, was the co-founder of publishing giant Simon & Schuster (like you didn’t know that).

One of Simon’s famous successes was editing and publishing a book by famed Latvian photographer Phillippe Halsman called The Jump Book.” It featured pictures of the great celebs of the day–from Marilyn Monroe t0 Danny Kaye to Richard Nixon, Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin–all, well… jumping.

Halsman had invented something called “Jumpology,” meaning he asked his celebrity subjects to spring up and down for him at the end of a shoot. He had plenty of access to them since he was responsible for shooting 101 covers for Life magazine.

Halsman also had a crazy life story which probably appealed to Simon, the savvy publisher. In 1928, at the age of 22, Halsman was convicted–wrongly–for killing his own father on a ski trip in the Austria Alps. The conviction was considered anti-Semitic. By the time Albert Einstein and others helped free him, Halsman had spent two years in prison. He relocated to Paris but eventually fled the Nazis for the US in 1940, where he became a star.

Now after all these years, “The Jump Book” is back. Fifty of the original 178 prints are being shown this month in New York at the Lawrence Miller gallery at 20 West 57th St. The photos are magnificent, gorgeous and rare. The Simon & Schuster book, unfortunately, is way out of print. The few copies still around go for around $200. And guess who wrote the forward back in 1959? None other than Mike Wallace! (This was before “60 Minutes.”) Someone–maybe even S&S–should reprint that book and commission a new one. (Brigitte Lacombe, hello!)

Anyway, Halsman– to paraphrase Carly Simon–obviously didn’t have time for the pain. But we should have time to enjoy his work and contemplate a life well lived.

Live Earth Is Back, Plans Big Day in Chicago

Roger Friedman
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Remember Live Earth, aka 07-07-07? It was the worldwide rock concert that ended with a Police concert at Giants Stadium.

Now Live Earth organizer Kevin Wall is announcing a new mega event for Chicago and the world on April 18th.

His Live Earth group is sponsoring the Dow Live Earth Run for Water– billed as the largest ever global water initiative ever.  Over a 24 hour period, there will be a series of 6K run/walks all over the world. The culmination of this will be a Chicago concert featuring the group Collective Soul and Grammy winning legendary performer “Soul Man” Sam Moore.

Here are the cities included in the world wide walk:

Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cape Town, South Africa; Chicago, IL, USA; Hong Kong, China; Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia; London, UK; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Manchester, UK; Melbourne, Australia; Mexico City, Mexico; Milan, Italy; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York, NY, USA; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; São Paulo, Brazil; Singapore City, Singapore; Stockholm, Sweden; Toronto, Canada; Washington, D.C., USA. www.liveearth.org.

Madonna Film: God Save the Queen for Real

Roger Friedman
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My colleague Baz Bamgiboye reported from London in Friday’s UK Daily Mail:

“Madonna’s film “W.E.,” a fantasy based on the Abdication Crisis and what became of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, will be full of what one could term pure ‘Madge’ touches.

Madonna, who has become an expert on the constitutional matters of our country through her research for the film, which begins shooting soon, has included some surreal moments in her screenplay.

She has the Sex Pistols song, “Anarchy,” blasting away during a scene set in 1935. In another segment, she has the Duchess, now 70, twisting away to the Sex Pistols’  “God Save The Queen” as her pugs nip at her heels, while her husband, the former King Edward VIII, lies dying on the other side of the room.”

All I can say is, I cannot wait for this movie! Madonna: Action!

Julianne Moore’s World Turns This Afternoon

Roger Friedman
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Julianne Moore has been nominated for the Oscar four times.

But she has one win for the Daytime Emmy. She played Frannie Hughes and her lookalike cousin Sabrina back in 1985 on CBS’s “As the World Turns.”

Today, Moore–unlike so many famous soap graduates–returns to “World Turns” at 2pm EST for a one day visit. The occasion is the 25th anniversary of her soap parents, Bob and Kim Hughes, played by show vets Don Hastings and Kathryn Hays.

If only more actors acknowledged their beginnings, soaps might have lasted longer. But that’s Julianne Moore–she’s a mensch.

Last night she came to the premiere of “Lend Me A Tenor” with the casting director who first found her and hired for “World Turns.” That’s loyalty.

Moore is on a break before she starts another batch of films. She’s currently in “Chloe” and has Spike Lee’s new one on her schedule. Still, she called up and offered to do a bit on “World Turns”before CBS and Procter & Gamble stupidly end the 54 year old show in September. They’ll replace it with something cheap and useless, like another game show, talk show, or reality thing.

Moore reportedly got a kick out of the reunion, but limited her involvement. “They wanted to write her a whole episode where she was going to fix a lot of the characters’ problems,” a source says. “But in the end she just wanted to come in and say hi.”

One funny thing: Moore got advice from 92 year old show matriarch Helen Wagner, who plays a warm grandmother on the show. “She told Julianne how to lean in on a scene so Helen’s light wasn’t blocked,” an observer said. “Helen knows her stuff!”

“World Turns” has about 60 more episodes to film. Maybe Moore’s appearance will inspire some other famous grads, like Meg Ryan, Marisa Tomei, to pop in and say goodbye, too. Fans are also hoping for a cameo from Broadway star Larry Bryggman, who played Dr. John  Dixon for 30 years before vanishing into soap ether.

PS Les Moonves, who’s said such mean things about the soaps, should send Moore a dozen roses, don’tcha think?

Renee Zellweger & Bradley Cooper Hit Broadway Opening

Roger Friedman
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Justin Bartha is part of the “Hangover” gang, so his buds had to show up and support him last night at his Broadway debut in “Lend Me a Tenor.”

Indeed, Bradley Cooper came and brought girlfriend Renee Zellweger, and Zach Galiafinakis was there with a date. They are loyal pals. And since Bartha is said to be dating one of the Olsen twins, both of them took center orchestra seats. Zack told me he was shocked — “I had no idea Justin could sing,” he said. Renee told me: “It’s a chance to be out with my guy,” meaning Cooper.

And so, the opening night of “Lend Me a Tenor” was star stuck from the cast including Bartha, Tony Shalhoub, Anthony LaPaglia, Jan Maxwell, and Brooke Adams (Mrs. Shalhoub). They drew the likes of Tony Roberts, Patricia Clarkson, Polly Draper and musician husband Michael Wolff and their two musician kids (aka the Naked Brothers), plus Alfred Molina, Julianne Moore, Sam Rockwell, Janet McTeer, Viola Davis, Lorraine Bracco, her sister Elizabeth with husband Aidan Quinn, John Turturro, Lili Taylor, Andrea Martin, Carol Kane, Frances Sternhagen, Kenneth Cole and Maria Cuomo Cole, Jesse Eisenberg, and original cast members Tovah Feldshuh and Victor Garber. And, of course Steve Buscemi, who has a production company with “Lend Me” director Stanley Tucci.

Yes–Stanley Tucci directed “Lend Me A Tenor” fresh from his Oscar nomination in “Lovely Bones” and his excellent work in “Julie and Julia.” Forget totally today’s New York Times review– this 20th anniversary edition of “Lend Me a Tenor” is a hoot and a half, full of laughs, beautifully orchestrated and directed by Tucci. It’s a door slamming comedy, a farce set back stage at a Cleveland opera in 1934. Shalhoub and co. are hilarious. The fact that the New York Times didn’t find the production funny says a lot, frankly.

Shalhoub, LaPaglia, Adams and Maxwell are well enough known that their work precedes them. Shalhoub does so much physical business in this production that he’s already lost 16 pounds, he told me last night. “This is no work for a 56 year old,” he laughs. LaPaglia is thrilled to be free of his TV series, and back working on Broadway.

But the revelation of this “Tenor” is Justin Bartha. He’s in “The Hangover.” I remembered him, with much sadness, as Jennifer Lopez’s brother in the godawful “Gigli.” Nothing prepares you for how good he is in “Tenor.” As Max, a wannabe opera performer who suffers as Shalhoub’s opera manager’s lackey, Bartha is a one man dynamo. He’s never been on Broadway before, but he sure seems like a veteran. He’s the Broadway breakthrough performer of the season.

Maybe this is the season of audience pleasing shows–ones that the Times won’t necessarily dictate futures and so on. “Lend Me A Tenor” seemed like a hit last night, all systems go, totally fun and silly. And no one can say it isn’t packed with stars. Not only are the men terrific, but don’t miss Jan Maxwell as Maria, the shopping mad wife LaPaglia’s tenor, and Mary Catherine Garrison as Shalhoub’s ingenue daughter.

Beatles (Not) For Sale: Group’s Contract Sucker Punched EMI

Roger Friedman
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Much has been made of the precarious situation with EMI Music.

Earlier this week, EMI thought it had a deal with Universal Music Group to license its music in Canada, Mexico, and the US. If the deal had gone through, EMI would have been $400 million richer. EMI’s parent, Terra Firma, owes Citigroup $190 million by June 12th such a deal with UMG would have been a lifesaver.

But the deal fell apart in the middle of the night right before it was signed. What happened, we wondered?

It turns out someone had the presence of mind to check the contracts held by EMI’s biggest acts, starting with the Beatles. And the contracts forbid EMI to license their records to another company. Cue up “You Can’t Do That.”

It wasn’t just the Beatles. I’m told such provisions exist with Pink Floyd, Coldplay, Norah Jones, and a few other EMI acts.

But certainly the Beatles are EMI’s crown jewels. Without them, a license deal would be valueless.

Sources say that when the UMG folks realized this, they pulled out at the last minute. EMI then went to Sony, almost made a deal there until that gang asked the essential questions.

“Another reason, too,” says a source, “is that there was no guarantee that Citigroup wouldn’t wind up with EMI anyway, and that there would be no EMI in a year. A multiyear license would be meaningless.”

Both  EMI and Terra Firma have until June 12th to come up with that $190 million. If they don’t, Citigroup will take over. At that point, one top insider surmises, the Beatles and others may try to leave. It could get interesting.

Of course, the irony is that EMI/Capitol is having a great run right now. If they weren’t under the mound of millions in debt, they’d be ok with Lady Antebellum selling like hotcakes.

Broadway Premiere of “Red”: Scorsese, Kathryn Bigelow at Hot A List Opening

Roger Friedman
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The John Golden Theater on West 45th St. is small and unpleasant. That didn’t stop a ton of celebrities and well wishers from coming to see Alfred Molina and Eddie Redmayne in the Donmar Warehouse production of “Red.” The John Logan play about artist Mark Rothko is a smash and a cinch for all the main Tony Award nominations.

So we had three Oscar directors in the house: Martin Scorsese, Paul Haggis, and new winner Kathryn Bigelow. The latter was with Oscar winning “Hurt Locker” screenwriter Mark Boal.

Next, throw in Debra Winger and actor husband Arliss Howard; plus Martha Plimpton, Tobey Maguire, Alan Alda, Zach Braff, Alan Cumming, Victor Garber, Josh Hamilton, Linda Lavin, Alicia Silverstone, Rosie Perez, Matthew Settle, Jessica Walter, George C. Wolfe, Sarah Paulson, and “Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon.

For some it was to see Alfred Molina, whose friends call him Fred, totally bald, set the tone for a Best Actor award as the outspoken, egotistical Rothko. Both he and Redmayne are just dynamite, and Logan’s play is full of wonderful monologues and memorable lines.

Whew!That list doesn’t include the group that showed up later at the swell party at the Gotham from the “Behanding in Spokane”: Anthony Mackie, Sam Rockwell, and Christopher Walken.

everyone wanted to meet the truly legendary artist Frank Stella, who is talked about in the play and was a contemporary of Rothko. How did it feel being in the audience? “I work in an artists’ studio that looked like the one on stage,” Stella told me. “But I could never imagine what it would be like to watch that on stage. It was very unusual.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Stella

I did joke with Stella about the two upscale men’s clothing stores in Manhattan that bear his name. People always think he owns them. He does not. “I once asked them and the man said his name was Frank and his wife’s was Stella.” The artist shrugged. “A couple of years ago some one called my house and tried to order an over coat,” he said. He did not take the order.

Meanwhile:

Rosie Perez is wearing a neck brace. How did she get it? “I was on a shoot, and a day player got too excited in a fight scene.” It’s not easy being a famous actress!

Paul Haggis is taking a new group of actors to Haiti in the next couple of weeks. Among his new contingent: Ben Stiller and Susan Sarandon. Haggis has been going down there twice a month to remind people around the world that things are still quite dire — Haitians are homeless, sick and dying. There’s no speedy cure to their monstrous problems.

Anthony Mackie met famed casting director Amanda Mackey. Their names sound exactly alike. “Are we related?” she jokingly asked. “I think you were my half-sister,” Anthony cracked wise. “We were a very open minded family!”

New Spike Lee Joint: “Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson”

Roger Friedman
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Spike Lee is right now finishing up shooting “Inside Man 2″ with Denzel Washington and Clive Owen.

But come this summer, residents of Brooklyn may find Lee’s crew setting up shop in their neighborhoods.

The word is that Spike will roll into one of his own films, tentatively titled “Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson.”

I’m told he’s already lined up Samuel L. Jackson, John Turturro, Julianne Moore, and Rosie Perez.

“It’s a huge cast,” says a source, “and it’s all about the gentrification of Brooklyn.”

More names are soon to be announced, with more Lee regulars expected to be included. Some of them could be Anthony Mackie and Kerry Washington, who were in a lesser Lee film called “She Hate Me.” They deserve a second chance!

About that title: Spike did put on a Michael Jackson birthday extravaganza last summer in Prospect Park called “Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson.” He may be using this title temporarily. We’ll see how it all plays out.

If this film is anything like “Crooklyn,” a Lee favorite of mine, that means a lot of good music. Maybe Spike should call it “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough.”

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