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Broadway: Acclaimed Production of “Death of a Salesman” Starring Wendell Pierce Coming in Fall

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: Acclaimed Production of “Death of a Salesman” Starring Wendell Pierce Coming in Fall

This is exciting news.

This fall Broadway will get to see the Olivier winning West End production of “Death of a Salesman” starring Wendell Pierce as Willy Loman.

This mostly Black production co-stars Sharon D. Clarke as Willy’s wife, Linda. and is directed by Miranda Cromwell.

New to the New York effort is the famed Andre De Shields as Willy Loman’s brother, Ben, and Khris Davis, as Willy and Linda’s perpetual loser of a son, Biff.

Written by Arthur Miller, “Death of A Salesman” is the great American play and the most American play. In London, this production won many awards. That we’re getting it is a big deal.

“Looking at Death of a Salesman from the perspective of a Black family living in a predominantly White capitalist world changes the way that you hear this text,” says . Cromwell. “Wendell and Sharon illuminate the heart of this play in a new way that is both universal and entirely specific.”

“I have always been fascinated by the Loman family’s wrestle with assimilation, and the cost of that struggle on one’s mental health, on your family and on your community,” says producer Kwame Kwei-Armah. “This production breathes new life into a show that people think they know.”

Nice to know who the winner of the 2024 Tony Award is so soon.

Pillow Talk: Conspiracy Theorist Mike Lindell Sneaked Back onto Twitter and Thrown Off Again

Roger Friedman
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Pillow Talk: Conspiracy Theorist Mike Lindell Sneaked Back onto Twitter and Thrown Off Again

Mike Lindell got stuffed again by Twitter.

The right wing conspiracy theorist had been banned by Twitter permanently for helping to incite the January 6th insurrection. He was gone, and not allowed to return.

But this afternoon Lindell decided to try and come back. He started a new account called @MikeJLindell. Within two hours Twitter banned him again, permanently.

This is the second time Lindell tried to sneak back onto the platform after being permanently suspended. The first time was in February 2021 after his initial suspension.

Of course, Lindell posted a video announcing his return. I don’t think he knows the meaning of “stealth.” Instead, he bragged about sneaking in, and was immediately snuffed out.

This comes as Twitter is being purchased by Elon Musk, who may or may not reinstate the cranks and dangerous propagandists that Twitter chucked out, including Donald Trump. Maybe Lindell thought Musk was going to rescue him this time. But even Elon Musk needs to sleep sometimes, and he knows MyPillow is like sleeping on a log, not like one!

Priscilla Presley Approves Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” Movie After Special Screening

Roger Friedman
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Priscilla Presley Approves Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” Movie After Special Screening

Good news for Warner Bros.: Priscilla Presley approves of Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” movie.

She posted to Facebook yesterday a message giving her endorsement. Priscilla has a financial stake in the movie at least because its success will resonate with Graceland visitors and merch buyers and the playing of Elvis’s music everywhere. If “Elvis” is a hit — and it sure seems like it will be– Priscilla and Lisa Marie’s cash registers will be ringing loudly. And they need it after many financial disasters.

Here’s Priscilla’s post. (She doesn’t spell ‘director’ correctly, but no one’s perfect):

For those curious about the new film ELVIS, Baz Luhrmann, the director, provided a private screening for me and Jerry Schilling at Warner studios recently. This story is about Elvis and Colonel Parker’s relationship. It is a true story told brilliantly and creatively that only Baz, in his unique artistic way, could have delivered. Austin Butler, who played Elvis is outstanding. Halfway through the film Jerry and I looked at each other and said WOW!!! Bravo to him…he knew he had big shoes to fill. He was extremely nervous playing this part. I can only imagine. Tom Hanks was Col Parker in this film. What a character he was. There was two sides to Colonel, Jerry and I witnessed both. The story, as we all know, does not have a happy ending. But I think you will understand a little bit more of Elvis’ journey, penned by a directer (*director) who put his heart and soul and many hours into this film.

Box Office: Slow Stuff as “Memory” is Forgotten, “Father Stu,” “Morbius,” Nick Cage Meta Movie All Flounder

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: Slow Stuff as “Memory” is Forgotten, “Father Stu,” “Morbius,” Nick Cage Meta Movie All Flounder

If you went to the best fish market in your town you wouldn’t find as much flounder than we had at the box office this weekend.

Yes,. animated films “The Bad Guys” and “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” continue to draw families, desperate parents who will park their kids in a movie theater and pray no one gets sick. Can you blame them?

But in the fare offered to, ahem, adults, it was not the kindest situation this weekend. The Mark Wahlberg-Mel Gibson “Father Stu” then is a fish ‘stew’ with now just $17 million in the pot. The end is near.

Liam Neeson’s terrible “Memory” wandered around in a fog for just $3.1 million.

Tne Nicholas Cage meta- movie, “Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,” dropped 45% to to a total of $13.5 million.

Focus Features’ “The Northman” is directionless with just $6.3 million, total of $22 mil after two weeks. Maybe they should get a Viking stove.

Somewhere out there Spider Man fans are going back to see “Morbius.” Not a total flop, the Spider-verse extension has $71 mil at home and another $87 mil abroad. I guess they just write it off to the “No Way Home” budget and move on.

Speaking of foreign sales, in New Zealand, “Father Stu” has made $743 so far. Hey’s it’s a start!

Ready for the Met Ball Super Spreader? Four Shots May Not Be Enough Protection from COVID at Freak Show

Roger Friedman
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Ready for the Met Ball Super Spreader? Four Shots May Not Be Enough Protection from COVID at Freak Show

Getting your frock ready for tomorrow night’s Met Ball?

With 600 people coming, even four shots — the first two vaccines and two more boosters — may not be enough to protect guests from getting COVID at the annual freak show.

Recent large gatherings like the Gridiron Dinner in Washington, and Clive Davis’s 90th birthday party in downtown Manhattan proved to be quick super spreaders for many who attended. At least 73 people who attended the Gridiron Dinner came down with COVID, according to reports.

Tweeting from last night’s almost certain petri dish, the White House Correspondent’s Dinner, reporter Jada Yuan wrote: “This room is like a horror film. No exits. Literally getting trapped between tables. Fear of breathing near people but people are everywhere. Creeping sense that you’re the only one who know this is insane.”

The dinner boasted 2,600 guests at 200 tables.

Even if the Temple of Dendur gang is fully tested all day tomorrow, their chances of getting sick by Wednesday are pretty good. On Friday, the CDC reported 3,117 new cases of COVID in New York City. The seven day average is 2,364.

Of course, the main guests — the Kardashians — don’t care, and if they get sick — they may be impervious to it with some much plastic filler protecting them — they’ll just film it for their reality show. But real A listers, people who have to work this week shooting TV shows, making movies, or appearing live on Broadway, may not be so amused when the two lines show up on the white stick.

By mid week, the ER may be the new hot spot in town. Paparazzi, prepare!

If Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson Are the Biggest Celebs, You Know the White House Dinner is a Bust

Roger Friedman
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If Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson Are the Biggest Celebs, You Know the White House Dinner is a Bust

Kim Kardashian, the Tupperware of celebrity. is the biggest name at this year’s White House Correspondents Dinner. She’s got Pete Davidson with her, and he looks like a deer in headlights.

This is not the WHCD of old. In the days of Obama, big Hollywood stars flew in to Washington for this event. Oscar winners. Studio heads. Rock stars. The old (real) Vanity Fair threw the biggest party, Bloomberg was runner up. Everyone clamored to get in.

Tonight, the WHCA has fielded a pleasant but unremarkable crowd. CNN is straining to find famous people from showbiz and they just keep coming back to Kim and Pete. If that’s how low things have fallen, you know we’re in trouble.

Spotted in photos or the TV coverage: Gayle King, Brooke Shields, Drew Barrymore, J. Cameron-Smith from “Succession.” Double Tony Award winner Judith Light. Corey Stoll from “Billions.” Comedian-actor Chris Tucker. Shall I go on?

Meantime, a doctor just appeared on CNN and told the anchors that a 200 table dinner at this time is not a good idea and this will probably be a super spreader. Wait til he sees Monday’s Met Ball. I hear the after party is at Mt. Sinai Hospital.

Famed Country Singer Naomi Judd Dead, Daughters Say, from “Mental Illness”: “We are in unknown territory”

Roger Friedman
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Famed Country Singer Naomi Judd Dead, Daughters Say, from “Mental Illness”: “We are in unknown territory”

This is really a tragedy.

Famed country singer Naomi Judd, famous in her own right and as mother of Wynonna and Ashley Judd, has died at age 76.

Her daughters issued a statement saying they’d lost her to “mental illness,” which suggests Naomi took her own life. She and Wynonna were due to be inducted into the Country Hall of Fame tomorrow for their careers as mother-daughter stars, and were also set to go on tour. The appeared less than three weeks ago on the Country Music Awards together and performed for the first time in recent memory (see below).

Naomi Judd has suffered from depression her whole life. For many years she and Wynonna were estranged for various reasons but the mother’s struggles remained in the forefront.

Condolences to the Judds and all their fans.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y1Smd25IFck

Bill Murray Addresses His Responsibility for Movie Shutdown in LIVE Interview

Roger Friedman
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Bill Murray Addresses His Responsibility for Movie Shutdown in LIVE Interview

This afternoon live on CNBC, Bill Murray addressed the shut down of the movie “Being Mortal” and his responsibility in the matter.

Murray tells the CBNC reporters basically that “times have changed…what I thought was funny when I was a child isn’t anymore.” He doesn’t name names but the only woman he was working with on the movie was Keke Palmer, who evidently didn’t enjoy whatever Murray did, and took it the top of the food chain. Her Instagram post is at bottom.

Murray says in the interview that they’re trying to work it out, the only discussion going on is between the two actors and the studio — Disney Searchlight — is not involved. He doesn’t actually apologize but he sounds sorry and a tad confused about how this all went down.

“Being Mortal” also starred Seth Rogen, and is written and directed by Aziz Ansari.  Murray was interviewed for CNBC at the Berkshire Hathaway stock holders meeting. He’s got the stock and Warren Buffet is apparently an old friend.

Palmer wrote on Instagram:
It’s not always about how good you are at the actual job… It’s about how you show up to the job. Are you on time? Do you have a good attitude? Are you efficient? Are you flexible? Are you calm under fire? Do you represent yourself and the employer well? Are you a good communicator?

These are the things people sometimes don’t think matters, especially those who work in fields that come natural to them. It can double your rate in any field if you create an enjoyable EXPERIENCE for the client. And it can lower your rate when people don’t like the experience of working with you, no matter the outcome of the actual task.

I’m talented but I’m not arrogant enough to believe that there aren’t many talented people. However, not every talented person is a professional and people PAY for PROFESSIONALISM.

Broadway: No One’s Laughing at “Funny Girl” as Both Lead Stars Are Out Less Than a Week After Premiere

Roger Friedman
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0
Broadway: No One’s Laughing at “Funny Girl” as Both Lead Stars Are Out Less Than a Week After Premiere

If you’re going to “Funny Girl” this weekend, this joke’s on you.Star Beanie Feldstein, who plays Fanny Brice. is out of the show, not with COVID but for a friend’s wedding. She wasn’t on stage Friday night, today’s two performances, and tomorrow as well. She’s scheduled to return on Tuesday.

It’s no surprise if Feldstein did test positive. Her co-star, Ramin Karimloo, dropped out of the show for 10 days beginning on Thursday. Karimloo plays Nicky Arnstein. And he tested positive right after opening night.

This is the worst timing for COVID troubles. Tony voters are making their way through all the Broadway shows so they can cast ballots starting next week. But between the casts getting sick, and the voters also susceptible, the Tony deadline had to be extended til May 9th.

Feldstein and Karimloo needn’t worry, though. They should be cinches for Best Actress and Actor in Musical unless something really goes sideways. They’re knockouts in their roles, the first actors to take them on since the show finished its four year run on Broadway in 1968.

PS Julie Benko, Feldstein’s standby, is on her for all weekend. Her next stint as Fanny Brice, already scheduled, will be at the end of August.

Liam Neeson’s Latest Clunker Set for $3 Mil Weekend: What Happened to This Oscar Nominated Star?

Roger Friedman
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Liam Neeson’s Latest Clunker Set for $3 Mil Weekend: What Happened to This Oscar Nominated Star?

Everyone has to make a living, but Liam Neeson has chosen a path that he can’t be happy about.

His latest clunker, called “Memory,” whould be forgotten. Another D movie, it’s headed for a measly $3 million weekend. “Memory” has a rotten 30% rating from critics.

“Memory” is just the latest in a series of really awful films that have made little money. Just in 2022 there was already “Blacklight,” which cost $43 million and made $15 million. In 2021, there was a pair of these, and also in 2020. In 2019, something called “Ordinary Love” made just $775K.

Neeson was a respected Oscar nominated actor for years. “Schindler’s List,” “Kinsey,” “Michael Collins,” “The Good Mother.” all showed he was a top tier actor. In 2008, he had an action-thriller hit with “Taken,” followed by a big screen hit version of “The A Team,” and then everything changed. Neeson became a one man grindhouse. Included in his cavalcade of artistically forgettable but financially memorable titles were two more “Taken” films. By the time the trilogy was finished, there was no one left in his fictional world for kidnappers to take!

But as Neeson approaches his 70th birthday, nothing lasts forever. His long run of formula films is starting to burn itself out. The air started to go out of this balloon in 2019, after a hit with “The Commuter” (you never saw it?) and a pair of thrillers that each made $76 million worldwide.

But “Memory” is just the latest signal that maybe it’s time to look for some quality films before the whole “Schindler’s” period becomes a distant memory.

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