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Broadway: Beanie Feldstein Out Again for “Funny Girl” Matinee Today, New Stand By In

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: Beanie Feldstein Out Again for “Funny Girl” Matinee Today, New Stand By In

Ephie Aardema is getting her big break today at 2pm. She’s in for Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl” on Broadway.

Aardema ordinarily wouldn’t have this chance, but as dumb luck would have it, Beanie’s regular stand by, the popular Julie Benko, has COVID. She’s out til Tuesday.

Beanie misses a lot of shows. I love her, but she’s had the spottiest record on Broadway in some seasons. She should have been nominated for a Tony Award. Instead when she leaves in September she’ll have an award for most absences.

As I reported a couple of weeks ago, insiders at “Funny Girl” say “Glee” star Lea Michele is coming to replace Beanie.

We’re still waiting for announcement. Don’t rain on our parade!

“Thor Love and Thunder” Thunders to $40 Mil Friday, $69.5 Mil Opening Night

Roger Friedman
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“Thor Love and Thunder” Thunders to $40 Mil Friday, $69.5 Mil Opening Night

The hammer has been swung.

Tongue in cheek “Thor Love and Thunder” is, of course, a massive Marvel hit.

Friday night box office was $40 million. Adding in Thursday previews, Marvel has $69.5 million to start the weekend.

They’re heading to a $150 million weekend. Or more. The gods only know.

On Twitter there’s debate if the movie is good or bad or whatever. But we’re well beyond all that now. All that matters is that the merchandise is selling, the drinks are cold, and the popcorn has butter.

All the other big movies did well last night– “Elvis,” “Minions.” “Jurassic World 6.” Considered a failure, “Lightyear” made it to $110 million.

Carlos Santana Recuperation Continues, Famed Guitarists Cancels Six More Shows

Roger Friedman
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Carlos Santana Recuperation Continues, Famed Guitarists Cancels Six More Shows

The great Carlos Santana is taking his recuperation seriously.

Since passing out from heat exhaustion and dehydration at Pine Knob in Michigan, Santana is taking a well deserved break from touring. He’s cancelled six more shows while he gets back to his perfect self.

The cancellations also affect Earth Wind & Fire, who are on tour with Santana on some dates. The EWF shows without Santana will continue.

Santana’s manager, Michael Vronis, says in a statement:

“I regret to inform you that the Santana band has postponed tonight’s show at Ruoff Music CenterNoblesville, Indiana. And, we are postponing the July 9 show at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio; July 10 at American Family Insurance Amphitheater – Summerfest Grounds in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; July 12 at Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers, Arkansas; July 15 at Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas, Texas; July 16 at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, Texas. Doctors have recommended that Mr. Santana gets rest to recuperate fully.”

All shows as planned beginning July 23rd of this month in Paso Robles, CA through the end of 2022 are still confirmed and will be performed as scheduled. The tour schedule can be found at: https://tour.santana.com/

“Carlos is doing well and is anxious to be back on stage soon. He just needs rest,” Vrionis went on to say. “Santana profoundly regrets that these postponements of his upcoming performances; but, his health is our number one concern. He is looking forward to seeing all of his fans very soon.”

Pop Star Shawn Mendes Cancels Next 3 Weeks of Shows, 23 Year Old Under Pressure: “I’ve reached the breaking point”

Roger Friedman
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Pop Star Shawn Mendes Cancels Next 3 Weeks of Shows, 23 Year Old Under Pressure: “I’ve reached the breaking point”

Being a pop star is a lot more stressful than it used to be. First Justin Bieber pooped out because of stress. Not it’s Shawn Mendes’s turn.

Mendes, 23,  just posted an announcement to Twitter that he’s canceling the next three weeks of shows citing mental fatigue. That’s eleven shows. “I’ve reached the breaking point,” he says.

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I went to the very first Shawn Mendes show at the Nokia Theater in New York several years ago. He was a nice kid with good songs. I thought he’d be like James Taylor.

But the star making machinery really over took him. He became a pin up boy, with a celebrity girlfriend, tabloid subject, almost over night. All his songwriting became part of the collaborative machine that makes all singers now sound alike. I’m not surprised he’s exhausted. How long can you keep all that up?

In the old days, pop stars retreated into drugs and booze. So I’m glad that this generation is smart enough to see the forest fore the trees and step away from the limelight before it scorches them.

RIP “Paulie Walnuts” Actor Tony Sirico of “Sopranos” Fame Dead at 79, Mourned by Castmates, Fans

Roger Friedman
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RIP “Paulie Walnuts” Actor Tony Sirico of “Sopranos” Fame Dead at 79, Mourned by Castmates, Fans

So sad to hear that Tony Sirico has died at age 79. The actor who played Paulie Walnuts on “The Sopranos” was a lovely guy, a sweetheart. I knew him from Elaine’s. Condolences to his big circle of friends.

Tony’s brother, Robert, posted to Facebook: ”It is with great sadness, but with incredible pride, love and a whole lot of fond memories, that the family of Gennaro Anthony “Tony” Sirico wishes to inform you of his death on the morning of July 8, 2022,” the priest wrote along with a picture of Sirico.

“Tony is survived by his two beloved children, Joanne Sirico Bello and Richard Sirico, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and many other relatives.

“The family is deeply grateful for the many expressions of love, prayer and condolences and requests that the public respect its privacy in this time of bereavement.​ Memorial donations may be made in his honor to Wounded Warriors, St. Jude’s Hospital and the Acton Institute.”

Castmate Michael Imperioli wrote on Instagram:” It pains me to say that my dear friend, colleague and partner in crime, the great TONY SIRICO has passed away today. Tony was like no one else: he was as tough, as loyal and as big hearted as anyone i’ve ever known. I was at his side through so much: through good times and bad. But mostly good. And we had a lot of laughs. We found a groove as Christopher and Paulie and I am proud to say I did a lot of my best and most fun work with my dear pal Tony. I will miss him forever. He is truly irreplaceable. I send love to his family, friends and his many many fans. He was beloved and will never be forgotten. Heartbroken today.”

Elon Musk Says Honestly, Nevermind to Twitter and Pulls His Offer to Buy Social Media Platform

Roger Friedman
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Elon Musk Says Honestly, Nevermind to Twitter and Pulls His Offer to Buy Social Media Platform

The party’s over. Elon Musk has decided to dump his Twitter offer for $44 billion. He sent the social media company a letter today saying that even though he builds rockets, sends people into space, is the richest guy in the world, he cant figure out how many Twitter users are real.

Twitter responded by saying they don’t care, they’ll sue him to make him cough up the money.

Here’s a link to Musk’s letter.

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1418091/000110465922078413/tm2220599d1_ex99-p.htm

Bret Taylor, CEO of Salesforce and chairman of Twitter responded: “The Twitter Board is committed to closing the transaction on the price and terms agreed upon with Mr. Musk and plans to pursue legal action to enforce the merger agreement. We are confident we will prevail in the Delaware Court of Chancery.”

Business sites and pundits will be venting their spleens on this subject. But Joe South said it best:

Whitney Houston Estate Launches New Foundation, August Gala Chaired by Jennifer Hudson, Tyler Perry

Roger Friedman
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Whitney Houston Estate Launches New Foundation, August Gala Chaired by Jennifer Hudson, Tyler Perry

Whitney Houston’s estate is getting back into the charitable fundraising business.

The new Whitney Houston Legacy Foundation has been established by the late singer’s sister-in-law and executor Pat Houston. To kick it off, they’re planning a gala in Atlanta on August 9th co-chaired by Tyler Perry and Jennifer Hudson. Cece Winans will perform.

The event is raising money for the Trinity Girls Network, founded in 2016 by Jacqueline Mohair, who is described as “a nationally known Transformational Business & Life Strategist, Advocate, Professor, Life Coach, Minister, Serial Entrepreneur, and Ambassador to the UN.”

I’m told the Legacy Foundation is considering this event a “soft” opening. There will be a bigger gala arranged around what would have been Whitney’s 60th birthday next summer.

Pop’s Upside Down Summer: Drake, Post Malone Strike Out, 1985 Kate Bush Song is Massive Hit

Roger Friedman
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Pop’s Upside Down Summer: Drake, Post Malone Strike Out, 1985 Kate Bush Song is Massive Hit

No one could predicted pop sales for the summer of 2022.

New albums by Drake and Post Malone have been sales duds, totally. They streamed a lot but made little money and have made no dent on the actual charts.

Yet, Kate Bush’s 1985 song, “Running Up that Hill,” is the hit of the summer. It’s been number 1 for weeks and weeks on iTunes thanks to “Stranger Things.” It’s not only number 1 in sales but in streaming as well. Reports estimate that Bush has made at least $3 million from it this summer. On Spotify, “Hill” is near 400 million streams!

As for the young guys: Drake and Post Malone have each been huge disappointments for the mighty Republic Records. Drake’s “Honestly, Nevermind” has sold a total of 278,440 including streaming according to Luminate. Post Malone’s “12 Carat Toothache” has done a little better– 417,977. These numbers are well below– like 60% or more — from their last releases.

RIP Great Comedic Actor Larry Storch, 99 1/2, Star of “F Troop,” King of Cartoon Voices

Roger Friedman
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RIP Great Comedic Actor Larry Storch, 99 1/2, Star of “F Troop,” King of Cartoon Voices

Larry Storch almost made it to 100. He died today at age 99 and a half, exactly six months before he made a century.

Larry was a brilliant stand up comedian. But he became an international star because of his role as Corporal Agarn in “F Troop,” the mid 60s TV comedy about a group of kooky US soldiers protecting themselves from the Indians out west in the 1800s. It was a benign show which, I’m sure, would now seem racist. But the guys from F Troop were just silly, and the show was a staple in the world of unsophisticated comedy.

Storch became cemented in the memories of every kid who was growing up at the time. He’d already been around since 1951, and had voiced dozens of cartoons including the great “Tennessee Tuxedo.” In serious matters, he starred in an episode of “Alfred Hitchock Presents.” But it was the 65 episodes of “F Troop” that made his career, and he never looked back. He worked and worked after that, a staple on TV in the 70s and 80s.

Larry was a fixture on the Upper West Side, and was best friends with Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. Even after Anne died, and Jerry wasn’t well, Larry visited him almost every day. They just sat and told old jokes to each other. His own wife, Norma, passed away in 2003. He leaves two step-daughters. The amazing thing that even in his 90s he walked, erect, on his own. Mazel tov.

Larry, God bless. Condolences to your family.

Every kid from the 60s knows this music by heart:

“Thor” Swings His Hammer to a Mighty Marvel $29 Million Preview Thursday

Roger Friedman
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“Thor” Swings His Hammer to a Mighty Marvel $29 Million Preview Thursday

“Thor,” what it it good for?

Answer: $29 million opening in Thursday previews.

The mighty Marvel strikes again. This may be a $130 million weekend.

Yes, the audiences are back in theaters.

And even though “Love and Thunder,” the fourth installment, may not be ‘as good’ as previous chapters, the fans love it and that’s all that matters.

In other but not less important box office news, “Elvis” crossed the $80 million line last night and should comfortably cross $90 million by Sunday night. Suspicious minds thought this would never happen.

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