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Review: “Mrs. Doubtfire” Musical Takes Off on National Tour to San Fran After Hit Run in Los Angeles

Leah Sydney
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Review: “Mrs. Doubtfire” Musical Takes Off on National Tour to San Fran After Hit Run in Los Angeles

The 1993 hit movie, “Mrs. Doubtfire,” starring the late brilliant Robin Williams, was a beloved family film — directed by Chris Columbus and co-starring Sally Field and Pierce Brosnan — that etched its way into our collective hearts.  Now the musical comedy stage version is finishing a run at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood before its head out on national tour to San Francisco and other big cities. 

The play tells the story of a divorced dad of three, the fun-loving Dad but irresponsible husband, Daniel Hillard, and the wacky lengths he goes to be with his children.  He invents the larger than life no nonsense and mega quirky nanny,  Mrs. Doubtfire, so he can spend time with his kids.  

Rob McClure originated the role on Broadway for which he was rightly nominated for a Tony Award.  Now on national tour, the show is a must see.  McClure’s real life wife, Maggie Lakis, plays Miranda Hillard, his hardworking frustrated wife. Determined to get to see his kids, the court only gave him limited visitation, Hillard devises schemes layered upon more schemes; we all know how it ends.  Stepping into Williams shoes is no easy task, but McClure is up to it and goes beyond.

McClure’s a theatrical gift;  his performance is filled with heart, showy slapstick and spot on comedic appeal.  The cast across the board is just terrific, with a special shout out to Giselle Gutierrez as the oldest daughter Lydia.  Her voice, range and performance for someone so young; she is certainly making her theatrical mark. 

Kudos to the Nederlander Organization and the Pantages.  Their ‘Broadway In Hollywood’ has been a rousing success with packed houses.  With shows coming up that include Peter Pan, Company, Hamilton, Kimberly Akimbo, Back To The Future: The Musical, Wicked, Harry Potter And The Cursed Child. A Beautiful Noise, Some Like It Hot, Shucked” and more, Angelenos can indeed experience first rate Broadway productions in the heart of Hollywood. Thankfully “Mrs. Doubtfire” is saying her signature ‘hellooooo’  to grateful audiences on this national tour and she couldn’t be more welcome!

Michael J. Fox Skips Hamptons Biden Fundraiser to Play Guitar with Coldplay in Glastonbury

Roger Friedman
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Michael J. Fox Skips Hamptons Biden Fundraiser to Play Guitar with Coldplay in Glastonbury

Lots of celebs in the Hamptons today for a Biden-Harris fundraiser.

The hosts were Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, and Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan. Howard Stern was among the guests.

But one of the host couples was absent. That was Fox and Pollard.

It’s not like they’re not supporting Joe Biden — they are — but Fox had some pressing business overseas.

Seems that the “Back to the Future” star took the stage at the Glastonbury Music Festival to play guitar with Coldplay.

Which event would you choose?

Fox, a long time Parkinson’s advocate, has guest-starred with Coldplay in the past. This time he arrived on stage in a wheelchair. But that didn’t stop him from wailing away with Coldplay on a couple of numbers. How cool is that?

Fox showed off his guitar prowess in the 80s in “Back to the Future.” He’s played with Joan Jett and Bruce Springsteen. He’s inveterate music fan, showing up last year at Springsteen shows. The music obviously drives him.

Michael J. Fox is beyond an inspiration for anyone dealing with neuromuscular diseases. Nothing stops him, and nothing will. Rock on, Michael!

Box Office: Costner Sinks Below “Horizon” with $3.3 Mil Friday, “A Quiet Place” Makes Noise, “Bikeriders” on Kickstand

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: Costner Sinks Below “Horizon” with $3.3 Mil Friday, “A Quiet Place” Makes Noise, “Bikeriders” on Kickstand

Friday: Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: American Saga” grossed $3.3 million on Friday for a $4.1 million opening. The Civil War adventure should reap about $11 or $12 million this weekend, which doesn’t bode well for the $55 million opus. A three hour movie can only be shown a few times a day, which was the same problem “Dances with Wolves” faced back in 1990. The difference is, “Wolves” was sympathetic to the Native Americans and had terrific reviews.

John Krasinski’s third “A Quiet Place” movie made a lot of noise last night at the box office.

The “Day One” prequel turned in $16 million for a total of $22.5 million opening day.

The Michael Sarnoski directed film should have an easy $50 million weekend. It’s a deft, beautiful acted and written, unexpected and scary film. Nicely done!

Meanwhile, “The Bikeriders” — which has already banked $13 million — fell 78% from last Friday. The Jeff Nichols film did have a great Tuesday this week. I guess Austin Butler’s fans timed their gathering. Check out Tom Hardy’s performance. It’s worth it.

RIP Martin Mull, 80, Comic and Musical Genius, Started on “Mary Hartman”

Roger Friedman
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RIP Martin Mull, 80, Comic and Musical Genius, Started on “Mary Hartman”

I am sorry to hear Martin Mull has passed away at age 80, too soon! He was a comic genius from a generation of humorists and musicians we will never see again.

Of course, I first saw him on “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” in 1975 as Garth Gimble. Garth was an odious domestic abuser, and the audience really wanted him killed off. That’s how snarky Martin Mull was, that Garth was impaled on a Christmas tree. It was appropriately hilarious.

Mull was so good that they brought him back as Barth Gimble host of the local talk show, “Fernwood 2Night.” The legendary Fred Willard played Jerry Hubbard, his Ed McMahon, and the pair was magic. Barth and Jerry eventually left Fernwood and had another talk show called “American 2 Night.” They were such sublime satirists they were spun off into their own talk show separate from “Mary Hartman.” If you were addicted to this stuff, as I was, there was nothing better.

Martin Mull was like Steve Martin in that he played the guitar (Steve had his banjo) and recorded wildly popular comedy albums and toured as a sit down comic. He decorated his stage with used “fabulous furniture from Goodwill. I think I listened to his album, “I’m Everyone I Ever Loved,” a thousand times. When Mull finally appeared in a movie — “FM” — it was very exciting. We felt like he made it, and deserved it. Fred Willard and I used to talk about Martin Mull all the time. He was a legend.

In later years, Martin turned up on TV shows like “Roseanne,” but I always felt like his wings were clipped. He wasn’t subversive anymore, he just doing the Hollywood thing. But the affection for his heyday never ended. Whenever he turned up in a “regular” show, I thought he was winking at his old fans like it was inside joke. When he finally was in “Veep,” where he was nominated for an Emmy Award, it felt like vindication.

“Genius, great sadness,” writes Steve Martin on Twitter. He posted the video below, “Normal,” from 1974. RIP Martin Mull.

Taylor Swift Taking 10th Week at Number 1 Shows Lack of Important Releases This Year

Roger Friedman
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Taylor Swift Taking 10th Week at Number 1 Shows Lack of Important Releases This Year

Taylor Swift’s “Tortured Poets” is number 1 today for the 10th week in a row.

“Poets” has sold around 4.5 million copies including streaming. Without streaming, the number is 2.5 million.

Since January 1st, according to Luminate, Swift has sold around 11 million albums including streaming.

New on the chart this week at number 2 is the debut album from Gracie Abrams. The singing songwriting daughter of director JJ Abrams has been Swift’s opening act for much of the last year. They’ve written songs together. Abrams is talented, but she’s also Swift-approved.

There isn’t much else going on in music and hardly anything for male artists. Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan are hanging in the top 20, Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter as well. It’s all pop tarts. Maybe Jerry Seinfeld was onto something!

The Grammy Awards, based on what’s left of their eligibility year, will be all about these women and Beyonce. Remember “Cowboy Carter”?

The only male artist continually selling albums is country star Morgan Wallen, a demonstrable racist who’s obviously found a strong fanbase.

We may see a new album by Eminem, called “The Death of Slim Shady,” released before the September 30th Grammy deadline. A new single called “Tobey” is set for July 2nd, with Big Sean and Babytron.

Otherwise, the outlook is depressing. No one seems to working on a magnum opus, a visionary project, an effort even remotely worthy of comparison with anything from the 60s, 70s, or even 80s.

Is there an authentic new genuine superstar out there? We’re waiting.

Trump Media Stock Drops 4% Since Contentious Debate, Falls by Almost 8 Bucks

Roger Friedman
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Trump Media Stock Drops 4% Since Contentious Debate, Falls by Almost 8 Bucks

It’s sex, lies, and stock price.

Donald Trump’s Trump Media, which operates his Truth Social site, is not reflecting any kind of debate win last night.

Trump Media started the day around $40 and will end around $32. Keep refreshing.

You’d think that after his fans went crazy last night, Trump’s stock would be soaring. But the whole experience of watching Trump lie at least 26 times (according to CNN and the New York Times) has not worked in his favor.

Liberal media elites have only helped Trump since the debate ended. The snowflakes immediately dumped on Joe Biden, declared his campaign over, and started interviewing replacements.

But once actual voters chimed in, it seemed like Biden had more support than anyone imagined. The viewers of the debate — almost 50 million — were more horrified by Trump’s prevarications.

The Truth Media stock price tells an interesting story. Let’s keep an eye on it.

Mark Cuban Endorses Biden Despite Debate: “The Ethical Candidate Who Puts Country Over Self Interest”

Roger Friedman
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Mark Cuban Endorses Biden Despite Debate: “The Ethical Candidate Who Puts Country Over Self Interest”

Mark Cuban is endorsing Joe Biden despite his performance in the debate last night.

Cuban isn’t stupid. He’s a billionaire, and knows what he’s doing, Read his statement:

“His performance was awful. But so was Trump’s. Biden was feeble. Trump couldn’t directly answer a single question and lied with every response.

“The question is what features voters believe make a better POTUS : Feeble, Capable and Ethical vs Vigorous, Unethical and Incapable of telling the truth.

I’ll vote ethical every time.

The reality is Joe wasn’t capable last night of debating someone who only lies. He doesn’t have the energy or ability to shout him down, hold him accountable and laugh at Trump’s responses.

Joe could have held his own against a candidate that actually can discuss policy. But that wasn’t the challenge last night and Joe wasn’t prepared or capable of dealing with Donald and his style.

That aside, there is no way you could listen to Donald last night and come away feeling confident that Trump has the ability to go deeper than his practiced soundbites. He repeated himself often and never directly answered the moderator’s questions

There was nothing that would give anyone confidence he could hold his own in any complicated situation. Or that he could intellectually go toe to toe with any world leader or adversary.

In fact, his non answers about J6 and election acceptance should scare every American about his interest in upholding his oath to the constitution

That doesn’t make Biden’s performance any less awful.
But, he answered the questions he was asked, even if the presentation was underwhelming. And we have the last 3 plus years and of his being POTUS with out his getting laughed or smirked at, no tell-alls or leaks discussing his incompetence. No former advisors or cabinet members saying they won’t vote for him.

That gives me confidence that in the normal duties of the Presidency he can hold his own and do the job.

Unfortunately, This election is not about policies. It’s about soundbites, social media and who delivers them better and the algorithms that deliver them to voters.

Trump is far better than Biden at soundbites and marketing. That’s reality

For that reason , I’m also open to the discussion to replace Biden and/or Harris.

It’s not like Trump’s approval ratings are high. They aren’t. It could be an open door to find someone that immediately out performs Trump.

Beyond the loyalty of his hard core 30 % or so, I think a large number of people who currently support him would walk away to a better alternative.

But if that doesn’t happen, I’m still voting for Biden, the ethical candidate who unquestionably stands by his oath and puts country over self interest.”

UPDATE Costner’s Box Office Disaster “Horizon” $11 Million: Sequel Going to Streaming?

Roger Friedman
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UPDATE Costner’s Box Office Disaster “Horizon” $11 Million: Sequel Going to Streaming?

***SUNDAY UPDATE***

Warner Bros. may have to change its plans for the August sequel to Kevin Costner’s “Horizon.”

This weekend, the Civil War adventure made just $11 million in four days of wide release. Critically panned, “Horizon” is a financial disaster for Costner personally and for Warner’s.

A second installment would not be prudent, at least not in theaters. So the obvious move is to go day and date into theaters and on MAX with Part 2. By that time, part 1 may be streaming, and the whole six hour endeavor would return to its original premise: a mini series.

***SATURDAY UPDATE BELOW***

Kevin Costner’s three hour Civil War epic, “Horizon,” made just $800,000 last night in previews.

The labor of love for Costner was panned by critics and has a 70% audience rating.

Total box office take for the weekend will be around $5 million – far lower than even the low estimate of $10 million. Last night’s shows were in 3,000 plus theaters, so it’s not a question of a small release.

“Horizon” cost $55 million at least. It’s the first of four installments. The second one, already filmed, is scheduled for August. Warner Bros. may have to re-evaluate its plan and put it on Max very quickly after theatrical release — if there is a theatrical release.

Last night was a disaster waiting to happen. There was a lot of competition: the presidential debate began at 9pm eastern and lasted almost until 11pm.

If that wasn’t enough, a new season of “The Bear” dropped on streaming.

Advance ticket sales for “Horizon” were extremely low in the first place. It’s a three hour movie, which is a big commitment if a lot of other more important diversions are happening.

There isn’t a lot of interest in a three hour Civil War movie that doesn’t have rave reviews. Plus, the “Yellowstone” audience is sending Costner a message after screwing up their favorite TV show.

Keep refreshing for updates.

PS Warner’s knows the movie biz is cyclical. Last summer, “Barbie” broke records for them. Next summer it will be something else.

***SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE***

Box Office: Costner Sinks Below “Horizon” with $3.3 Mil Friday, “A Quiet Place” Makes Noise, “Bikeriders” on Kickstand

Legendary NYC Pizza Palace Gets Unexpected Huge Plug in “A Quiet Place: Day One” (Exclusive)

Roger Friedman
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Legendary NYC Pizza Palace Gets Unexpected Huge Plug in “A Quiet Place: Day One” (Exclusive)

No one is more surprised to hear about all the Patsy’s Pizza plugs in “A Quiet Place: Day One” than its owner.

I spoke to Adem Brija this evening. Briga– whose dad, Frank, bought Patsy’s in 1990, is in Florida this week. Last night his sister called him after attending the premiere of “A Quiet Place” at AMC Lincoln Square. She couldn’t believe how much Patsy’s from Harlem, a hallowed haven for pizza, was used as a plot point.

In the movie, Lupita Nyongo’s Sam only wants to have her New York pizza before returning to her hospice. The place she wants to go? Patsy’s in Harlem.

Considering that aliens are dropping from the sky, people are being wiped off the face of the Earth, cars are turning over, and buildings are toppling, Sam is motivated. Also she’s in Chinatown, so getting to Harlem isn’t easy. But she wants that damn mouth watering pizza.

Watching the film, I figured Paramount and the production had made a pretty extensive deal with Patsy’s. Brija, however, says no. He had little idea what was going on. He said, “People asked me if I got a lot of money. We didn’t get anything! I said it’s the best PR ever.”

In the film, the Patsy’s storefront is prominently displayed while its block on First Avenue (at East 117th St.) is reproduced down to the trash cans.

He said: “The production came up here with trucks and took a bunch of pictures. There were for one day. And that was it.”

Brija didn’t have much contact with the filmmakers. He told me he just wanted to make sure Patsy’s was shown in a positive light. Otherwise, he’s as shocked as his sister to learn how much the fabled eatery is featured in what will be the number 1 movie of the weekend.

Adem told me that the pizza we ate last night, served at Lincoln Ristorante, was brought downtown from his place. “They called and order several pizzas,” he said. That explained why they were so delicious, I told him.

What will Brija do when the masses descend on Harlem? (He also has more than a odzen other outposts around town. But not the other famous Patsy’s Italian restaurant on 8th Avenue and 56th St. Different Patsy.)

“Frankly, right now we’re working on a fundraiser next week for Governor Hochul’s campaign. That’s what we’re focused on.”

That solves one “A Quiet Place” mystery. The other is why Angie Kim’s novel, Happiness Falls, gets the biggest book plug in history. The book’s spine is displayed prominently during one scene. Why? If you know, email me at showbiz411@gmail.com

Kevin Costner’s Lost “Horizon” On Track for Disastrous Box Office Numbers Tonight, Weekend

Roger Friedman
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Kevin Costner’s Lost “Horizon” On Track for Disastrous Box Office Numbers Tonight, Weekend

A box office disaster looms.

Kevin Costner’s “Horizon” is on its way to an embarrassing opening weekend.

The numbers are looking like just $10 million for the whole four days beginning today.

Today’s previews particularly are disappointing, with few very advanced ticket sales. But today and tonight, competition is stiff. The Presidential debate is going to be number 1 on most people’s lists. In theaters, “A Quiet Place Day One” is fairly sold out. At home on TV, “The Bear” is what everyone wants to see.

This all leaves “Horizon” without much standing. The movie cost around $50 million and is the first of four parts. It’s three hours long, and Costner doesn’t appear in the first hour. Rotten Tomatoes has it ‘rotten’ at 42%, down from 47% earlier.

To be continued, that is if “Horizon” Box office numbers are released tomorrow. Suggested headline: “Lost Horizon.”

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