Get ready to be caught in the web of the spider woman.
The first teaser trailer for Bill Condon's Kiss of the Spider Woman, starring Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna, has arrived.
Written and directed by Condon, the film is an adaptation of John Kander and Fred Ebb's Tony Award-winning musical based on the Manuel Puig 1976 novel. Set in Argentina in 1981, Kiss of the Spider Woman focuses on Luis Molina (Tonatiuh), a gay hairdresser who is imprisoned because of his sexuality. While in captivity, Molina shares a cell with Valentin (Luna), an ardent Marxist. Lopez plays Ingrid Luna, a classic screen diva of musicals whom Molina sees in his fantasies as he tries to escape his current reality.
The trailer shows off Lopez's vocal chops and legendary dance moves.
Kiss of the Spider Woman premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January before being picked up by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions.
The first teaser trailer for Bill Condon's Kiss of the Spider Woman, starring Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna, has arrived.
Written and directed by Condon, the film is an adaptation of John Kander and Fred Ebb's Tony Award-winning musical based on the Manuel Puig 1976 novel. Set in Argentina in 1981, Kiss of the Spider Woman focuses on Luis Molina (Tonatiuh), a gay hairdresser who is imprisoned because of his sexuality. While in captivity, Molina shares a cell with Valentin (Luna), an ardent Marxist. Lopez plays Ingrid Luna, a classic screen diva of musicals whom Molina sees in his fantasies as he tries to escape his current reality.
The trailer shows off Lopez's vocal chops and legendary dance moves.
Kiss of the Spider Woman premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January before being picked up by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions.
- 6/5/2025
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
“Kiss of the Spider Woman,” a musical remake from director Bill Condon and star Jennifer Lopez, is finally close to finding a buyer after its buzzy Sundance Film Festival premiere in January.
Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate and independent studio Ld Entertainment are circling domestic rights, though a deal has yet to close. It’s unclear how the trio of companies will work together to roll out the film.
This adaptation of Manuel Puig’s novel was one of higher profile projects to debut at Sundance. Set in an Argentinian prison in 1981, the film centers on queer window dresser Luis Molina (Tonatiuh) who is serving time for having sex with a man. To escape the horrors of his imprisonment, he dreams up vivid stories about the cinematic exploits of his favorite on screen diva, an actress name Ingrid Luna (Lopez), including her role of the spider woman, who kills her pray with a kiss.
Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate and independent studio Ld Entertainment are circling domestic rights, though a deal has yet to close. It’s unclear how the trio of companies will work together to roll out the film.
This adaptation of Manuel Puig’s novel was one of higher profile projects to debut at Sundance. Set in an Argentinian prison in 1981, the film centers on queer window dresser Luis Molina (Tonatiuh) who is serving time for having sex with a man. To escape the horrors of his imprisonment, he dreams up vivid stories about the cinematic exploits of his favorite on screen diva, an actress name Ingrid Luna (Lopez), including her role of the spider woman, who kills her pray with a kiss.
- 3/24/2025
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Jennifer Lopez, outfitted in a sparkling, webbed-up gown and sky-high black heels, fought back tears as “Kiss of the Spider Woman” was embraced at Sundance Film Festival with a standing ovation. She told the audience at Park City’s Eccles Theatre that starring in the musical adaptation fulfilled a lifelong dream.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,” she said. “The reason I even wanted to be in this business is because my mom would sit me in front of the TV and [‘West Side Story’] would come on once a year. I was mesmerized and was like, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ This is the first time I actually got to do it. This man made my dream come true.”
She’s referring to director Bill Condon, who has become a preeminent filmmaker for movie musicals, having worked on “Chicago,” “Dreamgirls,” Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast...
“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,” she said. “The reason I even wanted to be in this business is because my mom would sit me in front of the TV and [‘West Side Story’] would come on once a year. I was mesmerized and was like, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ This is the first time I actually got to do it. This man made my dream come true.”
She’s referring to director Bill Condon, who has become a preeminent filmmaker for movie musicals, having worked on “Chicago,” “Dreamgirls,” Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast...
- 1/27/2025
- by Rebecca Rubin and Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Maleah Joi Moon has become the 101st performer to win a Tony Award for their first outing on a Broadway stage for her performance in the musical “Hell’s Kitchen.”
She won Best Actress in a Musical at the 77th Tony Awards for portraying Ali, a 17-year-old girl searching for her place in the world while living in the titular New York City neighborhood and also being restrained by her overbearing mother. She is the 10th person to win the category for her Broadway debut. She joins:
Elizabeth Seal, “Irma La Douce” (1961)
Anna Maria Alberghetti, “Carnival” (1962)
Liza Minnelli, “Flora the Red Menace” (1965)
Leslie Uggams, “Hallelujah, Baby” (1968)
Alexis Smith, “Follies” (1972)
Natalia Makarova, “On Your Toes” (1983)
Lea Salonga, “Miss Saigon” (1991)
Catherine Zeta-Jones, “A Little Night Music” (2010)
Cynthia Erivo, “The Color Purple” (2016)
Sign UPfor Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
Other performers who pulled off this accomplishment in recent years include...
She won Best Actress in a Musical at the 77th Tony Awards for portraying Ali, a 17-year-old girl searching for her place in the world while living in the titular New York City neighborhood and also being restrained by her overbearing mother. She is the 10th person to win the category for her Broadway debut. She joins:
Elizabeth Seal, “Irma La Douce” (1961)
Anna Maria Alberghetti, “Carnival” (1962)
Liza Minnelli, “Flora the Red Menace” (1965)
Leslie Uggams, “Hallelujah, Baby” (1968)
Alexis Smith, “Follies” (1972)
Natalia Makarova, “On Your Toes” (1983)
Lea Salonga, “Miss Saigon” (1991)
Catherine Zeta-Jones, “A Little Night Music” (2010)
Cynthia Erivo, “The Color Purple” (2016)
Sign UPfor Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
Other performers who pulled off this accomplishment in recent years include...
- 6/17/2024
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
John Kander may be close to 100 years old, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t involved with the upcoming film adaptation of the Broadway musical “Kiss of the Spider Woman.”
Kander and the late lyricist Fred Ebb – known collectively as Kander and Ebb – composed the music and wrote the songs for the original 1993 Tony-winning Broadway production of “Kiss of the Spider Woman.”
The upcoming film, directed by Bill Condon, stars Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna and newcomer Tonatiuh.
“John Kander, who is 97 years old, was in the studio with me,” Lopez told me Monday at the premiere of her new Netflix sci-fi action movie, “Atlas.” “He is the most beautiful man. He was there for all of our recordings of the album and the pre-records for the movie. It was a dream.”
Lopez said Kander only had “very small notes” on her performance. “I was shocked,” she said.
Lopez’s producing partner,...
Kander and the late lyricist Fred Ebb – known collectively as Kander and Ebb – composed the music and wrote the songs for the original 1993 Tony-winning Broadway production of “Kiss of the Spider Woman.”
The upcoming film, directed by Bill Condon, stars Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna and newcomer Tonatiuh.
“John Kander, who is 97 years old, was in the studio with me,” Lopez told me Monday at the premiere of her new Netflix sci-fi action movie, “Atlas.” “He is the most beautiful man. He was there for all of our recordings of the album and the pre-records for the movie. It was a dream.”
Lopez said Kander only had “very small notes” on her performance. “I was shocked,” she said.
Lopez’s producing partner,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
The actors from the current revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s “Merrily We Roll Along” have skyrocketed in Gold Derby’s combined odds for the 2024 Tony Awards nominations. The prediction center displays commanding leads for Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez and Daniel Radcliffe to win their respective categories. This is an understandable result considering this revival is the hottest ticket in town and this trio of performers has been ever-present in the media. But how often does a trio of actors from the same production pull off three separate acting victories at the Tony Awards?
It’s quite common for a musical to grab two acting trophies, but three awards is much rarer. To date, only 15 musical productions have earned three acting wins. The first time this feat occurred was at the 1956 ceremony, which was ironically the first time the Tony Awards ever announced a slate of nominees (previously...
It’s quite common for a musical to grab two acting trophies, but three awards is much rarer. To date, only 15 musical productions have earned three acting wins. The first time this feat occurred was at the 1956 ceremony, which was ironically the first time the Tony Awards ever announced a slate of nominees (previously...
- 3/14/2024
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
There’s an independently financed feature take of the 1992 John Kander and Fred Ebb West End and Broadway musical of Kiss of the Spider Woman that’s being readied to shoot in the spring with Jennifer Lopez set to play the role of Aurora, which Chita Rivera originated on the Great White Way.
Lopez is ripe to put on the high heels for the role: The Billboard hitmaker, Primetime Emmy nominee, 2x Golden nominee sings, and dances too.
Dreamgirls and Beauty and the Beast filmmaker Bill Condon is writing and directing, and Barry Josephson (Enchanted) is producing with Tom Kirdahy, Greg Yolen and Matt Geller. Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith Thomas and Benny Medina executive producing for Nuyorican Productions. Sergio Trujillo is the choreographer.
The musical is based on the Oscar winning 1985 Hector Babenco directed movie that starred Sonja Braga as the Spider-Woman, as well as the late Raul Julia and William Hurt.
Lopez is ripe to put on the high heels for the role: The Billboard hitmaker, Primetime Emmy nominee, 2x Golden nominee sings, and dances too.
Dreamgirls and Beauty and the Beast filmmaker Bill Condon is writing and directing, and Barry Josephson (Enchanted) is producing with Tom Kirdahy, Greg Yolen and Matt Geller. Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith Thomas and Benny Medina executive producing for Nuyorican Productions. Sergio Trujillo is the choreographer.
The musical is based on the Oscar winning 1985 Hector Babenco directed movie that starred Sonja Braga as the Spider-Woman, as well as the late Raul Julia and William Hurt.
- 12/7/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Jennifer Lopez is attached to star in a feature adaptation of the 1993 Broadway musical “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” written and directed by “Dreamgirls” filmmaker Bill Condon, Variety has confirmed with a source close to the production. The music is by legends John Kander and Fred Ebb, based on the novel by Manuel Puig and the book of the musical by Terrence McNally.
The musical is set in an Argentinian prison in 1981. Lopez would play the titular role, a fantasy woman named Aurora created by Luis Molina, a gay hairdresser serving an eight-year sentence for allegedly corrupting a minor. To escape the horrors of his imprisonment, Molina imagines movies starring Aurora as a classic silver screen diva, including a role of the spider woman, who kills her prey with a kiss. Molina’s life is upended when a Marxist, Valentin Arregui Paz, is brought into his cell, and the two form an unlikely bond.
The musical is set in an Argentinian prison in 1981. Lopez would play the titular role, a fantasy woman named Aurora created by Luis Molina, a gay hairdresser serving an eight-year sentence for allegedly corrupting a minor. To escape the horrors of his imprisonment, Molina imagines movies starring Aurora as a classic silver screen diva, including a role of the spider woman, who kills her prey with a kiss. Molina’s life is upended when a Marxist, Valentin Arregui Paz, is brought into his cell, and the two form an unlikely bond.
- 12/7/2023
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Jodie Comer has become the 100th performer to win a Tony Award for their Broadway debut for her performance in the play, “Prima Facie.”
She won Best Actress in a Play for portraying Tess, a lawyer who concentrates in providing legal defense for men who are accused of sexual assault but soon has the unthinkable happen to her. She is the 11th person to win the category for her first outing on a Broadway stage. She joins:
SEE2023 Tony Awards: Every winner (and nominee) in all 26 competitive categories
Martita Hunt, “The Madwoman of Chaillot” (1949)
Beryl Reid, “The Killing of Sister George” (1967)
Phyllis Frelich, “Children of a Lesser God” (1980)
Jane Lapotaire, “Piaf” (1981)
Joan Allen, “Burn This” (1988)
Pauline Collins, “Shirley Valentine” (1989)
Janet McTeer, “A Doll’s House” (1997)
Marie Mullen, “The Beauty Queen of Leeane” (1998)
Jennifer Ehle, “The Real Thing” (2000)
Deanna Dunagan, “August: Osage County” (2008)
Below are the Broadway debuts in the seven other...
She won Best Actress in a Play for portraying Tess, a lawyer who concentrates in providing legal defense for men who are accused of sexual assault but soon has the unthinkable happen to her. She is the 11th person to win the category for her first outing on a Broadway stage. She joins:
SEE2023 Tony Awards: Every winner (and nominee) in all 26 competitive categories
Martita Hunt, “The Madwoman of Chaillot” (1949)
Beryl Reid, “The Killing of Sister George” (1967)
Phyllis Frelich, “Children of a Lesser God” (1980)
Jane Lapotaire, “Piaf” (1981)
Joan Allen, “Burn This” (1988)
Pauline Collins, “Shirley Valentine” (1989)
Janet McTeer, “A Doll’s House” (1997)
Marie Mullen, “The Beauty Queen of Leeane” (1998)
Jennifer Ehle, “The Real Thing” (2000)
Deanna Dunagan, “August: Osage County” (2008)
Below are the Broadway debuts in the seven other...
- 6/12/2023
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
You wish to have the curse reversed? You’ll need to win a Tony first! Brian d’Arcy James gave an impressive performance as the Baker in the recent revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s “Into the Woods.” Despite an impressive stage career, James has never won a Tony Award. That could all change thanks to one of the biggest hits of the 2022-23 Broadway season, and he would break a major Tony stat in the process.
James has amassed a whopping 15 Broadway credits over the course of his career, including “Into the Woods.” He scored his first Tony nomination for the musical “Sweet Smell of Success” in 2002 before picking up additional bids as the titular ogre in “Shrek the Musical” (2010) and for the farce “Something Rotten!” (2015).
The actor also had a hand in shaping characters from two Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning musicals. He originated the roles of Dan...
James has amassed a whopping 15 Broadway credits over the course of his career, including “Into the Woods.” He scored his first Tony nomination for the musical “Sweet Smell of Success” in 2002 before picking up additional bids as the titular ogre in “Shrek the Musical” (2010) and for the farce “Something Rotten!” (2015).
The actor also had a hand in shaping characters from two Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning musicals. He originated the roles of Dan...
- 3/15/2023
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Myles Frost became the latest addition to the list of people who have taken home a Tony Award for their Broadway debut. His win makes him the 98th member of this particular winners’ club.
Frost, who won Best Actor in a Musical for playing Michael Jackson in “Mj,” is the 13th person to win that category for their first time stepping into a character on a Broadway stage. He joins:
Ezio Pinza, “South Pacific” (1950)
Robert Alda, “Guys and Dolls” (1951)
Robert Lindsay, “Me and My Girl” (1987)
Brent Carver, “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (1993)
Alan Cumming, “Cabaret” (1998)
Hugh Jackman, “The Boy From Oz” (2004)
John Lloyd Young, “Jersey Boys” (2006)
Paulo Szot, “South Pacific” (2008)
David Álvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish (joint nomination), “Billy Elliot” (2009)
Douglas Hodge, “La Cage aux Folles” (2010)
See 2022 Tony Awards: Every winner (and nominee) in all 26 categories
Below are the Broadway debuts in the seven other acting categories that have...
Frost, who won Best Actor in a Musical for playing Michael Jackson in “Mj,” is the 13th person to win that category for their first time stepping into a character on a Broadway stage. He joins:
Ezio Pinza, “South Pacific” (1950)
Robert Alda, “Guys and Dolls” (1951)
Robert Lindsay, “Me and My Girl” (1987)
Brent Carver, “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (1993)
Alan Cumming, “Cabaret” (1998)
Hugh Jackman, “The Boy From Oz” (2004)
John Lloyd Young, “Jersey Boys” (2006)
Paulo Szot, “South Pacific” (2008)
David Álvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish (joint nomination), “Billy Elliot” (2009)
Douglas Hodge, “La Cage aux Folles” (2010)
See 2022 Tony Awards: Every winner (and nominee) in all 26 categories
Below are the Broadway debuts in the seven other acting categories that have...
- 6/13/2022
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
The Emmys’ In Memoriam segment Sunday left out a number of actors we lost in 2020, but the Television Academy hasn’t entirely overlooked them. Nick Cordero, Chi Chi DeVayne, Kobe Bryant, Shelley Morrison, Honor Blackman, and soap actors Roscoe Born, John Callahan, Marj Dusay and John Karlen are among the many names included in a more comprehensive roster on the Academy’s website.
Some of the names, including Morrison, actress Kelly Preston and Saturday Night Live‘s music producer Hal Willner, were represented in a not-particularly easy-to-read memorial segment during the Creative Arts ceremonies last week (see it below) but didn’t make the shorter roster on the Emmys broadcast Sunday.
The comprehensive scrolling roster includes performers whose body of work fell largely in other areas of entertainment – Cordero, Zoe Caldwell, Mark Blum and Brent Carver from the stage, Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green from music, Honor Blackman from film...
Some of the names, including Morrison, actress Kelly Preston and Saturday Night Live‘s music producer Hal Willner, were represented in a not-particularly easy-to-read memorial segment during the Creative Arts ceremonies last week (see it below) but didn’t make the shorter roster on the Emmys broadcast Sunday.
The comprehensive scrolling roster includes performers whose body of work fell largely in other areas of entertainment – Cordero, Zoe Caldwell, Mark Blum and Brent Carver from the stage, Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green from music, Honor Blackman from film...
- 9/21/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Mirvish Productions will mark the life of Brent Carver by dimming the marquee lights of two theatres on Friday August 7 at 8Pm - the Royal Alexandra, in which he performed his solo show of stories and songs in 1995 and the Princess of Wales, in which he starred as Gandalf in the world premiere production of The Lord of the Rings in 2006.
- 8/7/2020
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Brent Carver, a stage and screen actor who won the 1993 Tony Award for his performance in Broadway’s The Kiss of the Spider Woman, died Tuesday at his home in Cranbrook, British Columbia, his family has reported. He was 68.
A cause of death was not specified.
“Our family is sharing news of Brent Carver’s passing on Aug 4 at home in Cranbrook, BC, his birthplace and favourite place on Earth,” read a family statement. “Blessed with many talents and a natural love of theatre, Brent was always known as a first-class performer, unique in the presentation of his craft, delighting audiences through film, TV, stage and concert performances.”
Chita Rivera, Carver’s Kiss of the Spider Woman co-star who also won a Tony that year, said today, “My heart is broken at the loss of my great friend and amazing artist, Brent Carver. I shall miss him more than I can say.
A cause of death was not specified.
“Our family is sharing news of Brent Carver’s passing on Aug 4 at home in Cranbrook, BC, his birthplace and favourite place on Earth,” read a family statement. “Blessed with many talents and a natural love of theatre, Brent was always known as a first-class performer, unique in the presentation of his craft, delighting audiences through film, TV, stage and concert performances.”
Chita Rivera, Carver’s Kiss of the Spider Woman co-star who also won a Tony that year, said today, “My heart is broken at the loss of my great friend and amazing artist, Brent Carver. I shall miss him more than I can say.
- 8/6/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
For only the third time this decade, none of the acting winners at this year’s Tony Awards did so for their Broadway debut. This is the 21st time that this has happened over the 73-year history of these top theater honors. Most of the winners were actually on the opposite end of the spectrum, winning for the first time after years of Broadway experience and several nominations to their name including André De Shields, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Stephanie J. Block. Check out the complete list of winners here.
The previous instances of Broadway debuts being shut out at the Tonys were in: 1948, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1990, 1991, 1994, 2001-2003, 2012 and 2017.
Below, you can see the names of all 96 people who have won Tonys for their debut on the Great White Way.
SEE2019 Tony Awards: Best Musical ‘Hadestown’ sweeps with 8 wins, ‘The Ferryman’ takes Best Play
Best Actor In A Play: 16 winners
Paul Scofield, “A Man for All Seasons” (1962)
Cliff Gorman,...
The previous instances of Broadway debuts being shut out at the Tonys were in: 1948, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1990, 1991, 1994, 2001-2003, 2012 and 2017.
Below, you can see the names of all 96 people who have won Tonys for their debut on the Great White Way.
SEE2019 Tony Awards: Best Musical ‘Hadestown’ sweeps with 8 wins, ‘The Ferryman’ takes Best Play
Best Actor In A Play: 16 winners
Paul Scofield, “A Man for All Seasons” (1962)
Cliff Gorman,...
- 6/10/2019
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Ari’el Stachel became the latest person to take home a Tony Award for their Broadway debut. This victory puts him in a freshman club that now has 96 members. Watch him discuss his victory in the Tonys press room in the video above.
Stachel, who won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for playing Haled in “The Band’s Visit,” is the ninth person to claim that particular honor for his first Broadway outing. He joins:
Harry Belafonte, “John Murray Anderson’s Almanac” (1954)
Sydney Chaplin, “Bells are Ringing” (1957)
Frankie Michaels, “Mame” (1966)
Wilson Jermaine Heredia, “Rent” (1996)
Dan Fogler, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (2005)
Levi Kreis, “Million Dollar Quartet” (2010)
John Larroquette, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” (2011)
Daveed Diggs, “Hamilton” (2016)
Sign UPfor Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
Below are the Broadway debuts in the seven other acting categories that claimed Tony Awards.
Best Actor In A Play: 16 winners
Paul Scofield,...
Stachel, who won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for playing Haled in “The Band’s Visit,” is the ninth person to claim that particular honor for his first Broadway outing. He joins:
Harry Belafonte, “John Murray Anderson’s Almanac” (1954)
Sydney Chaplin, “Bells are Ringing” (1957)
Frankie Michaels, “Mame” (1966)
Wilson Jermaine Heredia, “Rent” (1996)
Dan Fogler, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (2005)
Levi Kreis, “Million Dollar Quartet” (2010)
John Larroquette, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” (2011)
Daveed Diggs, “Hamilton” (2016)
Sign UPfor Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
Below are the Broadway debuts in the seven other acting categories that claimed Tony Awards.
Best Actor In A Play: 16 winners
Paul Scofield,...
- 6/11/2018
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Two 1980's science fiction efforts from the 'eighties: Millennium is an expensive book adaptation with Kris Kristofferson and Cheryl Ladd navigating a time travel story about body snatchers from the future. R.O.T.O.R is direct to video and strictly from hunger. Oh, the agony… However, both films surely have lessons to teach the budding filmmaker who thinks moviemaking is easy. Millennium and R.O.T.O.R. Blu-ray Color Scream Factory Street Date February 23, 2016 / 26.99
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Scream Factory plumbs the depths of the MGM library, which includes not only the holdings of United Artists, Orion and the old American-International Pictures, but also an alphabet soup of smaller outfits that were bought up in the 1990s. The independent productions seen on this Scream Factory Blu-ray double bill give us two kinds of science fiction properties. One is an expensive Canadian production with a big star, and the other is a...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Scream Factory plumbs the depths of the MGM library, which includes not only the holdings of United Artists, Orion and the old American-International Pictures, but also an alphabet soup of smaller outfits that were bought up in the 1990s. The independent productions seen on this Scream Factory Blu-ray double bill give us two kinds of science fiction properties. One is an expensive Canadian production with a big star, and the other is a...
- 2/21/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Today in 1998, Parade opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, where it ran for 85 performances. Parade is a musical with a book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. The production was directed by Harold Prince and starred Brent Carver as Leo Frank, Carolee Carmello as Lucille Frank, and Christy Carlson Romano as Mary Phagan.The musical won Tony Awards for best book and best score out of nine nominations and six Drama Desk Awards. The show has enjoyed a U.S. national tour and numerous professional and amateur productions in both the U.S. and abroad.
- 12/17/2015
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Happy Birthday Brent Carver Carver is best known for his performances on Broadway in Kiss of the Spider Woman as Molina, for which he won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical in 1993, Fiddler on the Roof, and Parade as Leo Frank. Carver originated the role of Gandalf in the Toronto stage production of The Lord of the Rings and has appeared in several Soulpepper Theatre Company productions such as The Wild Duck, Don Carlos and the Pirate King in the 1985 production of The Pirates of Penzance.
- 11/17/2015
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Today in 1998, Parade opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, where it ran for 85 performances. Parade is a musical with a book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. The production was directed by Harold Prince and starred Brent Carver as Leo Frank, Carolee Carmello as Lucille Frank, and Christy Carlson Romano as Mary Phagan.The musical won Tony Awards for best book and best score out of nine nominations and six Drama Desk Awards. The show has enjoyed a U.S. national tour and numerous professional and amateur productions in both the U.S. and abroad.
- 12/17/2014
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Happy Birthday Brent Carver Carver is best known for his performances on Broadway in Kiss of the Spider Woman as Molina, for which he won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical in 1993, Fiddler on the Roof, and Parade as Leo Frank. Carver originated the role of Gandalf in the Toronto stage production of The Lord of the Rings and has appeared in several Soulpepper Theatre Company productions such as The Wild Duck, Don Carlos and the Pirate King in the 1985 production of The Pirates of Penzance.
- 11/17/2014
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
On Saturday June 14th, pop, jazz, and musical theatre stars from all over the world joined forces at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto to perform in 'If I Loved You Gentlemen Prefer Broadway,' a concert showcasing and redefining love songs from classic Broadway musicals.For the finale, the cast, which included David Byrne, Boy George, Ezra Koenig Vampire Weekend, Josh Groban, Brent Carver, Steven Page, Brennan Hall and concert organizer Rufus Wainwright, sang their own rendition of 'Summer Nights' from Grease.
- 6/18/2014
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Today in 1998, Parade opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, where it ran for 85 performances. Parade is a musical with a book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. The production was directed by Harold Prince and starred Brent Carver as Leo Frank, Carolee Carmello as Lucille Frank, and Christy Carlson Romano as Mary Phagan.The musical won Tony Awards for best book and best score out of nine nominations and six Drama Desk Awards. The show has enjoyed a U.S. national tour and numerous professional and amateur productions in both the U.S. and abroad.
- 12/17/2013
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Happy Birthday Brent Carver Carver is best known for his performances on Broadway in Kiss of the Spider Woman as Molina, for which he won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical in 1993, Fiddler on the Roof, and Parade as Leo Frank. Carver originated the role of Gandalf in the Toronto stage production of The Lord of the Rings and has appeared in several Soulpepper Theatre Company productions such as The Wild Duck, Don Carlos and the Pirate King in the 1985 production of The Pirates of Penzance.
- 11/17/2013
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Tony Award-winning actor Brent Carver returns to Broadway this August, to play Friar Laurence in the new Broadway production of Shakespeare's timeless love story Romeo And Juliet, starring international film star Orlando Bloom and Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad as Shakespeare's titular star-crossed lovers. Tony Award winner Chuck Cooper also joins the cast, taking on the role of Lord Capulet, in place of the previously announced Joe Morton, who is unable to continue with the production due to scheduling conflicts with his recurring role on a television series.
- 4/25/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Today in 1998, Parade opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, where it ran for 85 performances. Parade is a musical with a book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. The production was directed by Harold Prince and starred Brent Carver as Leo Frank, Carolee Carmello as Lucille Frank, and Christy Carlson Romano as Mary Phagan.The musical won Tony Awards for best book and best score out of nine nominations and six Drama Desk Awards. The show has enjoyed a U.S. national tour and numerous professional and amateur productions in both the U.S. and abroad.
- 12/17/2012
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Happy Birthday Brent Carver Carver is best known for his performances on Broadway in Kiss of the Spider Woman as Molina, for which he won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical in 1993, Fiddler on the Roof, and Parade as Leo Frank. Carver originated the role of Gandalf in the Toronto stage production of The Lord of the Rings and has appeared in several Soulpepper Theatre Company productions such as The Wild Duck, Don Carlos and the Pirate King in the 1985 production of The Pirates of Penzance.
- 11/17/2012
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
New York — What's the buzz? A hit production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" in Canada is coming south to Broadway.
Producers announced Tuesday that the rock musical about the last days of Jesus written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice will hit New York in the spring, a move that was widely expected.
Previews will begin on March 1 at the Neil Simon Theatre and an official opening is set for March 22. Des McAnuff, the artistic director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, where the revival originated this summer, will again direct.
"I'm extremely happy, and very, very happy for the company of actors because I think they anticipated that this might happen and I certainly haven't discouraged them from believing that," McAnuff said by phone from Italy.
The guitar- and keyboard-driven musical, which debuted on Broadway in 1971, includes such songs as "What's the Buzz?" "Superstar" and "I Don't Know How to Love Him.
Producers announced Tuesday that the rock musical about the last days of Jesus written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice will hit New York in the spring, a move that was widely expected.
Previews will begin on March 1 at the Neil Simon Theatre and an official opening is set for March 22. Des McAnuff, the artistic director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, where the revival originated this summer, will again direct.
"I'm extremely happy, and very, very happy for the company of actors because I think they anticipated that this might happen and I certainly haven't discouraged them from believing that," McAnuff said by phone from Italy.
The guitar- and keyboard-driven musical, which debuted on Broadway in 1971, includes such songs as "What's the Buzz?" "Superstar" and "I Don't Know How to Love Him.
- 10/5/2011
- by AP
- Huffington Post
When I look back over the years and reflect on all the truly wonderful actors I've seen, there are a few performances that continue to hold power over my mind: Judi Dench in the West End production of "The Royal Family," David Suchet as Antonio Salieri in "Amadeus" at the Old Vic, Brent Carver (an astounding and surprising Tevye) in Stratford's "Fiddler on the Roof," and, of course, Patti LuPone's star turn in the last Broadway revival of "Gypsy." All these considered, there is one great performance that seems to stand out amongst the rest, one that continues to capture my soul: Christine Ebersole's tour de force in the musical "Grey Gardens."Based upon the 1975 Maysles brothers documentary, "Grey Gardens: A New Musical" was originally produced for the 2005-06 season of Playwrights Horizons. After the sold-out Off-Broadway run, Ebersole moved with the production to Broadway later in the year,...
- 7/20/2011
- by help@backstage.com ()
- backstage.com
Albert Schultz, General Director of the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, today announced the Canwest Cabaret Festival 2009, an intimate weekend of songs and stories at the Young Centre this fall. The second annual Canwest Cabaret Festival brings together over 150 of Canada's most diverse and exciting artists under the same roof for more than 60 unique performances. Every corner of the Young Centre is teeming with activity all weekend long.
Building upon the success of the inaugural festival in 2008, the weekend-long Canwest Cabaret Festival transforms the Young Centre into five intimate club venues. The Cabaret Festival highlights the collaboration of artists and artistic disciplines, while celebrating master musicians as well as emerging artists. Artists perform intimate cabarets showcasing their artistic strengths and interests. Featured artists are musicians, singers, actors, poets and dancers from across Canada, including Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson, Melanie Doane, Tomson Highway, Kenneth Welsh, Brent Carver, Sharron Matthews, John Alcorn,...
Building upon the success of the inaugural festival in 2008, the weekend-long Canwest Cabaret Festival transforms the Young Centre into five intimate club venues. The Cabaret Festival highlights the collaboration of artists and artistic disciplines, while celebrating master musicians as well as emerging artists. Artists perform intimate cabarets showcasing their artistic strengths and interests. Featured artists are musicians, singers, actors, poets and dancers from across Canada, including Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson, Melanie Doane, Tomson Highway, Kenneth Welsh, Brent Carver, Sharron Matthews, John Alcorn,...
- 10/29/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
The line-up of performers for Toronto's Songs & Celebration: An Evening of Songs from Jewish Composers has been announced. The event, hosted by Colin Mochrie and Deb McGrathwill take place at Toronto's St. Lawrence Center on November 16 at 7:30pm.
The all-star list of performers includes: Thom Allison, Adam Brazier, Michael Burgess, Brent Carver, Melanie Doane, Ted Dykstra, Lisa Horner, Sharron Matthews, Elicia MacKenzie, Avery Saltzman, Theresa Tova, Aaron Walpole, Paula Wolfson, and cast members from the Toronto company of Jersey Boys.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, Toronto's only professional theatre company whose mission is to celebrate, showcase and share Jewish culture.
Tickets for the event are $100 and $125 and can be purchased by calling 416-366-7723, 1-800-708-6754, or visit by visiting www.stlc.com.
Harold Green Jewish Theatre is a professional non-profit theatre company that produces a season of four plays that reflect the Jewish experience,...
The all-star list of performers includes: Thom Allison, Adam Brazier, Michael Burgess, Brent Carver, Melanie Doane, Ted Dykstra, Lisa Horner, Sharron Matthews, Elicia MacKenzie, Avery Saltzman, Theresa Tova, Aaron Walpole, Paula Wolfson, and cast members from the Toronto company of Jersey Boys.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, Toronto's only professional theatre company whose mission is to celebrate, showcase and share Jewish culture.
Tickets for the event are $100 and $125 and can be purchased by calling 416-366-7723, 1-800-708-6754, or visit by visiting www.stlc.com.
Harold Green Jewish Theatre is a professional non-profit theatre company that produces a season of four plays that reflect the Jewish experience,...
- 10/28/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Film review: 'Lilies'
Canadian filmmaker John Greyson follows up his AIDS musical "Zero Patience" with another gay-themed film with theatrical roots. Winner of the 1996 Genie for best picture, "Lilies" is based on the 1987 play by Michel Marc Bouchard about a bitter prisoner confronting an old friend over a long-ago romance that ended badly.
With attractive performers and a lively agenda, "Lilies" nonetheless gets bogged down in its unwieldy structure.
The film premiered in
Los Angeles at UCLA's recent series "Borderlines: New Canadian Cinema," as well as screening in the World Film section of the Sundance Film Festival.
From the outset, the film's premises and developments are fantastical despite the drama's somber setting in a prison chapel. Greyson carefully sets up the central gambit of Simon (Aubert Pallascio), which is to restage the great love of his young life for the benefit of a captive bishop (Marcel Sabourin), who knew him when the events took place.
At first the re-creations are indeed stagy, with prisoners playing the roles of men and women, but soon the film indulges in full-blown flashbacks. Sometimes the effect is startling, but most often it's annoying.
The viewer also must deal with the basic confusion that the bishop's younger self (Matthew Ferguson) is not the intense lover of young Simon (Jason Cadieux).
A delicate nobleman of some sort, it's Vallier (Danny Gilmore) who puts the moves on Simon after rehearsing a steamy scene for a church play.
Vallier's mother is played in drag by Remy Girard, and it's she who picks the titular flowers and causes much hardship for her son.
Set in the early decades of this century, the love of Vallier for Simon is scandalous, and the latter embarks on a tempestuous relationship with one Comtess de Tilly (played soulfully by Brent Carver), an elegant but difficult black lady.
There are several interruptions to monitor the effect of Simon's theatrical creation on the bishop.
An elderly holy man, he tries to stop Simon's elaborate "confession," but for the performers and the watchers, there's no turning back.
It's eventually revealed that the young bishop acted rashly after the lovers had finally experienced happiness. The old bishop is forced to confess to the man whose life he destroyed.
While the performances are engaging, when the film strays from the attractive duo of Cadieux and Gilmore, the heavy themes and choral music take over and one feels as trapped as the bishop.
LILIES
Alliance Communications presents
A Triptych Media/Galafilm co-production
Director John Greyson
Producers Anna Stratton, Robin Cass,
Arnie Gelbart
Writer Michel Marc Bouchard
English version Linda Gaboriau
Director of photography Daniel Jobin
Production designer Sandra Kybartas
Editor Andre Corriveau
Costume designer Linda Muir
Music Mychael Danna
Casting Dorothy Gardner
Color/stereo
Cast:
The Bishop Marcel Sabourin
Simon Aubert Pallascio
Young Simon Jason Cadieux
Vallier Danny Gilmore
Young Bishop Matthew Ferguson
Comtess de Tilly Brent Carver
The Baroness Remy Girard
Running time -- 96 minutes
No MPAA rating...
With attractive performers and a lively agenda, "Lilies" nonetheless gets bogged down in its unwieldy structure.
The film premiered in
Los Angeles at UCLA's recent series "Borderlines: New Canadian Cinema," as well as screening in the World Film section of the Sundance Film Festival.
From the outset, the film's premises and developments are fantastical despite the drama's somber setting in a prison chapel. Greyson carefully sets up the central gambit of Simon (Aubert Pallascio), which is to restage the great love of his young life for the benefit of a captive bishop (Marcel Sabourin), who knew him when the events took place.
At first the re-creations are indeed stagy, with prisoners playing the roles of men and women, but soon the film indulges in full-blown flashbacks. Sometimes the effect is startling, but most often it's annoying.
The viewer also must deal with the basic confusion that the bishop's younger self (Matthew Ferguson) is not the intense lover of young Simon (Jason Cadieux).
A delicate nobleman of some sort, it's Vallier (Danny Gilmore) who puts the moves on Simon after rehearsing a steamy scene for a church play.
Vallier's mother is played in drag by Remy Girard, and it's she who picks the titular flowers and causes much hardship for her son.
Set in the early decades of this century, the love of Vallier for Simon is scandalous, and the latter embarks on a tempestuous relationship with one Comtess de Tilly (played soulfully by Brent Carver), an elegant but difficult black lady.
There are several interruptions to monitor the effect of Simon's theatrical creation on the bishop.
An elderly holy man, he tries to stop Simon's elaborate "confession," but for the performers and the watchers, there's no turning back.
It's eventually revealed that the young bishop acted rashly after the lovers had finally experienced happiness. The old bishop is forced to confess to the man whose life he destroyed.
While the performances are engaging, when the film strays from the attractive duo of Cadieux and Gilmore, the heavy themes and choral music take over and one feels as trapped as the bishop.
LILIES
Alliance Communications presents
A Triptych Media/Galafilm co-production
Director John Greyson
Producers Anna Stratton, Robin Cass,
Arnie Gelbart
Writer Michel Marc Bouchard
English version Linda Gaboriau
Director of photography Daniel Jobin
Production designer Sandra Kybartas
Editor Andre Corriveau
Costume designer Linda Muir
Music Mychael Danna
Casting Dorothy Gardner
Color/stereo
Cast:
The Bishop Marcel Sabourin
Simon Aubert Pallascio
Young Simon Jason Cadieux
Vallier Danny Gilmore
Young Bishop Matthew Ferguson
Comtess de Tilly Brent Carver
The Baroness Remy Girard
Running time -- 96 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 2/18/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.