News

This article originally appeared in the February 2004 issue of Venice Magazine. It was the second time I've interviewed Baz, the first one being for the theatrical release of Moulin Rouge! back in 2001 (Still looking for that interview! It's on the ancient technology of floppy disc somewhere in my files.) This interview was for the Los Angeles run of "La Boheme" at the Los Angeles Opera.

It's hard to believe that it's been seven years since Luhrmann has had a theatrical film released as a director. But his Australia, starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman, will be released later this year. Looking forward to it.

Closing the Red Curtain with “La Boheme”

Before moving on from the cinematic delights of his Red Curtain Trilogy, Baz Luhrmann revisits the Puccini masterwork which kicked off his career.

By Terry Keefe

I first spoke to filmmaker Baz Luhrmann in the spring of 2001, on the...

Woody Allen’s next film, heretofore known as ‘Nero Fiddled’, was officially re-titled yesterday and given a new name that should see it resonate better in its international territories, and so from here on out we’ll know it as ‘To Rome With Love’.

We now have the first eleven images to share with you, some images of the film itself and others including Allen on set, as well as the full cast line-up (which is excellent) and the full soundtrack details (which are just a little bit impeccable).

The romantic-comedy is made up of four vignettes, two of which revolving around American characters and two around Italian characters, with the main cast including the likes of Allen himself, Alec Baldwin, Penélope Cruz, Ellen Page, Jesse Eisenberg, Roberto Benigni, Judy Davis, Greta Gerwig, and Alison Pill.

The newly re-titled To Rome With Love will open in Italy on 20th April...

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts calendar of events for the fall months has just been released. All events are subject to change without notice. Free performances are held each evening at 6 p.m. on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

1 p.m. Meet in the Hall of Nations

Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell For Adults!

From pliés to pirouettes, discover how it feels to dance as Suzanne Farrell leads this unique and inspirational movement class for non-dancers presented by Explore the Arts. Leotard, leggings, ballet slippers, and ballet skirt are encouraged but not required. Please note: due to the structure of this ballet class, no late entry will be permitted once the class has begun.

Tickets: $35

1:30 p.m. Oc Eisenhower Theater

Sydney Theatre Company

A Streetcar Named Desire

The Kennedy Center

Cate Blanchett stars as Blanche DuBois in the U.S. premiere of Sydney...

The Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory has announced that Constantine Kitsopoulos will conduct the production of Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème, which will be presented in repertory with Johathan larson's Rent in February, 2011.

Kitsopoulos has built an international reputation spanning opera, symphony and musical theatre. In his fourth season as music director of the Queens Symphony Orchestra, he also is the general director of Chatham Opera, which he founded in 2005. Among other commitments this season, he will guest conduct the Baltimore, Detroit and New Jersey symphonies as well as the Westchester Philharmonic. He also has conducted the Blossom Festival Orchestra. Kistopoulos has conducted operas in the U.S. and in China and also was the musical director and conductor of Baz Luhrmann's highly acclaimed Broadway production of La Bohème as well as the 2008 Tony-nominated musical, A Catered Affair.

His full biography may be found at http://kitsopoulos.com/home.html.

Victoria Bussert,...

London -- Film producer Simon Channing Williams, the longtime producing partner of Mike Leigh, has died of cancer. He was 63.

Williams died at home with his family in Cornwall on Saturday.

Channing Williams began his career at the BBC, where he worked with Leigh, Stephen Frears, James MacTaggart, Mike Newell and Michael Apted, among others.

He went on to produce 11 films with Leigh, founding Thin Man Films in 1988. Titles included "Topsy-Turvy," an Oscar winner for best makeup and costume design, Palme d'Or winner "Secrets and Lies" and the Oscar-nominated "Vera Drake."

Leigh's "Happy-Go-Lucky" marked the duo's final production before Channing Williams' death.

Channing Williams produced several other films outside his relationship with Leigh, including Tony Palmer's "Puccini," Clive Rees' "When the Whales Came" and Tim Sullivan's "Jack and Sarah."

In 2000, he formed independent production company Potboiler Prods. with Gail Egan. Together they produced seven feature films including Fernando Meirelles' "The Constant Gardener.