Blog Stage - Acting in Film, TV, Theatre - Backstage

Batman's Butler Dead; 'Fat Pig' Postponed

• Michael Gough, who played Alfred in Tim Burton's "Batman" films, has died at the age of 94, according to the BBC. He was also in Joel Schumacher's "Batman" films, and was probably the only good thing about them.

• The head of the National Association of Theater Owners tells Variety (subscription required) that plans by some studios to release upcoming films in video-on-demand formats at the same time as theatrical releases "will make a nickel and sacrifice a few dimes."

• The planned Broadway production of Neil LaBute's "Fat Pig" will be delayed now that one of the investors has dropped out. Playbill has the story.

• Also at Playbill, a live film of the Tony-winning musical Memphis will hit theaters April 28.

• The hyper-local New York news website DNAinfo reports that the Upright Citizens Brigade will remove a sign that reads "Hot Chicks Room"—inspired by UCB co-founder Amy Poehler—from above the door of its new theater at Avenue A and 3rd Street. Neighbors complained that the sign was a "blight." If you've ever been near Avenue A and 3rd Street, you understand the irony of the complaint.

• Finally, at BackStage.com, we take a look at the troubles of two regional theaters, Seattle's Intiman and Atlanta's Actor's Express, and whether there are national implications to be found.

Pictured: Neil LaBute (Photo: Getty Images)

NYMF Bows to Dramatists Guild

Responding to pressure from the Dramatists Guild of America, the New York Musical Theatre Festival has announced that it will not seek subsidiary rights to authors' work presented in this year's festival. NYMF had altered its contract with participants this year to guarantee the festival 2 percent of the applicant and author's gross “on all income received from the play in excess of $20,000 over 10 years.” The Dramatists Guild complained that such rights exceeded what NYMF was entitled to as a nonproducing partner.

Read the story at BackStage.com

SAG Slams Anti-Gay Newsweek Piece

The Screen Actors Guild has spoken out about a controversial Newsweek article that has drawn fire from advocacy groups and the entertainment industry. In an April piece entitled "Straight Jacket," writer Ramin Setoodeh criticized the performance of actor Sean Hayes in the current Broadway revival of "Promises, Promises," asserting that the openly gay Hayes can not play a convincing heterosexual because of his sexuality."Intentional or not, Ramin Setoodeh's wrongheaded argument sends a damaging and false message that we are limited in the roles we are able to play," Jason Stuart, chair of the SAG National LGBT Actors Committee, said in a statement from the guild.

Read the story at BackStage.com

Pictured: Jason Stuart (Photo: Getty Images)

Inside Back Stage: Workshops, English History, Queens

• Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Mark Lambert would like you to know that your casting workshop may be an illegal den of scum and villainy.

• Queen Latifah listens to her mother.

• Reviews! David Sheward seems to like "Sarah Ruhl's Passion Play." Kirk Honeycutt says "Robin Hood" is a decent enough action movie, so long as you don't care about Robin Hood—or historical accuracy.

Inside Back Stage: Saving L.A., School Days, Paul Rudd

• Los Angeles is the new Detroit. Or is it?

• Reviews! An Australian stuntman and nuanced acting. Going back to "High School."

• Over at Blog Stage, we wish Paul Rudd a very happy birthday. Paul, you're 41? Damn, son.

Inside Back Stage: Tyler Perry, Guerrilla Girls, 'Leaves'

• Tyler Perry is the best he is at what he does, but some say what he does isn't very pretty. Never mind that. Is what he does good for African-American actors?

• Over at Blog Stage, we have word on the next networking event for the Guerrilla Girls, a theater company with a fondness for feminism and ape masks.

• Our own Simi Horwitz went to see Edward Norton play identical twins in the new film "Leaves of Grass." The experience was not positive.