That's a Wrap!

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Well, another awards season comes to a close. In case you missed the news, you can check out the full list of Spirit Awards winners here and Oscar winners here. As expected, "The Artist" took Best Picture and there's already been a lot of grumbling about America giving it's top movie prize to a film made by foreigners. (Never mind that it was set and shot right here in Los Angeles.) You can read my opinion of the show overall--mainly my criticism of Billy Crystal--here.  But a few final thoughts.

All season long, I've been bemoaning the snub of the brilliant Michael Shannon in "Take Shelter," and finally just started referring to the Best Actor winner Jean Dujardin as NotMichaelShannon. Which is just me being silly--Dujardin was wonderful in "The Artist" and he bested some of the stiffest competition I've ever seen--namely two American film icons (George Clooney and Brad Pitt), a man widely regarded as the best actor working today (Gary Oldman), and an up-and-coming underdog (Demian Bichir.) He obviously did a magnificent job and I couldn't be happier for him.

Also, who couldn't be happy for Christopher Plummer winning Best Supporting Actor? The guy is brilliant, pure class, and as my friends all decided last night, still damn sexy.

A little disappointed Viola Davis didn't win Best Actress, but it's hard to argue with Meryl Streep winning the award. I do wonder if criticism surrounding "The Help" made it easier for people to vote for Streep, but that's probably not fair to Meryl, who truly was wonderful in "The Iron Lady."

And such criticism didn't hurt Best Supporting Actress winner Octavia Spencer, who also received the night's first standing ovation from the crowd. As you may know, I can't pretend to be unbiased about Spencer, who has been a friend since 2005. We called her win over a year ago--when she was still shooting the movie. See further evidence in our pride in a few of the pieces we've done on her:  the first interview she ever did in 2005, last year's cover story, a dialogue with her and Allison Janney for our 50th Anniversary issue, and did we mention she used to be a columnist for us?  It has been a joy watching her steal the spotlight this year--no one is more deserving or has handled it better.

And Spencer is really what Oscar night is all about--a year ago, most people didn't know her name. She earned a sought-after role with her talent and won over audiences with a charm and charisma that is unique only to her. It's all a dream come true, and so is she.

--Jenelle Riley

 

 


Livetweeting the Spirit Awards/Oscars

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Well, it's finally here: Oscar weekend! Note that I will be live-tweeting the Spirit Awards ceremony tomorrow from the actual event and the Oscar ceremony from a viewing party at both the Back Stage and my own Twitter accounts.

For the big day, check out the official Oscar schedule here--note that many places say the festivities start at 4 pm PST, but there's a pre-show. The actual ceremony starts at 5:30 pm PST.And if you want to know where the parties are, check here.

As for final predictions....let's say the frontrunners are "The Artist" for Best Picture, Best Director Michel Hazanavicius and Best Actor Jean Dujardin, Viola Davis for Best Actress and Octavia Spencer for Best Supporting Actress from "The Help," and Christopher Plummer for Best Supporting actor from "Beginners." Those are pretty safe bets. However, things have not been this close in years in the Best Actor category and this year feels prime for some big surprises, so be sure to watch!

--Jenelle Riley


C'est Magnifique

PorterThe venerable Downey Civic Light Opera, in Downey, California, headed by the ever-vivacious Executive Director-Producer Marsha Moode, continues what seems to have become an annual tradition. Recently, each season’s schedule of popular Broadway musicals of yesteryear has been spiced up with a biographical musical revue, featuring the evergreen classics of a legendary musical-theater tunesmith.

So far, Moode has offered excellent compilations of Rodgers and Hart and Irving Berlin songs. This season’s revue, which continues through March 4 at the Downey Theatre, is the buoyant and edifying “Cole” (devised by Benny Green and Alan Strachan), a delicious matchup of some of DCLO’s finest regular performers and promising newcomers with cream-of-the-crop songs from the immortal composer-lyricist Cole Porter.

Continue reading "C'est Magnifique" »


New Feb. 23-29, 2012 Issue of Back Stage, with Lucy Liu!

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Check out the terrific story about actress Lucy Liu in the new issue of Back Stage.


"Sunset" to Settle on L.A. Shores Again

Sunset3As the highlight of its 6Oth anniversary season, Musical Theatre West in Long Beach, California, will offer the first Southern California-produced staging of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit London and Broadway musical, "Sunset Boulevard," since the show made its American premiere here at the now-defunct Shubert Theatre  in Century City in 1993, starring Glenn Close.  Its only other performances here have been in touring editions.

Many will remember the knock-down-drag-out legal  battles Webber had with both Patti LuPone (the show's original London star, who was replaced during the London run) and Faye Dunaway (dismissed from the L.A. production prior to its opening).  There's plenty of  sturm-und-drang drama in the musical as well, which is based on Billy Wilder's classic film about a reclusive former film star hoping for her comeback.  The show has received mixed reviews along the way, but it boasts one of Webber's finest scores and provides a to-die-for role for a gifted and mature musical theater diva.  Such luminaries as Elaine Paige, Petula Clark, and Betty Buckley (and  of course Gloria Swanson in Wider's 1950 film)  have tackled this iconic role. Who will headline this highly anticipated new production?   We'll have to wait a while to find out. Opening is set for July 12, 2013.

Continue reading ""Sunset" to Settle on L.A. Shores Again" »


Oscars To be Sacha Baron Cohen-free

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Update! According to THR, Sacha Baron Cohen is allowed to attend, just not as The Dictator. Insert "so now the only dictator present will be _______" joke here.

This just in from Deadline Hollywood: Sacha Baron Cohen will not be presenting at this year's Oscars. In fact, he won't even be attending: His tickets to the event have been rescinded. Earlier this week, word got out that Cohen--who is known for playing characters like Ali G., Borat, and Bruno--wanted to attend in the guise of General Aladeen, his character in the upcoming film "The Dictator." So the "Hugo" star had his tickets pulled.

Honestly, it's the Academy's loss. Something cutting-edge and unpredictable might have livened things up a bit, but I guess this Oscar broadcast has already had enough drama with it's rotating producers and hosts to last the year. Instead, let's relive the moment Cohen--as Bruno--landed on Eminem's lap at the MTV Movie Awards (after the jump.)

--Jenelle Riley


California Auditions at a Glance – Feb. 23-March 2

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The following "Auditions at a Glance" calendar conveniently organizes projects by the date and day-of-the-week that the projects' auditions are taking place, to help you schedule your plans.

Click on any of the following links to see the casting and job notices related to the dates and project titles highlighted below.

Continue reading "California Auditions at a Glance – Feb. 23-March 2" »


New York Auditions at a Glance – Feb. 23-March 2

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The following "Auditions at a Glance" calendar conveniently organizes projects by the date and day-of-the-week that the projects' auditions are taking place, to help you schedule your plans.

Click on any of the following links to see the casting and job notices related to the dates and project titles highlighted below.

Continue reading "New York Auditions at a Glance – Feb. 23-March 2" »


Regional Auditions at a Glance – Feb. 23-March 2

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The following "Auditions at a Glance" calendar conveniently organizes projects by the date and day-of-the-week that the projects' auditions are taking place, to help you schedule your plans.

Click on any of the following links to see the casting and job notices related to the dates and project titles highlighted below.

Continue reading "Regional Auditions at a Glance – Feb. 23-March 2" »


Back Stage to Participate in Online Acting Summit Sat. Feb. 25

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Acting and modeling career coach Aaron Marcus  (www.howtoactandmodel.com) will be hosting a free online event on February 25, 2012.

Back Stage Film & TV Casting Editor Jesse Landberg will be one of 14 industry panelists interviewed on topics ranging from How to Book TV Shows, Commercials, Films, and Commercial Modeling Ads to How to Create a Great Headshot, and much more.

Although the Summit is completely free, due to limited space, everyone must register.

You can read about all of the guest speakers, topics and register at:

http://howtoactandmodel.com/Backstage.

Tune in this Saturday! 

 






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