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

'The SMASH Project'

I don't know who John Walton West is, but I hope to be hearing more from him in the future after checking out his hilarious short "The SMASH Project." In this parody of "The Glee Project," five Broadway stars compete for a role in new NBC series "Smash," which premieres tonight. West clearly knows his stuff, making quick references to things like Brian Stokes Mitchell's upcoming "Glee" appearance and Norbert Leo Butz's failed HBO pilot "The Miraculous Year." Look for other little gems--Matthew Broderick's cell phone ring is my personal favorite. And I don't know many people who have attempted a Mandy Patinkin impersonation, but West does it brilliantly.

--Jenelle Riley

Gilbert Cates Passes Away

Sad news this morning from THR.com: legendary producer Gilbert Cates has passed away at the age of 77. While he produced 14 Oscar telecasts and earned Emmy nominations for directing the TV films "Consenting Adults" and "Do You Know the Muffin Man?", Cates was also a huge voice in the theater community. He was the presiding Producing Director of the Geffen Playhouse, where he directed acclaimed productions of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "Under the Blue Sky," among many others. He was always a welcome sight at the opening of any Geffen show, and his kindness and generosity, particularly to us at Back Stage, from whom he received a Lifetime Achievement Garland Award celebrating his devotion to L.A. theater in 2009.

--Jenelle Riley

Becoming Pro Bono

It wasn't my intention to time this blog to GLAAD's Spirit Day, but things just worked out that way...

I would call “Dancing with the Stars” a guilty pleasure, except I feel no guilt over it. There’s something gleeful and innocent about a show that brings together people to compete not for money or prizes, but a mirrorball trophy.  Still, I was never a fanatical viewer; my participation depended on how invested I became in the contestants. I sort of tuned out during seasons like Nicole Scherzinger  (what fun is it when the obvious winner is a gorgeous, athletic woman who
previously belonged to a song and dance group). But then I would watch every episode of Jennifer Grey’s season with baited breath, rooting the “Dirty Dancing” star on.

Going into Season 13 (holy cow!), I didn’t really have much investment in any of the contestants. They had the typical archetypes filled: the older participant (Nancy Grace), the athlete (Mehta WorldPeace), the redeemed wild child (David Arquette)…and I was aware of some grumbling surrounding the casting of Chaz Bono, advocate/author/son of Cher/transgender man.  But because I am blessed to live in Los Angeles in the year 2011, I really didn’t think it was a serious controversy.

How wrong I was.  First, Monica Cole of the America Family Association made an announcement stating: "We will not be able to watch the show with Chaz on there. This is going to be very confusing for children and should not be included in their cast." Then, in one of those sweeping statements that would be funny were the person not actually serious, Fox News’ Dr. Keith Ablow said children could “turn transgender” from watching Bono on the show. His actual insipid quote: “It’s possible that if someone is celebrated and lifted to heroic proportions like that of a civil rights leader, that somebody who is somewhat uncomfortable with his or her gender might say, 'You know what, I’m going down that road.' ”

50th Anniversary: Mullally/Offerman Outtakes

Well, it's finally here. After months of blood, sweat, tears and pleading phone calls, Back Stage's 50th Anniversary Issue is on stands now. One of the things we wanted to do for this issue was feature conversations between collaborators. To that end, I had the opportunity to speak to some of my favorite people.

One of the best days I had was driving up to Ojai to interview Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, a longtime couple who now play former spouses (who still can't keep their hands off each other) on "Parks and Recreation." They were on vacation celebrating their wedding anniversary, yet took time out to talk to us. You can read the dialogue here, but there were some great moments that had to be cut for space, which I've included after the jump. They include how Mullally knew Offerman was going to get the "Parks" job, and how Rainn Wilson was a sort of career model for him.

--Jenelle Riley

Casting Nominees Announced

The Casting Society of America announced their nominees for the 27th Annual Artios Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Casting, and it includes many of this year's Oscar-nominated films and Emmy-nominated series. The film awards, in particular, are broken down not only into comedy and drama, but studio and independent, which means low-budget features like "Lovely, Still" don't have to compete against behemoths like "Inception." Full list of nominees/press release after the jump. Winners will be announced at a bi-coastal ceremony on Sept. 26.

--Jenelle Riley

Stuart Gordon 'Re-Animator: The Musical' Interview

Anyone who claims there's no good theatre in L.A. clearly hasn't been out to see "Re-Animator: The Musical," now in what seems like it's 200th extension at the Steve Allen Theatre. The good people over at Zurvived have an interview with Stuart Gordon, who wrote and directed the musical, based on his 1985 cult film of the same name (minus "The Musical" part, of course.) The interview starts about 15 minutes into the show and takes place on the very set of the musical.

If you haven't seen the film, a brief synopsis: Med student Herbert West develops a serum that can bring back the dead and wacky, bloody complications ensue. And I do mean bloody: the first few rows of the theatre are a designated "splash zone," where audience members will get sprayed down with blood and gore. A helpful hint if you go this route: cover your mouth because you might get some in there, you'll be laughing so hard. After the jump, there's a clip that will give you some idea what you're in for.

IT Boy: Chris O'Dowd

Unless you're a big fan of BBC sitcoms (and who isn't??) you might not of heard of Chris O'Dowd. That will change after next week, when O'Dowd will be seen romancing Kristen Wiig in the soon-to-be-blockbuster comedy "Bridesmaids." I loved this movie so much--I expected it to be hilarious, but I wasn't prepared for how sweet and romantic and insightful about female friendships it ended up being. But first and foremost, it's really, really funny.

O'Dowd is best known (or maybe only known) to American audiences for his work as Roy, the surly IT technician on the British comedy "The IT Crowd." If you haven't checked out this show, catch it on IFC or even watch it online, full episodes are on YouTube. It details the adventures of a pair of IT workers and their female boss, who knows nothing about computers. That doesn't sound like the greatest sell, but just trust me when I say the show is hysterically funny and one of the best workplace comedies I've ever seen. The cast is terrific. O'Dowd's co-star is the hilarious Richard Ayoade, who plays the childlike nerd Moss. Ayoade has been so memorable on shows like "Garth Marenghi's Dark Place" and "The Mighty Boosh"; in America, he has directed episodes of "Community." His film, "Submarine," comes out next month.

In one famous episode, the gang goes to see a musical and Roy pretends to be disabled when he's caught using the handicapped bathroom. His lie spins out of control when he says his wheelchair was stolen. Every time someone asks him what's specficially wrong with him, he can only respond: "I'm...disabled!"

I spoke to O'Dowd earlier this week, and when I cited this episode, he told me that it's one of his favorites. He also revealed a funny story that occurred while he was doing a play last year:

"People would come to the stage door afterwards, to talk and to get autographs. This little kid came up and asked for a picture, then said, 'Can you do me one more favor?' I said, 'Yeah?' He said, 'Can you say, "I’m disabled?" ' And I was like of course—but I looked behind him and there was a kid in a wheelchair! And I was trying, without making it obvious, to say to the kid, 'Listen, I’m sorry, I can’t.' And he was like, 'Why not?' I just said, 'I can’t, I'm sorry.' He was so disappointed when we went off. Then the kid in the wheelchair came up and said, 'Can I get your autograph?' I said, 'Of course!' He said, 'And can you say," I’m disabled?" ' "

--Jenelle Riley

How to Save 'Spider-Man'

I've got it. I've figured out the solution to a problem even Bono couldn't solve. With an announcement due any second about Julie Taymor leaving the trouble-plagued Broadway musical "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," I have come up with a fool-proof plan to save the production. They've tried postponing, they've tried recasting, they've tried revamping. But the simplest solution? Hire Betty White.