Into the Woods Trailer

Here's a first look the film version of Into the Woods coming out in December. It looks gorgeous; I just hope the actual movie is as good as the cinematography.

Of course we didn't get to see Johnny Depp as the wolf in the trailer. I'll bet we won't see him in any trailer at all. It will be held as a surprise for those who see the film.

The Drowsy Chaperone: The Movie

Another Broadway musical has been greenlighted (greenlit?) for the big screen. I didn't even know that The Drowsy Chaperone was even being thought about to adapt for the screen, but I am so excited about it. I was in the musical three years ago (I played Mrs. Tottendale), and I love the show.

Me as Mrs. Tottendale 

(I actually found this picture on Google - cool, eh?)

I read that Geoffrey Rush will be playing Man in Chair, and that Hugh Jackman is reading the script and may play Aldolfo. I would love to see him in a real comedic role. The musical is so theatrical, so I'm interested in seeing how they adapt it for film.

Into the Woods Casting: Good News

Lilla Crawford

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about how inappropriate I thought the casting was for Little Red for the movie version of Into the Woods, because of her young age. 

I am happy to say that 10 year-old Sophia Grace Brownlee will not be playing Little Red. Instead, 12 year-old Lilla Crawford (she recently played the title role in Annie on Broadway) has been cast. I still think that 12 is a bit too young for the part of Little Red, however, it's much better than ten. We'll see how it works out when the movie comes out in December 2014.

Into the Woods: More Casting News

I haven't been too critical about any of the casting for the movie musical version of Into the Woods - until now.

It's rumored that an actress named Sophie Grace Brownlee will play the role of Little Red. I don't know who the little girl is, but she's really a little girl. According to her website she's eight years old. Eight years old! I think that's too young to be playing Little Red. To me, the Little Red's character represents the things we learn as we start going out into the world, and you don't usually start venturing out into the world on your own until you're a little older than eight. 

I think that the part should be played by an actress around 15-16 at the youngest. Also, if the actress is younger than 15 or 16, the scene with Little Red and the wolf would seem extremely creepy, because there are more themes there than just a wolf that wants to make Little Red his next meal. With an eight year old that's just disturbing. I also don't think her solo, "I Know Things Now," would sound convincing from the mouth of a girl that age.

I'm nervous that eight year-old actress won't be able to pull off the humor in the character as well. No offense to any eight year-old actors, but I just can't see it happening.

****Spoiler****

Also, it seems strange that an eight year-old would tell Jack, "I'll be your mother" at the end. Or maybe it would be funnier, I don't know.

Maybe I'll be proven wrong about the wisdom in this casting choice, but I think it's very unlikely.

Correction: Sophie is 10 years old. Two years doesn't make a difference in this case. She's still too young.

News about Wicked (the Movie Adaptation)

Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close) has landed the huge job of bringing the broadway hit musical, Wicked, to the big screen.

This news means that we're getting closer to seeing the musical in theaters (movie theaters (with a 'ers' - not real theatres (with an 'res')). I'm excited to hear more about the project as the roles are cast. I hope that they cast actors with really good voices, because this show cannot have "meh" singers. It needs solid singers.

Here is an article from Hypable.com with a list of their picks for the leading roles in the film adaptation of Wicked.

My dream cast:

Elphaba: Eden Espinosa
Glinda: Megan Hilty
Fiyero: Jeremy Jordan
The Wizard: Joel Grey

The rest of the roles I don't really have much of an opinion about.

Who do you want to see cast in the movie?

Various Sundry Items

I cannot tell you how much I love this image for the new series, Sleepy Hollow, coming to Fox in the fall. I love the headless horseman. I'm just wondering where his horse is. *wink*

I hope this show lives up to its poster.

*****

It's been announced that the film adaptation of the musical, Into the Woods, will come to cinemas on Christmas day 2014. It seems so far away. I guess it's because it is. 

So far, the following parts have been cast:

Witch: Meryl Streep

Baker: James Cordon

Baker's Wife: Emily Blunt

Cinderella's Prince: Jake Gyllenhaal

Rapunzel's Prince: Chris Pine

Wolf: Johnny Depp

Jack's Mother: Tracy Ullman

Cinderella's Mother: Christine Baranski (rumored)

The cast sounds good so far. I'm not sure if Emily Blunt can sing. I hope she can, because Stephen Sondheim's music is not easy.

*****

I was going to try to stay up-to-date on my blog with the rumors flying around about who will play the 12th Doctor on Doctor Who, but I don't want to post rumors. So, I will blog about the new Doctor when the 12th Doctor is officially announced.

Even though I'm not going to post about it yet, it is exciting to read about the actors who people think are front-runners for the part. If you want to keep up with the latest news on the search for the new Doctor, and any other Doctor Who related news, go to my favorite Doctor Who blog, Blogtor Who. 

*****

Coming soon to BBC is a new crime drama, Death Comes to Pemberley. Yes, it's a crime drama based on Pride and Prejudice. Actually, it's a crime drama based on a book (called Death Comes to Pemberley), which is based on Pride and Prejudice. The three episode series takes place after Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage, and one of the supporting characters is murdered.

There will be familiar British actors in the cast. Anna Maxwell Martin (North and South, Bleak House) will play Elizabeth Bennet Darcy, Matthew Rhys (Brothers and Sisters, The Abduction Club) will play Fitzwilliam Darcy, Jenna-Louise Coleman (Doctor Who) will play Lydia Bennet Wickham, Matthew Good (Leap Year, Chasing Liberty) will play Wickham and James Fleet (Little Dorrit, Sense and Sensibility) will play Mr. Bennet. The best news, however, is that Penelope Keith (Good Neighbors, To the Manor Born) will be playing Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I want to see it just to see Penelope play that part. 

*****

Auditions for So You Think You Can Dance are over, and the live performances have begun. Yay! And my favorite host of any reality show is back. She is so personable and fun, and just a great host. Nice to see you Cat! This is your year for the Emmy. 

I wanted to insert one of my favorite SYTYCD routines here, a hip hop number by Twitch and Alex, but youtube wouldn't let me embed the video, so you'll have to go to youtube here to see it. It's amazing and so much fun. 

I'm excited for this season, and I hope it holds many memorable routines that I can add to my favorites.

*****

Did you ever wonder what Star Wars would have sounded like if William Shakespeare had written it instead of George Lucas? Neither had I, but Ian Doescher did. Check out the first few pages of William Shakespeare's Star Wars. It's pretty funny, and pretty impressive.

I wonder how long it took Ian to write this book. If he stayed with iambic pentameter through the whole book, all I can say is - wow! From what I've read so far, Ian keeps pretty close to the iambic pentameter. My favorite lines that follows the pattern is the following:

C-3PO: I'll warrant madness lies within.

R2-D2:                                 -- -- beep beep,

I can't wait to read the entire thing. It would be great if someone produced it someday. I don't know how they would stage it, but it could be very entertaining. *wink*

Movie Review: Les Miserables

Most of my friends and family, and many of the readers of my blog, know that I am very critical of live theatre. I've been involved in theatre for many years in many roles (I'm talking about acting, directing, writing, stage managing, etc. Although I have also had many roles on stage. *wink*), and I've seen a lot of good theatre and a lot of bad. The first time I saw Les Miserables was in Los Angeles, and I loved it! I loved the music, the set (especially when the barricade comes on), the story, the acting and voices of the performers, and the finale made me cry the ugly cry (as it did my brother who took me to see it). I have seen many touring productions of the musical since then, and regional productions, and I've even seen the high school version performed by a wonderful group of students. The last production wasn't my favorite, and I think I had just become "Les Miserables'd out." That is one of the reasons I was so excited to see the movie. I was looking forward to seeing it in a new and different way.

I was able to see an advanced screening of Les Miserables a week ago. I saw it in a theater full of mostly stage actors - stage actors who love Les Miserables, and were pretty stoked to see it before the general public. I'm sure that most of them, like me, have been anxiously waiting for the movie since it was announced that it was finally coming to the big screen.

I have to say that I wasn't totally impressed. I liked much of the film, and many performances, but there were some aspects of it that disappointed me.

What I Didn't Like:

Okay, first of all, I have to say that I was excited when I heard that the actors were going to film their songs live. I am still glad they did, but because they were able to perform live, I think the songs got lost in the overacting. I felt like some actors put too many unnecessary pauses in the songs, and it made it feel to me like they were overacting. I don't think I will buy the soundtrack, because I didn't feel there were any performances that were better than the versions I already have.

Speaking of overacting, I like Anne Hathaway. I know many people don’t like her acting very much, but I've been one to defend her performances. I think she's a good actress, and I also think she has a nice voice. I loved her rendition of “Somebody to Love” in Ella Enchanted. So I wasn't too disappointed when she was cast as Fantine. I knew she could sing the part. I think she did a good job, until she sang "I Dreamed a Dream." The problem for me was she “acted” to much in the song. Compared to performing on stage, movie acting is very subtle. I felt like Anne was performing to the back row of a live theatre. She did what I call “schmacting.” It was just too over-the-top for me. If she wins an Academy Award for this performance, then I'll know that the members of the Academy like "shmacting" in musicals. *wink*

I was also confused by some of Anne's choices during her big song. In the second verse she sings about her daughter's (Cosette) father: "He slept a summer by my side/He filled my days with endless wonder/He took my childhood in his stride/But he was gone when Autumn came." She pretty much spits out those words in hatred for the man. And then in the next phrase she sings "And still I dream he'll come to me/That we will live the years together." Why would she want to have a man she hated come back into her life? The reason is she really did love him, even though he left her. She was singing of a time when she was happy, and I would have liked to see that in her emotions, not hatred. That's just a personal preference.

I felt like Russell Crowe was all wrong for the part of Javert. He didn't have the right type of voice (especially for singing one of my favorite songs: "Stars"). I also felt like he really didn't want to be doing the part. I felt like he thought it was beneath him to be in a musical. That's just my impression. He may have loved every minute of it. I just didn't get that from his performance. I also hated the way dies.

I didn't like the way the scene in the factory with Fantine was filmed. The actors were looking straight into the camera, as if they were acting to us, the audience. It was very annoying. I'm so glad the rest of the movie wasn't filmed like that. However, there were too many close ups. Sometimes it made me fell claustrophobic, and I'm not generally claustrophobic.

I generally liked Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, and I think he has a decent voice, but I didn't particularly like his rendition of "Bring Him Home." I thought the key was too high for his voice. I think if they had brought the key down a bit, it might not have been so bad. but I felt he was straining the whole way through. It's very unfortunate, because it's such a beautiful song. There is, however one line in the song that has always bothered me: "He's like the son I might have known/If God had granted me a son." Valjean does not even know Marius, he only knows Marius loves Cosette. He doesn't want Marius to take Cosette away from him. In the book, you know that Valjean actually hates Marius. It shows what a good man Valjean is that, although he doesn't like Marius, he's willing to save his life.

I also felt that Amanda Seyfried's songs were a bit too high for her voice. Other than that, I think she did a decent job as Cosette. Although, she really doesn't have that big of a part in the movie.

What I Liked:

The opening scene was quite epic. I'm not sure why Tom Hopper decided to place his convicts on giant ropes trying to bring a giant ship into the dock, but it worked. I liked that Javert makes Valjean move a large, heavy piece of wood that held the French flag, because it is then that Javert notices the inhuman strength that Valjean has, which is so important for him to know later in the film.

I knew that Colm Wilkinson (London's and Broadway's original Jean Valjean) was cast as the Priest, but when he came on screen there was such an exciting feeling throughout the theater. His voice was wonderful, and he played the part perfectly. It was also great to see Francis Ruffelle, the original Eponine, as one of the "Lovely Ladies." Although I didn't recognize her face, because of all the makeup the prostitutes wore, I certainly recognized her voice. I'm so glad the two actors were given parts in the film.

The moment I heard Isabelle Allen sing "There Is a Castle in a Cloud" as young Cosette, I was totally in love with with little girl's voice. It was so clear, and she sang the song so beautifully. The solos before her scene were sung so "big," with many pauses and "over-emoting," and it was so nice to hear someone singing a song straight, and acting so "small," but still bringing emotion into the song.

For the most part I liked the Thenardiers, played by Sasha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter. I especially like Helena Bonham Carter. She brings such eccentricities and subtle touches to her characters. Both of them brought the comedy that they were cast to bring in the mostly depressing story. I didn't like all of "Master of the House." I thought some of it was too vulgar.

I really started enjoying the production when we got to the scenes with the students. "Red and Black" was directed wonderfully, and the actors had great voices. I especially liked Aaron Tveit as Enjolras. He has a great voice, and was excellent in the role.

Samantha Barks was excellent as Eponine. Her rendition of "On My Own" was wonderful. It doesn't hurt that she performed the role in London for many years. She brought just the right amount of pathos, without making you feel too sorry for her.

I liked seeing who the students were fighting. In the stage version the "enemy" is just disembodied voices. In the film, you could see that they were real men who were doing their duty, and there was even one soldier who showed emotion for what they were doing. It was very moving.

Eddie Redmayne was good as Marius, and his "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" was one of the highlights of the movie. I wish Anne Hathaway had seen him perform that song before she filmed "I Dreamed a Dream." It was heartbreaking to see the tears in his eyes at the beginning of the song. He lost so many friends, and not only did they die, he saw them die. You could feel all of that in his song. I also liked how the song "Turning" was very short and it segued nicely into "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables."

There was a wonderful moment that Javert had that was so touching. After the "battle" he goes to the house where the students' bodies are laid out. Among the men is poor little Gavroche. Javert takes a medal off of his uniform and places it on Gavroche. I almost started crying again.

I loved that there were parts from the book in the film that weren't in the stage version, and I think they added a lot to the story. These included:

• Fantine selling her teeth
• Valjean escaping into the covent with Cosette
• The gardner in the convent is Fauchelevent (the man Valjean saved from under the cart earlier in the film) 
• The addition of Marius's Grandfather (and they even gave him a line to sing)
• It is Gavroche, not Eponine, who gives Valjean the letter Marius writes to Cosette

The finale was good. It was well acted, and very touching, especially when Valjean sees Fantine and the Bishop again. It was disappointing that Eponine doesn't come too, as she does in the stage version, and I missed the beautiful harmony that Fantine and Eponine sing. However, it made sense, because Valjean never met Eponine. Why would a girl he never knew come to bring him to heaven, except to sing beautiful harmony? *wink* The only disappointment I had in the finale was I wanted to see those who died in a more ethereal, beautiful place. I didn't particularly want to see them in Paris, where they were all so miserable.

I definitely think the finale in the stage version is more moving.

As a final note (pun intended): Even though there were things I like about the film, I definitely like the musical better on stage. I think that the stage version is more moving, and actors are cast for their singing ability, not for their "bankability."

Lucky Stiff: The Movie Musical

One of my favorite musicals of all time is Lucky Stiff. I have seen about five productions of the musical, and about eight years ago I was in a production of the show. I love everything about it. The story, the music, the characters, the humor. It’s just a great show.

I recently discovered that the musical is being adapted for the big screen. The film stars British newcomer Dominic Marsh as Harry Witherspoon, a young man who stands to inherit millions from his uncle if he follows certain instructions to a “t,” which includes wheeling his uncle’s corpse around Monte Carlo. Nikki M. James plays Annabel Glick, the dog lover who wants to see the fortune go to the dog shelter where she works. Jason Alexander plays Vinnie De Ruzzio, whose sister drags him to Monte Carlo to help her get her hands on the money.

I am so excited to see how well they adapt it to film. I hope they keep all of the songs, and I wouldn't mind if they added a few more. I love the music of Flaherty and Aherns. I also hope that they filmed some of it in Monte Carlo. It’s such a beautifully opulent city.

There are other Broadway musicals that are on their way to the big screen.

The following projects have directors attached to them (however, that doesn't mean all of them will be made):

• Wicked
• Into the Woods (Rob Marshall directing, Meryl Streep rumored to play the Witch)
• Jersey Boys (Jon Favreau directing)
• Spring Awakening
• In the Heights
• American Idiot
• Damn Yankees

The following are rumored to be in the works:

• Gypsy (Barbra Streisand rumored to play Mama Rose)
• Annie (Willow Smith rumored to play Annie)
• Follies
• My Fair Lady (Carey Mulligan rumored to play Eliza)
• Carousel

I am such a sucker for a good musical, and the good thing about a well-made movie musical is I can watch it over and over, unlike musicals in the theatre.

Are you excited about seeing any of these musicals on the big screen?

Les Miserables: Extended First Look

I just get more and more excited for this movie.

First Picture of Angelina as Maleficent

Filming of Maleficent, a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story from the point of view of the evil fairy, has begun. The film tells the story of how Maleficent became evil.

Get a load of those horns. It's interesting how the Disney versions of fairy tale characters become so iconic that you just can't get away from them.

Les Miserables Movie Trailer

This has made a lot of people happy. Including me.



First impressions:

I knew Anne Hathaway could sing, and I am not disappointed in her version of "I Dreamed a Dream." I look forward to hearing the entire song. I just hope I'm not disappointed in her portrayal of Fantine.

I like the look of the film. It isn't too dark, but still shows the grittiness of the poverty of the time.

I think Hugh Jackman is going to be a great Jean Valjean.

I'm so excited to see Samantha Barks as Eponine. I'm sad there was only one shot of her in the trailer. But the trailer seemed to be more about Fantine and Jean Valjean than anyone else.

There are so many great things coming at the end of the year. New TV seasons, new TV series, Doctor Who (with a new companion), and Les Miserables.

Les Miserables: New Pictures

Here is the new poster and a few pictures from the filming of Les Miserables (courtesy collider.com):


Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway as Jean Valjean and Fantine:


Eddie Redmayne as Marius:

First Look at Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean

Filming has begun for Les Miserables, the movie musical, and we have a picture of Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean.


They must be filming Jean Valjean, the convict, not Jean Valjean, the Major.

I have to say that this makes me more excited to see the movie in December. It also makes me excited to see what he looks like after he shaves and cleans up. Well, I know what he looks like, but what he'll look like as Jean Valjean, the changed man.

More Casting News for Les Miserables, the Movie Musical

There were rumors going around that Taylor Swift was cast as Eponine in the movie version of Les Miserables, the musical. There were also many people upset about that rumor. Scratch that, there were people downright angry. I thought, don't judge until you see it.

However, that's all it turned out to be - a rumor. It's been announced that the part of Eponine will be played by Samantha Barks. She has played Eponine in London, and played her in the 25th anniversary concert. 

It's a great choice. She's good. Take a listen.



I'm so glad they are casting stage actors. It will make a big difference.

And if they do cast a country singer in one of the roles, I won't judge until I see it.

Les Miserables: The Movie Musical

Les Miserables the musical is finally going to be Les Miserables the movie.

Many of the main characters have been cast, and there is a bit of controversy with some of the casting, as is expected with a musical that is beloved by so many people.

I don’t, however, want to talk about the casting (although it is listed below) but about something I read that makes me very happy.

“Unlike most film musicals, the cast will record their vocals live on camera rather than go into a studio first then mime on film to a pre-recorded vocal… First they have to learn the complex songs, then they’ll have to get it right on set in from of the other stars and crew.”

Did you get that? The musical numbers (which are basically the whole show) will be filmed live, not prerecorded. When I read that, I almost jumped out of my seat for joy!

One of the great things about live theatre is singing “in the moment.” Singing with the emotions of the moment as you’re actually acting is so different than prerecording the music and then lip-syncing what you sang in the studio and trying to act to that.

This is especially important when the show is a “sung-through” musical, meaning the majority, if not all, of the dialogue is sung, not spoken. Prerecording the musical numbers is like prerecording all of the dialogue in a movie and then lip-syncing the dialogue while you film the scene. It takes all of the spontaneity out of trying new things – to get the best take.

I’m even more excited for this movie to come out!

Cast (according to Internet Movie Database):
Jean Valjean: Hugh Jackman
Inspector Javert: Russell Crowe
Fantine: Anne Hathaway
Cosette: Amanda Seyfried. (rumored)
Marius: Eddie Redmayne
Thenardier: Sacha Baron Cohen (rumored)
Madam Thenardier: Helena Bonham Carter (rumored)
Enjolras: Aaron Tvelt (rumored)