David Bologna leaves Billy Elliot

David Bologna, whose performance as Michael earned him a nomination for a Tony Award in Billy Elliot the Musical, plays his final performance on Sept. 27.

Laura Michelle Kelly and Christian Borle join the cast Mary Poppins

Laura Michelle Kelly, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on the West End, and Christian Borle (Legally Blonde, Spamalot, Footloose) will join the cast of Broadway’s Mary Poppins on Oct. 12 as Mary and Bert.

Six new tribe members for Broadway’s Hair

The Tony-winning revival of Hair welcomed six new cast members to the tribe: Rachel Bay Jones and Ryan Watkinson (Xanadu), Krystal Joy Brown (High School Musical), Heath Calvert (Good Vibrations), Matt DeAngelis (Altar Boyz), Hannah Shankman (Kaspar Hauser) and Ryan Watkinson (Xanadu).

Two new Nalas and two new Simbas for The Lion King

Alphonso Romera Jones II and Marquis Kofi Rodriguez will be stepping into the role of Young Simba, and Shereen Pimentel and Shannon Skye Tavarez into that of Young Nala in Broadway’s The Lion King during the next couple performances.

It’s common for actors to drop out and rotate around as new things start up, but there’s an awful lot of moving around right now. Below is a consolidation of where Broadway is now “stealing” its talent from:

Stolen from other Broadway shows

Actors Savannah Wise and Wesley Taylor are leaving Rock of Ages on September 13 to start preparing for Ragtime and The Addams Family respectively. It’s not all bad though, as Kerry Butler and Tom Lenk will step in to play their first performances in the production on September 18.

Stolen from the West End

Broadway is also borrowing from the West End. Laura Michelle Kelly, who won a 2005 Olivier Award for her title role in Mary Poppins will be crossing the Atlantic to play Mary on Broadway starting on Oct 12.

Stolen from the Silver Screen

Big screen star Antonio Banderas, who stars in the upcoming movie version of Nine, claims he will star in Trevor Nunn’s upcoming production of Zorba, though no official information has been released about the show.

Stolen by a touring show

But one actor, 14-year-old Tommy Batchelor, one of the rotating Billys in Billy Elliot, will be actually leaving the Broadway production on Dec 11 to join the touring version of the show. The tour opens in Chicago on March 18. His Broadway replacement has not yet been announced. Who knows where they’ll steal him from?!

Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd formally known as Benjamin Barker (Johnny Depp) a barber who lived with his beautiful wife and daughter Johanna. However, Judge Turpin was Jealous and wanted his wife and child so therefore got Barker banished to Australia. Years later Barker now known as Todd gets back to London with revenge on his mind. The opening musical number is “There’s No Place Like London” and from then on it is very much a fantastic dark musical with some amusing moments, but it is so dark you do not know whether you should be laughing or not. Which I think is part of Sweeney Todd’s charm, in this film version. As it is a slightly different take on the Broadway/West End show which has had a few different make-overs over the years. But Tim Burton certainly did take on Sweeney Todd in his dark and interesting way.

While the film is not completly in black and white it is very very dark, this then gives blood a very red colour with everything else being dark. I thought this made everything much more artistic, which may seem a strange thing to say about a character who kills people and their bodies get put into pies by Mrs Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter).

I actually went to the cinema to see this film twice and bought the DVD as soon as it came out. Yes I bought the 2-disc addition as I love watching the making of features especially on musicals. I thought Johnny Depp was very good as Sweeney Todd and his singing voice reminded me very much of David Bowie, which is a good thing. I think it was a totally new type of role, as I had never really thought of Johnny as Sweeney.

With being a massive fan of musicals, I was very much looking forward to this coming out and how it would compare to other movie musicals. It really is totally different to other musicals, it does not have a feel good factor to it in the songs, the feel good factor should possibly come from Sweeney getting his revenge on the judge. The love for his family and wanting them back driving his obsession with killing the judge.

Mrs Lovett is a very complex character as well, she is so obviously in love with Sweeney and he does not even notice her at all. Despite her different attempts to get him to love and notice her. Telling him a few lies along the way. Helena Bonham Carter was much better than I could have ever imagined as I really was not expecting much from her, but after watching this and then seeing some of her older roles after watching this film I am quickly becoming a fan of hers.

My favorite song in this film is “A Little Priest” which involves the idea being made of putting bodies in the pies. Involving some very humorous lines and dancing with a meat clever and razor in hand which I just really found brilliant.

Overall, I love the darkness of this film and how everything flows and showing how revenge can drive you insane. Doing anything in the process to help get over the event that occurred, and getting pay back. I think Tim Burton really does have such a unique completing his films and I cannot wait for “Alice in Wonderland”.

I was Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street the other day and that made me think. I noticed that quite a bit of the movie musicals from nowadays are usually se in the past. Take Sweeney Todd for example. It was set during the 1800s. Hairspray is the same way. It was set during the early 1960s. There’s also Chicago, Moulin Rouge!, The Phantom of the Opera, etc. I think that’s part of the reason as to why they’re appealing. I don’t know why, but that’s just what I think.

So … nothing really important opened today which means sadly there’ll be no history lesson on a Broadway classic. There is something as good after the jump though. Enjoy

Since nothing of any real importance opened today, here is “Don’t Stop Believing” from new FOX TV show Glee – starring Broadway fave Matt Morrison and Guilty-One/annoying-Spring-Awakening-fangirl/whatever-they-call-themselves fave Lea Michele:

PS: Yes, Lea Michele certainly can belt up a storm, but seriously … she only has like four Broadway credits: Les Mis, Ragtime, Fiddler (with the AMAZHING Laura Michelle Kelly) and Spring Awakening. Wait for her to create a few more roles before awarding her Broadway diva status. Capiche, annoying fangirls?

PPS: totally psyched to catch Spring Awakening for the first (and the last, since its closing) time this coming Wednesday.

More Twilight casting news today from the bbc. British actor Jamie Campbell-Bower, will join fellow Brit, Robert Pattinson, on the set of New Moon in June.

Jamie will play the role of Caius who is key to the plot of New Moon. He forms part of the triumvirate leading the Italian based coven of vampires called the Volturi.

The second book in the series sees the gang become a threat to lovers Bella and Edward played by Kristin Stewart and Pattinson.

Also in the film are the exciting First Nation Indian actors–Chaske Spencer, Alex Meraz and Bronson Pelletier, who along with Taylor Lautner play the wolf pack that feature very heavily in New Moon’s story line.

It’s great to see a truly international cast being assembled for New Moon. And nice to know Robert Pattinson has a British lad to hang out with and joke and do pranks with on the set of  New Moon, Brit humorous styles. Think Prince Harry escapes from college for varsity holidays to get that picture of wicked no-holes barred humor.

Jamie Campbell-Bower has starred in RockNRolla, Sweeney Todd and also will appear with Sir Ian McCellar and James Caviezel in a remake of the classic, The Prisoner for American TV.

Of his casting in the film, Campbell-Bower says: “I doubt I’ll get the same sort of adulation as Robert – but it’s always nice when people recognise you for your work.”

Jamie will join 15-year-old actress, Dakota Fanning in playing the volturi vampire coven brat pack. Fanning plays Jane a vampiress with psychic abilites.

Sounds star-packed and guaranteed to be a smash box office hit already!

Jamie Campbell-Bower is proof, that its not what you know but who you know, that can get you a start in show biz. He began his professional career when friend Laura Michelle Kelly, who also appears in Sweeney Todd, recommended him to her agent.

In addition to acting, he is also the lead singer in the band The Darling Buds. Campbell Bower was a full-time model with Select Model Management in London.

Know doubt having a great music background, you’ll be seeing Campbell-Bower and Pattinson writing some hit songs on the set of New Moon together. It’s a New Moon jam session not stop with these two and their guitars.

Jamie Campbell Bower - Grunge Fashionista Male Model

Very rock star - Jamie Campbell-Bower, a young Lief Garret or Jon Bon Jovi

With Script Frenzy a mere 26 days away, I figured it might be nice to assemble a dream cast for Dracula, so I did:

My dream Dracula: Michael Therriault

My Dream Mina: Evan Rachel Wood

My Dream Jonathan: James Loye

My Dream Lucy: Laura Michelle Kelly

My Dream Van Helsing: Jérôme Pradon

And there you have it: the central characters in Dracula have been cast in my mind. I might try to cast the other characters (Quincey, Renfield, etc.) in my mind, but these are, to me, the main characters in the storyline.

Titolo originale: Sweeney Todd: The Demon barber of Fleet Street
Nazione: U.S.A.
Anno: 2007
Genere: Musical, Thriller
Durata: 117′
Regia: Tim Burton
Sito ufficiale: http://www.sweeneytoddmovie.com
Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Sacha Baron Cohen, Laura Michelle Kelly, Timothy Spall, Anthony Stewart Head, Jamie Campbell Bower, Anthony Head
Produzione: DreamWorks SKG, Parkes/MacDonald Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures
Distribuzione: Warner Bros.
Data di uscita: 22 Febbraio 2008 (cinema)
Nominations Oscar 2008

Benjamin Barker, accusato ingiustamente di omicidio, viene allontanato dalla moglie e dalla figlia e rinchiuso in prigione. Quando riesce a tornare Londra, vuole a tutti i costi saziare la sua sete di vendetta contro le persone che sono state ingiuste nei suoi confronti, non tanto per la pena che ha dovuto scontare, ma per la sorte che é toccata alla moglie e la figlia. Diventerà così Sweeney Todd, conosciuto come il diabolico barbiere di Fleet Street, e con l’aiuto di Mrs. Lovett, che ha un negozio di torte sotto il suo salone, porterà avanti il suo piano. Tratto dal musical di grande successo di fine anni ‘70 "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street".

Guarda il trailer del film:

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Titolo originale: Sweeney Todd: The demon barber of Fleet Street 

Regia: Tim Burton

Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Sacha Baron Cohen, Laura Michelle Kelly, Timothy Spall, Anthony Stuart Head.

Distribuzione: Warner Bros Italia,  USA-GB, 2007

Guarda il trailer

Benjamin Barker (Johnny Depp) ha tutto: è un famoso barbiere, ha una splendida moglie e una bellissima bimba. Tuttavia la sua felicità avrà vita breve: il giudice Turpin (Alan Rickman), segretamente innamorato della moglie de Barker, lo fa condannare ingiustamente e deportare fuori Londra.

Quindici anni dopo Barker torna nella capitale inglese con una nuova indentità, Sweeney Todd, e una sola missione: vendicarsi…

Difficile scrivere una recensione su questo film in maniera obiettiva, dal momento che Johnny Depp è uno dei miei attori preferiti e Tim Burton uno dei registi che apprezzo di più, ma ci proverò.

Trasposizione cinematografica di un musical di Broadway, Sweeney Todd è una pellicola davvero interessante, che racconta una storia cattiva e senza speranza ambientata nella Londra dell’età vittoriana.

Johnny Depp veste splendidamente i panni di questo personaggio ferito, distrutto dalla malvagità del giudice Turpin, che ha insidiato sua moglie e ha preso con sè la sua bambina, che torna a Londra completamente trasformato dalle ingiustizie subite e che agisce al solo scopo di vendicarsi, diventando uno spietato assassino.

L’aspetto fisico (capelli arruffati, viso pallido) e le armi utilizzate per uccidere (gli adorati rasoi), rimandano al timido Edward Mani di forbice, ma le similitudini si fermano qui, perché Sweeney vuole giustizia a tutti i costi e in lui non sembra esserci più un briciolo di umanità.

Sua complice in questa follia omicida è la signora Lovett, interpretata da una magnifica Helena Bonham Carter, cuoca non proprio eccelsa, i cui pasticci di carne sono i peggiori della città.

Si tratta di un musical cupo, in cui il sangue sgorga copioso, come non era mai accaduto nei film di Tim Burton.

Non ci sono canti e danze in strada, come ci si aspetterebbe in un musical.

Il regista stesso ha definito questa pellicola: “Un film muto con le musiche” e le musiche in questione sono tristi, malinconiche, i testi drammatici e i duetti dimostrano le incomprensioni tra i personaggi (un esempio su tutti “My friends” cantata in duetto da Johnny Depp e Helena Bonham Carter).

 Una sferzata di allegria è introdotta da Adolfo Pirelli, eccentrico barbiere italiano interpretato da “Borat” Sacha Baron Cohen, protagonista di una divertente sfida con Todd. La parlata italo -inglese del personaggio è esilarante (speriamo che tale aspetto non si perda nel doppiaggio italiano).

Sweeney Todd è una pellicola particolare, che si distacca dal “modello Burton classico” e osa spingersi oltre. Molti storceranno il naso, ma è un film eccellente e innovativo, supportato da un cast stellare nel quale spiccano il poliedrico Johnny Depp, vincitore di un Golden Globe come migliore attore per questo ruolo e candidato all’Oscar nella stessa categoria, e la bravissima Helena Bonham Carter, candidata al Golden Globe come migliore attrice protagonista. Fondamentali inoltre le scenografie del nostro Dante Ferretti, candidato all’Oscar.

Non dimentichiamo inoltre che questa pellicola si è aggiudicata il Golden Globe nella categoria “Miglior Film Commedia/Musicale” ed era candidato anche per “Migliore regia”.

Conclusione: Assolutamente da vedere.

Voto: 8

To mark Shrove Tuesday Andrew turned up at the Old Vic wearing his pancake concealer; Phil, as always, was the tosser.

There was a real buzz in the packed auditorium last night and for once not because Andrew’s hearing-aid was on the blink. In fact the buzz was so loud that the Whingers couldn’t hear the Old Vic seats creaking and for a moment they thought that Mr Spacey had finally made time to go round with the can of 2-in-1 oil that the Whingers sent him for Christmas (or meant to send him; we’re not sure now).

Anyway, yes, buzz. Or in the Whingers’ case, mild fretting. The director of Speed-the-Plow is none other than Mr Matthew Warchus and – this being a preview – the Whingers were slightly worried that they might again get told off for writing.

Buzz and fretting gave way to “mild peril” (as the movie posters have it these days) when the house manager appeared onto the stage to announce that the already tardy curtain would be even tardier. Had one of the Hollywood stars – Jeff Goldblum or Kevin Spacey – thrown a hissy fit backstage?

Thankfully, no. The Old Vic was experiencing “technical difficulties beyond our control” which as Helen Smith pointed out was clearly a lie as the curtain did go up and so the technical difficulty must – in the final analysis – have been within their control. Was Mr Spacey, perhaps, just lubricating the last few rows of the stalls, having been told that the Whingers were in the house? Who can say?

So anyway, the Whingers had brought along a sizeable party (coincidentally just enough to effect a group booking which brought the price of the £45 seats down to £25) – some dragged from their sickbeds – to see David Mamet’s 1988 play Speed-the-Plow. Or rather to see the stars in it.

The Whingers were in buoyant mood having discovered that the play was to be performed in 90 minutes without an interval which – even accounting for the delay starting – meant they would be in the bar by 9.15 pm.

Plow (rhymed with Slough not flow) tells the story of two Hollywood producers Bobby Gould (Goldblum) and Charlie Fox (Spacey) joining forces to make a blockbuster movie which will make Spacey very rich and Gould even richer than he already is. But Gould is persuaded by his possibly-ingénue-possibly-not secretary Karen (Laura Michelle Kelly in a role originated on Broadway by Madonna) to dump it in favour of an adaptation of an esoteric, apocalyptic novel that might change the world but which no-one will ever go and see.

Ah, it’s a debate in which the Whingers have often found themselves immersed: commerce versus art. Andrew sees the Whingers as the latter: prophets, arbiters of taste, creative scribes putting the theatrical world to rights.

Phil is more interested in profits and thinks the valuable WEW brand (Did you think we didn’t have one? Wrong) should be prostituted and they should sell themselves to the highest bidder. It’s sad, isn’t it? There’s only one person in the queue to buy Phil.

The Whingers’ arguments are often fast and furious but nothing like some of the fact-paced verbal sparring that happens in S-t-P. The dialogue is very witty (Mamet at his best) and when Goldblum and Spacey are on the stage together it’s often quite mesmerising (not a word you hear on these pages very often).

It’s difficult to know which of the stars to watch as they engage in their frantic, often overlapping dialogue, which even after just a few previews look like they’re completely in control of the material.

But Phil found himself unable to take his eyes off all 8 foot 7 inches (or thereabouts) of Goldblum. He’s so tall and with a leggy elegance that even the rotten sightlines from the 4th row of the Old Vic stalls don’t matter. Even if you’re view is blocked by a head in the row in front of you, you’ll still see everything of Goldblum from the ankles up.

And what a stylish wardrobe! Phil envied the way he can carry off a pair of trousers not to mention those beautifully fitted shirts. The Whingers’ party devoted several minutes of their post-play discussions to Goldblum’s nipples which make several appearances through the wonderful tailoring. Kevin Spacey looks diminutive and shabby by comparison (which is a character thing surely – Ed).

Phil wants to create the Goldblum look and is going to insist Andrew gives him a piggy-back everywhere from now on to give him a few extra inches of verticality. Phil may not cut quite the dash of Jeff but he’s having his trousers tailored to conceal Andrew’s struggling body beneath his, and he thinks he might just about be able to carry it off.

Yes Phil was rhapsodising about Goldblum ad nauseam. In his less-than-humble opinion he thought he made the most impressive West End stage debut by a Hollywood star since John Malkovich graced Burn This or Spacey himself in The Iceman Cometh. “Completely charismatic with tremendous stage presence,” was his gushing “analysis”. But please bear in mind that Phil’s hormones are all in a bit of a tizz at the moment. But unlike Andrew, at least he’s still producing some.

But back to the production: full marks to the anti-writing Matthew Warchus for getting the pace and the performances and it’s just a shame that any of the people involved have to contend with the rather dire second act whose change of pace might look good on paper but drags rather.

The other problem with the play is that the book – The Bridge; or, Radiation, and the Half-Life of Society – just sounds so barking mad and dire that it seems astonishing that Gould would ever even consider it but apparently Mamet thinks it’s a credible alternative.

Anyway, plaudits too to designer Rob Howell for the set which knocks – as does everything else about this production – Swimming with Sharks into a cocked hat.

Conclusion: a veritable hit – that’s three in a row for Spacey (All About My Mother, Cinderella) who is seemingly getting into his stride in his tenure as “artistic” director at the Old Vic. So the Whingers have thrown caution to the wind and booked for Pygmalion starring their dear friend Una Stubbs (right).

“Based on the hit Broadway musical which tells the infamous story of Benjamin Barker, a.k.a Sweeney Todd, who sets up a barber shop down in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett.”-imdb.com

“At last my arm is complete again!”
That it is! Anticipating for the movie for so many years, was more than worth it. If you loved the original, there’s no doubt you will enjoy Tim Burton’s rendition of Sweeney Todd. It’s more gory and beautiful than ever before.

The movie starts off with opening credits that are not much different from those in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory… just replace the liquid chocolate with blood. From the moment the film began I knew I was in for a treat. Johnny Depp (Sweeney) and Jamie Campbell Bower (Anthony) come onto the screen singing. I knew this would be a musical and it was!

The beauty of this film is that it does not loose its essence which makes it a musical. With most musicals-to-screen, some kind of magic gets lost. It’s quite clear that the magic still lives within the story. Although it doesn’t end exactly the way it does with Tobias in the on-stage versions, it is still depressingly beautiful. Even with all of the gore, it is picturesque.

As I left the screening, I heard one young woman say “There was so much blood!” Well, if there wasn’t, Sweeney Todd would not be the demon barber of Fleet street… now would he? Yes there is a lot of blood in the movie. Bright red blood, almost glow in the dark. It paints the canvas a nice red, across the discoloration that thrives throughout the whole film.

Helena Bonham Carter (Mrs. Lovett) takes the trophy with this one. She was fantastic and quite frankly stole the movie from Johnny Depp. Her singing was marvelous and she was delightfully creepy, just as Mrs. Lovett should be!

This film encircles around the themes of love, revenge, and just plain horror. It is a fun movie, full of funny moments and nail biting ones as well.

Though this is not a family film and geared more toward young adults and older, anyone that is a fan of the originals will like this film.

Due to the phenomenal interest in the first Stars and their Websites, it’s back by popular demand.

The West End Whingers have been trawling the Internet purely for your edification:

Who’d have thought Liza Minnelli would have her own site? Well the Whingers would actually. Lots of merchandise in the Liza Store and “PLEASE know how much I love and appreciate YOU” (sic), especially if you keep spending.

Whilst on the subject, WEW were actually looking for Rupert Everett but found David Gest. Download wallpapers of David and his amazing showbiz pals!

Chita Rivera, don’t skip the extremely funky intro. Interact with her in the Chita Chat section.

Shockingly, Miriam Margolyes seems to be touting for work, maybe it’s all gone a bit quiet after Wicked? You can even rent a couple of her properties around the globe. Are things that bad Miriam?

You may wish to turn the sound down for Michael Ball’s intro, but clearly his merchandise (jewellery, T-shirts, beenie hats??) is popular as “we’re busy re-stocking”. It seems money changes everything for Mr Ball.

“The future is bright” for Laura Michelle Kelly claims her website, presumably written before she signed up for The Lord of the Rings – The Musical!

Wayne Sleep modestly displays pictures of himself with the Royals (all female) and celebrities. See Wayne admire tutus with Princess Margaret, see him sandwiched between Shirley Bassey and Liza Minnelli, see him with Neil Kinnock (!) and Bill Oddie (!!)

Richard E Grant is apparently “one of our most cherished actors”. Who knew?

Una Stubbs doesn’t seem to have a website, but does have merchandise (watercolours) with a particular interest in “Our David”, Beckham we presume.

Joan Collins, WEW lay odds you can’t resist clicking on her merchandising and the “competitively priced” Joan Collins Eyewear collection.

Stephanie Beacham Her official website is called Simply Stephanie, (.com not available eh Steph ?) in fact there’s nothing simple about it at all, glorious kitsch, tons of blue silk and a wonderful florid typeface. Understandably proud of her work for the Littlewoods catalogue but not too proud to sell a photograph signed by her and Patrick Stewart (it’s considerably cheaper with simply Stephanie). Does Mr Stewart know the Whingers ask themselves? Don’t forget to sign the guest-book or read what previous (presumably edited) visitors have had to say. If you have only time for one make it Simply Stephanie.

This is an unofficial website of Dame Diana Rigg but you can six degree of separation her to any other actor or actress, great time wasting potential. The Whingers tried it with Thelma Ritter and Bella Emberg. It only took 2 degrees of separation with either of them. Fantastic. Off-topic slightly but should you need a Bella Emberg lookalike, here she is. Sadly no Thelma Ritter lookalikes found – yet.

Alan Cumming the fragrance because we like him and it’s funny.

And Nicholas Hytner is apparently even busier than the Whingers thought.

Happy browsing.