Meryl Streep will play Maria Callas in a filmed version of Terrence McNally’s play Master Class. New York Post's Page Six reported that HBO would start filming in January of 2015. Mike Nichols - who directed Streep in Silkwood, Postcards from the Edge and Angels in America - will team up again with the Oscar-laden actress for this project. Chameleonic Streep has already … [Read more...] about Meryl Streep to play Maria Callas in HBO’s film of McNally’s Master Class
Patti LuPone
Alessandra Ferri’s classy comeback
There are comebacks and comebacks: the rather sad, end-of-the-pier affair, because money's run out and there's alimony to pay; the small cameo 'because I miss the applause'; and Alessandra Ferri. Ferri's various comeback projects are classy with a piece being created for her by Martha Clarke based on Colette's novel Cherì with ABT's Herman Cornejo, a new ballet about … [Read more...] about Alessandra Ferri’s classy comeback
Four artists who influenced Patti LuPone
The Los Angeles Times asked Patti Lupone to name four people who have influenced her artistically: Edith Piaf I'm an Italian and my emotions are just under my skin.... There's just a purity and rawness in her singing that goes straight to my heart and my gut and it always has. There's such expression in her voice. Bette Davis I grew up on Long Island ... and they used to … [Read more...] about Four artists who influenced Patti LuPone
Remembering Arthur Laurents
Playbill's Kenneth Jonesand Adam Hetrick have complied a list of some of the tributes to Arthur Laurents - here are some: Terrence McNally: Arthur always told you what he thought, whether you wanted to hear it or not. This made being his friend challenging. When Arthur liked something, which was not often, his praise was genuine, generous and loud." Patti LuPone: The … [Read more...] about Remembering Arthur Laurents
‘Seven Deadly Sins’ coming back at the New York City Ballet Spring Gala
Balanchine’s ballet “Seven Deadly Sins,” with Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weil’s libretto and score, was premièred by the New York City Ballet in 1958. Balanchine had created a first version of the work 25 years earlier for the Paris season of the short-lived Les Ballets 1933. In the Paris production the dual role of Anna — a young woman who ventures on a geographically … [Read more...] about ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ coming back at the New York City Ballet Spring Gala
Opera News honours Kaufmann, Racette, Te Kanawa, Terfel and Muti at its 6th edition of the Opera Awards
Broadway stars Patti LuPone and Barbara Cook joined director Francis Ford Coppola and playwright John Guare on Sunday to present this year's Opera News Awards. Five artists were recognized for their international musical achievements: German tenor Jonas Kaufmann, American soprano Patricia Racette, New Zealand soprano Kiri Te Kanawa, Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel and … [Read more...] about Opera News honours Kaufmann, Racette, Te Kanawa, Terfel and Muti at its 6th edition of the Opera Awards
As a revival of Terrence McNally’s Master Class opens on Broadway, he talks about his fascination with Maria Callas
Maria Callas was someone I've thought about since I was a very young person when I first heard her voice on the radio growing up in Texas. I fell in love with the sound of her voice. She has fascinated me. And then her life! That kind of inner turmoil of falling in love with and being rejected by one of the richest, most powerful men in the world — it's quite an extraordinary … [Read more...] about As a revival of Terrence McNally’s Master Class opens on Broadway, he talks about his fascination with Maria Callas
Barbra Streisand rumored to be the next Mama Rose in ‘Gypsy’
The role of Mama Rose in "Gypsy" has always attracted great divas, from Ethel Merman to Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly to Patti LuPone. And now comes word that the greatest diva of them all -- Barbra Streisand -- is next in line. Streisand is deep in negotiations to direct, produce and star in a movie version of "Gypsy." Image via Wikipedia She recently cleared a big … [Read more...] about Barbra Streisand rumored to be the next Mama Rose in ‘Gypsy’