Media Morsels 7.2.10

• John Gallagher, Jr. Interviewed
  Broadway.com recently caught up with Tony winner John Gallagher, Jr., to talk about the beautiful dream he’s living. (Broadwayworld.com also caught up with ensemble member Ben Thompson. Read that article here.) In the Johnny Gallagher interview, this amazing artist talks about creating American Idiot alongside his heroes, Green Day, working on film, the success of his fellow Spring Awakening alumni on Glee and his dreams of opening up for Green Day with his own brand of folk music. I’d go to that concert! (Speaking of Johnny in concert, late this week it was announced that the talented singer-songwriter would play a benefit concert at Ars Nova on July 18. Unfortunately, I can’t go because I’ll be seeing Alice Ripley, Brian d’Arcy James and Jennifer Damiano play their final performance in Next to Normal that night. But, if you’re not hanging out with the Goodmans and you’re in town, please go support Johnny. He’s a talented and passionate performer – not to be missed (without a really good excuse!))
  
  
• You’re Welcome, American Idiot!
  Though theatre award season is over, people are still giving acceptance speeches. Last month Broadway.com users, myself included, voted American Idiot their Favorite Ensemble Cast. (Excellent choice!) This week, the website has a video acceptance speech from the fantastic ensemble – watch now to see all the Idiots, led by linebacker ensemble member Joshua Henry, say thank you. And Idiots, you’re welcome!
  
  
• You’re Welcome, John Gallagher, Jr.
  That’s not the only Broadway.com award awarded to the show: Johnny won an individual award for Favorite Leading Actor in a Musical. I’m telling you, I love this guy: In a “Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee” kind of way, this one eastern gentleman of Delaware thanked his fans, his cast, the band AND the amazing people working backstage who make the show run. John Gallagher, Jr., you make me smile. Stay classy, Delaware.
  
  
• Matt Taibbi on the State of Journalism
  Last week, I mentioned that Matt Taibbi weighed in on his Rolling Stone colleague’s controversial article. This week, Matt shared more thoughts on the state of investigative journalism, this time in response to an editorial from NY Times Op-Ed columnist, David Brooks. Matt hits the nail on the head when he says the problem with “news” coverage has “everything to do with the media business turning into a nihilistic for-profit industry, every bit as amoral and bloodless as oil or banking or big tobacco.” Indeed! The moment news divisions needed to start turning a profit was the moment they lost all their integrity – and chutzpah! Now, as Taibbi points out, they trade in sensational journalism, reaching for headlines that will sell papers rather than those that will shine a light on developments – good and bad – that really matter.
  
  
• Broadway in Bryant Park
  If it’s summer, it’s Broadway in Bryant Park. The lineup for the annual event in, which Broadway (and sometimes off-Broadway) shows perform in Bryant Park, was announced late last week. Among other shows, theatre fans can expect performances from American Idiot (August 12), Next to Normal (July 29) and Fela! (August 5). Read the article on Playbill.com for the full list of shows.
  
  
• Shakespeare in the Park
  And speaking of the summer, parks and New York traditions, Shakespeare in the Park is in full swing. This summer, the Public is presenting The Winter’s Tale and The Merchant of Venice in rep. On Tuesday, my friend and I had the pleasure of taking in The Winter’s Tale. It was very well done, and I can now say I’ve seen Jesse L. Martin (the original Tom Collins in Rent!) and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (a theatre vet, Spelling Bee, and current star of Modern Family – he’s Mitchell) on stage! (Al Pacino is starring as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice so I'm still trying to get tickets to that!) Tickets to Shakespeare in the Park are free; you can wait on line in the park in the morning to try to snag tickets, or, like me, you can join the virtual line and hope to win the drawing. Visit shakespeareinthepark.org for more details.
  
  
• Facebook Goes to the Movies
  It was inevitable: They’ve made a movie about Facebook. More specifically, about its (disputed) creator Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook’s emergence as the preeminent social networking site. You want to hear the good news? The screenplay was written by Aaron Sorkin! This means that even if a movie about writing binary code isn’t your bag, you’re still in for a treat because the discussion of said binary code will be had in Sorkinese, a language known for its articulate, rhythmic and poetic nature. (Trust me, I’m an expert. I speak two languages fluently: English and Sorkinese. I can also say “please,” “thank you” and “good morning” in Greek.) Moreover, The Social Network, as the movie is so cleverly titled, was directed by David Fincher, the one-time music video director who has brought us such great, gritty movies like Seven and Fight Club. And while Brad Pitt (who starred in the two aforementioned movies) is not in The Social Network, Jesse Eisenberg – who popped up at tons of opening nights on the Rialto this spring – and Justin Timberlake are. The first trailer is out now (a little underwhelming, but it’s just a teaser) and the movie opens in October.
  
  
• Glee (and Modern Family) Scoop
  Thought they’re only 22 episodes in, Glee and Modern Family have already been picked up for syndication. Deadline.com and the New York Times are reporting that 20th Century Fox, which makes Glee and Modern Family, has signed syndication deals for each show with NBC Universal cable networks, Oxygen (Glee) and USA (Modern Family). In addition to the syndication rights, the Oxygen deal also includes some Glee-themed reality specials. The reports say that the first Glee reality series/special will be a “Who Wants to be the Next Glee Star” kind of thing. Originally, such a program was going to air as a lead-in to Glee’s season two premiere but creator and executive producer Ryan Murphy says he’s now too busy focusing on the scripted portion of season two to deal with the unscripted, reality shenanigans. Personally, I’d be fine leaving all the unscripted junk in the trunk but that’s not my decision. The syndication deals at this stage in the game are somewhat surprising. Typically, a show has to reach 100 episodes in order to be considered for syndication. (You can’t run two seasons – 44ish episodes – in syndication for very long.) But, since these two shows were smash hits (both have been picked up for second seasons, with Glee even already securing a third) it’s not stunning. Oxygen and USA viewers can expect to see the McKinley High misfits and the colorful peeps in Modern Family on the networks in 2013.