Media Morsels 10.11.13


(Scroll down to find out what Zachary Levi's dating dos and don'ts are!)

City.Ballet
I've been telling you about this New York City Ballet documentary series, set to air on AOL, for several months and now we have an official air date: November 4. Beginning then, you'll get a behind the scenes look at what it's like to be a professional ballet dancer. In this article from the Wall Street Journal, the dancers, like principal Teresa Reichlen, and producers, like Sarah Jessica Parker, are quick to point out that this is not some sensationalized reality series. It really is a documentary series, with rehearsal and performance footage mixed with interviews. Tune into AOL On (on.aol.com) beginning November 4 for your chance to see New York's finest dancers. (And head to nycballet.com for more information about the Company and to purchase tickets; the fall season finishes this weekend but tickets for The Nutcracker are now on sale.)

Casting News
Big Fish Opens on Broadway
The splashy new musical, based on the Daniel Wallace novel and John August/Tim Burton film, opened on Sunday night. Big Fish boasts a creative team made up of August (book), Andrew Lippa (score) and Susan Stroman (direction and choreography), and features two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz (Catch Me if You Can, How I Learned to Drive), and Tony nominees Kate Baldwin (Finian's Rainbow) and Bobby Steggert (Assistance). Herein, coverage of the occasion: my review; production stills; red carpet arrivals, part one and part two; curtain call; opening night party; full coverage photos.

All the Way to Broadway
Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston is coming to Broadway with All the Way, a new play, from Robert Schenkkan, about Lyndon Baines Johnson. The play is finishing a smash, sold-out engagement at Boston's American Repertory Theater (ART), which, with Diane Paulus as artistic director, has been a mill for successful Broadway transfers (to wit: Porgy and Bess, The Glass Menagerie). No dates or theatre have been announced, but I will keep you posted. In addition to Cranston (Argo), the ART cast includes Michael McKean (The Best Man), Reed Birney (Uncle Vanya, Picnic), Crystal Dickinson (Clybourne Park) and Arnie Burton (Peter and the Starcatcher), among others. Playbill has more. (And scroll down to "Dig This" for news about Cranston's Breaking Bad costar, Bob Odenkirk.)

If/Then Preview
We got a tantalizing preview of a song from the upcoming If/Then this week. On the show's Facebook page, fans can listen to a clip from "Here I Go," featuring the glorious Idina Menzel. This new musical from team Next to Normal, Tom Kitt (a genius) and Brian Yorkey, is in rehearsals now, under Michael Greif's direction, before heading to DC for an out of town try out. The original musical, which also features Anthony Rapp and LaChanze, will then come back to New York for its Broadway bow at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Broadway previews begin March 4, 2014, with opening night set for March 27. Visit ifthenthemusical.com for more information.

Dig This
  • Aaron Tveit talks to Broadway.com about his upcoming film roles and watching Norbert Leo Butz (his Catch Me if You Can costar) on stage.

  • In the final First Date flirts, star Zachary Levi talks about his dating deal breakers, Forrest Gump and his mesmerizing smile! First Date continues its run at the Longacre Theatre. Visit firstdatethemusical.com to learn more and to purchase tickets.

  • Alex Timbers is keeping busy: his The Last Goodbye just opened in San Diego, he'll direct Rocky on Broadway this spring and it was just announced that he will direct the film, Rosaline, the story of Romeo and Juliet told from Romeo's first love's perspective. Broadway.com has more.

  • Barbra Streisand's "Back to Brooklyn" concert will air on PBS on November 29,  and will be released on CD and DVD the week before. Playbill has details.

  • The documentary film Broadway Idiot is now available. It is playing in select theaters and is also available through various on demand channels. Visit broadwayidiot.com to learn more, and check out these photos from the NYC premiere.

  • Breaking Bad alumnus and all-around funny man Bob Odenkirk has joined the cast of FX's mini series adaptation of Fargo. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator Glenn Howerton is also on board. Hit Fix has more.

  • The Tony Awards are set for June 8, 2014! Nominations will be announced on Tuesday, April 29 (eligibility cut-off is Thursday, April 24), and a limited number of tickets will go on sale to the public on April 30. Read the official press release for more.

  • Variety lists its 10 Actors to Watch, including Dane DeHaan (The Aliens), Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station) and Short Term 12's Brie Larson.

  • Bad Jews, which is playing a return engagement, has extended its run through December 22. Broadway.com has details. (Read my review of last year's Underground production.)

  • The second trailer for David O. Russell's American Hustle was released and it makes me even more excited for the flick. The film is set for a December 13 release, and stars Russell's Silver Linings Playbook stars Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, his The Fighter stars Christian Bale and Amy Adams (looking sexier than ever) and The Hurt Locker star Jeremy Renner. Check it out:

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