Gina Wilhelm Actress - Handspring Puppet Company Wins Tony
Tony Award nominations were announced today (May 3). In addition to the usual nominations, a Special Tony award was announced for Handspring Puppet Company.
Handspring is the Cape Town, South Africa, puppet company that created the incredible horse puppets for the play "War Horse."
The puppets are made of plywood and cane, are operated by 3 puppeteers, move with ashtonishing realism, and are ridden by the actors during the course of the play
The horses are incredibly durable; some from the London run of the play lasted over 1000 performances.
"War Horse" opened on Broadway last month. One reviewer called the play "astonishing" (the play itself is also nominated for a Best Play Tony).
William Kentridge, who had worked with Handspring in the past, also praised the company's work, saying, "you can't stop yourself believing the reality of those horses.
"It's kind of magical."
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Showing posts with label tony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tony. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Tony Awards
Gina Wilhelm Actress - Tony Awards
The 64th Tony Awards were given Sunday night. The ceremony included musical numbers from the nominees for musical and musical revivals.
Among the winners in the actress categories were Catherine Zeta-Jones for leading actress in a musical for her role in the revival of "A Little Night Music."
Scarlett Johansson took home the prize for featured actress in a play for her stage debut in "A View from the Bridge."
Viola Davis won the leading actress in a play prize for her role in the revival of "Fences," while Katie Finneran received the featured actress in a musical award for "Promises, Promises."
"Memphis" won best musical, while "La Cage Aux Folles" won best revival of a musical. "Red" won best play, and "Fences" took home best revival of a play.
Congratulations to all of tonight's winners!
Gina Wilhelm Actress
The 64th Tony Awards were given Sunday night. The ceremony included musical numbers from the nominees for musical and musical revivals.
Among the winners in the actress categories were Catherine Zeta-Jones for leading actress in a musical for her role in the revival of "A Little Night Music."
Scarlett Johansson took home the prize for featured actress in a play for her stage debut in "A View from the Bridge."
Viola Davis won the leading actress in a play prize for her role in the revival of "Fences," while Katie Finneran received the featured actress in a musical award for "Promises, Promises."
"Memphis" won best musical, while "La Cage Aux Folles" won best revival of a musical. "Red" won best play, and "Fences" took home best revival of a play.
Congratulations to all of tonight's winners!
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Acting Workshops with Lonette McKee
Gina Wilhelm Actress - Acting Workshops with Lonette McKee
Lonette McKee is a Tony-nominated actress who has been in such films as "Cotton Club" and "Jungle Fever."
Now she's teaching the Actors Workshop & Workshop 4 Kids in Oak Park, MI. Her students include a nurse, lawyer, a father and daughter.
She also has a student who takes the bus twice a week from a homeless shelter to study with the acclaimed actress.
She also intends to offer the Lonette McKee Actors Workshop in association with the Michigan Academy of the Arts.
Her aim is to make her students able to be self-sufficient actors.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Lonette McKee is a Tony-nominated actress who has been in such films as "Cotton Club" and "Jungle Fever."
Now she's teaching the Actors Workshop & Workshop 4 Kids in Oak Park, MI. Her students include a nurse, lawyer, a father and daughter.
She also has a student who takes the bus twice a week from a homeless shelter to study with the acclaimed actress.
She also intends to offer the Lonette McKee Actors Workshop in association with the Michigan Academy of the Arts.
Her aim is to make her students able to be self-sufficient actors.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Rachel York Wants Those Puppies
Gina Wilhelm Actress - Rachel York Wants Those Puppies
Broadway in Chicago has announced that Rachel York will be playing Cruella de Vil in the new Broadway production of "101 Dalmations."
The musical is an adaptation of the 1956 story by Dodie Smith.
York is a Drama Desk winner who has appeared on the Great White Way in "City of Angels" and "Les Misérables." She also was in "Victor/Victoria" with Dame Julie Andrews.
She has also starred in "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "Sly Fox," and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."
The production team includes Tony Award winning director Jerry Zaks, bookwriter and co-lyricist BT McNicholl, and composer and co-lyricist Dennis DeYoung, who also founded the rock band STYX.
York said that the story was one of her favorites as a child, and Cruella de Vil is one of her all-time favorite characters.
The play also stars 15 real Dalmations, many of which were rescued from animal shelters.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Broadway in Chicago has announced that Rachel York will be playing Cruella de Vil in the new Broadway production of "101 Dalmations."
The musical is an adaptation of the 1956 story by Dodie Smith.
York is a Drama Desk winner who has appeared on the Great White Way in "City of Angels" and "Les Misérables." She also was in "Victor/Victoria" with Dame Julie Andrews.
She has also starred in "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "Sly Fox," and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."
The production team includes Tony Award winning director Jerry Zaks, bookwriter and co-lyricist BT McNicholl, and composer and co-lyricist Dennis DeYoung, who also founded the rock band STYX.
York said that the story was one of her favorites as a child, and Cruella de Vil is one of her all-time favorite characters.
The play also stars 15 real Dalmations, many of which were rescued from animal shelters.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Noises Off in New Jersey
Gina Wilhelm Actress - Noises Off in New Jersey
Michael Frayn's "Noises Off" works best when there is a strong actress playing Dotty Otley, who plays the maid in the play-within-a-play.
Fortunately for the new production at Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, they have Harriet Harris in the demanding role.
Harris won the 2002 Tony for her performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie. She is also known for playing cutthroat agent Bebe Glazer on "Frasier" and had a recurring role on "Desperate Housewives."
However, the show is enjoyable because Harris doesn't dominate the show, and the ensemble pulls off the farce enjoyably.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Michael Frayn's "Noises Off" works best when there is a strong actress playing Dotty Otley, who plays the maid in the play-within-a-play.
Fortunately for the new production at Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, they have Harriet Harris in the demanding role.
Harris won the 2002 Tony for her performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie. She is also known for playing cutthroat agent Bebe Glazer on "Frasier" and had a recurring role on "Desperate Housewives."
However, the show is enjoyable because Harris doesn't dominate the show, and the ensemble pulls off the farce enjoyably.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Friday, August 14, 2009
Chita Rivera Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
Gina Wilhelm Actress - Chita Rivera Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
Actress Chita Rivera was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom along with 15 other recipients at the White House on Wednesday, August 12.
The award is the country's highest award for civilians.
Rivera originated the role of Anita in "West Side Story."
She received Tony awards for her performances in 1993's "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and 1984's "The Rink."
She was also nominated for a Tony for "Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life." That show was also her last appearance on Broadway.
Rivera was the first Latina to receive the Medal of Freedom. She was recognized for "breaking barriers and inspiring a generation of women to follow in her footsteps."
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Actress Chita Rivera was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom along with 15 other recipients at the White House on Wednesday, August 12.
The award is the country's highest award for civilians.
Rivera originated the role of Anita in "West Side Story."
She received Tony awards for her performances in 1993's "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and 1984's "The Rink."
She was also nominated for a Tony for "Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life." That show was also her last appearance on Broadway.
Rivera was the first Latina to receive the Medal of Freedom. She was recognized for "breaking barriers and inspiring a generation of women to follow in her footsteps."
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Thursday, August 13, 2009
David Mamet Remaking "Diary of Anne Frank"
Gina Wilhelm Actress - David Mamet Remaking "Diary of Anne Frank"
David Mamet is writing and directing a new version of "The Diary of Anne Frank" for Disney.
Mamet, of course, is the writer of "Glengarry Glen Ross" and writer and director of "State and Main."
The original stage treatment of the true story of a girl and her family hiding from Nazis was done in 1955 by husband-and-wife writing team Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich.
They won the Pulitzer Prize for their script as well as the Tony for best play.
They also wrote the script for the 1959 film adaptation and the 1967 and 1980 TV movie versions.
The film adaptation earned Shelley Winters an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. She later donated her award to the Anne Frank House museum in Amsterdam.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
David Mamet is writing and directing a new version of "The Diary of Anne Frank" for Disney.
Mamet, of course, is the writer of "Glengarry Glen Ross" and writer and director of "State and Main."
The original stage treatment of the true story of a girl and her family hiding from Nazis was done in 1955 by husband-and-wife writing team Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich.
They won the Pulitzer Prize for their script as well as the Tony for best play.
They also wrote the script for the 1959 film adaptation and the 1967 and 1980 TV movie versions.
The film adaptation earned Shelley Winters an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. She later donated her award to the Anne Frank House museum in Amsterdam.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Monday, June 8, 2009
Angela Lansbury Wins Fifth Tony
Gina Wilhelm Actress - Angela Lansbury Wins Fifth Tony
Sunday night's Tony ceremony didn't provide too many surprises, but one nice element is that Angela Lansbury won her fifth Tony for her performance as Madame Arcati in "Blithe Spirit."
She ties for the most Tonys with Julie Harris.
All of Harris' Tonys are for Leading Actress in a Play.
Four of Lansbury's Tonys are for Leading Actress in a Musical. This one, her latest, is for Best Featured Actress in a Play. She received a standing ovation when she got her award.
She was also nominated in 2007 for a Best Leading Actress in a Play for "Deuce," but did not win.
Her other wins were for "Mame," "Dear World," "Gypsy," and "Sweeney Todd."
Harris also won a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.
Later in the evening, Lansbury presented a lifetime achievement award herself to Jerry Herman, composer of "Hello, Dolly!" and "Mame."
In her acceptance speech, Lansbury said ""Who knew that (at) this time in my life that I should be presented with this lovely, lovely award. I feel deeply grateful."
In other actress highlights, Liza Minelli won the award for special theatrical event for her production "Liza's at the Palace."
In her speech, Minelli thanked her parents for "the greatest gift they ever gave me, Kay Thompson," her godmother.
Minelli recreated part of Thompson's club act in her show.
The award for Featured Actress in a Musical went to Karen Olivo for her portrayal of Anita in "West Side Story."
Olivo was profiled earlier in this blog.
Alice Ripley received the Lead Actress in a Musical prize for her turn in "Next to Normal." Ripley plays a woman dealing with bipolar disorder.
Marcia Gay Harden received the Lead Actress in a Play award for "God of Carnage."
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Sunday night's Tony ceremony didn't provide too many surprises, but one nice element is that Angela Lansbury won her fifth Tony for her performance as Madame Arcati in "Blithe Spirit."
She ties for the most Tonys with Julie Harris.
All of Harris' Tonys are for Leading Actress in a Play.
Four of Lansbury's Tonys are for Leading Actress in a Musical. This one, her latest, is for Best Featured Actress in a Play. She received a standing ovation when she got her award.
She was also nominated in 2007 for a Best Leading Actress in a Play for "Deuce," but did not win.
Her other wins were for "Mame," "Dear World," "Gypsy," and "Sweeney Todd."
Harris also won a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.
Later in the evening, Lansbury presented a lifetime achievement award herself to Jerry Herman, composer of "Hello, Dolly!" and "Mame."
In her acceptance speech, Lansbury said ""Who knew that (at) this time in my life that I should be presented with this lovely, lovely award. I feel deeply grateful."
In other actress highlights, Liza Minelli won the award for special theatrical event for her production "Liza's at the Palace."
In her speech, Minelli thanked her parents for "the greatest gift they ever gave me, Kay Thompson," her godmother.
Minelli recreated part of Thompson's club act in her show.
The award for Featured Actress in a Musical went to Karen Olivo for her portrayal of Anita in "West Side Story."
Olivo was profiled earlier in this blog.
Alice Ripley received the Lead Actress in a Musical prize for her turn in "Next to Normal." Ripley plays a woman dealing with bipolar disorder.
Marcia Gay Harden received the Lead Actress in a Play award for "God of Carnage."
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Elisabeth Moss, Cipher
Gina Wilhelm Actress - Elisabeth Moss, Cipher
Elisabeth Moss is a woman of contradictions. She plays a tightly controlled secretary-turned-copywriter on "Mad Men," yet she has to have a sign reminding her to lock her apartment door.
She recently appeared in David Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow" on Broadway, in which every word must be spoken as it appears on the page, but she's currently filming a Judd Apatow movie.
Apatow's movies relay heavily on improvisational work by their actors. In this one, "Get Him to the Greek," she stars opposite Jonah Hill.
She also wants to be taken seriously and not just trade on her looks. Luckily then, perhaps, her "Mad Men" character, Peggy, doesn't get to be very dolled-up.
The show's creator, Matthew Weiner, is impressed with her work. He says it's very instinctive for her.
"She works hard, but I think she also works hard to hide it. Either that, or she’s an alien."
Moss is thrilled that television critics can't understand Peggy. “That makes the performance more interesting,” she says.
Perhaps that makes her own contradictions more understandable.
Moss worked on "Speed-the-Plow" over the filming hiatus for "Mad Men." Weiner had encouraged her to do theater with the thought that she would do a workshop.
Instead, she performed in a Tony-nominated Broadway production.
Moss has been performing since an early age. At 10, she played Baby June in a television movie of "Gypsy" starring Bette Midler.
As a youngster, she was more focused on dancing than acting. She thinks this was good for her. She wasn't the 9-year-old whose whole life focused on getting a single part.
“We all know that 9-year-old, and she’s not a pretty picture,” Moss adds.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Elisabeth Moss is a woman of contradictions. She plays a tightly controlled secretary-turned-copywriter on "Mad Men," yet she has to have a sign reminding her to lock her apartment door.
She recently appeared in David Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow" on Broadway, in which every word must be spoken as it appears on the page, but she's currently filming a Judd Apatow movie.
Apatow's movies relay heavily on improvisational work by their actors. In this one, "Get Him to the Greek," she stars opposite Jonah Hill.
She also wants to be taken seriously and not just trade on her looks. Luckily then, perhaps, her "Mad Men" character, Peggy, doesn't get to be very dolled-up.
The show's creator, Matthew Weiner, is impressed with her work. He says it's very instinctive for her.
"She works hard, but I think she also works hard to hide it. Either that, or she’s an alien."
Moss is thrilled that television critics can't understand Peggy. “That makes the performance more interesting,” she says.
Perhaps that makes her own contradictions more understandable.
Moss worked on "Speed-the-Plow" over the filming hiatus for "Mad Men." Weiner had encouraged her to do theater with the thought that she would do a workshop.
Instead, she performed in a Tony-nominated Broadway production.
Moss has been performing since an early age. At 10, she played Baby June in a television movie of "Gypsy" starring Bette Midler.
As a youngster, she was more focused on dancing than acting. She thinks this was good for her. She wasn't the 9-year-old whose whole life focused on getting a single part.
“We all know that 9-year-old, and she’s not a pretty picture,” Moss adds.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Get Ready for the Tonys
KaGina Wilhelm Actress - Get Ready for the Tonys
The Tony Award ceremony will air Sunday night at 8 p.m. on CBS. Before the awards are handed out, Linda Winer of newsday.com looked at several magic moments from this year on Broadway.
Among the actress-related highlights was the confrontation between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots in "Mary Stuart."
The powerful meeting reveals both the courage and insecurity in both queens.
Lauren Ambrose received plaudits for her performance in "Exit the King." In it, she believes that she "love the life back into" Geoffrey Rush's titular king.
Winer feels Kristin Scott Thomas has been wrongly overlooked for her work in the revival of "The Seagull."
Pia Glenn's work in Will Ferrell's "You're Welcome, America, A Final Night with George W. Bush" also deserves some appreciation.
Glenn received the Astaire Award for best female dancer for her turn as the disco-dancing Condoleezza Rice.
Finally, Winer highlights Angela Lansbury's work as Madame Arcati in the revival of "Blithe Spirit." Lansbury is nominated for a Tony for this work. Tomorrow we'll see if she wins!
Gina Wilhelm Actress
The Tony Award ceremony will air Sunday night at 8 p.m. on CBS. Before the awards are handed out, Linda Winer of newsday.com looked at several magic moments from this year on Broadway.
Among the actress-related highlights was the confrontation between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots in "Mary Stuart."
The powerful meeting reveals both the courage and insecurity in both queens.
Lauren Ambrose received plaudits for her performance in "Exit the King." In it, she believes that she "love the life back into" Geoffrey Rush's titular king.
Winer feels Kristin Scott Thomas has been wrongly overlooked for her work in the revival of "The Seagull."
Pia Glenn's work in Will Ferrell's "You're Welcome, America, A Final Night with George W. Bush" also deserves some appreciation.
Glenn received the Astaire Award for best female dancer for her turn as the disco-dancing Condoleezza Rice.
Finally, Winer highlights Angela Lansbury's work as Madame Arcati in the revival of "Blithe Spirit." Lansbury is nominated for a Tony for this work. Tomorrow we'll see if she wins!
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Queens and Tonys
Gina Wilhelm Actress - Queens and Tonys
There are two queens in the play "Mary Stuart." And both are nominated for Tonys.
Janet McTeer, who plays the title character, says it's not fun having to compete with her costar.
Both McTeer and costar Harriet Walter, who plays Queen Elizabeth I, would love to see director Phyllida Lloyd win, however.
Both actresses will compete this Sunday against Marcia Gay Harden and Hope Davis in "God of Change" and Jane Fonda for her work in "33 Variations."
McTeer has already won once for this show, a Drama Desk Award. She also has a previous Tony for her role in "A Doll's House" in 1997.
She did receive an Oscar nomination for "Tumbleweeds" in 1999, but she has preferred to remain a private person with a private life, something she didn't feel she'd get in Hollywood.
She also got into the movies late by Hollywood standards; she didn't start until her late 30s.
She's the niece of actor Christopher Lee, who played Dracula in the Hammer Horror films.
He more recently played Count Dooku in the more recent "Star Wars" films and Saruman in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
That isn't what got McTeer into acting, though. She was inspired by watching Hayley Mills in "The Parent Trap."
She also insists that there won't be offstage enmity between Walter and herself over the nomination, nor will there be should one of them win the Tony.
"Nobody would ask us that if we were men," she points out.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
There are two queens in the play "Mary Stuart." And both are nominated for Tonys.
Janet McTeer, who plays the title character, says it's not fun having to compete with her costar.
Both McTeer and costar Harriet Walter, who plays Queen Elizabeth I, would love to see director Phyllida Lloyd win, however.
Both actresses will compete this Sunday against Marcia Gay Harden and Hope Davis in "God of Change" and Jane Fonda for her work in "33 Variations."
McTeer has already won once for this show, a Drama Desk Award. She also has a previous Tony for her role in "A Doll's House" in 1997.
She did receive an Oscar nomination for "Tumbleweeds" in 1999, but she has preferred to remain a private person with a private life, something she didn't feel she'd get in Hollywood.
She also got into the movies late by Hollywood standards; she didn't start until her late 30s.
She's the niece of actor Christopher Lee, who played Dracula in the Hammer Horror films.
He more recently played Count Dooku in the more recent "Star Wars" films and Saruman in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
That isn't what got McTeer into acting, though. She was inspired by watching Hayley Mills in "The Parent Trap."
She also insists that there won't be offstage enmity between Walter and herself over the nomination, nor will there be should one of them win the Tony.
"Nobody would ask us that if we were men," she points out.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Cady Huffman, Pirate Wench
Gina Wilhelm Actress - Cady Huffman, Pirate Wench
Cady Huffman is used to playing big, athletic, sexy women. Now she's in Boston playing Ruth in “Pirates! (Or, Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder’d).”
The show is a re-imagining of "The Pirates of Penzance." She likens this version of Ruth, a pirate wench, to herself. She's a loud, funny tomboy.
She calls the show "raucous and sexy." It takes place in the Caribbean and centers on a group of cursed pirates who must marry virgins to leave piracy behind.
In addition to rehearsing the play, she was able to film a small part in the movie "The Company Men," which just happened to be shooting in Boston at the same time.
"It was the best luck," she says. She filmed a scene with Ben Affleck and another one with Chris Cooper.
She was also able to catch a Red Sox game with her husband. Rehearsing the play and filming haven't left the couple much time together, but they were able to enjoy the game.
Huffman doesn't do roles that are demeaning or to which she has no connection. She says she likes finding out what makes her characters "tick."
She says that career diversity has always been a goal for her. Looking at her resume, that's obvious.
Most notably winning the Tony for her performance as Ulla in "The Producers," she has also appeared on stage in Bob Fosse's "Big Deal" and the original production of "La Cage Aux Folles."
On television, she's appeared in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "One Life to Live."
On film, she's been in "Romance & Cigarettes," "The Nanny Diaries," and the upcoming movie "Dare."
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Cady Huffman is used to playing big, athletic, sexy women. Now she's in Boston playing Ruth in “Pirates! (Or, Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder’d).”
The show is a re-imagining of "The Pirates of Penzance." She likens this version of Ruth, a pirate wench, to herself. She's a loud, funny tomboy.
She calls the show "raucous and sexy." It takes place in the Caribbean and centers on a group of cursed pirates who must marry virgins to leave piracy behind.
In addition to rehearsing the play, she was able to film a small part in the movie "The Company Men," which just happened to be shooting in Boston at the same time.
"It was the best luck," she says. She filmed a scene with Ben Affleck and another one with Chris Cooper.
She was also able to catch a Red Sox game with her husband. Rehearsing the play and filming haven't left the couple much time together, but they were able to enjoy the game.
Huffman doesn't do roles that are demeaning or to which she has no connection. She says she likes finding out what makes her characters "tick."
She says that career diversity has always been a goal for her. Looking at her resume, that's obvious.
Most notably winning the Tony for her performance as Ulla in "The Producers," she has also appeared on stage in Bob Fosse's "Big Deal" and the original production of "La Cage Aux Folles."
On television, she's appeared in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "One Life to Live."
On film, she's been in "Romance & Cigarettes," "The Nanny Diaries," and the upcoming movie "Dare."
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tony Nominee's Pedigree
Gina Wilhelm Actress - Tony Nominee's Pedigree
Karen Olivo received her first Tony nomination yesterday for actress in a featured role in a musical for her portrayal of Anita in "West Side Story."
It's just another accomplishment for this young actress, a former student of the Harrison School for the Arts and alumna of the Theatre Winter Haven in Winter Haven, FL.
Olivo had actually played Anita before, at Theatre Winter Haven. The producing director of that theater group remembers her as "steady, committed, and talented."
She started acting when she was about 13, appearing in a children's production of "The Magician's Nephew."
She actually started acting after her older did it.
She got a $500 scholarship from Theatre Winter Haven for promising high schoolers pursuing a career in the arts.
Since leaving Florida, she has lived in the Bronx for the last 13 years. This is her fourth Broadway play.
She has also been in "Rent," "Brooklyn," and "In the Heights."
"In the Heights" did win a Drama Desk Award for outstanding ensemble performance.
The Tony Awards will be announced June 7 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Karen Olivo received her first Tony nomination yesterday for actress in a featured role in a musical for her portrayal of Anita in "West Side Story."
It's just another accomplishment for this young actress, a former student of the Harrison School for the Arts and alumna of the Theatre Winter Haven in Winter Haven, FL.
Olivo had actually played Anita before, at Theatre Winter Haven. The producing director of that theater group remembers her as "steady, committed, and talented."
She started acting when she was about 13, appearing in a children's production of "The Magician's Nephew."
She actually started acting after her older did it.
She got a $500 scholarship from Theatre Winter Haven for promising high schoolers pursuing a career in the arts.
Since leaving Florida, she has lived in the Bronx for the last 13 years. This is her fourth Broadway play.
She has also been in "Rent," "Brooklyn," and "In the Heights."
"In the Heights" did win a Drama Desk Award for outstanding ensemble performance.
The Tony Awards will be announced June 7 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tony Award Nominations Announced
Gina Wilhelm Actress - Tony Award Nominations Announced
The nominees for the 2009 American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards were announced Tuesday.
Among the nominees for leading actress in a play were Hope Davis and Marcia Gay Harden for "God of Carnage," Janet McTeer and Harriet Walter for "Mary Stuart," and Jane Fonda for "33 Variations."
Fonda's performance was discussed previously in this blog in March.
Leading actress in a musical nominees were Sutton Foster in "Shrek the Musical," Allison Janney in "9 to 5: The Musical," Alice Ripley in "Next to Normal," and Josefina Scaglione in "West Side Story."
Rounding out the leading actress in a musical nominations is Stockard Channing for "Pal Joey." Her work in that show was discussed in this blog in January.
For best featured actress in a play, the nominees are Hallie Foote in "Dividing the Estate," Jessica Hynes and Amanda Root in "The Norman Conquests," and Marin Ireland in "reasons to be pretty."
Finishing out those nominations is the legendary Angela Lansbury in "Blithe Spirit."
The featured actresses in a musical nominees are Jennifer Damiano for "Next to Normal," Haydn Gwynne and Carole Shelley for "Billy Elliot, The Musical", and Karen Olivo in "West Side Story."
Completing the nominations for featured musical actress is Martha Plimpton in "Pal Joey."
Gina Wilhelm Actress
The nominees for the 2009 American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards were announced Tuesday.
Among the nominees for leading actress in a play were Hope Davis and Marcia Gay Harden for "God of Carnage," Janet McTeer and Harriet Walter for "Mary Stuart," and Jane Fonda for "33 Variations."
Fonda's performance was discussed previously in this blog in March.
Leading actress in a musical nominees were Sutton Foster in "Shrek the Musical," Allison Janney in "9 to 5: The Musical," Alice Ripley in "Next to Normal," and Josefina Scaglione in "West Side Story."
Rounding out the leading actress in a musical nominations is Stockard Channing for "Pal Joey." Her work in that show was discussed in this blog in January.
For best featured actress in a play, the nominees are Hallie Foote in "Dividing the Estate," Jessica Hynes and Amanda Root in "The Norman Conquests," and Marin Ireland in "reasons to be pretty."
Finishing out those nominations is the legendary Angela Lansbury in "Blithe Spirit."
The featured actresses in a musical nominees are Jennifer Damiano for "Next to Normal," Haydn Gwynne and Carole Shelley for "Billy Elliot, The Musical", and Karen Olivo in "West Side Story."
Completing the nominations for featured musical actress is Martha Plimpton in "Pal Joey."
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Remembering Marilyn Cooper
Gina Wilhelm Actress - Remembering Marilyn Cooper
Marilyn Cooper, Tony winner in 1981 for "Woman of the Year," passed away yesterday.
She was actually able to steal some of Lauren Bacall's focus in that show, singing a duet with Bacall and stopping the show with her punchlines.
Cooper's career stretched back in 1956 in "Mr. Wonderful." She also played Rosalie in the original production of "West Side Story."
She appeared in "I Can Get it for You Wholesale" and "Mame" as well as playing a number of roles in the Comden and Green (and Jules Styne and Aurthur Laurents" musical "Hallelujah, Baby!"
In the 1970s, she was in "On the Town," "Two by Two," and "Ballroom."
She also did a few straight plays in the '70s, frequently in Neil Simon shows. She was in "Broadway Bound" and "The Odd Couple."
Cooper originated the role of Agnes in "Gypsy," the Hollywood Blonde who develops a close friendship with stripper Tessie Tura.
She will be missed.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Marilyn Cooper, Tony winner in 1981 for "Woman of the Year," passed away yesterday.
She was actually able to steal some of Lauren Bacall's focus in that show, singing a duet with Bacall and stopping the show with her punchlines.
Cooper's career stretched back in 1956 in "Mr. Wonderful." She also played Rosalie in the original production of "West Side Story."
She appeared in "I Can Get it for You Wholesale" and "Mame" as well as playing a number of roles in the Comden and Green (and Jules Styne and Aurthur Laurents" musical "Hallelujah, Baby!"
In the 1970s, she was in "On the Town," "Two by Two," and "Ballroom."
She also did a few straight plays in the '70s, frequently in Neil Simon shows. She was in "Broadway Bound" and "The Odd Couple."
Cooper originated the role of Agnes in "Gypsy," the Hollywood Blonde who develops a close friendship with stripper Tessie Tura.
She will be missed.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Anne Hathaway to Play Judy Garland
Gina Wilhelm Actress - Anne Hathaway to Play Judy Garland
Anne Hathaway has been cast to star on stage and screen as Judy Garland.
The star of "Rachel Getting Married" will be in the adaptation of Gerald Clarke's "Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows."
Clarke wrote the biography that was the basis for the film "Capote."
Both the stage and film versions will be produced by the Weinstein Company.
Garland never appeared in a Broadway musical, though she did win an honorary Tony for her contribution to the revival of vaudeville.
Hathaway has also never appeared on Broadway, though she appeared in a concert version of "Carnival" opposite Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell.
This summer she will appear in Public Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park production of "Twelfth Night," which will appear in New York's Central Park.
It's unclear at this point whether Hathaway will do her own singing.
Clarke's book is based in part on an unfinished autobiography written by Garland.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Anne Hathaway has been cast to star on stage and screen as Judy Garland.
The star of "Rachel Getting Married" will be in the adaptation of Gerald Clarke's "Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows."
Clarke wrote the biography that was the basis for the film "Capote."
Both the stage and film versions will be produced by the Weinstein Company.
Garland never appeared in a Broadway musical, though she did win an honorary Tony for her contribution to the revival of vaudeville.
Hathaway has also never appeared on Broadway, though she appeared in a concert version of "Carnival" opposite Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell.
This summer she will appear in Public Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park production of "Twelfth Night," which will appear in New York's Central Park.
It's unclear at this point whether Hathaway will do her own singing.
Clarke's book is based in part on an unfinished autobiography written by Garland.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Remembering Eartha Kitt
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Eartha Kitt passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 81. She had continued performing up until her final days.
Among her many, many claims to fame were her portrayal of Catwoman on the "Batman" TV show and her recording of "Santa Baby," made in 1954, which is still played every Christmas.
Orson Welles once called the actress the "most exciting woman in the world."
She was nominated for a Tony for her performance in 1978's "Timbuktu!," an African-American take on the earlier play "Kismet."
She was still on Broadway in the 2003 revival of "Nine." In 2006 she appeared off-Broadway in "Mimi le Duck."
She also released an album in 2006, "Eartha Kitt: Live at the Carlyle."
After a harrowing childhood, Eartha struck out on her own as a teenager, eventually joining the Katherine Dunham Company, which took her on tour to Europe, where she was discovered by Orson Welles.
On returning to New York, she performed at the Village Vanguard, which led to her being cast in "The New Faces of 1952."
She was always outspoken, which as often happens, caused her to have some career problems when she made some anti-war comments at a White House luncheon in 1968.
She returned to Europe for a few years after that, as it was hard for her to get work in the US (The comments reportedly made Lady Bird Johnson cry).
Ms. Kitt wrote three autobiographies and was doing voice over work into 2007. She also appeared in the film "And Then Came Love" in 2007.
One-of-a-kind, she will be missed.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Eartha Kitt passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 81. She had continued performing up until her final days.
Among her many, many claims to fame were her portrayal of Catwoman on the "Batman" TV show and her recording of "Santa Baby," made in 1954, which is still played every Christmas.
Orson Welles once called the actress the "most exciting woman in the world."
She was nominated for a Tony for her performance in 1978's "Timbuktu!," an African-American take on the earlier play "Kismet."
She was still on Broadway in the 2003 revival of "Nine." In 2006 she appeared off-Broadway in "Mimi le Duck."
She also released an album in 2006, "Eartha Kitt: Live at the Carlyle."
After a harrowing childhood, Eartha struck out on her own as a teenager, eventually joining the Katherine Dunham Company, which took her on tour to Europe, where she was discovered by Orson Welles.
On returning to New York, she performed at the Village Vanguard, which led to her being cast in "The New Faces of 1952."
She was always outspoken, which as often happens, caused her to have some career problems when she made some anti-war comments at a White House luncheon in 1968.
She returned to Europe for a few years after that, as it was hard for her to get work in the US (The comments reportedly made Lady Bird Johnson cry).
Ms. Kitt wrote three autobiographies and was doing voice over work into 2007. She also appeared in the film "And Then Came Love" in 2007.
One-of-a-kind, she will be missed.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Everything's Coming Up Kristin Chenoweth
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Kristin Chenoweth, star of stage and screen, may be losing her TV show, but she's not slowing down.
The 40-year-old actress has appeared on "Pushing Daisies" the last two seasons. ABC hasn't renewed the program. Instead, she will be appearing in a new David E. Kelley show, "Legally Mad."
Additionally, she can be seen now playing a spiteful ex-cheerleader sister to Reese Witherspoon in "Four Christmases."
She was able to translate that seasonal movie into a new album of Christmas songs, "A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas."
On top of that, she's currently providing a voice in the straight-to-DVD Disney film "Tinkerbell" and sang in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.
She's working nearly constantly, doing ongoing concert performances. She's also well known for originating the role of Glinda in "Wicked" and won a Tony for her portrayal of Sally in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Kristin Chenoweth, star of stage and screen, may be losing her TV show, but she's not slowing down.
The 40-year-old actress has appeared on "Pushing Daisies" the last two seasons. ABC hasn't renewed the program. Instead, she will be appearing in a new David E. Kelley show, "Legally Mad."
Additionally, she can be seen now playing a spiteful ex-cheerleader sister to Reese Witherspoon in "Four Christmases."
She was able to translate that seasonal movie into a new album of Christmas songs, "A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas."
On top of that, she's currently providing a voice in the straight-to-DVD Disney film "Tinkerbell" and sang in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.
She's working nearly constantly, doing ongoing concert performances. She's also well known for originating the role of Glinda in "Wicked" and won a Tony for her portrayal of Sally in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Evan Rachel Wood to Appear on Stage
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Evan Rachel Wood is going to be playing Mary Jane in the upcoming musical version of "Spider-Man." Wood is currently appearing in "The Wrestler" and starred in "Across the Universe."
No Spider-Man has been cast yet, but it's rumored that Jim Sturgess, who also starred in "Across the Universe" is up for the role.
The play will be directed by Julie Taymor, who also directed "Across the Universe." She also won a Tony for her direction of the stage version of Disney's "The Lion King."
The songs are being written by U2's Bono and The Edge.
Rehearsals begin in June.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
Evan Rachel Wood is going to be playing Mary Jane in the upcoming musical version of "Spider-Man." Wood is currently appearing in "The Wrestler" and starred in "Across the Universe."
No Spider-Man has been cast yet, but it's rumored that Jim Sturgess, who also starred in "Across the Universe" is up for the role.
The play will be directed by Julie Taymor, who also directed "Across the Universe." She also won a Tony for her direction of the stage version of Disney's "The Lion King."
The songs are being written by U2's Bono and The Edge.
Rehearsals begin in June.
Gina Wilhelm Actress
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