What to do in Oklahoma on March 25
Grandpa (Randall Hunter) plays the harmonica for his grandson Henry (Braden Sayers) in the Jewel Box Theatre production of ” Call Me Henry.” (Photo by Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman)
Today’s featured event:
See the Jewel Box Theatre production of the family drama “Call Me Henry” at 8 tonight at the theater, 3700 N Walker. The play is in the midst of its world premiere run.
“Call Me Henry” won the best original play award in Jewel Box’s 2006 screenwriting contest. Set in 1947, Woody Eney’s play centers on a grandfather, his son and grandson, all of whom are named Henry. The eldest Henry and his grandson have a close relationship, but the middle Henry is a workaholic who has little time for his son.
For more information, including additional performances, go to www.jewelboxtheatre.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Zac Efron won’t be getting “Footloose”
Zac Efron (Associated Press photo)
“High School Musical” star Zac Efron won’t be starring in the remake of the 1984 movie musical “Footloose,” according to several online sources, including EW.com.
Efron was attached to the project for more than a year and was set to play the starring role originated by Kevin Bacon.
Paramount confirmed Monday that Efron has danced away from the remake, but vowed to go on without the young star’s proven song-and-dance talents.
“‘Footloose’ is a project we’ve longed to see re-booted for a new generation. While Zac is no longer attached, we remain excited and committed to the collective brain trust of Kenny Ortega, Neil Meron and Craig Zaden, who will reinvigorate the franchise. Their fresh take on the film will undoubtedly be filled with the same kind of breakout performances that we’ve come to expect from them,” Paramount said in a statement quoted by EW.com.
But it’s hard to imagine who will replace Efron in the remake, unless “HSM” mastermind Ortega turns to another talent in his stable of Disney Channel stars, Lucas Grabeel or maybe Corbin Bleu is Paramount is willing to go with color-blind casting. It’s not like there are that many proven song-and-dance actors who could pass for high schoolers floating around Hollywood these days.
Reportedly, Efron decided to leave “Footloose” so he could avoid being typecast as a musical man after his break out in the “HSM” franchise and his subsequent success in the remake of “Hairspray.” It’s a logical reasoning on his part, but it makes you wonder why he signed on for “Footloose” in the first place.
Efron will next appear with Matthew Perry and Leslie Mann in the comedy “17 Again,” due in theaters April 17.
-BAM
Anne Hathaway to play Judy Garland in biopic
Anne Hathaway sings with Hugh Jackman at the 2009 Oscars. (Associated Press photo)
Anne Hathaway, who was nominated for an Oscar this year for her starring role in “Rachel Getting Married,” is set to play iconic entertainer Judy Garland in an upcoming biopic.
The Weinstein Co. has confirmed that Hathaway will play the legendary singer/actress in “”Get Happy,” the film version of Gerald Clarke’s biography of the same name, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Hathaway definitely has the acting chops to play Garland, who became a film and singing star at a young age, was troubled by addiction and relationship issues, and died at the age of 47 of an accidental drug overdose.
And while she doesn’t have much experience with musicals, Hathaway put everyone on notice that she can sing last month during the Oscars, when she held her own with song-and-dance man Hugh Jackman in the ceremony’s opening number.
After seeing that performance, I think this is solid casting with potential for greatness.
- BAM
Neal McCoy to perform at inaugural Celebration of Freedom in Hobart
Neal McCoy
Country singer Neal McCoy will perform at the inaugural Celebration of Freedom, an event promoting patriotism and honoring those who have made freedom possible, May 23 in Hobart.
According to a news release, McCoy will provide entertainment at the event, which also will celebrate the grand opening of the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum of Leadership, Patriotism and Service in Hobart.
Mark your calendars and plan on attending the inaugural Celebration of Freedom: promoting patriotism and honoring those who have made freedom possible with Neal McCoy and General Tommy Franks in Hobart, Oklahoma on Saturday, May 23, 2009.
McCoy said in the release that he jumped at the chance to be a part of the event when Gen. Franks, a Wynnewood native who has a ranch in Roosevelt, asked him to perform.
“Gen. Franks is a class act! If he wants me to be involved with him in anything, I’m going to do what it takes to make that happen. I’ve been lucky enough to be around him a lot, not just here at home, but in the Middle East, and have seen the respect he receives, from not just the soldiers, but from anyone who has been lucky enough to cross paths with him. I love what he stands for, and I was so excited when he and Col.Hayes asked me to join them in the opening of his museum and institute,” McCoy said in the release.
McCoy has performed often U.S. troops both domestic and overseas, including performing on 13 United Service Organization tours.
“It means the world,” McCoy said in the release. “My mother was born in the Philippines, and growing up she made me understand and respect what it meant to live in the USA.”
Of Irish-Filipino descent, McCoy first got his start in country music in the 1980s with more than a half decade of opening shows for country legend Charley Pride before launching his own solo career. He has released 11 albums with more than 25 charted singles. Also known for his one-of-a-kind spirited live shows, McCoy’s biggest chart successes include the No. 1 Billboard country singles “No Doubt About It” and “Wink,” both of which also entered the Hot 100 chart for pop singles.
Besides McCoy’s concert, the Memorial Weekend celebration will include the grand opening of the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum, a Military Salute Parade featuring special floats dedicated to veterans, and a Patriot Spotlight Panel sharing stories of patriotism followed by a tribute honoring all present military. Other events include the 41st annual Arts on the Square, fishing, skeet and softball tournaments, a motorcycle rally, fly-in, quilt show, carnival and more.
For more information, go to www.celebrationoffreedom.net.
-BAM
Oklahoma City Mayor declares today “Wanda Jackson Day”
Wanda Jackson speaks after the mayor proclaimed today “Wanda Jackson Day” in Oklahoma City during a city council meeting this morning. (Photo by Paul B. Southerland/The Oklahoman)
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett declared today “Wanda Jackson Day” in Oklahoma City this morning at the city council meeting.
The Oklahoman‘s Assistant Entertainment Editor George Lang was at the meeting this morning when the big day was announced. Click here to read his story.
Jackson, a Maud native who lives in Oklahoma City, will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Queen of Rockabilly and First Lady of Rock ‘n’ Roll is quite deserving of the long-overdue recognition.
It’s an obvious comment, but I think the title of Jackson’s biggest rock hit is the appropriate for today: “Let’s Have a Party.”
-BAM
New releases
The latest James Bond movie, “Quantum of Solace,” comes out on DVD today, and if you haven’t seen it, you should watch it ASAP. However, if you haven’t seen the 2006 reboot of “Casino Royale,” you should plan on a DVD double-feature, since “Quantum of Solace” picks up just minutes after “Casino Royale.”
Despite my early misgivings, Daniel Craig is an awesome Bond. He’s not a grand as Sean Connery, but really, who is?
For more new entertainment offerings, check out this list of the week’s CD, DVD and book releases, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Decemberists, “The Hazards of Love.”
Indigo Girls, “Poseidon and the Bitter Bug.”
Papa Roach, “Metamorphosis.”
Martina McBride, “Shine.”
Pearl Jam, “Ten” (Deluxe edition CD/DVD set).
Hannah Montana, “Hannah Montana: The Movie Soundtrack.”
DVDs
Andy Richter Controls the Universe: The Complete Series
Big Stan
Bolt
The Cake Eaters
Craig Ferguson: A Wee Bit O’ Revolution
Happily N’Ever After 2: Snow White
In Treatment
Pearl Jam: Ten
Quantum of Solace
The Riches: Season 2
Secrets of the Furious Five
Star Wars The Clone Wars: A Galaxy Divided
Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter
Books
“True Detectives” by Jonathan Kellerman.
“City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments Series No. 3)” by Cassandra Clare.
“Happens Every Day: An All-Too-True Story” by Isabel Gillies.
“Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto” by Mark R. Levin.
“The Long Fall” by Walter Mosley.
“Pursuit” by Karen Robards.
“Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Outcast” by Aaron Allston.
-BAM
Video: Entertainment Insider
In this week’s Entertainment Insider, Gene Triplett, George Lang and I talk about some of the hot entertainment issues, including the media coverage of Natasha Richardson’s death and funeral and James Franco upcoming commencement speech at UCLA. Give it a look.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on March 24
Edgar Cruz (The Oklahoman Archives photo)
Today’s featured event:
Hear Edgar Cruz and Richard Smith at 8 tonight at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley Ave.
For more information, go to www.bluedoorokc.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Box office report
Nicolas Cage’s apocalyptic thriller “Knowing” opened as the No. 1 movie at the box office over the weekend, according to the Associated Press. The Summit Entertainment release debuted with $24.8 million in ticket sales.
It was another success for the small studio, which made its mark last year with the blockbuster vampire romance “Twilight.” The “Twilight” DVD went on sale Saturday, with fans of the movie and Stephenie Meyer, who wrote the book series on which the film is based, lining up at midnight.
“Knowing” beat out two other new releases. The “bromantic” comedy ”I Love You, Man” debuted at No. 2 with $18 million. It stars Paul Rudd and Jason Segel.
The corporate thriller “Duplicity,” starring Clive Owen and Julia Roberts, opened in third with $14.4 million.
Taking into account 2009′s higher admission prices, the box office take was down 5 percent compared with 2008, the second straight down weekend.
Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Media By Numbers, told the AP he doesn’t believe the decline indicates the end of an otherwise stellar year at the box office. He expects this weekend’s debut of the 3D animated movie ”Monsters vs. Aliens” should be strong.
Here are the top 10 movies, from the AP:
1. “Knowing,” $24.8 million.
2. “I Love You, Man,” $18 million.
3. “Duplicity,” $14.4 million.
4. “Race to Witch Mountain,” $13 million.
5. “Watchmen,” $6.7 million.
6. “The Last House on the Left,” $5.9 million.
7. “Taken,” $4.1 million.
8. “Slumdog Millionaire,” $2.7 million.
9. “Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail,” $2.5 million.
10. “Coraline,” $2.1 million.
-BAM
Brooks & Dunn, Dierks Bentley and more join CMA Music Festival lineup
Dierks Bentley
Brooks and Dunn, which includes Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, along with Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Montgomery Gentry and John Rich have joined the star-studded lineup for the 2009 CMA Music Festival, according to a news release.
Celebrating its 38th year, the CMA Music Festival will be June 11-14 in downtown Nashville, Tenn. Over four jam-packed days, Nashville’s signature music event will feature concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more. The event (which started as Fan Fair in 1972) draws thousands of fans and media from all corners of the globe to Nashville. Performer additions to the artist lineup for 2009 CMA Music Festival are:
Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Paisley and Rich will all perform on the main stage during the Nightly Concerts on the VAULTTM Concert Stage at LP Field, along with previously announced performers Trace Adkins, Julianne Hough, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, and Reba McEntire.
Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
-BAM
