Monday, August 26, 2013

Passing The Torch

As Miley gleefully torches her career (now off to Daddy's farm to rehearse for that Cyrus Family Christmas casino tour)...




...the torch meanwhile passes from living legend James Taylor - a man who has stirred and soothed many souls over the course of his four-decade career - to Taylor Swift, named after James and a pretty decent musician herself. What a wonderful way to introduce younger generations to his timeless music!




Have a great day!

MTMG

Friday, August 23, 2013

Clint Goes To Jersey

http://variety.com/2013/film/news/graham-king-clint-eastwood-eye-jersey-boys-1200563806/

Jersey Boys, which I had the extreme good fortune to see here in Edmonton last summer, is the one recent musical I can  think of that not only cries out to be made into a film, but is also a case where a lot of the dramatic non-singing structure has already been laid into the stage production. And having Eastwood in the director's chair is a real asset as well, given his proven ability to shoot quickly, efficiently and under budget. He is probably also itching to use the musical knowledge and techniques he was ready to use on the oft-delayed A Star Is Born remake with Beyoncé.

Eastwood and producer Graham King's decision to have veterans of various incarnations of the Jersey Boys stage show should also bode well for their success. John Lloyd Young's a Tony Award winner as  Broadway's current Frankie Valli, and Michael Lomenda shone as Nick Massi in the touring production I saw. Vincent Piazza should bring all the Boardwalk Empire cred needed to play the layered Tommy DeVito.

I also hope that Eastwood and King will be able to pull off what will amount to the movie cameo of the decade if it happens, concerning a minor but very memorable character in the show. If you've seen it, you're smiling already. If not...sorry, you'll have to wait, which probably doesn't amuse you, but it will be worth it. Just trust me.

In the meantime...

  





MTMG