Month: July 2021

With Broadway prepping its fall comeback in New York, NBC also is reopening its playbook with plans to revive “Annie,” airing live on TV, on Dec. 2.

Harry Connick Jr. has been cast as Daddy Warbucks and Taraji P. Henson will perform as Miss Hannigan. The Annie role has not yet been announced.

The resumption of Broadway live via TV thus lights up the small screen, making NBC the key network for live stagings of cherished musicals.

The Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Harold Gray’s comic strip features music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan. “Tomorrow” was the breakout hit from the show.

Alex Rudzinski will direct.

Long a stage classic, the Tony-winning show will be the fourth filmed version, preceded by the original 1982 TV movie co-starring Carol Burnett and Albert Finney, the 1999 remake with Kathy Bates and Victor Garber, and the 2014 version with Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz.

‘Harry Potter’ returning as a single play

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” will resume on Broadway this fall, but staged as one show instead of the two-part original that played the Great White Way prior to the pandemic.

Thus, “Cursed Child” will premiere next Nov. 16 at the Lyric Theatre in New York, where the two-parter had been in residency for a couple of years. Another premiere will be Jan. 11, 2022, at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco, followed by a Canadian company debuting in May 2022 at the Mirvish Theatre in Toronto.

The one-show format will enable to audiences to still enjoy a journey of magic and mystique, with a mature Potter but with the convenience of getting the tale told in a single visit, vs. a second time slot for part two.

Fourth and foremost

“A Capitol Fourth,” a PBS concert airing on Sunday (July 4), will be multi-tiered Fourth of July celebration, though minus the traditional live show from the West Lawn of the U.S. capitol.

Instead, Vanessa Williams will host a myriad of pre-taped performances originating from a gamut of locations across the country, though there will be a few live moments.

Hawaii’s Auli‘i Cravalho, the voice of Disney’s “Moana” animated feature, will be among the performers to be featured.’’ She will sing “A Whole New World,” from “Aladdin,” originating at the Unisphere in Queens, New York, while Mickey Guyton performs “Without a Net.”

Jimmy Buffett sings Woody Guthrie’s signature “This Land Is Your Land,” taped from California, with quick clips depicting the Golden Gate Bridge, the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty.

Alan Jackson emerges from Nashville, for a taste of country; Renee Fleming brings her operatic sizzle to deliver the national anthem; Cynthia Erivo performs from Southern California.

Among other legendary troupers on board: Gladys Knight, Jimmie Allen, Ali Stroker, Laura Osnes; “Hamilton” star Christopher Jackson shares the patriotic “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”

Pentatonix (from Los Angeles), Train (from San Francisco) and Jennifer Nettles (from Time Square on Broadway) also take the spotlight.

NASA astronauts, Kermit the Frog and the National Symphony Orchestra reflect the diversity of celebrants, embracing the message of patriotism, love, unity and hope…

And that’s “Show Biz.” …

To escape the clutches and controversary surrounding her efforts to abolish her conservatorship ties with her father, entertainer Britney Spears has escaped to Hawaii with her beau for rest and recreation, perhaps hoping that resolution will swerve her way.

Her destination and vacation details are not known; but overnight, a Los Angeles judge has denied her request.

Legal beagles admit Spears’ case might be a challenging battle; her next date in court had been set for July 14, but might be changed with the new wrinkle in her battle

Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, has been her co-conservator for the past 13 years, an alliance intended to provide protection for her. At 39, she obviously feels she is no longer vulnerable for career abuse, and has been seeking to terminate the conservatorship.

Whatever the outcome, perhaps the lesson is: it may be best for career entertainers who begin as young and budding performers to seek managerial leadership outside of the family. When the friction is within the ohana, it surely becomes a sticky wicket. …

‘Love Island’ filming in Hilo

Two Hawaii competitors will be featured on CBS’ “Love Island,” seeking amour this summer, with filming originating from the Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo (a Doubletree Resort).

They are Christian Longnecker, 24, owner of a coffee company, and Kyra Lizama, 23, a coronavirus relief worker.

The show will premier Wednesday (July 6) on CBS, then will be screened at varying time slots through the end of the season. So check your TV guide for airtimes.

Host Arielle Vandenberg and narrator Matthew Hoffman return filming on the premises of the Big Island’s beachfront hotel.

for fun and frolic, both indoors and out. Perhaps the cast and crew have been advised that Hilo is known for sprinkles and rain, even during the summer, so umbrellas and tents might be at the ready just in case there’s an occasional drizzle.

In short, temptation and temperament will be displayed, and on Love Island, there can only be one love couple. …

Double the Silky pleasure

Silk Sonic clearly is leaving its door open … for more laurels.

SS, comprised of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, immediately became fans of followers, radio and websites, with the release of its first chart powerhouse, “Leave the Door Open.”

The tune easily passed the 1 million sales mark, landing at No. 1 on the Billboard survey, and since has and surpassed the 2 million level, making Silk Sonic eligible for a second (2 times) platinum certification.
According to Hip Hop by the Numbers, Mars and .Paak should further earn a second plaque from the Record Industry Assn. of America (RIAA).

Surprisingly, Mars is the winningest RIAA-winning artist of all time, collecting five of the 60 awards so far presented. …

And that’s “Show Biz.” …

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