Daily Variety articles from October 2009, page 10

Daily Variety archives from October 2009

Warchus sets tuner at RSC.(LEGIT)(Royal Shakespeare Company lineup includes a work of Matthew Warchus)(Brief article)
October 1, 2009... The 2010 slate for the U.K.'s Royal Shakespeare Company includes such notable offerings as a Matthew Warchus-helmed tuner adaptation of Roald Dahl's "Matilda" and Shakespeare productions from directors Tarell Alvin McCraney and Rupert Goold. ...

Pearl Jams on chart: grunge disc opens at No. 1 to open Q4.
October 1, 2009... Sounding the starting gun for the music biz's make-or-break fourth quarter, Pearl Jam's No. 1 debut "Backspacer" leads five new releases into the top 10 of the U.S. album chart. Seattle grunge progenitors' album, issued on their Monkey-wrench...

Locomotive on TV train.
October 1, 2009... Locomotive Entertainment Group, a Gotham-based TV and film shingle led by producer Gabriel Gornell and former Miramax distribution exec Colleen Seldin, has launched with two smallscreen projects. "Tyrannosaurus Sex" a CGI look at the romantic...

Leonard picks up PEN Prize.(Elmore Leonard's PEN USA lifetime achievement award)(Brief article)
October 1, 2009... Author Elmore Leonard will be honored with the PEN USA lifetime achievement award for his long writing career. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Leonard has published more than 40 novels, with Leonard film adaptations of his novels including "Get...

'Net scribes logging into WGAE ranks.(Writers Guild of America East)(Brief article)
October 1, 2009... The Writers Guild of America East has recruited 11 digital production shingles as signatories to the WGA's minimum basic agreement. Deal means scribes working on made-for-Internet fare at those shingles will become WGA East members if they...

A concerted effort for movie music.(music NOTES)
October 1, 2009... Until fairly recently, it was difficult to find a symphony orchestra willing to play movie music in concert. Conductors generally dismissed the form as commercial and unworthy (that is, unless the composers were known classical figures such as...

Breakfast at Tiffany's.(Theater review)
October 1, 2009... (Theater Royal Haymarket, London; 900 seats; 49.50 [pounds sterling] ($79) top) A Colin Ingram & Peter Kane presentation with John Gore and Thomas B. McGrath, by arrangement with the Theater Royal Haymarket Company, of a play in two acts...

Three Rivers.(Television program review)
October 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (Series; CBS, Sun. Oct. 4, 9 p.m.) Filmed in Los Angeles by CBS Television Studios. Executive producers, Carol Barbee, David Amann, Ted Gold; director, Christine Moore; writer, Greg Walker; camera, Frank Byers;...

Stargate Universe.(Television program review)
October 1, 2009... (Series; Syfy, Fri. Oct. 2, 9 p.m.) Filmed in Vancouver by MGM Worldwide Television Distribution. Executive producers, Brad Wright, Robert C. Cooper, Carl Binder, N. John Smith; producer, John G. Lenic; director, Andy Mikita; writers, Cooper,...

It's hard to have stage fright when, like, there's no stage!".(Barbra Streisand)(Brief article)
October 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT'S HARD to have stage fright when, like, there's no stage!" That was Barbra Streisand last Saturday night at NYC's tiny club the Village Vanguard. W is the kind of artistically reputable, physically dinky spots the...

So, who sez big stars never have any normal, upscale, stylish fun and nobody in "showbiz" ever gives a party anymore unless it's "promotional.".
October 1, 2009... SO, WHO SEZ big stars never have any normal, upscale, stylish fun and nobody in "showbiz" ever gives a party anymore unless it's "promotional." Turns out not to be true. Last week, at the posh St. Regis Roof in Manhattan, those married...

The season to take notice.(V PLUS: TV'S TOP 10: NEW FACES FOR FALL)(Brief article)
October 1, 2009... With TV's fall season officially under way, not only is there the excitement in seeing quality shows find an audience, but there's a joy in having actors receive their due recognition as well. This list certainly doesn't cover up every thesp...

Morena Baccarin: compelling alien leader in 'V' finds trust is a way to manipulate the masses.(V PLUS: TV'S TOP 10: NEW FACES FOR FALL)(Interview)
October 1, 2009... There's no room for improvisation," says Morena Baccarin of her smallscreen alter ego Anna, queen bee leader of the alien nation on the new ABC sci-fi drama "V" that begins Nov. 3. "It can be really challenging in the sense that while I can't be...

Nina Dobrev: from 'Degrassi' to 'Diaries,' she now toplines skein with plenty of ratings bite.(V PLUS: TV'S TOP 10: NEW FACES FOR FALL)(Interview)
October 1, 2009... As Elena Gilbert, the resilient, fresh-faced heroine of the CW's "The Vampire Diaries," Nina Dobrev has a lot on her plate: the recent deaths of her parents, a brother descending into drug abuse, a sulking ex and two suitors--one a brooding good...

Matt Bomer: USA hot streak on the line as 'Collar' connects with Carnegie grad.(V PLUS: TV'S TOP 10: NEW FACES FOR FALL)(Interview)(Brief article)
October 1, 2009... Matt Bomer, the co-star of USA Network's new drama "White Collar" (Oct. 23), remembers facing his football-loving father, saying he was quitting the team so he could be in a play at Houston's Alley Theater. Quite a statement considering dad...

Courtney Ford: 'Dexter' reporter lands role after nearly walking away.(V PLUS: TV'S TOP 10: NEW FACES FOR FALL)
October 1, 2009... Courtney Ford just learned how to land the juicy role that jumpstarts a quiescent career: Decide to leave the business. "The truth is, I was quitting," says Ford, now poised to gain notice on Showtime's "Dexter" as an ambitious reporter...

Lea Michele: showtunes come naturally to 'Glee' student.(V PLUS: TV'S TOP 10: NEW FACES FOR FALL)(Interview)(Brief article)
October 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lea Michele will be the first to admit that playing Rachel, the "Glee" girl whose vocal ability is matched only by her ambitions, isn't that much of a stretch. Michele, 23, has wanted to be a professional singer...

Taylor Schilling: No need to have 'Mercy' for thesp whose first pilot becomes a series.(V PLUS: TV'S TOP 10: NEW FACES FOR FALL)(Interview)(Brief article)
October 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Taylor Schilling says when she sat on the panel at the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour, she felt the need to hand out a cheat sheet so the TV scribes could know enough about her to ask questions. "A name...

Jon Lajoie: YouTube star brings slacker charm to FX's fantasy football series 'The League'.(V PLUS: TV'S TOP 10: NEW FACES FOR FALL)
October 1, 2009... The Internet knows few geographical boundaries--beyond those imposed by a dictatorship clamping down here or there--and that fact turned out to be serendipitous for Jon Lajoie. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The native of Quebec trained to be an...

Danny Pudi: Chris Farley Award winner finds comfort in his 'Community'.(V PLUS: TV'S TOP 10: NEW FACES FOR FALL)(Interview)
October 1, 2009... Danny Pudi babbles at such breakneck speed, his words coalesce into a roaring verbal tornado. "Abed speaks really quickly and definitely lacks an editing process," the "Community" star says of his onscreen character, a...

Eric Stonestreet: a 'Modern' miracle: Nielsens reflect critics' tastes as laffer launches to solid numbers.(V PLUS: TV'S TOP 10: NEW FACES FOR FALL)
October 1, 2009... On ABC's new hit single-camera mocu-comedy "Modern Family," Eric Stonestreet plays the flamboyant Cameron, who has just adopted a baby girl with his partner of five years. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cameron has a reputation as something of a...

Archie Panjabi: Brit has no problem being the other woman in 'Good Wife'.(V PLUS: TV'S TOP 10: NEW FACES FOR FALL)(Brief article)
October 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Archie Panjabi promises that as CBS' new series "The Good Wife" progresses, viewers will discover many surprises surrounding her role as Kalinda. Panjabi's charcter is of a sultry, street-smart inhouse investigator...

'Coco' pulled over Polanski.(World News)
October 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gallic helmer Jan Kounen has pulled his "Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky" from the Zurich Film Festival in protest against Roman Polanski's arrest on Saturday. Vincent Maraval, topper at Paris-based sales company...

Online on top in U.K.: Internet ad spending outpaces television.(World News)
October 1, 2009... Blighty is the first major economy where advertising spending on the Internet has overtaken that for TV, according to a new report. According to figures provided by the Internet Advertising Bureau and auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers, U.K....

Barrandov pulls into 'Station' for TV.(World News)
October 1, 2009... Prague's Barrandov Studios is moving into international TV production for the first time, acquiring the tights to the "Station Quartet" books by British author David Downing. The option price was mid-five against low-six figures for the...

MK2 pacts on digital screens.(World News)
October 1, 2009... PARIS -- Gaul's MK2 is teaming up with Paris-based digital cinema provider Ymagis to equip 58 screens with digital projectors, some in 3D, in the coming year. Ymagis will put up most of the $5 million investment, recouping over 10 years. ...

Five passes soccer to iPhone.(World News)
October 1, 2009... LONDON -- Live soccer will bow on the iPhone in the U.K. thanks to cash-strapped web Five. Beginning today, fans will be able to watch Five's coverage of the UEFA Europa League, plus highlights, for a one-off fee of 3.99 [pounds sterling]...

'Astro' bows day and date in China, U.S.(World News)(Astro Boy)(Brief article)
October 1, 2009... "Astro Boy" will be released in China on Oct. 23, the same day as its U.S. bow. The toon secured co-production status on the mainland via Los Angeles- and Hong Kong-based Imagi Intl., and the release date breaks into the October blackout...

TV sports exec guilty of fraud.(World News)
October 1, 2009... A German court has convicted the former head of sports programming at pubcaster ARD's regional affil MDR of fraud and tax evasion after he admitted accepting bribes worth $500,000 to make sure corporate advertising banners appeared in sports...

Abu Dhabi circle draws speakers.(World News)(Abu Dhabi Film Commission's Circle Conference)(Brief article)
October 1, 2009... The Abu Dhabi Film Commission's Circle Conference will bring together 40 industry leaders to address the business and creative elements of making film and TV content for world audiences. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The schedule of speakers,...

The Boys in the Photograph.(Theater review)
October 1, 2009... (Royal Alexandra Theater, Toronto; 1,500 seats; C$110 ($101) top) A David Mirvish, Manitoba Theater Center, Really Useful Group presentation of a musical in two acts with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, book and lyrics by Ben Elton. Directed by...

New York, I Love You.(Movie review)
October 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A Vivendi Entertainment release of an Emmanuel Benbihy and Marina Grasic production, in association with Sherezade Films, Benaroya Pictures, Grosvenor Park Media, Ever So Close, Visitor Pictures, Plum Pictures, 2008NY5...

Daybreakers.(Movie review)
October 1, 2009... (US-Australia) A Lionsgate (in U.S.) release of a Lionsgate (U.S.)/Film Finance Corp. (Australia) presentation of a Lionsgate (U.S.)/Paradise (Australia) production in association with the Pacific Film and Television Commission and Furst...

Animal Crackers.(Theater review)
October 1, 2009... (Goodman Theater, Chicago; 856 seats; $76 top) A Goodman Theater presentation of a musical in two acts with book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, music and lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. Adapted and directed by Henry...

'Yo Gabba's' gotta tour.(Yo Gabba Gabba! Live: There's a Party in My City)(Brief article)
October 1, 2009... "Yo Gabba Gabba" producer Wildbrain is looking to expand the hot preschool brand, kicking off a U.S. tour and releasing the show's first-ever companion CD. Brand extension comes as Nickelodeon's newly rebranded Nick Jr. channel--formerly...

CBS rookies rule roost.
October 1, 2009... The Eye net's two new Tuesday dramas remained robust in their second outings, getting another big push from the juggernaut that is "NCIS?" "NCIS: Los Angeles" held onto most of its premiere aud to win at 9 o'clock, but even better news came...

Let the good times roll.(V)(Drew Barrymore's directorial debut 'Whip It')(Brief article)
October 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Drew Barrymore and her debut as a feature director were the draws for an unusually strong crowd of experienced helmets, including Steven Spielberg, Curtis Hanson, Amy Heckerling, Judd Apatow...

Broadway's reigning men.(V)
October 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Daniel Craig and Hug Jackman movie stars. They don't do press lines, darling; they have uber-bfief press conferences. Reporters and camera crews got a few minutes to assail the pair, along with playwright Keith Huff...

Adam Arkin answers questions during the Variety Screening Series of "A Serious Man.".(V)
October 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Adam Arkin answers questions during the Variety Screening Series of "A Serious Man" Tuesday at the Archlight in L.A.

David Foster and Dane Cook Backstage at the 14th annual Andre Agassi Foundation's Grand Slam for Children benefit Concert.(V)
October 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: David Foster and Dane Cook Backstage at the 14th annual Andre Agassi Foundation's Grand Slam for Children benefit Concert at the Wynn Las Vegas; Raised nearly $8 million.

Lisa Kudrow and Courtenay Cox at the Rock a little, Freed a lot event Tuesday in L.A.(V)
October 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Lisa Kudrow and Courtenay Cox at the Rock a little, Freed a lot event Tuesday in L.A.; inset: Christina Applegate and Adam Shankman at the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank and Feeding America benefit