2024 Lucille Lortel Awards winners: Kecia Lewis and Eli Gelb scoop up victories ahead of Tony Awards
Winners of the 2024 Lucille Lortel Awards, honoring outstanding achievements in Off-Broadway theater, were announced on Sunday, May 5, in a ceremony at NYU Skirball. The show was hosted by Rosalind Chao, Jen Colella, Michael Esper, 2024 Tony nominee Eden Espinosa (“Lempicka”), 2024 Tony nominee Nikki M. James (“Suffs”) and Bd Wong. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League and Lucille Lortel Theatre, with additional support provided by Tdf.
It was a banner evening for Ars Nova. Not only did the theater company receive an honorary award for Best Body of Work, their show “(pray)” was also the top winner of the night. This co-production with National Black Theatre took home three trophies including Best Musical, Best Director for NicHi douglas and Best Ensemble.
Four other productions earned multiple awards, with “Buena Vista Social Club,” “The Comeuppance,” “Stereophonic,” and “Wet Brain” each claiming two prizes.
“Stereophonic” is a frontrunner for Best...
It was a banner evening for Ars Nova. Not only did the theater company receive an honorary award for Best Body of Work, their show “(pray)” was also the top winner of the night. This co-production with National Black Theatre took home three trophies including Best Musical, Best Director for NicHi douglas and Best Ensemble.
Four other productions earned multiple awards, with “Buena Vista Social Club,” “The Comeuppance,” “Stereophonic,” and “Wet Brain” each claiming two prizes.
“Stereophonic” is a frontrunner for Best...
- 5/6/2024
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
The Herb Alpert Foundation has announced the winners of its 30th annual Herb Alpert Award in the Arts, which recognizes mid-career artists in the fields of dance, music, film/video, theater and visual arts.
In all, there are 10 winners for 2024, each of whom will receive a $75,000 unrestricted prize as well as a residency at CalArts (which administers the prize on behalf of the Herb Alpert Foundation). The winners are chosen by a group of 15 distinguished panelists and are nominated by another group of respected names in the arts.
According to Irene Borger, the director of the Herb Alpert Awards in the Arts, what stands out among 2024’s cohort is how many winners work across genres and mediums.
“Over the years things have gotten more and more hybrid, so that even though there are these five categories, these five genres, one of the choreographers is coming out with a book, one of the filmmakers makes sculpture,...
In all, there are 10 winners for 2024, each of whom will receive a $75,000 unrestricted prize as well as a residency at CalArts (which administers the prize on behalf of the Herb Alpert Foundation). The winners are chosen by a group of 15 distinguished panelists and are nominated by another group of respected names in the arts.
According to Irene Borger, the director of the Herb Alpert Awards in the Arts, what stands out among 2024’s cohort is how many winners work across genres and mediums.
“Over the years things have gotten more and more hybrid, so that even though there are these five categories, these five genres, one of the choreographers is coming out with a book, one of the filmmakers makes sculpture,...
- 5/1/2024
- by Degen Pener
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nominations for the 39th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards were announced today by Amber Iman and George Abud, two stars of Broadway’s “Lempicka.” The Lortels honor outstanding achievement in Off-Broadway theater. The 2024 ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 5 at NYU Skirball Center. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League and Lucille Lortel Theatre, with additional support provided by Tdf.
It’s common for productions to begin their life Off-Broadway before transferring to the Main Stem, so many of this year’s Tony Awards hopefuls are among the list of Lortel nominations. Chief among these contenders is “Hell’s Kitchen,” the semi-autobiographical musical from Alicia Keys. That tuner garnered five Lortel nominations. These include Best Musical, Best Choreography for Camille A. Brown, a Lead Performer bid for Maleah Joi Moon, and Featured Performer bids for Shoshana Bean and Kecia Lewis. All performance categories at the Lortel Awards are gender neutral.
It’s common for productions to begin their life Off-Broadway before transferring to the Main Stem, so many of this year’s Tony Awards hopefuls are among the list of Lortel nominations. Chief among these contenders is “Hell’s Kitchen,” the semi-autobiographical musical from Alicia Keys. That tuner garnered five Lortel nominations. These include Best Musical, Best Choreography for Camille A. Brown, a Lead Performer bid for Maleah Joi Moon, and Featured Performer bids for Shoshana Bean and Kecia Lewis. All performance categories at the Lortel Awards are gender neutral.
- 4/4/2024
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Chicago – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click Td/Ud for tickets/info.
Play Rating: 5.0/5.0
Lincoln (Mikha’el Amin) and Booth (DeMorris Burrows) are black brothers living together in a rundown apartment. Absurdly, Lincoln is actually portraying Abraham Lincoln at a historically themed amusement park, and brother Booth is idle, dreaming of proposing to his girlfriend. Lincoln took his job after he stopped conning folks with a 3-Card monte act, but Booth is desperate to be taught how to practice this con. When Lincoln loses his job on the night of Booth’s elaborate proposal dinner, their confrontation is inevitable.
Through March 31 at the Windy City Playhouse
Photo credit: InvictusTheatreCo.
Play Rating: 5.0/5.0
Lincoln (Mikha’el Amin) and Booth (DeMorris Burrows) are black brothers living together in a rundown apartment. Absurdly, Lincoln is actually portraying Abraham Lincoln at a historically themed amusement park, and brother Booth is idle, dreaming of proposing to his girlfriend. Lincoln took his job after he stopped conning folks with a 3-Card monte act, but Booth is desperate to be taught how to practice this con. When Lincoln loses his job on the night of Booth’s elaborate proposal dinner, their confrontation is inevitable.
Through March 31 at the Windy City Playhouse
Photo credit: InvictusTheatreCo.
- 2/29/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Matt Damon will join Mark Ruffalo and Missy Yager in a special benefit reading next month of Kenneth Lonergan’s This Is Our Youth, the acclaimed play that premiered Off Broadway in 1996 in a production starring Ruffalo, Yager and Josh Hamilton.
The reading will be directed by Mark Brokaw (How I Learned To Drive), who directed the original staging, on Nov. 16 at Manhattan’s Center at West Park, an Upper West Side arts facility and cultural hub that provides affordable performance, rehearsal, and event space to local artists and community members. Funds raised will benefit the Center.
The event, honoring the Center’s Founding and Current Board President Mim Warden, will kick off the Center’s new Renowned American Playwrights Showcase, a series of readings of acclaimed stage works performed predominantly by their original casts. Upcoming readings will include the works of Tony Kushner, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Suzan-Lori Parks and more.
The reading will be directed by Mark Brokaw (How I Learned To Drive), who directed the original staging, on Nov. 16 at Manhattan’s Center at West Park, an Upper West Side arts facility and cultural hub that provides affordable performance, rehearsal, and event space to local artists and community members. Funds raised will benefit the Center.
The event, honoring the Center’s Founding and Current Board President Mim Warden, will kick off the Center’s new Renowned American Playwrights Showcase, a series of readings of acclaimed stage works performed predominantly by their original casts. Upcoming readings will include the works of Tony Kushner, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Suzan-Lori Parks and more.
- 10/27/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Emmy and Tony Award nominee Corey Hawkins has signed with CAA for representation.
Hawkins is best known for his recent performances in “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” “In the Heights,” “Topdog/Underdog” on Broadway, as well as his breakout role, portraying Dr. Dre in F. Gary Gray’s “Straight Outta Compton.”
He will next star as Harpo in “The Color Purple,” Warner Bros.’ upcoming musical adaptation of the famed Alice Walker novel. Directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey, the film is slated for theatrical release on Dec. 25.
Hawkins also stars in Netflix’s upcoming feature adaptation of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson,” a revival of the award-winning Broadway play. The film’s all-star cast boasts Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler and Michael Potts.
This summer, Hawkins took on the lead role in “Last Voyage of the Demeter,...
Hawkins is best known for his recent performances in “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” “In the Heights,” “Topdog/Underdog” on Broadway, as well as his breakout role, portraying Dr. Dre in F. Gary Gray’s “Straight Outta Compton.”
He will next star as Harpo in “The Color Purple,” Warner Bros.’ upcoming musical adaptation of the famed Alice Walker novel. Directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey, the film is slated for theatrical release on Dec. 25.
Hawkins also stars in Netflix’s upcoming feature adaptation of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson,” a revival of the award-winning Broadway play. The film’s all-star cast boasts Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler and Michael Potts.
This summer, Hawkins took on the lead role in “Last Voyage of the Demeter,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Revivals have been a mainstay of Broadway for decades. But it wasn’t until the 31st ceremony in 1977 that the Tony Awards added a new category honoring these productions. The nominees for the inaugural prize were “Guys and Dolls,” “The Cherry Orchard” and “The Three Penny Opera” with “Porgy and Bess” taking the honors. Other winners over the years included “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Anything Goes,” “Death of a Salesman,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Gypsy.”
In 1994, the category was divided into best revival of a musical with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel” winning the award and “An Inspector Calls” taking home the best revival of a play honor.
This year’s nominees in both categories celebrate the work of Stephen Sondheim, Henrik Ibsen and three landmark black playwrights: August Wilson, Suzan-Lori Parks and Lorraine Hansberry. Here’s a closer look at this year’s contenders.
Best Revival of a Musical
“Into the Woods”
“Company,...
In 1994, the category was divided into best revival of a musical with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel” winning the award and “An Inspector Calls” taking home the best revival of a play honor.
This year’s nominees in both categories celebrate the work of Stephen Sondheim, Henrik Ibsen and three landmark black playwrights: August Wilson, Suzan-Lori Parks and Lorraine Hansberry. Here’s a closer look at this year’s contenders.
Best Revival of a Musical
“Into the Woods”
“Company,...
- 6/8/2023
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
The new Alicia Keys musical Hell’s Kitchen will make its world premiere this fall as part of the 2023-24 season of New York’s Public Theater Off Broadway, the Public announced today.
With music and lyrics by Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz, Hell’s Kitchen will begin previews at the Public on October 24, with an opening night of November 19. The engagement will run through December 10.
The cast includes Shoshana Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon, Chad Carstarphen, Reid Clarke, Chloe Davis, Nico DeJesus, among others. Michael Greif directs, with choreography by Camille A. Brown.
The musical is described as a coming-of-age story set in a cramped apartment in the neighborhood of the title near Times Square, where 17-year-old Ali is desperate to get her piece of the New York dream. Ali’s mother is just as determined to protect her daughter from the same mistakes she made. When Ali...
With music and lyrics by Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz, Hell’s Kitchen will begin previews at the Public on October 24, with an opening night of November 19. The engagement will run through December 10.
The cast includes Shoshana Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon, Chad Carstarphen, Reid Clarke, Chloe Davis, Nico DeJesus, among others. Michael Greif directs, with choreography by Camille A. Brown.
The musical is described as a coming-of-age story set in a cramped apartment in the neighborhood of the title near Times Square, where 17-year-old Ali is desperate to get her piece of the New York dream. Ali’s mother is just as determined to protect her daughter from the same mistakes she made. When Ali...
- 6/1/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California, will be the recipient of the 2023 Regional Theatre Tony Award, the Tony administration committee announced today.
The award, based on a recommendation by the American Theatre Critics Association, is accompanied by a $25,000 grant.
“Pasadena Playhouse has made a significant impact, on both a local and global level, by developing some of the most innovative and inspiring works and artists,” said Heather Hitchens, President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing and Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League, in a joint statement.
The playhouse’s Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman called the award “a defining moment for our community,” adding, “This most prestigious award honors every person who has played a role in making and continuing to make Pasadena Playhouse one of the great cultural institutions in America.”
Pasadena Playhouse, the official State Theater of California, has staged thousands of original productions since...
The award, based on a recommendation by the American Theatre Critics Association, is accompanied by a $25,000 grant.
“Pasadena Playhouse has made a significant impact, on both a local and global level, by developing some of the most innovative and inspiring works and artists,” said Heather Hitchens, President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing and Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League, in a joint statement.
The playhouse’s Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman called the award “a defining moment for our community,” adding, “This most prestigious award honors every person who has played a role in making and continuing to make Pasadena Playhouse one of the great cultural institutions in America.”
Pasadena Playhouse, the official State Theater of California, has staged thousands of original productions since...
- 5/23/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Refresh for updates: Tony Award nominees were celebrating today, with the stars, producers and creative teams of Parade, Kimberly Akimbo, Shucked and The Piano Lesson among those reacting to their nominations.
Audra McDonald, who scored her 10th Tony nomination for performance in Ohio State Murders (Leading Actress/Play), said, “I am honored to have been nominated for Ohio State Murders. Having the opportunity to work with Kenny Leon, and to be a part of Adrienne Kennedy’s long-overdue Broadway debut of her extraordinary, relevant, and powerful work, was one of the most important artistic experiences of my life.”
“I am beyond excited to be nominated this year, and I’m deeply honored to be recognized for this role especially,” said Ben Platt, nominated in the Best Leading Actor/Musical category for his performance in Parade. “As a lifelong lover of musical theatre, this show has always had a special place in my heart.
Audra McDonald, who scored her 10th Tony nomination for performance in Ohio State Murders (Leading Actress/Play), said, “I am honored to have been nominated for Ohio State Murders. Having the opportunity to work with Kenny Leon, and to be a part of Adrienne Kennedy’s long-overdue Broadway debut of her extraordinary, relevant, and powerful work, was one of the most important artistic experiences of my life.”
“I am beyond excited to be nominated this year, and I’m deeply honored to be recognized for this role especially,” said Ben Platt, nominated in the Best Leading Actor/Musical category for his performance in Parade. “As a lifelong lover of musical theatre, this show has always had a special place in my heart.
- 5/2/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Just one year ahead of its 30th anniversary, the Herb Alpert Award in the Arts has announced 11 winners — the most ever — of its annual prizes which recognize and fund risk-taking mid-career artists in the fields of dance, music, film/video, theater and visual arts.
The 2023 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts winners — each of whom receive $75,000 in unrestricted funding (with one duo sharing the payment) — include filmmakers Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich and Christopher Harris.
“I believe in the arts. I think the arts are the heart and soul of our country. Not just music. We’re talking about actors and poets and painters and sculptors — the whole gamut. We need the artists, especially in these times. They are creating through their passion and those people need to be supported and helped and nurtured. It’s a dire need out there. A lot of people are struggling. We’re just trying to do our part,...
The 2023 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts winners — each of whom receive $75,000 in unrestricted funding (with one duo sharing the payment) — include filmmakers Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich and Christopher Harris.
“I believe in the arts. I think the arts are the heart and soul of our country. Not just music. We’re talking about actors and poets and painters and sculptors — the whole gamut. We need the artists, especially in these times. They are creating through their passion and those people need to be supported and helped and nurtured. It’s a dire need out there. A lot of people are struggling. We’re just trying to do our part,...
- 5/1/2023
- by Degen Pener
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Drama League today announced the nominations for the 2023 Drama League Awards. Honoring achievements on and Off-Broadway, the nominations were announced this morning by Roger Bart (“Back to the Future: The Musical”) and Justin Guarini (“Once Upon A One More Time”) at the New York Library for the Performing Arts. Winners will be revealed at the 89th Annual Drama League Awards ceremony at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on Friday, May 19, 2023.
“I don’t think I’ve experienced a theater season in New York ever like this one,” noted Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks. “There’s been a range, a breadth, an expansion of possibility that has been truly astonishing to witness. Theater makers have inspired not only with their creativity, but also with their drive and determination to serve audiences with vision and talent. These nominees reflect the promise and greatness inherent in the work of theater folk, and I can’t help but be deeply proud.
“I don’t think I’ve experienced a theater season in New York ever like this one,” noted Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks. “There’s been a range, a breadth, an expansion of possibility that has been truly astonishing to witness. Theater makers have inspired not only with their creativity, but also with their drive and determination to serve audiences with vision and talent. These nominees reflect the promise and greatness inherent in the work of theater folk, and I can’t help but be deeply proud.
- 4/25/2023
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
When Otto Frank asked his employee, Miep Gies, to help hide his family during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam in World War II, she readily agreed. The story of that selfless, dangerous decision is the basis of the upcoming drama A Small Light.
The limited series about Anne Frank, her family and those who helped them will premiere on Monday, May 1, at 9/8c, TVLine can reveal exclusively. The news comes on what would have been Gies’ 114th birthday.
More from TVLineLiev Schreiber to Play Anne Frank's Father in Disney+ Series A Small LightTVLine Items: Good Trouble Premiere, Zeta-Jones' Treasure Role...
The limited series about Anne Frank, her family and those who helped them will premiere on Monday, May 1, at 9/8c, TVLine can reveal exclusively. The news comes on what would have been Gies’ 114th birthday.
More from TVLineLiev Schreiber to Play Anne Frank's Father in Disney+ Series A Small LightTVLine Items: Good Trouble Premiere, Zeta-Jones' Treasure Role...
- 2/15/2023
- by Kimberly Roots
- TVLine.com
The musical impact of The Harder They Come, Perry Henzell’s 1972 film about an aspiring reggae singer who becomes an outlaw and anti-hero, can’t be understated. At the time, few outside of Jamaica had ever heard of the likes of Bob Marley, but The Harder They Come — starring Jimmy Cliff — introduced a global audience to the rhythms of the country. In 2020, it was included in the Library of Congress’ National Registry, and its Cliff-dominated soundtrack, an essential reggae collection in and of itself, was ranked 174 on Rs’ Top 500 Albums of All Time.
- 12/14/2022
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Exclusive: Coming off of some of the best reviews of his career for his work in Broadway’s revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Suzan Lori Parks play Topdog/Underdog, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is preparing to move over from DC to Marvel as the lead for the studio’s Disney+ series Wonder Man.
Related Story ‘The Penguin’ Sets Cristin Milioti As Female Lead Sofia Falcone Related Story What Rivalry? James Gunn Says Marvel's Kevin Feige Was "The 1st Person I Told After I Did The Deal With DC" Related Story Vision Series Starring Paul Bettany In Works At Marvel Studios For Disney+
Created by writer Stan Lee and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, Wonder Man was introduced to Marvel Comics in 1964 via The Avengers #9. The character otherwise known as Simon Williams is the son of the industrialist Sanford Williams and assumes control of his munitions outfit following his passing, seeing...
Related Story ‘The Penguin’ Sets Cristin Milioti As Female Lead Sofia Falcone Related Story What Rivalry? James Gunn Says Marvel's Kevin Feige Was "The 1st Person I Told After I Did The Deal With DC" Related Story Vision Series Starring Paul Bettany In Works At Marvel Studios For Disney+
Created by writer Stan Lee and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, Wonder Man was introduced to Marvel Comics in 1964 via The Avengers #9. The character otherwise known as Simon Williams is the son of the industrialist Sanford Williams and assumes control of his munitions outfit following his passing, seeing...
- 10/31/2022
- by Matt Grobar and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Twenty years after it first arrived to shake up a complacent Broadway and make a Pulitzer Prize winner of its author Suzan-Lori Parks, Topdog/Underdog has lost none of its vitality and power and cunning. Director Kenny Leon proves that in a vibrant new production opening tonight at the Golden Theatre.
Stars Corey Hawkins and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Watchmen) tear into this play with a force that captivates from start to finish. Like the Three-card Monte sharks they portray, the actors are in full control, pacing their game and teasing out buried histories, secrets and longings with all the grace of a master illusionist.
They play brothers Lincoln (Hawkins) and Booth (Abdul-Mateen II) – named by their father as a cruel joke, just one among many lifelong burdens the sons inherit. With Lincoln, the elder, newly separated from his wife, the...
Stars Corey Hawkins and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Watchmen) tear into this play with a force that captivates from start to finish. Like the Three-card Monte sharks they portray, the actors are in full control, pacing their game and teasing out buried histories, secrets and longings with all the grace of a master illusionist.
They play brothers Lincoln (Hawkins) and Booth (Abdul-Mateen II) – named by their father as a cruel joke, just one among many lifelong burdens the sons inherit. With Lincoln, the elder, newly separated from his wife, the...
- 10/21/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Suzan-Lori Parks, the playwright who won a 2002 Pulitzer Prize for her Topdog/Underdog, will make her on-stage debut this fall in the world premiere Public Theater Off Broadway staging of her Plays For the Plague Year.
Parks’ performance in the production – the complete cast was announced today – will be yet another big moment in the playwright’s Fall season: A Broadway revival of Topdog/Underdog begins previews at the Golden Theatre on Sept. 27.
In the new Plays For the Plague Year, Parks will play a character called “The Writer,” joining other just-announced cast members Leland Fowler, Greg Keller, Orville Mendoza, Kenita Miller, Lauren Molina, Martín Solá, and Pearl Sun.
Directed by Niegel Smith, Plays For the Plague Year will begin a strictly limited three-week engagement on Friday, Nov. 4 at the Public’s Joe’s Pub venue, with an opening night on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The production will run through Sunday,...
Parks’ performance in the production – the complete cast was announced today – will be yet another big moment in the playwright’s Fall season: A Broadway revival of Topdog/Underdog begins previews at the Golden Theatre on Sept. 27.
In the new Plays For the Plague Year, Parks will play a character called “The Writer,” joining other just-announced cast members Leland Fowler, Greg Keller, Orville Mendoza, Kenita Miller, Lauren Molina, Martín Solá, and Pearl Sun.
Directed by Niegel Smith, Plays For the Plague Year will begin a strictly limited three-week engagement on Friday, Nov. 4 at the Public’s Joe’s Pub venue, with an opening night on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The production will run through Sunday,...
- 9/14/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has compared acting in the Aquaman movies to “clown work”, expressing a desire to balance superhero fare with more serious roles.
Abdul-Mateen, who plays David Kane/Manta alongside Aquaman lead Jason Momoa in the DC franchise films, has also appeared in Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7, Emmy-winning HBO series Watchmen, The Matrix Resurrections, and Nia DaCosta’s Candyman reboot since making his debut in Baz Luhrmann’s Netflix drama seriesThe Get Down in 2016.
In a new interview, Abdul-Mateen talked about the difference between working on a project like Aquaman and his forthcoming role in Pulitzer Prize-winning Suzan Lori Parks’s play Topdog/Underdog on Broadway later this year.
On his acting process, the 36-year-old actor told Vulture: “Everything should be about getting to the truth.
“But sometimes you got to know which movie or genre you’re in,” he continued. “Something like Aquaman,...
Abdul-Mateen, who plays David Kane/Manta alongside Aquaman lead Jason Momoa in the DC franchise films, has also appeared in Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7, Emmy-winning HBO series Watchmen, The Matrix Resurrections, and Nia DaCosta’s Candyman reboot since making his debut in Baz Luhrmann’s Netflix drama seriesThe Get Down in 2016.
In a new interview, Abdul-Mateen talked about the difference between working on a project like Aquaman and his forthcoming role in Pulitzer Prize-winning Suzan Lori Parks’s play Topdog/Underdog on Broadway later this year.
On his acting process, the 36-year-old actor told Vulture: “Everything should be about getting to the truth.
“But sometimes you got to know which movie or genre you’re in,” he continued. “Something like Aquaman,...
- 9/1/2022
- by Maanya Sachdeva
- The Independent - Film
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s career thus far has included an Emmy-winning turn on HBO’s “Watchmen,” awards buzz for playing Bobby Seale in “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and movies like “Candyman,” “Aquaman” and “The Matrix Resurrections.” Such an eclectic balance of film and TV projects is the result of Abdul-Mateen’s curation, as he’s made it a priority to balance out comic book tentpoles like “Aquaman” with more serious dramatic fare. The actor recently told Vulture that acting in a movie like “Aquaman” is “clown work,” so it’s important for him to flex his acting muscles in other projects.
“Everything should be about getting to the truth. But sometimes you got to know which movie or genre you’re in,” Abdul-Mateen said. “Something like ‘Aquaman,’ that’s clown work. ‘Aquaman’ is not ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7.’ You have got to get over yourself.”
The actor added,...
“Everything should be about getting to the truth. But sometimes you got to know which movie or genre you’re in,” Abdul-Mateen said. “Something like ‘Aquaman,’ that’s clown work. ‘Aquaman’ is not ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7.’ You have got to get over yourself.”
The actor added,...
- 8/31/2022
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: With her Emmy-winning show Pose coming to an end, writer/director Janet Mock looks to have found her follow-up feature. She has signed on to direct and rewrite The International Sweethearts of Rhythm for Sony Pictures. A previous draft was written by Pulitzer Prize winning writer Suzan-Lori Parks with Amy Pascal, Susan Tarr, Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman producing.
Plot details are being kept under wraps for a project in early development. Eric Fineman will oversee for Pascal Pictures. Alison Small is Executive Producer for Brownstone.
Mock’s star has been on the rise ever since Pose creator Ryan Murphy took her under his wing and gave her a key role in the writer’s room on Pose in its first season. She would go on to be one of the major architects of the show, serving as co-executive producer, writer and director until its series finale this past summer.
Plot details are being kept under wraps for a project in early development. Eric Fineman will oversee for Pascal Pictures. Alison Small is Executive Producer for Brownstone.
Mock’s star has been on the rise ever since Pose creator Ryan Murphy took her under his wing and gave her a key role in the writer’s room on Pose in its first season. She would go on to be one of the major architects of the show, serving as co-executive producer, writer and director until its series finale this past summer.
- 11/5/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
The first series in the franchise to have an African-American and a woman as its marquee player, NatGeo’s Genius: Aretha is, like the title of its opening episode and the Queen of Soul herself, all about “Respect.”
Penned by Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks, the pandemic-delayed premiere picks up with the Cynthia Erivo-portrayed Aretha Franklin performing a rousing rendition of “Chain of Fools” at triumphant 1967 show in Chicago before shifting the action to 1954 and the dangerous routes of rural Alabama. With threats and violence in the Jim Crow mists, we meet the pre-superstar Little Re (Shaian Jordan) and her preacher father Cl Franklin (Courtney B. Vance) with a flat tire and two racists breathing down their sweaty necks.
The script for the opener of the eight-episode Genius: Aretha (read it below) is the latest installment of Deadline’s It Starts On the Page, a series that highlights the...
Penned by Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks, the pandemic-delayed premiere picks up with the Cynthia Erivo-portrayed Aretha Franklin performing a rousing rendition of “Chain of Fools” at triumphant 1967 show in Chicago before shifting the action to 1954 and the dangerous routes of rural Alabama. With threats and violence in the Jim Crow mists, we meet the pre-superstar Little Re (Shaian Jordan) and her preacher father Cl Franklin (Courtney B. Vance) with a flat tire and two racists breathing down their sweaty necks.
The script for the opener of the eight-episode Genius: Aretha (read it below) is the latest installment of Deadline’s It Starts On the Page, a series that highlights the...
- 6/28/2021
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Genius: Aretha’ Emmy interviews: Watch our 9 in-depth chats with Cynthia Erivo, Courtney B. Vance …
“Genius: Aretha” premiered on National Geographic on March 21 telling the life story of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin (played by “Harriet” Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo). The eight-part limited series was the third installment from NatGeo following previous seasons about Albert Einstein in 2017 and Pablo Picasso in 2018. Scroll down to watch our nine exclusive video interviews with top Emmy contenders from the program.
The series chronicles the legendary musician’s rise from singing in her father’s, Reverend C.L. Franklin‘s (played by Courtney B. Vance), church to becoming a Grammy-winning global icon. Prior seasons of “Genius” earned a total of 17 Emmy nominations including back-to-back bids for Best Limited Series. Previous stars Geoffrey Rush (Einstein) and Antonio Banderas (Picasso) were also nominated in the lead actor category.
Erivo and Vance are each seeking their second Emmy wins. Erivo won a Daytime Emmy in 2017 for Best Musical Performance on “Today...
The series chronicles the legendary musician’s rise from singing in her father’s, Reverend C.L. Franklin‘s (played by Courtney B. Vance), church to becoming a Grammy-winning global icon. Prior seasons of “Genius” earned a total of 17 Emmy nominations including back-to-back bids for Best Limited Series. Previous stars Geoffrey Rush (Einstein) and Antonio Banderas (Picasso) were also nominated in the lead actor category.
Erivo and Vance are each seeking their second Emmy wins. Erivo won a Daytime Emmy in 2017 for Best Musical Performance on “Today...
- 6/25/2021
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
Really getting under the skin of a fully realized female character has long remained a challenge in television, but in recent years, the brilliant-yet-troubled heroine has been taking a back seat to someone more authentically human, whose personal struggle is no longer peppered in through lazy shorthand ciphers that check the “complex character” box.
This year’s deep dives into the female psyche, as in HBO’s “I May Destroy You” and “Mare of Easttown” and Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit,” tackle sexual assault, substance abuse and grief in all its paradoxes.
Why this is becoming a trend rather than just a passing fad, at least according to “Mare of Easttown” creator Brad Ingelsby, is because “viewers demand more now. So, if something isn’t complex or honest, they’re going to switch the channel.”
In his television debut, Ingelsby’s approach was to shape the titular character (played by...
This year’s deep dives into the female psyche, as in HBO’s “I May Destroy You” and “Mare of Easttown” and Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit,” tackle sexual assault, substance abuse and grief in all its paradoxes.
Why this is becoming a trend rather than just a passing fad, at least according to “Mare of Easttown” creator Brad Ingelsby, is because “viewers demand more now. So, if something isn’t complex or honest, they’re going to switch the channel.”
In his television debut, Ingelsby’s approach was to shape the titular character (played by...
- 6/14/2021
- by Carita Rizzo
- Variety Film + TV
“We serve the queen. We don’t serve ourselves,” showrunner Suzan-Lori Parks told The Hollywood Reporter during a January 2020 visit to the Genius: Aretha set in metro Atlanta. But just two months later, production would come to a standstill because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Before shooting resumed in September 2020 to complete the remaining three episodes, Parks tweaked the scripts to make sure scenes met the new Covid-19 protocols. “I think it altered the energy for the better,” Parks said in a follow-up interview when the show aired in March. “We really had to come together even ...
- 6/13/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
“We serve the queen. We don’t serve ourselves,” showrunner Suzan-Lori Parks told The Hollywood Reporter during a January 2020 visit to the Genius: Aretha set in metro Atlanta. But just two months later, production would come to a standstill because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Before shooting resumed in September 2020 to complete the remaining three episodes, Parks tweaked the scripts to make sure scenes met the new Covid-19 protocols. “I think it altered the energy for the better,” Parks said in a follow-up interview when the show aired in March. “We really had to come together even ...
- 6/13/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In the opening moments of “Genius: Aretha,” Cynthia Erivo’s Aretha Franklin is seen on stage as her career begins to skyrocket. The scene then cuts to Franklin in a gaggle of reporters, peppered with questions, one of which comes from a man asking whether her children were in the audience. Franklin responds, “It’s past their bedtime.” To which the man snickers in reply, “Weren’t you a mother at that age?”
“Genius: Aretha” is one of several recent series, in both the scripted and docuseries space, that offers nuanced and unapologetic portraits of female historical and pop-culture figures. Telling their tales now, and under the careful influence of female leadership, allows these projects to reflect the cultural awakening about sexism and gender stereotypes that existed in film and TV since the days of silent movies.
With “Genius: Aretha,” the deft female hands behind-the-scenes include Courteney Monroe, president of National Geographic Global Television Networks,...
“Genius: Aretha” is one of several recent series, in both the scripted and docuseries space, that offers nuanced and unapologetic portraits of female historical and pop-culture figures. Telling their tales now, and under the careful influence of female leadership, allows these projects to reflect the cultural awakening about sexism and gender stereotypes that existed in film and TV since the days of silent movies.
With “Genius: Aretha,” the deft female hands behind-the-scenes include Courteney Monroe, president of National Geographic Global Television Networks,...
- 6/10/2021
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
“What I’ve really learned is to just embrace the camaraderie. You can really run a very kind and respectful company, but that starts with you,” says “The Boys” showrunner Eric Kripke about what it takes to successfully lead a TV production. We talked to Kripke along with Billy Ray (“The Comey Rule”), Ben Winston (“Friends: The Reunion”), and Suzan-Lori Parks (“Genius: Aretha”) for our “Meet the Experts” TV showrunners panel. Watch our group discussion above. Click on each name to watch that person’s individual chat.
“That whole myth that you have to be just this huge asshole … is not just outdated, but it probably never quite worked that well,” Kripke adds. “People just really thrive with communication.” Parks is also glad that “the asshole boss thing is on its way out, and hopefully it will take some other outmoded leadership styles with it, or even expand our idea...
“That whole myth that you have to be just this huge asshole … is not just outdated, but it probably never quite worked that well,” Kripke adds. “People just really thrive with communication.” Parks is also glad that “the asshole boss thing is on its way out, and hopefully it will take some other outmoded leadership styles with it, or even expand our idea...
- 6/9/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
“So many of us know her songs, but very few of us know her story,” says “Genius: Aretha” showrunner Suzan-Lori Parks about the life and career of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. “She endured trauma in her life as well as a lot of triumph,” so intercutting the story of her childhood with the greatness she achieved as an adult “really helps tell that story and develops up a deeper understanding of her genius.” We talked with Parks as part of our “Meet the Experts” TV showrunners panel. Watch the exclusive video interview above.
The “Genius” anthology series chronicles a different historical figure every season, exploring greatness in various fields starting with scientist Albert Einstein in season one, followed by painter Pablo Picasso in season two and now musician Franklin. She’s played by Cynthia Erivo, who was “always the choice” for the iconic role.
SEECynthia Erivo (‘Genius: Aretha...
The “Genius” anthology series chronicles a different historical figure every season, exploring greatness in various fields starting with scientist Albert Einstein in season one, followed by painter Pablo Picasso in season two and now musician Franklin. She’s played by Cynthia Erivo, who was “always the choice” for the iconic role.
SEECynthia Erivo (‘Genius: Aretha...
- 6/9/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
What becomes a legend most? Cynthia Erivo and Jennifer Hudson both tackled the Goddess of Soul in rival projects delayed by the pandemic. British-born Oscar-nominated Erivo (“Harriet”) explores the singer in an expansive eight-part series produced without the advance blessing of the Franklin estate in NatGeo’s third season of the “Genius” anthology, “Genius: Aretha,” while Oscar-winner Hudson (“Dreamgirls”) was hand-picked by Franklin before she died in 2018 to star in a two-hour MGM/UA movie which finally hits theaters August 13.
All it will take for Erivo to attain Egot status is an Oscar win, while Hudson needs a Tony and an Emmy. Both women boast extraordinary voices with range comparable to Franklin, and sang most of their songs live, but had to brush up their on-camera piano playing (backed up by pros on the soundtrack) to take on the famed gospel singer-turned-global music star. With support from the estate, Hudson...
All it will take for Erivo to attain Egot status is an Oscar win, while Hudson needs a Tony and an Emmy. Both women boast extraordinary voices with range comparable to Franklin, and sang most of their songs live, but had to brush up their on-camera piano playing (backed up by pros on the soundtrack) to take on the famed gospel singer-turned-global music star. With support from the estate, Hudson...
- 5/24/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
What becomes a legend most? Cynthia Erivo and Jennifer Hudson both tackled the Goddess of Soul in rival projects delayed by the pandemic. British-born Oscar-nominated Erivo (“Harriet”) explores the singer in NatGeo’s third season of the “Genius” anthology, the expansive eight-part series “Genius: Aretha,” while Oscar-winner Hudson (“Dreamgirls”) was hand-picked by Franklin before she died in 2018 to star in an estate-blessed two-hour MGM/UA movie which finally hits theaters August 13.
All it will take for Erivo to attain Egot status is an Oscar win, while Hudson needs a Tony and an Emmy. Both women boast extraordinary voices with range comparable to Franklin, and sang most of their songs live, but had to brush up their on-camera piano playing (backed up by pros on the soundtrack) to take on the famed gospel singer-turned-global music star. With support from the estate, Hudson got to sing the title song, “Respect” and other...
All it will take for Erivo to attain Egot status is an Oscar win, while Hudson needs a Tony and an Emmy. Both women boast extraordinary voices with range comparable to Franklin, and sang most of their songs live, but had to brush up their on-camera piano playing (backed up by pros on the soundtrack) to take on the famed gospel singer-turned-global music star. With support from the estate, Hudson got to sing the title song, “Respect” and other...
- 5/24/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Five top TV showrunners will reveal the magic behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with key 2021 guild and Emmy contenders this month. Each person will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Thursday, June 3, at 5:00 p.m. Pt; 8:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Daniel Montgomery and a group chat with Daniel and all of the group together.
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your reservation. Or click here to RSVP for our entire ongoing panel series. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2021 guild and Emmy contenders:
“The Boys”: Eric Kripke
Synopsis: A group of vigilantes set out to take down corrupt superheroes who abuse their superpowers.
“The Comey Rule...
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your reservation. Or click here to RSVP for our entire ongoing panel series. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2021 guild and Emmy contenders:
“The Boys”: Eric Kripke
Synopsis: A group of vigilantes set out to take down corrupt superheroes who abuse their superpowers.
“The Comey Rule...
- 5/20/2021
- by Chris Beachum and Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
For the National Geographic anthology series “Genius: Aretha,” showrunner Suzan-Lori Parks and star Cynthia Erivo didn’t just have to capture legendary singer Aretha Franklin’s voice and stage presence, but her inimitable style. Not that it was so easy.
“The research was quite intense and had to be very authentic and really span a long era because her career was exceptionally long and we also go back to her childhood,” costume designer Jennifer Bryan explains during Gold Derby’s Meet the Experts: Costume Designers panel. “So in the 1960s and up to the early 1970s, the main source of research for me for Aretha’s life and her style and her concerts and her recordings was really through print. It was through old Jet magazines, Ebony magazines because that was really the main outlet for entertainers for bringing their fans into their world. There wasn’t the internet, talk...
“The research was quite intense and had to be very authentic and really span a long era because her career was exceptionally long and we also go back to her childhood,” costume designer Jennifer Bryan explains during Gold Derby’s Meet the Experts: Costume Designers panel. “So in the 1960s and up to the early 1970s, the main source of research for me for Aretha’s life and her style and her concerts and her recordings was really through print. It was through old Jet magazines, Ebony magazines because that was really the main outlet for entertainers for bringing their fans into their world. There wasn’t the internet, talk...
- 5/18/2021
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Nat Geo’s “Genius” brand is a force to be reckoned with at the Emmys, winning two trophies and being nominated for Best Limited Series and Best Actor for its first two installments: “Genius: Einstein” with Geoffrey Rush in 2017 and “Genius: Picasso” with Antonio Banderas in 2018. The latest season to enter the awards derby is “Genius: Aretha,” starring Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin. The eight-episode series aired in March to critical acclaim, with Erivo being praised as “born to play” the legendary Queen of Soul. In Nat Geo’s video clip above, watch Erivo singing “How I Got Over” — yes, she sings her own songs.
The scene is a pivotal moment in the series, as the actress fully steps into Franklin’s shoes for the first time and a star is born before our eyes, both on-screen and off. The moment comes after Franklin has been told yet again that...
The scene is a pivotal moment in the series, as the actress fully steps into Franklin’s shoes for the first time and a star is born before our eyes, both on-screen and off. The moment comes after Franklin has been told yet again that...
- 5/7/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Jaws dropped on Sunday night when Frances McDormand (“Nomadland”) won the Best Actress Oscar. She was in fourth place in Gold Derby’s combined predictions, behind Carey Mulligan (“Promising Young Woman”), Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) and Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”) and just ahead of Vanessa Kirby (“Pieces of a Woman”). A large group of Oscar pundits — including three of our Experts, two of our Editors, four of our Top 24 Users and three of our All-Star Users — were all convinced Day would surprise for her role as the titular jazz singer. So what happened?
SEEHow were the 2021 Oscar winners chosen?
Throughout Oscar history, voters have always preferred to reward actors for films they enjoyed across the board, and Day was the only representative for “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” Yep, the biopic was even snubbed in Best Song for “Tigress & Tweed” and in Best Hair & Makeup,...
SEEHow were the 2021 Oscar winners chosen?
Throughout Oscar history, voters have always preferred to reward actors for films they enjoyed across the board, and Day was the only representative for “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” Yep, the biopic was even snubbed in Best Song for “Tigress & Tweed” and in Best Hair & Makeup,...
- 4/26/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Usually at the Oscars, all four acting winners hail from films that are nominated in multiple categories. After all, the voters like what they like. But on rare occurrences, an actor prevails as the only nominee from their film. This year, many of Gold Derby’s Oscar Experts predict Andra Day will do just that. The singer-songwriter is the only representative for Hulu’s “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” — that’s right, it was even snubbed in Best Song for “Tigress & Tweed.” If Day pulls off an Oscar triumph, she’d be the first since Julianne Moore (“Still Alice”) to win for a film that was otherwise ignored.
As of this writing, 7 of our 23 Experts from major media outlets think Day will prevail: Joyce Eng (Gold Derby), Jazz Tangcay (Variety), Clayton Davis (Variety), Shawn Edwards (Wdaf-tv Fox), Keith Simanton (IMDb), Sasha Stone (Awards Daily) and Peter Travers (Rolling Stone...
As of this writing, 7 of our 23 Experts from major media outlets think Day will prevail: Joyce Eng (Gold Derby), Jazz Tangcay (Variety), Clayton Davis (Variety), Shawn Edwards (Wdaf-tv Fox), Keith Simanton (IMDb), Sasha Stone (Awards Daily) and Peter Travers (Rolling Stone...
- 4/7/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Andra Day was just 11 years old when she first heard Billie Holiday’s iconic anti-lynching song “Strange Fruit.” She recalls “prostrating before the speaker, just listening. It was scary and I just felt overwhelming sadness.”
Even at that young age, Day says she wanted to help Holiday and “whatever it was she was singing about.” As she got older, the truth behind the lyrics took the deeper meaning, resonating with her. “She was holding a mirror up to the nation,” Day says.
Now, the singer and actress is earning rave reviews for her performance as Holiday in the Lee Daniels-helmed film “The United States Vs. Billie Holiday.” The movie follows Holiday as she is targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics, who wanted her to stop singing “Strange Fruit.” The defiant Holiday refused and under the guise of drug abuse, the Fbn continued to pursue her.
Day recently won...
Even at that young age, Day says she wanted to help Holiday and “whatever it was she was singing about.” As she got older, the truth behind the lyrics took the deeper meaning, resonating with her. “She was holding a mirror up to the nation,” Day says.
Now, the singer and actress is earning rave reviews for her performance as Holiday in the Lee Daniels-helmed film “The United States Vs. Billie Holiday.” The movie follows Holiday as she is targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics, who wanted her to stop singing “Strange Fruit.” The defiant Holiday refused and under the guise of drug abuse, the Fbn continued to pursue her.
Day recently won...
- 3/25/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Aretha Franklin sang about “Respect” but what she really craved was control.
Franklin, who was undeniably brilliant, fiercely wanted to protect the love and loss within her private life as well as have a say in the strategic trajectory of her career. These are two of the major themes thoughtfully explored in Nat Geo’s Genius: Aretha, which premiered with two episodes Sunday March 21. Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner Cynthia Erivo sings beautifully and delivers a masterful performance as the icon at various stages of her life in the titular role. And Courtney B. Vance shines as he steals countless...
Franklin, who was undeniably brilliant, fiercely wanted to protect the love and loss within her private life as well as have a say in the strategic trajectory of her career. These are two of the major themes thoughtfully explored in Nat Geo’s Genius: Aretha, which premiered with two episodes Sunday March 21. Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner Cynthia Erivo sings beautifully and delivers a masterful performance as the icon at various stages of her life in the titular role. And Courtney B. Vance shines as he steals countless...
- 3/22/2021
- by Mekeisha Madden Toby
- TVLine.com
There’s one group that won’t be tuning in to “Genius: Aretha,” National Geographic’s four-night limited series about the life and work of Aretha Franklin, and that’s the Queen of Soul’s own family. Last week, Aretha Franklin’s granddaughter Grace posted a TikTok video protesting the show and its accuracies, and that was also when her father Kecalf Franklin publicly denounced the project as well.
“As the immediate family, we feel that it’s important to be involved with any biopic of my grandma’s life, as it’s hard to get any accurate depiction of anyone’s life without speaking to the ones closest to them,” Grace Franklin said. “During the process of writing, directing, and filming this movie, we’ve reached out to Genius as a family on multiple occasions where we have been disrespected and told we will not be worked with. As...
“As the immediate family, we feel that it’s important to be involved with any biopic of my grandma’s life, as it’s hard to get any accurate depiction of anyone’s life without speaking to the ones closest to them,” Grace Franklin said. “During the process of writing, directing, and filming this movie, we’ve reached out to Genius as a family on multiple occasions where we have been disrespected and told we will not be worked with. As...
- 3/21/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
National Geographic’s “Genius: Aretha” had its long-awaited premiere on Sunday, March 21. This life story of Aretha Franklin will unfold with two episodes per night till March 25, which is the birthday of the Queen of Soul. Two-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo portrays this legend of music. And based on the early rave reviews, this Grammy, Tony and Daytime Emmy champ may just add a Primetime Emmy to her growing awards collection.
Erivo is serving looks (costume design nom incoming) and vocals as you can see in the trailer above. It kicks off with the Queen of Soul conceiving “Chain of Fools.” “It’ll get under your skin, right down to the bone,” she says. It’s gonna be whole new vibe that brings people together.”
The series also stars Courtney B. Vance, Malcolm Barrett, David Cross, Patrice Covington, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Steven Norfleet, Pauletta Washington, Omar J. Dorsey, Marque Richardson,...
Erivo is serving looks (costume design nom incoming) and vocals as you can see in the trailer above. It kicks off with the Queen of Soul conceiving “Chain of Fools.” “It’ll get under your skin, right down to the bone,” she says. It’s gonna be whole new vibe that brings people together.”
The series also stars Courtney B. Vance, Malcolm Barrett, David Cross, Patrice Covington, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Steven Norfleet, Pauletta Washington, Omar J. Dorsey, Marque Richardson,...
- 3/21/2021
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
There may be two Aretha Franklin biopics coming out this year, but only one so far is getting an endorsement from members of the Queen of Soul’s immediate family.
Aretha Franklin: The Life and Career of The Queen of Soul
Earlier this week, the late singer’s granddaughter, Grace Franklin, posted a TikTok of her family protesting the release of Genius: Aretha, NatGeo’s four-part series starring Oscar-nominated actress Cynthia Erivo as Aretha. The series, for which Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks is showrunner, premieres on Sunday. In the clip,...
Aretha Franklin: The Life and Career of The Queen of Soul
Earlier this week, the late singer’s granddaughter, Grace Franklin, posted a TikTok of her family protesting the release of Genius: Aretha, NatGeo’s four-part series starring Oscar-nominated actress Cynthia Erivo as Aretha. The series, for which Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks is showrunner, premieres on Sunday. In the clip,...
- 3/20/2021
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Aretha Franklin was a musical genius. Period.
Not only could she take command of her mostly male back-up band, but her brilliant ear allowed her to compose and craft hit after hit while secretly dealing with painful occurrences in her life. In fact, she often turned pain into creative inspiration.
More from TVLineGenius: Aretha EP Suzan-Lori Parks: 'Black Female Genius Is Powerful in a Way You Don't Even Realize'Nicole Kidman, Cynthia Erivo, Alison Brie and Merritt Wever to Roar in Glow Creators' Apple TV+ AnthologyGenius: Aretha Gets New Premiere Date, Episodes to Roll Out Across One Week
And when fans...
Not only could she take command of her mostly male back-up band, but her brilliant ear allowed her to compose and craft hit after hit while secretly dealing with painful occurrences in her life. In fact, she often turned pain into creative inspiration.
More from TVLineGenius: Aretha EP Suzan-Lori Parks: 'Black Female Genius Is Powerful in a Way You Don't Even Realize'Nicole Kidman, Cynthia Erivo, Alison Brie and Merritt Wever to Roar in Glow Creators' Apple TV+ AnthologyGenius: Aretha Gets New Premiere Date, Episodes to Roll Out Across One Week
And when fans...
- 3/19/2021
- by Mekeisha Madden Toby
- TVLine.com
It could be said that Suzan-Lori Parks was destined to tell the story of Aretha Franklin.
Not just because the “Genius: Aretha” showrunner is a celebrated playwright who won the MacArthur “Genius” prize, but because the legendary “Queen of Soul” once reached out to Parks asking her to write a stage musical about her life.
“I was living in Los Angeles at the time and her people got in touch with my people, and they set up this phone call, where Miss Franklin and I spoke,” Parks tells Variety ahead of the limited series’ premiere. “We had a wonderful conversation about what she would like in the musical, stuff like that. It was a really fun conversation. She wanted it to be beautiful, and she wanted it to, like we say, ‘put respect on her name.’ And I assured her that we would completely do that, and I do believe we have.
Not just because the “Genius: Aretha” showrunner is a celebrated playwright who won the MacArthur “Genius” prize, but because the legendary “Queen of Soul” once reached out to Parks asking her to write a stage musical about her life.
“I was living in Los Angeles at the time and her people got in touch with my people, and they set up this phone call, where Miss Franklin and I spoke,” Parks tells Variety ahead of the limited series’ premiere. “We had a wonderful conversation about what she would like in the musical, stuff like that. It was a really fun conversation. She wanted it to be beautiful, and she wanted it to, like we say, ‘put respect on her name.’ And I assured her that we would completely do that, and I do believe we have.
- 3/19/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
National Geographic's third season of Genius will focus on legendary singer Aretha Franklin's life story. Showrunner and executive producer Suzan-Lori Parks and director/executive producer Anthony Hemingway explain why they plan to show the good, the bad and the ugly side of the late singer's life in Genius: Aretha. She didn't earn the "Queen of Shade" title for nothing. ...
- 3/18/2021
- by luperhaas@cinemovie.tv (Lupe R Haas)
- CineMovie
The spark for Genius: Aretha was a result of a confluence of events, according to Brian Grazer, who serves as executive producer on the Nat Geo series. During the SXSW panel for Genius: Aretha, Grazer said that they had a long list people for the next installment of the series that spotlighted cultural icons like Einstein and Picasso. This list included scientists, Nobel laureates — but they never contemplated a musical artist, but when Aretha Franklin passed, he realized that the next installment was obvious.
Franklin grew up in a time that was filled with cultural divisiveness and her home life was difficult to navigate during that time. “This is a story that should be much more than a movie,” said Grazer, who was joined on the panel moderated...
Franklin grew up in a time that was filled with cultural divisiveness and her home life was difficult to navigate during that time. “This is a story that should be much more than a movie,” said Grazer, who was joined on the panel moderated...
- 3/17/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
National Geographic’s much-stalled third season of limited series “Genius,” which tells the story of Aretha Franklin (played by Cynthia Erivo), finally premieres Sunday. Set as four-night event, airing two episodes back-to-back through Wednesday, “Genius: Aretha” will give fans the deep dive into the “Respect” singer’s life they’ve been waiting for.
And it’s likely that when you see it, there will be some parts of the tale that are hard to watch, but pivotal to Franklin’s journey nonetheless — like the numerous confrontations she had as a Black woman with white men while she fought her way to the top of the music industry.
“It’s very important to the series, for me as a Black, American woman, to take a look at that,” “Genius: Aretha” showrunner Suzan-Lori Parks told TheWrap. “And in the beginning, some folks were like, ‘Gee, there are a lot of men in the show.
And it’s likely that when you see it, there will be some parts of the tale that are hard to watch, but pivotal to Franklin’s journey nonetheless — like the numerous confrontations she had as a Black woman with white men while she fought her way to the top of the music industry.
“It’s very important to the series, for me as a Black, American woman, to take a look at that,” “Genius: Aretha” showrunner Suzan-Lori Parks told TheWrap. “And in the beginning, some folks were like, ‘Gee, there are a lot of men in the show.
- 3/16/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series, which highlights the buzziest scripts of awards season, included 12 movies that made the cut in the Oscar nominations Monday morning.
In the Screenplay races, this year Deadline featured seven out of the 10 films including all five films nommed in the Adapted Screenplay category: Amazon Studios’ Borat Subsequent Moviefilm and One Night In Miami, Sony Pictures Classics’ The Father, Searchlight’s Nomadland and Netflix’s The White Tiger.
There also are two scripts that received noms in the Original Screenplay category: Warner Bros’ Judas and the Black Messiah and A24’s Minari.
The other Original Screenplay nominees this year were Focus Features’ Promising Young Woman by Emerald Fennell; Amazon Studios’ Sound of Metal by Darius Marder & Abraham Marder, with story by Darius Marder & Derek Cianfrance; and Netflix’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 written by Aaron Sorkin, who won the Adapted Screenplay Oscar in 2011 for The Social Network.
In the Screenplay races, this year Deadline featured seven out of the 10 films including all five films nommed in the Adapted Screenplay category: Amazon Studios’ Borat Subsequent Moviefilm and One Night In Miami, Sony Pictures Classics’ The Father, Searchlight’s Nomadland and Netflix’s The White Tiger.
There also are two scripts that received noms in the Original Screenplay category: Warner Bros’ Judas and the Black Messiah and A24’s Minari.
The other Original Screenplay nominees this year were Focus Features’ Promising Young Woman by Emerald Fennell; Amazon Studios’ Sound of Metal by Darius Marder & Abraham Marder, with story by Darius Marder & Derek Cianfrance; and Netflix’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 written by Aaron Sorkin, who won the Adapted Screenplay Oscar in 2011 for The Social Network.
- 3/15/2021
- by Patrick Hipes and Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Among the the music biopic’s many tropes is the inevitable recording-session scene, where we watch a recreation of the artist at work — or, if the subject is a band, see them quarrel and throw drum sticks at each other. Rare, though, are the sequences where you feel as if you’re truly witnessing art emerge — which is precisely what happens about three-quarters of the way through Genius: Aretha, the eight-part mini-series that debuts on the National Geographic channel on March 21st, and will be streaming online next day on Hulu.
- 3/15/2021
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Everyone wants concerts to come back. Everyone who attended the premiere event for Nat Geo’s “Genius: Aretha” at the makeshift drive-in in the Rose Bowl parking lot Thursday had a more specific wish: that Cynthia Erivo concerts would come back. Never mind that that really hasn’t much of a thing up till now, with Erivo being too busy with acting gigs to tour. The premiere screening was followed by a taped performance by Erivo, filmed last weekend nearby in an empty Greek Theatre, that made it clear the road and audiences along it will be ready whenever she is.
The end of Erivo’s 20-minute performance met with considerable honking from a car-bound crowd that couldn’t help but momentarily forego the Rose Bowl setting’s rules about laying off the horn. The mini-concert, first revealed in a “Just for Variety” preview, had Erivo arriving on the Greek...
The end of Erivo’s 20-minute performance met with considerable honking from a car-bound crowd that couldn’t help but momentarily forego the Rose Bowl setting’s rules about laying off the horn. The mini-concert, first revealed in a “Just for Variety” preview, had Erivo arriving on the Greek...
- 3/12/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
After installments that profiled Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, the Nat Geo dramatic series “Genius” turns to the life of the singular talent that is Aretha Franklin with “Genius: Aretha.” Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet”) steps into the giant shoes of this music legend, even admirably tackling some of Franklin’s biggest hits herself, as writer Suzan-Lori Parks (a Pulitzer Prize winner for “Topdog/Underdog”) jumps back and forth, connecting Franklin’s youth to the decisions she made and art she produced as an adult.
Continue reading ‘Genius: Aretha’: Cynthia Erivo Shines As The Queen Of Soul In A Smart, But Inconsistent Series [Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Genius: Aretha’: Cynthia Erivo Shines As The Queen Of Soul In A Smart, But Inconsistent Series [Review] at The Playlist.
- 3/12/2021
- by Brian Tallerico
- The Playlist
Watching Cynthia Erivo sing on screen is often a restorative experience. Here is a vocalist who, when performing, appears as if she’s doing exactly what she was put on this earth to do, and to behold that is to feel that the world is alright, at least for a few minutes. That’s a quality Erivo shares with Aretha Franklin, making the London-born multi-hyphenate a fantastic choice to play the late Queen of Soul in the eight-part Nat Geo miniseries Genius: Aretha.
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog) shepherds this third iteration of the biographical anthology series. (Previous seasons focused on Albert ...
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog) shepherds this third iteration of the biographical anthology series. (Previous seasons focused on Albert ...
- 3/12/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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