EXCLUSIVE: Vanderpump Rules has had a major renaissance thanks to its recent “Scandoval” with Bravo and Peacock scoring record ratings for the show.
09.06.2023 - 18:23 / variety.com
Jenelle Riley Deputy Awards and Features Editor This article first appeared as part of Jenelle Riley’s Acting Up newsletter – to subscribe for early content and weekly updates on all things acting, visit the Acting Up signup page. In “A Soldier’s Play,” Captain Richard Davenport isn’t meant to sing. But when you cast legendary baritone Norm Lewis in the role, you take advantage of his talents. Lewis can be seen in the national touring production, currently playing at L.A.’s Ahmanson Theatre — and it’s thanks to director Kenny Leon that audiences get to hear Davenport sing at certain points it the show. Written by Charles Fuller, “A Soldier’s Play” is set on an Army base in 1944, when the military is still segregated. Captain Davenport, a rare Black officer, is sent to investigate the shooting of Sergeant Vernon Waters. Though Black himself, Waters despises and persecutes Black men who he feels perpetuate old-fashioned stereotypes.
“A Soldier’s Play” debuted Off-Broadway in 1981 by the Negro Ensemble Company in a production that starred Denzel Washington, David Alan Grier, Samuel L. Jackson and Adolph Caesar. It won the 1982 Pulitzer Prize for drama and spawned a film version, “A Soldier’s Story,” in 1984. The play had many notable revivals over the years but only made its Broadway debut in 2020, with Leon directing a cast that included Blair Underwood and Grier, now playing the role of Waters — a performance that won the actor a Tony Award for best featured actor in a play. A Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award nominee, Lewis has a long history of tackling iconic roles — he’s appeared on Broadway as Javert in “Les Misérables,” King Triton in “The Little Mermaid” and in “The Phantom of the Opera,” becoming the first African
EXCLUSIVE: Vanderpump Rules has had a major renaissance thanks to its recent “Scandoval” with Bravo and Peacock scoring record ratings for the show.
Lewis Capaldi has broken his silence following his performance at Glastonbury on Saturday and has announced that he will be taking a break from touring 'for the foreseeable future'.
Are you a lapsed self-tanner, or somebody who’s never even dared to try? You’re actually in the majority. “Lots of people give up because they’ve had a bad experience in the past, and research has found three out of five people have never used self-tan,” says James Harknett, celebrity tan guru and Three Warriors global creative artist. “They need to know how much formulas have improved, and how easy it is now to get a perfect glow.” Isle of Paradise founder Jules Von Hep agrees.
Paul Mescal has revealed his monumental body transformation as he prepares for his upcoming Gladiator role.
King Charles is celebrating Father’s Day 2023 with a sweet throwback photo featuring both of his sons.
In her corner? Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix appeared to be on the same page when it came to their friendship with Raquel Leviss before Scandoval made headlines.
Cashing in. Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss‘ cheating scandal came with an unexpected paycheck for several Vanderpump Rules stars.
Topdog/Underdog co-stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Corey Hawkins are both in the running for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play at the 2023 Tony Awards, but the duo presented a unified front on the red carpet.
The stars of stage, screen, and sport will once again be ditching their day jobs to become footballers for one game - and one game only. That can only mean Soccer Aid is back for another year.
Ariana Madix isn’t wasting any time turning a hurtful remark into a business opportunity.
Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The “Vanderpump Rules” crew is no stranger to a brand deal.
Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor Ruth Carter doesn’t need the prefix “costume designer” in front of her name; she is a household name. Carter made Oscar history when she became the first Black woman ever to win two Oscars,thanks to her work on the “Black Panther” films. With credits that include “Selma,” “Malcolm X,” “Coming 2 America” and being Spike Lee’s go-to, Carter has stories to tell.
cheating scandal that keeps on giving isn’t over yet, because the reality show’s producers are teasing another big shocking reveal.Tom Sandoval, 40, notoriously cheated on his girlfriend of nine years, Ariana Madix, 37, with her ex-friend, Raquel Leviss, 28. The news made waves when it came out in March, with the event dubbed “Scandoval.” Ever since, a steady stream of further revelations have arrived about what really happened and who knew about it.
Emmy Rossum and Tom Holland play mother-son in Apple TV+’s The Crowded Room. The Shameless alum is opening up about being cast in the role while only being 10 years older than the Super-Man star.
Emmy Rossum spoke about playing Tom Holland’s mother in “The Crowded Room” during a chat with ET Canada’s Morgan Hoffman.
Marvel‘s Spider-Verse franchise in a new interview.The suggestion came up while Isaac was speaking to to the British edition of GQ to promote the latest animated Spider-Man movie, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.Isaac – who voices Spider-Man 2099, a futuristic version of the web-slinger in the film – was asked by journalist Lucy Ford if there was anyone he hoped would join the cast in the franchise’s coming films.“I don’t know,” he responded. “They’re so brilliant at finding the right person for the right character, but maybe Pedro Pascal.
Sophia Scorziello editor Peter Meyer, beloved entertainment industry manager, died on May 14 at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif. after a five-year battle with sarcoma, his sister Patty K. Meyer shared. He wast 68. Meyer was an agent and manager to numerous Hollywood industry professionals. Since 1990, he represented clients under his agency, Meyer Management. “He was known and beloved by hundreds of industry pros,” Patty said. Most recently, he represented rights holders and producers on Denzel Washington’s “The Equalizer.” Meyer attended Yale University where he wrote his senior thesis, “MGM and the Studio System in the Age of Mass Production.” The thesis was later published as an award-winning book and was also printed in Variety.
Helen Mirren is to receive this year's American Cinematheque Award. Representatives for the American Cinematheque organisation announced on Monday that The Queen star would receive the honour at their annual awards gala on 4 November. "Helen Mirren has won the Oscar, Tony and Emmy triple crown of acting, and is an unparalleled icon among actors," American Cinematheque board chair Rick Nicita said of the award recipient in a statement, reports Deadline.
Keanu Reeves helped Kate Beckinsale avoid an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction during one of her earliest big appearances.
EXCLUSIVE: Netflix‘s feature adaptation of the play The Piano Lesson out of August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle” has added six to its cast: Malik J. Ali (Swagger), Gail Bean (Snowfall), Jerrika Hinton (Hunters), Stephan James (If Beale Street Could Talk), Jay Peterson (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It) and Matrell Smith (The Equalizer).