Just found out that a new movie musical is in the works and it’s sure to impress! Amira is the story of a young girl who has an impossible dream of singing professionally. Now I know what you are thinking, I’ve heard this story before, but it’s how the story is being told that will make this so special.

I had a moment to sit down with the director, Christopher Ninness who had a bit to say about the project and how he is going to tell the story.

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ADMIRAL: Hello Chris, thanks for taking the time to chat with me.

CHRIS: No problem.

ADMIRAL: So we only have a couple minutes, tell me what Amira is all about.

CHRIS: Amira is a story of obtaining your dreams and reaching your goals. It’s a 1940’s movie musical told as a fairy tale. We’re taking a familiar story that people have heard before and telling it in a bit of a more unique way.

ADMIRAL: I love that. I know you are a huge Disney fan.

CHRIS: I love Disney movies and classic movie musicals. I love Singing in the Rain, West Side Story, Wizard of Oz. The classics, you know?

ADMIRA: How long have you been working on this project?

CHRIS: Well, it’s been about a year now in production. I have an amazing team that is creating the script to screen and they are really out doing themselves. It’s so neat to see so many passionate people working on a project. That’s when the magic happens.

ADMIRAL: Is it all new music? Original score?

CHRIS: Yes. Taylor Peckham is a very talented composer that is creating 4 original songs for the film. They sound awesome. One of the songs is a big swing number that is a lot of fun.

ADMIRAL: How is your cast looking?

CHRIS: Funny you ask that. We have a extraordinary cast for this film, I feel so blessed. It’s definitely an ensemble cast. Kaitlyn Terrill is our title role and she is just a breath of fresh air. She brings an honesty and a passion to the role that is so unique to see. Zack Wolfe is the lovable charismatic part of Tony. He is definitely a very funny character but also very talented. Tony was a tricky role to cast because he truly has to be a triple threat, having to sing, dance, and act. Plus we have a few surprises in the film of people you may recognize. It’s just a blast to watch these people on screen.

ADMIRAL: Well thanks for taking the time to talk to me. Where can people go to check out more on the film?

CHRIS: Please go check out amiramovie.com, that’s the official website for the film.

ADMIRAL: Thanks so much for talking to us, can’t wait to see some footage.

CHRIS: Very soon! I promise. Thanks dude.

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Short interview but I also got to talk with the Director of Photography and that interview will be up sometime next week. What do you guys think about the project? The idea?

–Admiral Eo

I know we have talked about this show before, but last night I had the opportunity to view it up in Los Angeles, CA. Here is a quick summary of the show thanks to broadway world.

——-broadway world——-

In The Heights is a musical with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes. The story explores three days in the characters’ lives in the New York City Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights. The score features hip-hop, salsa, merengue and soul music. The musical’s 2008 Broadway production was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards and won the Tony Award for Best Musical at the 62nd Tony Awards.

——-broadway world——-

First off let me just say that it is one of the best shows I have ever seen. It really does change the way I think about musical theater. Every aspect of the design is so incredibly detailed it blew my mind.

On November 7, 2008, Universal Pictures announced that they plan to adapt the musical as a feature film for release in 2011. According to Variety, Kenny Ortega will direct the musical and Mark Klein will modify the script. Original Broadway cast member and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda will reprise his role as Usnavi in the future release of In The Heights. The feature film is set to begin principal photography in August 2010.

So what do you guys think? Have you seen the show? Will it make a great movie?

–Admiral Eo

Ok, not sure what to say about this. An informant of mine sent me this link and I’ll just post what it said. If it’s true, what on earth is the world coming to?

————————— broadway world . com ————————–

Ray of Light Theatre (www.roltheatre.com), San Francisco’s inimitable non-profit musical theatre company, is pleased to announce that the sensational, award-winning musical Jerry Springer the Opera will open its 2010–2011 10th Anniversary Season. This hilarious, crudely delightful yet heartbreaking operatic farce will rage beginning on September 10, 2010 at The Victoria Theatre in San Francisco’s Mission District — home of the company’s wildly successful and critically recognized productions of The Who’s Tommy in 2009 (winner of 6 BATCC Awards), The Rocky Horror Show in 2008 (nominated for 5 BATCC Awards), as well as Bat Boy: The Musical in 2005 (named a Top 10 show of the year by The SF Bay Guardian).

Ray of Light is among a select few theatre companies across the United States to be granted permission to produce this work and is proud to be present its WEST COAST PREMIERE!

The only work in British history to win all of their Best Musical awards: Olivier Awards, Critic’s Choice, Evening Standard, and What’s On Stage — along with many others; Jerry Springer the Opera is a fascinating mix of the highest form of art and the lowest form of culture — opera and daytime television.

————————— broadway world . com ————————–

Well, there you have it. This might be one of the worst ideas ever but I guess it could make a ton of money.

Only time will tell.

–Admiral Eo

This bit of news comes from a friendly source across the world wide web. It’s kind of a surprising film project.

Christina Aguilera will make her big screen debut with Screen Gems’ movie musical, ‘Burlesque,’ due out on November 24 later this year.  She leads headlines the film alongside Cher and Stanley Tucci, and is additionally joined by Alan Cumming, Eric Dane, Dianna Agron, and Kristen Bell. Today, the first promo shots were released and are brought to you below.

The film will be directed by Steve Antin, the brother of Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin. Antin wrote the script, which was revised by “Erin Brockovich” writer Susannah Grant, with Aguilera in mind.

The movie is a contemporary musical about “an ambitious smalltown girl with a big voice who finds love, family and success in a Los Angeles neo-burlesque club.” Cher’s character will serve as Aguilera’s mentor in the film. Donald De Line is producing through his De Line Pictures banner.

What do you guys think? Train wreck or fantastic?

–Admiral Eo

Ok, here’s the deal. This play is kinda amazing and I am waiting patiently for the day when I can go see it. Hopefully with Alfred Molina in it. I know what your thinking, what is RED about?

It is the late 1950s and Mark Rothko, the famous Abstract Expressionist painter, is at a crossroads in his career. Intellectual, controlling and often bombastic, Rothko is at work on a surprising (and very well-paid) commission: a series of murals to hang at the Four Seasons restaurant in Midtown Manhattan’s Seagram’s Building. The play takes place in Rothko’s studio, where he works with the help of a smart, young assistant. The action follows the artist’s struggle for integrity and understanding in the face of fame, self-questioning and impending irrelevance. Will his paintings survive in a place that represents everything—greed, commercialism, bourgeois comfort—he detests?

Here’s what the people have to say that have seen it:

” So intense. An electrifying play! Molina turns in a robust portrait of the artist as a man of fierce intelligence and ferocious drive. Redmayne is admirably cool and subtle.” — Marilyn Stasio

“Finally a truly intelligent play on Broadway! Red is a compelling example of how a thinking theater can simultaneously entertain and educate. Molina and Redmayne are superb.” — John Simon

“A fresh, exciting portrait of a brilliant mind. The dauntless Mr. Molina gives his strongest Broadway performance to date. Possessiveness and perplexity glitter in his eyes like a fever. Mr. Redmayne’s Ken has a spine and a mind of his own, and you can feel both growing stronger throughout the play. Mr. Grandage is a canny craftsman of the theater, and he makes sure that the play’s intellectual arguments are sensually grounded.” — Ben Brantley

More to come about this new play as more details emerge.

–Admiral Eo

We have all been to a theme park and have seen a show. Here is my list of the shows NOT to miss.

1) FANTASMIC! A journey beyond your wildest imagination. My father took my brother and I to Disneyland when we were young specifically to show us the glory of Fantasmic. Do not underestimate how much I mean this when I say that this is the best theme park show ever. The. Best. Ever.

2) Water World. Ok, I know what your thinking, but this is a better show that it was a movie. It’s campy and very fun. The stunts are incredible (when everything works right and the actors care enough) and the set design is unbelievable. If you ever find yourself in Universal Studios Hollywood, don’t miss out on this awesome 30 minute stunt show.

3) Last but certainly not least we have World of Color! A new show at Disneyland that is mind blowing! Words cannot describe the beauty that is World of Color. It is the best water show I have ever seen. Their are no actors and is all done with projections and fountains but it will still make you cry and smile with joy. Go now.  Run, don’t walk.

Funny that all three of these shows take place on the water. What do you guys think? Did I leave any amazing shows out? Are these the best?

–Admiral Eo

It’s only right that I take the day to talk to you about the Tony Awards which happens to be tomorrow!!!

Ok, so you probably have no idea what they are or you probably just couldn’t care less. I will try to sway you into taking a peak tomorrow night, as I think you might actually enjoy yourself.

First of all, the host. NIEL PATRICK HARRIS. That should be enough for you to want to watch it right? Doogie Howser singing and dancing should make your heart tingle. He also hosted last year and did a bang up job.

Then there are the performances, which are always impressive. Here are the nominations for best new musical. All in their own way are truly incredible.

1) American Idiot tells the exhilarating story of a new generation of young Americans as they struggle to find meaning in a post-9/11 world, borne along by Green Day’s electrifying score. With an 8 member onstage band and a cast of 19 led by Tony Award-winner John Gallagher, Jr., this high-octane musical includes every song from the acclaimed album American Idiot, as well as several songs from the band’s Grammy Award-winning new release, 21st Century Breakdown.

2) Fela! explores Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s controversial life as an artist, political activist and revolutionary musician as well as his pioneering blend of jazz, funk and traditional African rhythms that launched the Afrobeat community.

3) Set in the turbulent south in the 1950s, Memphis is the story of Huey Calhoun, a white radio DJ whose love of good music transcends race lines and airwaves. Thanks in part to his passionate persistence, “race” music reaches the center of the radio dial, quickly exploding throughout mainstream America. But when Huey falls for a beautiful black singer he has set on the path to stardom, whether the world is really ready for this music, and their love, is put to the test.

4) On December 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins gathered at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever. Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life, featuring a score of rock hits that includes “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Hound Dog.” The musical captures the singular moment when four major talents came together to become a red-hot rock ‘n’ roll band.

So don’t miss out on a great night of entertainment. I promise you will enjoy yourselves.

–Admiral Eo

Todays news comes from a new source, not yet known to be completely reliable, but we will see soon.

This latest theater announcement made my heart do a little dance: Continuing the trend of adapting film for the stage (Legally Blonde,Shrek, Young Frankenstein, 9 to 5), Little Miss Sunshine the musical will premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, CA next February!

The 2006 Sundance hit about a uniquely dysfunctional family — which was nominated for four Academy Awards — will be adapted by William Finn and James Lapine, who previously collaborated on 2005′s hilarious tale of awkward phonetic prodigies, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Lapine, a three-time Tony Award winner, has also frequently collaborated with legendary Stephen Sondheim.

On paper, this has the makings to be an unstoppable hit, but can this oddball dark comedy really make a successful transition to the stage?

I vote yes. The film already provides a raunchy Rick James performance, which can easily be made even more outrageous in the context of a musical. But does the rest of the film warrant musical numbers? Sure! How about a solo from the heroin-using, foul-mouthed grandfather (portrayed on-screen by Alan Arkin) about all the worldly advice he gives his grandson? (“F— a lot of women kid.”) Or motivational speaker Richard Hoover (Greg Kinnear) going into a hilarious song and dance interpretation of his nine-step “Refuse to Lose” program? Given Finn and Lapine’s success with wordy misfits in Spelling Bee, they seem more than ready to handle turning Sunshine into a musical. Is anyone else excited? Do you think Little Miss Sunshine will make a good musical? Any other film you’d like to see on stage?

Thanks to “popwatch” for this bit of news.

–Admiral Eo

This week I look into a new musical with a sense of nostalgia to the original form of stage musical. It’s a return for broadway leaving the more contemporary rock shows to the classics such as “West Side Story” or “A White Christmas”.

A BRIEF MUSICAL DESCRIPTION:

Come Fly Away combines the seductive vocals of Frank Sinatra with the sizzling sound of a live 19-piece big band and the visceral thrill of Twyla Tharp’s choreography. Fifteen of the world’s best dancers tell the story of four couples falling in and out of love at a swinging nightclub on a sultry summer night, set to a score of beloved Sinatra classics including “The Summer Wind,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “One for My Baby,” “My Way,” “Theme from New York, New York,” and “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

Theirs no doubt that this musical would be a hit since it was directed by Twyla Tharp who is known to create spectacles on stage. One of her most famouse works on broadway was the song titled show “Moving Out” which was a musical told only in dance using the stunning music created by Billy joel.

Other works by Twyla Tharp include “Singing in the Rain” and “Hair”. Here’s the big question, should you see it? Well to be honest, I have not seen it yet but I do plan on a trip to New York very soon and I will definitely be checking it out. Curious though, do you guys think Sinatra music would be a good  choice for live theater?

–Admiral Eo

This week I thought I would go over some classics, the movies that changed cinema forever. Yes, their are musicals that have changed cinema. These are the films that inspired a generation and have stood the test of time. Please know that this is my list and is very opinionated. These are the films I personally thought belonged at the top.

Let’s begin…

3) “West Side Story” — Never has dance/fighting been so cool. This film was and is one of the best adaptations of Romeo and juliet to be told ever.

2) “Singing in the Rain” - If you’re not a fan of Gene Kelly, I don’t know how you could or will ever truly appreciate the art of dance. HE IS THE MAN. If you ever want to study dance, look him up, he’ll change your world.

Gene Kelly + Roller Skates = INCREDIBLE

This is also very neat…

and 1) “The Wizard of Oz” - Perhaps THE film that changed cinema. It has been called the #1 fantasy film of all time and it’s easy to see why. It has everything you want in a movie and more!

I would love to know what you guys consider to be the greats. Any others you believe to be up here in the three? Do you agree with my picks?

–Admiral Eo