'Rock of Ages' Movie Casting News

The complete failure of the movie version of the musical "Nine" with critics and at the box office helped to bring the movie musical genre closer back to death's door. Starting with "Evita" in 1996 audiences could count on movie studios to churn out at least one movie musical almost every year. Most achieved hit status with either critics, audiences or soundtrack sales or a combination of these further paving the way for future filmed musicals.

After "Nine," 2010 and 2011 will remain a drought for the genre until next year's release of the 'Rock of Ages' movie. (Note: Although "Burlesque" starring Cher and Christina Aguilera was released in 2010 and termed a musical, all the songs featured were part of the burlesque show or its rehearsal rather than characters breaking out in song off stage.) The 'Rock of Ages' feature film is being adapted from the Tony Award nominee for best musical that opened on Broadway in 2009 and continues to run to the surprise of almost everyone two years later.

Diego Boneta plays the lead role of Drew in the
'Rock of Ages' feature film
(image credit: Lesley Bryce)

Set in 1987 on the Sunset Strip, 'Rock of Ages' tells the story a small-town girl who meets a big-city rocker in a rock club in Los Angeles and fall in love to the greatest songs of the '80s. The love story is told through the hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Poison and many more. To the shock of stage industry experts, the show received five Tony Award nominations. It won none of those awards but the nominations and exposure from a performance on the televised awards helped to cement a more than decent run in New York and profitability.

Unlike stage musicals adapted to movies such as "Rent" or "The Producers" which used most of the original cast members (and both becoming box-office bombs), Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema are pulling in the stars to headline 'Rock of Ages' on the big screen.

Adam Shankman who directed and choreographed the hit movie version of "Hairspray" is also at the helm of the 'Rock of Ages' movie to do the same. In casting news, these are the actors announced for the film:

Tom Cruise (as Stacee Jaxx), Russell Brand (Lonnie), Alec Baldwin (Dennis Dupree), Paul Giamatti (Paul Gill), Julianne Hough (Sherrie Christian) and Mary J. Blige (Justice Charlier).  Catherine Zeta-Jones is the latest actor to be connected to the movie. She will play a new villain role written for the film as the city mayor's wife who hopes to do away with rock 'n roll. Diego Boneta who has appeared on the television series "Pretty Little Liars" and the CW's "90210" is cast in the lead role of Drew Boley, previously played on stage by American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis. Bryan Cranston of TV's "Breaking Bad" is in talks to play the role of the mayor.

Filming is set to begin in May 2011 with a release date of June 1, 2012. Until then the stage production continues to run on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre. The show is on a North American Tour and can be seen in Melbourne, Australia. A London production is set to open August 31, 2011. Visit rockofagesmusical.com for info about the various stage productions and tickets. The Original Cast Recording of 'Rock of Ages' is available on CD and iTunes.

The original Broadway cast of 'Rock of Ages' (image credit: Joan Marcus)

Frequent Flier 101: What You Need to Know About Loyalty Programs

Frequent Flier Membership Cards (image credit: jaunted)

In a recent USA Today report all the basics are covered on what you need to know about airline frequent flier programs.

Here are a couple of things you may not know:

Is it worth the time and effort required to pursue frequent flier perks:
It's a mistake to think of frequent flier miles as an extra. The cost of frequent flier miles is included in every ticket issued. So if you don't earn miles and eventually redeem them for an award, you are effectively overpaying for your ticket.

Mileage expiration:
The rule governing mileage expiration in most programs reads something like this: All miles will expire 18 months (two years in some programs) after the latest earning or redemption transaction. In other words, any account activity automatically extends the life of all miles in that account for an additional 1.5 years. For example, anytime you earn points like charging on an airline credit card you extend the life of your points without flying.


Click here to view the complete article. I definitely recommend the report for anyone who believe one loyalty program is not worth it or that they'll never earn enough points for a reward. The basics covered include earning points through partner airlines, hotel stays, car rentals, credit card charges and shopping. Airline awards examples and key program "Terms and Conditions" are also reviewed.

Steal Hotel Towels No More

(image credit: yoshiffles)

The New York Times reports that a Miami company has developed a washable RFID (radio-frequency identification) chip that are attached to hotel towels, robes and bed sheets. Linen Technology Tracking reports that three hotels in Honolulu, Miami and Manhattan are using the tags. All three requested to remain anonymous. The Honolulu hotel reports towel thefts have been reduced from 4,000 a month to 750 saving more than $16,000 a month.

The tags also assist the hotel to manage their linen stock. Hotels would know when linens are running low and a new order is needed. With the rising cost of cotton, hotels are ordering linens less frequently.

I kind of picture that hotel guests will be subject to airport type of security when LEAVING the hotel. Imagine guests lining up to see if any hotel goods with a computer ship shows up through a scanner. As long as there's an amnesty bin.

'Ghost the Musical' Trailer & Music Video

This is the last of four posts about the upcoming production of 'Ghost the Musical' in London's West End.

For a taste of the production that is about to come to the Piccadilly Theatre in London, here are a pair of videos. For more videos, visit the 'Ghost the Musical' YouTube Channel. The first is the trailer for the musical and the second the music video for the song "Here Right Now" from the show.

'Ghost': Richard & Caissie Become Sam & Molly

Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy star in 'Ghost the Musical'

This is the third of four posts about the upcoming production of 'Ghost the Musical' in London's West End.

Having the opportunity to see Richard Fleeshman in "Legally Blonde" in London in 2010 and Caissie Levy in the 2009 revival of "Hair" on Broadway in supporting roles, it will be interesting to see how they fare as leads in such a high profile show as 'Ghost the Musical' based on the 1990 feature film.

The audiences and critics are waiting until the show premieres this June at the Piccadilly Theatre in London. More info at ghostthemusical.com.

For now here are their program biographies:
Richard Fleeshman (Sam Wheat)

Richard made his West End debut in Legally Blonde playing Warner opposite Sheridan Smith at the Savoy Theatre.

Television credits include Craig Harris in Coronation Street, Midsomer Murders, Moving On, All the Small Things, Reading Bedtime Stories, Monday Monday and Blue Murder IV.

In 2003, Richard won Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes and went on to win Soapstar Superstar in 2006. Richard plays the piano and guitar and signed a major record deal with Universal Records in 2007. More recently he has been working with Sir Elton John on his Summer Stadium, Red Piano and European Tours.

www.richardfleeshmanuk.com

Caissie Levy (Molly Jensen)

Ms. Levy is delighted to be back in the UK in Ghost, having starred as Sheila in last season's West End production of Hair at the Gielgud Theatre.

Broadway credits include Sheila in the 2009 Tony Award winning revival of Hair, Elphaba in Wicked (Los Angeles), Penny Pingleton in Hairspray (Broadway, 1st National Tour), and Maureen in Rent (National Tour). In concert, she was a guest soloist for the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Recordings include Keys: The Music of Scott Alan, Reach The Sky: Bobby Cronin Live At the Beechman, All Things In Time: Stuart Matthew Price, Thirteen Stories Down: The songs of Jonathan Reid Gealt, and the Grammy Award nominated cast recording of Hair, from which her rendition of Easy To Be Hard was awarded USA Today's Pick of the Week.

www.caissielevy.com

Fleeshman off stage during his run in "Legally Blonde"
(image credit: Montagne Jeunesse)

Levy offstage during the run of "Hair"
(image credit: Joseph Marzullo/WENN)

'Ghost the Musical' Charity Single

This is the second of four posts about the upcoming production of 'Ghost the Musical' in London's West End.

In the memory of Patrick Swayze and to acknowledge the work of SU2C (Stand Up 2 Cancer), 'Ghost the Musical' will be working on a number of initiatives in support of the charity. First up is the release of a new single on June 22, 2011 from the show called "With You" sung by Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy who play the lead roles of Sam and Molly. The proceeds of the single will go to SU2C.

The single is available for preview on amazon.com or apple.com and download on iTunes (UK customers: visit amazon.co.uk or the UK iTunes store).

Swayze, the star of the film "Ghost,"was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February 2008. After waging a valiant public battle against the disease, the actor died in September 2009 at the age of 57.

SU2C aims to raise awareness and bring about an understanding that everyone is connected by cancer and to motivate the public through forms of media to become involved in the cause of curing cancer.

'Ghost The Musical' Appears in London This June

Richard Fleeshman (Sam) and Caissie Levy (Molly)

In the UK some recent movie to stage musical adaptations have failed to excite the public. 'Ghost the Musical' which arrives at London's Piccadilly Theatre this June may break the spell just with the sheer curiosity of the film's fans by the undertaking.

Levy and Fleeshman

The romantic film is always a likely candidate to be adapted into a stage musical and 'Ghost' the movie is among the most popular in the genre. Originally released in July 1990, the film starred Patrick Swayze as a ghost who teams up with a psychic (Whoopi Goldberg) to uncover the truth behind his murder and to rescue his wife (Demi Moore) from a similar fate. The film made over $500 million at the box office to become the number one grossing film of the year worldwide. Not just a summer release for the masses, the film was honored at the 1991 Academy Awards with two Oscars (supporting actress for Goldberg and original screenplay). The film also received nominations for best picture, score and film editing. In addition Goldberg won a Golden Globe and BAFTA (British Oscar) the same year for the role.

Sharon D. Clarke (center) as Oda Mae Brown playing the role originated
by Whoopi Goldberg on film.

The film cemented Swayze and Moore's superstar reputations and turned the word 'ditto' into a romantic term of endearment. A memorable scene in the movie featured the song "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers resulting in radio airplay and a resurgence in sales for the recording. The duo re-recorded their hit returning the song to the Billboard top 20 and received a certification for sales of one million copies in the US for the single.

Fleeshman and Levy

Now comes a musical adaption which was previously announced to play the West End two years earlier at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Those plans were scrapped and instead the stage musical adaption is on an out-of-town tryout in Manchester, England from March 28, 2011 before beginning performances in London on June 22.

The creative team includes director Matthew Warchus, a a 2009 Tony Award winner for directing 'God of Carnage'. Some of his directing credits include 'The Norman Conquests,' 'Boeing, Boeing,' 'Art.'. His musical directing includes 'Lord of the Rings,' 'Our House' and the 2003 revival of 'Tell Me on A Sunday.' Bruce Joel Rubin is adapting his screenplay for the stage. Music and lyrics are by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. With Eurythmics' partner Annie Lennox, Stewart delivered a string top 40 hits including "Here Comes the Rain Again" and "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)". Ballard is a six-time Grammy award winner. One of his biggest successes was the multi-platinum album "Jagged Little Pill" which he co-wrote and produced with the album's artist Alanis Morissette. The show is budgeted at 6 million pounds (US$9 million). "Unchained Melody" is reported to be included in the show but not part of the score sung by the cast.

Fleeshman (right) in the scene after his character of Sam is murdered.

A review from Manchester's Finest:
Fans of the film will be pleased to know not a lot has been changed in it’s transferral from screen to stage although some scenes occur in a different chronological order, which is good for keeping the audience on their toes.
.

Richard Fleeshman

A stunning performance is given from Caissie Levy as Sam’s girlfiend Molly. The Canadian born actress, most recently seen as Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway, plays the role with a truth and emotion that has you transfixed throughout. Her rendition of ‘With You’ before the end of the first half is breathtaking as she belts out each note with passion and perfection. I would definitely bet on the fact that we will see Caissie getting a nod next year at prestigious theatre awards, the Oliviers.
.
Former Coronation Street star Richard Fleeshman gives his best performance to date as the despairing and driven protagonist, Sam. Despite my prior reservations at his casting, thinking him ‘too young’, onstage he shows a maturity that proves the Manchester born actor has definitely ‘come of age’.
.

left to righ: Sharon D. Clarke, Richard
Fleeshman, Caissie Levy.

Comedy comes in the form of Psychic Ode Mae Brown, played by Holby City’s Sharon D. Clarke-a theatre veteran who has previously appeared in Chicago and Hairspray. Armed with some wicked one liners there are times she truly steals the show and provides a well needed laugh in what could become an emotional tear-fest.
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What makes the show so special though is the eye popping special effects which have you wondering ‘how did they do that’ long after you leave the theatre. Fleeshman jumps through doors, people, and at one point disappears right in front of your eyes-a real testament to illusionist Paul Kieve who has worked his magic on the production.

The show appears to have the makings of hit mixing talents from the world of the stage, pop music and film to bring the story to a new audience 20 years later. Those who remember the film fondly may likely want to take the journey again and see the story of 'Ghost' in a new light.

Below are more production photos with rehearsal photos in black and white.

This is the first of four posts about the upcoming production of 'Ghost the Musical' in London's West End.

Richard Fleeshman, center

The company of 'Ghost the Musical'

The company of 'Ghost the Musical'

Andrew Langtree plays Carl Bruner in the role originated by Tony
Goldwyn on film.

Levy and Fleeshman (center)

Potted Potter on the London Stage

It was going to happen sooner or later, someone would come up with idea of using the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling as a basis for a stage production. Though someone has not been crazy enough to bring 'Harry Potter the Musical' to London or Broadway, for now 'Potted Potter' will return to the West End for a strict limited engagement a month after the HP movie is released.

Recommended for muggles from the age of six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed) and in the tradition of 'The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)' is 'Potted Potter The Unauthorized Harry Experience.' See creators Dan Clarkson and Jefferson Turner play out the all seven Harry Potter books in seventy minutes. The show was first seen in 2006 and is playing a limited engagement at London's Garrick Theatre during a fifth anniversary tour.

From The Guardian's Lyn Gardner's review of the 2007 version:
Sublimely potty and done with the lightest of touches, this daft two-man parody and a heartfelt homage. In fact, it is all terrific family entertainment, as (Dan and Jeff)"muggle" along with just the right mix of boyish exuberance. Dan, in particular, often seems a trifle confused between his Potter and his Lord of the Rings and Narnia adventures. Then there is his misunderstanding about the difference between Hogwarts and warthogs. And when he plays the Defense of the Dark Arts teacher, Lupin, the werewolf has inexplicably transmuted into an elephant. These mixups weigh heavily on self-appointed Harry Potter expert Jeff, all the more because Dan has used all the money set aside to employ 20 actors on the dragon in Book Four. The dragon, needless to say, turns out to be a severe disappointment. This is the only show in town in which the audience get to participate in a game of quidditch, even though Dan appears to think that a vacuum cleaner can be substituted for a Nimbus 2000.

Dan and Jeff are known for their performances on Blue Peter, the popular and long-running British children's television series. The show began when they created a five-minute performance for a bookshop to coincide with the launch of the sixth book. Visit pottepotter.com for more information.

The last installment in the movie series based on "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is scheduled for release on July 14, 2011.

Have You Met the SeatGuru?

(images credit: seatguru.com)

There are some who have not yet discovered the detailed seatmap information provided at SeatGuru.com. This website is always recommended when searching for an airfare and unsure of the best seat selection for your comfort. Website visitors can search by airline and then aircraft or from the home page select the airline and enter the flight number. Such preparation can help set up some expectations for a flight.

Some seatmaps on airline websites can be often vague about such things as lavatory location or bulkheads. But SeatGuru offers not only this information but seat measurements, galleys, overhead TVs and exits. Though each passenger may have their own preference, SeatGuru offers its own recommendations classified as good seat, some drawbacks, poor seat, standard seat, blocked seat.

For fun compare some of the different aircrafts flown by the airline or compare aircrafts between airlines. The website is not perfect. For example on the American Airlines 767 used for Hawaii flights to/from Dallas-Ft. Worth, SeatGuru defines seat 11A as a good seat. On the contrary. Though this seat is sold as a preferential seat for a fee by the airline, the seat has very limited legroom and any recline by the passenger seated in 10A will encroach on the personal space of the passenger seated in 11A more severely than in other rows in the cabin.

Below is an example of the seatmap for the American Airlines 777 used for international flights. Above left is the seatmap key.

Travel By Lego: Tower Bridge, Missed the Taj Mahal

Views of the Tower Bridge set by Lego (above images: Lego)

A combination of my passion for travel, London and Lego has come from the toy manufacturer's world buildings collection. After missing out on the Taj Mahal (which sold out due to David Beckham), this Lego exclusive of London's Tower Bridge will keep me busy for several hours or at worst until my next trip to London. Although not the same, the retail product is similar to the Tower Bridge found in the Legoland amusement parks.

From the product description:

• Includes 4 miniature vehicles: a black London taxi, a yellow truck, green automobile and even a traditional red double-decker bus!
• Features the iconic paired towers and a drawbridge that really opens and closes!
• Includes unique printed shield!
• Features hundreds of 1x1 slopes in tan!
• Many useful arches, angular bricks in tan!
• Includes 4 blue base plates and over 80 windows!
• Tower Bridge is ideal for building and display - it can be taken apart in sections for easy transport!
• Add this amazing landmark to your LEGO world buildings collection!
• Completed model measures an impressive 40" (102 cm) long, 17" (45 cm) high and 10" (26 cm) wide.

The set is available at Lego stores, the online Lego shop. The online price is $239.99. Prices in stores varies depending on location. The set is also available on amazon.com. Let's justify this. It's cheaper than visiting the real thing in person.

Tower Bridge at Legoland Windsor (image credit: TravelPod)