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Tag: James Franco

'B'way Celebrity Casting Sparks New Security Measures

Casting celebrities in Broadway plays may not be a new idea, but it is definitely a booming industry in recent times. With star like Hugh Jackman, Emma Stone, James Franco and other A-listers on stage, theaters have been spending ever more time and money cracking down on flash-happy guests, hecklers and a sea of fans at the stage door. This increase is now a nightly, traffic-blocking headache for security and police that “only used to happen with, say, [Richard] Burton and [Elizabeth] Taylor,” said longtime theater director Gregory Mosher, in an interview with "The Wall Street Journal." "The River," a solemn play starring Jackman, draws so many star-struck, picture-snapping attendees that the production resorted to sending out an understudy before the show to remind them to turn off their phones. In November, Time Out New York published a guide on what not to do at the show, including “Applaud Hugh’s entrance” and “Clap after every scene.” Similarly, laughter during serious moments occurred during Franco’s run in "Of Mice and Men," changing the feel of the Depression-era drama.
By Jaime Prisco

  • 'Treehouse Theatre Staging a Live Reading of 'The Interview' Script

    In the wake of a massive hack that led Sony to cancel the theatrical release of the anticipated Seth Rogen and James Franco comedy "The Interview," the Treehouse Theatre is staging a live reading of the near-final draft of the script. In response to what some are calling a threat to free speech, a group of comedians have acquired the script and "feel very strongly about bringing this film to you by whatever means necessary." The Interview stars Franco and Rogen as journalists tasked with assassinating North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Featuring some of the finest performers from the Upright Citizens Brigade theater, the producers of the event — David Hensley, Sean Perrotta and Benny Scheckner — say this is an opportunity for people to come together “in the name of free speech, in defiance of all who have threatened it.” Treehouse Theatre will also be performing a comedy show following the reading where performers take the stage for a highly topical show, named "F--k You Kim Jong Un!," to mock North Korea's regime in the name of the people living under it, according to Flavorpill. There will also be unflattering impersonations of Sony executives, including readings of the media-released emails.
    By Jaime Prisco

  • 'Yo-Yo Ma, James Franco, Bill Clinton and More Pay Tribute to Stephen Colbert in Final Episode of 'Report'

    Stephen Colbert was surprisingly composed in the last episode of his beloved news satire The Colbert Report--which ended on Dec. 18 and featured guests such as James Franco, Katie Couric, Jon Stewart, Yo-Yo Ma and so many more.
    By Ian Holubiak
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