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What Do You Think About a Phantom of the Opera, Part II?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:30:06 -0700

According to Wikipedia, The Phantom of the Opera's 20-year run on Broadway has been "the most lucrative entertainment enterprise of all time." Capitalizing on the beloved musical's major success, creators of the award-winning show now say a sequel is on the way.

Andrew Lloyd Webber confirmed that he has written a new score for a follow-up musical which will pick up where the first story leaves off, starting with "how the Phantom got away in the big fire and was taken to a thriving Coney Island in old New York."

Will it be called The Phantom of Coney Island? And will fans embrace this second installment from Webber? What do you think about this development? Are you keeping an open mind?

Source

Buzz News Roundup, 1/25

BuzzSugar — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:33:06 -0800

Stephen Colbert's WristStrong bracelets have raised more than $170,000 for charity, the Associated Press reports.
In Sundance deal news, the well-received comedy Baghead has been bought by Sony Pictures Classics, Variety reports.
Lionsgate and Marvel have struck deals with the striking WGA that will let union writers work on their projects, USA Today reports.
After completing Revolutionary Road, director Sam Mendes will get to work on an untitled comedy written by David Eggers and Vendela Vida, reports Zap2It.

Shout Factory has gotten the rights to release every episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 on DVD, writes The Hollywood Reporter.
Scarlett Johansson's album of songs written by Tom Waits will be released May 20, writes E! Online.
Lance Reddick of The Wire has been cast on the new JJ Abrams show Fringe, as has John Noble of The Lord of the Rings movies, TV Guide reports.
Variety has news that The Color Purple will end its run on Broadway February 24. Meanwhile, Reuters writes that Phantom of the Opera will mark its 20-year anniversary on Broadway this weekend.
NBC is all about competing parents this spring, scheduling the reality show My Dad is Better Than Your Dad and searching for America's Favorite Mom; details on both are at The Futon Critic.

Source

Gerard Butler - Love Him or Leave Him?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:30:00 -0700

Gerard Butler has had a rough couple of weeks - critics panned his film Law Abiding Citizen and his appearance on Saturday Night Live didn't win rave reviews either. On top of everything else, there are rumors about him and Jessica Simpson getting cozy floating around. There is some light at the end of the tunnel though: he just announced in an interview that he'd be joining Shakespeare's Coriolanus with Ralph Fiennes for his next film.

It's nice to see Butler take on a project with some serious acting teeth. While he's always easy on the eyes in romantic comedies like P.S. I Love You or The Ugly Truth, I've never really liked the films themselves. (The possible exception being The Phantom of the Opera, since you know I love movie musicals!)

Maybe you disagree with me though? Law Abiding Citizen did take No. 2 at the box office, and I know that several of you liked the movie despite my review. So what do you think of Gerard Butler - love him or leave him?

Buzz In: What Is Your Favorite Musical-Turned-Movie?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:30:09 -0700

This is the week for Broadway shows! Not only are the current theater selections raking in more cash than usual despite the economy, it also sounds like we'll soon be seeing two more musicals move to the big screen. I already told you about the plans for a Rock of Ages movie musical, and now comes word that Miss Saigon may be getting the film treatment too, with Lee Daniels in talks to direct. (You may recognize his name as the director of Precious. Check back next week for my interview with him!)

I've seen Miss Saigon on stage, and I think Daniels is a solid choice for the musical. Based on his past films, I'm guessing he'd shape it into more of a gritty drama than a flashy Hollywood number - and that's a good thing given the show's darker subject matter.

While some shows have made the transition to film with only lukewarm success in recent years - hello, Phantom of the Opera - I still have a soft spot in my heart for them, especially when it comes to classics like My Fair Lady or West Side Story. So tell me, what's your favorite? Are you a Sound of Music fan? Rent? Sound off in the comments!

Link Time!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:30:15 -0700

Eddie Murphy is out and Marlon Wayans is in for the Richard Pryor biopic - Cinematical
Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to The Phantom of the Opera gets a premiere date! - Playbill
5 TV shows that deserve the big-screen treatment - TV.com
Modest Mouse has a brand new video, and it's trippy - Stereogum
The Good Wife and NCIS: Los Angeles get picked up for full seasons - HitFix
Check out this list of poorly cast film roles - Moviefone
EW reveals Part 1 of their 40 Bad Romantic Comedies - EW
Take this America's Next Top Model beauty quiz! (Then check back later for mine.) - BellaSugar