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

BuzzSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:30:06 PDT

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?

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Did You Ever See Rent on Broadway?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:29:28 PST

Sad news coming from New York's Nederlander Theater today: Broadway musical Rent is closing after a 12-year run. The last performance will take place June 1. Opening in the spring of 1996, Rent enjoyed immediate and explosive success with both critics and audiences, despite (or perhaps because of) the story's focus on AIDS, drug addiction, and poverty.

I was one of those crazy, obsessed fans when the musical first opened, traveling into the city with my high-school friends to get cheap tickets to the show several times. We'd even wait around afterward for glimpses of the actors emerging from the Nederlander. Later we followed their careers, from Anthony Rapp's solo album to Taye Diggs appearing on Ally McBeal and Jesse L. Martin getting his gig on Law & Order.

Did you ever see Rent on Broadway? What are your fondest Rent memories?

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Madonna Meets Blondie in Musical Version of Desperately Seeking Susan

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:29:34 PDT

I used to have a theory that girls who grew up in the '80s identified with either the punk style of Blondie's Debbie Harry or the slick sexiness of Madonna. Now, the two are colliding in an intriguing way: Madonna's 1985 comedy Desperately Seeking Susan is being made into a musical featuring the songs of Blondie. The project is set to premiere this fall in London.

No, Madonna won't be a part of it (an actress named Emma Williams will play the role of Susan, while Kelly Price will take on Rosanna Arquette's character, Roberta) - but Debbie Harry will be all over it. According to Playbill, "One Way or Another" and "The Tide is High" will be among the Blondie songs woven into the show, and Harry is writing a new song for the production.

Until I reread the plot summary, I didn't realize Roberta's last name was Glass - so I guess that explains how "Heart of Glass" will fit in. In case you've forgotten how the movie goes, here's Playbill's summary:

Roberta Glass, a suburban New Jersey housewife, escapes her humdrum life by reading the personal ads placed by Susan, a street-smart New York City drifter, and her freewheeling boyfriend Jay. Through a quirky twist of fate, Roberta and Susan unexpectedly swap lives and are plunged into a madcap world of jewel heists, magic shows and rock 'n' roll.

A musical theater version of this story certainly has the potential to be awful, but it's such a weird concept that I think it could turn out awesome. What do you think?

Desperately Seeking Susan photo Source
Debbie Harry photo Source

Tori Amos to Try Musical Theater

BuzzSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 07:08:31 PDT

Tori Amos is feeling a bit theatrical these days. On her new album, American Doll Posse, she assumes five different personas, each with a distinct look and personality. Now, according to NME, the singer is writing a stage musical, which she hopes to bring to Broadway and London's West End.

According to the NME story, Amos is currently working on the music - a double album with 23 songs - and taking inspiration from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice:

"I think I am writing a musical. I'm gushing but I'm under lock and key," she explained. "I'm trying to be Lloyd Webber and (Tim) Rice. I'm trying to be both (of them). I'm busy. This is such a big project - a double record, 23 songs and the extras."

Though I often roll my eyes when I hear about rock musicians who have Broadway aspirations, I actually think Tori could pull this off quite well. Her piano-heavy, melodramatic style lends itself to musical theater, and she has always been good at crafting songs that tell stories. I'll be interested to hear what she comes up with. What do you think?

Also, If you're a Tori fan, don't forget to enter our Tori Amos giveaway for a signed copy and her Epic Records catalog.

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Yogini Kristin McGee Dishes on Bethenny Frankel's Fave Pose and Getting Ready For Beach Season

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:36:21 PDT

I was lucky enough to take a class taught by Manhattan-based yoga teacher Kristin McGee right here in San Francisco! Although one busy lady, Kristin traveled across the country to teach Vinyasa Vibes (a new offering at The Sports Club/LA), a flow-based, powerful yoga sequence enhanced by music. The most musical part of the practice? During Savasana, the class culminated in a live sax solo by Grammy-nominated musician Dave Koz. After class, Kristin and I chatted about her yoga journey, getting ready for bikini season, and what it's like working with one of her famous clients, Bethenny Frankel.

FitSugar: Some of the moves in Vinyasa Vibes are Ashtanga-influenced. Is that what your yoga teacher training background was in?
Kristin McGee: My original background was really eclectic because I started in the early '90s. I started taking [yoga] at NYU; some of my very early teachers were Jivamukti teachers who did study Ashtanga. Then I did study with Richard Freedman for a while, who is pure Ashtanga, and Cyndi Lee at OM Yoga. I wanted to get deeper into Iyengar classes and get into the alignment and the detail. Now in my practice I want to get more into Pranayama, more of the breathing, and maybe take some more Kundalini classes. I just feel like it constantly evolves.

FS: The Vinyasa Vibes class has live music during final relaxation. Can you elaborate on the experience of live music and yoga combined?
KM: In yoga practice, it’s a very intimate, immediate place. It's almost like live theater or live music where it brings you right into the moment. Music is a universal language, just like our breath is a universal breath. I think the second we're in this surrounding, in this environment with that live music and the intimacy of a live class, it brings it all together in one beautiful experience.

FS: You’ve collaborated with Bethenny Frankel on some projects. What's her favorite pose?
KM: Bethenny’s all-time favorite pose is Straddle Forward Bend because she says it feels like the weight of the world is falling off of her shoulders. Someone like Bethenny Frankel has a million things going on, and I don’t know how she does it! But I think you also noticed it in the practice tonight. Right when we finally got to that Straddle Forward Hang, it was kind of just like, "Ugh! Such a release!" You feel like you could stay there for quite a while.

Keep reading for Kristin's favorite snack before class and how to get your body ready for Summer.

Katie Holmes and Suri Share a Park Playday in Baton Rouge

Lauren Turner — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:50:23 PDT

Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise met up with a group of friends in Baton Rouge yesterday. They checked out fun animal statues and played in a park during the sunny afternoon. Katie and Suri are back in Louisiana while Tom Cruise films Oblivion, though he's already started switching gears to promote Rock of Ages. He was shirtless on the cover of W and chatted with the magazine about how Katie and Suri encouraged him to take the musical role. His costar Julianne Hough has begun press as well and was a presenter at last night's Billboard Music Awards. Their movie hits theaters on June 15, kicking off an exciting Summer that also includes the Teen Choice Awards, where Tom is nominated for best actor in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

Casper Smart Pays Jennifer Lopez a Visit on the Idol Set

Lindsay Miller — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:54:15 PDT

Jennifer Lopez headed to her judge's chair on American Idol last night in a pale pink suit and metallic heels. Her boyfriend Casper Smart was spotted on the set of the FOX show, after he also accompanied Jennifer to the premiere of her new movie What to Expect When You're Expecting on Monday night. Jennifer's latest film hits theaters this weekend, and once AI comes to a close, she'll be heading out on a world tour in support of Love?, her new album. The singer and actress's movie and music career have both been keeping her busy, and Jennifer admitted she's not sure she'll return for another season of Idol during her recent stop at The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Stay tuned for our latest episodes of I'm a Huge Fan featuring Jennifer, to hear her talk candidly with our winner about her career, her kids, and staying connected to her roots.

Rihanna Goes Sexy and Backless in Tom Ford at the Met Gala

Lauren Turner — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:41:46 PDT

Rihanna chose a black textured crocodile gown from Tom Ford's Fall 2012 collection for the Met Gala in NYC tonight. Inside the event she met up with pal La La Vasquez as all the guests took their seats. Rihanna's fresh off an appearance on SNL over the weekend, when she rocked the stage with multiple hot performances. In addition to her music, Rihanna has Battleship hitting theaters later this month and we recently sat down with the star in Hawaii to chat about the project. What do you think of Rihanna's look this evening? Make sure to weigh in on our fashion and beauty Met Gala polls as this evening's big event continues!

Jennifer Lopez Has a Red-Hot Night at American Idol

Lindsay Miller — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:44:11 PDT

Jennifer Lopez left her trailer on the set of American Idol and took her seat at the judges' table last night to see this year's five finalists perform. Jennifer wore a formfitting red dress with a sexy mesh cutout and Christian Louboutin heels as she joined Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler on the stage. As this season of American Idol winds down, Jennifer's own music and movie career is heating up. She's starring opposite Cameron Diaz in What to Expect When You're Expecting, which hits theaters May 18, and in June, she's heading out on tour in South America with Enrique Iglesias in support of her album Love? Our latest I'm a Huge Fan winner, who will meet Jennifer Lopez in person in just a few short days, was on hand at last night's taping of Idol to chat up the contestants and get the inside scoop on what it's like to work with Jennifer. Catch today's PopSugar Rush to see the behind-the-scenes action from her visit to the set and stay tuned for the newest episode of I'm a Huge Fan, coming soon!

Rihanna Reveals Her Battleship Fears and Tells Us Why She Loves Being a Girl in a Guys' World

Lindsay Miller — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:25:00 PDT

Rihanna already dominates the pop charts, and with her new role in Battleship, the Barbadian singer is bringing her talents as a performer to a brand-new venue. We recently sat down with the actress at Pearl Harbor, where much of the action movie was shot, to talk about her debut as an actress. She talked about toughening up to fire some major weapons in her role as Petty Officer Raikes and why "everything" about making her first movie scared her. She also told us she could relate to the Navy officer's role as the lone woman in a sea of guys, which she said mirrors her "tomboy" childhood and the male-dominated music industry. Check out our interview and see Battleship in theaters starting May 18!