Tonight Only: Merrily We Roll Along from Sondheim/Furth/Kaufman/Hart

Posted on October 23, 2013 at 8:00 am

Tonight only — Fathom will make the legendary musical “Merrily We Roll Along” available in theaters across the country.

Set over three decades in the entertainment business, the story charts the relationship between three friends Franklin, Mary and Charley. Travelling backwards in time, this powerful and moving story features some of Sondheim’s most beautiful songs including “Good Thing Going” and “Not a Day Goes By.” As an extra treat, cinema audiences will be treated to an exclusive backstage experience with cast interviews and more.

It began as a rare flop for George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, the writing team behind many of the biggest box office successes of the middle 20th century, including “You Can’t Take It With You” (which became an Oscar-winning movie) and “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” It was innovative because it presented the story in reverse order. In the first scene, the characters are established show business figures, though not very happy. Each succeeding scene takes us back in time as we see the characters make compromises and lose their innocence, until the final moments, when we see them as seniors graduating from college, filled with optimistic dreams.

In 1981, writer/actor George Furth and composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim adapted it into a musical and again it was a financial failure, unlike their other collaboration, “Company.” But it has been amended and revived to great success and this highly acclaimed London production should be very satisfying.

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Based on a play Musical

Win Tickets to See “Wizard of Oz 3D”

Posted on September 6, 2013 at 3:44 pm

It’s probably the most beloved family film of all time, and now it is bigger and deeper than ever. “The Wizard of Oz,” starring Judy Garland, is coming to 3D Imax screens for the first time. See the Munchkins, the Wicked Witch of the West, the horse of a different color, the yellow brick road, the ruby slippers, and the flying monkeys — in super-sharp definition and 3D. And hear the classic songs, including “Over the Rainbow.”

The IMAX® release The Wizard of Oz will be digitally remastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX 3D Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Remastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX®’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

Following the IMAX® theatrical release, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) will release a limited and numbered The Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Collector’s Edition on October 1, 2013. The Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Collector’s Edition will debut as a five-disc set that will include Blu-ray 3D TM, Blu-ray TM, DVD and UltraViolet versions of the film; a new documentary, The Making of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; bonus features and premium collectibles, including:

A deluxe Pin Set from The Noble Collection TM , 52-page Hardcover Photo Book, RUBY SLIPPERS TM Sparkle Globe, Hard Covered Journal, a Map of Oz and more! Collection is limited and numbered. Three more editions will be available separately: a 2-disc Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray ($35.99 SRP), a one-disc Blu-ray ($19.98 SRP) and a 2-Disc DVD ($16.95 SRP). All four will contain the new documentary, The Making of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This candid overview details the back story of Oz and describes the manner in which an unprecedented production overcame the odds to become an integral part of American culture. It is narrated by Martin Sheen and features contributions from historians John Fricke and Sam Wasson, composers Stephen Schwartz and Marc Shaiman, critics Leonard Maltin and Michael Sragow, Bert Lahr’s son John, as well as revealing interview clips with Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Buddy Ebsen, Margaret Hamilton and Mervyn LeRoy, among others. I will have one to give away to a lucky winner, so stay tuned for details.

And I have tickets to give away to a special screening of “The Wizard of Oz 3D” in Northern Virginia on September 15. The first 60 people to log in here will receive passes. Good luck!

Shrek the Musical — Now on DVD/Blu-Ray

Posted on August 23, 2013 at 8:00 am

Can’t make it to the theater to see “Shrek the Musical?” On October 15, you will be able to get front-row tickets to a spectacular Broadway musical based on the beloved movie from DreamWorks Animation, which is itself based on the book by William Steig. The BluRay includes the Blu-Ray and DVD versions of the musical, plus:

From Swamp To Stage: The Making of Shrek the Musical—Follow the cast and crew of Shrek the Musical as they take you behind the scenes and show you what it really takes to make

a Broadway show come to life!

Shrek The Musical Songbook with Sing-Along—Kids and adults alike can pick their favorite song and sing along, as seven songs from the musical will have their lyrics appear on

the bottom of the screen as you watch the actual musical performance on screen. You can play all of the tunes uninterrupted or choose to randomize the musical experience with the “shuffle

mode.”

Shrek The Musical Songbook with Sing-Along

Stay tuned.

Oliver & Company

Posted on August 6, 2013 at 5:00 am

Disney is celebrating the 25th anniversary of this tuneful animated classic loosely based on Dickens’ Oliver Twist with a new Blu-Ray release. It is the story of an orphaned cat named Oliver (Joey Lawrence) who is befriended by vagabond dogs led by the the dashing rapscallion, Dodger (Billy Joel). Oliver is adopted by lonely rich girl Jenny (Natalie Gregory), whose prize-winning poodle, Georgette (voice of Bette Midler), has a world-class case of jealousy. First Oliver and then Jenny are kidnapped for ransom, but are saved from wicked Sikes (Robert Loggia) by the clever animals.

While not up there with the Disney classics, this movie has real pleasures, especially Dodger’s “Why Should I Worry” musical number (written and sung by Billy Joel) with Dodger leaping and dancing through Manhattan traffic and voice talent by Midler, Dom de Louise, Ruth Pointer, and Tommy “Cheech” Marin.”

There are also some scary moments, but kids will appreciate the way that Oliver takes care of himself, and the way that the dogs take care of him, of each other, and of their human friend, the hapless Fagin (voice of Dom DeLouise).

I have one copy to give away! Send me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com with “Oliver” in the subject line and tell me your favorite Billy Joel song. Don’t forget your address! (US addresses only) I’ll pick a winner at random on August 14. Good luck!

This Week on the Disney Channel: Teen Beach Movie

Posted on July 14, 2013 at 3:59 pm

I have a lot of affection for the teen beach movies of the 1960’s starring the late Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon, with guest stars including Buster Keaton and “Little” Stevie Wonder. There was a nice update, “Back to the Beach,” and a knowing tribute to the genre in Tom Hanks’ “That Thing You Do.” I am really looking forward to this week’s Disney Channel salute, “Teen Beach Movie,” premiering July 19.

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Musical Stories about Teens Television