Baby on Broadway: ’Dirty Dancing’ musical in the works
Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Nobody puts Baby in a corner, but she’ll soon be headed to Broadway.
A musical adaptation of the film Dirty Dancing is in the works. The production, simply titled Dirty Dancing: The Musical, is set to premiere in late 2025 with a run through North America.
The classic 1987 film starred Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey as star-crossed lovers set against the backdrop of a ’60s New York State resort. Original writer Eleanor Bergstein is returning to develop the musical and cast member Lonny Price, who played the character Neil Kellerman, will direct.
“Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling production and get ready to have the time of your life – all over again,” a press release promises.
An official teaser for The Last Showgirl starring Pamela Anderson is here.
In the new look at the Gia Coppola-directed film, Anderson is a Las Vegas showgirl who is about to deliver her final performance in the show The Razzle Dazzle, which is introduced by a character portrayed by Dave Bautista.
The actress holds back tears in one clip before she hits the stage.
“Las Vegas used to treat us like movie stars,” Anderson’s character says in the teaser. “The costumes, the sets. We were ambassadors for style and grace. The Las Vegas showgirl.”
“The iconic American showgirl,” she adds.
The teaser then shows clips of Anderson getting ready backstage, as well as her character about to audition for a role.
According to a synopsis for the film, Anderson plays Shelly, “a glamorous showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run.”
Also starring in the film are Jamie Lee Curtis, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka and Billie Lourd.
The teaser also includes a new original song sung by Miley Cyrus called “Beautiful That Way,” which is produced by Andrew Wyatt.
Kate Gersten wrote the script for the film and Robert Schwartzman, Natalie Farrey and Coppola produced.
The Last Showgirl will hit theaters nationwide on Jan. 10.
Joker: Folie à Deux is almost here, and ahead of its premiere, the stars of the film — Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix — opened up on some of the challenges they faced while making the highly anticipated sequel.
“We were under a microscope from the very beginning, and then we bring Lady Gaga in,” director Todd Phillips told Good Morning America in an interview. “But it’s kind of the ‘why’ we do what we do, right? To take risks.”
Since the news of the sequel to Phillips’ 2019 Joker film was announced, audiences have been excited to see what’s in store for the protagonist, Arthur Fleck (Phoenix), who, in the first film, is introduced as a failed clown and aspiring stand-up comedian in Gotham City.
He transforms into the Joker, a criminal mastermind, after several moments in the film show how he’s isolated, bullied and disregarded by society. The role earned Phoenix an Academy Award for best actor in 2020.
Phoenix returns for the sequel, with Gaga joining as Harley Quinn.
“That was what really interested me in being a part of this one because I loved Arthur so much,” Gaga said. “Like, who would be the love in his life?”
While on the set of the film, which incorporates renditions of iconic songs, Phoenix said, “When we first started, I did not want anything to be spontaneous,” Phoenix said. “I wanted to sound as good as possible, and … Gaga said, ‘We should do them live.’”
“I was like, ‘Yeah, well, it’s easy for you to say, ’cause this is what you do,'” he said, adding that Gaga made him “feel comfortable” about singing.
Gaga called Phoenix’s natural voice “more compelling than any lip-synching would ever be.”
Joker: Folie à Deux arrives in theaters on Oct. 4.
Ryan Reynolds wished his friend Hugh Jackman a happy 56th birthday in a sweet way on social media.
Jackman’s friend and Deadpool & Wolverine co-star Reynolds took to Instagram on Saturday to share a wide-spanning collection of photos and pen a note to Jackman.
“I hope we get to do this til we’re 90. Happy Birthday, @thehughjackman,” Reynolds wrote. “A lot of years. A lot of adventures.”
Reynolds overlaid the slideshow of photos with “A Million Dreams,” a song Jackman sang along with Ziv Zaifman and Michelle Williams in his hit musical movie The Greatest Showman.
Reynolds also posted a tribute to Jackman on his Instagram Story, sharing a smiling photo of his friend. He quoted Indiana Jones in the post, writing “‘It’s not the years, honey. It’s the mileage,'” along with another birthday greeting: “Happy Birthday to the one and only, Greatest Showman.”
The post included pictures of Jackman and Reynolds smiling together and photos of the pair in their Deadpool & Wolverine outfits in the film.
Jackman posted his own message on Instagram on Sunday, thanking friends and followers for the birthday wishes. “Thank you all for the incredible birthday love! I am grateful. #thisis56,” Jackman wrote.
The pair teamed up last week to announce Jackman’s new show, From New York, With Love, where he will play 12 performances at Radio City Music Hall.
