Spamalot and The Light in the Piazza were the big winners at Sunday’s 59th annual Tony Awards. Any early favorites for next year? The next big thing in theater, the musical version of “The Lord of the Rings,” is scheduled for its world premiere in 2006 in Toronto. Previews won’t begin until Feb. 2 and the show has yet to be cast but producer Kevin Wallace offered a preview Thursday night to tour operators and other invited guests at the Renaissance Center. Emphasizing “LOTR’s” human aspects before he mentioned its special effects, Wallace called the show “as powerful and emotional a story as you’ve ever experienced in the theater.” Some particulars: The show will run 3 1/2 hours, including two intermissions; the music is by Indian composer A.R. Rahman (“Bombay Dreams”) and Finnish folk group Varttina, and there will be Hobbits mingling with playgoers before the show. [More]
Day: June 7, 2005
In lieu of coaxing Enya to do permanent in-house entertainment duties, Peter Jackson opted for the $99,975 LB-BGJ from Ragtime Automated Music, a cabinet containing a robotically controlled acoustic “band.” A touch-screen interface controls the whole works, sending MIDI signals to the mechanical elements that “play” the full drum kit, piano, accordion, guitar, banjo, electric bass, and 24 organ pipes. But oh, it’s not for him, it’s “for his wife.” Ahhh yes, robotic ragtime — the gift that keeps on giving. [More]
Billy Boyd follows LOTR co-star Brad Dourif into the horror arena with ‘Seed of Chucky’ the 5th in the ‘Child’s Play’ series. [More]
Turgon writes: Henry Gee has posted some news at his website on the UK book tour for his book, THE SCIENCE OF MIDDLE-EARTH. Today (June 7th) he will be at the Cafe Scientifique in Leicester. Click here for the full schedule. [More]
Today is Karl Urban’s Birthday! Karl was born on June 7th, 1972 in Wellington, New Zealand. That makes him 33 today! Happy Birthday Karl!