Welcome to the 829th Edition of my series and to the Sweet 16 of my blog series. I don't usually do a special focus except on these types of entries that celebrate a milestone. I decided for this one that all my selections are to be of movies in which I have been in some version of a play or musical. Thank you to all my supporters through the years both young and new. Also, thanks to Myspace for having the format they had for me come up with my vision. Yesterday, I recorded a radio play for Richmond Radioworks called LOST HORIZON which will eventually be aired on a local radio station so I'll keep everyone posted. Also, if you search for the podcast Richmond Radioworks which I know is at least on Spotify, I am on the one for TREASURE ISLAND. I will shut up now and get on will my selections.
Clue (1985): This is part one of a possible Madeline Kahn trilogy. This is the latest show I was in earlier last month where I got to play Colonel Mustard, played by Martin Mull in this movie. at the Marion Civic Theater. This was not in my original plans and was not really aware of how I fit Colonel Mustard as I don't really have much knowledge of the board game outside of the names of the characters. Our director seemed very intent on me auditioning so it intrigued me enough and learn in auditions they want me as Colonel Mustard. I had seen this movie one other time but it had been awhile so I decided to check this one out after the show was over. Jonathan Lynn directed and co-wrote this adaptation of the board game along with John Landis which would really be the basis for the play I was in and a musical adaptation that is out there. Tim Curry stars as Wadsworth the butler who is putting on a dinner for six anonymous guests that have been invited in Colonel Mustard, played by Mull, Mrs. Peacock, played by Eileen Brennan, Professor Plum, played by Christopher Lloyd, Mr. Green, played by Michael McKean, and Miss Scarlet, played by Lesley Ann Warren. After their host, Mr. Boddy, played by Lee Ving, dies, they must all cooperate to find the killer as the body count starts to rack up. Colleen Camp co-stars as the maid Yvette who is a very significant part of this story. Bill Henderson, Jane Wiedlin, Jeffrey Kramer, Kellye Nakahara, Howard Hesseman, and many others co-star in this comedic murder mystery. Curry has cited this movie as one of his favorites. Wiedlin is the rhythm guitarist for the Go-Gos and Lee Ving is with the punk rock band Fear. This is the first board game to be adapted into a movie and has been quite the cult classic since. This is available to watch on Paramount Plus and to those that do not have that subscription, this is available to watch on Pluto Tv.
A Christmas Carol (2019): I have been in two versions of this classic tale, both of which were musicals and both of which happened to be at the Muncie Civic Theater. It is also of interest that the first version in 1993 was my very first play and the other version happened in 2004 which was my first play in my adulthood. I was also in both of these version with my mom where I would play chorus roles. I'm sure one day I'll make a trilogy of this where as I have learned the type of character I play best, I would love to play Marley. I'm sorry to those that are anti-Christmas or hate Christmas before promoted outside of December. Nick Murphy directed this FX mini-series in which Stephen Knight wrote this series based on the classic novel by Charles Dickens. Guy Pearce stars as Ebenezer Scrooge who we know is a miser visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley, played by Stephen Graham. Marley warns Scrooge of what will happen if he does not change his ways and that he will be visited by three ghosts. Andy Serkis, Joe Alwyn, Vinette Robinson, Remmie Miller, Jason Flemyng, Charlotte Riley, Johnny Harris, Kayvan Novak, and many others co-star in this mini-series. Now I have given the usual basic story but this was a much different presentation that was more like horror. Usually, Marley is just there to warn Scrooge of what is about to happen but this one goes more in depth of the character and is also a story about Marley's own redemption. This one is not going to be for everyone and is likely not for the children. I really enjoyed this presentation and hope I gave enough of a description for others to decide. This is available on Hulu for those who are interested in this version.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007): This is the first show I did for the Jay County Civic Theater in Portland, Indiana in 2011 where I played the sadistic lawman Beadle Bamford, played by Timothy Spall in this movie. This is really my favorite musical I have gotten to do and many who know me know that I have an obsession of being in Sondheim's musical ASSASSINS one day. Tim Burton directed this adaptation of the musical by Stephen Sondheim. Johnny Depp stars as Benjamin Barker whose life was ruined when the corrupt Judge Turpin, played by Alan Rickman, exiled him to prison on false charges. Barker escapes and takes revenge on the town of London but mostly Judge Turpin and has changed his name from Barker to Sweeney Todd. He meets Mrs. Lovett, played by Helena Bonham Carter, who helps him start a front by allowing him to have a barber shop at the upstairs of her meat pie shop. Sacha Baron Cohen, Jamie Campbell Bower, Laura Michelle Kelly, Jayne Wisener, Ed Sanders, Anthony Head, and many others co-star in this musical. This would be another selection that may not be for everyone. While I enjoyed this, my big gripe is that Christopher Lee and Anthony Head were going to be ghostly characters and were to sing THE BALLAD OF SWEENEY TODD and the reprises. Burton decided to cut these particular scenes feeling they were too theatrical for the film. Head still has a cameo appearance in this musical. This is available to watch on Pluto TV.
Dracula (1931): I bring the timeless version of this classic where I got to play insane asylum patient Renfield, played by Dwight Frye in this movie, at my only show at the Richmond Civic Theater in Richmond, Indiana in 2018 excluding a couple of radio plays but those were only a week. It was a bit of a drive to get out there but I knew I had a chance to play Renfield so I just had to do it. This is part two of my Bela Lugosi trilogy. Tod Browning directed this film which is based on a play by Garrett Fort and based on the novel by Bram Stoker. Bela Lugosi plays the iconic Count Dracula where the naive real estate agent Renfield sells him real estate in Carfax Abbey. Dracula also hypnotizes him and lands him in the asylum while using him as his communication so a bit rewritten there. Edward Van Sloan co-stars as Van Helsing who must convince his peers that Dracula is a vampire. Helen Chandler, David Manners, Herbert Bunston, Frances Dade, and many others co-star in this film. This is part of the classic Universal Horror collection and still holds up today. This is available to watch on Peacock.
The Bad Seed (1956): This is the first show I ever did for the Commons Theater in Alexandria in 2016. I had some knowledge of the show and had seen a version of the play and this movie. I went in going for the role of Leroy and ended up getting the role of Emory, played by Jesse White in this movie. I'd still love to play the role of Leroy someday. Mervyn Leroy directed this film that was based on the novel by William March and the play by Maxwell Anderson. Nancy Kelly stars as Christine Penmark who has the most perfect eight year old daughter in the world in Rhoda, played by Patty McCormack. She starts to find that she'd just a little too perfect and suspects Rhoda of being a cold blooded killer where she must figure out how she will handle the situation. Henry Jones co-stars as the gardener Leroy who sees right though Rhoda where they form a rivalry in a sense. Gage Clark, William Hopper, Paul Fix, Evelyn Varden, Eileen Heckart, Frank Cady, and many others co-star in this film. I am sure this was very controversial in this era as a murderous little girl was probably unheard of at the time. This also lends some very interesting psychological discussion on murder. This was put out as a play the year before this came out and Mervyn Leroy decided to cast much of the original cast in this movie. I thought this movie was as disturbing as it comes.
1776 (1972): I got to play the role of Samuel Chase, played by Patrick Hines, in this political musical in 2014 for the Belfry Theater group at the Ivy Tech auditorium in Noblesville, Indiana. This was a pretty enjoyable role as I got to eat on stage and mostly had dialogue and only one song. In the future, if I am to be in this musical again, I'd likely go for one of the more antagonistic roles of Rutledge or Dickinson but I'm willing to be whoever in this one. Peter H. Hunt directed this adaptation of the musical written by Sherman Edwards. This is a dramatization based on the events that lead to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. William Daniels stars as Congressman John Adams who along with fellow Congressman Benjamin Franklin, played by Howard Da Silva, try to convince the rest of Congress to break away from British rule. They are able to convince Thomas Jefferson, played by Ken Howard, to write the Declaration of Independence. Donald Madden, John Callum, Roy Poole, David Ford, Ray Middleton, William Hansen, Blythe Danner, Virginia Vestoff, Howard Caine, Leo Leyden, Stephen Nathan, James Noble, and many others co-star in this musical. If looking for something in historical accuracy, this is not quite the one to watch. This is as mentioned, more of a dramatization of the events though some of the references hold truth and a pretty fun watch. I do like that they include a lot of obscure historical figures where people might be provoked to look into more. This would be a really good double feature to go along with the later musical HAMILTON.
The Laramie Project (2002): This is the most meaningful show I have ever done and was never planned. This was done at the Center Stage Community Theater in 2019 in Lebanon, Indiana which is just a little outside of my radius for driving. My friend David was already in this and messaged me that they needed one more guy and that I could meet him in Anderson to ride the rest of the way. I thought about it and it seemed interesting enough so I hit up the director and rode with David to audition. I was brought in immediately to fill up the cast where people at the theater were even thanking me. We were a cast of eight people consisting of four men and four women, one of which made his debut very seamlessly and two of the females had just graduated high school. There were 60 roles to fill so we all played various people. Some of the roles I played were Doc O'Connor, played by Steve Buscemi, a very conservative reverend, played by Michael Emerson, Bill McKinney, played by Steef Sealy, and Conrad Miller, played by John Lodico. Moises Kaufman directed this HBO movie of his own play where he lead a New York based theater group called the Tectonic Theatre Project. This group traveled to Laramie, Wyoming in the wake of the murder of Matthew Shepard who was a young gay man brutally beaten, tied to a fence which lead to his death. The group interviewed citizens of the town who were willing to speak of their times with Shepard. They also used media footage and court footage to their documentary-like script with all of this taking about two years to complete. Kathleen Chalfont, Laura Linney, Peter Fonda, Jeremy Davies, Nestor Carbonell, Camryn Manheim, Grant Varjas, Kelli Simpkins, Clea DuVall, Frances Sternhagen, Margo Martindale, Christina Ricci, Janeane Garofalo, Joshua Jackson, Mark Webber, Ben Foster, Lois Smith, Daniel Ahearn, Amy Madigan, Clancy Brown, Tom Bower, Dylan Baker, Stephen Belber, Noah Fleiss, Summer Phoenix, Bill Irwin, James Murtaugh, Richard Riehle, Terry Kinney, and many others co-star in this HBO movie. This was not an easy show to do by any means and the movie also was not very easy to watch at times. The dialogue we all had to memorize and the differentiating of the characters was difficult enough. It was also very emotionally draining at times as we remained on stage the entire time and sat to the side when we were not in a scene. For the first time, I was being thanked by audience members and people I had never seen in my life would approach me for a hug. I will be forever grateful to have been brought into this production. The movie version is available to watch on HBO Max.
Romeo and Juliet (1968): I played the roles of Abraham, played by Roberto Antonelli, in the beginning and later would play Paris, played by Roberto Bisacco, in an outside production at a park in Farmland, Indiana so in short "Shakespeare in the Park". I went to auditions looking into the role of Tybalt and if I am to be in this production again, I'd likely look into Tybalt or Mercutio. Franco Zeffirelli directed this version of the Shakespeare play and is the definitive version in many ways. Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey star as the star crossed lovers whose families feuded with one another but they meet and fall into forbidden love. John McEnery, Milo O'Shea, Robert Stephens, Michael York, Bruce Robinson, Paul Hardwick, Natasha Parry, Roy Holder, Keith Skinner, Dyson Lovell, Richard Wardwick, Laurence Olivier, and many others co-star in this film. Olivier had a lot of respect for Zeffirelli and a Shakespeare fan that he agreed to be uncredited role as the narrator and dubbed other characters in which he took no payment. Another random fact I learned is that former Beatle Paul McCartney was approached to play Romeo but declined feeling he would not bring the role to justice, what could have been. This has always been my favorite Shakespeare story. I know a lot of people share the M-word claiming that this is not a love story but a brief relationship resulting in death. I have to say I don't quite a agree with that sentiment. I believe this is the start of the tragic love story genre. This also really conveys the price of hatred and how just about all of the characters have certain responsibility of the tragedy that I think we just about all know by now. The version I was in was an abridged version but I did talk the director into putting in a scene for my character that was left out. Knowing me, I probably also probably tried to get him to let me sing the song WHAT IS A YOUTH that is featured in this movie but I am sure he drew the line at that request. This has always been my favorite version of the story and is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
Oklahoma (1955): I was in this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical in 2008 at the Muncie Civic Theater where I would play the role of Slim which is not a character featured in this movie. If I am to ever be in this production again, I'd likely look into Jud Fry. Fred Zinneman directed this musical western which really consists of two main stories involving cowboys Curly McLain, played by Gordon MacRae, and Will Parker, played by Gene Nelson. Curly is vying for the love of Laurie, played by Shirley Jones, but must deal with the tempered farmhand Jud, played by Rod Steiger. Will is in love with Ado Annie, played by Gloria Grahame, but must deal with traveling peddler Ali Hakim, played by Eddie Albert. Charlotte Greenwood, James Whitmore, Barbara Lawrence, Jay C. Flippen, and many others co-star in this musical. This is a pretty good adaptation of the musical. There is also a very well-shot dream sequence in my opinion. To those that enjoy traditional musicals, this would be a good one to watch. This is available to watch on Disney Plus.
A Few Good Men (1992): I have been in two versions of this show. The first was was in Greenfield, Indiana in 2009 for the Ricks-Weil group where I played Corporal Howard, played by Noah Wyle in the movie, and was the first show for this group. This is probably the start of me branching out to other towns beyond my town of Muncie and Anderson. A few Anderson friends were going to audition so I just could not say no. In 2019, I was in this show at the Marion Civic Theater in Marion, Indiana. By this time, I knew more of my strengths and I went for the role of Lieutenant Kendrick, played by Kiefer Sutherland in the movie, and I got it. This is one of my favorite roles I have gotten to do and with these being 10 years apart, maybe in 2029 I'll get to play Jessup.. Now to the movie which is part one of a possible Tom Cruise trilogy. Rob Reiner directed this film which is based on the play by Aaron Sorkin and loosely based on a true story. Cruise stars as Navy lawyer Lt. Daniel Kaffee who usually cops pleas and does not need to go to court. Now, he is appointed to represent a couple of Marines being accused of murdering a colleague. He is joined by Lt. Cmr. Jo Galloway, played by Demi Moore, and they see there is far more to it that leads to Colonel Jessup, played by Jack Nicholson. Kevin Bacon, Kevin Pollak, James Marshall, J.T. Walsh, Christopher Guest, J.A. Preston, Matt Craven, Wolfgang Bodison, Xander Berkeley, John M. Jackson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Joshua Malina, and many others co-star in this film. This is a very compelling drama with a lot of very memorable scenes. I don't know if you can handle the truth, hopefully you can handle this movie.
Well, that is it for this week but continue on for the return of my Fun and Useless Facts segment. Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week which so far includes Tom Cruise, Madeline Kahn, Bela Lugosi, Anya Taylor-Joy, Keira Knightley, and many others.
FUN AND USELESS FACTS
I decided this would be a good time to bring in this segment of the blog. With this, I use actors from different movies and none from the same movie unless there might be another person. I also purposely stop at 25 facts so if anyone finds something I miss, feel free to comment.
Charlotte Riley (A Christmas Carol) and Tom Cruise (A Few Good Men) were in the 2014 sci-fi film EDGE OF TOMORROW.
Christopher Lloyd (Clue) and Christina Ricci (The Laramie Project) were uncle and niece in the 1991 comedy THE ADDAMS FAMILY and its 1993 sequel THE ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES.
Christopher Lloyd (Clue) and Jack Nicholson (A Few Good Men) were in the 1975 film ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, the 1978 western comedy GOIN' SOUTH, and the 1981 remake THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE.
Colleeen Camp (Clue) and Kevin Pollak (A Few Good Men) were in the 1996 comedy HOUSE ARREST.
Guy Pearce and Joe Alwyn play Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit in this week's feature A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Tim Curry (Clue) and Michael York (Romeo and Juliet) play Scrooge and Cratchit in the 1997 animated movie A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
Howard Hesseman (Clue) and Jack Nicholson (A Few Good Men) were in the 2002 film ABOUT SCHMIDT.
Jason Flemyng (A Christmas Carol) and Kevin Bacon (A Few Good Men) were in the 2011 superhero film X-MEN: FIRST CLASS.
Jason Flemyng (A Christmas Carol) and Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd) were in the 2001 film FROM HELL.
Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd) and Christina Ricci (The Laramie Project) were in the 1998 film FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS and the 1999 film SLEEPY HOLLOW.
Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd) purchased the home of Bela Lugosi (Dracula).
Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd) was considered for roles in the 1985 film LEGEND, the 1994 film INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, and the 1996 film JERRY MAGUIRE which would ultimately go to Tom Cruise (A Few Good Men).
Kellye Nakahara (Clue) and J.T. Walsh (A Few Good Men) were in the 1995 movie BLACK DAY BLUE NIGHT.
Michael McKean (Clue) and Christopher Guest (A Few Good Men) were in the 1984 mockumentary THIS IS SPINAL TAP in the same band Spinal Tap. They were also in the 2000 mockumentary BEST IN SHOW, 2003 mockumentary A MIGHTY WIND, and the 2006 mockumentary FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
Michael McKean (Clue) and Christina Ricci (The Laramie Project) were in 1997 movie THAT DARN CAT.
Michael McKean (Clue) and Steve Buscemi (The Laramie Project) were in the 1994 comedy AIRHEADS.
Patty McCormack (The Bad Seed) and Kevin Bacon (A Few Good Men) were in the 2008 film FROST/NIXON.
Peter Fonda (The Laramie Project) and Jack Nicholson (A Few Good Men) were in the 1969 film EASY RIDER.
Stephen Graham (A Christmas Carol) and Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd) are part of the PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN franchise. They were also in the 2009 film PUBLIC ENEMIES where Graham was Baby Face Nelson and Depp was John Dillinger.
Stephen Graham (A Christmas Carol) plays Al Capone in the HBO series BOARDWALK EMPIRE. Rod Steiger (Oklahoma) plays Capone in the 1959 film AL CAPONE.
Tim Curry (Clue) and Laura Linney (The Laramie Project) were in the 1995 movie CONGO and the 2004 film KINSEY. Dylan Baker (The Laramie Project) was also in KINSEY.
Tim Curry (Clue) and Tom Cruise (A Few Good Men) were in the 1985 classic fantasy film LEGEND.
Tim Curry (Clue) was considered for the role of the Joker in the 1989 film BATMAN which would ultimately go to Jack Nicholson (A Few Good Men).
Tim Curry (Clue) plays Bill Sikes in the 1982 tv movie OLIVER TWIST. Andy Serkis plays Bill Sikes in the 1999 mini-series OLIVER TWIST. That is a role I'd love to play someday in the musical version.
Timothy Spall (Sweeney Todd) and Tom Cruise (A Few Good Men) were in the 2001 film VANILLA SKY and the 2003 film THE LAST SAMURAI.
Virginia Vestoff (1776) plays Abigail Adams in this week's feature 1776. Laura Linney (The Laramie Project) plays Abigail Adams in the 2008 mini-series JOHN ADAMS.
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