Random Thoughts on This & That

I've had difficulty logging into my blog over the past couple of days. I'm not sure what was up, but it was mighty frustrating not to be able to update.

Wall-E is one of the most extraordinary and ambitious Pixar films ever made. The film is a sort of Chaplin meets 2001 with extraordinary results. For those who love the musicals, it's been heavily documented that the little robot's favorite movie is Hello, Dolly! and Jerry Herman's "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" and "It Only Takes a Moment" become incredibly important to the character and plot (wow, a song advancing a plot, isn't that something...). To say the romantic aspect of the film is moving is an understatement. People have been critical of the subtle or not-so-subtle (it seems to depend on your political leaning) criticism of human consumerism and waste. As I was watching, I realized that this could have functioned as a live-action science fiction film. I was in a movie theatre with absolutely no children and was a moving experience. And that little robot is so cute, I want one for a pet. One of the best films of the year so far. Oh - and having Sigourney Weaver as the voice of the ship was a very nice touch.

There was a headline the other commenting on how Katie Holmes couldn't bring about a million dollar advance sale for the impending revival of All My Sons. Truth be told, I think most people would be more excited to see the other three actors that have been cast: John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, and Patrick Wilson. Perhaps Maggie Gyllenhaal will stand-by for her...?

Jan Maxwell is returning to Broadway as Maria Tura in the MTC production of To Be or Not to Be at the Biltmore this fall. Craig Bierko will be her costar. How exciting to have an actress as gifted and witty as Maxwell back on the boards. Her work as a self-preserving, pragmatic proto-feminist in the highly-inventive, but woefully shortlived Dickensian melodrama Coram Boy was multi-faceted and captivating. (Could I have crammed anything more into that sentence, yikes). The Walter Kerr shall not be dormant for long. Olivier-winner Kristin Scott Thomas and Peter Sarsgaard will headline the import of the London revival of The Seagull, that immortal laugh riot by Russia's great gag writer Anton Chekhov. (Name that musical!)

I renewed my subscription at Roundabout. Looking forward to Pal Joey with Stockard Channing, A Man for All Seasons with Frank Langella and the revival of Hedda Gabler. I also want to see The Marriage of Bette and Boo with that delectable Victoria Clark and company.

I will be at The Dark Knight not Mamma Mia on July 18 at 12:01AM.

Spike Lee will be turning Passing Strange into one of his joints. He'll be filming three performances of the show this month for airing on a TBD cable station.

Oscar nominee and stage vet Amy Ryan will be reprise her recurring role as Holly, the new HR representative at Scranton's Dunder-Mifflin next season on The Office. I can't wait to see where they take her character and Michael Scott, who had inexorable chemistry in this year's season finale.

I'm taking in tomorrow's matinee of A Catered Affair thanks to Chris at Everything I Know I Learned From Musicals. Look forward to reporting on Faith Prince. Not to mention a round two of "The Bloggers Who Brunch" on Sunday.

Happy Fourth of July everyone.

"Someone ought to open up a window...!" ;)