Lin-Manuel Miranda won the Pulitzer Prize and 2016 Grammy Award for best Best Broadway Musical Album this year. He now has the chance to take home an armload of Tony Awards for his sensational hip-hop Broadway smash-hit “Hamilton.” On Tuesday, May 3, when the Tony nominations were announced, the show also made Broadway history by garnering 16 Tony nominations. In the past Mel Brooks’ hit musical “The Producers” and Britain’s delightful “Billy Elliot” held that honor when they received 15 nominations.
Lin-Manuel Miranda won the Pulitzer Prize and 2016 Grammy Award for best Best Broadway Musical Album this year. He now has the chance to take home an armload of Tony Awards for his sensational hip-hop Broadway smash-hit “Hamilton.” On Tuesday, May 3, when the Tony nominations were announced, the show also made Broadway history by garnering 16 Tony nominations. In the past Mel Brooks’ hit musical “The Producers” and Britain’s delightful “Billy Elliot” held that honor when they received 15 nominations.
“The Producers” went on to win 12 Tonys, “Billy Elliot” took home 10. Will “Hamilton” top “The Producers?” We shall see on June 12 when the awards are presented on CBS. The host will be CBS-TV’s “Late Late Show” host James Corden who won a Tony in 2012.
Producers, performers and other theatre pros make up the 846 eligible voters who will decide. With 16 nominations, the show has earned nominations in all categories from acting, writing and direction to design. The show, however will not be able to take home all 16 awards since some cast members will be facing off against one another.
Thanks to the show’s phenomenal popularity, Miranda has also made American youth aware of an important part of American history which is often overlooked in present day studies. So kudos all around. And, another piece of good news. We will get the chance to enjoy “Hamilton” when it comes to the Hollywood Pantages Theatre Aug. 11 through Dec. 30, 2017.
On May 30, “The Book of Mormon” returns to the Pantages for an extended run. This show was another big Tony winner. It was nominated for 14 Tony Awards and won 9. As you can see by this lineup, the Pantages is the way to go for top theatre entertainment.
Other shows in their 2016-17 season include “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “The Kind and I,” “Finding Neverland,” “An American in Paris” and “The Bodyguard.” Season packages are available now at HollywoodPantages.com or by calling 866-755-2929.
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Now here’s some movie fun facts. Disney is on a real financial roll when it comes to creating popular family film fare. “Zootopia,” about a sly fox and a very capable bunny, has made over $900,000,000 at the box-office and “Jungle Book” is fast approaching the $700,000,000 mark. Wow! I’d say it pays to have Disney stock. And remember when Disney’s “Frozen” topped the billion dollar mark?
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Now on DVD from Sony Pictures: “Lamb,” written and directed by Ross Partridge from “Secret in Their Eyes,” is based on the award-winning novel by Bonnie Nadzam. This emotionally charged film stars Partridge as David Lamb, a man struggling with the disintegration of his marriage and death of his father. Hoping to regain some faith in his own goodness, he turns his attention to Tommie (Oona Laurence “Southpaw”) an awkward and unpopular 11-year-old girl. Lamb is convinced that he can help her avoid a destiny of apathy and emptiness.
To achieve this he takes her for a road trip from Chicago to the Rockies, planning to initiate her into the beauty of the mountain wilderness. These two lost and lonely individuals set out on a journey that will change them in unexpected ways Bonus materials include a commentary with Partridge and Laurence, deleted scenes and a Lamb Landscape video. Running time 97 minutes. The film is rated R for some disturbing behavior, sexulity and language.
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“The 5th Wave” is based on a novel by Rick Yancey and deals with four waves of increasingly deadly alien attacks, which have left most of the earth decimated. Against a backdrop of fear and distrust, Cassie (Chloe Grace Moretz) is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother.
As she prepares for the deadly and inevitable fifth wave, Cassie teams up with a young man who may become her final hope — if she can trust him. Running time is approximately 112 minutes. It is rated PG-13 for violence and destruction, some sci-fi thematic elements, language and brief teen partying. Bonus materials include deleted scenes, a gag reel, behind-the scenes featurettes and more.
