Entertainment News from Eye On Weho

Eye on Entertainment
Nathaniel Grey
Entertainment Editor
May 15, 2011

GLEE WHIZ

This years Glee concert tour kicks off May 21st in Las Vegas and will feature 13 members of the cast, including Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Mark Salling, Dianna Agron, Naya Rivera (somebody give her a solo CD,) Heather Morris, Harry Shum Jr., Chord Overstreet and Darren Criss. Last year's tour hit only four cities but has been multiplied by four to a total of 16 cities. After it's premiere in Vegas, the show moves on to May 22 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, May 24 in San Jose, May 27th in Anaheim, and May 28th, LA audiences can catch them at the Staples Center. Songs included in this years tour are Britney Spears 'Toxic', Jay-Z's 'Empire State of Mind' and Kelly Clarkson's 'My Life Would Suck Without You.' Those who can't make it to any of the performances can catch Glee Live 3D, a film version of the tour opening August 12. ***

Chris Colfer (Kurt) is looking ahead and planning for a career long after Glee has gone to the great rerun source in the sky. No, Not Hulu! The actor has just sold a pilot he wrote based on Florence Laughlin's book The Little Leftover Witch. Currently in pre-production for Disney Channel, the story looks at a young witch who is adopted by a family after she crash lands her broom nearby. Oh crap, does that mean another air traffic controller fell asleep on duty? Chris also wrote and stars in an independent film called Struck By Lighting.The project is slated to begin filming this summer after the Glee concert tour wraps up and under the direction of Brian Dannelly who has directed episodes of some of my favorite TV series including The United States of Tara, Pushing Daisies and Weeds. *** Gleeks the world over are already planning viewing parties for the Jnue 12th debut of The Glee Project, a reality show on Oxygen which aims to find the next singing sensation cast member of Glee. The premise is to select from a dozen men and women whose numbers are dwindled down to one over ten weeks based on their singing, dancing and acting talents. Murphy has stated that if a male wins he'd like to see him play a love interest for the character of Mercedes. Yet whoever wins, is promised to be featured on the show for at least a 7 episode story arc. ***

The Glee season finale airs May 24th and will feature New Directions facing off against Vocal Adrenaline in the Nationals, which take place in New York City. This episode will feature a guest appearance by Patti Lupone and return appearances by Cheyenne Jackson and the powerhouse voice of Charice as Filipino student Sunshine Corazon.. Charice will have a second solo album released this Fall. Featuring a more pop and dance tone than her Freshmen CD, it will also include her new hit song 'Before it Explodes' which was co-written by Bruno Mars. *** Glee creators Brad Falchuk and Ryan Murphy are developing a series pilot for FX called American Horror Story. Based on the name alone, most people assume it's another reality series about the Palin Family in Alaska. However it centers on a couple, Dylan McDermott (The Practice) and Vivien Harmon (Friday Night Lights) as they move their family from Beantown to start a trouble filled life, over again, in the city of the Golden Gate. Yet a new type of trouble finds them in the form of spirits who reside in their new San Francisco home. Also appearing are Jessica Lange, Denis O'Hare (True Blood,) and Vera Farmiga's (Higher Ground) sister, Taissa. ***

Adam Shankman hit it out of the ballpark as Choreographer, Director and Producer for the movie version of the Broadway musical Hairspray so it's natural that he repeats those jobs for the for the upcoming movie version of the Broadway musical Rock of Ages. As is tradition for Broadway work evolving into motion pictures, there isn't a Broadway cast member in this movie version which features Tom Cruise as Stacee Jaxx, Russell Brand as Lonnie, Alex Baldwin as Dennis Dupree with additional roles filled by Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Akerman (Watchmen,) Paul Giamatti, and Mary J. Blige. You could call this the rock & roll version of Burlesque as the plot follows a small town girl who comes to Hollywood at the height of the 80s rock scene. Justin Theroux (The Broken Hearts Club) is working on the screenplay having previously done the same on Tropic Thunder and Iron Man 2. On his slate of upcoming jobs, Theroux will direct and write the screenplay for Zoolander 2. Ben Stiller is slated to return in the title role of Derek Zoolander but Owen Wilson is only rumored to be joining the sequel. ***

The sometimes, Out actor, Matt Bomer returns in the USA network TV Series White Collar on June 7th, as do the wonderful Piper Peraboo and adorable Christopher Gorham in the series Covert Affairs on the same night. *** Image Entertainment releases the HD DVD of Burning Palms on May 24th. The film incorporates five stories set in LA where the characters encounter virtually every taboo imaginable only to discover a dark and sometimes amusing conclusion. Of particularly note is that Burning Palms was written by Christopher Landon (Paranormal Activity 2) and stars Zoe Saldana (Avatar,) Shannen Doherty (Heathers,) Nick Stahl (Carnivale,) Victor Webster (Castles) and the previously mentioned, Dylan McDermott. ***

Sad state of affairs to learn that our state capitol's Pride celebration on June 4th will feature such entertainers as Luciana, Tom Goss, Raquela and Xavier Toscano. Don't feel out of the loop, as I've never heard of them either which could explain why each one is listed in ads as "Recording Artist" or "Singer/Songwriter." Seriously, Sacramento Pride Celebration organizers, if the bulk of your audience has never heard of your entertainers and you have to explain who there are in your advertising, then you picked the wrong entertainers. At least the ever entertaining Coco Peru will be making an appearance. Closer to home, the Long Beach Pride celebration on May 21st & 22nd offfers Taylor Dayne and Thelma Houston. ***

The long awaited musical version of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City makes it's world premiere at The American Conservatory Theater (ACT) on May 18th running through June 10th. The production is based on books one and two and features music and lyrics by Jake Shears and band mate John Garden (JJ) of Scissor Sisters fame and book by Jeff Whitty, Tony Award winner for Avenue Q. And in honor of that city's former supervisor, and affectionately known as The Mayor of Castro Street, don't forget the 2nd Annual Harvey Milk day takes place on May 22nd. ***

Until next time, I'm Nathaniel Grey and I was born this way.

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