A Sneek Peek Behind the Scenes With Nelly

Catch a behind the scenes peek on the music video set of Grammy Award-winning artist Nelly. His new single “Get Like Me,” filmed in Los Angeles on June 26^th, and features Pharrell and Nicki Minaj.  Managed by entertainment and media entrepreneur and KWL Management CEO, Kevin Liles, Nelly debuted the single as a special preview for his fans on Nelly.net after performing the hit song "Cruise" with Florida Georgia Line at last week’s finale of NBC’s “The Voice.”

Director Colin Tilley, and Nelly's manager, entertainment and media entrepreneur Kevin Liles of KWL Management, watch Pharrell on the set of Nelly’s latest music video for new single “Get Like Me.”

Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival July 23-28

 At the Clurman Theatre on Theatre Row

 

Chosen from over 900 submissions by playwriting workshops, university theatre programs, and professional companies nationwide, “The Red Blood of War” produced by Mountaintop Productions will be presented at the 38th Annual Samuel French Inc. Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival on July 25, 2013 at the Clurman Theatre (410 West 42nd Street, NYC). The week-long festival will be presented July 23^rd – 27^th with finals on Saturday, then the winning plays will be presented is a special performance on Sunday July 28^th. Out of these 30 plays, six finalists will be chosen by the Samuel French, Inc. editorial staff to receive publication and licensing contracts.

 

“I’m so thrilled and honored to be a part of the festival!”

 

Plays in the festival will be presented in daily multi-sessions. The schedule for each day of the Festival can be found at www.oob.samuelfrench.com.

 

The thirty producing organizations presenting at the festival are as follows: Adrift by Jay Koepke (Rutgers University); Afterlife by Chris Braak (Chris Braak); Black Friday by Matthew Klein (Matthew Klein); Captive by Caron A. Levis (Infinite Nutshell Productions); The Chicken Situation by Dominic Finocchiaro (Dominic Finocchiaro); Dancing Turtle by Thomas M. Atkinson (Thomas M. Atkinson); Duduk? by Sarah Einspanier (Sarah Einspanier); The Dungeons and the Dragons by Kyle John Schmidt (Kyle John Schmidt); Fat Joey by Madeline Hendricks (Madeline Hendricks); Field Guide to the North American Osprey by Trish Cole (Trish Cole); Frisky and the Panda Man by Ross Howard (Sarah Norris); Imaginary Friends by Jeffrey James Keyes (Jeffrey James Keyes); In the Early Dark by Seth Berner (Seth Berner); Ink by R. David Robinson (R. David Robinson); Jack and Evelyn by Alec Gutherz (Reliance, LLC); Masha: Conditions in the Holy Land by Andrew R. Heinze (HB Studio); Moscow by Lojo Simon (Lojo Simon); Occupy Hallmark by Cassie M. Seinuk (Cassie M. Seinuk); Old Flame by Mira Gibson (Summer Smoke Productions LLC); Poor Jesse by Emily Feldman (Emily Feldman); Reality Play by Mark Swaner (Mark Swaner); The Red Blood of War by Celeste Bedford Walker (Mountaintop Productions); The Space Behind Your Heart by Steven Simoncic (Thirstyboots Productions); Stamps by Sarah Sander (Sarah Sander); Sweet Life by Lina Patel (Lina Patel); Tattoo You by Lisa Kenner (Lisa Kenner); Three by Gregory Bonsignore (Gregory Bonsignore); Tornado by Arlitia Jones (Blue Roses Productions); Tummy Bubbles by Jennifer Lane (Jennifer Lane); Where Bearded Ladies Come From by Holly Hepp-Galaván (Holly Hepp-Galaván).

 

The Off Off Broadway Festival started in 1975 and is Manhattan’s most established short play festival. Hundreds of theatre companies and schools have participated in the Festival’s first thirty-six years, including companies from coast to coast and abroad. This Festival has served as a doorway to future success for many aspiring writers. Since its inception, over two hundred plays from the Festival have been published, and many of the participants have become established, award-winning playwrights including Theresa Rebeck, Shirley Lauro, Bekah Brunstetter, Steve Yockey, David Johnston and Sheila Callaghan.

 

For more information about the festival, plays, playwrights and participating companies, please visit the official festival website at www.samuelfrench.com/oobfestival. By requiring authors to collaborate with a producing organization and present their work in performance, Samuel French seeks to encourage the collaborative and creative process of playwriting.

 

Samuel French Inc. was founded in 1830 with offices in both New York City, Los Angeles and London, and retail bookstores in Hollywood and London making it the oldest and largest publisher and licensor of plays in the world. 

 

All tickets are $18.  For more information and to purchase tickets, call Telecharge at 800-432-7250 or log onto www.telecharge.com. The 38th Annual Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival will run July 23^rd – 28^th at the Clurman Theatre, Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street). 

 

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TURBO's Snoop Lion Hosts SYFL Family Fun Day

 SNOOP LION 

Snoop Lion AKA Snoop Dogg showed some goodwill last weekend when he hosted the 1st Annual Snoop Youth Football League (SYFL) Family Fun Day.  During the event, held in Los Angeles, he talked about sportsmanship, teamwork and the value of education.  Snoop enlisted the help of several friends including, NFL's Seahawk's Pete Carroll, DeMarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys), DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles), LaMarr Woodley (Pittsburgh Steelers), Ronnie Hillman (Denver Bronco's) and many more.  The event was held at Crenshaw High School where those in attendance dined on tacos from a tricked out "Turbo Taco Truck" from Snoop's upcoming animated feature film TURBO, in theaters July 17. 

Jazzmyne Public Relations Celebrates 25

 

MAKEDA SMITH  Hollywood, CA - "It's important to acknowledge the journey.  Expressing appreciation for everyone and every thing along the path is part of the celebration.  All of it has brought me here, with 'here' being the operative word because 'I Am still Here'," cites Makeda Smith, agency owner of Jazzmyne Public Relations.  "And for that I Am thankful."  The boutique styled publicity firm celebrates 25 years this month, providing a distinctly unique approach to publicity, branding, social marketing,  management consulting, and crisis and scandal control.  With offices in Los Angeles, and a satellite operation in Atlanta spearheaded by Edrea Davis, Jazzmyne Public Relations is recognized as a solid contender in a continually evolving field. "I remember when fax machines were the fastest way to get out breaking news and we mailed albums and cassettes out to media. Today its emails and mp3's via the computer," recollects Makeda. "Twenty five years is a very long time. I've seen things come and then go. I've witnessed career births, explosions and collapses. And I've been around long enough to know that even though things change, the important things remain the same, like integrity, passion and dedication to the energy of a strong work ethic." Jazzmyne Public Relations was started in 1988 when Gwendolyn "Makeda" Smith resigned her position as Associate Director of West Coast Publicity at Hervey & Company, a public relations firm headed by industry veteran, Ramon Hervey. With no savings or financial backing, it was a single press release that launched her firm, Jazzmyne Public Relations, named for her oldest daughter. The agency specializes in urban entertainment and has successfully secured media exposure for celebrities, films, non-profit organizations, businesses, authors, artists, activists and even former crime figures.  Clients over the 25 years have included a diverse list of names, events and organizations in entertainment and beyond including former Tonight Show bandleader Kevin Eubanks, comedian and actor Jamie Foxx,  comedian/actress Mo'Nique, singer/actress Cheryl Pepsii Riley, radio personality Michael Baisden, Playboy TV, the Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant and the Black Men's Xchange.  Under the auspices of Edrea Davis, the agency has represented several U. S. delegations to the United Nations World Conferences in South Africa, Copenhagen, Switzerland and Amsterdam; coordinated publicity efforts for civil rights icon Reverend Joseph Lowery and Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and convener of the Black Women's Roundtable Public Policy Network; and overall media coordination for the massive UNITY voter registration and get the vote out campaign which comprised nearly 100 of nation's most prestigious organizations and contributed to the historic black voter turnout and election of President Obama. "Jazzmyne Public Relations is one of the best avenues for anyone with a message to get their voice out there," offers Dr. Boogie, a celebrity client and hairstylist to stars like Vivica A. Fox and Kym Whitley. "It may seem like media is much more accessible in this day and age but gaining access with professionalism and savvy still requires an acquired and honed skill." Dr. Boogie, the owner of a clip-on hair line and a natural hair product company, continues, "I've watched Makeda create and launch some of the biggest careers out there as well as finesse her way around some of Hollywood's most notorious insider scandals!  Jazzmyne Public Relations is an important part of the Dr. Boogie team and brand and we congratulate her on her longevity in the game!" Contact Jazzmyne Public Relations at www.jazzmynepr.com, via email at jazzmynepr@gmail.com, @makedaqueen on Twitter and "Like" the agency on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jazzmyne-Public-Relations.

Photo Credit:  Kim Day

New Documentary '20 Feet From Stardom' Shines

Darlene Love

By Darlene Donloe

Background singers are merely steps from that coveted microphone that stands, exclusively, downstage center for the star of the show.

The importance of the background singer and how they are actually the backbone of the music industry is told in Morgan Neville’s informative, entertaining and compelling documentary 20 Feet From Stardom, currently in theaters.

The doc features some the industry’s premier background vocalist, including Darlene Love, considered a pioneer; Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill and Tata Vega.  

Lisa Fischer

Other vocal performers who share their experiences in the film include: Janice Pendarvis (Sting, Stevie Wonder), Claudia Lennear (Ike & Tina Turner, George Harrison, Joe Cocker), Gloria Jones (Joe Cocker, Ike & Tina Turner), Dr. Mable John (Raelette), Lynn Maybry (Parliament Funkadelic), Cindy Mizelle (Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen and Steely Dan), Susaye Greene (Raelette, Wonder Love), Jo Lawry (Sting), The Waters Family (Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, Patti LaBelle, Donna Summer) and Rose Stone (Sly & The Family Stone).

It also features interviews with Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Bette Midler, Mick Jagger and Chris Botti.

The focus of the doc, a kind of tribute to the unsung voices who helped shape popular music, is to highlight the untold, true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century. It is also a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of a career spent harmonizing with others. 

But, what it really shows is how most background vocalist are really the true, gifted stars.

The stories of Love, Clayton, Fischer, Hill and Vega are told through current interviews as well as archival footage and a superior soundtrack.

As a member of vocal trio the Blossoms, who sang on dozens of Top 40 tracks, Love backed up Sam Cooke, Dionne Warwick and Frank Sinatra in the 60s. She was also one of the bricks in producer Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound.”

Clayton’s voice appeared on Carole King’s “Tapestry,” Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” and Joe Cocker’s “Feelin Alright.”

Fischer, who sang background for Luther Vandross, currently tours with the Rolling Stones and has also performed with Sting and Chris Botti.

Vega, who was signed to Motown in the 1970s as a solo artist, has sung in a wide variety of settings. She has worked with Andre Crouch and Quincy Jones. She now tours with Elton John.

Judith Hill, who recently appeared on “The Voice,” was booked to backup Michael Jackson on his “This Is It” concert tour. She has worked with Elton John and Stevie Wonder.

Jo Lawry, Judith Hill and Lisa Fischer

“When you’re a background singer, there’s a springboard at the beginning, but it can easily become quicksand if that’s not what you want to do,” says Hill.

Each of the women featured has a uniquely fascinating and personal story to share of life spent in the shadows of superstardom.     

In what can only be described as a revelatory presentation, Love talks about her rocky relationship with Spector, while Merry Clayton talks about her disappointment in not attaining super stardom and how Lisa Fischer is fine staying in the background even though she clearly has a remarkable front and center voice.

A few other things learned include: background singers don’t self-identify as such, they are just singers, backup singers pretty much all started in church choirs, background singers can sing circles around most lead singers and just because you’re not a household name, doesn’t mean you’re not a diva.

“I have made music documentaries over the years and know a fair amount of obscure music history,” says Neville. “But backup singing was new territory. A few great songs came to mind – “Gimme Shelter,” Aretha’s “Respect” and I’d seen people like Darlene Love and Cissy Houston perform before but background singing was a bit of a mystery.”

Well, the curtain on the mystery of background singing has been pulled back. And the result is eye-opening.

By the way, the music featured in the documentary is nothing short of spectacular!

Merry Clayton

20 Feet To Stardom, currently in theaters, is directed by Morgan Neville and features Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill, Tata Vega, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler and Chris Botti.

Radius TWC, Gil Friesen and Tremolo Productions present 20 Feet From Stardom; Running Time: 90 Minutes

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (Likeable) O (OK) and E (excellent), 20 Feet From Stardom gets an E (excellent).

Danny DeVito Set To Reunite With Judd Hirsch

 NEIL SIMON’S CLASSIC COMEDY “THE SUNSHINE BOYS”

 “Taxi” Stars Reunite for the First Time to Perform as Two Reuniting Vaudevillians

Two stars of the landmark television series “Taxi,” Judd Hirsch and Danny DeVito, will reunite on the stage of the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys,” directed by Thea Sharrock. 

The previously announced DeVito is joined by Hirsch in Simon’s classic comedy which opens the Ahmanson’s 2013-2014 subscription season and runs September 24 through November 3, 2013.  The opening night is set for October 2.  Additional casting will be announced in the coming weeks.

Danny DeVito starred with the late Richard Griffiths in the critically acclaimed production of “The Sunshine Boys” which played to packed houses in London’s West End last summer.  According to DeVito, “Sharing the stage with Richard was one of the happiest times I've ever spent.  He was a great actor and became a good friend.  Richard Griffiths was and is a national treasure. Look at his body of work, it’ll blow your mind.”

In Neil Simon’s play Willie Clark (DeVito) and Al Lewis (Hirsch) are former vaudevillian stars who, after a partnership of over 40 years, are no longer speaking to each other.  When a lucrative television offer for one last show lures them into a grudging reunion, sparks fly in this classic comedy of showbiz and friendship.

Judd Hirsch made his Broadway debut in “Barefoot in the Park” and performed in Lanford Wilson’s “The Hot l Baltimore” and “Talley’s Folly” (off-Broadway, at the Mark Taper Forum, and then on Broadway, winning an Obie Award and a Tony Award nomination). He won Tony Awards for two of Herb Gardner’s plays, “I’m Not Rappoport” and “Conversations with My Father,” and most recently starred in “Freud’s Last Session” at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.  Hirsch won two Emmys for the role of Alex Reiger in “Taxi.”  Other TV credits include “Dear John” (Golden Globe), “Numb3rs,” “Damages” and “Maron.”  Film credits include “Ordinary People” (Oscar nomination), “A Beautiful Mind” and “This Must Be the Place.”

On hearing Hirsch accepted the role of Al, DeVito said, “I'm so excited to be working with Judd again.  We did a play together 43 years ago and then, of course, did 114 episodes of ‘Taxi.’  I'm so excited -- did I say that already?   This is gonna be a total blast.”

After taking the role Judd Hirsch commented, “Here we go again ... just like Al and Willie ... I just can’t wait.”

 “The Sunshine Boys”  “… celebrates the clown’s classic gift for turning anger into art,” said Ben Brantley of The New York Times. “Willie Clark ... has a carved-in-stone list of things that are funny. Words that have “k” sounds, for instance, like pickle and cake and cucumber. Might I add to that list the image of a tufted Danny DeVito in striped pajamas and a sports jacket? ... That’s comedy, folks. And it’s one of the reasons that Thea Sharrock’s production of ‘The Sunshine Boys’ works so incredibly well.”

 “Thea Sharrock directs a pitch-perfect production,” said Charles Spencer of The Telegraph, “that beautifully captures fleeting moments of tenderness in the comedy without ever turning mushy… a golden evening. ...” Sharrock won the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Revival for “After the Dance” at London’s National Theatre where she has also directed “13,” “Happy Now?” and “The Emperor Jones.” She directed “Heroes” at the Geffen Playhouse, starring George Segal, Richard Benjamin and Len Cariou, and “Equus” with Richard Griffiths and Daniel Radcliffe on Broadway. Her other theatre credits include “The Misanthrope” with Keira Knightly at the Comedy Theatre, the musical of “The Bodyguard,” and last year she directed “Henry V” for BBC TV. 

Danny DeVito won both a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Louie De Palma in the hit comedy “Taxi.”  He co-starred in two Academy Award-winning films, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” in a role he also played on stage, and “Terms of Endearment.” His other film credits include “The Ratings Game,” “Throw Momma From the Train,” “The War of the Roses,” “Hoffa,” “Death to Smoochy” and “Matilda.”  He also voiced the Lorax in the animated feature “The Lorax.” He is currently starring in the eighth season of FX’s acclaimed comedy “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and recently wrapped production on his first horror feature, “St. Sebastian's,” which he directed and produced.

Center Theatre Group has presented 15 plays by Neil Simon including his Tony Award-winning “The Odd Couple” and “Biloxi Blues,” as well as the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning “Lost in Yonkers.” Simon is the only living playwright to have a Broadway theatre named after him. He also received a Special Tony for his contributions to theatre, has been inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame, and is a Kennedy Center honoree.

“The Sunshine Boys” was first produced on Broadway in 1972 and was later adapted for film and television. Sam Levene and Jack Albertson played Lewis and Clark in the stage premiere directed by Alan Arkin. Neil Simon’s 1975 Academy Award-winning film adaptation starred George Burns as Lewis and Walter Matthau as Clark and was directed by Herbert Ross. 

“The Sunshine Boys” is produced by Richard Willis, Sonia Friedman Productions and Tulchin Bartner Productions. 

Tickets for “The Sunshine Boys” are currently available as part of the 2013 – 2014 Ahmanson Theatre subscription.   For information and to charge season tickets by phone, call the Exclusive Season Ticket Hotline at (213) 972-4444.  To purchase subscriptions online, visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/Ahmanson. For information regarding audio description and Project D.A.T.E. (sign language interpreted, open caption and audio description performances) call TDD (213) 680-4017 or voice (213) 972-4444.

 The Ahmanson Theatre is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012. 

Donloe's Lowdown's 'World War Z' Giveaway

 BRAD PITT

Hey, I'm giving away some 'World War Z' swag to the first three Donloe's Lowdown readers to send me a screen shot of the twitter hashtag #WorldWarZMovie. 

The Brad Pitt drama opened this weekend. 

Scroll down to read my review of the film.  Thanks!

As you can see, I tried to get away from the Zombies, but they caught me at the Hollywood Bowl. Must say, this is NOT my best look!