Just For Laughs Comedy Festival Reveals THE COVETED LIST Of 2019 New Faces
Montreal, July 22, 2019 – Just For Laughs is thrilled to finally reveal the highly anticipated 2019 collection of New Faces; the world-renowned discovery showcase that propels up-and-coming performers into the comedy stratosphere. New Faces has been an unmissable part of the Just For Laughs Festival since 1996, where the freshest comedians in the game gear up to take the microphone and change the face of comedy. With this summer’s inaugural year of New Faces: Canada presented by Netflix set to jointhe four staple showcases, New Faces of Comedy, New Faces: Characters, New Faces: Unrepped, and New Faces: Creators, even more comics will have their chance to break through the comedy glass ceiling.
“The New Faces showcase at Just For Laughs has catapulted the careers of so many of today’s most celebrated comedians,” shares Bruce Hills, President of Just For Laughs. “For over twenty years, we have given the most promising undiscovered talent an exclusive platform to launch their careers, which has resulted in the most impactful comedy showcase in the world”.
Just For Laughs New Faces is responsible for launching the careers of many all-star comedians, including Jimmy Fallon (1996), Gabriel Iglesias (1999), Kevin Hart (2001), Hannibal Buress (2006), Amy Schumer (2007), Chris D’Elia (2009), Jerrod Carmichael (2011), Ali Wong (2011), The Lucas Brothers (2012), Pete Davidson (2013), Michelle Wolf (2014), and more.
Anna Drezen is a writing supervisor for NBC’s Saturday Night Live, and the co-author of the books How To Win At Feminism and How Many We Hate You. The latter, which was based on Anna’s experiences working as a concierge at a hotel in Times Square, was optioned by ABC and turned into a pilot, starring Kat Dennings and directed by Will Gluck. She recently wrote for Simon Rich’s TBS series Miracle Workers starring Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi, contributed to Kate McKinnon’s Audible fantasy-comedy series Heads Will Roll and consulted on Jena Friedman’s Adult Swim special Soft Focus. Anna was the editor-at-large of REDUCTRESS and wrote for Comedy Central’s Reductress pilot starring Abby Elliott.
Brad Silnutzer is a stand up, writer, producer, actor, and host based in Los Angeles. He created, writes, produces, and stars in The Fast and the Furious: A Musical Parody at The Dynasty Typewriter Theatre in LA. Brad was a Producer for ABC’s The Bachelor/Bachelorette/Bachelor in Paradise and is currently the lead producer for Circadian Pictures. Brad made his Netflix debut as a celebrity judge on the food competition show, Cooking on High. Brad was previously named as one of Comedy Central’s Comics to Watch and as one of Riot Fest’s comics to watch.
Brendan Scannell is an actor and comedian living in LA. He stars in Netflix’s Bonding and previously in Heathers on Paramount Network. He can be seen in the Comedy Central digital series Stand Up Featuring, and in 2018 Vulture named him a “Comedian You Should and Will Know.” Brendan hosts two popular shows in LA, “The Cure” (alongside Joel Kim Booster) and the workshop “See What Sticks.”
Chanel Ali is a standup comedian, writer, and actress living in New York City. She is the host of the Food Network digital series Food Debate! and a cast member on MTV’s Girl Code. Her observational comedy covers her upbringing, her unique worldview, and the realities of being a polite person in the entertainment industry. In 2018, Chanel was featured on the Friars Club Roast of Gloria Allred and has written for the @NetflixisaJoke social media accounts.
Dan Licata is a NYC-based comedian. He is one of the writers & co-producers of Joe Pera Talks With You on Adult Swim, and previously co-wrote Joe Pera Helps You Find the Perfect Christmas Tree. He’s performed stand-up on TheChris Gethard Show, and has made several videos for JASH.
Dewayne Perkins is a queer Chicago born and raised writer and comedian. Currently a writer on NBC’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine, his previous credits include Netflix’s The Break with Michelle Wolf and MTV’s Wild N’ Out. He’s also written for the 2018 White House Correspondents Dinner, in which a joke he wrote was listed as one of The New Yorker’s “Best Jokes of 2018.” Dewayne was named one of Comedy Central’s “Up Next” comedians and a finalist for Stand-Up NBC. Dewayne is a member of the award-winning improv team 3Peat, whose Comedy Central digital short, THE BLACKENING, written by Dewayne, went viral with more than 15 million views.
Hannah Einbinder participated in 2019’s San Francisco Sketchfest, has been published in Flaunt Magazine, and was named in The Comedy Bureau’s “100 Best Things We Were Witness To in No Particular Order of 2018.” Einbinder performs regularly at clubs and theaters around the country.
Jay Jurden is a rising New York City based comedian originally from Mississippi. He has been featured as a finalist for Stand-Up NBC and a panelist for MTV News. Most recently he appeared in the 2019 Laughing Skull Comedy Festival and was picked as one of Time Out New York’s 2019 “Comedians To Watch”. This fall he continues his college comedy tour across the country.
Joe Praino is a comedian, actor and podcast host of two successful podcasts: The Joe Priano Podcast and Dirty Sports (with Andy Ruther), which showcases his immense depth of sports knowledge. He has interviewed the likes of writer/director David Zuker, NFL star Shawn Merriman, celebrity personal trainer Duffy Gaver and NBA start Brian Scalabrine, and he performs at several clubs across the country including Gotham Comedy Club, The Stand, The Laugh Factory, Comedy Bar, The Improv, Flappers and the Westside Comedy Theater.
Kevin Iso began performing stand up all across Texas before moving to New York where he has been honing his skills. Kevin has performed at the Montreux Comedy Festival in Switzerland, the Funny or Die Oddball Festival, and Bridgetown Comedy Festival. After being named one of Comedy Central’s Comics To Watch in 2015, Kevin’s stand up was featured on AXS TV’s Gotham Comedy Live, Comedy Central’s Adam Devine’s House Party. On top of performing stand up, Kevin is the co-creator of the hit web series, Flatbush Misdemeanors.
Logan Guntzelman is a Los Angeles-based comedian. She performs in clubs and rooms all over the country, and has been selected to perform in the New York Comedy Festival, Boston Comedy Festival, 10,000 Laughs Minneapolis, Echo Park Rising, CROMFest Denver, and the Chicago Comedy Expo. She’s also currently undefeated in the World-Famous Comedy Store’s Roast Battle and was a finalist in the Westside Comedy Theater’s Comedy Showdown.
Matty Ryan has been performing stand-up around the country for years. In 2016 he made his feature film debut with a role in Who Gets the Dog (nominated for Best Actor in the 2016 Midwest Independent Film Festival). Also in 2016, he recorded a standup set for MTV’s Acting Out. In 2017 he had a guest star role on NBC’s Chicago Justice, and was invited to perform at NBC Universal/Second City’s “Breakout Fest.” In 2019 he taped a set for Comedy Central’s Stand Up Featuring, which is currently streaming on their digital platforms.
Opey Olagbajuis a Nigerian-American standup comedian and writer that is currently writing on the Kenya Barris produced Unrelated for Freeform. Previously, he worked on I Love You America with Sarah Silverman (Hulu) as well as The New Negroes (Comedy Central). As a standup, the D.C.-area native performs across the city and has successfully showcased in several festivals, such as District of Comedy (DC), Bridgetown Comedy Festival, SF Sketchfest, and the World Series of Comedy.
Punkie Johnson is a Los Angeles-based comedian from New Orleans. Starting her career as an emcee, Punkie is now a paid regular and favourite at The World-Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood where she is known as one of the most fearless, ruthless, and rawest, forces on the scene. Recent credits include Comedy Central’s Corporate, Tru TV’s Adam Ruins Everything, Amazon’s Please Understand Me and more. She will appear opposite Jimmy O. Yang and Bill Burr in the upcoming film The Opening Act, and HBO’s The Black Lady Sketch Show.
Reggie Conquest is from Philadelphia where he started his comedy career at the legendary Laff House. Since moving to New York City, Reggie has performed on FuseTV’s Stand Up and Deliver and written for TruTV’s Impractical Jokers. His stand-up has been featured at Brooklyn Comedy Festival, Skankfest, Hoboken Comedy Festival and Philadelphia Comedy Festival.
Shane Gillis is a stand-up comic based out of New York City. He was named an “Up-Next” Comic at Comedy Central’s 2019 Clusterfest in San Francisco. In 2016 he was the winner of Philly’s Funniest at Helium Comedy Club. Shane is a regular on SiriusXM and Comedy Central Radio’s The Bonfire. He’s also one half of A Fair One on Compound Media as well as Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast. Shane has written for Comedy Central’s Delco Proper and starred in and wrote for the Dweck Show, Tires Etc, and New Muscle.
Shapel Lacey is an American comedian born and raised in Mesa, Arizona. Shapel was cheerleading competitively for University of Louisville when someone dared him to take the stage as a comedian and he never looked back, dropping out shortly thereafter to pursue a career in stand up full time. Diligence and the desire to grow led him from the Phoenix open mic circuit onto main stages where he regularly performed for comedians such as Bill Burr, Chris D’Elia, Hannibal Buress, Bryan Callen, Frank Caliendo, and now regularly in Los Angeles, California.
Tacarra Williams hails from the Bronx, NY. She has hit major stand-up stages in New York and Hollywood including Caroline’s on Broadway, Broadway Comedy Club, The Apollo Theatre, Hollywood Improv, The Comedy Store and The Laugh Factory. She also has her on 30min special on Comedy Central.
Tien Tran is a former member of The Second City’s 106th Mainstage revue, Dream Freaks Fall From Space, and recently performed in the 2019 CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase. A graduate of Boston College and a 2016 Second City Bob Curry Fellow, Tien was previously in The Second City’s 41st etc revue, Fantastic Super Great Nation Numero Uno. Her stand up was featured at the Second City NBC Universal Break Out Comedy Festival and SCOUT Festival, and she currently performs all around Los Angeles. Tien is one of the co-hosts of the Crooked Media podcast Hysteria.
Tyree Elaine is a comedienne, writer and actress from Los Angeles. She recently wrapped the writers room on ABC’s The Conners. A semifinalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Tyree has also been seen on Black Jesus (Adult Swim), Laff Tracks (TruTV), 50 Central (BET), Showtime at the Apollo (FOX), Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes? (TV One), The Xperiment (BET) and Laff Mobb’s We Got Next (Aspire). Tyree recently created and starred in a digital anthology video series called Women Over 30 Be Like, which was written about by The New York Times.
Chris Rock’s ‘Saw’ Reboot Moves Up Five Months To May 2020
Lionsgate has moved Chris Rock’s upcoming “Saw” reboot forward by five months to May 15, 2020, vacating the pre-Halloween date of Oct. 23, 2020.
The studio indicated Monday that it decided to move the untitled “Saw” movie into the summer slot after seeing early footage from the set of the film currently shooting in Toronto. The move comes three days after Universal announced that it had scheduled its “Halloween Kills” movie, starring Jamie Lee Curtis, for Oct. 16, 2020.
The “Saw” reboot — the ninth in the 15-year-old franchise — becomes the second title set for May 15. Warner Bros. has set its animated Scooby-Doo feature film “Scoob” for the same date.
Rock will play a police detective investigating a series of grisly crimes. Samuel L. Jackson will portray Rock’s father. Max Minghella, who stars in Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and recently directed “Teen Spirit,” also joins the cast as the partner of Rock’s character. “Riverdale” actress Marisol Nichols will play a police captain.
Lionsgate is keeping details of the plot under wraps other than saying it will offer deviously treacherous traps, clever clues and the edge-of-the-seat suspense that fans expect.
Longtime “Saw” filmmakers Mark Burg and Oren Koules returned to produce “Saw.” Darren Lynn Bousman, who helmed the second, third and fourth “Saw” movies, is directing the new movie. The decision to revisit the series was inspired by Rock’s love of the franchise.
The franchise revolves around the fictional character John Kramer, also called the Jigsaw Killer, who traps victims in situations that test their will to live. Tobin Bell has portrayed Jigsaw in all eight films. The low-cost titles have been highly profitable for Lionsgate, grossing nearly $1 billion worldwide. The most recent movie was 2017’s “Jigsaw,” which earned $100 million worldwide.
Source: Variety
A$AP Rocky To Be Held Another Week In Sweden
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — U.S. rapper A$AP Rocky is being held for another week in pre-trial detention to allow police to finish investigating a June 30 fight in downtown Stockholm, a Swedish court said Friday.
Stockholm’s District Court decided to accept the request from prosecutor Daniel Suneson’s to hold A$AP Rocky — the stage name of Rakim Mayers — until Thursday July 25. Mayer is being held for suspected assault.
Earlier, Suneson said police “have worked intensively” with the preliminary investigation but needed more time to complete their probe. Once the investigation is complete, the prosecution will decide whether to formally charge the rapper.
On July 5, Mayers who was in Sweden to perform at a music festival, and his body guards were ordered held for two weeks after being detained two days earlier. Videos published on social media, show a person being violently thrown onto the ground by Mayers. It was not clear who else was involved.
“This was a self-defense situation,” his defense lawyer Slobodan Jovicic told reporters. Asked how A$AP Rocky felt about it, Jovicic replied this was “a very bad experience.”
The platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated artist has seen many celebrities such as Kim Kardashian West, her husband Kanye West and Justin Bieber come to his support since his arrest.
Soon after the news of his arrest broke, the movement #JusticeForRocky pushed for the rapper’s release. A petition calling for his release has also garnered half a million signatures. And Adriano Espaillat, a New York Democrat in the House of Representatives, is pushing for the release of the rapper, who was born in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.
“Everyone deserves to be treated equally and A$AP Rocky’s rights continue to be violated. It is not a fair process,” the congressman earlier said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Espaillat said he has been in contact with the State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Sweden and wants everyone to continue showing their support to help us in this process of getting justice for Rocky.”
Kardashian West, her husband, rapper and record producer Kanye West have lobbied President Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner in support of A$AP Rocky.
Kardashian West thanked the president and senior members of his administration, saying on Twitter that their “commitment to justice reform is so appreciated.”
Earlier this week, Sweden’s top prosecutor Petra Lundh said “the fact that a suspect or a plaintiff is known is no reason for the person to receive a special treatment.”
Carl Risch, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, was seen leaving the Kronoberg prison in Stockholm Friday, where Mayers and his two body guards were being held, Sweden’s TT news agency said. He declined to make comments as he left. The purpose of Risch’s visit was not known.
Netflix Trying To Lure Eddie Murphy Back To The Stage For $70 Million!
Netflix has given a slew of Black comedians the stand-up treatment including, Chris Tucker, Chris Rock, Mike Epps, and Dave Chappelle. So it’s only right that the legendary, Eddie Murphy gets his spotlight on the streaming service.
Eddie candidly announced that he’ll be returning to the stand-up stage on Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. He said he has to get his groove back but of course, some things come naturally, especially for him.
Murphy hung up the mic years ago but his fans have been yearning for him to do another stand-up special for the culture.
TMZ reports that Eddie Murphy has been in talks with Netflix about an undisclosed number of specials for about $70 million. An exact number hasn’t been figured out yet.
But $70 million sounds about right because Chapelle received $60 million for two stand-up specials in 2017. In 2016 Chris Rock got $40 million for two specials.
‘It Chapter Two’ Releases Final Official Trailer
The long-anticipated sequel to It, titled It Chapter Two is on its way, as Warner Brothers has released the very scary trailer to the film.
Evil resurfaces in Derry as director Andy Muschietti reunites the Losers Club—young and adult—in a return to where it all began with “It Chapter Two.”
The film is Muschietti’s follow-up to 2017’s critically acclaimed and massive worldwide box office hit “IT,” which grossed over $700 million globally. Both redefining and transcending the genre, “IT” became part of the cultural zeitgeist as well as the highest-grossing horror film of all time.
Because every 27 years evil revisits the town of Derry, Maine, “It Chapter Two” brings the characters—who’ve long since gone their separate ways—back together as adults, nearly three decades after the events of the first film.
Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain (“Zero Dark Thirty,” “Mama”) stars as Beverly, James McAvoy (“Split,” upcoming “Glass”) as Bill, Bill Hader (HBO’s “Barry,” “The Skeleton Twins”) as Richie, Isaiah Mustafa (TV’s “Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments”) as Mike, Jay Ryan (TV’s “Mary Kills People”) as Ben, James Ransone (HBO’s “The Wire”) as Eddie, and Andy Bean (“Allegiant,” Starz’ “Power”) as Stanley. Reprising their roles as the original members of the Losers Club are Jaeden Martell as Bill, Wyatt Oleff as Stanley, Jack Dylan Grazer as Eddie, Finn Wolfhard as Richie, Sophia Lillis as Beverly, Chosen Jacobs as Mike, and Jeremy Ray Taylor as Ben. Bill Skarsgård returns in the seminal role of Pennywise.
Muschietti directed the film from a screenplay by Gary Dauberman (“IT,” “Annabelle: Creation”) based on the novel IT by Stephen King. Barbara Muschietti, Dan Lin and Roy Lee produced the film, with Marty Ewing, Seth Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg serving as the executive producers.
The behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Checco Varese (“The 33”), Oscar-winning production designer Paul Denham Austerberry (“The Shape of Water”), editor Jason Ballantine (“IT,” “Mad Max: Fury Road”), and Oscar-nominated costume designer Luis Sequeira (“The Shape of Water,” “Mama”).
The music is by Benjamin Wallfisch (“Shazam!,” “Blade Runner 2049,” “IT”). New Line Cinema presents, a Vertigo Entertainment/Rideback Production, an Andy Muschietti film, “It Chapter Two.”
The film is slated for release in theaters and IMAX on September 6, 2019, and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Spike Lee Shopping ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ Around To Other Networks/Streamers After Nexflix Cancellation
The streaming giant has canceled the contemporary update of Spike Lee’s 1986 feature film after two seasons. Lee, who owns the IP, is expected to shop the scripted comedy to other outlets.”Spike Lee is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time and we’re thrilled he brought the series She’s Gotta Have It to Netflix. While this is our last season, we’re very proud that it will be on our service for years to come and excited to be working with Spike on his upcoming Netflix film Da 5 Bloods,” Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said Wednesday in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
The news arrives less than two months after the sophomore season of the comedy starring breakout DeWanda Wise and Anthony Ramos returned on Netflix.
She’s Gotta Have It marks the latest short-lived series to get the ax at Netflix. After the streamer canceled One Day at a Time following a three-season run, new information about its approach to new vs. returning series emerged. The company, which does not release specific viewership data, approaches renewals and cancellations with a viewing vs. cost approach — basically, if a new season of a returning series will continue to bring in new subscribers or if the streamer is better served allocating those financial resources to new projects instead. Season two of the show currently has a 67 percent rating among critics on RottenTomatoes.com.
She’s Gotta Have It joins other short-lived series at Netflix including Santa Clarita Diet (canceled after three seasons), Friends From College, American Vandal and Between (two and done), among others.
Still, the company remains in business with Lee via his upcoming film Da 5 Bloods, its fourth collaboration with the writer, director and producer following She’s Gotta Have It, Rodney King and See You Yesterday.
The streamer has come under fire of late for its penchant of canceling scripted originals focused on underserved communities (including One Day at a Time). Netflix is currently embroiled in a salary dispute with the stars of On My Block, who are seeking sizable pay increases. Netflix head of originals Cindy Holland previously told THR that the company remains committed to stories focused on underrepresented communities with programming including Dear White People, Family Reunion, On My Block, Madam CJ Walker, its Emmy-nominated When They See Us and multiple films, among others.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Eddie Murphy Plans Return To Stand-Up in New ‘Comedians in Cars’ Clip
It’s been years since Eddie Murphy performed a stand-up set, but, as he tells host Jerry Seinfeld in an exclusive clip from Netflix’s upcoming 11th season of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, he may stage a comeback soon.
“You know that you not doing stand-up drives people crazy. You know that, right?” Seinfeld tells Murphy.
Murphy says Seinfeld isn’t the first one to express interest, revealing that late comedian Don Rickles would pester him repeatedly about coming back to perform.
“I’m going to do it again. Everything just has to be right,” Murphy says. “You have to get up there and start working out.”
For Murphy, coming back to the comedy scene means working the clubs again.
“You should buy the Comic Strip, and I’ll come and work out there,” Murphy suggests.
“If you want to do that, I’ll do it. I’ll call it Jerry Seinfeld’s Comic Strip,” Seinfeld responds.
Murphy is one of several guests who sit in the passenger seat in the newest season of Seinfeld’s show. Ricky Gervais, Matthew Broderick, Seth Rogen, Jamie Foxx, Martin Short, Sebastian Maniscalo, Melissa Villasenor, Barry Marder and Bridget Everett will also appear.
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee‘s 11th season premieres July 19.
Watch the clip below.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Eddie Murphy Debuts Today On Netflix Show ‘Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee’
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Jerry Seinfeld would rather cruise in classic cars and sip coffee with comedy’s best than reboot his uber-successful “Seinfeld” television series.
“No, and do what? Make it worse?” Seinfeld said in an interview Wednesday night about his eponymous NBC sitcom, which celebrated its 30-year anniversary this month. “I’m very fortunate to be in the position to make that show with those people at that time. I wouldn’t be arrogant enough to think I could do it again. That’s egomaniacal. I’m happy with what I have now.”
These days, Seinfeld is focused on learning more about the “sharpest minds in comedy” through his Netflix series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” The 11th season of the series premieres Friday on the streaming service featuring Eddie Murphy, who talked about his career and shared stories with Seinfeld about them coming up in comedy together in New York in the 1970s.
The new season also includes an array of other comedians including Martin Short, Rick Gervais, Seth Rogan, Bridget Everett, Barry Marder, Melissa Villaseño and Mario Joyner. Jamie Foxx appears in an episode to talk about him wanting to return to standup and his impersonation of Dave Chappelle.
“It’s kind of a music video to me. It’s just kind of visual. The words are interesting and sometimes it’s funny, but I like it to have a rhythm and flow and then it’s over,” Seinfeld said. “It’s just very quick. I always like when people go ‘I wish that was a little longer.’”
Seinfeld launched “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” on Sony’s Crackle in 2012. The series was moved to Netflix two years ago after the comedian signed a massive deal with the streaming service.
This season, Seinfeld continues to pick up each guest in a different vintage car, from a Maserati Mistral to a Rolls-Royce convertible to a beat-up Dodge Monaco. He takes them to a cafe or restaurant for coffee where they have an easy-flowing conversation about their career and life experiences as comedians.
Seinfeld said he learns something new from each guest. He was surprised when Murphy spoke about not being as confident as most thought during his rise in comedy. He also didn’t know that Rogen first heard about Bill Cosby’s sexual misconduct history from Hannibal Buress in 2014, a month before Buress accused Cosby in a viral stand-up routine.
For Seinfeld, he feels somewhat like a news reporter in an effort to create a comfortable environment for guests to open up.
“People like to tell me stuff, and I don’t know why,” said Seinfeld, who has featured former President Barack Obama and Kevin Hart in previous seasons. “It’s happened to me my whole life, because I think I really listen. But I would never put anything in the show I think the person might not want in there. I want the show to be fun like a little cappuccino foam, just light and pleasant.”
Alicia Keys To Executive Produce Untitled Musical Drama Series For Showtime
SHOWTIME has made a series commitment to an untitled musical drama series executive produced by multiple Grammy winner Alicia Keys and the Oscar, Tony and Grammy winning team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman). Pasek and Paul will contribute music to the series. Kyle Jarrow (TheSpongeBob Musical) will write and executive produce. Tony winner and Oscar nominated producer Marc Platt (Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, The Band’s Visit,La La Land), Emmy winner R.J. Cutler (Nashville,American High), and Emmy winner Adam Siegel (Grease: Live!) will executive produce. The announcement was made today by Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc.
Produced by Fox 21 Television Studios (Homeland, The Chi), the project traverses generations to tell an emotionally complex family story that interweaves modern-day and 1959 Detroit, centering on a mystery uncovered by a young musician who moves back to her childhood home.
“We have always been intrigued by the prospect of doing a SHOWTIME musical series, but only if the songs could add to the depth and complexity of a great character drama,” said Levine. “Nobody does that better than Pasek and Paul and Marc Platt…so when they came to us along with a global superstar like Alicia, a talented writer like Kyle, and excellent producers like Adam and R.J., we were all in.”
Keys is a 15-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter, musician, producer, actress, best-selling author and activist. She hasacted on screen in such projects as The Secret Life of Bees, The Nanny Diaries and Empire, executive produced The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete, co-produced the play Stick Fly and also directed a segment of the multipart film Five.
Working as a team since they met as college freshmen, Pasek and Paul earned an Oscar for their work on La La Land and a Tony Award for Dear Evan Hansen. They have also won two Golden Globe® Awards for La La Land and The Greatest Showmanand GrammyAwards for Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman. Their other notable credits on stage and screen include A Christmas Story, James and the Giant Peach and Smash.
Jarrow was nominated for a Tony for Best Book of a Musical in 2018 for SpongeBob SquarePants, andwon an Obie Award for A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant. Jarrowalso created the television series Valor.
Prolific film, television, and theatre producer Marc Platt has won two Emmy Awards (Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, Grease Live!), a Tony Award (The Band’s Visit), and has been nominated for two Oscars (La La Land, Bridge of Spies). Other critically-acclaimed credits include Wicked, Mary Poppins Returns, Into the Woods, Empire Falls and Legally Blonde.
Cutler received two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Non-Fiction Program for American High, winning in 2001; Emmy and BAFTA® nominations for the SHOWTIME documentary LISTEN TO ME MARLON; and he produced the Academy Award®-nominated documentary The War Room. His producing and directing credits also include Nashville and The September Issue. He also directed and produced The World According to Dick Cheney, and is currently directing and producing the Untitled John Belushi documentary, both for SHOWTIME.
Siegel earned an Emmy Award for producing Grease Live! His credits also include Drive, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and Rent.
Kenya Barris Sketch Comedy Show Gets Series Order At Netflix
Kenya Barris has set a second series at Netflix: a sketch-comedy series starring the New York-based improv troupe Astronomy Club.
The six-episode series, also called Astronomy Club, will feature sketches that use comedy to discuss complex and nuanced real-world topics, ranging from pop culture to social issues to the black experience in America.
The show is the second for Barris at Netflix, where he signed a rich overall deal in 2018 after years at ABC Studios. The Black-ish and Grown-ish creator is also executive producing and starring in a family comedy called Black Excellence alongside fellow EP Rashida Jones.
The variety series categories — sketch and talk — were the only major Emmy areas in Tuesday’s nominations not to feature at least one Netflix show.
Astronomy Club formed in 2013 and soon became the first all-black house team at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Group members Shawtane Bowen, Jonathan Braylock, Ray Cordova, James III, Caroline Martin, Jerah Milligan, Monique Moses and Keisha Zollar will star in the series.
Barris will executive produce via his Khalabo Ink Society along with Daniel Powell (I Think You Should Leave, Inside Amy Schumer) of Irony Point.
