JANUARY 2004
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22 January 2004
'La Bohème' in LA
- Baz Luhrmann's spectacular production of La Bohème officially opened in Los Angeles on 11th January 2004 and has been receiving excellent reviews. In my La Bohème section, I have added a new 'Los Angeles Production News Articles' page, which so far contains 6 articles reviewing the production, including an article detailing how Luhrmann took time to talk to local film students about his career, and a profile of Anya Matanovic, one of the three singers who rotate in the role of Mimi. La Bohème is playing at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles through until 7th March 2004.
Baz and CM and Baz and Dino De Laurentiis at the
premiere of the Los Angeles production of La Bohème.
Baz at Producer's Guild Awards
- The 15th Producer's Guild of America Awards were held on 17th January 2004 at the Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles. At the ceremony, Baz Luhrmann presented friend, associate and producer of the upcoming Alexander the Great, Dino De Laurentiis with the David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures.
Baz presents Dino with his award.
Baz talks Chanel, La Bohème and ATG
- Last week, Variety reported an article called 'Just for Variety' (14 Jan, by Army Archerd - special thanks to Melanie for providing the link to this article). The article touches upon Baz's aims for the Chanel commercial and Los Angeles production of La Bohème, and also reveals he has treatments in the works for three more epics as well as Alexander the Great! We'll have to wait and see which ones come to fruition over the coming years but, as with all things Baz, it's bound to be an entertaining ride!
"GOOD MORNING: Nicole Kidman (news) stars in "a little drama." That's the way Baz Luhrmann describes the Chanel No. 5 commercial that he'll complete following Sunday's gala bow of his production of Puccini's "La Boheme" at L.A.'s Ahmanson Theater. After viewing a preview week here, Luhrmann tipped his hat to the L.A. audiences' reactions to his young, multinational casts. Luhrmann, also praised Angelenos' "quick responses" to the unique supertitles around the theater. This will be the only U.S. engagement scheduled for this production, running through March 7. Tickets are, understandably, at a premium. Its stand at the 1,697-seat Broadway Theater received rave reviews, including one from Daily Variety's Charles Isherwood calling it "just the thing to take the chill out of the winter chill. It succeeds spectacularly in its ultimate goal - to put the pop back in opera." Luhrmann, whose most recent big screen outing was the magnificent "Moulin Rouge" starring Kidman, says of the commercial, "It was an education in science for me in making a film that will run 30 seconds, or 60, hopefully two minutes somewhere - and maybe a documentary somewhere." And he said working with Kidman again "was a great joy." (Part of his commercial deal was "no ad agency involvement" in his creation.) Karl Lagerfeld created some "dreamy frocks" for her and Brazil's Rodrigo Santoro ("Love Actually") appears with her ... Luhrmann's bigscreen return, "Alexander the Great" for Universal and DreamWorks and starring Leonardo Di Caprio (his "Romeo+Juliet" star), gets another script-see in February. He has traveled the world seeking locations, calling "Alexander" "the world's greatest road picture." He also has treatments in the works for three more epics. "I have so many treatments I can't live long enough to do them all!"
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13 January 2004
'La Bohème' now showing in LA!
- Baz Luhrmann's production of La Bohème is now showing at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles through until 7th March. The following article by Playbill.com provides basic information. Feel free to take a look at my 'La Bohème' section for further details about this wonderful production. And if anyone is lucky enough to attend a performance, please contact me with your review!
Last year Playbill.com also reported that Luhrmann's production of La Bohème may tour to London. Tentative dates were reported as 30th May 2004 - 30th October 2004 at a location yet to be announced. I assume they will wait and see how well the Los Angeles run performs before making a decision on further touring destinations. However, I am definitely hoping that La Bohème tours to London, as I would personally love the opportunity to see this amazing production for myself. I will, of course, provide further information regarding touring dates and destinations as soon as it is made available.
"Broadway Cast Members Reprise Luhrmann's La Bohème in Los Angeles, Jan. 9-March 7
By Ernio Hernandez, 09 Jan 2004
Baz Luhrmann's Tony Award-winning Broadway production of La Bohème begins at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre, Jan. 9.
The new staging of Puccini's operatic masterpiece set in 1957's Paris is set to open at the California venue Jan. 18 for a run through March 7.
Original Broadway cast members returning for the Los Angeles run include David Miller and Alfred Boe (as Rodolfo); Wei Huang (as Mimi); as well as Jessica Comeau and Chlöe Wright (as
Musetta) opposite Eugene Brancoveanu and Ben Davis (as Marcello). They are joined by newcomers Adrian Dwyer and Victor Robinson (as Rodolfo); and Janinah Burnett, Kelly Kaduce and Anya Matanovic (as Mimi).
The design team includes Catherine Martin (scenic/ co-costume) and Angus Strathie (co-costume), Nigel Levings (lighting) and Acme Sound Partners (sound). La Bohème will be conducted by musical director Constantine Kitsopoulos who leads a 26-piece orchestra.
Luhrmann's La Bohème premiered in 1990, and became the biggest hit in the history of the Sydney Opera House and a sold-out sensation. It played return engagements at the Sydney Opera House in 1993, when it was recorded for video, and in 1996.
Previews began on Broadway Nov. 29, 2002, following a mostly sold-out tryout in San Francisco. The production which played at the Broadway Theatre used a rotating cast of principals due to the show's vocal demands. The show opened Dec. 8, 2002, to positive response.
The Broadway run earned six Tony Award nominations and won two Tonys, for Best Lighting Design (Nigel Levings) and Best Scenic Design (Catherine Martin). The Tony Awards committee also honored the 10 principal players in the show with special Tonys for excellence.
Luhrmann is known for direction on the films "Strictly Ballroom," "Romeo + Juliet" and the Academy Award-nominated "Moulin Rouge." With wife Martin he is the founder and director of
Bazmark.
Tickets to La Bohème at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 North Grand Ave. In Los Angeles, CA are available by calling (213) 628-2772 or online at
www.taperahmanson.com."
Australian Trade Festival in LA
- Last weekend, all the major newspapers across Australia reported an article called 'Stars to woo US investors', a copy of which can be found below (from news.com.au). The article details how 'Australia Week', a 10-day trade festival, aims to promote Australia's business and investment opportunities to the US market. Baz Luhrmann will attend the event, including a black tie dinner on 25th January. Luhrmann is currently in LA working on his newly opened production of La Bohème, and I'm sure he will be an excellent contender to woo investors with his usual wit, charm and enthusiasm! :-)
"CATE Blanchett, Anthony LaPaglia, Baz Luhrmann and Vanessa Amorosi will headline a 10-day trade festival in Los Angeles later this week to promote Australia to United States business leaders and investors.
Run by the Australian Trade Commission, it is hoped the festival, which is the first of its kind, will persuade US companies to expand into Australia as well as generate more exports for Australian companies.
Australia Week was purposely designed to coincide with the upcoming Academy Awards, in which Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Blanchett and Russell Crowe are all in the running for Oscars.
Australia is known in the US for its film stars but less so for its business and investment, Austrade senior trade commissioner in Los Angeles, Kylie Hargreaves, said.
She said the festival had generated enormous interest from US business leaders, and that Australia's role in the war on terror and war in Iraq had helped earn even more respect from potential trading partners.
The festival will incorporate an Australian film festival, an Aboriginal art exhibition and a trade fair featuring more than 80 of Australia's leading food and wine companies.
A golf tournament for company chief executives will be run by Australian golf champion Greg Norman, and there will even be a barbecue featuring gourmet Australian food.
Leading Los Angeles restaurants including The Ivy, Le Dome, Hamasaku and Mastro's Steakhouse will feature Australian dishes on their menus throughout the festival, and offer complimentary Australian wine tastings.
The festival will finish on January 25 with a black-tie dinner at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, attended by Blanchett, LaPaglia and Luhrmann.
The menu for the event has been designed by Australian chef Neil Perry, who will oversee the preparation of meals on the night.
Ms Hargreaves said the festival was designed to raise the profile of Australia as a place for companies to set up offices or facilities, as well as a place to invest and an attractive place to live.
Many Australian companies would be showcasing their products throughout the 10-day event, and the exposure gained could possibly equate to "millions of dollars" worth of new business, she said.
Australia's role in the war on terror and war in Iraq had won it a lot of goodwill from business leaders, with tickets to events selling out quickly.
"We've been pleasantly stunned by the reaction," she said. "There's been a high amount of interest.
"Americans have always been fond of Australia and our role as a key member in the Coalition of the Willing has extended an already strong relationship."
Ms Hargreaves said Australia offered American businesses a cheap place to set up bases for their companies, a good quality of life for employees and an excellent platform into the Asian market.
Australian workers were also highly educated with diverse language skills, she said.
Ms Hargreaves said it was important to raise Australia's profile and make Americans realise the connection between Australia and big companies such as Qantas and Westfield.
The US is Australia's largest trade and investment partner, with exports of merchandise and services from Australia totalling $15.6 billion last financial year.
Imports totalled $28.6 billion, according to figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Ms Hargreaves said the festival was being paid for largely by corporate sponsorship and had taken almost a year to plan."
Update on Stone's 'Alexander'
- Last week, the Sydney Morning Herald reported an article called 'Hollywood Island' highlighting the increase in foreign film production in the UK. Following its Moroccan shoot, Oliver Stone's Alexander has been filming in London, and the following is what the article had to say regarding the production. As I reported last year, filming of Luhrmann's production of Alexander the Great has now been delayed until some time in 2005. As far as I know, Stone's film is still set for a November 2004 release, and it will be interesting to see what media reception it receives during post production and in the lead up to its release.
"Alexander -
Director: Oliver Stone, Budget - $US100m ($1.3 million), Company - Warner Bros.
Oliver Stone's epic biography of Alexander the Great is entering the final stretch of production at Pinewood studios. Irish actor Colin Farrell headlines as the Macedonian warrior, while Angelina Jolie (despite being only one year older than the star) co-stars as his feisty mum, Olympias, and Anthony Hopkins makes an appearance as Ptolemy. Recent weeks have found Farrell based at a suite at the Savoy Hotel in London, with Jolie installed at the nearby Dorchester. Inevitably, this arrangement hasn't stopped the tabloid press from insisting that the pair are embroiled in a torrid Oedipal fling."
Further Chanel ad details
- Further details of the Chanel
shoot that took place last month in Sydney were reported across the internet
when it was revealed that the star of the ad, Nicole Kidman, was paid £2
million (nearly AU$5 million) for her role. According to the Sydney Morning
Herald article below entitled 'Nic's
$5 million payday' dated 6th January, the Baz Luhrmann directed
advertisement is due to his screens later this year. However, I am not sure
whether the ad will be shown in Australia only, or in selected countries
worldwide. Hopefully, it will be distributed as widely as possible! If anyone
has any further information about the shoot, feel free to contact
me.
"Nicole Kidman is thought to have received a huge £500,000-per-minute for her part in the forthcoming, four-minute-long Chanel No. 5 advertisement which was filmed in Sydney.
If the numbers are true, this is said to be the most lucrative deal in advertising history.
The actress, who plays a cross between Marilyn Monroe and Diana, Princess of Wales, was paid a total of £2 million (nearly $5 million) and was shot by her Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann at Fox Studios.
In one scene from the shoot, Kidman flees a phalanx of photographers on a set recreated from the red staircase scene from the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. But instead of Marilyn Monroe's pink satin dress, Kidman appears clad in a black evening gown designed by Karl Lagerfield.
"It looks like she is being stalked by the paparazzi," an insider on the set said.
The other set recreated a Parisian apartment balcony with a giant Chanel
billboard in the background. Kidman, clad in Chanel and a No. 5-emblazoned pendant, kisses her Brazilian co-star, Love Actually actor Rodrigo Santoro.
Two people were thrown off the Sydney set after being caught trying to take photographs of Kidman. Both were paid extras in the paparazzi scene, who were found to have substituted their prop cameras for real ones to try to get pictures of the actor.
There had been rumours about the alliance between Kidman and Chanel since July. They were given fuel when Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld, never one to give a compliment lightly, proclaimed Kidman to be "the best of the best".
The project had been postponed for six months as Luhrmann, whose first child with wife and creative partner Catherine Martin was born in October,
was busy preparing to open his production of La Boheme in Los Angeles this month January.
The ad is due to hit screens later this year."
New Lillian Photos!
- Lillian Amanda Luhrmann, Baz Luhrmann's and Catherine Martin's first child, was born on 10th October 2003. The proud parents have expressed a desire to keep Lillian away from the media as much as possible for the time being and, as far as I know, there was only one photo released of the youngster in 2003. However, the Australian version of Woman's Day magazine has done it again by snapping further shots of Lillian, once again accompanied by Baz and CM (and their nanny) at Sydney Airport. Click here to view the page from the magazine, with special thanks to 'friendlyfox' and Nicole Kidman United. I have also now added links to the Lillian photos on my 'Facts About Baz' page.
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