66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

The 66th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Seth Meyers, took place Monday night.  NBC made the decision to switch to a Monday this year to avoid conflict with the MTV Video Music Awards (which Seth Meyers touched upon in his opening monologue).  The awards were presented during a live NBC telecast at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Seth Meyers made more industry targeted jokes as host, and given his comedic writing and hosting experience he was well equipped to take on the job.  Some of the best moments of the night included Billy Crystal paying tribute to his friend, the late Robin Williams, Sara Bareilles singing Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" during the In Memoriam segment, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Bryan Cranston's "Seinfield Reunion".



Breaking Bad was the night's biggest winner taking home five trophies: Outstanding  Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Bryan Cranston, Outstanding Supporting Actress and Actor in a Drama Series for Anna Gunn and Aaron Paul, and Best Writing for a Drama Series for "Ozymandias" to Moira Walley-Beckett who beat out show runner Vince Gilligan to win the category.

Modern Family was named Outstanding Comedy Series the fifth year in a row, tying Fraiser for most consecutive wins in the category.  The show also took home awards for Ty Burrell for Lead Actor and Outstanding Direction of a Comedy Series for Gail Mancuso.

Sherlock: His Last Vow won three awards including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Mini Series for Benedict Cumberbatch.  Julianna Margulies winning Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series was a major upset, beating out Lizzy Caplan for Masters of Sex, Robin Wright for House of Cards, and Kerry Washington for Scandal.  Netflix Series House of Cards and Orange is the New Black were all but shut outs. Orange garnered 12 nominations and only took home three awards, all at the previously held Creative Arts ceremony.

Full Winners List

FASHION 

Lizzy Caplan looked gorgeous in a Donna Karan Atelier gown with a sheer organza panel paired with Brian Atwood heels.











Anna Gunn looked flawless in a one-shouldered gown with a white beaded bodice and a blue skirt by Jenny Packman.  Paired with an Edie Parker clutch.

Claire Danes looked ravishing in a red custom made Givenchy Haute Couture dress.











Orange is the New Black star Taylor Schilling dazzled in a Zuhair Murad gown with hand-embroidered beadwork and a draped back.  Jewelry by Forevermark.

Fellow OITNB star, Uzo Aduba graced the red carpet in a Christian Siriano strapless gown featuring a dramatic train.











Kate Walsh lit up the carpet in a yellow Stephanie Rollan peplum waisted gown and Stuart Weitzman heels.











Debra Messing looked stunning in a sleeveless gown by Angel Sanchez.  The dress featured sheer slivers throughout and was paired with a Judith Leiber clutch.










Images by Getty Images.

Doctor Who Season 8 Premiere

In the final moments of "The Time of the Doctor," Matt Smith said goodbye to Clara and the TARDIS and regenerated into Peter Capaldi.  After months of waiting, fans around the world are able to see Capaldi make his official debut as the Doctor.

                       

Note, my sweeties, that this post contains SPOILERS.

And, in his usual way, the Doctor shows up with a bang! The TARDIS finds itself inside a dinosaur and, as citizens watch, is coughed up into Victorian England alongside the Paternoster Gang!  And like he normally does, he gets so involved in one situation that he fails to notice any changes.  

However, this regeneration is a bit unique, as the Doctor struggles to become his new self and get to know his new surroundings.  This time, the Doctor is involved in the first of a new set of regenerations. It's as if the Doctor is brand new and investigating the world around him, and Madame Vastra confirms this when she notes that the Doctor is a "stranger."  I can only recall that David Tennant's Doctor had a similar experience when he regenerated - spending days in a coma as the Sycorax attacked the Earth. But they both ran around in their jammies, which is quite an entertaining sight.  

Despite his changes, the Doctor is still himself - always caring about those in need.  This time, the dinosaur.  And he always spots oncoming trouble.  This time, the mysterious, half-masked character in the crowd.  

And like everyone in the audience, and many companions before her, Clara struggles to accept the initial change that the Doctor has made.  As Madame Vastra notes, Clara saw the Doctor with a young face and forgot that he is truly old.  He is no longer the young, dashing man that we saw in Matt Smith.  Her interactions with the Doctor clearly show her adjustment to a new face, paralleling Jenna Coleman's adjustment to a new actor.    

Did anyone else recognize that garden from "The Girl Who Waited," or am I just crazy?  Also, what about this Missy?  I thought only River Song could claim the Doctor - I guess we have to wait until the next episode to see where Steven Moffat, Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, and the entire cast and crew take us.

In addition to spontaneously combusting bodies reported by Vastra, Mancini's restaraunt is filled with clockwork droids (throwback to "The Girl in the Fireplace") who act only when the Doctor and companion act.  And the moment arrives when the Doctor and Clara are taken hostage by a clockwork droid waiter.  From here, the action continues with the Doctor and Clara facing a cyborg that is attempting to become human.  

It is during this that we see a shocking side to the Doctor - one who would willingly leave his companion in the midst of danger.   Yet, he never fails to return - coming back to save Clara from the human-to-be.  Along with him, the Paternoster Gang to build up back-up forces.  

While everyone is saying that Capaldi's characterization is going to be much darker, audiences should be aware that the change is not shown until the most obvious moment.  A man who once refused weapons of any kind and fought for life (look to David Tennant's incarnation) is now someone who killed (as I mentioned, SPOILERS) his enemy.  As he says himself, he was lying about his basic programming.  

Critics of the episode have said that Clara seems to be the only one who develops, but that is up to the viewer.  Others say that the success of this doctor is not yet known.  While we may be so excited to see the episode that we overlook any flaws, it is still the Doctor and every regeneration comes with adjustment.  All we have to do is follow the Impossible Girl's lead and trust that the Doctor will continue to take us on amazing journeys through time and space.

Photo courtesy of BBC and Doctor Who.
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Theater People: Jerry Mitchell

Patrick brings us another amazing episode this week starring Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell! The man who choreographed Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can, directed and choreographed Legally Blonde and Kinky Boots, and started Broadway Bares which has raised over $12 million dollars for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids (BCEFA).  Is there anything he can't do? (The answer is no.)

Jerry Mitchell tells the fantastic story of how Kinky Boots came be exist in its current form.  Harvey Fierstein writing the book, Cyndi Lauper writing the music, the casting, and of course Jerry directing and choreographing.  What does he look for when casting? He looks, first and foremost, to look at the person who's right for the part.  He does also tend to draw in people who look at the glass as half full and theatre is all about collaboration so that's an important aspect of casting as well. He goes on to discuss the technical process of the show in both Chicago and Broadway, the biggest changes that the show underwent from Chicago to Broadway and his Tony win.

Taking it back to the beginning, Jerry discusses touring with A Chorus Line, being an ensemble member in Brigadoon, getting a part in Woman of the Year with Lauren Bacall, doing the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas movie, being in Barnum and On Your Toes, and the incredible and dynamic story of becoming the assistant to the choreographer for Jerome Robbins' Broadway.  He discusses in detail how he got into choreography and dance in general.

The mentor-ship of Micheal Bennett, Jerome Robbins, and Jack O'Brien is a great story, and particularly interesting throughout the story is how they shaped him as a director and choreographer.

Patrick leads a comparison of Hairspray and Catch Me If You Can and specifically the process that went into choreographing them. And everyone wants a finale like "You Can't Stop the Beat" which can be paired with amazing choreography, but only if someone writes it.  Legally Blonde was a different journey and his directorial debut. It was his first time out as a director, but he was supported by the four lead producers who helped him prosper as a director and make his own directorial choices.  He also discusses the importance of the show in terms of what it teaches young girls.

He tells the story of how Broadway Bares, a great show for an even better cause, came to be. Creating the event also served as calling card for his career.  He encourages other choreographers who want to get involved in the community to do something from their heart because who knows how it could pay off for them.

For anyone who loves theater, this episode is a must listen!

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Theater People: Karen Olivo

This week, we have another amazing podcast from the Theater People team.  Karen Olivo, who is probably most known for her time spent as Vanessa in In the Heights and Anita in the 2009 revival of West Side Story. 

Although she is an amazing performer, she made the shocking decision to take a break from performing last year.  She explains that due to stress at work and dealing with personal issues, including divorce, she decided to move to Wisconsin.  She notes that she felt that the parts and music she wanted were not coming her way, and she longed for the day that she could take control of her art as opposed to only having what was brought to her.  As a result of her decision, she was able to figure out what she wanted.

While in Wisconsin, she was able to pursue a new side of performing: teaching.  She tells Patrick that she just finished her first semester at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where she is teaching musical theatre. She notes that her goal is to get her students to see her as a peer, as opposed to a teacher.  She hopes that this will allow her students to pursue their own styles, and not be taught one certain type of performing.

Back in June, she made her return to the New York stage in Jonathan Larson's tick, tick...BOOM.  She starred alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote In the Heights, and SMASH star Leslie Odom, Jr.  This performance was special to her, as Jonathan Larson's other musical, RENT, was her Broadway debut. She played Maureen and Mimi, in addition to several other parts in RENT.  

Of course, she and Patrick spend a lot of time discussing her time in In the Heights.  She remembers that as an actress, she was outspoken and a "ghetto mess."  During the workshop, the creative team felt that the personalities of the actors should be reflected in their characters to make them relatable.  Thus, Vanessa is basically a younger version of Karen.  They also discuss Karen's lasting relationship with Priscilla Lopez. She tells Patrick that the reunion concert in Washington Heights spoke about the legacy of the show and how the audience responded.

Karen says that she is a terrible dancer, which is why she had said no to auditions for West Side Story.  She also felt that the role of Anita was too big for her.  Finally, she auditioned for the role two weeks before rehearsals began.  Lin-Manuel Miranda, her co-star from In the Heights, was in the room during her call-back and knew that she would get the part.

During her time in the show, Arthur Laurents took her under his wing and built her up to taking on Anita. In fact, choreography was altered to fit her abilities.  So, she felt that other cast members resented her for getting the part, since she is not a dancer and is, instead, a singer.  Yet, she felt lucky to be given the opportunity and eventually won the Tony Award for her role.  However, she had no expectations of winning, feeling that she had not met her own personal standards for the role.

She left the show due to a broken foot.  She received the injury during a performance, and had to crawl off stage on her own, while her co-stars continued the show.  It should be noted that she would have gotten help, but she was in the middle of the stage and could be seen by the entire audience.  Because of the stage set-up the other actors had to ignore her, as she was behind a pretend wall.  She was out for six-to-eight weeks, but when she tried to come back to the show, the dances proved to be too difficult for her recently injured foot.

She says that she felt the broken foot marked a turning point in her career.  So, she decided to pursue TV and film.  During that time, she got parts in several television shows, including The Good Wife.

Does she plan to move back to New York and return to Broadway? Maybe.  If she knows that she is meant for the part, but she plans to stay where she is.  As an artist, she finally has control and can pursue art in her own way.  And that's how she wants to live.

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