Latest news with #LAPhil
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hugh Jackman Recalls Bombing Audition Singing ‘Stars' from ‘Les Misérables' 30 Years Ago: ‘I Cracked on the Final Note So Spectacularly'
Hugh Jackman earned an Oscar nomination for his work as Jean Valjean in 'Les Misérables,' but things didn't go so well decades ago while belting out the musical's 'Stars' when he had to sing for the first time at an audition. 'I read first and I could tell it was going well,' Jackman said Saturday night during a performance of 'An Evening With Hugh Jackman' at the Hollywood Bowl. 'Then I sang and I cracked on the final note so spectacularly. Like it was the worst crack you could have ever imagined. Whatever excitement was on the panel, it just deflated immediately. I was about to run out, just humiliated.' More from Variety Wanda Sykes Urges Hollywood to 'Protect Our Trans Brothers and Sisters' at Critics Choice LGBTQ+ Celebration: 'That's Our Next Movement' Chad Stahelski on the 'John Wick' Franchise's Insane Body Count and Keanu Reeves' Fifth Movie: 'Still Working on It' Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Donates $350,000 to Van Ness Recovery House (EXCLUSIVE) 'But then the guy goes, 'Whoa, hold on a second. Why did you sing that song?'' Jackman continued. 'I said, 'It's the only thing I had music for. I'm sorry.' And he said, 'Well, you can throw that away. You'll never sing that again.' I think what he meant to say was, 'Why don't you put that to the side for like 30 years when you might sing it at the Hollywood Bowl?'' Jackman's performance Saturday night in Los Angeles served as the opening of the LA Phil's 2025 Hollywood Bowl season. 'I can get very chatty, but we have a curfew,' he said at the start of his show, adding with a smile, 'Or maybe we don't.' He went on to say that there would be no encore at the end of the night. 'We're going to do away with that whole charade,' Jackman said. 'The whole everyone walking off, but we all know everyone left their instruments on stage, we all know they're coming back. Going to do away with that.' Jackman was accompanied by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Wilkins, with several members of the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) joining when he performed 'A Million Dreams,' one of the many songs he sang from 'The Greatest Showman.' He also covered Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline' during the 90-minute set. Jackman stars as a real-life Diamond impersonator who married a Patsy Kline impersonator (Kate Hudson) in the upcoming film 'Song Sung Blue.' Jackman offered John Denver's 'Thank God I'm a Country Boy,' but with an Australian twist. 'Aussies are kind of laid back,' he sang. 'I reckon' it's the best place on the map. Aside from the occasional shark attack, thank God I'm an Ozzy boy.' He continued singing, 'We live in a place surrounded by sea and koalas sitting among gum trees,' before capturing big laughs with the line, 'And every single girl looks like Margot Robbie, thank God I'm an Ozzy boy.' About last night with Hugh Jackman at the Hollywood Bowl. So much fun. — Marc Malkin (@marcmalkin) June 8, 2025 The 'Wolverine' star, dressed neatly in a tuxedo, also delivered a selection of Peter Allen songs. Jackman won a Tony Award for best actor in a musical for his portrayal of the late Oscar winner in 2004's 'The Boy From Oz.' The evening, which concluded with the Bowl's signature fireworks display, raised $2.6 million for the LA Phil's learning and community programs. The 2025 Hollywood Bowl season includes Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert starring in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' for two nights, Aug. 1 and 2. The summer program will also feature Gustavo Dudamel, Mumford & Sons, John Fogerty, Juanes, Cyndi Lauper, Diana Ross, Dave Koz, Josh Groban, Earth, Wind & Fire, a 'Grease' and 'The Sound of Music' sing-a-longs, 'Jaws' and 'Jurassic Park' concerts, Alabama Shakes, Herbie Hancock, a John Williams celebration and Charlie Wilson, Babyface and K-Ci Hailey and John Legend. Best of Variety 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: With One Week Until Voting Opens, Declining Submissions Create Tight Acting and Series Races
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dave Grohl, Cynthia Erivo Join Gustavo Dudamel and LA Phil at Coachella
The Los Angeles Philharmonic led by conductor Gustavo Dudamel was in full swing on Saturday for the second weekend of Coachella after appearing last weekend. It was a star-studded affair, which included surprise performances by Dave Grohl and Cynthia Erivo. The Foo Fighters frontman hit the stage with his guitar and he delivered two of his band's songs, including the grittily sung 'The Sky Is a Neighborhood' and merged the classical with the classic on 'Everlong.' More from Rolling Stone Watch Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll Join Post Malone at Coachella Tyla Brings the 'Bliss' With a New Song Tease at Coachella Morgan Wallen and Post Malone Team Up on 'I Ain't Comin' Back' Erivo also performed two songs. She began with the ballad that appeared from the lyrics to be 'Brick by Brick,' a track from her upcoming sophomore album, I Forgive You. 'Hello Coachella, nice to see you. Would you like a little Prince?' Erivo asked following 'Brick by Brick.' The crowd cheered. 'OK, Prince for you then.' She then launched into a rousing cover of 'Purple Rain' to close out the LA Phil set, as the fan footage below captured. Previously announced guest Natasha Bedingfield also performed, delivering 'Unwritten.' Other performers who appeared during the LA Phil's Coachella set last weekend returned on Saturday, including Laufey and Paco Amoroso and Ca7riel. The first weekend of Coachella featured a finale with LL Cool J, who dropped a medley that included 'Rock the Bells' and 'Mama Said Knock You Out.' The LA Phil sets the past two weekends marked the orchestra's Coachella debut. It's Dudamel's final season with LA Phil. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Time Out
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Adam Lambert to star opposite Cynthia Erivo in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at the Hollywood Bowl this summer
Powerhouse singer and former American Idol star Adam Lambert recently made his Broadway debut as the Emcee in the Tony Award-winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in New York last year and, now, the 43-year-old star is set to dust off his stage chops again as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at our very own Hollywood Bowl on August 1 to 3. What's more, Lambert will star opposite fellow vocal powerhouse Cynthia Erivo, who will take on the role of Judas. Show tickets will be available online starting to at 10am tomorrow right here. The production is something of a homecoming: the show—featuring lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber—was originally performed at the Hollywood Bowl in 1971. The current revival is directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, with Stephen Oremus serving as conductor and musical director. Originally performed at the Hollywood Bowl in 1971, this production is a bit of a homecoming. Lyrics are by Tim Rice and music is by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The current production is directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, a Tony Award winner. Stephen Oremus, a Tony and Grammy winner, is responsible for conducting and musically directing the production. "For many Angelenos and concertgoers, the Hollywood Bowl is the premier summer destination for live music," LA Phil President and CEO Kim Noltemy said in an official statement. "Each season, the LA Phil presents world-class artists in a truly one-of-a-kind setting, and this year is no exception. We're especially thrilled to welcome Adam Lambert to the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar and look forward to sharing this bold, fresh interpretation of a legendary musical, returning to its rock roots, with our audiences."
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Adam Lambert joins Jesus Christ Superstar as Judas at Hollywood Bowl
Adam Lambert is set to star as Judas in a three-night production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl this summer, the Los Angeles Philharmonic announced. He joins previously announced cast member Cynthia Erivo, who will play Jesus in a gender-blind casting. The role of Mary Magdalene has yet to be revealed. This limited-run staging continues the Bowl's tradition of mounting fully produced musicals with high-profile leads. The production will be directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo, with music direction and conducting by Tony and Grammy winner Stephen Oremus. The show is being produced in association with Neil Meron and Robert Greenblatt. Lambert's return to Los Angeles comes shortly after a critically acclaimed six-month stint as the Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway. His casting as Judas—often viewed as the emotional and vocal centerpiece of Superstar—is expected to generate significant interest. The 2025 staging also promises to 'return to its rock roots,' referencing the musical's original incarnation as a 1970 concept album before its 1971 Broadway debut and 1973 film adaptation. Unlike concert-style revivals, this will be a fully staged production. Single tickets for the LA Phil's 2025 season, including Jesus Christ Superstar, go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m. PT. Given the star power of Lambert and Erivo, this brief run is expected to be one of the fastest sellouts of the season.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rema's Disastrous Coachella Set: What the Hell Happened?
It took until Sunday, but Coachella 2025 found its first disastrous set with Rema. The Nigerian Afrobeats superstar did not take the stage at the festival's Mojave Tent until nearly 30 minutes into his 45-minute set, and lip-synched badly for a couple of songs. But then the backing track was dropped and he delivered a solid performance for a few songs, including his global smash 'Calm Down,' before another delay at his scheduled end time. The set continued for three more songs, but ended on a note of some confusion and widespread grumbling from the audience. It seems obvious that something was wrong, as the next set in the Mojave Tent, by British dance-music vets Basement Jaxx, was delayed for half an hour and initially suffered from technical difficulties; reps for the singer and the festival did not immediately respond to Variety's requests for comment. More from Variety Junior H on Building a Hits-Fueled Coachella Set and His 'Full Circle Moment' With Guest Peso Pluma Gustavo Dudamel on Why He Brought the LA Phil to Coachella, With LL Cool J and Other Guest Artists: 'Wagner Wrote His Music for a Festival... Wagner Had His Own Coachella!' Green Day Alters Lyrics to Reference Israel-Palestine War During Epic Coachella Set: 'Runnin' Away From Pain Like the Kids From Palestine' The set actually began a few minutes before its scheduled 5 p.m. PT start time, with the DJ and several musicians taking the stage. After a couple of minutes, the DJ shouted, 'Rema's about to take the stage!,' but kept playing Afrobeats music and hyping … and hyping… and hyping. After several minutes, the DJ tried to keep the mood afloat by cuing up Tyla's international smash 'Water,' which got a big cheer from the crowd. The musicians fiddled with their equipment but looked at each other with increasing confusion and concern. 'This Rema's DJ Afrobeat set is fire,' one fan posted on Twitter. 'But this is not why we are here,' adding a crying emoji. The Coachella livestream camera crews faced increasing challenges finding fans to put on camera who didn't look annoyed. 'Nahh Rema pulling up late while the DJ & guitarist look around wondering where he's at is wild,' wrote another fan. Finally, after nearly half an hour, the music stopped abruptly and the DJ yelled: 'Are you ready? If you're ready for Rema, make some motherfuckin' noise!' The crowd cheered, but Rema was clearly lip-synching and not trying hard to pretend otherwise, pulling the mic away from his mouth while the recording of his voice continued. He spoke enthusiastically to the crowd between songs though, saying he 'loved the energy' and asking if they wanted 'anuda banga!' But suddenly, he wasn't lip-synching anymore and the band appeared relieved and played enthusiastically. 'If you don't know the song word for word, I just want to see you dance and enjoy yourself,' he told the suddenly energized crowd. 'Afrobeats is about the vibes, you only live once.' But after about a dozen minutes that included a rousing version of his global hit 'Calm Down' (minus Selena Gomez, who guests on the remix) and 'Favourite Girl,' there was a long pause and darkness on the stage — it seems the organizers were trying to end his set, but he pushed back. 'They sayin' it's time for Rema to go home,' he told the crowd. After another couple of minutes, the guitar lick for his just-released single 'Bout U' began but he said 'Hold up!' and it stopped — and a different song began. He followed with 'Bout U,' then played 'Baby (Is It a Crime),' and the set ended amid a confused reaction from the crowd. 'Okay I'm guessing Rema had a wardrobe malfunction,' one fan posted. 'You can see in his face and body language he is slightly annoyed and defeated,' another wrote after the set ended. 'I'm so hurt for him cause knowing Rema he wanted to give it his all.' Another fan was less charitable. 'The reviews about this Rema coachella set in the morning is not gonna be nice. He feels a bit out of breath, drank water like twice, the dj had to restart DND after playing Bout You instead. The set is ending early or what? Something is off.' Whether the problems were due to technical or human issues, it was a rough day for Rema. Many eyes will be on his set or livestream during Coachella's second weekend at 5 p.m. PT next Sunday. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
