Latest news with #TheGildedAge
Buzz Feed
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Audra McDonald's Terrifying Fan Stalking Incident
Audra McDonald is reflecting on a "stalking" incident with a fan that left her uneasy. Audra is currently starring in the Broadway revival of the musical Gypsy, playing the notable role of Momma Rose at the Majestic Theatre. The show opened in December 2024 and will run until August 17, for 269 regular performances and 28 preview shows. She is the most decorated actor in Broadway history, while also making a name for herself on both the small and big screen in projects like Private Practice, The Good Fight, The Gilded Age, and Rustin, so it's safe to say she has a ton of supporters around the world. But what happens when a line is crossed in the name of support? On Saturday, in a video shared to Instagram, Audra opened up about why she doesn't always use the stage door (an alternative exit/entrance that performers often use to leave/enter the building — fans often wait outside this door in hopes of meeting the performers). "There are a lot of reasons that performers don't do the stage door," Audra said. "There have been shows that I've done it and shows that I've not done it. But some of the reasons are: they're exhausted; some people have anxiety about doing stage door; some people are in a rush to catch trains so they can get home; and some people avoid the stage door because of health reasons." "And that's perfectly fair. Actors, as much as we would love to greet every single one of you after a show, sometimes we're just exhausted, and it's hard. There are a million reasons. And some people love to do it, and that's great. There have been shows when I've done it, but I have not been doing it in Gypsy for a myriad of reasons. The main ones have been because of health, exhaustion, and vocal health, and trying to conserve what little vocal energy I have so that I can get through the next show, and the next show, and the next show. So, I have not been doing the stage door." Audra added that when she can, she'll smile and wave, but most of the time she's just trying to get out of there. More importantly, Audra said she has a kid at home that she's trying to get back to — referring to her 8-year-old daughter Sally who she shares with her husband Will Swenson. Audra also has a 23-year-old daughter named Zoe from a previous marriage. But after leaving a show on Friday, she was forced into an extremely uncomfortable situation with a fan who had no regard for her boundaries and welfare, after they decided to follow Audra back to her temporary place of residence. "Last night, someone, not only, I don't even know if they did the stage door or not, but they snuck around and found me the way I had exited from the theater last night and followed me all the way to where I was staying, came into the building, and was uncomfortably close." "Then, when I finally got some security to help me, their response was, 'Well, hey, I've come all the way — and they named some town, some city that they've come all the way from — and they wanted an autograph, and sort of deserve an autograph.' That is crossing a big old boundary, and I just want to call that out. That's a big no-no. That's now messing with my safety, and it's not right." She then sent a general message to fans about how to properly address and/or approach celebrities in the future: "When you see an actor leave the stage door, if they don't stop, leave them alone. There is a reason that they're not stopping, and it has nothing to do with you. It's them protecting their space and peace, whatever that may be, and if they do stop or wave or take a picture with you or sign an autograph, great, but please respect the proper boundaries." Her comments were filled with people acknowledging how scary that situation must've been, while also advocating for the right to privacy and respected boundaries: The video eventually made its way to Reddit, where Redditors revealed that, unfortunately, in the Broadway community, this is nothing new: Iwoulddiefcftbatk commented, "How many people who 'stage door' would like a total stranger meeting them at their workplace at what is essentially the back door to say 'hi' to them or ask for a picture after clocking out of a shift? I don't care if they are actors, no one and I mean no one deserves to be harassed when they leave their job." They went on to say, "There are so many stories on the Broadway sub of unhinged 'stage-dooring' fan behavior where people will harass actors for blocks, even chasing them once they get into taxis, once they leave a theater after performing in a show. It's become so normalized that it's fine to swarm people leaving work just because you might have (not all 'stage doorers' do so) watched the show. It's so scary for all the staff and actors since it's getting worse. I'm glad Audra wasn't hurt, but there needs to be a hammer dropped on this since this is going to end badly for someone eventually." joodee3 added, "Geez, I didn't know it was getting this bad. That truly sucks. I stage-doored when visiting Broadway a few years ago, and it was good vibes, but I know that's just an individual experience. That really sucks that the behavior is growing more prevalent. Yeah, if performers are feeling like things are getting too dangerous, then they should definitely do what makes them feel safe." LemonKurt said, "Broadway and theatre fans can be especially rabid. Something about the theatre space feeling smaller, the actors being less famous and having less media training and the direct access through stage doors etc. makes some people's parasocial relationships much more intense. So glad she's safe, but I feel like this entitled and scary behaviour happens way too often on Broadway and the West End." butterflyvision wrote: "This has happened to other performers this Broadway season as well. It's always been a problem, but it feels like post-COVID, the problems have really amped up. The obsessed, entitled fan culture is ruining things for everyone. I really hope shows stop doing stagedoor. I know she says she doesn't know if they were there or not, but it's getting SO dangerous." I'm glad everyone could see the danger in this situation and that no harm was brought to Audra. Everyone should remember that although we might feel like we know these celebrities or are big fans of their work, we're still not entitled to anything from even a greeting. Please be respectful. What are your thoughts on this? Watch her full video here, and share your comments with me.
The Age
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Forget Downton Abbey and Bridgerton. This is the period drama you need in your life
Time travel doesn't exist yet, and let's be honest, if it did, humans couldn't be trusted to use it responsibly. Thankfully we have television, able to transport us back in time to a world before television. To a time when cars were horses, and jeans were the distant dream of someone trapped in a corset. And there are certainly a lot of televisual time machines floating around out there these days. Since the success of Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes' historical drama following the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the early 20th century, we have officially been living in the age of scandalous prestige period drama. And what a time to be alive! In the wake of Downton Abbey, TV has gone all in on luxurious sets, fabulous old-timey clothes, and giant casts of people far sexier than you'll ever find depicted in some dusty oil painting. The historical accuracy is rarely (read: never) the point: we're after big costumes, big mansions, big betrayals and big reactions, preferably in an accent that actors probably call 'Olden Days'. They come in all styles, united through the inherent melodrama and wondrous escapism of watching rich people suffer rich people problems. Some are overly self-serious (Wolf Hall), some are utter schlock (The Tudors). Some prioritise romance (Victoria), others the potent cocktail of humour and violence (The Great). Some go for opulence and spectacle: The Crown was famously one of the most expensive shows ever made. And others crank the sex appeal up to 11, a smorgasbord of witty repartee and semi-nudity: ahem, Bridgerton; ahem, Mary & George. But one period drama on television right now outdoes them all. It's ambitious, lavish, provocative and utterly engrossing. It has also flown under the radar, lost in the maelstrom of shows set in the histrionic days of yore. Julian Fellowes' follow-up to Downton Abbey is even better than its predecessor. It just aired its third season on HBO; in Australia, it streams on Paramount+. It is called The Gilded Age. The Gilded Age is set in New York City, during the boom years of the 1880s. It primarily follows the trials and tribulations of two extremely rich families – the 'new money' Russell family, whose patriarch George is a ruthless business tycoon and ambitious futurist, and the 'old money' Van Rhijn-Brook family, whose wealth has been inherited over generations and who refuse to accept these new-timey industrialists into their exclusive society. When approached without irony, a show about the rich and royal quibbling over etiquette and reputation can become tiresome quickly (looking at you, The Crown). But by moving the setting from an old country estate in England to the bustling streets of a booming New York, Fellowes presents a world slightly more recognisable to us modern plebs, and therefore ripe for satire. In the reality we live in, where the pettiness and trifles of the obscenely rich are the catalyst for so many of the world's ills, there is a joy in seeing that entitled upper crust confined to their ballrooms and mansions, where their rivalries and game-playing are pure spectacle, rather than likely to bring about the fall of civilisation. It's riveting and hilarious, rather than terrifying and depressing.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Forget Downton Abbey and Bridgerton. This is the period drama you need in your life
Time travel doesn't exist yet, and let's be honest, if it did, humans couldn't be trusted to use it responsibly. Thankfully we have television, able to transport us back in time to a world before television. To a time when cars were horses, and jeans were the distant dream of someone trapped in a corset. And there are certainly a lot of televisual time machines floating around out there these days. Since the success of Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes' historical drama following the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the early 20th century, we have officially been living in the age of scandalous prestige period drama. And what a time to be alive! In the wake of Downton Abbey, TV has gone all in on luxurious sets, fabulous old-timey clothes, and giant casts of people far sexier than you'll ever find depicted in some dusty oil painting. The historical accuracy is rarely (read: never) the point: we're after big costumes, big mansions, big betrayals and big reactions, preferably in an accent that actors probably call 'Olden Days'. They come in all styles, united through the inherent melodrama and wondrous escapism of watching rich people suffer rich people problems. Some are overly self-serious (Wolf Hall), some are utter schlock (The Tudors). Some prioritise romance (Victoria), others the potent cocktail of humour and violence (The Great). Some go for opulence and spectacle: The Crown was famously one of the most expensive shows ever made. And others crank the sex appeal up to 11, a smorgasbord of witty repartee and semi-nudity: ahem, Bridgerton; ahem, Mary & George. But one period drama on television right now outdoes them all. It's ambitious, lavish, provocative and utterly engrossing. It has also flown under the radar, lost in the maelstrom of shows set in the histrionic days of yore. Julian Fellowes' follow-up to Downton Abbey is even better than its predecessor. It just aired its third season on HBO; in Australia, it streams on Paramount+. It is called The Gilded Age. The Gilded Age is set in New York City, during the boom years of the 1880s. It primarily follows the trials and tribulations of two extremely rich families – the 'new money' Russell family, whose patriarch George is a ruthless business tycoon and ambitious futurist, and the 'old money' Van Rhijn-Brook family, whose wealth has been inherited over generations and who refuse to accept these new-timey industrialists into their exclusive society. When approached without irony, a show about the rich and royal quibbling over etiquette and reputation can become tiresome quickly (looking at you, The Crown). But by moving the setting from an old country estate in England to the bustling streets of a booming New York, Fellowes presents a world slightly more recognisable to us modern plebs, and therefore ripe for satire. In the reality we live in, where the pettiness and trifles of the obscenely rich are the catalyst for so many of the world's ills, there is a joy in seeing that entitled upper crust confined to their ballrooms and mansions, where their rivalries and game-playing are pure spectacle, rather than likely to bring about the fall of civilisation. It's riveting and hilarious, rather than terrifying and depressing.
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
I toured the private library of J.P. Morgan, one of the richest men of the Gilded Age. It felt like going back in time.
One of the most famous figures of the Gilded Age was J. Pierpont Morgan, also known as J.P. Morgan. Toward the end of his life, Morgan became obsessed with building an impressive collection. Now, his personal library is a museum for anyone to visit and enjoy. HBO's " The Gilded Age" may be over for the year but, thankfully, the era is inescapable if you're in the New York area. A new character added to season three was none other than J. Pierpont Morgan — you may know him as J.P. Morgan. Yes, like the bank. If his introduction to the show made you curious about the Morgan family, how he made his fortune, and, crucially, how he spent his millions, you need look no further than the Morgan Library and Museum, located in Manhattan. After Morgan's death in 1913, his son, Jack, decided to turn his father's private library into a public library for people to view his father's extensive collection. It opened in 1924. The museum, which costs $25 to enter, is actually comprised of three buildings once owned by various members of the Morgan family. The buildings are connected by a large lobby that was constructed in 2006. The oldest building is the Pierpont Morgan Library, which was completed in 1906. It was built to hold Morgan's rapidly growing collection of art, antiquities, books, and manuscripts that he spent millions of dollars amassing. Today, it looks exactly as it did when Morgan spent his time there. The second building is the Annex, which stands on the land that used to be Morgan's brownstone. It opened in 1928. The third building, now known as the Morgan House, was originally the brownstone owned by Morgan's son, Jack. It was purchased by the museum in 1989. Entering the library felt like stepping back to a time when families like the Morgans, Astors, Vanderbilts, and Rockefellers ruled NYC. Here's what it's like to visit the Morgan Library and Museum. I visited the Morgan Library and Museum, located in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan. The museum is open every day (except Mondays) for visitors to take a trip back to the early 20th century. There are also temporary exhibits inside. From June to September, there's an exhibit dedicated to Jane Austen that's included with admission. J. Pierpont Morgan, a famed Gilded Age figure, commissioned the library in 1902. It was completed in 1906. You enter the museum through this modern addition that features floor-to-ceiling windows and the museum café. It was built in 2006. There's a scale model of the library in this entryway. There's also the original brass bell from Morgan's third yacht, the Corsair. It's still rung daily to signify closing time. The section of the museum that houses Morgan's library is clearly marked. Even just walking across the threshold felt like entering a time machine. The modern wood and glass was replaced with marble and dark wood. This rotunda connects to the three rooms open to the public in Morgan's library. When visiting the entire museum, you shouldn't forget to look up. The ceilings in every room are works of art. The first room I entered was Morgan's private study. This ceiling was imported from Italy by architect Charles McKim. It's believed to have been constructed in the 1500s. This is Morgan's desk. Many deals were made in the presence of this desk — Morgan was known as "America's greatest banker." A portrait of Morgan hangs above the fireplace. Notice the unique walls — it's not wallpaper, it's silk damask. The pattern is based on a design made for the Renaissance banker Agostino Chigi. Morgan collected fragments of Renaissance-era stained glass for years until he had enough to construct windows in his study. Installation took two years. In the corner of the room is the door to Morgan's private vault. The walls of the vault are lined with steel. It's still the home to some of the rarest books in Morgan's collection. After going back through the rotunda, I entered the main event: Morgan's library. This room is a book-lover's dream. I was overwhelmed by the sheer size, the artistry present in every detail, and the amount of history located in this room. There are three floors of shelves. In every corner, there was a piece of art to study. I spent much of my time looking at all the books and manuscripts on the shelves. Located in this beautiful binding are the Lindau Gospels, a manuscript from the ninth century. This is the Stavelot Triptych. It's thought to contain a piece of the "True Cross," the cross on which Jesus was crucified. There are dozens more pieces like that in this library. I could spend hours here. I also visited the librarian's office. While it's not as large as the library, it's nothing to scoff at. The ceiling is covered in murals in the style of an Italian Renaissance painting. The first librarian at the Pierpont Morgan Library was Belle da Costa Greene. Greene, born in 1879, was the daughter of Richard T. Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard. After her parents separated, Greene, her brother, and her mother began passing as white to avoid racism and segregation. While working at Princeton, Greene met J.P. Morgan's nephew, Junius Spencer Morgan, who introduced her to his uncle. Greene worked at the Pierpont Morgan Library from 1905 until 1948. This fictionalized version of her life is for sale at the gift shop. My next stops were the temporary galleries. They're located in what was once J.P. Morgan's brownstone, which was annexed in 1928. "A Lively Mind: Jane Austen at 250" was packed with visitors. The exhibit, which runs through September 14, is a love letter to the "Pride and Prejudice" author's legacy. In the museum, a sign pointed to this grille, which has "648 wrought-iron birds, each with a unique beak." This was added in the '20s. I walked upstairs to look at the rest of the museum. There's an impressive art gallery on the second floor. I spotted memorabilia once owned by Edgar Allan Poe, Leonardo da Vinci, and Frédéric Chopin. My favorite thing about the second floor, though, was the view. My last stop was, of course, the gift shop. It's located in the Morgan House, which was once the brownstone of Morgan's son, Jack. Of course, there were books for sale. I ended up buying "Sense and Sensibility," an Austen classic. My final activity was taking in the museum's garden, which is open seasonally. A plaque said the museum had been declared a National Landmark in 1966. I was able to get a better view of the original exterior of the Pierpont Morgan Library from here. This ceiling was also not to be missed. There were also Renaissance statues inside the portico. The garden itself wasn't that impressive. But I was amused that, just a few feet away, modern life continued, even though I felt like I had just gone back 100 years. Now that "The Gilded Age" is on hiatus, taking a trip to the Morgan Library is a great substitute for immersing yourself in New York gone by.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Yellowstone icon's dark '10/10' thriller lands release date and first look images
Another gripping thriller series from the creator of Yellowstone is gearing up for its fourth season Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan's hit thriller starring a Marvel icon has just released a first look at the highly anticipated fourth season. Plus, fans now finally have a release date to add to the calendars, and there's not too long to wait. Paramount+ have announced this week that Mayor of Kingstown season four will be premiering on the streaming service on Sunday, 26th October. This riveting crime drama follows Jeremy Renner as Mike McClusky, the right-hand man to his brother who acts as an unofficial 'Mayor' of the fictional Kingstown, where the business of incarceration reigns supreme. When his brother dies in the very first episode, Mike is forced to take over, leading his powerful family as mediators between Kingstown's inmates, cops and gangs. Season four will be adding an iconic name from prestige crime dramas, The Sopranos' Edie Falco, who'll be portraying Nina Hobbs, the new warden of Kingstown's maximum-security prison, Anchor Bay. Also joining the cast is The Walking Dead's Lennie James, The Gilded Age's Laura Benanti, Hugh Dillon, Taylor Handley, Tobi Bamtefa, Derek Webster, Hamish Allan-Headley and Nishi Munshi. A synopsis for the upcoming season reads: 'In season four, Mike's control over Kingstown is threatened as new players compete to fill the power vacuum left in the Russians' wake, compelling him to confront the resulting gang war and stop them from swallowing the town. 'Meanwhile, with those he loves in more danger than ever before, Mike must contend with a headstrong new Warden to protect his own while grappling with demons from his past.' If you're not already caught up on the hit thriller, take these next couple of months before season four premieres as the perfect opportunity to catch up. Fans have given Mayor of Kingstown overwhelmingly perfect 5/5 scores on Google, with one reviewer writing: 'Jeremy Renner is perfect. His supporting cast is so good they could all have singular story lines of their own. 'I'm so impressed. Can you tell? Ha! By far one of the best modern dramas I've binge watched in YEARS. Possibly, EVER.' Another five-star review said: 'Very few television shows draw my attention so quickly and have me invested in its characters. Jeremy Renner gives an Emmy worthy performance in every episode.' They went on to describe each episode as a 'movie experience' and concluded the series has the 'same caliber of all around excellence' as Netflix's crime hit Ozark. And a final fan raved: 'I absolutely love this series and give both seasons 10/10. 'It's very well acted and you get invested in the characters. It's gripping and extremely binge worthy addictive.' Will you be saving the date for Mike McClusky's long-awaited return to screens? Mayor of Kingstown season 4 premieres Sunday, 26th October on Paramount+.
