lee_loni | Entries tagged with theater

Do you remember that super-awesome stage reading that Lee was supposed to do with Dean Winters last August at the Williamstown Theatre Festival? The one written by Tom Fontana? But then Lee had to drop out at the last minute due to scheduling conflcts? I certainly do. ~~Probably because I cried for three days.~~ (But then PaLeeyFest happened and all was right with the world. *clappyhands* *SQUEE*)

Well, anyway, the GOOD NEWS is that they're doing it again! In NYC this time! Yay!

The BAD NEWS is that it is on Monday, January 29! Just 5 (yes, count'em FIVE) days away!

Yeesh. I guess "advance notification" is a hazy concept to some people.

Here's the description of the play, taken from The Acting Company's website:

The website has a link to buy tickets, which are only $10. Unfortunately, the cheapest flight to NYC from where I live is $742. Because it's only FIVE days away.

Nevertheless, a few of Lee's more-local peeps are trying to make it happen, so there might be a LeeFest in the works.

And, hey, it's super-interesting that they're doing it again, dontcha think? Like, maybe this is a project that might have some legs to it? *fingerscrossed*

In other Lee-awareness news, I recently discovered that someone has uploaded to YouTube all 13 episodes of Lee's 2005 TV show "Wanted," where he played the legendary, snarky, sexy Eddie Drake. Seriously, Lee never looked hotter than he did on this show:

wanted8

*RAWR*

Note: Lee is not in the first/pilot episode--his role was added after it had been filmed because they thought the show needed more humor. *ENTER EDDIE* (but not in that way)

Several Ozzies made guest-appearances, too! If you never had the opportunity to watch Wanted before, NOW YOU CAN. And SHOULD. Because Lee is SUPER HOT in this show. (Maybe I already mentioned that.)

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OH, and don't forget to watch Meloni's show "Happy!" tonight on Syfy! Just two epsiodes left! This show is weeeeeird, but good! I think? It's certainly different. Lots of drug, sex, and violence. It's definitely nice to see Meloni and the Ass of Life in NSFW sex scenes:

( NSFW gif behind the cut... )

vanillalime

Time for an update!

Season 2 of the sequel to "Wet Hot American Summer" (which has morphed into "WHAS: Ten Years Later") is now available on Netflix! Chris Meloni appears as Gene in 4 of the 8 episodes, and a refrigerator once again plays a role (as does a can of vegetables):

(Screencap credit to Twitter's @marchriska)

( Much more Meloni news here behind the cut! )

Whew! OK, enough about Meloni! On to LeeEEEeee!

In all the excitement of the recent Oziversary Fest, I missed that HBO's website posted a new interview with Lee (and another with Dean Winters) discussing Oz's 20th anniversary. Both interviews are fascinating, Lee's particularly so. Check them out!

Lee Tergesen Sees Horror and Romance in Oz
Dean Winters on the Lessons That Still Ring True

Some of the most notable quotes from Lee's interview:

The funny thing is, when I was in my early 20s, I used to get drunk and get naked in bars all the time, and now all of a sudden I was going to be paid to get naked -- I was like, alright.

So many people have said to me that [the B/K] relationship, as twisted and weird as it was, gave them courage to be truthful about who they were. To have that kind of impact on somebody means a lot. Also, I got propositioned. I couldn’t tell you how many people wanted to have sex with me.

All of a sudden people would have religious beliefs that kept them from showing their penis. Chris Meloni and I were always trying to do the thing that hadn’t been done. There was excitement, like, “I’m the one who gets to bite the d**k off.”

The scene started and I realize I’m about to get on my knees and blow this guy on screen -- I gotta get out of here now. I start to make my way out and just as I’m getting to the door, I hear the scene play and the crowd goes apes**t.

(LOL at HBO's website feeling the need to censor the words "dick" and "shit")

Also, as a reminder, Lee and Dean are going to perform a stage reading of a new Tom Fontana play ("Screenplay by Stalin") on August 18 at the Williamstown (MA) Theatre Festival. (I previously posted details HERE.) Austin Pendleton (Oz's William Giles) was also recently added to the cast. Myself,

tobyfan,

miltil, and

shabby86 are all planning to ~~SQUEEeeeEEE~~ be there. We have extra tickets, so if anyone wants to make some last-minute arrangements to join us, that would be OZSOME. The more, the merrier!

vanillalime

A 2017 Leefest (with bonus Dean and Tom) is in the works! Maybe!

It all started when I found this bit o'news about the Williamstown (Massachusetts) Theatre Festival at Broadwayworld.com:

Lee Tergesen and Dean Winters have joined the SCREENPLAY BY STALIN reading (August 18).

Which, whaaaattt??? O_O

After some digging, I discovered that Tom Fontana has written a new play, Screenplay By Stalin, and Lee and Dean are doing a one-time stage-reading of it on Friday, August 18 as part of the legendary Williamstown Theatre Festival! (If you're not familiar with Fontana's background, working with this festival years ago is how he first met actress Blythe Danner, who introduced him to husband Bruce Paltrow, who then hired him for St. Elsewhere, and the rest is history.)

So, how cool would it be to see this? Answer: VERY COOL!

This is the play's summary: "Vasili and Fyodor have been hired for a very important project; they just need a little more time -- and vodka -- to complete it."

(Presumably, Lee and Dean would be reading the parts of Vasilij and Fyodor.)

Tickets are free (a $5 donation is suggested) and can be be purchased/reserved HERE. The auditorium where it's taking place seats 285, but I have no idea how popular these readings are and how fast tickets will go.

tobyfan,

shabby86,

miltil, and myself have all reserved tickets, although I think everyone's plans are still up in the air. While the tickets are free, Williamstown is a tiny town in ~~the middle of nowhere~~ northwestern Massachusetts, and a trip there would involve a not-inconsequential monetary commitment for transportation, lodging, etc. But still! It's really, REALLY tempting, with the presence of Tom and Dean making it moreso.

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In other Lee news, he is making another appearance as Blake Morrow in the next episode of Cinemax's Outcast (the first one I pic-spammed HERE). The WEIRD thing is, the second season of Outcast is currently ONLY airing internationally on Fox. It's not yet being shown in the US, and there is no announced premiere date at the moment. So, I guess check your local listings for date/time if you're outside the US, and if you're in the US stay tuned!

Here is a sneak peak of Lee taken from the Twitter account of Outcast on Fox (@outcastfox). Check out his southern accent!

In this sneak peek at next week’s episode, someone pays Megan a surprise visit. Do you recognize him? #Outcast pic.twitter.com/LMm3BDLRy0
— Outcast on FOX (@outcastfox) May 25, 2017

I like his hat! It makes him look slightly less pychotic!
outcast promo1

vanillalime

Last night, I was doing my usual ~~stalking~~ sleuthing when I discovered this gem of a photo posted to Instagram (via diego.aguirre.actor):

lee devilman

(LOOK AT THAT HAIR)

Upon further investigation, I discovered that Lee had participated in a stage reading Monday night for a new play titled "The Devilman," written by Adam Seidel. The reading was one of series put on by the IATI Theater, whose mission is to "perform and promote our contemporary Latino heritage through full productions in theater, music and dance, as well as staged readings and workshops." Their play readings include "a talkback with the playwright, director, actors and guests that focuses on audience reaction and constructive feedback to bring the new work closer to a fully-realized production."

Actors Aldo Uribe (the guy in the white t-shirt) and Jeffrey Parrillo (on the far right) read two of the other characters in the play. The guy between them is Aldo's friend Diego, who attended the reading and posted the pic.

The play's snynopsis:
Before Henry Wallace can leave the dusty Mexican town he’s been hiding out in, he needs to bury the body of a beautiful young girl. Guided by Felipe, the owner of the town’s general store, Henry embarks on a journey into the desert: a journey of truth and self-discovery, ultimately leading to a chance at redemption.

It stands to reason that Lee read the part of Henry, who sounds like the main character in the play. Outlaw!Lee would be absolutely mesmerizing, I'm sure. :D

In terms of an actual production, all I could find was this reference that indicates it will take place at the Miranda Theatre in NYC in 2017. Which is obviously a long way off, and a lot of things can happen in the meantime. BUT it's something to keep an eye on. (Hmm, a potential LeeFest? I'm gonna go ahead and coin the phrase "DevilFest" right now!)

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AND, Good News on the "Underground" front! Chris's new show on WGN America was just renewed for a second season! Filming is supposed to commence this summer, with the episodes to air sometime in 2017. I know I've pimped this show before, but it really is incredibly good. It started off strong, and then got even better (unlike a lot of other shows), and Meloni's performance has been great. According to tvline.com, the Season 1 finale airs Wednesday, May 11 at 10 pm ET, preceded by an all-season marathon at 1 pm. Check it out if you can!

ETA: And now, Netflix has announced a second season of the TV version of "Wet Hot American Summer," this one set ten years AFTER the original movie. The announcement does not include the names of the actors who will be returning, but I know Chris has mentioned how much he enjoys working on this, so I'd expect him to be participating in some way.

In addition, "I Am Wrath," the movie with John Travolta that Chris filmed last spring, is now available On Demand (Amazon Video, iTunes, etc.). Apparently, it also has a theatrical release date of May 13, but exactly where isn't clear.

Finally, in other exciting Chris news, he finally shaved that ridiculous beard thing he had going on:

meloni shave

colleendetroit.livejournal.com

Current Mood: busy
Current Location: running around SoCal
Current Music: Awww yeahhh

colleendetroit.livejournal.com

Throwing his hat yet again into the comedic ring, Christopher Meloni will be joining other celebrities (including OZ alumni David Zayas and Aasif Mandvi) as part of "Celebrity Charades", the Labyrinth Theater Company's annual benefit. The event is scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2008 at concert venue Terminal 5 (610 West 56th Street).

The theme of the evening is "We Will Rock You" and events include a battle of the bands, VIP Reception and Dinner, live auction, and celebrity charades.

2008 CELEBRITY CHARADES PLAYERS INCLUDE (many more yet to be confirmed):

LAB's Artistic Directors John Ortiz and Philip Seymour Hoffman; LAB Members Ana Ortiz (A Winter Party, Ugly Betty), Judy Reyes (Guinea Pig Solo, Scrubs), Daphne Rubin Vega (Jack Goes Boating, Rent), Yul Vázquez (The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, American Gangster), and David Zayas (The Little Flower of East Orange, Dexter); and celebrity guests Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live), Richard Kind (Spin City), Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show), and Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: SVU).
Tickets are pricey (as many celebrity benefits are) with the lowest 'donation' being "CANDY HARLOT" - $250 (Mezzanine Table seating for 1 at "The Battle of the Bands"), but if you're interested there is more information at the theater's website:

http://www.labtheater.org/support/specialevents.html

It should be a fun evening and I only wish I could go! With Rachel Dratch and other skit comedians in attendance, perhaps Saturday Night Live will finally take notice of Meloni's comedic prowess and get him to HOST this season!

*shakes fist @ NBC*