Celebrity
Tony-Winning Lyricist Sheldon Harnick ‘Fiddler On The Roof’ Creator, Dies At 99
NEW YORK – Sheldon Harnick, who with composer Jerry Bock formed the premier musical-theater songwriting duos of the 1950s and 1960s with productions including “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Fiorello!” and “The Apple Tree,” has died. He was 99.
Harnick, known for his sharp, nuanced humor and precise wordplay, died in his sleep Friday in New York City of natural causes, according to Harnick’s publicist, Sean Katz.
Broadway stars paid tribute to him on social media, with ‘Schmigadoon!’ writer Cinco Paul calling him ‘one of the all-time great musical theatre lyricists’ and actress Jackie Hoffman fondly commenting, ‘Like all brilliant persnickety lyricists he was a pain in the tuchus’.
Bock and Harnick’s first great breakthrough came with the music and lyrics to “Fiorello!,” which earned them Tony Awards and a rare Pulitzer Prize in 1960. In addition, Harnick received Tony nominations for “The Apple Tree” in 1967, “The Rothschilds” in 1971, and “Cyrano — The Musical” in 1994. Their masterwork, though, was “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Bock and Harnick met for the first time at a restaurant by actor Jack Cassidy during the opening-night performance of “Shangri-La,” a musical in which Harnick contributed lyrics. In 1958, “The Body Beautiful” was the first Harnick-Bock musical.
“I think in all of the years that we worked together, I only remember one or two arguments — and those were at the beginning of the collaboration when we were still feeling each other out,” Harnick said in a 2010 interview with The Associated Press. “Once we got past that, he was wonderful to work with.”
They would go on to forge one of the most powerful collaborations in Broadway history. Producers Robert E. Griffith and Hal Prince enjoyed the songs from “The Body Beautiful,” so they hired Bock and Harnick to write the score for their next show, “Fiorello!,” a musical about New York City’s reformist mayor.
Harnick, known for his sharp, nuanced humor and precise wordplay, died in his sleep Friday in New York City of natural causes.
Bock and Harnick then worked together on “Tenderloin” in 1960, followed by “She Loves Me” three years later. Neither was a smash, though “She Loves Me” won a Grammy for best score from a cast CD, but their next hit was a monster still played across the world: “Fiddler on the Roof.” In 1965, it won two Tony Awards.
“Fiddler on the Roof,” based on stories by Sholom Aleichem and translated into a libretto by Stein, dealt with the experience of Eastern European Orthodox Jews in the Russian hamlet of Anatevka in 1905. It starred Zero Mostel as Tevye, ran for over eight years and gave the world songs like “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.” The most recent Broadway production starred Danny Burstein as Tevye and received a Tony nomination for outstanding revival.
Harnick’s lyrics were heartbreaking and honest in a masterwork of hilarity and tenderness, like when the hero Tevye sings, “Lord who made the lion and the lamb/You decreed I should be what I am/Would it spoil some vast eternal plan/If I were a wealthy man?”
In 1966, Bock and Harnick wrote the book and the score for “The Apple Tree,” in 1970, they wrote the score for “The Rothschilds,” with a book by Sherman Yellen. It was their final collaboration: Bock thought it was time for him to be his lyricist, and he released two experimental albums in the early 1970s.
Harnick later worked with Michel Legrand on “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” in 1979 and a musical version of “A Christmas Carol” in 1981; Mary Rodgers on a version of “Pinocchio” in 1973; Arnold Black on a musical version of “The Phantom Tollbooth;” and Richard Rodgers on the score to “Rex” in 1976, a Broadway musical about Henry VIII.
He also composed lyrics for Marlo Thomas’ TV special “Free to Be… You and Me” song “William Wants a Doll” and several original opera librettos, including “Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines” and “Love in Two Countries.” He earned a Grammy for his libretto for “The Merry Widow,” which starred Beverly Sills.
Harnick, known for his sharp, nuanced humor and precise wordplay, died in his sleep Friday in New York City of natural causes.
From songs for the HBO animated film “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” with music by Stephen Lawrence in 1991 to lyrics for the opening number of the 1988 Academy Awards show, his work for television and film spanned from songs for the HBO animated film “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” with music by Stephen Lawrence. He wrote the theme songs for two films, “The Heartbreak Kid” in 1972 and “Blame it on Rio” in 1984, both with music by Cy Coleman.
The York Theatre Company recreated some of Harnick’s early works, including “Malpractice Makes Perfect,” “Dragons,” and “Tenderloin,” off-Broadway in 2014. “She Loves Me” was last seen on Broadway in a Tony-nominated revival 2016 starring Zachary Levi.
Harnick was born and raised in Chicago, and after serving in the army during WWII, he got a bachelor’s degree in music from Northwestern University School of Music. After studying the violin, he chose to try his luck as a songwriter in New York.
“The Ballad of the Shape of Things,” later recorded by the Kingston Trio, was one of his early compositions, as was the Cole Porter spoof “Boston Beguine,” from the revue “New Faces of 1952.”
His wife, artist Margery Grey Harnick, and he had two children, Beth and Matthew, and four grandkids. Harnick previously married actress Elaine May. He had been a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Songwriters Guild for many years.
SOURCE – (AP)
Celebrity
2024| Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Washington – Pras, On Friday, a court denied a request for a fresh trial in a multimillion-dollar political conspiracy lawsuit against Fugees rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly determined that his defensedefense attorney’s employment of a generative AI software during closing arguments and other errors made throughout the Washington, D.C. trial did not constitute a substantial miscarriage of justice.
Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Michel was found guilty of ten counts after a jury heard testimony from witnesses, including actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions. On the most serious charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison. He is free until sentencing, which has yet to be decided.
The Grammy-winning rapper was accused of funneling money from a now-fugitive Malaysian financier through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, then attempting to deter a Justice Department investigation and influence an extradition case on behalf of China during the Trump administration.
The defense said Michel received lousy advice as he attempted to support himself while recreating himself in politics.
His defense attorney, David Kenner, who has previously represented rappers like Suge Knight and Snoop Dogg, pleaded guilty to leaking grand jury evidence to reporters.
Michel hired a new lawyer, who claimed Kenner had made several errors, including deploying an “experimental” generative AI software that botched closing arguments by misattributing a lyric from his client’s influential 1990s group.
Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Michel, however, failed to prove that Kenner’s handling of the case influenced the jury, according to Judge Kollar-Kotelly.
She accepted that some of Michel’s faults were valid, but they did not neutralise the prosecution’s extensive evidence against him or render the nearly month-long trial unfair.
Michel’s representative had no immediate comment on the ruling.
SOURCE | AP
Celebrity
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
Julian Ortega, a Spanish actor best known for his role in the popular Spanish-language Netflix drama series “Elite,” has died, according to the country’s actor and actress union. He was 41.
“Our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the union said in a statement Monday.
The sun
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
Ortega, the son of Spanish actress Gloria Muñoz, was born in Madrid in 1983. According to the organization, he attended acting school in the Spanish capital.
He began his career in Spanish-language films, including the 2000 drama “El Otro Barrio” (“The Other Side”) and the 2008 horror fantasy “La raíz del mal.”
He appeared in various Spanish television programs before becoming well-known internationally after appearing in six episodes of Netflix’s Elite.
Ortega played a restaurant manager in the murder-mystery-infused high school thriller, which follows privileged pupils at a prestigious school.
His most recent performances were in drama programs like “The Countryside” (formerly called “El Pueblo”) and “4 estrellas.”
“You were a great man; humble, always smiling, generous, and thoughtful…” I have a great colleague. “Thank you for everything,” wrote his “Countryside” co-star Ruth Diaz in an Instagram post.
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
According to the Spanish Theatre in Madrid, Ortega has worked on theatre ventures, including the 2021 play “Ira,” which he created and co-starred in with his mother.
The reason for the death has not been officially confirmed.
SOURCE | AP
Celebrity
Selena Gomez Reacts To Taylor Swift Cameo Rumors in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ S4
Selena Gomez has recently put a fun twist on rumors swirling about a potential cameo by Taylor Swift in the fourth season of Only Murders in the Building. In an interview with E! News, Gomez responded to the speculation with her signature humor and charm.
Laughing off the rumors, Gomez quipped, “You’re hilarious. She’s a little busy, you guys.”
Her playful tone continued as she added, “Oh dear, I love that,” while still chuckling. Gomez’s light-hearted response showcased her easy-going nature and her ability to handle fan speculation with grace.
Gomez’s co-stars, Steve Martin and Martin Short, also joined in on the playful banter. Martin, in a comedic twist, said, “Listen, she calls us every day. Here – she’s calling right now. Ahh I’ll take it later.”
‘Only Murders in the Building’ S4
Martin Short added to the jest, joking, “No, I was talking to Taylor around 3:00 a.m.” Their jokes highlighted the camaraderie and fun atmosphere among the cast.
Beyond the jokes, Martin took a moment to genuinely praise both Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez for their poise.
He commented, “Taylor Swift handles everything perfectly and so does Selena. In the situations I’ve seen—politically, trolls, everything—she just seems to have a wisdom about how to do something quietly, effortlessly.”
The interaction underscores not only the strong bond between the cast members but also their mutual respect and admiration for each other.
Gomez and Swift’s friendship, along with their shared ability to navigate public life with elegance, continues to be a topic of interest and admiration among fans and colleagues alike.
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