Morning Report - News from May 25, 2002

THEATER

Madonna Makes London Stage Bow

Madonna isn’t up to much as a theater actress, according to one reviewer who caught the Material Girl’s British stage debut Thursday night in “Up for Grabs,” David Williamson’s satire about a greedy art dealer trying to sell a painting by Jackson Pollock.

Matt Wolf of the Associated Press reported that Madonna (appearing under her married name, Madonna Ritchie) looked toned and lithe as the avaricious dealer at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre but had trouble with the dialogue. Required by the part to address the audience, Madonna began her opening-night performance in a thin, small voice that left even those seated near the front straining to hear, he said. Her projection improved after intermission, Wolf said.

Others, however, took a “half-full” approach. She was “100% better than I expected based on the early reviews that she was nervous,” one theatergoer told USA Today. Added Rosie Millard, a cultural reporter for the BBC: “She’s a good performer, but the trouble is you can’t divorce Madonna from the play. She’s such a personality that you can’t sort out if she can act.”

It has been 14 years since Madonna last performed in a play--a small role on Broadway.

Tony Award Fever Spurs Letter Hoax

The fierce competition for Tony Awards this year has triggered some dirty tricks, it seems. Letters are being sent out in the name of Gregg Edelman, who is nominated as best featured actor in a musical for his portrayal of Prince Charming in “Into the Woods.” Though the letters seem to be written on his personal stationery and are signed “G.E.,” the actor vehemently denies writing them.

Last week, at least four prominent Tony voters received notes in the mail, accusing them of failing to appreciate Edelman’s talents and of bad-mouthing him behind his back, the New York Post reports.

Edelman found out about the smear campaign during a terse phone call from “Into the Woods” composer Stephen Sondheim--whom the letter accused of lacking “the courage to confront me face-to-face with your criticisms.”

“I don’t think of myself as having any enemies, but maybe somebody has a bone to pick with me,” the actor said. “Or maybe this is all just a statement about the fever in the air during this whole crazy Tony time.”

POP/ROCK

Guy, King Honored in Blues Awards

Blues guy of the year is Buddy Guy, who topped the slate of winners of the annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards announced Thursday night in Memphis. The singer-songwriter-guitarist picked up honors for contemporary album, contemporary male artist and instrumentalist of the year (guitar).

Blues heavyweights dominated the rest of the awards, in which B.B. King was named entertainer of the year. Still, Southern California’s Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers were named band of the year, and San Diego’s Keb’ Mo’ was chosen acoustic artist of the year.

Charlie Musselwhite received awards for song of the year and instrumentalist of the year (harmonica). Mississippi veteran R.L. Burnside and Little Milton also were double winners, Burnside for traditional album and male artist, and Milton for soul blues album and male artist.

Korn at the El Rey--and on the Big Screen

Multimillion-selling rock band Korn will be playing live in dozens of small theaters around the country next month, with all tickets priced at just $10. What’s the catch? The theaters will be movie theaters, with the band playing on the screen.

On June 10, the L.A.-based group will perform a concert in New York City that will be digitally simulcast live to 40 theaters in 30 major cities--a promotion for its new album “Untouchables,” to be released the following day. In the Southland, it will be shown at the Bridge Cinema de Lux in Westchester.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the quintet will play a small room closer to home: Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre (capacity 900). The event is a promotional concert for radio station KROQ-FM (106.7) and tickets are available only as giveaways.

QUICK TAKES

Alabama, one of the top country music bands, says it’s calling it quits next year after a farewell tour.... Barbara Walters donated $1 million to a gallery in a new arts center at her alma mater, New York’s Sarah Lawrence College.... Pianist Van Cliburn will read the poetry of Lord Byron, Tennyson and others on “The Romantic Hours,” airing tonight at 10 on KMZT-FM (105.1)....Jamie Foxx is returning to the WB, which is picking up his “Small Talk,” a half-hour unscripted pilot featuring kids sharing memories from their lives while carpooling in a minivan.