Chitkabrey

Akshara Gowda is threatening to take legal action against filmmaker Suneet Arora for leaking her bold lovemaking scenes and song videos from the film 'Chitkabrey'
She recently backed out from the promotions of her debut filmChitkabrey and now Akshara Gowda, the upcoming actress recently linked with cricketer Yuvraj Singh, is threatening to take legal action against the filmmaker for outraging her modesty.
The dare-to-bare actress, Akshara Gowda has accused engineer-turned-filmmaker Suneet Arora of leaking her bold lovemaking scenes and song videos from the film ' Chitkabrey – The Shades of Grey ' and is threatening to take the legal course against him. In the film, Akshara plays the bold role of Palak, an elite house wife, enjoying lavish lifestyle and living by the brands. She engages in a steamy lovemaking scene with Rajesh Shringapurey, who plays an arrogant and lecherous character.

On the other hand, producer-director Suneet claims that the allegations are baseless which he can prove. Also he is upset with the callous attitude of Akshara. "I'm saddened by Akshara's attitude and I never imagined that she would refuse to promote the film, which is so dear to me. For me, she is just one of the characters because my film is about seven couples. And thankfully, all of them are promoting the film and believe in it. I'm sure that once the film becomes a huge hit, she will realize her folly and come back to our Chitkabrey family", says Arora.
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Incidentally Akshara had no issues going topless for 30 minutes for the shoot, when asked to show emotions for a lovemaking scene. "During the love making scene, she insisted on taking off her clothes to look real and gave fantastic expressions", adds Arora. The love making scene in the song 'Dhoop Chhaon' has come out too stark and bold as is evident in the video. However, once she got publicity even before the film released, Akshara has refused to promote the film even though she is contractually bound to do so.

LaddaLand Movie

LaddaLand Movie

Thailand seems to have succeeded in developing wings in the field of widescreen movies to this our homeland. After the success of various movie genre romantic comedy like Suck Seed and Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Thailand is now trying his luck with the re-spawn a new horror movie. Yes, Thailand is famous for his ability in making a horror movie. Both in terms of storyline and sound effects and processing images from the film. So, this is one of the latest horror film from Thailand, Ladda Land.
Ladda Land tells the story of a family that recently moved into a new house. Family consisting of father, mother, a daughter who had been teenagers, and a boy it seems very enthusiastic about their move was. But on the first night, they began to feel something unusual with this house. Many events that do not make sense that they see.All four family members seeing visions of a figure is often a scary woman.
As for example when the girls start to see a pair of legs that runs between the clothesline, or when his friends came to the house and tried to intimidate him and then came the apparition of a woman with long hair behind them. Who is the figure the appearance of this long-haired woman? What to do with the house they occupy?
One half-hour length movies are reportedly removed from a true story in the area of ​​Chiang Mai is indeed much abandoned by its inhabitants because there are many strange happenings that are not absurd and bizarre deaths.
One of the things that might become his top security this movie because the director and the story goes. Sophon Sakdaphisit is the director and writer of the film that has the other title is The Last Home. What makes Sophon make this movie has the added value?
The answer is because Sophon a horror movie script writers some phenomenal in Thailand that is Shutter and Alone, which he wrote with the duo Sutrdara Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoon Woongpoom. Directorial debut began with the Thai horror film directed Coming Soon that is also quite successful in the market in 2008.The experience of writing the script Shutter, Alone, and directed Coming Soon could make this film promising and worthy to watch.
This is evidenced by the enthusiasm of the audience in Thailand. The Last Home (aka Ladda ลัด ดา แลน Land) has successfully topped the Box Office in Thailand. In the first week of release, the film has been released since 28 April 2011 this past has accumulated 463,084,261 baht (or about $ 1,531,337). More dasyatnya again, this film also managed to beat the leading Hollywood film this summer that is Thor, which only just managed to get $ 964,130.
This record is good enough to prove that Thailand could be the host of his own handiwork. Supported by good production values, the way the story is simple really able to evoke the atmosphere of horror that is desired by the director.
Another interesting thing is on one poster. Where the poster depicting a happy family.Four family members who are smiling so wide. But when viewed as good there is an appearance of long-haired woman behind them.
After the success of Shutter, Alone, Dorm, and Phobias, Ladda Could Land which is also equally the production of this GMM reap the same success in Indonesia? We'll wait on the game at one of Indonesian cinema.

Kang Dong Won

SS501’s Kim Hyun Joong guested on SBS’s “Night After Night” and revealed that he was jealous of Won Bin and Kang Dong Won’s handsome looks.
The star was asked, “Is there any actor that you’re jealous of in terms of physical looks?”. Kim Hyun Joong replied, “I was watching the movie ‘The Man From Nowhere‘ and noticed that women were raving over the scene where he shaves his own head.  I got jealous without even thinking about it and scoffed to myself, ‘Who really cuts their hair alone like that?’”
He continued, “When I was watching Kang Dong Won’s ‘Jeon Woo-Chi’, I personally thought that he was cool too, but the girls were raving over it, so I jealously remarked, ‘Country dialects aren’t weird!’”

Check out the rest of the episode when it airs later on, which includes his parody of “The Greatest Love” character, ‘Dok Go Jin’!

Miss Ripley EP 5

Recap of Miss Ripley Ep 5 (Episode 5)korean drama tv series. Synopsis from Miss Ripley Episode 4 before, With Mi Ri’s help, they succeed in finding the VIP’s daughter, Yuu. Due to this event she is praised by a very famous hotelier, and she instantly became famous. Myeong Hun and Gwi Yeon finalize their divorce. meanwhile, a forged degree racket is busted, among the items discovered is Hi Ju’s Tokyo University diploma. Hi Ju is further investigated by the police.

Miss Ripley Ep 5 (Episode 5) recap: Holding a lunch box, Mi Ri walks in into Myeong Hun’s office. She takes away the fake diploma on his table. Baffled by Mondo’s Group decision to suddenly give up the acquisition of Hotel A, Yu Hyeon who has gotten notice of the Board’s decision in the meeting can’t accept it, and is determined to push forward the acquisition plan alone.
Meanwhile, knowing that Myeong Hun is about to become the President of the hotel, Mi Ri actively pursues him. Hopefully Miss Ripley Ep 5 recap useful for you.

Celebrities At ScreenSingapore Opening

THEY came, they strutted, they wowed.
Shoppers at VivoCity were greeted with an explosion of glitz and glamour at the opening night of ScreenSingapore yesterday.
The opening ceremony of the inaugural eight-day film festival and business convention saw the guest of honour, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Yaacob Ibrahim, as well as Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, one of 60 ScreenSingapore ambassadors, walking down the red carpet.
Zhang, who last visited Singapore in 2009, flew in yesterday afternoon, amid a downpour that caused flash floods in some areas.
On the red carpet, looking resplendent in a black sequin Ralph Lauren dress and elbow-high gloves, she joked that, today, she hopes "to see the sun".
More seriously, she added: "I haven't come back to Singapore for the purpose of promoting a film in a while. This time, I'm back for something different and special."
She has just wrapped filming The Grand Master, the film about Ip Man by Wong Kar Wai.
When asked if she was disappointed that her last film, Till Death Do Us Part - starring Zhang and Aaron Kwok as Aids patients who fall in love - has not been screened here, she was sanguine.
"As long as fans love to watch movies, they'll find a way to watch them," she said.
Other celebrities who walked the red carpet were Taiwanese actress Anya Wu, who stars in Hong Kong horror film The Devil Inside Me - the film that opened the festival at VivoCity.
Hong Kong director Gordon Chan and some of the cast of his latest fantasy film, The Mural, also walked the red carpet.
Earlier in the day, the media gathered for a press conference at Capella Singapore. There, Hollywood producer Jon Landau, famed for his work on the James Cameron blockbusters Titanic and Avatar, lauded ScreenSingapore's efforts in bringing the world of film to this little red dot.
"The film industry is no longer about countries. It's a global business...and there's no greater growth potential than what exists in Asia today in the film industry."

He added: "For years, Singapore was the gateway to the world and Asia in shipping. I think it has the potential to be the same gateway to the world of cinema - (people in the film industry can) come here and access all that Asia has to offer."
Zhang will walk the red carpet once again on the closing night at Shaw Lido on Saturday, along with bigwigs such as Tom Hanks, Lee Byung Hun and Vanness Wu, for the Asia-Pacific premiere of Hanks' new dramedy, Larry Crowne.
The film event will see gala premieres of 11 films and sneaks at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, GV Plaza and Shaw Lido every day of the week.

TGIF

One of the things that Katy Perry does very well is to think of a fun, creative concepts and run with it. Point in case is the video for her new single "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)," a totally fun video that is saturated with color, late '80s momentos and early '90s relics that is executed to perfection.
Featuring Perry's nerdy teen alter ego Kathy Beth Terry, the video is a perfect companion to Perry's flirty and frothy pop that will surely help to push this single to the top of the charts. Another number one for the teen pop queen would be an extraordinary accomplishment that would follow her five consecutive Billboard number ones with "California Girls," "Teenage Dream," "Fireworks" and "E.T."

Look out for for a bunch of cameos in de 8+ minute Director's Cut of the "Last Friday Night" video that premiered on Funny Or Die last night (go figure). Kevin McHale, Darren Criss, Debbie Gibson, Corey Feldham, Rebecca Black, Hanson and even sax player Kenny G make quick appearances in the video. Watch it after the break.

Diana Ross

"Yo, Taylor. Imma let you finish but Diana Ross had one of the best rained out shows in Central Park of all time." On Thursday night, tens of thousands of fans were devastated after weather ruined their chance to see Taylor Swift along with the Black Eyed Peas in concert at the historic spot, but back in 1983 Diana Ross also had a free concert there, and it also took place on a dark and stormy night. One man recalls:
"A 10-day heat wave was about to come to an end on the evening Diana Ross was to give a much publicized free concert in New York's Central Park (the mercury hit 95 that afternoon). However, severe thunderstorms were bearing down on the city and would begin rolling through not long after the concert began. Amidst these turbulent conditions Miss Ross valiantly continued with the show despite being pelted by rain & buffeted by strong winds. At one point she referred to the torrential downpour as a 'love shower' before the concert was stopped because of lightning. And that's when things got even uglier. As the soaked crowd of 800,000 began streaming out of the park some concertgoers were set upon by marauding gangs. The press referred to it as "wilding', the first time I'd ever heard the term. (It was a crazy, raucous time in New York back in those days.) Happily, the concert was rescheduled for the next day, a Friday, and the weather couldn't have been more beautiful."

And Andy Warhol wrote of the concert:
I could never really describe the Diana Ross concert in Central Park. The sky darkened and the rain came and it was the most incredible thing i've ever seen. Just the event of the century-her hair blowing and soaking wet...it was like a dream, like a hallucination, watching this spectacle. It was like the greatest scene from a movie ever. When they do her life story in the movies you can just see this huge event and then later she's crying and saying, "Why did this happen to me?" and then drinking and slitting her wrists. But oh, the thunder and lightning looked so great. So beautiful.

Darren Criss

We knew that "The Glee Project" was going to try and emulate "Glee" in a reality TV format to the best of its ability, but who would have ever thought the show would end up managing something that was so close to the real thing? From the similar color scheme to the background music, the producers over at Oxygen definitely made this as close to the real thing as a show can get.
As far as entertainment goes, the premiere was a mixed bag. After seeing so many audition rounds in the past it really wasn't that interesting watching people sing in front of a panel of judges, and even some of the initial challenges left a little bit of something to be desired. Yes, having the kids sing in a classroom is very similar to the show, but where's that extra kick? The best moment clearly came in the music video for "Firework," which really showed off some creativity along with the personalities of the cast. The show's going to need to keep pushing in this creative direction to remind us this is entertainment first and foremost -- not just a casting search.

When it comes to the contestants, producers did a pretty good job of assembling a rather diverse group. We have Alex with the high voice, Samuel with the dreadlocks, and Emily with the creepy "you can call me whatever you want" behavior towards guest Darren Criss.
Ultimately, the elimination process for this show may be one of the most frightening things ever. The "bottom three" contestants have to all step out and perform in front of co-creator Ryan Murphy (who looks very much like a Bond villain), and then find out if their name is on a sheet of paper. Luckily, crooner Damian (who flubbed the lyrics of "Jesse's Girl") and baby-faced Ellis stuck around -- and it was Bryce who went packing.
After this first episode, what do you think of this show?

QVS

Jeanne Bice, the creator and on-air peddler of QVC mainstay clothing line Quacker Factory, died Friday at 71. The cause of her death was not announced.
Bice, who first appeared on QVC in 1995, was known for her headbands, boisterous personality and even more boisterous clothing, which was typically sold in bright colors and embroidered with season- and holiday-themed adornments. She started her successful clothing line after her husband died and left her to raise their two children (Tim and Lee) on her own. She chronicled her life's highs and lows in the 2005 memoir Pull Yourself Up by Your Bra Straps and Other Quacker Wisdom.

Doug Howe, QVC's executive vice president of merchandising, planning and sales, wrote in a QVC forum: " Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time. ... Her passion and spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew her."
A lengthy obituary on the official Quacker Factory site includes this look back at Bice's on-screen work: "She loved QVC. Everything about it. She loved the people: the executives who ran it, and the production people who worked so hard to make every show perfect.  She loved the famous stars who appeared there, and had to pinch herself when others considered her one."

Game Of Thrones

So how about Sunday night's episode of "Game of Thrones"? To say that it was a doozy barely scratches the surface of all the shameless double-crossing and bloodshed that occurred.
SPOILER ALERT!: For those who haven't yet watched "Baelor" (or read the novel), do not read any further. MAJOR, major spoilers ahead.
A recap can hardly do justice to the episode's gruesome events, which have been adapted quite faithfully from author George R.R. Martin's brilliant plot twists and turns, but we can provide you with a video interview of "Game of Thrones" star Sean Bean talking about the big "event."
"It's quite heroic, I suppose," Bean told MTV News of the lead into his character's shocking death scene. "I didn't just get knocked off and nobody notices. Plenty of people noticed," he said with a smile. "It was a good one."
Bean said that when he read Martin's book, Ned Stark's death was as much of a shock to him as anyone.
"He's such a predominant character, straight through all of it, and you think, 'Wait a minute, what's happening?' He's obviously been betrayed left and right and center, but you never thought it would come to this," he admitted. "Even the shock on his face before it happens it's like, 'But we made a deal.' It's a pretty awful ending and the kids are watching as well."

Bean said that the short-lived role was amazing to play, and the filming of his final scene was appropriately epic and ambitious.
"We were in Malta in the middle of a big square," he recalled. "A big piazza with hundreds and hundreds of people on a raised platform, I'm making a last speech, I have my hands tied behind back. I kind of say that I have betrayed the realm and I have been a traitor in order to save my children. ... It's real heartbreaking stuff."
But as Martin fans well know, this doesn't mean the end of shocking twists in the series, because, as Cersei Lannister put it, "In the game of thrones, you win, or you die."

Bruce Springsteen

Fathers Day Gifts

The first Father’s Day after my ex and I split I got him a card.  Our daughter was only 3 then, so it wasn’t from her – it was from me.  A gesture of goodwill.  A note to say, “Hey, let’s be friends.”  It was a really nice card, the kind you pay seven bucks for at Papyrus.  I’d made a thoughtful choice, too.  The card featured a BBQ theme, because I know how much my ex enjoys the power that comes along with weilding large, hot, sharp metal prongs.
I gave my ex the card when he picked our daughter up the Friday before Father’s Day.  He didn’t open it, which seemed fair, since he wanted to open it on the holiday itself.  When my ex returned our child from their Father’s Day weekend together, I said, “What’d you think of the card?”  He told me he lost it.  And least he had the decency not to fake it, but thank God there wasn’t a gift card inside.  I found the unopened greeting a week later inside my daughter’s backpack.  And I haven’t given my ex a Father’s Day gift since.

Oh sure, this year I bought him a gift card to Blockbuster for Christmas, but that’s because my daughter was spending the holiday with him, and I didn’t want her to have to go without entertainment.  I doubt it was ever used.  If you’re wondering about what my ex does for me on holidays, don’t bother.  While we were married, I was lucky to get a card for even the most monumental occasions.  This year, for Mother’s Day, I got a slew of harrassing messages left on my phone while I was out celebrating the day with my daughter.  No, no expensive brunch for us.  But we did take a special trip to Trader Joe’s for the “good” produce.  ”Hey, Happy Mother’s Day.  I’d like to talk to A, give me a call.”  (20 minutes later…)  ”Happy Mother’s Day.  You are the mother of A after all, so…. call me.”  (20 minutes later…)  ”I want to talk, call me.”  (20 minutes later…)  ”I WANT ACCESS TO MY CHILD!”  All in the span of one trip for groceries.  (Happy Mother’s Day?)  When we returned the calls, I offered to schedule a time each day to talk so he wouldn’t keep blowin’ up my phone, but he denied.  Quelle surprise!
My ex will get something from my daughter for Father’s Day, of course, thanks to her kindergarten teacher.  The kids made Father’s Day gifts in school, which makes me feel thankful that my child has a relationship with her father.  I remember what it was like to be one of a handful of kids making a Father’s Day gift for their uncle or grandpa.  I can imagine the sinking feeling a child who doesn’t really have any men in his/her life must feel when the class project focuses on Dad being Number One.  Should Mother’s Day and Father’s Day even be about gift-giving?  (The founder of Mother’s Day certainly didn’t think so.)  All I wanted for Mother’s Day this year was to spend a beautifully relaxed, peacefully enjoyable day with my lovely little daughter, and for the most part, that’s what happened.  I’m guessing my ex is planning on much the same for Father’s Day, and I’ll do my part to ensure that’s how his day goes.  He can, however, buy his own fancy BBQ card, thank you very much.

San Antonio

The Alamo City has three contestants in this year's Miss Texas pageant, including two who were named Miss San Antonio 2011 amid the sensational legal court fight over the crown.
Domonique Ramirez, 17, Ashley Dixon, 21, and Selena Affram, 23, Miss Collegiate San Antonio, are slated to be among the 38 participants at the Miss Texas pageant June 28-July 1 at the University of Texas at Arlington, the pageant's web site said.
Earlier this year, the Miss Bexar County Organization revoked Ramirez's Miss San Antonio title over alleged insubordination and gave it to Dixon, her first runner-up. Ramirez sued, and a Bexar County jury gave her back the crown following a trial.
Local pageant officials named Dixon Miss Bexar County so she could also compete at Miss Texas, the web site shows.
The pageant's new board president, Linda Woods, inadvertently launched the case internationally after she told a local radio station that, while the pageant's concern about its queen's weight was a minor matter, Ramirez had been told during a bikini photo shoot to “get off the tacos.”

It also made headlines because the local pageant's executive director, Caroline Flores, had been convicted of health care fraud in the 1990s.
Two younger San Antonians, Caroline Carothers and Lydia Cash, will be among 41 contestants vying for the Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen title. Carothers is Miss San Antonio's Outstanding Teen 2011, and Cash is Miss Collegiate San Antonio's Outstanding Teen.

War Horse

War Horse

Critical darling and box office smash “The Book of Mormon” took home nine awards at the 65th annual Tony Awards on Sunday at the Beacon Theatre in New York, including best musical, director, book, score, and featured actress. The show, centered on two Mormon missionaries in Uganda, came from “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who won their first Tonys for the production.

“War Horse,” another critically lauded show for its impressive puppetry, garnered five awards, including best play and director. Though “Mormon” and “War Horse” led the winners during Sunday’s ceremony, host Neil Patrick Harris repeatedly stole the show.

“Hello, I’m teen heartthrob Neil Patrick Harris,” quipped Harris, who has starred on stage and in film and television, opening the ceremony with an original number about Broadway titled “It’s Not Just for Gays Anymore.” Harris was hosting the awards for his second time, and his humor never shied away from the controversial, as evidenced by the opening number. He also devoted thirty seconds to mocking “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,” known for its cast injuries and critical bashing.

“Spider-Man” composers Bono and The Edge came on stage later and responded. “We used to be famous for being in U2,” Bono quipped, revealing their good-natured sense of humor about the show’s negative media coverage.

Out of a category of all first-time nominees, Ellen Barkin won for best performance by an actress in featured role in a play for her Broadway debut as an impassioned doctor in “The Normal Heart.” Barkin, better known for her film career, said she was grateful and humbled to be accepted into the Broadway community. “Performing in ‘The Normal Heart’…taught me something I never believed in before that one person can make a difference,” an emotional Barkin remarked.

Last year’s Tony winner for best actress in a play Viola Davis gave the award for best performance by an actor in a featured role in a play to John Benjamin Hickey, also for “The Normal Heart. Hickey called the production the “proudest moment of my career.” In a press room, he described his experience working on “The Normal Heart” to Back Stage. “It’s been surreal…there was such a rush of adrenaline,” Hickey said. “I was doing a TV show at the same time. It was like a work drug that I was addicted to.”

Hickey also gave advice to aspiring TV and Broadway actors. “You want to show up and be ready to do your work.” he said. “Work with writers that you believe in if you can. Make relationships and make them last. I’ve known Joe Mantello for 20 years…nurture your relationships.” “The Normal Heart” also won best revival of play.

Though a “Mormon” victory was expected in many categories, Nikki M. James garnered a surprise win when she received the award for best featured actress in a musical. James, visibly shaking during her acceptance speech, said, “I tried to write a speech and I thought it was just silly." James beat out Broadway veterans Victoria Clark and Patti LuPone to win her first Tony.

James spoke again with Back Stage about her shock. “I was totally floored,” she said. “I know how good and stiff the competition was.” She then quipped, “I feel like I have to move to a new apartment that is worthy of this.”

Broadway veteran and Tony Award-winner Joel Grey introduced a performance from the musical “Anything Goes,” in which he stars. Sutton Foster and the show’s ensemble performed the title song and Act 1 closing number, showing off the production’s choreography by Kathleen Marshall, who won the award for best choreography earlier in the evening. The musical also won best revival of a musical, over “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” in the slim two-nominee category. "How to Succeed" took home one award for John Larroquette for best featured actor in a musical

Foster then won best leading actress in a musical for playing Reno Sweeney in “Anything Goes." She received rave reviews for her performance and was the favorite to win. “I’ve never been happier going to a job,” she effused, thanking everyone from her partner, and fellow nominee for “The Mother****er With the Hat,” Bobby Cannavale to a very earnest thanking of her dresser. “All I wanted to be as a little girl was a performer.” Norbert Leo Butz earned a single award for "Catch Me If You Can" for best leading actor in a musical.

The show moved at a steady clip, nicely punctuated by musical numbers and jokes from Harris. The host traded barbs with three time-Tony host Hugh Jackman, and well-written and improvised remarks from presenters also helped bring some life to the show. Brooke Shields flubbed her lines during the show’s opening number, and she poked fun at herself later while presenting an award. She then accidentally dropped the curse word everyone had been avoiding when mentioning the nominated play, “The Motherf***er With the Hat.”

Comedian Chris Rock, who made his Broadway debut in “The Motherf***er With the Hat,” presented the evening’s final award to “The Book of Mormon,” and pointed out for many there was little doubt over the winner. “We all know what the best musical is. This is such a waste of time. It’s like taking a hooker to dinner….You know you’re going to get laid.”

Harris brought the ceremony to a close by rapping the night’s winners and events. His closing act thanked the performers and crew whose hard work made the evening’s ceremony and Broadway theater possible. Those professionals, however, still need viewers to come see their shows eight nights a week, prompting Harris’ final line. “Now go see a motherf***ing Broadway show.” Here is a full list of the winners in bold and nominees:
Best Musical
"The Book of Mormon"
"Catch Me If You Can"
"The Scottsboro Boys"
"Sister Act"

Best Play
"War Horse"
"Good People"
"Jerusalem"
"The Motherf**ker With the Hat"

Best Book of a Musical
Alex Timbers, "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson"
Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone, "The Book of Mormon"
David Thompson, "The Scottsboro Boys"
Cheri Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner, and Douglas Carter Beane, "Sister Act"

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
"The Book of Mormon," music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone
"The Scottsboro Boys," music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb
"Sister Act," music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater
"Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," music and lyrics by David Yazbek

Best Revival of a Play
"Arcadia"
"The Importance of Being Earnest"
"The Merchant of Venice"
"The Normal Heart"

Best Revival of a Musical
"Anything Goes"
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Brian Bedford, "The Importance of Being Earnest"
Bobby Cannavale, "The Motherf**ker With the Hat"
Joe Mantello, "The Normal Heart"
Al Pacino, "The Merchant of Venice"
Mark Rylance, "Jerusalem"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Nina Arianda, "Born Yesterday"
Frances McDormand, "Good People"
Lily Rabe, "The Merchant of Venice"
Vanessa Redgrave, "Driving Miss Daisy"
Hannah Yelland, "Brief Encounter"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, "Catch Me If You Can"
Josh Gad, "The Book of Mormon"
Joshua Henry, "The Scottsboro Boys"
Andrew Rannells, "The Book of Mormon"
Tony Sheldon, "Priscilla Queen of the Desert"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Sutton Foster, "Anything Goes"
Beth Leavel, "Baby It's You!"
Patina Miller, "Sister Act"
Donna Murphy, "The People in the Picture"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Mackenzie Crook, "Jerusalem"
Billy Crudup, "Arcadia"
John Benjamin Hickey, "The Normal Heart"
Arian Moayed, "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo"
Yul Vázquez, "The Motherf**ker With the Hat"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Ellen Barkin, "The Normal Heart"
Edie Falco, "The House of Blue Leaves"
Judith Light, "Lombardi"
Joanna Lumley, "La Bête"
Elizabeth Rodriguez, "The Motherf**ker With the Hat"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Colman Domingo, "The Scottsboro Boys"
Adam Godley, "Anything Goes"
John Larroquette, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
Forrest McClendon, "The Scottsboro Boys"
Rory O'Malley, "The Book of Mormon"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Laura Benanti, "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown"
Tammy Blanchard, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
Victoria Clark, "Sister Act"
Nikki M. James, "The Book of Mormon"
Patti LuPone, "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown"

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Todd Rosenthal, "The Motherf**ker With the Hat"
Rae Smith, "War Horse"
Ultz, "Jerusalem"
Mark Wendland, "The Merchant of Venice"

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Beowulf Boritt, "The Scottsboro Boys"
Derek McLane, "Anything Goes"
Scott Pask, "The Book of Mormon"
Donyale Werle, "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson"

Best Costume Design of a Play
Jess Goldstein, "The Merchant of Venice"
Desmond Heeley, "The Importance of Being Earnest"
Mark Thompson, "La Bête"
Catherine Zuber, "Born Yesterday"

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner, "Priscilla Queen of the Desert"
Martin Pakledinaz, "Anything Goes"
Ann Roth, "The Book of Mormon"
Catherine Zuber, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Paule Constable, "War Horse"
David Lander, "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo"
Kenneth Posner, "The Merchant of Venice"
Mimi Jordan Sherin, "Jerusalem"

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Ken Billington, "The Scottsboro Boys"
Howell Binkley, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
Peter Kaczorowski, "Anything Goes"
Brian MacDevitt, "The Book of Mormon"

Best Sound Design of a Play
Acme Sound Partners and Cricket S. Myers, "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo"
Simon Baker, "Brief Encounter"
Ian Dickinson for Autograph, "Jerusalem"
Christopher Shutt, "War Horse"

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Peter Hylenski, "The Scottsboro Boys"
Steve Canyon Kennedy, "Catch Me If You Can"
Brian Ronan, "Anything Goes"
Brian Ronan, "The Book of Mormon"

Best Direction of a Play
Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, "War Horse"
Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe, "The Normal Heart"
Anna D. Shapiro, "The Motherf**ker With the Hat"
Daniel Sullivan, "The Merchant of Venice"

Best Direction of a Musical
Rob Ashford, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
Kathleen Marshall, "Anything Goes"
Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker, "The Book of Mormon"
Susan Stroman, "The Scottsboro Boys"

Best Choreography
Rob Ashford, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
Kathleen Marshall, "Anything Goes"
Casey Nicholaw, "The Book of Mormon"
Susan Stroman, "The Scottsboro Boys"

Best Orchestrations
Doug Besterman, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
Larry Hochman, "The Scottsboro Boys"
Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus, "The Book of Mormon"
Marc Shaiman and Larry Blank, "Catch Me If You Can"

Recipients of Awards and Honors in Non-Competitive Categories

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Athol Fugard
Philip J. Smith
Regional Theatre Tony Award
Lookingglass Theatre Company (Chicago)
Isabelle Stevenson Award
Eve Ensler
Special Tony Award
Handspring Puppet Company
Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater
William Berloni
The Drama Book Shop
Sharon Jensen and Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts

The Protector TV

Lots of people in the television industry have learned the wrong lesson from the success of TNT's The Closer. Yes, the show was a breakthrough role on cable for strong women actresses. And Kyra Sedgwick's performance in the show made it possible for a number of other talented, yet under-utilized, actresses to get their own show.
But what is generally lost is the The Closer also works because it is a well-balanced ensemble. Sedgwick's Brenda Leigh Johnson is talented but not perfect. In fact, for all of her talent she got her job in part because she was hired by an ex-lover (who was married at the time). And she is also surrounded by a male cast that is written in a complex and believable manner.
That complexity of characters and tone is vital and it's a lesson that was forgotten when producers put together the new Lifetime police drama The Protector.
Ally Walker is a talented actress, and in a better world she would be in a show that both is a showcase for her and for the ensemble of actors around her. Instead, viewers will find a show that offers up a cardboard cast of male characters and not much more when it comes to the female characters.
Walker plays Det. Gloria Shepard, who is partnered up with Det. Michelle Dulcett (played by Tisha Campbell-Martin). The logline of the show is that Shepard is a "divorced mother trying to balance caring for her two boys with her demanding job as a homicide detective."
If that premise sounds predictable, then you won't be thrilled with the rest of the cast, including a grumpy yet protective boss (Miguel Ferrer), a hunky police co-worker (Terrel Tilford) and a brother who is well-meaning, but battling an unidentified addiction (Chris Payne Gilbert).

I wanted to like The Protector, I really did. I'm a fan of Walker's work, and the fact that I'm tempted to watch next week's episode is a testiment to her skills. But everything around her is predictable and trite, from her interaction with fellow police detectives to the relationship with her children. Even the murder mystery was quickly solved by anyone who had watched more than an episode or two of Murder, She Wrote.
Maybe this level of believability is what viewers at Lifetime are looking for in a police drama. But The Protectormakes Rizzoli And Isles look like Shakespeare. And that is not a good thing.
Given that shows do evolve and improve throughout the season, I'll keep checking back in every few weeks to see if The Protector has improved. But as things stand now, all I can say is that if you're a fan of Ally Walker, you'll be able to tolerateThe Protector.

Beerfest Asia 2011

Beerfest Asia 2011

- A wide variety of fine ales will be available to sample at Beerfest Asia in Singapore later this month.

Fans of the alcoholic drink are set to be spoilt for choice as the continent's top breweries share their products and engage in conversation with customers from June 16th to 19th.

The organisers are expecting about 30,000 people to attend this year's edition, which will be the third in its short history.

On the event's official website, they stated: "Visitors get to enjoy over 250 different beers from all over the world at affordable prices from as low as S$3 (£1.50) under three marquees."

In addition to the vast selection of drinks to try out, there will be food stalls and a number of party games organised.

Beerfest Asia is open to the public from 18:00 to 02:00 local time daily, except for the final day when it will be accessible between 12:00 and 21:00.

A standard one-day pass costs between S$32 and S$37 and includes two free beers. A four-day ticket is priced at S$50.

The Asia Brewers' Conference for trade professionals will take place on the first day from 16:00 to 18:00.

Beer connoisseurs heading to the festival can find a wide range of Singapore hotels at AsiaRooms.com, includingThe Fragrance Hotel.

Find out more details about the event at www.beerfestasia.com.

ForestStory

Illustrations by Rudolf Mates for A Forest Story by Josef Kozisek (Czechoslovakia, 1929)

Rudolf Mates (1881 - 1966) was a school teacher and illustrator. A Forest Story and its close companion The Magic Flutes(1929, Longmans) appear to have been well-received in the US. (I'm not sure of the exact dates of the Czech editions.) There's an overview of Mates' life and work in Czech [Google English trans.].

This book's intense lithographed colors successfully mimic the appearance of pochoir handcoloring. My scans can't do justice to the super-saturated colors achieved by the Czech printers. (My scans also do not show the decorative, full-bleed border on each page.)

Le Concert

FIVE South Korean pop bands held their first concert in Paris on Friday, making a successful debut on the European stage in front of more than 7,000 eager fans.
Popular acts TVXQ, Girls' Generation, Super Junior, SHINee and f(x) put on a three-hour performance at Le Zenith de Paris concert hall, singing a total of 44 songs for the fans, who had come from all parts of Europe, including France, Spain, Italy and Poland.
About 100 teenage fans spent the night outside the concert hall on Thursday, while more than 1,000 people crowded outside the hall five hours prior to the start of the show. Even rain was not enough to drive away fans who stood waiting for the concert to start as they sang Korean pop songs and danced to their music.
'I started liking K-pop because of my daughters,' said a father, who had come with his two teenage girls, one of whom had injured her leg in a recent accident. 'I like Super Junior. They dress well without being too flashy.'

The pop groups took the hall by storm as they sang and danced for the cheering and screaming of fans. The show's organisers estimated that only about 2 per cent of the audience were Koreans. 'The singers and fans came together as one and made today's show a successful debut performance (in Europe),' one of the organisers said after the concert.
The pop bands' Seoul-based agency, S.M. Entertainment, initially scheduled only one show for Friday, but later added another show for Saturday after tickets for the first concert sold out in 15 minutes. Hundreds of French fans rallied in front of the Louvre Museum to demand an extra show.

Funniest Condom Commercial Ever

Just as any health care worker can tell you there's no such thing as 100 percent "safe" sex, every Facebook user should know there's no such thing as "safe" clicking. And if abstinence is not an option for you on either of these activities, the best you can do is educate yourself on possible risks. How appropriate then is the Facebook scam du jour, "The World Funniest Condom Commercial — LOL" currently infecting Facebook profiles all over the social network.
"The messages are spreading through a clickjacking scam (sometimes known as likejacking) which means that users do not realize that they are invisibly pressing that they 'Like' the video when they try to play it," Sophos reports. Appropriately enough, "the scam appears to be being perpetrated by the same gang who have been successfully spreading a "Baby born amazing effect" scam over the last several days."
Clickjacking is one of the ways spam is spread around Facebook. Clickjackers trick you into accessing links and/or "Like" buttons by hiding the code underneath content that piques your interest — such as "OMG! CNN CONFIRMS OSAMA BIN LADEN ALIVE" or that video of that thing Justin Bieber did to that girl that "YOU WON'T BELIEVE!"
As with most clickjacking spam, the "The World Funniest Condom Commercial — LOL" offers multiple tip-offs, such as the apostrophe "s" missing at the end of "World," the use of "LOL," and the use of sex as bait. Note: Most spam scams on Facebook cover three no-fail topics: Sex, death and Justin Bieber.
Fail to pick up on these clues and click to see "The World Funniest Condom Commercial — LOL" and you've also inadvertently "Liked" the link, spreading it to your now-annoyed Facebook friends and family. Unlike many spam scams on Facebook however, you are rewarded with anArgentinian condom commercial, though you can see on YouTube right now without getting unfriended. And SPOILER ALERT! It is not the funniest condom comercial in the world. That would be this one.

As Sophos points out, Facebook recently announced security updates to help alert users to clickjacking scams via automatic prompts to confirm whether you actually want to "Like" what you're about to click, thus adding it to your Likes and Interests and spamming their friends. These updates haven't yet proved effective, and since scammers are always looking for away in, it's important to stay vigilant if you want to avoid annoying your friends.
In review, here are some things we can safely assume you won't see via Facebook: Osama bin Laden's corpse, that video of that thing Justin Bieber did to that girl or what happened when that girl's dad walked in on her, an app that reveals who has been looking at your profile or what you'll look like when you're old, and an authentic message from Facebook WRITTEN IN CAPS LOCK.

CCL Final

CCL Final

Celebrity Cricket League first edition was done and Chennai Rhinos stood out as the winners of first CCL tourney. Chennai team led by Suriya has been outstanding throughout the tournament and they have finally nailed down a strong team like Karnataka Bulldozers in the final.

In the CCL final cricket match, Chennai Rhinos batted first and posted a total of 188/7 in 20 overs. Karnataka Bulldozers fell short of the target by 23 runs and were bundled out for 165. Chennai like their IPL team has been strong and grounded all the time. Their crowd has given them immense support all the way.

Despite a few glitches here and there, first CCL cricket tournament is a very good hit and we can hope it will get better by the next edition. It would be nice if these teams play exhibition matches in between too.