`RAGTIME' PRODUCER'S BIG PLANS.Byline: Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith The spectacular ``Ragtime ragtime: see jazz. ragtime U.S. popular music of the late 19th and early 20th centuries distinguished by its heavily syncopated rhythm. Ragtime found its characteristic expression in formally structured piano compositions, the accented left-hand ,'' which is drawing some rave reviews as it starts its L.A. run, boasts a cast of 59 - one of the largest in theater history - and cost $10 million to mount. ``Petty cash Petty Cash The small amount of cash and coins that an organization uses for minor purchases and providing change to customers. Notes: Petty cash is typically used by merchandising companies or small stores that are required to make change for customer purchases. - compared to $200 million movies,'' sniffs producer Garth Drabinsky. But how can the potential of a stage play compare to that of a movie - which can be shown on thousands of screens at the same time? Drabinsky's here to tell us films pale by comparison. He was the producer of ``Phantom of the Opera'' in Canada and, he says, ``In Canada alone, `Phantom' grossed $600 million.'' He adds that his outstanding revival of ``Showboat'' has grossed between $650 million and $700 million in North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. . According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. him, ``A hot show can gross $40 million a year with just one production. With four companies, well, figure it out.'' While ``Ragtime'' settles into its L.A. run - and the Toronto company of the lavish, sweeping musical prepares to move with it to Broadway in late December - Drabinsky moves ahead with other grand plans. They include a ``Seussical'' based on the Dr. Seuss Noun 1. Dr. Seuss - United States writer of children's books (1904-1991) Geisel, Theodor Seuss Geisel books, and a stage musical about Leo Frank For other persons named Leo Frank, see Leo Frank (disambiguation). Leo Max Frank (April 17, 1884 – August 17, 1915) was an American Jew, whose lynching by a mob of prominent citizens in Marietta, Georgia, in 1915 turned the spotlight on anti-Semitism in the United States , a Jewish factory manager who was lynched by the Ku Klux Klan Ku Klux Klan (k  ' klŭks klăn), designation mainly given to two distinct secret societies that played a part in American history, although other less important groups have also used in 1915. He's having readings of
the latter in New York New York, state, United StatesNew York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of and intends to mount it next spring, likely in Toronto. Then he'll try it out for short runs in one or two U.S. cities before bringing it to Broadway in the fall of '98. Like ``Ragtime,'' which is set in turn-of-the-century New York, the Frank story will ``try to open the pores of society and engage the audience in a rigorous debate on the ills that still plague us today.'' Hey, it certainly works with ``Ragtime.'' The industry eye ``Mod Squad, the Movie'' will go before the cameras in August for MGM MGM in full Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. U.S. corporation and film studio. It was formed when the film distributor Marcus Loew, who bought Metro Pictures in 1920, merged it with the Goldwyn production company in 1924 and with Louis B. Mayer Pictures in 1925. and Spelling Films - if script rewrites are successful and casting can be completed by then. Producer Aaron Spelling tells us that, if all works out, Clarence Williams III Clarence Williams III (born August 21, 1939) is an American actor. His first major acting role was as "Linc Hayes" on Aaron Spelling's The Mod Squad. He has guest starred in television shows such as Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice, will return to his role as Lincoln Hayes, this time taking on the duties of boss of the young undercover Squad. Spelling reports that three fresh names, ``an African-American kid, a white kid and a white girl,'' are being sought for the new Squad. The vintage TV series Squad consisted of Williams, Peggy Lipton Peggy Lipton, also known as Peggy Lipton Jones (born August 30, 1946) is an American actress and socialite. She is best known for her portrayal of hip young detective Julie Barnes in the late 1960s early 1970s television show The Mod Squad and Michael Cole. ``Old series never die, they come back as movies,'' says Spelling. Among the many: ``My Three Sons,'' plus Aaron's ``Love Boat, the Movie.'' He also reports that Columbia is making a big-screen version of his old ``Charlie's Angels'' hit. Tricky business Cheap Trick expects to be out touring in connection with its latest self-titled album into 1998. That includes a stint in Europe, the first time in years the band has done a concert trek of the Continent. ``Our last manager ignored Europe, which was one of the first places we were successful,'' notes guitarist/songwriter Rick Nielsen. He adds, ``Hey, I admit it, it was more our fault than our manager's. We didn't have to listen to him. You don't pay attention, you lose a few years, a few brain cells along the way.'' Nielsen reports that Cheap Trick ``changed managers last year, cleaned house a little bit.'' Whatever accounts for it, the Cheap guys - who'll appear on Letterman's ``The Late Show'' July 2 - certainly seem reinvigorated. The album has been faring well, and Nielsen notes it's netted ``very good reviews. It's interesting. Unlike some of the reviewers of yesteryear yes·ter·year n. 1. The year before the present year. 2. Time past; yore. yes , today's critics actually seem to have listened to the album. They've written about the songs on the album. Sometimes it used to be: `Cheap Trick, yes or no? No.' Those kind of reviews.'' Taking a breather After doing four back-to-back films, Gene Hackman has decided to take a break. The Oscar-winning actor recently wrapped ``The Magic Hour'' with Paul Newman, Susan Sarandon and James Garner, and is now back in Santa Fe, N.M., with his wife, Bessie. Says his rep. ``He's painting and doing a new house. ... He loves building and refurbishing homes.'' Gentleman, start your X-rays Keith Carradine is getting ready to lens the Showtime movie/series pilot ``Fast Track.'' The vehicle has Keith as an orthopedic surgeon - and an avid auto racing buff - who takes on the job of running a race track's clinic. Super-talented writer/filmmaker Larry Gelbart is among the forces behind the project. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1) Garth Drabinsky Theater titan (2) Aaron Spelling ``Mod Squad, The Movie'' |
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