HBO bows out of 'Ruined' screen adaptation

 
HBO has bowed out of "Ruined," the planned screen adaptation of the acclaimed play by Lynn Nottage. The drama, set in a brothel in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, had been a joint project of   HBO Films and Harpo Films, Oprah Winfrey's production company.

A spokeswoman at HBO said that it has passed on the project and that it is no longer in development there.

"Ruined" won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 2009. The play follows the interactions between the workers of a brothel and male visitors who stop by to drink, talk and more. The drama has received productions at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, the Manhattan Theatre Club in New York and the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.

A spokesman for Harpo declined to comment when asked if the company is still actively working on the project. Nottage had been working on an adaptation of her play for the screen.

HBO has a track record of adapting award-winning plays for television, including Tony Kushner's "Angels in America," Margaret Edson's "Wit" and Donald Margulies' "Dinner with Friends."

RELATED:

Theater review: 'Ruined' at Geffen Playhouse

A sense of caring unites actresses in Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer-winning play

Lynn Nottage working on 'Ruined' screenplay for Oprah Winfrey, HBO Films

-- David Ng

Photo:  A scene from "Ruined," at the Geffen Playhouse in 2010. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

Arts on TV: Julius Shulman; Billy Childs Jazz Chamber Ensemble

Movie: “Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman” (2008) 6 and 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sundance: Narrated by Dustin Hoffman. Photographer Julius Shulman helps bring architecture's Modernist movement to the forefront and collaborates with architect Richard Neutra and others on many important projects.

“SoCal Insider With Rick Reiff” 1 p.m. Thursday; 7 p.m. Friday; 11:30 a.m. Sunday, KOCE; noon Wednesday, KOCE: Opera legend Placido Domingo. 

“Exploring the Arts With Gloria Greer” 6:30 p.m. Thursday, KVCR: Jackie Autry's Private Collection.

“Open Call” 9 p.m. Thursday, KCET: Colburn School Orchestra. Hosted by mezzo-soprano opera singer Suzanna Guzman.

“Orchestra Kids 2011” 10:30 p.m. Thursday, KCET: Behind the scenes with the All Schools Elementary Honor Orchestra as it prepares for its annual concert in renowned Schoenberg Concert Hall in UCLA.

“SoCal Connected” 9 p.m. Friday; 6 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, KCET: Herbie Hancock: All That's Jazz: Correspondent Michael Okwu shares what it was like to spend time with jazz artist Herbie Hancock.

“Santa Monica On Stage” 8 p.m. Friday, City TV Channel 16, Santa Monica: Barbara Bain ("Why We Have A Body"). Writer Rex Pickett and director Amelia Mulkey ("Sideways, The Play").

“Art in the Twenty-First Century” 10 p.m. Friday, KOCE: Change: Artists Ai Weiwei, El Anatsui and Catherine Opie. (Season Premiere)

“Dudu Fisher: In Concert From Israel” 1:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday; 8 p.m. Wednesday, KCET: Dudu Fisher performs Broadway tunes and Israeli songs. 

“Laguna Beach Live Presents: Billy Childs Jazz Chamber Ensemble With Calder Quartet” 11 p.m. Saturday, KOCE: The Jazz Chamber Ensemble is a synthesis of jazz and classical chamber music.

“My Generation” 10 p.m. Monday, KLCS: Opera singer Denyce Graves; Cheech Marin.

“Independent Lens” 11 p.m. Sunday, KOCE: When the Drum Is Beating: Haiti's past and present is explored through the music of the country's oldest and best-known band.

“Grand Canyon Serenade” 5 a.m. Tuesday, KVCR: A visual tour of the Grand Canyon is set to classical music by Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Dvorak.

-- Compiled by Ed Stockly

Photo: Billy Childs. Credit: Javiera Estrada 

CBS tours Cedars-Sinai's unexpected collection of modern art

Los Angeles has plenty of artistic fare to choose from, but one of the surprising parts of this metropolis is just where the art might be hanging.

On a Sunday morning CBS broadcast, news correspondent Bill Whitaker takes a tour through the 1,000 pieces of modern art on display at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The hospital is the unexpected home to one of L.A.'s most extensive contemporary art collections featuring work by such notable names as Robert Rauschenberg, Claes Oldenburg, Frank Stella and Andy Warhol.

“We’re trying to create an environment conducive to healing,” John T. Lange, curator of the collection, tells Whitaker. “So all of the work that's on the walls is for the patients, for the visitors, for the staff.  The idea is to give them a pleasant distraction, to uplift their spirit.”

The report also features doctors and patients discussing the ways artworks can complement the healing process.  

NBC's 'Smash' could transition from TV to stage

Could a TV show about Broadway actually end up on Broadway? NBC's musical drama "Smash" is at least setting the stage for a potential New York run.

Our sister blog Company Town reports that before the scripted series about cutthroat theater life premiered on prime time, the network secured rights for a Broadway version.

"Smash," a longtime passion project between NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt and Steven Spielberg, boasts a cast of producers and other behind-the-scenes creatives with theater backgrounds, starting with the series creator, playwright Theresa Rebeck.

Tony Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman were tapped to write the original score for “Bombshell," the fake musical featured in the series. They retain certain rights to the music that could carry over into a Broadway show. 

So far, "Smash,” which NBC recently renewed for a second season, has racked up a 15-song soundtrack. Still, the onstage musical isn't the show's focus.

"Since our creative team has been writing songs and snippets of 'Bombshell' scenes only to tell the stories of our characters in 'Smash,' there is no fully realized 'Bombshell,'" Greenblatt wrote Thursday in an email to The Times. 

Greenblatt has theatrical credits of his own: In 2008, while at Showtime, Greenblatt produced "9 to 5: The Musical," which made its way from Los Angeles to the Great White Way. But for now, Greenblatt says he's focusing on his day job.

"I am working full time at NBC and it wouldn't make sense for me to be a producer," Greenblatt told The Times, adding that, "Maybe I could produce 'Bombshell' when I'm long gone from NBC, which would be about the time that [a Broadway project] would come to fruition."

RELATED:

Could NBC's "Smash" get a ticket to Broadway?

"Smash" will return, but showrunner Theresa Rebeck departs

"Smash:" Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman want to make viewers hum

-- Jamie Wetherbe

Image: A poster for "Smash." Credit: NBC

Arts on TV: Renee Fleming; Getty Museum gardens; Suzanna Guzman

“Soulful Symphony With Darin Atwater: Song in a Strange Land” Noon Thursday, KCET: Darin Atwater conducts an 85-member orchestra in compositions exhibiting styles ranging through gospel, jazz and symphonic music.

“Open Call” 9 p.m. Thursday, KCET: "USC First Look": Hosted by mezzo-soprano opera singer Suzanna Guzman; looks at four films from USC's First Look film festival.

“Independent Lens” 9 p.m. Thursday and 9 p.m. Monday, KOCE: "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey": Kevin Clash, the man behind Elmo.

“Dudu Fisher: In Concert From Israel” Noon Friday, KCET: Dudu Fisher performs Broadway tunes and Israeli songs.

“Live From Lincoln Center” 10 p.m. Friday, KOCE: "Renée Fleming at the Penthouse": Soprano Renée Fleming's performance features “Knoxville: Summer of 1915” and songs from “Dark Hope.” With Josh Groban.

“The Victory Garden” 9:30 a.m. Saturday, KLCS; 2:30 p.m. Saturday, KVCR: "Easy: The Getty Museum."

“Rick Steves' Europe” 2:30 p.m. Saturday, KOCE: "Florence: City of Art": Florence, Italy; Michelangelo's “David”; Botticelli's “Venus”; Uffizi art gallery; perfumery; Vespa; converted monastery.

“Great Performances” 9 p.m. Saturday, KOCE: "Hugh Laurie: Let Them Talk -- A Celebration of New Orleans Blues": Hugh Laurie performs New Orleans blues and jazz with Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas and Tom Jones.

“Chris Botti in Boston, Part II” 11:30 p.m. Saturday, KOCE: A continuation of the trumpeter's performance with the Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart includes guests Sting, Steven Tyler, Josh Groban and Yo-Yo Ma.

“American Masters” 11 p.m. Sunday, KOCE: "Hey, Boo: Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird": A documentary about Pulitzer Prize-winning author Harper Lee, who never published again after “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“Rick Steves' Europe” Midnight Monday, KCET: "Rome: Baroque, After Dark": A tour of Rome includes a pilgrimage to Michelangelo's Pieta, St. Peter's Basilica and the Borghese Gallery.

“Glee: Don't Stop Believing” 6 and 10 p.m. Tuesday, Biography: The stars of “Glee” perform for their auditions and exhibit how they found their way to the small screen.

-- Compiled by Ed Stockly

Photo: "Open Call's" Suzanna Guzman. Credit KCET

Arts on TV: San Francisco Symphony; 'War Horse'; Dudu Fisher

“Globe Trekker” 1:30 p.m. Thursday, KCET: Amsterdam City Guide 2 : The Rijksmuseum boasts a collection of paintings by the Dutch masters; Van Gogh Museum; Anne Frank House; gay parade.

“Exploring the Arts With Gloria Greer” 6:30 p.m. Thursday, KVCR: Michael H. Lord Gallery.

“Open Call” 9 p.m. Thursday, KCET: The Colburn Orchestra.  

“Late Show With David Letterman” 11:35 p.m. Thursday, CBS: A performance from Broadway's “Once.”

“Great Performances” 9 p.m. Friday, KOCE: San Francisco Symphony at 100: Amy Tan hosts the San Francisco Symphony's centennial celebration. Special guests include Itzhak Perlman and Lang Lang.

“Live From the Artists Den” 10 p.m. Friday, KLCS: Grammy nominee Death Cab for Cutie performs at the Brooklyn Museum.

“Making 'War Horse'” 1, 5:30, 8 and 11 p.m. Saturday, KOCE; 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday, KOCE: : Behind the scenes of the National Theatre of Britain's stage production of “War Horse.”

“Yanni — Live at El Morro” 4 p.m. Saturday, KOCE; noon Monday, KOCE:  Yanni performs with his 15-piece orchestra at El Morro, a 16th century citadel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  

 “Great Performances” noon Sunday, KOCE: "The Thomashefskys: Music and Memories of a Life in the Yiddish Theater": Michael Tilson Thomas, music director of the San Francisco Symphony, brings to life the words and music of the American Yiddish theater in a tribute to his grandparents, Bessie and Boris Thomashefsky. (N)
 
“Still” 9 p.m. Sunday, KLCS: Painter Clyfford Still was a leader of the Abstract Expressionist movement.  

“American Masters” 9 p.m. Monday, KOCE: Margaret Mitchell: American Rebel : Pulitzer Prize-winning author Margaret Mitchell endured depression and illness until her death in 1949.

“American Masters” 10 p.m. Monday, KOCE: "Hey, Boo: Harper Lee & 'To Kill a Mockingbird'": Pulitzer Prize-winning author Harper Lee never published again after “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“Rick Steves' Europe” 7 p.m. Tuesday, KCET: Lisbon and the Algarve : The best of Portugal features Lisbon's Fado singers and ornate architecture.

“Dudu Fisher: In Concert From Israel” 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, KCET: Singer Dudu Fisher performs Broadway tunes and Israeli songs.

— Compiled by Ed Stockly

Photo: Lang Lang in "Great Performances: San Francisco Symphony at 100." Credit: Detlef Schneider.

Arts on TV: Trans-Siberian Orchestra; André Rieu; Ramsey Lewis

“Open Call” 9 p.m. Thursday, KCET: Fine Cut Festival of Student Films: Hosted by mezzo-soprano opera singer Suzanna Guzman.

“The World's Greatest Musical Prodigies” 10 p.m. Thursday, KLCS: Alexander meets and auditions four pianists ages 8 to 12.

“André Rieu Presents: Live in Dublin” 9:30 p.m. Friday, KVCR: The conductor leads a performance of the Johann Strauss Orchestra at the Dublin Depot in Ireland. With guest John Sheahan.

“Andre Rieu Presents: Live in Maastricht” 11:15 p.m. Friday, KVCR: The violinist performs with the Johann Strauss Orchestra at Vrijthof Square in Maastricht, Netherlands.

“The Artist Toolbox” 8:30 p.m. Saturday, KLCS: Jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis.

“Land of the Dragon” 3:30 p.m. Sunday, KCET: Painting and Calligraphy: Chinese brush painting; calligraphy.

“Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Birth of Rock Theater” Midnight Sunday, KVCR: Paul O'Neill outlines the past, present and future of the orchestra.

“Rick Steves' Europe” 7 p.m. Monday, KCET: Paris: Eiffel Tower; Orsay Gallery; French cuisine; Paris history.

“Globe Trekker” 10 p.m. Tuesday, KCET: Amsterdam City Guide 2: The Rijksmuseum boasts a collection of paintings by the Dutch masters; Van Gogh Museum; Anne Frank House; Gay Parade.

“Passport to Europe With Samantha Brown” 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Travel:  The London Eye; Indian cuisine; Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.

-- Compiled by Ed Stockly

 Photo: "Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Birth of Rock Theater" Credit: Mark Weiss / PBS 

Arts on TV: Chris Botti; Ann Hobson Pilot; Idina Menzel

“Exploring the Arts With Gloria Greer” 6:30 p.m. Thursday, KVCR: Jackie Autry's Private Collection: The veteran journalist chats with art experts in Palm Springs.

“Chris Botti in Boston, Part II” 7 and 11 p.m. Thursday, KOCE: A continuation of the trumpeter's performance with the Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart includes guests Sting, Steven Tyler, Josh Groban and Yo-Yo Ma.

“Open Call” 9 p.m. Thursday, KCET: Live at the Ford-Angel City Jazz Festival.

“L.A. Tonight with Roy Firestone” 10 p.m. Thursday, KCET: Chris Botti. 

“Celtic Woman -- Believe” 9:30 p.m. Friday, KVCR: Classic Irish songs, pop anthems and inspirational songs; from the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.

“L.A. Tonight with Roy Firestone” 10 p.m. Friday, KCET: Steve Tyrell. 

“Inside” 6 p.m. Saturday, KSCI: The Emperor's Treasure: Taiwan's National Palace Museum houses an art collection of more than 600,000 objects that gives a new perspective on China's cultural history.

“Smart Travels: Pacific Rim With Rudy Maxa” 6:30 p.m. Saturday, KLCS: Chinatown and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco; Alcatraz Island; Napa Valley wine country; vegetarian food; wine tasting.

“The Artist Toolbox” 8:30 p.m. Saturday, KLCS: Chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud discusses the art of French cooking and running his business.

“Clannad Live at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin” 9 a.m. Sunday, KVCR: The five original founding members of the family group Clannad mark the band's 40th anniversary with a performance in Dublin. With Anúna and Brian Kennedy.

“Great Performances” 6 p.m. Sunday, KOCE; 7 p.m. KVCR: Tony Bennett sings his greatest hits with contemporary artists. Performers include Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Norah Jones, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood and Willie Nelson.

Movie: “Rembrandt” (1936) 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, TCM: Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester. Alexander Korda's fact-based account of the later years in the life of the great 17th-century Dutch artist.

“The Wendy Williams Show” 11 a.m. Tuesday, Fox; midnight, Tue./Wed. BET: Audra McDonald.

Movie: “Lust for Life” (1956) 1 p.m. Tuesday, TCM: Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn. Tormented Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh meets French painter Paul Gauguin.

“The Wendy Williams Show” 2 p.m. Tuesday, Fox: Nick Jonas; Ruben Studdard performs.

“L.A. Tonight With Roy Firestone” 10 p.m. Tuesday, KCET: Debbie Allen.

“A Harpist's Legacy: Ann Hobson Pilot and the Sound of Change” 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, KCET: The life and career of Ann Hobson Pilot, former principal harpist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

“L.A. Tonight with Roy Firestone” 10 p.m. Wednesday, KCET: David Foster. 

“Idina Menzel Live -- Barefoot at the Symphony” Midnight Wednesday, KVCR: Menzel performs Broadway classics, her own selections and contemporary songs with Taye Diggs and composer Marvin Hamlisch.

-- Compiled by Ed Stockly

 Photo: Idina Menzel. Credit: Robin Wong / PBS

Arts on TV: Placido Domingo; Oscar Hammerstein; Il Volo; 'Phantom'

"Open Call" 9 p.m. Thursday, KCET: Kenny Burrell 

"SoCal Insider With Rick Reiff" 7:30 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m., Sunday, KOCE: "Greatest Living Tenor": Interview with opera legend Placido Domingo.

"The World's Greatest Musical Prodigies" 8 p.m. Friday, KLCS: Alexander meets and auditions four pianists age 8 to 12.

"Great Performances" 8:30 p.m. Friday; 12:30 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m., Wednesday, KOCE: "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Royal Albert Hall : Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess star in a fully-staged production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera," from London's Royal Albert Hall.

"Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" 12:37 a.m. Friday, NBC: Actor Paul Rudd; actress Gabrielle Union; performance from "Sister Act."

"The Voice" 4 p.m. Saturday, E!: The Blind Auditions, Part 5 : More vocalists audition for the judges. (Part 5 of 5)

"Il Volo Takes Flight" 5:30 p.m. Saturday, KOCE: The Italian teen vocal group performs classical and traditional Italian songs at the Detroit Opera House.

"The Artist Toolbox" 8:30 p.m. Saturday, KLCS: American Ballet Theatre principal dancers Irina Dvorovenko and Maxim Beloserkovsky discuss the rigors of being a professional dancer.

"Yanni -- Live at El Morro" 9 p.m. Saturday, KOCE: Yanni performs with his 15-piece orchestra at El Morro, a 16th-century citadel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"Oscar Hammerstein II -- Out of My Dreams" 7 p.m. Sunday, KOCE; 8:30 p.m. Sunday, KVCR: Lyricist and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II worked in theater for more than 40 years, writing lyrics to more than 1,000 songs and the books of 45 operettas and musicals.

"Idina Menzel Live -- Barefoot at the Symphony" 8:30 p.m. Sunday, KOCE: Menzel performs Broadway classics, her own selections and contemporary songs with Taye Diggs and composer Marvin Hamlisch.

RELATED:

"Oscar Hammerstein II: Out of My Dreams" details Broadway pioneer

-- Compiled by Ed Stockly

Photo: "The Phantom of the Opera" stars Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom. Credit: Alastair Muir

Stephen Colbert sings 'Porgy and Bess' duet with Audra McDonald

Stephen Colbert isn't a TV host who lets his celebrity guests get all the attention. In true spotlight-hogging fashion, the Comedy Central satirist joins in whenever he can, having sung, danced and even created art with his on-air invitees.

On Monday's show, Colbert joined with singer/actress Audra McDonald to perform the song "Summertime" from "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess," currently on Broadway. McDonald, a four-time Tony Award winner, plays Bess in the production that originated last year at the American Repertory Theatre in Massachusetts before transferring to the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York.

Before they sang, McDonald noted an interview with Colbert that the character of Bess is referred to in the musical as a "liquor guzzlin' slut." The actress added that Bess would no doubt appeal to conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who is under fire for using the same epithet to describe activist Sandra Fluke.

Colbert had devoted a significant portion of Monday's show to the Limbaugh flap, presenting footage and sound bites of the commentator's use of the word.

The revival of "Porgy and Bess" on Broadway was the subject of some controversy when composer Stephen Sondheim criticized the revisions undertaken by the production's creative team. (Sondheim himself was a past guest on "The Colbert Report.")

Colbert and McDonald previously appeared together at the most recent Kennedy Center Honors in Washington. She was also a regular on ABC's "Private Practice" and can be seen in the movie "Rampart," in which she has a brief role as a woman who befriends Woody Harrelson's corrupt, racist cop in a bar.

Here is video of Monday's broadcast featuring McDonald and Colbert performing "Summertime."