BY BELINDA BREMNER
The latest piece of cheerful news came from Claire Simon, who confirmed that Chicago’s one-and-only Alexandra Billings has been signed for the ABC pilot "Romy and Michelle." She’ll be a series regular if the show gets picked up. This all happened through the good offices of Claire Simon and Billings’ agent Peter Forester of Arlene Wilson. Congratulations to all and to the network for, first, writing a transgender character and, more importantly, actually hiring a transgender actor to play her.
It’s good to see film trucks and honey wagons around town again. The Company has begun shooting and the indy project Bad Meat is set to go. "ER" is due back in late-October. And we’ll be getting a piece of the new ABC Family Channel series "My Life as a Sitcom" filming here in November. The BBC will be coming in to shoot two docu-features, Oct. 8-18. "Songs of Praise" will cover church music, and the other film focuses on the splendid work done at Children’s Memorial Hospital.
More good news on the film front. Things look very good for Tom Rosenberg and his Lakeshore Entertainment feature Wicker Park for Paramount. There is scouting for a spring shoot. Yes, it does sound like a lead pipe cinch for filming in Chicago, but let us never forget that someone thought it was a great idea to film Blues Brothers II in Canada.
Speaking of which–in case you were wondering when I was going to climb back on this hobbyhorse–what have you done lately about stemming the tide of runaway production? Your elected officials are just dying to hear from you about pushing through legislation to get the film work back here where it belongs. AFTRA/SAG and the Illinois Film Office are happy to provide information on who to harass.
Yup, it’s Tenner Paskal casting The Company for Robert Altman. The castings will be coming in steadily now. We’ll start off with Barbara Robertson, Brad Armacost, Sarah Wellington, Tonray Ho, Phil Ridarelli and Meg Thalken. More to come.
And what else is happening over there on Hubbard? They are searching for two kids for the film version of "The Series of Unfortunate Events." Other projects include commercials for Secret deodorant with Megan McDonough, John Librizzi and Michael Guido and Simon Malls with Jennie Moreau, Lisa Keefe, Mindy Bell, Tonray Ho and Jackie Arthur
Simon Casting will be casting the SAG independent film Bad Meat. Hurrah! It is by the editor of The Onion, which gives you some idea of what to expect. And they are casting lots of commercials. Among the projects are spots for Discover card and Temik Herbicide.
The "civilian" guys cast by Chicago Casting Company for "The Big Choice" dating show are being flown out to California.
And Renaissance Woman Jane Alderman–who will be casting for "ER" and The Game of Their Lives for Crusader Films–has written a play! Who knew? Her play, Dreams of Black Men has been accepted by the Women’s Performance Art Festival and will be performed Oct. 25 at Links Hall, 3435 North Sheffield. For festival tickets, call 773/281-0824.
News from Lily’s: Philip Earhaart booked an independent film and Patrick Sarb had a voice-over. Commercials went to Callen Vais, Megan J. Stewart, Kirk Cribb, Paul Quaintance, Roddy Chiong, Parvesh Cheena, Andre Andropolis, Susan Yoo, Ray Thompson, Steve Scholz, Kirsten Kingsley, Susan Coolidge, Mary Chaisson, Jack Mountain, Roger Anderson, Steve Darnell, Natalia Debiasi, Jim Gossb, Charin Alvarez, Kevin Lingle, Glenn Fahlstrom, Gerald McQuirter, Joe Ryan, Jack Bronis, Craig Thompson and Albena Dodeva,
Peace.