BY BELINDA BREMNER
It’s official. Robert Altman is set to give Chicago’s waning film industry a boost this fall with his production of The Company. The film, which goes to production in October, is based on the lives of the Chicago Joffrey Ballet dancers and stars Neve Campbell and Malcolm McDowell.
Tenner Paskal will be casting the Altman opus as well as the Ben Kingsley/Jennifer Connelley picture The House of Sand and Fog. On the commercial front, they cast projects for Pepsi, Heinz and McDonalds. They booked Michael Bertrando, Hans Holsen, Jill Benjamin, Jennifer Bills, Tiffany Liveras, Steve Emily and Ross Frelick. Also Sarah Charipar and David Pompeii were booked for a Hoosier Lottery spot and Joe Canale, Linda Gillum, and Chris Agos were gainfully employed by North Community Bank.
The Clearing, co-produced by and starring Robert Redford, has been scouting here for a late fall shoot. That would be lovely. We also get a few days of Til Death Do Us Part starring Michael Douglas, and "ER" is coming to town.
Jane Alderman Casting cast Cedric Young, Noelle Bou-Sliman, Paul Grundy and Lori McLain for Amoco BP.
Catching up with Chicago Casting Company, we learn that they just completed casting five spots starring Joan Cusack for US Cellular. Principals included: Dana Green, Daniel Tater, Linara Washington, Sandra Delgado, Phil Ridarelli, David Saunders, Jeff Rogers, Phil Tang, Siobhann Sullivan, Simca Harris, Herman Wilkins, Barbara Williams, Corey Baker, Terrance Hardy, the ever-lovely Meg Thalkin, Kim Beavers, Chris Thometz, Kirk Jackson, Harry Edelman, Calvin McDowell, Felicia Fields, Seema Sueko, Jennifer Lui, Mike Leoffelholz, Becky Israel, David Pompeii, Joey Honsa, Cedric Young, Lacey Morgan, Tim Ballard, Fred Husar, Paul Popp, Tommy Lee Johnston, Rain Wilson and Eric Aviles.
Simon Casting is conducting a search for the Paramount film School of Rock, and casting the indy Belzer’s Science. They are also casting for Guys and Dolls and Indian Ink for Missouri Rep and Blues For An Alabama Sky for Indiana Rep.
You might want to go to the ice box and fix a hearty snack before plowing through the bookings from Lily’s. This may take a while. Commercials went to: Peter Calandra, Lamzell Harper, Christina Hemphill, Antoine Williams, Eric Jenkins, Corey Baker, Joey Pelliccioni, Bernard Mixon, Dan Lougheed, Jennifer Perry, Joesph Glorioso, Heather O’Brien, Cindy Chang, that cute Valerie Dorizas, Keith Davis, Susan Coolidge, Mia Park, David Zarbook, Andre Andropolis, DK Sweeney, Mary Chaisson, Audrey Allen, Mandy Carlson, Jeff Min, Tom Daugherty, Robbie Godshaw, Connie Colvin, Darrian Eason, Paul Quaintance, Allen Alvarado, Fiona Brogni, Vola Frohman, Elizabeth Arceneaux, Thomas Flanigan, Nate Noggle, Mike Shreeman, Franklin Jones and James Chisem. Voice-overs went to: Val Glowinski, Elizabeth Zoller, Danny Sepiol and Dan Lougheed. Wesley Chu, Amy Joob and Alva Loomis were booked for a SAG independent film. Television bookings went to: Brandon Su, Claudia Blancas and Danielle Goodman. And industrials went to: Elizabeth Arceneaux, Roger Anderson, JJ Pido, Taylar, Jermaine Randle, Michael Boone, Joe Ramirez, Vanessa Gor, Robbie Evans, Brandon Sub, Danielle Bryan, Lee Fuller, Amelia Cunningham, Mike Shreeman, Susan Yoo, Carlos, Sarah Sexton, Ricky Staub, Barth Bennett, Gabrielle Green, Claudia Casaletto, Brianne Carden, Parvesh Cheens (who manages to be in three places at the same time), Ana Maria Alvarez and Bradley Gabbert. Phew! Teach me to take a vacation.
Miss Molly Kidder, a winsome Stewart Talent exclusive and recent graduate of Connecticut College, is delighting audiences on the other side of the big pond. She and five colleagues from Connecticut College are wowing everyone at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with their production of Jumpers, an original drama that deals with the aftermath of 9/11. The play, set in a fictional future when the draft is reinstated, has been chosen as one of the top three picks of the festival by The Scotsman and won a four star review from The London Times. Hoot lassie, lang may yer lem reek! Who knows where the talented, charming red-headed miss will land next.
To spy other young local heroes, hie ourselves to Piper’s Alley Theatre on September 13 for the opening of Liar’s Club, co-written, produced and featuring Johnny Clarke. Also featured are the talents of Amy Jo Johnson, Bob Marley, Jason Shaw, John McDermott and Elisa Donavan. It was the official selection of the 2001 Rhode Island International Film Festival. Trailers will be popping up at Webster Place, the Esquire and Piper’s Alley very soon. If the Chicago audience proves impressive, this indy will move on to screens in other cities. Let’s demonstrate some of the famous Chicago "I Can(nes)" moxy.
And the Chicago-based Artisan film Children on Their Birthdays, based on the work of Truman Capote, opens August 23. Barber Shop opens on September 13, and there are already rumors of a Barber Shop II.
Finally, we would like to send a warm welcome to a young and handsome William Mark Richardson, born August 1. He joins sister Claire (8) and brother Jack (5) to the delight of his parents–super-agent mom Amie Richardson (of Linda Jack Talent) and papa Rod Richardson. Not to be outdone in the delirium stakes are grandparents, Grande dame of the Chicago stage Jane Galloway Heitz and Bill Heitz. Master William Mark made his debut at an impressive 8 pounds 10 ounces and is, may I say from personal sighting, one cute little baby. Welcome to the world. Years of bliss to one and all.
Peace.