BY BELINDA BREMNER
Very soon now, the cameras will start rolling for Barber Shop II. That’s great. Even better would be if we had some big fat films all set to follow—or better yet, shoot simultaneously. We do get one whole day of Shall We Dance. I guess Vancouver doesn’t have a 'L’ yet. Sadly, Game of Their Lives is shooting only in St. Louis (though Jane Alderman did the casting here).
But keep your fingers crossed on a fall date with Proof starring Gwyneth Paltrow and directed by John Madden. It’s a “definite maybe.” Spikes is waiting for the green light and rumor has it that the Bad Meat folks may be back.
There is some small indy action with our own Juan Ramirez. He just finished Israel in Exile and is starting his newest film, Blank Verse.
As promised, here is the first wave of Game of Their Lives bookings, courtesy of Jane Alderman. Booked are Marilyn Dodds Frank, Mike Nussbaum and Mike Bacarella.
And Tenner, Paskal, Rudnicke has just completed casting on Mr. 3000. The fellas booked for that include: Chris Stolte, Chris Marrs, J. David Ruby, Rich Komenich, Phil Riderelli, Jeff Stern, Bob Still, Greg Bond, Travis Kerber, John Judd, Matt de Caro, Scott Benjamin and John Connelly. The office also booked Stephanie Averill for a Sears Slice pro spot and Sia Moody, Max Gilles and Alexander Bass for a Sears Wrench ad. For the “PGA Show“ they booked Justin Reynolds, Maestro Harrell, Ethan Nyman and Pippa Soo. They are currently working on two indies—Grand Theft and Sand Castles.
Tina O’Brien and Janet Louer are casting for Milwaukee Rep and “Total Request Live.”
Also working on theatre gigs is Claire Simon Casting. Having booked an almost-all-Chicago cast for Indiana rep’s Arcadia, they are now casting for Night of the Iguana at the Guthrie and The Credeaux Canvas at Madison Rep. They are in the midst of a huge Carson’s commercial, as well as one for Sta-Bil. And they just booked two more episodes of “The Twilight Zone” with Doug James, Joe Forbrich, Rick Plastina, Chris Stolte, Meg Thalken, Rob Riley, Rick Peeples, Linda Reiter, Rich Komenich, Michelle Graff, Nicholas Rudall, Owen Yen, Maike Jacoby and Richard Shavzen.
And mark your calendars for July 26. At 7 p.m., there will be a great big party to celebrate long-time Chicago actor Dale Calandra, who has survived a serious illness and prolonged hospitalization but is now very much on the mend. His many friends want to help him out with the medical expenses by hosting a bash at the Pot Shop, 1224 Chicago, #101 in Evanston. If you can’t make it but want to help (and there, but for the grace of God, could be any of us), send a check (payable to Dale) to the above address.
And a wee reminder from the beleaguered staffs of the casting offices: PLEASE STAPLE YOUR RESUMES TO YOUR HEADSOTS BEFORE YOU ARRIVE. Purveying office supplies is not their number one priority. Also, don’t forget to book out with your agent(s) before heading to the beach, woods, or mountains.
That’s it for now. Peace.