NPR mentions The Deuce as one of the best shows of 2017.
There are so many ways a TV show about the genesis of the porn industry could have gone wrong. But David Simon, creator of The Wire, brought his eye for authenticity to a surprisingly compelling story: how X-rated films moved from under-the-counter illegality to a multi-million-dollar business. James Franco got loads of attention playing twin brothers at the center of the prostitution and bar scene in 1970s-era Manhattan, but it’s Maggie Gyllenhaal’s work as a pimp-less streetwalker determined to become a porn director that gives the show its beating heart. — Eric
When the great crime novelist Megan Abbott signed up as a writer on this HBO series about the sex trade in 1970s Times Square, her immediate reaction to this sex worker, only being referred to in the script as “Thunder Thighs,” was “You need to give her a real name.” In a vacuum, this seems like one more anecdote about the obvious value of including women when you write about women, but it’s also key to what makes Ruby (Pernell Walker) the beating heart of “The Deuce.”…
…There are numerous other sex workers walking the stretch of 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues that gives the show its name, but Ruby embodies one of the series’ biggest themes: just how easy it is for the obvious fact of these women’s humanity, hopes, and dreams to get lost in the shuffle, once their bodies are part of the capitalist system. Without spoiling anything, the reason why the season finale is titled “My Name is Ruby” will, at the risk of sounding like Upworthy, break your heart.
Pernell Walker in “The Deuce,” Season 1, Episode 8, “My Name Is Ruby”
And
Roberta Colindrez in “I love Dick,” Season 1, Episode 5, “A Short History of Weird Girls”
Sometimes an episode title says it all. The Season 1 finale of “The Deuce” wasn’t a solo hour dedicated to Ruby (Pernell Walker), a prostitute who calls herself “Thunder Thighs” and had been struggling to compete with the new police-protected, mob-built brothels. Vincent (James Franco) and Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) played as big a role as ever, as did the rest of David Simon and George Pellecanos’ stellar ensemble.
But the ending brought it all together, and not just the episode arc about realities separated by class, but the season as a whole. “The Deuce” features quite a few graphic scenes of women being abused or taken advantage of, and it consistently drives home both why this keeps happening and how America institutionalizes discrimination. “My Name Is Ruby” forces the mirror back on its audience in compelling fashion. For a period piece with plenty of modern parallels, it’s easy to get caught up in the series’ relevance. The finale puts a human face on the issues. It gives them a name. And it’s a name that won’t soon be forgotten.
“I Love Dick,” as a series, had its fascinating moments, but Episode 5, “A Short History of Weird Girls,” was perhaps the most impactful installment overall. A series of vignettes spotlighting the show’s female energy serves as a complete breakout from the main series, but invokes the show’s fascination with legendary female artists. It pays tribute to creators who had come before while also developing the women of the series beyond (the always awesome) Kathryn Hahn. “A Short History of Weird Girls,” on its own, is a fascinating experiment. But it’s also a vital part of one of 2017’s most intriguing series.
Ars Nova, piece by piece productions, and Z Space have announced the world premiere of The Lucky Ones, a new show from the five-member creative team behind the current New York Theatre Workshop production of Hundred Days.
The Lucky Ones features a score by Abigail Bengson and Shaun Bengson, a book by the Bengsons and Sarah Gancher, direction by Anne Kauffman, and choreography by Sonya Tayeh.
In The Lucky Ones, indie-music duo the Bengsons spin a memory tale of teenaged passion, ideals lived to the limits, family shattered and faith lost — all in hope of finding a way home again. Through soulful electro-folk songs, this driving, semiautobiographical story grabs joy and grief with the same hand and holds them tightly in a radical affirmation of being alive.
The 19-member ensemble cast of The Lucky Ones includes Abigail Bengson, Shaun Bengson, Damon Daunno, Nina Grollman, Jo Lampert, Jennifer Morris, Tom Nelis, Maryann Plunkett, Myra Lucretia Taylor, and Amelia Workman. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
The design team includes Rachel Hauck (scenic design), Ásta Bennie Hostetter (costume design), Amith Chandrashaker (lighting design), Nick Kourtides (sound design), and Noah Mease (prop design).
Performances of The Lucky Ones will take place March 19-April 21 at the Connelly Theater.
So excited and can’t wait for the official release of The Jade Pendant. Opens at the Boston Asian American Film Festival tonight! https://www.facebook.com/baaff/ It took 2 years form when production started to the film opening. So proud to be telling this part of Chinese American History. – Perry
Warrior,Cinemax’s upcoming Tong Wars drama series from Fast & Furious‘ Justin Lin and Banshee co-creator Jonathan Tropper, has assembled an international cast, led by British actor Andrew Koji, and has tapped Assaf Bernstein (Netflix’s Fauda) to direct the pilot. The 10-episode series, inspired by the writings and work of martial arts icon Bruce Lee, is slated to begin production on Oct. 22 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Perry Yung cast as Father Jun, the leader of the most powerful tong in Chinatown.
Urban Stages will kick-off its 34th season with the World Premiere of Zhu Yi’s A DEAL, directed by John Giampietro. This limited engagement at Urban Stages (259 West 30th Street), begins performances on November 15, opens on Monday, November 20 and will run through December 10, 2017.
In present day Dublin, a man comes to a therapist seeking help. He claims to have seen the ghost of his recently deceased wife. But what begins as just an unusual encounter becomes a desperate struggle between the living and the dead – a struggle which will shape and define both men for the rest of their lives. A riveting and chilling urban ghost story.
“Conor McPherson is the finest dramatist of his generation.” The London Telegraph
“As close to perfection as contemporary playwriting gets” – The New York Times
Cast and Creative Team
Ian: Hamish Allan-Headley
Neasa: Gemma Baird
Laurence: Michael Jennings Mahoney
John: Derry Woodhouse
Notorious Wu from “The Knick” to begin new project at Cinemax
Cinemax has given a 10-episode straight-to-series order to 19th century crime drama Warrior, inspired by an idea from Bruce Lee, created and executive produced by Banshee co-creator Jonathan Tropper and executive producer by Justin Lin and Danielle Woodrow via Perfect Storm Entertainment, and Shannon Lee for Bruce Lee Entertainment.
