267 stories by "Ken Levine"
I have two (count 'em " TWO) ten-minute one act comedies playing this weekend off Broadway. And by off Broadway I mean the San Fernando Valley. They're part of an evening of one-acts at t…
As I've mentioned on occasion, I'm in a weekly improv workshop taught by the masterful Andy Goldberg. (Notice I've never mentioned whether or not I'm any good?) A few years ago we had…
Ken talks to Greg Ehrbar, a Disney historian who shares the stories and secrets behind Disney's most beloved animated features. A must for Disney buffs, film buffs, cartoon buffs, any …
Back from New York where I saw several theatre pieces (besides mine). DEAR EVAN HANSEN, which is fabulous because of Ben Platt's performance and THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG. DEAR EVAN HANSEN …
It's not unusual for there to be major changes during the production of a TV pilot. I've helped out on many, coming in to do punch up, and I've seen pretty much everything. Characters ch…
Happy to announce that my new play, OUR TIME will be performed at the Saratoga Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. later this month. OUR TIME is a loosely autobiographical comedy abou…
There's no need to really review it. ("Hey, Ken Levine said it was good so maybe we should see it after all.") By now you've been told that Lin-Manuel Miranda is a genius, the production …
Ken is unleashed. Instead of one or two topics, he has twenty. From TV, movies, sports, Broadway, hurricanes, Emmys, theme songs, songwriters, Hollywood myopia, his dad, a review…
I recently participated in a terrific writing exercise. It's a one-day play event. Five playwrights arrive at the theatre at 9:00 AM, we're given a topic, headshots of two actors, and we…
Two former child stars who made it to adult stardom. Ken discusses the life and mysterious death of Natalie Wood and then interviews his childhood friend Ann Jillian who went on t…
Yes, it's time for Friday Questions. Leave yours in the comment section. Thanks.Bob Sassone is up first.I can't watch older sitcoms on TV anymore. The stations either chop them up so much…
So sorry to hear of the passing of Jay Thomas. He was 69. All of the articles announcing his death point to his roles on TV, notably as Eddie LeBec on CHEERS. M…
I'm glad to know it's not just me.At first I thought my hearing was going. More and more now I'm having trouble deciphering what actors are saying on TV dramas. To my ear they're mumbling…
A few years ago I went to see a rather unusual play called TAMARA. The theater is actually a mansion and the audience follows around the various cast members as they perform their scenes…
People who live in LA rarely go to Hollywood " specifically Hollywood Blvd. Yeah, there's Grauman's Chinese Theater and the big mall at Hollywood & Highland. But by and large it's ve…
Greetings! This is guest blogger John Barrymore. Yes, I'm related to Drew. For those few who don't know me (no more than three of you I'm sure), I was one of the great actors of the Ameri…
Half-hour sitcoms always used to be two acts. The big act break would come in the middle. It was (hopefully) suspenseful enough to keep you through the commercial break. When the grea…
Here's a great alternative to going to the movies. Go to the theatre. And see my new play. Okay, I'm plugging this a lot because it's appearing this week only. …
Commenting on my review of BABY DRIVER, reader ChipO wrote:Everyone / anyone, and Ken, of course:Our theater included a short, just before the studio screens, thank you message from the dire…
David Mamet now has added a new wrinkle to theaters and producers staging his plays. They are no longer allowed to have talk-backs with the audience directly afterwards. Talk-backs have b…
This is another plug for this week's Hollywood & Levine podcast. It's the making of WICKED, and my guest, Winnie Holzman (who wrote the libretto) is truly fascinating as she explai…
I'm always fascinated by how some things hold up over time and other things don't. You've all had movies you remembered loving as a kid and you see them now and go "Eeeewww. What did I li…
WICKED is the most successful musical in the last fifteen years. It's had thousands of productions worldwide and is still playing on Broadway. But the road to success was a long …
Movie comedies have really taken it in the shorts this summer season. Well, let me amend that " STUDIO movie comedies are taking it in the shorts. The Will Ferrell/Amy Poehler comedy THE …
Nathaniel Thomsen, Eric Bischoff, some guy, and Sydney KaserBack from a weekend in Seattle to see my play, LOVERS' LEAP performed at the Edmonds Driftwood Players 8th Annual Festival of One …
