Diego Luna to Star Opposite Jennifer Lopez in Film Adaptation of Broadway Musical “Kiss of the Spider Woman”

Posted on April 9, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Luna is spinning a new web…

The 44-year-old Mexican actor, director and producer will star opposite Jennifer Lopez in Kiss of the Spider Woman, the feature adaptation of the 1993 Broadway musical based on Manuel Puig’s landmark 1976 novel.

Luna will portray Valentin Arregui in the musical film.

Meanwhile, Tonatiuh will star in the adaptation as Luis Molina.

They join Lopez, who was previously announced in the titular role.

The show, which won seven Tony Awards, was written by Terrence McNally with a score by composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb. The film is scripted and directed by Oscar winner Bill Condon, with Barry Josephson, Tom Kirdahy and Greg Yolen producing alongside Ben Affleck and Matt Damon for Artists Equity, which has secured independent financing for the film.

Michael Joe, Dani Bernfeld and Kevin Halloran will executive produce for Artists Equity alongside Condon on behalf of 1000 Eyes; Lopez and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas for Nuyorican Productions.

The musical is set in an Argentinian prison in 1981, against the backdrop of what is historically referred to as the Guerra Sucia (“Dirty War”) waged by the military dictatorship. Molina is a department store window dresser serving an eight-year sentence after being entrapped by police for allegedly corrupting a minor. To escape the horrors of imprisonment, he imagines a movie starring classic silver screen diva Ingrid Luna (Lopez) as both fashion editor Aurora and the Spider Woman, who kills her prey with a kiss. Molina’s life is upended when forced to share a cell with Marxist revolutionary Valentin, with whom an unlikely bond is formed.

Luna most recently starred in Disney+ series Andor, which earned him some of the best reviews of his career, as well as Golden Globe and Emmy recognition. He recently wrapped production on Season 2.

Tonatiuh can be seen next in the Netflix thriller Carry On; other credits include the TV series Vida.

Melissa Fumero to Star in NBC Drama Pilot “Grosse Pointe Garden Society”

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Melissa Fumero is entering Society…

The 41-year-old Cuban American actress and former Brooklyn Nine-Nine star has been cast as a lead in Grosse Pointe Garden Society, NBC’s drama pilot from Jenna Bans, Bill Krebs and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Fumero will star opposite AnnaSophia Robb and Ben Rappaport in the pilot.

The drama follows four members of a suburban garden club — three of them played by Fumero, Robb and Rappaport — all from different walks of life, who get caught up in murder and mischief as they struggle to make their conventional lives bloom.

Fumero plays Birdie. Entitled, rich, swathed in Chanel, a smoker, a drinker, self-destructive at times, toxic at others, but not without real pain beneath her facade, Birdie is a successful author whose memoir, “Digging for Gold: Dancing Through Divorce,” is a bestseller.

Robb plays Alice, your favorite high school English teacher, a dreamer whose best dreams are crashing down on her. She’s a longtime member of the Grosse Pointe Garden Society.

Rappaport plays Brett. Cool in a threadbare kind of way, Brett put his own dreams of starting a car restoration business on hold so his wife (now ex-wife) could finish law school. He continues his job as a manager of a garden store so he can take care of the kids.

Maggie Kiley is directing the pilot.

This marks Fumero’s return to NBC. She’s best known for her role as Amy Santiago in the critically acclaimed Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which ended its eight-season run on NBC. She won the Imagen Foundation Award for her work on the show.

Fumero recently was a voice cast member on Comedy Central’s adult animated series Digman! from Andy Samberg as well as Max’s Velma from Mindy Kaling.

She also starred opposite Randall Park in Netflix’s comedy series Blockbuster and in the IFC comedy film Barfight! with Rachel Bloom.

Vanna White Co-Hosting Next Episode of “American Idol” with Ryan Seacrest This Monday

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Vanna White is bracing for an Idol appearance…

The 67-year-old half-Puerto Rican television personality and game show letter-turner will guest host American Idol alongside future Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest.

The talent competition host said White would join him on Monday’s episode airing on ABC.

“A legend, a household name, a superstar named Vanna White is making a cameo on American Idol, Seacrest said on Good Morning America. “She’s watched for years, and she’s going to cohost a little bit with me on the next Idol Monday.”

Seacrest is taking over Wheel of Fortune following Pat Sajak’s retirement and will co-host the classic game show with White starting with Season 42.

Sajak has taped his final episode, which will air on Friday, June 7.

Sajak announced in June 2023 that he’d retire from the syndicated show, and Season 41 would be his last. The television presenter has hosted Wheel of Fortune since 1981 and has won three Emmys for his work.

After Sajak announced he was leaving his hosting duties at Wheel of Fortune, White said she thought about making an exit from the show as well.

“Of course it’s a thought,” White said in an interview with People magazine. “It’s like, ‘Well, wait, if you’re leaving, what am I going to do? How can I stay without you?’ It was a very hard decision for me to make, because it definitely crossed my mind. It’s like, ‘I just don’t know if I can do this without you,’ but I thought about it and I’m not ready to retire, so I am staying on.”

Seacrest has hosted American Idol since its premiere in 2002 on Fox.

The host remained in his position when the talent competition moved to ABC in 2018.

White will join Seacrest on the episode airing Monday, April 8 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Octavio Rodriguez to Appear on Paramount+’s Drama “Landman”

Posted on April 7, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Octavio Rodriguez is officially a landman….

The Latino actor has landed a recurring role in the Paramount+ drama Landman from Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace.

Rodriguez is joined by Freeridge actor J.R. Villarreal on the recurring actor roster.

They join series regulars Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph, Jacob Lofland, Kayla Wallace, James Jordan, Mark Collie, Paulina Chávez and Demi Moore; and recurring stars Jon Hamm, Colm Feore and Mustafa Speaks.

Set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas, Landman is a modern-day tale of fortune seeking in the world of oil rigs. Based on the 11-part podcast Boomtown, the series is an upstairs/downstairs story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling a boom so big, it’s reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics.

Rodriguez will play Antonio, a hard man who is angry when his family suffers a tragedy.

Villarreal will play Manuel, an oil crewman who is looking for reprisal after a disaster.

Currently filming in and around Fort Worth, Texas, Landman is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios and Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch Productions exclusively for Paramount+.

Rodriguez’s credits include Chicago P.D., Grey’s Anatomy and Homeland.

Desmin Borges to Appear on New Season of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building”

Posted on April 7, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Desmin Borges has entered the building…

The half-Puerto Rican actor has joined the cast of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.

Borges is among a roster of recurring cast additions that includes Siena Werber and newcomer Lilian Rebelo.

They join stars/executive producers Steve Martin, who also co-created the critically acclaimed series, Martin Short and Selena Gomez as well as new recurring players Zach Galifianakis, Molly Shannon, Eva Longoria and Eugene Levy and returning Meryl Streep in the upcoming fourth season.

All new characters will be integral to the twists and turns of the investigation into the murder of Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch), Charles-Haden Savage’s (Martin) stunt double from his years on the series Brazzos and its 2020 revival.

Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich revealed in a recent interview that the Only Murders In the Building trio, Charles, Oliver (Short) and Mabel (Gomez), will kick off the new season with a trip to Los Angeles before returning to The Arconia in their search of Sazz’s killer.

The Season 3 finale saw Loretta (Streep), Oliver and Mabel all contemplating a move to LA.

Produced by 20th Television, Only Murders in the Building, Hulu’s most watched original comedy series, is co-created and co-written by Martin and John Hoffman who also executive produce alongside Short, Gomez, Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal.

Borges is best known for his role as Edgar in five seasons of FX’s comedy You’re the Worst. He can currently be seen opposite Jennifer Lopez in the film Shotgun Wedding, as well as in a series regular role in HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife.

His other recent credits include a season-long arc on Fox comedy Welcome To Flatch, Amazon’s Utopia, Netflix dramedy series Living with Yourself and the film Private Life.

He’ll next be seen in the film Hangdog, which premiered at the Provincetown Film Festival.

Newcomer Rebelo is a 2021 graduate of the drama program at Fordham University. She recently starred in Our Dear Drug Lord at the Kirk Douglas Theatre.

Cardi B Hints at Sophomore Album’s Release While Celebrating 6th Anniversary of “Invasion of Privacy”

Posted on April 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B is promising her new album this year…

While celebrating the sixth anniversary of her Grammy-winning debut album, Invasion of Privacy, the 31-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar teased the release of her sophomore effort before year’s end.

Invasion of Privacy was released in 2018, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and earning a Grammy win for best rap album at the 2019 Grammy Awards. The set’s tracklist includes Hot 100 No. 1 singles “Bodak Yellow” and “I Like It.”

Cardi B looked back at the success of her studio debut in a post on X on Saturday (April 6).

In her message, she hinted at what fans can expect from her long-awaited second album.

“6 years ago I released my first album and it broke so many records GAH LEE!!” she wrote. “6 years later I’m preparing to drop the next one this year.. it’s so different from what everyone is expecting and I’m sooo excited.”

“Love you guys and thank you for the support! I’ll talk to ya soon I been so busy these last few days,” added Cardi.

Cardi most recently unveiled the single “Enough (Miami)” on March 15 along with a Patience Harding-directed music video for the track. “Enough” arrived two weeks after she dropped “Like What (Freestyle).”

She’s also featured on “Puntería,” the opening track from Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran album that was just released on March 22.

6 years ago I released my first album and it broke so many records GAH LEE!! 6 years later I’m preparing to drop the next one this year.. it’s so different from what everyone is expecting and I’m sooo excited. Love you guys and thank you for the support! I’ll talk to ya soon I… https://t.co/wx3JcQLZAM

— Cardi B (@iamcardib) April 6, 2024

The follow-up LP to Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy has yet to get an official release date.

Kehlani Releases New Single “After Hours”

Posted on April 5, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Kehlani has after hours plans…

The 28-year-old part-Mexican American singer-songwriter and R&B superstar has released her latest single “After Hours,” her first new solo single since 2022.

The new single, produced by Khris Riddick and Alex Goldblatt, sees Kehlani embrace a bouncier, dance-inspired sound as she lets her lover know that she’s tired of beating around the bush — it’s time to make something happen.

Utilizing an expertly-placed sample of Cordel “Scatta” Burrell’s “Coolie Dance Rhythm,” Kehlani makes a persuasive case for spending some extra time with her “After Hours.”

Produced by Pop Wansel of production duo Pop & Oak and featuring contributions from Justin Bieber, Jessie Reyez, Syd, Blxst, Thundercat and Ambré.

Blue Water Road marked the follow-up to 2020’s It Was Good Until It Wasn’t.

Omar Apollo Releases Poignant New Single “Spite”

Posted on April 5, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Omar Apollo can’t escape his last relationship…

The 26-year-old Mexican American singer and songwriter has released his new single “Spite,” a poignant track in which Apollo can’t help but wear his heart on his sleeve.

“Spite” features a disgruntled Apollo trying to maintain his composure, as he can’t be close to the one he loves.

“Why you gotta ruin every night? / 50K I spend it out of spite / Every timе I see you on my phone / Hate that I still need you with my life / Tulips dying slowly in thе vase / Passport’s gettin’ dirty need a case,” sings Apollo on the song’s chorus.

“‘Spite’ is a song about a long-distance relationship and wanting to show the other person that you’re okay without them even though you feel like you need them,” said Apollo in a statement. “It’s an angry song about not being able to have someone all to yourself.”

In the song’s accompanying visual, Apollo is seen in Mexico City, embracing the beauty of his Latino roots, while grappling with feelings of heartbreak and uncertainty.

It’s the first single from his forthcoming sophomore album, which he expects to release later this year.

Bizarrap Teams Up with Natanael Cano to Release Two-Track “BZRP Music Session #59″

Posted on April 4, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Bizarrap is back with new music featuring a Regional Mexican star…

The 25-year-old Argentine record producer, songwriter, DJ and hitmaker has partnered with Natanael Cano to release two singles.

The 23-year-old Mexican corridos tumbados pioneer and Bizarrap joined forces on “BZRP Music Session #59,” a two-song project officially released on Wednesday, April 3.

The new music is as explosive and raw as previous music sessions recorded by the likes of Residente, Arcángel and Young Miko.

According to a press release, “BZRP Music Session #59” was created following a “spontaneous” Miami meeting between the two artists in 2021, and is powered by Bizarrap’s innovative Argentine trap.

“Now that they know we’re on top, they think we haven’t struggled,” spits Cano in the first track, or chapter one, also being referred to as “Endiamantado.”

Chapter two, or the second song from this release titled “Entre las de 20,” fuses Cano’s corrido tumbado hybrid with synthesizers and Bizarrap’s signature style.

Kicking off with his prickly guitars, Cano sings about outgrowing a relationship; he’s on to bigger and better things. “There’s no trace of what you knew about me/ I told her we broke up, I don’t have time to spend. But I do have money to throw away.”

It’s not the first time Bizarrap teams up with a música mexicana artist.

Last summer, Bizarrap tapped Peso Pluma for “BZRP Music Sessions #55,” which peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart dated June 17.

Cano’s session with Bizarrap follows team-ups with Milo J, Rauw Alejandro and Shakira, the latter being Bizarrap’s most consequential session to date.

The dis track broke a handful of Guinness World Records and, when it dropped, held the title for most streamed Latin track on Spotify in 24 hours (14.4 million streams) and most viewed Latin track on YouTube in 24 hours (63 million views). It also won song of the year at the Latin Grammys.

Apple TV+ Releases Trailer for Second Season of Josh Segarra-Starrer “The Big Door Prize”

Posted on April 4, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Josh Segarra is back at the door…

Apple TV+ has released the trailer for the second season of The Big Door Prize, the critically acclaimed and character-driven comedy starring the 37-year-old Puerto Rican actor.

From Emmy-winning creator David West Read, the 10-episode second season will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, April 24, with three episodes, followed by one new episode every Wednesday through June 12, 2024.

Based on M.O. Walsh’s novel, season two of The Big Door Prize follows the residents of Deerfield as the Morpho machine readies them for the mysterious “next stage.” As everyone’s potentials are exchanged for visions, new relationships form and new questions are asked.

Dusty (Chris O’dowd) and Cass (Gabrielle Dennis) decide to take time apart while Trina (Djouliet Amara) and Jacob (Sammy Fourlas) learn that they can shed their old labels. Giorgio (Segarra) and Izzy (Crystal Fox) each find romance while Hana (Ally Maki) and Father Reuben (Damon Gupton) attempt to discover the purpose of the machine. The small town is once again left questioning what they thought they knew about their lives, relationships, potential and about the Morpho itself.

The Big Door Prize is produced by Skydance Television and CJ ENM/Studio Dragon.

Season two welcomes new and returning guest stars including Justine Lupe, Aaron Roman Weiner, Mary Holland, Patrick Kerr, Cocoa Brown, Carrie Barrett, Elizabeth Hunter, Jim Meskimen, Matt Dellapina and Melissa Ponzio.

Following its global debut on Apple TV+ last year, The Big Door Prize quickly rose to Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh status during its first season, and has been hailed as “thought-provoking,” “hilarious” and “one of the best comedy debuts in years.”

Segarra’s previous television credits include Abbott Elementary, Chicago P.D., The Other Two, AJ and the Queen, Orange Is the New Black and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

His other theatrical credits include the musicals Lysistrata Jones and Dogfight, while his film credits include the slasher horror film Scream VI.

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