Television Academy Names Rita Moreno to This Year’s Hall of Fame Class

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rita Moreno is entering a special hall…

The Television Academy has announced its 26th Hall of Fame class, with the 90-year-old Puerto Rican entertainer among the honorees.

Moreno will be joined by choreographer and actress Debbie Allen, documentarian Ken Burns, BET founder Robert L. Johnson, CBS executive Bob Daly and cinematographer Donald A. Morgan.

Moreno, an EGOT winner (Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, Tony Awards), is a two-time Emmy winner for The Muppet Show and The Rockford Files.

She has starred in series including The Electric Company, Sesame Street, Nine to Five, Oz, Cane, Happily Divorced, Jane the Virgin, and the Latinx reimagining of Norman Lear’s One Day at a Time.

Moreno’s many accolades also include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Medal of Arts, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honors and the Peabody Award.

Moreno is among two of the honorees who’ve already received honorary awards from the Television Academy. She was awarded a “Televisionary Award” in 2008. Allen received a Governors Award last year.

The Hall of Fame event will take place on Wednesday, November 16, at the Television Academy’s Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California.

In addition to the induction of the 2022 Hall of Fame recipients, the event will include the presentation of the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award to actor/director/activist Sean Penn and the unveiling of new busts of four previous inductees.

“These legendary performers, creators, craftspeople and television executives are luminaries in our industry,” Frank Scherma, chairman and CEO of the Television Academy, said in a statement. “Their work has influenced and immeasurably elevated the current television landscape and culture. We are proud to induct these trailblazers into the Hall of Fame and honored to celebrate their extraordinary contributions to our industry.”

“This year’s honorees have told the American story through television in ways that will forever shape our history and culture,” said Rick Rosen, Hall of Fame selection committee chair (who is also WME co-founder and head of television). “Whether they reshaped the industry itself through visionary leadership or created pieces of work that have had a lasting legacy, these individuals will forever be remembered for the impact they’ve had on the medium.”

The 2022 Hall of Fame honorees join more than 150 individuals previously inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1984. The honors were presented every year from 1984 to 1993, but the Academy has skipped 13 years since then for various reasons. This is the first induction class since 2019.

In addition to Rosen, this year’s Hall of Fame selection committee included Marcy Carsey, Emmy-winning producer; Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman of Universal Studio Group; Peter Roth, former chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group; Nina Tassler, co-chief executive officer of PatMa Productions; and Dana Walden, chairman of Disney General Entertainment Content.

Rita Moreno to Star in the Feature Film “The Prank”

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Rita Moreno is pranking around…

The 89-year-old Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer, an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar & Tony Award winner) has landed a starring role in the feature film The Prank, which will be directed by Maureen Bharoocha.

Moreno will star opposite Connor Kalopsis and Ramona Young.

The Prank follows two high school students who play a prank on their physics teacher, Mrs. Wheeler, played by Moreno. When she fails them on a test; they teach the imperious, demanding, insulting instructor a lesson by falsely accusing her of the murder of a missing student.

Other cast in The Prank includes Keith David, Meredith Salenger, Jonathan Kimmel, Nathan Janak and Kate Flannery.

Filming begins this month in and around Los Angeles.

The dark comedy is written by Rebecca Flinn-White & Zak White.

“Rita Moreno is a force of nature and an icon who continues to redefine herself,” said Bharoocha. “Her brilliant comedic mind lends itself to the perfect ‘Mrs. Wheeler’, a character we have never seen her play, and one that will no doubt surprise audiences.”

Moreno has won an Oscar (West Side Story), a Tony (The Ritz), two Emmys (for her turns respectively in 1977 and 1978 on The Muppet Show and Rockford Files), and a Grammy (Best Children’s Album for The Electric Company).

Moreno has starred on Broadway and London’s West End, appeared in more than 40 feature films and has performed in numerous regional theaters, including her one-woman show, Life Without Makeup, at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. She recently co-starred in the critically acclaimed Latinx reimagining of Norman Lear’s classic sitcom One Day At A Time.

Her documentary, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It, produced by Lear, Lin Manuel Miranda and Brent Miller had its world debut at the Sundance Film Festival this year. The film, which was met with acclaim from critics and audiences alike, will have its television debut on PBS’ American Masters nationwide on October 5.

Moreno also co-stars and is an executive producer of the Steven Spielberg remake of West Side Story, set to open on December 10.

The recipient of the Peabody Career Achievement Award and the Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime contributions to American culture, she was also honored by her peers as the 50th recipient of the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.

Moreno’s all-Spanish-language album, Una Vez Más, was produced by her good friend Emilio Estefan, and she is a New York Times bestselling author with her first book, Rita Moreno: A Memoir. Moreno has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush and the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama.

Miranda Contributes Cantina Music for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

The Force has awakened Lin-Manuel Miranda…

The 35-year-old Puerto Rican actor, composer and writer, currently earning raves on Broadway for his latest award-winning musical, Hamilton, has partnered with Star Wars’ latest direct J.J. Abrams to make some music.

Theater and sci-fi geeks alike freaked when Abrams let the news slip on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (Nov. 30), revealing that Miranda will be lending his talents to new cantina music for Episode VII, aka Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

“I go to see [Hamilton] with our son and at intermission, Lin-Manuel Miranda comes up to me and says, ‘Hey if you need music for the [Star Wars] Cantina, I’ll write it,” recalls Abrams. He notes that composer John Williams, who helmed the original cantina scene in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, declined to tackle the task this go-round.

Miranda, who’s Hamilton is currently dominating Broadway — and the Billboard charts — with its R&B, pop and rap-influenced take on the story of Alexander Hamilton, described the process via Twitter.

“We did. Worked on it between 6pm & 7:30 on 2 show days for the past 2 months. JJ is the best. Can’t wait to see,” tweeted the In The Heights creator to his followers.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters in three weeks (opening December18).

Miranda is responsible for Disney’s upcoming animated film Moana. His other composing credits include The Electric Company and Sesame Street.

Villafañe to Portray Gloria Estefan in the Broadway Musical “On Your Feet!”

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a Miami Sound Machine moment for Ana Villafañe…

The Cuban-American singer, dancer and actress has been cast as Gloria Estefan in On Your Feet!, the highly anticipated Broadway musical about the Latin music superstar and her equally talented husband, producer Emilio Estefan.

Villafañe, who attended the same Miami high school as la Estefan, wasn’t able to make the open casting call last fall but sent a video audition, according to an announcement Monday from the production team. She got the call to audition for director Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Hairspray) and the Estefans, and was cast in the show.

She’ll star opposite Josh Segarra, who will portray Emilio.

The musical — a rare Latino-themed Broadway offering that will surely benefit from Estefan’s global status — is based on the life story of the seven-time Grammy-winning singer and her husband, who owns 19 of his own Grammys. It’s slated to open at Broadway’s Nederlander-operated Marquis Theatre on November 5, following previews beginning October 5. I

n addition to staging by Mitchell, the show will have choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis), with a book by Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman). Prior to Broadway, the show will try out at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre from June 2-July 5.

“She walked into the room, and I immediately thought to myself – ‘this is it’,” Mitchell said of Villafañe in a prepared announcement. “Not only was she beautifully reminiscent of a young Gloria, but she embodied her energy and spirit in such a captivating way. And then she fully rose to the occasion by giving a sensational audition.”

Villafañe’s film and television credits include Magic City Memoirs (executive producer Andy Garcia), Los Americans and the upcoming Hulu original series South Beach: Fever as well as the female lead in Max Steel (Mattel), set for global release this summer.

Segarra has appeared in New York in Second Stage Theater’s Dogfight and Lysistrata Jones. On television, he stars in USA’s comedy series Sirens and has a recurring part on NBC’s Chicago PD as well as PBS’ The Electric Company, and guest appearances on Showtime’s Homeland and FX’s The Following. This summer, he’ll appear in the Judd Apatow feature film Trainwreck.

The company will also feature Andréa Burns (In The Heights) as Gloria Fajardo (Gloria’s mother); Alma Cuervo (Beauty And The Beast) as Consuelo (Gloria’s grandmother); Alexandria Suarez as Little Gloria; and Noah Johnston as little Emilio.

David Rockwell (Kinky Boots, On The Twentieth Century) has designed the sets, with costumes by Emilio Sosa (Porgy & Bess), lighting by Kenneth Posner (Wicked, Hairspray), sound by Steve Kennedy and projections by Darrel Maloney. The show is produced by James L. Nederlander and Estefan Enterprises Inc., in partnership with Bernie Yuman.

In anticipation of a wide-ranging social media campaign to publicize the show, the production also released three videos about the Estefan’s and the making of the musical.

Segarra Upped to Series Regular on USA Network’s “Sirens”

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Prepare for more of Josh Segarra on the USA Network..

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican actor has been upped to series regular on the cable network’s comedy series Sirens.

Segarra, who starred in the Broadway musical Lysistrata Jones, recurred for five episodes of Sirens’ freshman run.

From creators Denis Leary and Bob Fisher, the series follows three Chicago EMTs who, despite their narcissistic and self-destructive personalities, are uniquely qualified to save lives.

Segarra portrays the handsome yet dim bulb cop Billy —Theresa’s (Jessica McNamee) new partner and friend who brings out Johnny’s (Michael Mosley) jealous side.

He becomes the latest Sirens cast member to be promoted to series regular for season two. Bill Nunn, who plays EMT Cash, was also upped for its sophomore run after appearing in nearly all of the half-hour comedy’s rookie run as a recurring guest star.

USA renewed Sirens for a second season in June.

Segarra previously starred as who Hector Ruiz, Jessica Ruiz’s older brother,on the television show The Electric Company. His other television credits include appearances on Blue Bloods, Chicago P.D., The Following and Homeland.

Moreno Cast as “Abuelita” in NBC’s “Welcome to the Family”

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Rita Moreno will have Family duty in the near future…

The 81-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer/dancer has joined the cast of NBC‘s new sitcom Welcome to the Family.

Moreno, who’ll receive the SAG Award‘s Life Achievement statue in January, will play Abuelita, the sassy grandmother of Lisette (portrayed by Justina Machado), who looms large over the Hernandez family.

Moreno’s character, expected to first appear in November, is described as extremely religious, judgmental, tough, perpetually scowling and rude. The thought of disappointing Abuelita is so unappealing that Lisette and her family tell her elaborate lies about their lives whenever she comes to visit.

Moreno is best known for her roles in West Side Story, The Electric Company and Oz. She’s also among an elite group of performers to have won an Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy.

In addition to Moreno and Machado, the new comedy series also stars Ricardo Chavira, Joey Haro and Fabrizio Guido.

Welcome to the Family premieres Thursday, October 3 at 8:30 pm ET on NBC.

Segarra Scores a Ballin’ Broadway Gig…

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

Josh Segarra is hoopin’ it up on Broadway… And, he could soon be kissin’ the rim all the way to the Tony Awards.

The 25-year-old Puerto Rican American actor/singer is making his Broadway debut in Lysistrata Jones, which opened this week at New York City’s Walter Kerr Theatre after a successful off-Broadway run.

The musical comedy—featuring plenty of hilarity, heart and hoops—is based on Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, a bawdy play from 411 B.C. about one woman’s extraordinary mission to end the Peloponnesian War by persuading the women of Greece to withhold sex from their husbands and lovers as a means of forcing the men to negotiate peace.

The sweet-voiced Segarra stars as Mick, a dim-witted college basketball player with the soul of a poet whose girlfriend refuses to “put out” until his team ends the school’s 30-year losing streak in the Lysistrata Jones.

“I get to play basketball and be on Broadway in a smart piece of theater that’s like nothing else out there,” Segarra tells Broadway.com about the role that’s allowing him to combine his love of sports and theater. “I could play him as a stereotype, but that’s my biggest fear. I don’t want people to think, ‘What a douchebag!’ I want audiences to say, ‘Aw, what a dufus. That’s funny. I get him and I know that kid.’”

But that isn’t the Longwood, Florida native’s only fear about starring in this sex (or lack thereof) comedy with of-the-moment jokes and lively song and dance numbers. He cringes at the thought of performing a nightly striptease scene set in a brothel.

“It’s terrifying,” says Segarra, who appeared as Hector Ruiz on the reboot of the ‘70s children’s series The Electric Company, laughing about having to strip down to his underwear on stage. “It never gets easy. The whole time I’m thinking, ‘I ate Chinese food last night. Do I look fat today?’ I don’t want anyone to think, ‘Oh, he was much cuter with his shirt on!’”

No matter how he looks shirtless, Segarra’s strong singing voice, agile dance moves and handsome good looks will surely win over audiences.

“I’ve never done regional theater, and I’m getting to make my Broadway debut as a principal, playing a pretty cool part.” he says. “I’m going to be the best I can be.”

So what’s Segarra’s ultimate hoop dream?

“To have a family and be able to get 10 scripts on my desk, pick one, fly out and shoot [a movie] and come back to see my kids,” he says.

But for now, he’s having a ball playin’ ball on Broadway.

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