Belissa Escobedo to Star in Reba McEntire’s Still-Untitled NBC Comedy Pilot

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Belissa Escobedo has lined up her next project…

The 25-year-old Latina actress and Blue Beetle star has been cast in Reba McEntire in her as-yet-untitled NBC multi-cam comedy pilot.

The project is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

The pilot follows Bobbie (McEntire) who inherits her father’s restaurant and is less than thrilled to discover that she has a new business partner in the half-sister she never knew she had.

Escobedo stars as Bobbie’s sister Isabella, an enthusiastic 20-something, who has studied psychology and loves to analyze people. She is thrilled to start working at the tavern and is full of “great” ideas about how to bring it to life.

Escobedo’s star continues to rise following two major roles in DC Entertainment/Warner Bros’ Blue Beetle, where he portrayed the titular character’s (played by Xolo Maridueña) sister Milagro, and Disney’s Hocus Pocus 2 where she popped off the screen—no easy task when you’re starring opposite Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, who returned as the Sanderson sisters.

Additional credits include the ABC dramedy The Baker And The Beauty alongside Carlos Gomez, Lisa Vidal and Victor Rasuk; Ryan Murphy’s FX anthology series American Horror Stories, the Catherine Hardwicke-directed Quibi limited series Don’t Look Deeper and the American High films Sex Appeal (Hulu) and Sid Is Dead.

Max Renews “And Just Like That…,” Featuring Sara Ramirez, for a Third Season

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

And just like that, Sara Ramirez will be staying in the Big Apple a little longer.

Max has renewed And Just Like That…, featuring the 47-year-old Mexican actor and singer, for Season 3 ahead of the Sex and the City spinoff series’ sophomore finale on August 24.

“We are delighted to share that since the launch of Season 2, And Just Like That.. ranks as the No. 1 Max Original overall and is the most-watched returning Max Original to date,” Max Head of Content Sarah Aubrey said in a statement.

“As we approach the highly anticipated season finale on Thursday, we raise our cosmos to Michael Patrick King and his magnificent team of writers, producers, cast and crew who continue to charm us, 25 years later, with dynamic friendships and engaging stories,” she added. “We cannot wait for audiences to see where Season 3 will take our favorite New Yorkers.

Following the death of her beloved husband Mr. Big (Chris Noth), Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) has moved on this season to her longtime standby, Aidan Shaw (John Corbett). Their reconnection was swift and intense but as time has passed and their lives evolved, is there a world where Carrie and Aidan can make a real go at it? It’s complicated but hasn’t it always been?

Miranda is on a journey of self-discovery as her relationship with Che (Ramirez) has concluded and now she’s unsure how to label herself or if she needs to at all. Charlotte (Kristin Davis) is on a similar path, figuring out her identity outside of being a devoted wife and mother.

Lest we forget Samantha (Kim Cattrall) is making a small appearance in the finale that will certainly shake things up.

“We are thrilled to spend more time in the Sex and the City universe telling new stories about the lives of these relatable and aspirational characters played by these amazing actors. And Just Like That… here comes Season 3.”

The series is developed and executive produced by Michael Patrick King, alongside executive producers John Melfi, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky.

The HBO series Sex and the City was created by Darren Star and based on the book Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell.

HBO Max to Premiere “And Just Like That…,” Featuring Sara Ramírez, in June

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

And just like that, Sara Ramírez is back in the City…

HBO Max has announced plans to premiere the second season of the Sex and the City revival And Just Like That…, featuring the 47-year-old Mexican actor and singer, on Thursday, June 22.

The 11-episode second season will debut with two episodes on June 22, followed by the remaining nine episodes weekly on Thursdays.

In addition to Ramirez, who stars as Che Diaz, the series regulars include Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Sarita Choudhury, Nicole Ari Parker, Karen Pittman, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler, Christopher Jackson, Niall Cunningham, Cathy Ang and Alexa Swinton.

When Season 2 returns, Carrie (Parker), Charlotte (Davis) and Miranda (Nixon) are reunited and catching up on all the latest with Anthony (Cantone). While the show was on break, everyone was living it up in New York City.

And Just Like That... is developed and executive produced by Michael Patrick King, alongside executive producers John Melfi, Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky, Parker, Davis and Nixon.

Writers include Michael Patrick King, Samantha Irby, Susan Fales-Hill, Lucas Froehlich, Rachel Palmer, Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky.

Directors include King, Nixon, Ry Russo-Young and Rottenberg.

The HBO series Sex and the City was created by Darren Star and based on the book Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell.

Barbie Ferreira to Star in the Drag Comedy Feature “The Young King”

Posted on October 22, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Barbie Ferreira has landed a royally exciting role…

The 25-year-old Brazilian American actress will star in the drag comedy feature The Young King.

Ferreira will star opposite Michael Shannon and Kiersey Clemons in the film.

Set in the 1990s drag king scene of 1990s Las Vegas, the feature from Mister Smith Entertainment is the directorial debut of Larin Sullivan.

Clemons stars as Jules, an aspiring drag king who comes to Las Vegas to reconnect with her estranged dad Mick (Shannon), a legendary gambler and part-time children’s party clown, and to make her debut performance in the U.S.’s biggest drag king revue. Mick is less than excited to see his daughter ‘Julia’ presenting as masculine, wearing suits and chasing after Ronnie (Ferreira), a no-nonsense dancer.

Sullivan wrote the script for the film, which Corporate Witchcraft’s Kim Bailey and Isabel Marden are producing alongside Clemons. Songwriter Justin Tranter, who has worked with Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and others, serves as Executive Music Producer and is creating original music for the film.

Production begins in Vegas in the first quarter of 2023.

The project has received support from GLAAD, Sundance Institute, IFP’s Project Forum, Tribeca Film Institute, and Inside Out Toronto.

Mister Smith Entertainment’s CEO David Garrett stated: “We are delighted to present Larin’s fresh twist on a classic Vegas story by shining a light on the drag king scene, which has rarely, if ever, been explored on the big screen. Led by our stellar cast, this is an incredibly emotional father-daughter story that will resonate with buyers and audiences.

Ferreira most recently appeared in the Jordan Peele thriller Nope. She’s best known for HBO’s Euphoria and previously appeared on the network in Sarah Jessica Parker-starring HBO series Divorce. She’s currently filming psychological drama House of Spoils, opposite Ariana DeBose. She also starred in HBO Max’s film adaptation of Unpregnant.

Danny Bolero to Star in Broadway Revival of Neil Simon’s Marital Comedy “Plaza Suite”

Posted on February 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Danny Bolero is celebrating the suite life…

The Latino actor will star in the upcoming Broadway revival of Neil Simon’s marital comedy Plaza Suite.

Bolero, who was born Daniel David Zaldivar, will star opposite Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker in the revival.

will be joined in Broadway’s upcoming revival of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite by Danny Bolero (In The Heights), Molly Ranson (Prayer for the French Republic) and, in his Broadway debut, Eric Wiegand, producers announced today.

Rounding out the cast will be Molly Ranson and Eric Wiegand, as well as Michael McGrath and Erin Dilly as standbys for Broderick and Parker.

Bolero will play The Waiter, Ranson will play Jean McCormack/ Mimsey Hubley, and Wiegand is cast as The Bellhop/Borden Eisler.

The revival begins previews at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre on Friday, February 25, with the official opening night set for Monday, March 28. A new block of tickets for the limited engagement have gone on sale for tickets through June 26.

The production, directed by John Benjamin Hickey, played a sold-out pre-Broadway engagement at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre in February 2020; the Broadway run originally was set to begin in March 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.

Bolero’s previous credits include In The Heights, Blue Bloods and Alma’s Way.

Sara Ramírez to Star in HBO Max’s “Sex and the City” Sequel Series, “And Just Like That …”

Posted on May 21, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Sara Ramírez is heading to the City…

The 45-year-old Mexican actor and Grey’s Anatomy alum will appear alongside Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis in And Just Like That …, HBO Max’s upcoming Sex and the City sequel series, from executive producer Michael Patrick King.

And Just Like That… follows Carrie (Parker), Miranda (Nixon) and Charlotte (Davis) navigating the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s.

The 10-episode, half-hour series is scheduled to begin production this summer in New York.

Ramírez will play new character Che Diaz (they/them), a non-binary, queer stand-up comedian who hosts a podcast on which Carrie Bradshaw is regularly featured. Che is a big presence with a big heart whose outrageous sense of humor and progressive, human overview of gender roles has made them and their podcast very popular.

“Everyone at And Just Like That … is beyond thrilled that a dynamically talented actor such as Sara Ramírez has joined the Sex and the City family,” said King. “Sara is a one-of-a-kind talent, equally at home with comedy and drama – and we feel excited and inspired to create this new character for the show.”

The HBO series Sex and the City was created by Darren Star based on Candace Bushnell’s book. Parker, Davis and Nixon executive produce with Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky, John Melfi and King. Writers include King, Samantha Irby, Rachna Fruchbom, Keli Goff, Rottenberg and Zuritsky.

Tony Award winner and Emmy nominee Ramírez made history playing the longest-running LGBTQ+ character on TV, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Callie Torres, for over a decade on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. Ramírez also played the series regular role of Kat Sandoval on CBS’ Madam Secretary.

Ramírez was the voice of Queen Miranda on Disney’s animated series Sofia the First and Mamá Calaca in Vampirina. They also have executive produced three films, Loserville, Out of Exile: Daniel’s Story and Netflix’s The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson.

Ramírez was awarded the Ally For Equality Award by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in 2015, and the Trailblazers Award by the New York LGBT Center in 2017. They have also been acknowledged by the City of Los Angeles as a queer bisexual Mexican-American activist and artist working across intersections to advance liberation.

In June of 2019, Ramírez performed “Over the Rainbow” at the NYC opening ceremony of World Pride.

Penelope Cruz to Take Part in One World Campaign’s #PassTheMic COVID-19 Awareness Campaign

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Penelope Cruz is passing the mic for a good cause…

The 46-year-old Spanish actress is among the celebrities who’ll be surrendering their social media accounts for ONE World Campaign’s #PassTheMic campaign.

The campaign will have actors like Cruz, Julia Roberts, Danai Gurira, Hugh Jackman, David Oyelowo, Shailene Woodley and Rainn Wilson handing over their platforms to global health, economic and policy experts and frontline workers.

The experts will offer pertinent information grounded in data, science and facts as they address why a global response to this pandemic is so crucial.

The campaign will kick off on Thursday with Roberts handing off her accounts to Dr. Anthony Fauci who is a key member of the White House’s coronavirus task force and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Yemi Alade, Connie Britton, Millie Bobby Brown, Sarah Jessica Parker, Busy Philipps, Rita Wilson, Robin Wright and more also set to participate.

Experts taking over their accounts include Bill Frist (physician and former US Senator from Tennessee, Doctor), Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (former President of Liberia), Vera Songwe (Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa), Craig Spencer (Director of Global Health in Emergency Medicine, New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center) among others.

#PasstheMic is part of One’s One World Campaign call-to-action for a global response to COVID-19 looks to protect the most vulnerable and supports people worst hit economically while strengthening health systems and creating a more equal world.

Miranda to Perform at One-Night Only Broadway Show Benefiting Hillary Clinton’s Hillary Victory Fund

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Lin-Manuel Miranda is stumping for Hillary Clinton…

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican actor and Hamilton star/creator has joined the list of Broadway and Hollywood stars teaming up for a one-night only Broadway performance benefiting the Hillary Victory Fund.

Miranda joins a lineup that includes Julia Roberts and Hugh Jackman, all appearing in support of Clinton.

The show, “Stronger Together,” features Chelsea Clinton as a special guest and Billy Crystal as host, appearing alongside familiar faces including Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Emily Blunt, Anne Hathaway, Josh Groban, Angela Bassett, Neil Patrick Harris, Helen Mirren, Sienna Miller, Bernadette Peters, Cynthia Erivo, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Sarah Jones, Andrea McArdle and Ayodele Casel.

Organizers of the evening promise new duets and collaborations.

Michael Mayer, the Spring Awakening and Hedwig and the Angry Inch director whose Off-Broadway production of Love, Love, Love is now running, will direct the production, with Diane Paulus on board as special consultant. John Guare serves as script consultant, with Seth Rudetsky as musical director.

The event is set for October 17 at the St. James Theater, the Jujamcyn-owned venue currently occupied by “Something Rotten!,” which is dark on Monday nights.

Tickets are on sale on the Hillary Clinton website.

Blahnik to Debut Capsule Collection of Evening Bags

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Manolo Blahnik has it in the bag…

The 72-year-old Spanish fashion designer, the founder of the self-named, high-end shoe brand, will be debuting a capsule collection of evening bags inspired by his most iconic shoe styles.

Says Blahnik of his latest creations: “Every woman needs a jewel. Something very special and beautiful. There is nothing more stunning than a feminine hand holding a gem-like object.”

In Sex and the City, Blahniks shoe designs are a particular favorite of the show’s star character Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and as a result are mentioned frequently.

He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Footwear News in 2011.

Alba’s “Escape From Planet Earth” Trailer Released

Posted on November 3, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Jessica Alba is preparing for her her great escape in February…

The Weinstein Company has released the first trailer for the animated space alien adventure Escape From Planet Earth, which features the 31-year-old half-Mexican American actress’ voice.

Directed by Despicable Me’s storyboard artist Cal Brunker, the 3D computer animated family film centers on Astronaut Scorch Supernova, who finds himself caught in a trap when he responds to an SOS from a notoriously dangerous alien planet.

Based on a story by Leech & Cory Edwards, the film includes the voices of Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jane Lynch, Paul Reubens and Rob Corddry.

This is Alba’s first foray into animated fare on the big screen.

Escape From Planet Earth is scheduled to open February 14, 2013.

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