Imagen Foundation to Honor Luisa Leschin with Writing Honor at This Year’s Imagen Awards

Posted on August 4, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Luisa Leschin has the writestuff…

The 66-year-old El Salvadoran & Guatemalan television producer, actress, and voice-over artistwill be honored with the Norman Lear Writer’s Award at the 34th Annual Imagen Awards, which will be held August 10 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Leschin is an industry veteran who has produced shows like George Lopez, Everybody Hates Chrisand East Los High. She currently is the co-executive producer of the Netflixoriginal series Mr. Iglesias starring Gabriel Iglesiasand Sherri Shepherd.

“Norman Lear is a towering legend in the entertainment industry having create some of Hollywood’s most ground-breaking sitcoms,” said Leschin. “He has inspired every writer to think beyond the norm and is someone I have always looked up to. I’m beyond honored.”

Leschin has had her hand in nearly every aspect of the entertainment industry. She began her career as a ballet dancer then turned to acting, having appeared in many iconic TV series including Beverly Hills 90210, Love Boat, ER,Quincy, Falcon Crest, Hill St. Blues and others. On the feature side, she has appeared in Saturday Night Fever and True Confessions.

The Norman Lear Writer’s Award honors those that have exhibited efforts towards increasing diversity within all aspects of the entertainment industry. Past recipients include Gloria Calderon Kellett, Peter Murrieta, John Leguizamo, Fred Armisenand Roberto Orci.

Danielle Marie Gonzalez to Star in The New Group’s Off Broadway Production “Clueless, The Musical”

Posted on October 11, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Danielle Marie Gonzalez is embracing theCluelesslife…

The half-Spanish actress has joined the cast of The New Group’s upcoming Off Broadway production Clueless, The Musical, based on the 1995 coming-of-age romantic comedy film, which was loosely based on Jane Austen’s 1815 novel Emma, with an updated setting to modern-day Beverly Hills.

The production will be directed by Kristin Hanggi with a book by Amy Heckerling, who wrote and directed the film.

In addition to Gonzalez, who will portray Lucy, the cast includes Dove Cameron in the lead role of Cher, Dave Thomas Brown (as Josh), Ephie Aardema (Tai) and Zurin Villanueva (Dionne) – roles played in the 1995 film by Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd, Brittany Murphy and Stacy Dash.

Also in the cast: Lori Alan (Miss Geist/Ms. Stoeger), Sara Andreas (Heather), Gilbert L. Bailey II (Murray), Will Connolly (Travis), Tessa Grady (Amber), L’ogan J’ones (Max), Chris Hoch (Mel, others), Darius Jordan Lee (Sean) and Justin Mortelliti (Christian). Ensemble/swing will include Tiffany Engen, Katie Goffman, Talya Groves, Jeff Kuhr and Brett Thiele.

Clueless, The Musical begins previews on November 20, opens December 11, and runs through January 12 in The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center.

Gonzalez’s previous theater credits include the national tours of Saturday Night Fever, Flashdance: The Musical and Rock of Ages.

Maldonado & Her Pentatonix Groupmates to Salute the Bee Gees at Grammy Tribute

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Kirsitie Maldonado will be experiencing disco fever…

The 24-year-old half-Mexican and part-Spanish American singer and her fellow Pentatonix members will be helping commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack next month.

Maldonado’s a capella group will perform at Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees, which will premiere April 16 on CBS.

The event, led by the Recording Academy, AEG Ehrlich Ventures and CBS, will focus on improving music life and culture through the Bee Gees‘ legacy, celebrating the members of the five-time Grammy-winning group and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.

Barry Gibb, the Bee Gees’ co-founder and last surviving member, will make an appearance and perform classic hits from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.

In addition to Pentatonix, special tributes from musicians will include performances by Stevie Wonder, Keith Urban, John Legend, Nick Jonas, Tori Kelly, Celine Dion, Little Big Town, Thomas Rhett, Jason Derulo, Kelsea Ballerini, Andra Day, Ed Sheeran, DNCE and many more.

Other guest appearances to add to the lineup are John Travolta, Cynthia Erivo and Wilmer Valderrama.

Pentatonix, who earned a Grammy for their collaboration with country legend Dolly Parton on “Jolene,” recently released their cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” part of the group’s upcoming album.

Maldonado and the gang previously covered Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” performed a Star Wars-themed medley at the American Music Awards, and performed the Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira” at the CMA Awards.

Lovato to Help Celebrate the Music of the Bee Gees at This Year’s Grammy Awards

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato is about to experience a little Night Fever…

The 24-year-old part-Mexican American singer/actress is set to make a special appearance at this year’s Grammy Awards.

Lovato, a first-time Grammy nominee this year (for her album Confident In the Best Pop Vocal Album category), will join Andra Day, Tori Kelly and Little Big Town for a collaborative performance celebrating the music of the Bee Gees and the 40th anniversary of Saturday Night Fever.

They join a growing list of performers that includes Beyonce, Katy Perry, The Weeknd, Daft Punk, Adele, Metallica with Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood, Bruno Mars, Keith Urban, Anderson .Paak, A Tribe Called Quest and many others.

The Grammy Awards will take place February 12 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles with host James Corden. It will be broadcast live at 8:00 pm EST on CBS.

Glee’s Rivera Performs “If I Can’t Have You”…

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Naya Rivera is about to experience a case of Saturday Night Fever…

The 25-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer will be performing Yvonne Elliman’s “If I Can’t Have You” on Glee this week.

It’s all part of Fox’s hit musical dramedy’s Saturday Night Fever themed episode, which will includes the Glee cast’s take on such iconic disco hits like The Trammps’ “Disco Inferno,” the Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love” and KC and the Sunshine Band’s “Boogie Shoes.”

Click here for a complete look at the playlist.

Glee’s Saturday Night Glee-ver episode will air this Tuesday, April 17 at 8:00 pm ET on Fox.

Rodriguez Bares Skin in Latest Magic Mike Movie Still…

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He’s appeared in Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself… And, now television veteran Adam Rodriguez is expanding his body of work on the big screen…

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican & Cuban American actor—best known for his role as Eric Delko on CSI: Miami—will appear in Steven Soderbergh’s male stripper movie Magic Mike.

And now there’s finally proof of his appearance in the film—co-starring some of Hollywood’s hunkiest actors, including Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello, Alex Pettyfer and Matt Bomer—in this exclusive film still from Entertainment Weekly.

Set in the world of male strippers, Magic Mike is inspired by Tatum’s real-life experience working as a stripper in Tampa, Florida. The film follows Mike (Tatum) as he takes a young dancer called The Kid (Pettyfer) under his wing and schools him in the fine arts of partying, picking up women, and making easy money.

“When Channing talked to me about this, I thought it was one of the best ideas I’d ever heard for a movie. I said I wanted in immediately,” says director Soderbergh. “It’s sexy, funny and shocking. We’re using Saturday Night Fever as our model, so hopefully we’re on the right track.”

Magic Mike will hit theaters June 29, 2012.

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