December 27, 2005 ~ Michael seen shopping in Boston

Tracked down: "The Pretender" aka Michael T. Weiss, in town for a gig at the Huntington Theatre Company, leaving the Shops at the Prudential Center with a bag from See's Candies ...

Copyright 2005 Boston Herald

December 21, 2005 ~ Les Liaisons Dangereuses Rehearsals Begin Today

The Boston Herald; 12/21/2005
Gayle Fee, Laura Raposa with Erin Hayes

A lust for theater: Michael Weiss, who will always be 'The Pretender' to us, begins rehearsals today for the Huntington Theatre Company's production of 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses,' the sexually charged look at love and lust in 18th century France. The play opens Jan. 6 at the Boston University Theatre. Weiss, who stars as the dangerous Vicomte Valmont, last performed at the Huntington in last year's production of 'Burn This.'
Copyright 2005 Boston Herald

December 08, 2005 ~ Les Liaisons Dangereuses Cast Announced

Games of love and lust in 18th century Paris play out on a stunningly stylized, mirrored stage as the Huntington Theatre Company presents Christopher Hampton's award-winning play "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" from Jan. 6 to Feb. 5, 2006 at the Boston University (B.U.) Theatre, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston.

In this seductive and fiercely witty drama, the beautiful and cunning La Marquise de Merteuil (played by Tasha Lawrence) enlists her partner-in-crime Le Vicomte de Valmont, (TV and movie star Michael T. Weiss), to seduce her former lover's bride-to-be in this adaptation of the original novel by Choderlos de Laclos.

Director Daniel Goldstein has opted for a stylish, non-classical approach to what he calls "a massive production." But the production will be true to the original intent of the text. The multi-layered set, designed by Drama Desk Award-winner James Noone, is a dizzying array of mirrors, staircases, and spirals that Goldstein describes as "a cyclone swirling around Valmont that makes the play move like lightning."

Goldstein says the costumes, by newcomer Erin Chainani, are inspired by contemporary fashion "with the silhouette of period clothes, but not the traditional fabrics. Some of Valmont's clothes in this show are inspired by Karl Lagerfeld's personal style. And one of Madame de Volanges' gowns is an 18th Century version of Hillary Clinton's inaugural dress.

An original score, created by composer Loren Toolajian is inspired by a modern jazz harpsichord composition. "Loren broke the rules for period music - the score has a pounding, pulsing feel to it," Goldstein says.

This production contains nudity and adult situations.

Approximate running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes; including 1 intermission

The cast of the Huntington's Les Liaisons Dangereuses includes (in alphabetical order): Jeff Barry - Le Chevalier Danceny ; James Bodge - Major-Domo ; Alice Duffy - Madame de Rosemonde ; Seth Fisher - Azolon ; Jennie Israel - §«milie ; Louisa Krause - Cécile ; Tasha Lawrence - La Marquise de Merteuil ; Ann Talman - Madame de Volanges ; Michael T. Weiss - Le Vicomte de Valmont ; Yvonne Woods - La Présidente de Tourvel

Calendar - Related Events:
Jan. 10 Sneak Preview: Presentation by a member of the Huntington's artistic staff, featuring contextual background and production-related information, 6:30pm in the theatre. Free with ticket purchase; call 617-266-0800.

Jan. 11 Press Night: Media only. 7:30pm

Jan. 12 Night Club: For theatregoers 35 and under to mingle with staff, artists, and each other. Pre-show reception at 6pm and post-show backstage tour included. Free with ticket purchase; call 617-266-0800.

Jan. 19 College Night: For college students to mingle with staff, artists and each other. Post-show party and backstage tour included. Free with ticket purchase; call 617-266-0800.

Jan. 22 Humanities Forum is a lively discussion about the issues and ideas presented in the production, featuring M.I.T. professor and French historian Jeffrey Ravel. After 2pm show. Free with ticket purchase; call 617-266-0800.

Jan. 25 Out & About Club: For members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities to mingle with staff, artists and each other. Pre-show reception at 6pm at Top of the Hub Restaurant and a post-show backstage tour included. Free with ticket purchase; call 617-266-0800.

Jan. 27 ASL-Interpreted Performance: For audience members who are deaf, this 2pm performance will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Call TTY 617-424-0694.

Jan. 19 and Feb. 1 Actors Forum: Participating members of the Les Liaisons Dangereuses cast will appear after the 2pm performance to answer audience questions. Free with ticket purchase; call 617-266-0800.

For more information read the Huntington's press release.

December 07, 2005 ~ 3rd Season Pretender Cover Art Revealed !!


November 08, 2005 ~ 3rd Season Pretender Coming to DVD !!

    The next installment of this cult-fan favorite! Jarod's suspenseful journey continues as he uses his powers of reason and logic to right wrongs, while searching for his past and the family he lost.

You can tell when sales of a show are good; the studio keeps cranking the sets out. February 14, 2006 will mark the third Pretender season set Fox has released in less than a year (the first set came out in March, 2005). This 4 disc set will contain 21 episodes (1069 mins), though the finale is a double-length episode:

    Disc 1 side 1:
  1. Crazy
  2. Hope and Prey
  3. Once in a Blue Moon
  4. Someone to Trust


    5. Disc 1 side 2:
  5. Betrayal
  6. Parole


    7. Disc 2 side 1:
  7. Homefront
  8. Flesh and Blood
  9. Murder 101
  10. Mr. Lee


    11. Disc 2 side 2:
  11. The Assassin
  12. Unsinkable


    13. Disc 3 side 1:
  13. Pool
  14. In the Hour of Our Death
  15. Countdown
  16. P.T.B.


    17. Disc 3 side 2:
  17. Ties That Bind
  18. Wake Up


    19. Disc 4 side 1:
  19. End Game
  20. Qallupilluit


    21. Disc 4 side 2:
  21. Donaterase (part 1 and 2)

Special features include:
  • Making of Featurette Part One (Disc 2 side 2)
  • Making of Featurette Part Two (Disc 3 side 2)
  • Making of Featurette Part Three (Disc 3 side 2)
  • Commentary by Craig W. Van Sickle and Steven Long Mitchell on three episodes

The anamorphic widescreen (1.78:1) picture will be accompanied by audio tracks in English, French and Spanish surround, with English and Spanish subtitles. The set will sell for $39.98 US, or $54.98 CAN. We'll post artwork when it's available.

SOURCE: TV Shows On DVD

November 08, 2005 ~ Marmalade at the Independent Film Festival, Livermore, California

Mercy has just returned from the 2005 California Independent Film Festival held in Livermore, California which included a viewing of Marmalade. While Michael was not in attendance, star Jill Sorensen and the director were.

Mercy describes the movie as: "great, but again Michael has a very small part."

FESTIVAL RESULTS
Best Picture: Marmalade
Best Actress: Jill Sorensen, Marmalade
Best Director: Kim Dempster, Marmalade

November 02, 2005 ~ Michael attends US premiere of Bee Season

On November 1, Michael attended the US premiere of Richard Gere and Juliette Binoche's latest movie "Bee Season" in New York.

The after party was held at the IFC Center in the historic Waverly Theater at 323 Avenue of the Americas.

Bee Season synopsis: Richard Gere, who plays a Talmudic scholar and Juliette Binoche as a couple whose marriage goes into meltdown when their 11-year-old daughter Eliza's (Flora Cross) unexpected success at a spelling bee throws her family into turmoil. Also starring are Kate Bosworth and Max Minghella (son of director Anthony Minghella).

November 01, 2005 ~ Sledge at the American Film Market

Sledge, a hilarious mockumentary about the meteoric rise and brutal fall of a Chippendale dancer turned action star (in which our beloved Michael T. Weiss plays a swinging and swaying 'druglord') is screening at the 2005 American Film Market, held in Santa Monica, CA from Nov. 2 - 9, 2005 on
Wednesday 11/2, 1:00pm - Fairmont
Sunday 11/6, 11:00am - Fairmont

Some background info on the American Film Market:
Founded in 1981, the American Film Market (AFM) has grown steadily to become the premiere global marketplace where Hollywood's decision-makers and trendsetters all gather under one roof. Unlike a film festival, the AFM is a marketplace where production and distribution deals are closed. In just eight days, more than $800 million in deals will be sealed - on both completed films and those that haven't started shooting yet - making AFM the must-attend industry event.

October 31, 2005 ~ Michael spotted in Chicago

We just got back from my cousin-in-law's wedding in Chicago. The most notable thing was that, as we were waiting for a cab from O'Hare to our hotel, my wife pointed out to me that right behind us in line was Michael T. Weiss, who starred as supergenius Jarod in "The Pretender," one of my favorite shows from the 1990s (kind of like "The Fugitive" crossed with "Real Genius," with healthy doses of an "The X-Files"-like conspiracy backdrop involving "The Centre").

I waited until he was in a lull in his conversation with his friend/assistant/bodyguard? and then told him that I loved his show. He smiled and said, "Thank you."

Having spent much of my life in Los Angeles, I can't help but have seen numerous celebrities in person, the more notable ones being Sylvester Stallone, Mike Farrell, Eddie Murphy, Joey Lauren Adams, and Sandra Bullock's sister. It makes you a little less star-struck, perhaps, and in any event, I can see how celebrities might feel hassled if they're constantly asked for autographs, pictures, etc. Hopefully, a polite acknowledgment of how much I enjoyed his work on "The Pretender" was appreciated.

Source: The Yin Blog

October 16th, 2005 ~ Fade Update

In an email from Anthony Stagliano:

We have just finished a marathon editing session that was about eight weeks. The film should be completely finished by the middle of autumn (I shall not put a more specific timeframe than that, for fear of embarrassing myself when I break it).

Abelard and Heloise are featured in the film, both in person and in spirit. I am, as usual, reluctant to be more specific than that.

As for casting, we were fortunate to get the actors we asked for in the roles that we wanted them. Everyone involved was consummately professional and of the highest level of talent, which reflects in the final film. I couldn't be happier with the performances.

SYNOPSIS: A sleepless man's body won't give out, and he chooses pain to overcome his maddening condition. Caught up in his disturbing exit plan is his wife who succumbs to the madness that drives them to resort to shocking tactics trying to put an end to the unrest.

The narrative cross-cuts between the rattled world of Arthur, and the confused existence of his wife Anna, both trying to make sense of a world in which a condition can overtake and destroy their lives so completely. The story charts their respective descents; his into physical ruin and death and hers into mental disruption and anguish.

This is horror we know, disease ruptured by violence and death we tremble to know exists. A story that is terrifying and complex, Fade is visually provocative with a distinctive voice that doesn't fail to disturb.

Written and Directed by Anthony Stagliano.

September 20, 2005 ~ Extra footage gives new releases added dimension {Excerpt}

TV on DVD

"The Pretender: The Complete Second Season" - Michael T. Weiss returns as a man on the run from the secret organization that raised him, using his uncanny ability to mimic any occupation to stay ahead of his pursuers. The four-disc set packs 21 episodes, with commentary from Weiss and others on two DVD set, $39.98. (20th Century Fox)
SOURCE: HeraldNet.com
A ' Making of ' Featurette which includes most of the primary actors and the creators is spread over the first 3 discs. Disc 4 has additional commentary by the creators and Michael and Andrea.

September 11, 2005 ~ Marmalade to screen at the CIFF in October

Marmalade will screen on Sunday, October 30 at the Steven Kent Winery, 5443 Tesla Road, Livermore in the 2-5pm time slot. It will be preceeded by the short film "Intermission". Sunday pass is $20. The California Independent Film Festival runs from October 26th thru 30th, 2005 in Livermore, CA

September 7, 2005 ~ Les Liaisons Dangereuses Actors' Forum

Actors Forum - Post-show discussions with members of the cast. Follows select Thursday evening and select Wednesday matinee performances.
Dates for Les Liaisons Dangereuses:
Thursday, January 19
Wednesday, February 1

Les Liaisons Dangereuses
by Christopher Hampton
Directed by Daniel Goldstein
1/6/2006 - 2/5/2006
BU Theatre - Mainstage

Box office Main: (617) 266-0800 ; Fax: (617) 421-9674 ; TTY: (617) 424-0694 ; 264 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115-4606.

August 25, 2005 ~ More Michael on DVD in the US

Available for Pre-Order now from Amazon.com, Dimension Home Video has announced the release of Written In Blood to store shelves on September 6th.

Dimension Home Video announced Written in Blood, a crime thriller starring Michael T. Weiss and Peter Coyote, would arrive on DVD shelves on Sept. 6.

When John Traveller (Coyote) is convicted of murder, his partner Detective Matthew Ransom (Weiss), begins to try and find out what really happened. As he investigates the murder further, the only clues he uncovers are baffling - including a name that is written in blood.

Ransom also finds himself drawn to Traveller's daughter Jude (played by Maureen Flannigan). As more murders occur, Ransom finds that he must include Jude as a possible suspect.

The DVD will be released in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, and is rated R for language, violence and some sexuality. ... more

Available for Pre-Order now from Amazon.com, MGM Home Video has announced the release of Dark Shadows: The Revival Series to store shelves on October 18th.

The 1991 remake of Dark Shadows (popularly known as "The Revival Series") is, in many ways, more popular than the original. Short lived, because it was essentially knocked off the air by the start of the Gulf War, it nevertheless has many fans.

TVTome.com (which is, by-the-way, a terrific resource for episode guides and other information about your favorite shows) has pursued the issue of getting this series on DVD. "Darko", the TVTome editor for this show and 20 others, posted the following at TVTome's Dark Shadows (1991) listing:

Editor's note:

It hasn't been officially annouced, but I emailed MPI Home Video and asked if they would release The Revival Series on DVD, since they are releasing the original show on DVD.

They said they are likely to release it on DVD after they release all of the original show.
Good word there, Darko, and we appreciate the info: it's kind of thin, but it's a cause for optimism. Also, thank you for mentioning our site there! Finally, deepest thanks to Dark Shadows fan Stephanie Lambert for bringing this to our attention.

Some trivia about the costumes:
For the 1790's period clothing, the costumes were a mix of Rosalie Wallace's custom designs and costumes borrowed from other productions, notably the 1988 movies Dangerous Liaisons (with John Malkovich as Valmont) and Valmont (with Colin Firth in that part).

July 23, 2005 ~ Sledge screens at Chicago's Indie Fest

Sledge: The Untold Story will screen at the Chicago Indie Fest, Independent Film Festival & Market, held from July 29 - August 7, 2005.

Screenings:
- July 30, 7pm at the Le Meridien, 521 N. Rush at Michigan Ave.
- August 2, 8pm at the Landmark Century Cinema, 2828 N. Clark St.
- August 3, 6pm at the Landmark Century Cinema, 2828 N. Clark St.

From info@indiefestchicago.com: Tickets are $10. You can purchase advance tickets to our screening room, main theatre is box office only.

From the Sledge team: We're still figuring out if anyone will be free to make the screenings, at current, we're all in Los Angeles working on various movies and prepping SLEDGE for it's release.

June 27, 2005 ~ The Pretender movies on TV in the UK

On August Bank Holiday weekend SCI FI will debut the two full-length movies featuring the further adventures of Jarod (Michael T Weiss), and his battles with the simply awe-inspiring Miss Parker (played by Andrea Parker). Fans of The Pretender will know these are much-sought adventures that help to round off the series episodes that preceded the "The Pretender 2001", screening on Saturday 27 August at 8.00pm, sees Jarod reunited with two old friends, and unleashing some startling revelations about 'The Centre'. Picking up from the cliff-hanger ending of the finale series, "The Pretender 2001" closes the door on a few puzzles, while posing some tantalising new ones.

Meanwhile, in "The Pretender: Island of The Hauted", screening on Sunday 28 August at 8.00pm, we have a series of bizarre circumstances leading to Jarod and Miss Parker finding themselves trapped together on a strange island in a situation that could turn into life-or-death. This follow-up to the first Pretender movie reveals more about the mysterious pasts of Jarod and Miss Parker ... and throws fresh light on the shadowy beginnings of 'The Centre' where Jarod spent his youth.

But that's not all! To celebrate these premieres, SCI FI has decided to block out their normal schedules from Noon until 8.00pm each day, when these movies debut, to showcase the best episodes of this addictive show. It's an instant crash course in becoming familiar with this terrific series. Full article at Pretender Party.

June 08, 2005 ~ Michael is Back In 'FADE'

Michael has become part of the cast of "Fade", a very independent movie, so independent that they were searching for crew members willing to work for no pay. First time director Tony Stagliano will be at the helm, and Sarah Lassez (known from "Until the Night" - the infos came from her people) and David Connolly (or Connelly, depending on the source) are the leads, and Michael will play a Dr. McCabe. So far no idea about the story or the characters, only that filming will take place in and around San Diego, CA from June - August.

May 13, 2005 ~ Les Liaisons Dangereuses: Michael Back In Boston

The Huntington Theatre Company has announced two additions to its 2005-2006 season. TV star Michael T. Weiss, who was such a hottie in last fall's "Burn This," will star in Christopher Hampton's adaptation of the sexy "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" (Jan. 6-Feb. 5).

May 10, 2005 ~ Michael Voices Jason Blood in Return to Justice League

Comics Continuum reports that Susan Sullivan reprises her voice role of Hippolyta in the upcoming episode "The Balance," alongside Robert England as Felix Faust, Bob Joles as Hades, Juliet Landau as Tala, Jason Bateman as Hermes, Wayne Knight as Abnegazar and Michael T. Weiss as Jason Blood. Stan Berkowitz wrote the story and Dwayne McDuffie wrote the teleplay, which was then directed by Dan Riba. They also have a look at Captain Marvel from the episode "Clash."

April 21, 2005 ~ Michael Returns to the Huntington

The Huntington Theatre Company has brought its annual auction event online! The online portion of the auction will close on May 5th, just days before the annual Spotlight Spectacular! event.

We're very excited that Michael T. Weiss, Victor Garber, Andrea Martin,and Deb Monk have agreed to join us at the 2005 Spotlight Spectacular!, the Huntington's annual benefit event.

At the event, Ronald M. Druker, President of The Druker Company and an important partner in the creation of the new Stanford Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, will be honored with the Huntington's third annual Wimberly Award, recognizing his outstanding commitment and contributions to the Huntington.

Spectacular! co-chairs Judi and Douglas Krupp promise a Spectacular! evening, and encourage you to buy your tables and tickets now as the event has sold out each of the last three years.

For more info on this event:
www.huntingtontheatre.org/support/spotlight.aspx
www.cmarket.com/catalog/landingPage.do?ID=b4ed980991ca360119232391a5f8c60c

April 20, 2005 ~ Until the Night

Michael's Until the Night is scheduled for release on April 26th and available for pre-order on Amazon.com. This is a Region 1 (USA, Canada) DVD.

April 11, 2005 ~ Michael spotted in Chicago

From: Chicago Tribune, [RedEye Edition]; Celebrities play ball - Liz Crokin. Apr 11, 2005. pg. 36: Former Bears star Dan Hampton recently lunched at the 'Naperville Rosebud' with Naperville Mayor George Pradel. ... "Il Mare" stars Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves hung out at the 'Cubby Bear' together last week. ... Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams and David Terrell had a romantic dinner at 'Japonais' last week, as did Michael T. Weiss of "The Pretender."...

March 27, 2005 ~ Iowa premieres at Tribeca Film Festival

Iowa will have its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival in New York, NY on Monday, April 25 at 5:45pm at the Regal Cinemas Battery Park Stadium #11, 102 North End Ave. (Vesey & West St.), and will be screened again on Wednesday, April 27 at 5:30pm at Regal Cinemas Battery Park #3, and on Friday, April 29 at 12:30pm at Regal Cinemas Battery Park #2.
Tickets are $10.00.
Iowa is in competition for 'Narrative Features'.

Iowa
Feature Films in Competition

U.S.A., 2004, 108 min, Color
World Premiere

Director/Screenwriter: Matt Farnsworth
Producer: Matt Farnsworth
Co-Producer: Diane Foster
Cinematographer: Andrew Parke
Music: Elia Cmiral
Special Effects: Jor Van Kline
Cast: Matt Farnsworth, Diane Foster, Rosanna Arquette, John Savage, Michael T. Weiss, David Backus

Forget 4-H. The kids are most definitely not alright in Iowa, a harrowing account of the plague of methamphetamine addiction ravaging working-class stoner kids in the bucolic heartland, who should be out working in the local Wal-Mart or milking cows on the family farm, but instead have turned into hallucinating tweakers and depraved crank monsters. Iowa focuses on Esper Harte (Matt Farnsworth, the young actor who also wrote and directed the film), who sees the death of his ex-con/junkie father as an opportunity to score an insurance windfall that will finance his marriage to beautiful blonde Donna (Diane Foster), a wide-eyed cutie-pie who does not quite know the difference between an 'antithesis' and an 'atheist.' But Esper's junkie mother, Effie (Rosanna Arquette, as a decade-older rendition of the same over-amped doper chick she played in Pulp Fiction), has other ideas. She wants the money for herself and schemes with the local corrupt cop and parole officer to do away with her son, or at least put him behind bars. Iowa may look like Middle America, with its corn fields and country music, its good ol' boys and cowboys roaring down two-lane highways in El Caminos, Chevy pick-ups and GTOs, but it's closer in spirit to The Salton Sea, Spun, and all those other drug-culture indie movies that make snorting, shooting and smoking speed about as attractive as putting a loaded gun in your mouth and pulling the trigger. - Louis Chunovic

February 16, 2005 ~ 4th Season of The Pretender airs in the UK

Season 4 finally premiered last Wednesday, Feb. 9 in the UK. It airs every weeknight at 7pm on the Sci-Fi Channel, and is repeated at 1pm the following day, Monday - Friday (Monday 7pm; Tuesday - Friday 1pm & 7pm). No word on the movies yet, but Sci-Fi might show both after the run of the series, as they advertise the show a lot.

January 20, 2005 ~ Sledge will have its World Premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival

Sledge: The Untold Story will be screened in the 'Midnight Series' at the Slamdance Fesitval on Sunday, Jan 23 at 10:00am at 608 Screening Room, 608 Main St., Park City, UT, and again on Tuesday, Jan 25 at 11:30pm at Main Screening Room (TMI), 255 Main St., Park City, UT.

January 15, 2005 ~ The Pretender DVD release date changed

The release date of the 1st season of "The Pretender" on DVD in the US has changed from March 15th to March 22nd, 2005.

You can pre-order the DVD set at Amazon.com for $27.99.

January 14, 2005 ~ Sledge's official website launched

The official website of Sledge: The Untold Story is now online. It features a trailer, synopsis, several cool movie stills (but none of Michael).

The movie is based on the short film by the same creative team, "Sledge: A Documentary".

January 09, 2005 ~ Until the Night to screen at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival

Until The Night next shows in the San Francisco Independent Film Festival on February 11, 13 & 16.


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