Three of TFE's favourite actresses in limited runs on stage this summer!

by Nathaniel R

Donna Lynne, Sutton, and Ann

Theater is finally starting up again this summer and though the news is coming fast and furious about MANY productions there are three you really must know about involving great shows starring three special actresses that TFE loves dearly: Donna Lynn Champlin and Ann Dowd (both of whom have been kind enough to guest-star on this very site!) and Sutton Foster who is a longtime obsession...

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Smackdown '81: Elizabeth, Joan, Melinda, Maureen, and Jane Fonda

Welcome back to the Supporting Actress Smackdown, a summer festival in which we investigate Oscar vintages from years past. This time around it's 1981 in which an estranged daughter, an unhappy socialite, a guilt-ridden Catholic, a political radical, and a scandalous young beauty gather for our viewing pleasure.

1981's Supporting Actress nominations made room for a two-time winner (Jane Fonda, On Golden Pond) with a very personal project, an actor's actor in a star-driven historical epic (Maureen Stapleton, Reds),  two sturdy characters in 'issues' pictures of very different kinds (Melinda Dillon, Absence of Malice  and Joan Hackett in Only When I Laugh) and a rapidly rising starlet (Elizabeth McGovern, Ragtime) who had made a big film debut the year prior in 1980's Best Picture winner Ordinary People. 

THIS MONTH'S PANELISTS    

Here to talk about these five nominated turns and the movies and Oscars of 1981 are, in alphabetical order: writer/director Eric Blume, actor Donna Lynne Champlin (Crazy Ex Girlfriend), actor Sean Maguire (Once Upon a Time, The Magicians), festival programmer Amir Soltani, and critic Boyd Van Hoeij (The Hollywood Reporter). And, as ever, your host at The Film Experience, Nathaniel R. 

Let's begin...

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Introducing the Smackdown Panel for '81

We're so excited to bring you a new super-sized season of the Supporting Actress Smackdown. First up in early May is the year 1981. We'll be talking about Reds, On Golden Pond, Only When I Laugh, Ragtime, and Absence of Malice... so watch those flicks, won'cha? We've gathered a panel of actors, critics and industry cinephiles for you.

Ready to dive into 1981? Let's meet the people who will be talking about the Oscars of 1981 with us. 

PLEASE WELCOME ...

SEAN MAGUIRE
Originally from London, Sean started his career at age five starring alongside Sir Laurence Olivier in his final film, A Voyage around my Father. He then rose to fame at age ten when he was cast in the BBC drama "Grange Hill." He was cast as the lead in US number one box office feature Meet the Spartans. Sean has also starred in the TV comedies Off-Centre, Eve, The Class and took the title role in the Comedy Central series Krod Mandoon opposite Kevin Hart. Sean has also appeared in shows such as BBC series Scott & Bailey, the hit series Criminal Minds, and Timeless as James Bond creator Ian Flemming. Sean is best known for playing "Robin Hood" on the hit ABC series Once Upon A Time.  Sean just completed the 5th series of The Magicians on SyFy where he played two separate characters. Sean is an ambassador for the charity Oxfam. Sean resides in Los Angeles with his wife Tanya and two sons Flynn and Leo. [Twitter | Instagram ]

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Podcast: Smackdown '72 Conversation

Part Two of the Smackdown of 1972. (Part One ICYMI)

 

You've read our blurbs about Oscar's Supporting Actress Nominees of 1972, a fascinating bunch. Now hear the in-depth conversation that goes along with it. Nathaniel welcomes actresses Donna Lynne Champlin (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Kathy Deitch (American Horror Story: Freakshow) as well as writer/directors Arun Welandawe-Prematilleke and Eric Blume to discuss these talented women and their time capsule movies. Come with us to 1972! Find out which movie is accurately described as "hot garbage," which inspired a musical spoof, and marvel that the Smackdown winners were somehow the performances we were actually most divided on.

You can listen to the podcast right here at the bottom of the post or download from iTunes. 

Supporting Actresses of 1972

Smackdown '72: Meet the Panelists!

Our summer series "Supporting Actress Smackdown" returns on Sunday April 28th with a deep dive into the 1972 Oscar lineup:

• Jeannie Berlin, The Heartbreak Kid
• Eileen Heckart, Butterflies Are Free
• Geraldine Page, Pete N' Tillie
• Susan Tyrrell, Fat City
• Shelley Winters, The Poseidon Adventure

That's just two weeks away! So make sure to get your votes in (1 to 5 hearts for each of those performances that you've seen) since readers are the final collective panelist.

Want to meet the other panelists? Yeah, you do! 

PLEASE WELCOME...

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