Monthly Archives: January 2017

‘80s Icon Tami Stronach Does Jack And The Beanstalk Musical

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Tami Stronach

Tami Stronach, has spent her time in dance, choreogrphy, and theater and is now starting something new: a children’s music album and touring live show inspired by the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk.

The Childlike Empress from The NeverEnding Story is back! Tami Stronach is putting together a new album and show for families and children with the album set to launch next month, and the show set to kick off in New York on February 4th.

Thirty years ago, we fell in love with her character The Childlike Empress when she beckoned Bastian to call her name. Now, the star of the 80s hit is back – ready to invade both the film and music world with her new family label and a Luck Dragon-sized load of exciting new projects.

Directed by Wolfgang Peterson, The NeverEnding Story was a West-German produced English-language film that, at the time, was the most expensive film produced outside the United States or the Soviet Union.

Tami Stronach's Beanstalk Jack

Tami Stronach’s Beanstalk Jack

The NeverEnding Story, which won several awards over 1984 and 1985, was a global hit, snaring $100 million worldwide against a production budget of $27 million.

The movie, which catapulted Stronach to stardom, has been a huge inspiration in pop culture and is just as popular today as it was when it was first released.

After a couple of decades of making dance and theater in NYC, Tami has now turned her attention to laying the foundation for a content shop that makes family-friendly work – not unlike The NeverEnding Story. The brand is Called Paper Canoe Company, which she founded with husband, Greg.

In February, Tami releases a new album, Beanstalk Jack, a folk-rock opera based on Jack and the Beanstalk.

Tami Stronach, Beanstalk Jack

Tami Stronach performing in the Beanstalk Jack live touring show featuring the music on the Beanstalk Jack album.

Beanstalk Jack is a 50 minute folk-rock concept album that the whole family can enjoy. It tells the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk with an Americana sound, and a girl meets boy twist. In it, young Jack goes up the Beanstalk with his six-string to find his fortune. In the big world at the top of the Beanstalk, Jack steals the heart of a giant’s daughter, Harmony, a bright star just waiting for the right band to come along.

Tami made one album Faerie Queen that nostalgia buffs will remember was a sleeper hit in the ‘80s. This new project is the first in a series of collaborations with a notable crew of indie folk-rock artists in Williamsburg. In the coming months she’ll be choreographing and performing in videos for the album and doing promo concerts in preparation for launching a full live theatrical experience later in the year. The performance will be built to tour nationally and internationally in theatrical concert venues with video projections, puppets, and Tami performing the role of Harmony, the Giant’s rock star daughter.

On February 4the, you’ll also be able to see a live theatre version of Beanstalk Jack in New York.

No More Turning The World On With Her Smile: Mary Tyler Moore Dies At 80

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Mary Tyler Moore

Mary Tyler Moore, left, with Dick Van Dyke, right. acted together on The Dick Van Dyke Show from 1961 to 1966. The two had incredible chemistry and Moore won an Emmy award. Unfortunately show creator Carl Reiner stuck to his promise of a five year run for the series.

Greenwich, CT—Mary Tyler Moore, best known for her groundbreaking single woman with a career 1970s sitcom “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” died from cardiopulmonary arrest due to pneumonia Wednesday. She was 80.

First gaining fame for portraying Dick Van Dyke’s hot wife in “The Dick Van Dyke Show” from 1961 to 1965, Moore also appeared in such TV shows as “Ellen,” “The Ellen Show” and “Hot in Cleveland.” She won one Emmy Award for her performance on “Dick Van Dyke” and two more for her work on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”

On the big screen, Moore appeared in such films as “X-15,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “RECOiL” and was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in “Ordinary People.”

She is survived by her third husband, Dr. Robert Levine.

Mary Tyler Moore

Mary Tyler Moore, right, met RECOiL writer/director/actor Brian DiMaio, left, soon after the conclusion of The Dick Van Dyke Show. The two produced a pilot but some said the chemistry wasn’t there. The show was never picked up.

Erich Mrak Releases His First New Song Of 2017 Today

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Toronto—Rejoice, people! As 2017 begins, our close personal pal Erich Mrak debuts his first release of year, titled “Think About It.” Written by Erich, and produced by Bento (Erich’s in-house producer), the song displays a new direction sonically, as it has a laid back feel, mixed with various instrumentation breaks between Erich vocals. 

“Think About It” is Erich’s first of many releases planned for 2017. “Think About It” will be available for streaming through all major streaming services, such as SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple Music, ect. 

Here is the link to the new song:

You are now musically informed. Go and do likewise. 

2017 Gets Its First Celebrity: Miguel Ferrer Dies At 61

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Miguel Ferrer

Miguel Ferrer, center, flanked by cousins George Clooney, right, and Brian DiMaio, left. When this photo was snapped they were all laughing about how no one could remember which side of the family DiMaio came from.

Los Angeles—Miguel Ferrer, best known as the OCP executive who got blown all to hell by Eric Forman’s dad in the classic sci-fi film, “Robocop,” has died from throat cancer. He was 61.

He most recently worked on “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and also appeared on TV in such shows as “Crossing Jordan” “3rd Rock From the Sun,” “Magnum, PI” and in the 1995 miniseries, “The Stand.” 

Besides his role in “Robocop,” he also appeared in “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,” “Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2” “RECOiL” and “Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta!”

Ferrer is survived by his wife Lori, sons Lukas and Rafi and his first cousin, George Clooney.

“I Find Happiness In Living Moment To Moment:” A TDQ Q&A With Actress And Writer Sonia Rockwell

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Sonia Rockwell

Sonia Rockwell

This week’s TDQ Q&A is with actress and writer Sonia Rockwell. Sonia spoke to us about her role in the new version of “MacGyver,” her recent work in “The Bounce Back” and how great Mike Judge is. Here is this week’s TDQ Q&A With Sonia Rockwell:

The Daily Quarterly: What made you want to be in show business?

Sonia Rockwell: Getting paid to play sounded like the best idea in world! Sign me up!

TDQ: Who was your favorite actress growing up?

SR: I absolutely adore Reese Witherspoon! She can be serious, cute, corky, dorky, and just plain adorable! I have really enjoyed watching her career.

TDQ: What was your favorite TV show growing up?

SR: Honestly, any cartoons. I loved cartoons growing up. I didn’t really watch a lot of regular TV as a kid other than cartoons. Then of course…there were “Friends,” the “X-FILES,” and “MacGyver”!!!

SoniaRockwell in the movie Spread.

Sonia Rockwel in the movie Spread with Ashton Kutcher. You may think this movie is about a guy giving out free samples of a tasty new veggie spread at the grocery store but it is not.


TDQ: What is the best advice you have ever gotten?

SR: It’s funny, I get asked this question a lot! Live in the moment! Like children, they don’t worry about yesterday or worry about tomorrow, they just enjoy the present. I find happiness in living moment to moment.

TDQ: What is the worst advice you have ever gotten?

SR: Yikes! The worst advice, hmmm, I can’t remember…maybe I didn’t take it! Haha

TDQ: Who are your influences?

SR: My Mother is my absolute biggest influence. She’s a walking angel, she has more love in one person to give than I have ever seen. Truly a selfless woman, she was a successful Biochemist, and at one time a flight attendant. She is just a big bundle of love. I admire her so much, if I could be half the woman she is I would be proud.

Sonia Rockwell at The Bounce Back premiere.

Sonia Rockwell at The Bounce Back premiere.


TDQ: Tell us about your work on your latest movie, “The Bounce Back” and upcoming series, “American Crime”.

SR: In “The Bounce Back” I play a Chicago talk show host. Shemar Moore and his love interest battle it out in their opposing views of getting over love on my talk show. We had fun with it, and played a lot with improv. It was a lot of fun and we had a lot of surprises. “American Crime” will be airing soon, unfortunately I can’t say too much about it, other than working with Felicity Huffman was an honor.

TDQ: You’ve also appeared on the reboot of “MacGyver.” What was it like working on an updated version of such an iconic show?

SR: Oh my gosh, it was a dream. I actually remember my parents watching the original series, so I was stoked to get to play on it. My character is from Portugal and I got to speak Portuguese and had a real thick Portuguese accent. It was fun working with George Eads again, we did an episode together on “CSI,” playing totally different characters. We had a blast.

Sonia Rockwell and Snoop Dogg

Sonia Rockwell and close personal friend Snoop Dogg.

TDQ: What other projects are you working on next?

SR: I play Jenny McCarthy on Mike Judge’s new show “History of the World…For Now.” It’s pretty silly, you learn about pop culture in an almost “Saturday Night Live Style.” I love comedy, it’s so much fun, and of course, Mike Judge is a legend!

TDQ: Where do you see yourself in five years?

SR: In five years I’m still going to be acting on TV and in film and by then I’ll have the TV show I am currently writing finished. It’s a comedy and that will be in the works to make its debut! I’m so excited, I can’t wait, I love writing. And I’ll definitely have my pilots license in the bag, so then, I’ll go flying!

Check out Sonia’s page and follow her on .