The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York), February 24, 2006, Friday

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The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York)

February 24, 2006 Friday
FINAL EDITION

SECTION: CNY; Joan E. Vadeboncoeur; Pg. E2

HEADLINE: THOMPSON HONORED FOR "CONSTANT STAR'

BYLINE: JOAN E. VADEBONCOEUR ENTERTAINMENT COLUMNIST

BODY:
Tazewell Thompson and his "Constant Star" came up big winners in the annual theater awards of the Beverly Hills-Hollywood branch of the NAACP.
The work by the former Syracuse Stage artistic director was honored as the best production at the 16th annual ceremony. The work was mounted at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, Calif.
Thompson was also awarded best director of a musical for "Constant Star," which he wrote. The ensemble cast notched an award as did Central New Yorker Dianne Adams McDowell for music director of the show.
Thompson returned to Syracuse Stage in the fall of 2003 to direct his drama with music. It is the story of real life civil rights activist-journalist Ida B. Wells.
Recently, he has been directing opera, notably at Cooperstown's Glimmerglass Opera and New York City Opera. On Jan. 1, the 54-year-old assumed the reins of the legendary Westport, Conn., Country Playhouse from former Academy Award-winner Joanne Woodward.
The writer-director succeeded Arthur Storch, Syracuse Stage's founder and producing director, in July, 1992. He left after almost five seasons.
HENNINGER GRAD WHALEY IN HBO'S "MRS. HARRIS"
It has been a while since Frank Whaley appeared in this column. The last time came in 2003, when he played opposite Jack Black in "School of Rock." The Henninger High School graduate was the man auditioning Black's and other bands.
Now Whaley returns to films as one of the all-star cast of "Mrs. Harris," the HBO movie that debuts 8 p.m. Saturday. The Syracuse native plays George Bolen, the attorney who prosecuted the title character, Jean Harris, for the killing of Herman Tarnower, the doctor who devised a revolutionary diet.
The film came close to going to multiplexes. With that in mind, HBO screened it at last fall's Toronto Film Festival.
No surprise that it was planned for a theatrical release since three-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening portrays Harris and Academy Award-winner Ben Kingsley plays the doctor who was her long-time lover.
Besides, the cast also boasts the presence of Chloe Sevigny, Frances Fisher, Cloris Leachman, Mary McDonnell, Philip Baker Hall, Brett Butler and, in a cameo, Ellen Burstyn.
CORNELL GRAD GOES FROM POVERTY TO BIG SCREEN
"Ithaca was like Eden."
Well, maybe not at this time of year, but it is the way writer Richard Price felt during his four years at Cornell University.
Currently, Price is represented on the motion-picture screen by "Freedomland," starring Julianne Moore and Samuel L. Jackson, both former Oscar nominees. It finished at No. 7 in its first weekend at the box office. He adapted his novel as he did with "Clockers," which Spike Lee directed.
Price majored in labor relations at Cornell and worked in construction during the summers after living in near poverty in New York City. Specifically it was the Bronx.
"For me, growing up and going into Manhattan," he told an interviewer, "was like being one of the Clampetts (in TV's "Beverly Hillbillies)." Then, he added that was why Ithaca was akin to Eden.
Joan Vadeboncoeur writes for CNY, Weekend and Stars.

GRAPHIC: PHOTO File photo/Dick Blume, 2003 TAZEWELL THOMPSON'S "Constant Star" was named best production at the 16th annual theater awards of the Beverly Hills-Hollywood branch of the NAACP. Thompson is a former Syracuse Stage artistic director.

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