Showing posts with label Chrystee Pharris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chrystee Pharris. Show all posts

Monday, August 24, 2015

PHOTOS: 14th Biennial National Black Theatre Festival, Co-Chaired by Darnell Williams and Debbi Morgan

Emmy-winning All My Children stars Darnell Williams and Debbi Morgan served as co-shares for the National Black Theatre Festival. Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos
The 14th Biennial National Black Theatre Festival, an international celebration and reunion of spirit, was held August 3-8, 2015 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, produced by The North Carolina Black Repertory Comapny, Inc. NBTF co-chairs (and All My Children legends) Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams led the celebrity procession on opening night, which included a gala dinner and awards presentation, followed by a week filled with plays, workshops and much more with.

The star-studded festival included participation from many familiar faces from the world of daytime soap operas, including Taurean Blacque (Henry Marshall, Generations), Norm Lewis (Keith McLean, All My Children), Andre De Shields (Marshall Lincoln Kramer III, Another World), Micki Grant (Peggy Harris Nolan, Another World – one of first black contract players - along with roles in All My Children, Guiding Light, Somerset and The Edge of Night), Lamman Rucker (T. Marshall Travers, As the World Turns - along with roles on All My Children and The Young and the Restless); Chrystee Pharris (Simone Russell, Passions - currently starring in Queens of Drama), Ted Lange (Love Boat star who played a judge on General Hospital), Timothy Stickney (RJ Gannon, One Life to Live), Jackee Harry (Lily Mason, Another World); Count Stovall (Roy Franklin, As the World Turns; Cal Cummings, All My Children; Hank Chambers, The Doctors) and Roscoe Orman (Sesame Street's Gordon who once played Tyrone on All My Children).

Check out photos from the festival below:

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Sneak Peek: 'Queens of Drama' Season Finale

Donna Mills loves to make an entrance.
On this week's episode of Queens of Drama, the "queens" shot IDs for their characters but, as with with just about everything on this show, things became very dramatic. Hunter Tylo suddenly collapsed in the middle of her script dislocating her elbow and hip. Call the ambulance!

On the one-hour season finale, airing Wednesday, June 10 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Pop, Donna Mills announces that it looks like Hunter won't be able to shoot the sizzle reel, while Chrystee Pharris surprises the team by revealing she wrote an extra scene for herself (while the others were given two scenes, Pharris only received three lines in the script). Meanwhile, the ladies are surprised when Donna shows up at a photoshoot in a red dress when they had agreed to all wear black. Finally, when Vanessa Marcil reveals to Lindsay Hartley that Donna is pitching their new show the next day, Donna is caught off guard when Lindsay, Chrystee and Crystal Hunt show up at the meeting.

Watch a sneak peek at the Queens of Drama season finale below:

Thursday, May 28, 2015

NEWS: Jessica Collins Leaving 'The Young and the Restless'; Plus, Kristoff St. John, Nicholas Rodriguez, Chrystee Pharris, Louise Shaffer, Jake Wood

Jessica Collins - © 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC Alexx Henry
Studios, LLC / Jeremy Lee
Jessica Collins Leaving 'The Young and the Restless'
Collins is leaving the role of Avery Clark on Y&R. Reports Jamey Giddens: "What Chuck [Pratt] originally planned for Avery would have been the worst thing the soap had ever done," said a set side source. "It would have been Armageddon."

The status of Collins and co-star Scott Elrod (Joe) have rumored in recent weeks but Y&R has only confirmed the exit of Collins this summer.

Mental health facility bosses respond to Kristoff St. John lawsuit
St. John is suing executives at La Casa and its sister company Telecare for negligence, negligent supervision, negligent retention and wrongful death, and he is seeking an unspecified amount in damages. on Wednesday, bosses at La Casa fired back and denied being served with papers from St. John.

A statement issued to Entertainment Tonight reads: "The staff and management of La Casa Mental Health Rehabilitation Center want to express their deepest sympathies to the family of Julian St. John following his tragic suicide in November 2014. La Casa has not been served with the lawsuit by the St. John family. We believe it is important to state that the California Department of Health Care Services reviewed the case and on May 5, 2015 found that La Casa was in compliance with all applicable licensing laws and regulations. Similarly, the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health concluded that Mr. St. John's treatment and care at La Casa was reasonable and in line with clinical procedures, given his mental condition. For over 30 years our staff has provided excellent, compassionate care to those suffering from mental illness in the Los Angeles area, and we are proud of the dedication and hard work of our team of professional care-givers. We agree with the public comments of the family of Mr. St. John that the nation would be better served by focusing more attention on the issues affecting the mentally ill."

'Y&R' Showrunner Jill Farren Phelps Set to Begin Contract Negotiations
Her contract isn't up until fall, but Phelps is set to begin negotiating with Sony and CBS Daytime shortly.

Roger Crew, husband of 'Ryan's Hope' star Louise Shaffer, has passed away
Shaffer shared thanks on Facebook for the outpouring of support: "Thank you for the love and the support and the prayers. I guess one of the sadder things about this is, how much Roger would have enjoyed this outpouring. He and I were married for thirty five years. He was funny, smart -- I don't know too many people who consider Faulkner light bedtime reading -- talented in more ways than he ever knew, and his heart was huge. He was the only man I ever could have loved and the only man I ever could have married. He kept me from being lonely for over three decades."

Jake Wood taking a a year-long break from 'EastEnders'
"I have been at EastEnders for nine years and I feel the time is right to give Max [Branning] a break. It won't be for too long as I shall be back next year to see Max face another chapter of drama."

'Coronation Street' stars are reportedly furious that they've been banned from performing in the theater
Bosses are said to have told actors they can't sign up for festive plays until they've left the ITV soap, despite stars from rival dramas securing six-figure sums for roles.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper : "People think it's unfair. Stars can make as much for three or four weeks' work over Christmas than in an entire year. People were saying, 'If they can do it, why can't we?' Some of the younger cast aren't on a lot of money so to be able to boost their income would be a dream come true. It's not a happy ship."

'Passions' Actress Chrystee Pharris Turns Career Into Ministry; Recalls Praying for Wiccan On Set
Pharris is currently starring in Queens of Drama on Pop.

"It was one of those things I remember telling my friend, 'I want a reality show based around soap opera people.' She was like 'sure enough you're going to get it,'" Pharris recalled. "One week later I got the call like 'here you go.' She was like ' you prayed about it I knew you were going to get it! You always have so much favor."

It's so sad Nigel was killed off, says 'Archers' boss: Show's editor suggest team regret death of much-loved character that prompted 450 complaints
At the time editor Vanessa Whitburn was in charge of the program and responsible for a number of controversial plots, which helped to boost ratings and transformed The Archers from a sedate tale of rural life to a serial of sensational storylines, including an arson attack and a torrid extra-marital affair.

Sean O’Connor took over in 2013 and when asked by an audience member if he regretted the decision, Mr O’Connor said after a pause: "I think it was very sad that Nigel died. That is what I think. I wasn’t there, I’ve been there for over two years, but I wasn’t there. So I think it was very sad that he died."

Listen to Soulful New Tracks from 'One Life to Life' Alum Nicholas Rodriguez's Solo Debut Album
Rodriguez, who made his Broadway debut in "Tarzan" and played Nick Chavez on One Life to Live, will release his debut solo album "The First Time..." on the PS Classics label next month. In anticipation of the release, Playbill.com shared two of the tracks.

The album, which will be released digitally June 2 and in stores June 19, will include songs by Stephen Sondheim, Frank Loesser, and Rodgers & Hammerstein, Joni Mitchell and Sara Bareilles. Also featured will be Phil Collins' "You'll Be in My Heart" from "Tarzan."

Listen to "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" and "Conversation" below:

'Queens of Drama' Stars Model Original Wardrobe of the Late Marilyn Monroe at the Hollywood Museum

L-R Lindsay Hartley, Donna Mills, Chrystee Pharris and
Crystal Hunt.
In honor of Marilyn Monroe's birthday, The Hollywood Museum has brought international collectors together to showcase an unprecedented exhibit from June 1st to Sept 6th. Among the items on display will be Monroe's childhood, film costumes, public appearance gowns, personal clothing, jewelry, furniture, make-up, medication (found on the nightstand, the night of her death), memorabilia and much more. An advance viewing was held at The Hollywood Museum on Wednesday, May 27 featiromg Queens of Drama stars Lindsay Hartley, Donna Mills, Chrystee Pharris and Crystal Hunt modeling some of Marilyn's wardrobe.

Lindsay is wearing one of Marilyn's favorite every day outfits. Donna is wearing the reproduction of the famous "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress worn by the actress who played Marilyn Monroe in The women of Camelot. Crystal is wearing a dress from the movie Let's Make Love. Chrystee is wearing Marilyn Monroe's famous USO down that she wore to visit the troops.

For the exhibit, Donelle Dadigan (Founder and President of The Hollywood Museum and owner of the Max Factor building) has purchased and secured the copyrights to hundreds of never before seen rare photos of Marilyn Monroe, uncovered by the son of Monroe photographer, Milton Greene. The images include promotional photo shoots as well as candid images taken with friends and colleagues such as Milton Berle, Maurice Chevalier, Sammy Davis, Jr., Marlene Dietrich, Louella Parsons, Billy Wilder, Frank Sinatra, etc.

Queens of Drama airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Pop.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Preview: Lorenzo Lamas Guest Stars On This Week's 'Queens of Drama'

Lorenzo Lamas auditions for the Queens of Drama this Wednesday.
Falcon Crest alum Lorenzo Lamas guest stars on this week's episode of Queens of Drama, airing Wednesday, May 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Pop. The "queens" are ready to audition actors for their new series and Lamas shows them what he's got.

"This is so surreal," says Crystal Hunt (Guiding Light, One Life to Live).

"Do you mind doing the scene with your shirt off?" asks Chrystee Pharris (Passions).

Meanwhile, things get tense between Lindsay Hartley (Passions, All My Children) and Hunter Tylo (The Bold and the Beautiful, All My Children) after Hartley retweets an "ease up on the surgery" message to Tylo.

At some point, Crystal Hunt became the level-headed, has-it-together "queen of drama." When did that happen?

Watch a sneak peek of the next Queens of Drama below:

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Two Soap Legends Will Reunite at Daytime Emmys; Plus, Eileen Davidson, Donna Mills, Lindsay Hartley & Crystal Hunt & More Added as Presenters

Queens of Drama stars Lindsay Hartley and Crystal Hunt.  Photo Credit: Pop
Eileen Davidson, Tom Bergeron, Kevin Frazier, Leeza Gibbons, Vicki Lawrence and Mario Lopez have been added to the lineup of presenters at the 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards airing live on Pop on Sunday April 26 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Also slated to present during the awards show are talent from the following shows:

· The Talk - Hosts of the Daytime Emmy nominated talk show, including Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Aisha Tyler and Sheryl Underwood

· Queens of Drama - Soap stars Donna Mills, Lindsay Hartley, Crystal Hunt and Chrystee Pharris of Pop's new original reality series, which premieres immediately following the Daytime Emmy Awards

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Lindsay Hartley, Crystal Hunt, Vanessa Marcil, Chrystee Pharris & Hunter Tylo Set to Star in Docu-Series 'Queens of Drama'

POP, a new network which announced its rebranding last month from TVGN as a place to celebrate the fun of being a fan, will premiere more than 400 hours of fan-fueled original programming next year, including Queens of Drama, from the producers of Hatfields & McCoys and Gene Simmons Family Jewels.

Queens of Drama is a docu-series following a group of former daytime and primetime soap stars as they attempt to produce a new primetime serial drama to star in. The cast will need to work in front of and behind the cameras as they develop, pitch, and produce this new steamy series hoping to land a pilot deal by the end of the season.

The all-star cast is made up of Lindsay Hartley (All My Children, Days Of Our Lives), Crystal Hunt (Guiding Light, One Life To Live) Vanessa Marcil (Beverly Hills, 90210, General Hospital), Chrystee Pharris (Passions, General Hospital) and Hunter Tylo (The Bold and The Beautiful), together with Donna Mills (Knots Landing, Melrose Place), who will make special appearances on the program.

Queens of Drama is being produced by Thinkfactory Media, with Adam Reed, Adam Freeman, Aaron Fishman, Tim Laurie, and Leslie Greif, serving as Executive Producers.

Launching in early 2015, POP will provide viewers with a multi-platform destination that creates content around the things popping in fan culture.