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Assorted ramblings from the world of entertainment:
• What could be a better place for a staged reading of "The Big Lebowski" than a bowling alley?
Shot in Youngstown, a group that celebrates the movies and local filmmaking, is kicking off what it hopes will be a regular series with a reading of the Coen brothers' cult classic on Sunday at Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown. Local actors will read the roles played on screen by Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro and others.
"When I lived in L.A., I knew these kinds of things existed, live table reads for different movies, popular movies," Youngstown filmmaker Johnny Chechitelli said. "I knew they were fun events. It's something that isn't done around here and could be done anywhere."
"The Big Lebowski" is the story of an easy-going, bowling-loving stoner who, through a case of mistaken identity and the defacing of a rug that really tied the room together, gets entangled with nihilists, kidnappers, pornographers and other nefarious characters. The movie wasn't a big hit when it was released in 1998, but it has spawned an annual convention, a religion (Dudeism) and countless T-shirts, bobbleheads and other merchandise tie-ins.
SIY is recruiting a mix of local actors and non-actors to play the different characters. There is no ad-libbing, no deviation from the script, but the actors will have the freedom to either do their best impression of the original performance or put their own stamp on the character.
As proof that SIY won't be too reverential in its presentation, Brandy Johanntges, who recently starred in Youngstown Playhouse's production of "Mamma Mia," is playing the role of The Dude's gun-toting Vietnam Vet buddy Walter Sobchak, the role played by Goodman.
"Brandy is so good," Chechitelli said. "It's going to be great fun to watch, just for her performance."
Those attending are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite characters and even shout out their favorite dialogue along with the actors.
"As long as they don't show up as Walter waving a piece around the lanes, it will be good," Chechitelli said. "Come down, get some white Russians and have a seat."
The event also will serve as a showcase for area screenwriters. Following "Lebowski" will be a reading of two short comedies written by Jennifer Ruth and David Solomon.
"It's a great exercise for them to hear actors reading their lines," Chechitelli said, and SIY plans to pair future readings with local scripts in similar genres.
The event starts at 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is requested to help cover the cost of printing scripts and other expenses.
• Speaking of cult favorites, writer-director Frank Darabont has been added to the lineup of guests who will celebrate the 25th anniversary of "The Shawshank Redemption" in Mansfield next month.
Darabont will participate in a panel discussion with cast and crew members moderated by Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz on Aug. 16 at the Renaissance Theatre, where the film premiered in 1994. Darabont also will join other cast members at a Shawshank meet and greet to sign autographs on Aug. 17 and attend a reception later that evening.
The movie starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins was nominated for seven Academy Awards, but it wasn't a box-office hit, earning $28 million in theaters. However, its popularity has swelled over the years, and it is the highest-rated film by users of the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com).
Several locations in and around Manfield were used in the movie, and the former Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield has become a popular tourist destination, with the Shawshank Film Trail highlighting 16 filming sites.
Other actors scheduled to attend the festivities Aug. 16 to 18 include Bob Gunton (Warden Norton), William Sadler (Heywood), Mark Rolston (Bogs), Frank Medrano (Fat Ass), Alfonso Freeman (Red's Mugshot and Fresh Fish Guy), Scott Mann (Glenn Quentin), Renee Blaine (Linda Dufresne) and Claire Slemmer (Bank Teller).
The full lineup of events and ticket information can be found online at shaw shank25.com.
Andy Gray is the entertainment writer for the Tribune Chronicle. Write to him at agray@tribtoday .com.