MARK KENNEDY Entertainment Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

The story behind Devo’s ‘Whip It’ and their misunderstood legacy

August 18, 2025

The new Netflix documentary “Devo” explores the Ohio-born art-rock band known for their quirky style and misunderstood message. The film debuts on Tuesday and features archival footage and interviews, including appearances by fans like David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Devo’s music, including hits like “Whip It,” was infused with powerful art and literary ideas, critiquing societal “devolution.” Co-founder Gerald Casale explains that the band was often trivialized, but their work was a multimedia approach to protest and commentary. Despite challenges, Devo’s influence endures, with a new tour planned alongside the B-52s.

Richard Thomas dons wig and mustache to play icon Mark Twain in one-man play touring the US

August 15, 2025

Richard Thomas has taken on the role of Mark Twain in a one-man show originally performed by Hal Holbrook. The Emmy Award winner immediately accepted the offer to star in “Mark Twain Tonight!” The show tours more than a dozen states this summer and fall. Holbrook portrayed Twain for over 50 years, making more than 2,300 performances. Thomas jokes about following in Holbrook’s footsteps and Twain’s. The show mixes Twain’s speeches and passages from his books to offer a multidimensional look at the American icon. Thomas sees Twain as representing America perfectly with all its contradictions.

‘Mamma Mia!’ returns to Broadway after a decade away, bringing the dance party back to New York

August 14, 2025

“Mamma Mia!” has returned to Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre. Producer Judy Craymer always believed the show would come back after its farewell a decade ago. The musical, featuring ABBA hits like “Dancing Queen,” has been a global success. It originally opened in New York shortly after the 2001 terror attacks, bringing joy during tough times. Now, it resonates again as audiences seek connection. The story, set on a Greek island, follows a young woman searching for her father. Cast members say the show’s themes of friendship and identity continue to capture hearts.

Charlie Brown and Snoopy offer an animated ‘Peanuts’ musical about summer camp

August 13, 2025

Charlie Brown and Snoopy are heading to sleepaway camp in a new Apple TV+ special. It’s the first “Peanuts” musical in 35 years. Co-writer Craig Schulz, son of “Peanuts” creator Charles Schulz, aims to honor his father’s legacy. “Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical” premieres Friday with songs by Jeff Morrow, Alan Zachary, Michael Weiner and Ben Folds. The story follows Sally’s reluctance about camp, Snoopy’s treasure hunt and Charlie Brown’s efforts to save the camp. Craig Schulz says he’s already working on another animated musical.

Mira Sorvino to star as Roxie Hart in ‘Chicago’ on Broadway

August 13, 2025

Mira Sorvino is set to make her Broadway debut this fall in the musical “Chicago.” She will play Roxie Hart from Sept. 15 to Nov. 2 at the Ambassador Theatre. Sorvino expressed her excitement, saying it’s a dream come true to join such a legendary show. “Chicago,” set in the 1920s, is a satire about how show business and media turn criminals into celebrities. The show features iconic songs like “All That Jazz.” Sorvino is known for her roles in films like “Mighty Aphrodite” and “Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion.”

Hank Hill returns to a changed world in new ‘King of the Hill’ episodes

August 4, 2025

Hank Hill is back in a new season of “King of the Hill,” this time streaming on Hulu after a 15-year break. The show follows Hank and Peggy as they return to Arlen, Texas, adjusting to a world of boba tea, ridesharing and Wi-Fi-enabled grills. Their son Bobby, now 21, runs a German-Asian fusion restaurant. Familiar characters like Dale, Bill, and Boomhauer also return, navigating modern life with their classic quirks. Executive producer Saladin K. Patterson says the show balances nostalgia with fresh humor, avoiding politics while exploring relatable changes in culture and relationships. Fans can expect 10 new episodes.

‘Downton Abbey’ star Elizabeth McGovern brings Ava Gardner’s tumultuous life to the stage

July 30, 2025

Elizabeth McGovern, known for her role in “Downton Abbey,” has written a play about Ava Gardner. The play, titled “Ava: The Secret Conversations,” explores Gardner’s relationship with journalist Peter Evans, who was tasked with ghostwriting her memoir. The production, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel, features McGovern as Gardner and Aaron Costa Ganis as Evans. It begins performances off-Broadway in New York City this week. McGovern, who also sings with the band Sadie & The Hotheads, says writing songs helped her gain the confidence to write the play. She finds theater a refreshing escape from technology.

Dark series ‘The Institute’ adaptation gets author Stephen King’s thumbs up

July 10, 2025

Stephen King shares his thoughts on adapting his books for screens, emphasizing the importance of staying true to his stories. In a recent interview, he discusses the upcoming series “The Institute,” based on his 2019 novel. The show, debuting Sunday on MGM+, follows children with psychic powers imprisoned in a secret facility for dark purposes. King approves of the adaptation, noting some changes, like setting it entirely in Maine and aging up the protagonist. He reflects on his inspiration from “Lord of the Flies” and his respect for young characters under pressure. King credits his cinematic storytelling style to early influences from TV and movies.

Arson ignites the Dennis Lehane-created Apple TV+ firebug series ‘Smoke’

June 25, 2025

Dennis Lehane, whose literary canon includes the novels-turned-movie hits “Gone, Baby, Gone” and “Mystic River,” has turned to fire for his latest project — Apple TV+’s new nine-episode crime drama “Smoke.” It debuts Friday. It’s based on the true story of a former arson investigator who was convicted in 1998 of serial arson, captured in part after he wrote a novel about a firefighter who was a serial arsonist. The case — chronicled in the 2021 podcast Firebug — sparked something in Lehane. The show marks a reunion between Lehane, Greg Kinnear and Taron Egerton, who previously worked together on the 2022 Apple TV+ series “Black Bird.”

Pint-size pioneer ‘Dora the Explorer’ celebrates her 25th anniversary

June 23, 2025

Twenty-five years ago, a little girl with a bob haircut appeared on our TVs, speaking a mix of English and Spanish, with a spunky, can-do spirit. This was, of course, “Dora the Explorer,” the first Latina to lead a major cartoon series and the girl who helped spearhead the rise of multicultural children’s programming in the U.S. on her way to becoming a cultural phenomenon. Nickelodeon is celebrating Dora’s 25th anniversary with the feature-length live-action movie “Dora and the Search of Sol Dorado,” a third season of the rebooted animated series “Dora,” the podcast Dora’s Mermaid Adventures, an album of songs and plenty of toys and apparel.

A Grammy category is created for album covers just as Sabrina Carpenter’s takes the spotlight

June 12, 2025

The Recording Academy has tweaked some of its rules for the 2026 Grammy Awards, including carving out a stand-alone category for best album cover. It came a day after Sabrina Carpenter revealed the title and release date for her new album, “Man’s Best Friend.” The image shows Carpenter kneeling on the ground while pulled by the hair. Some fans said was demeaning while others argued was satirical. That album is scheduled for release just before the eligibility window closes. Other Grammy changes include the creation of a best traditional country album category, while the existing best country album category has been renamed best contemporary country album.

Tony Awards draw best audience in 6 years for CBS

June 9, 2025

The Tony Awards on Sunday lured 4.85 million viewers to CBS, its largest broadcast audience in six years. CBS says Monday that Nielsen data shows the telecast — hosted by “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo — scored a 38% increase over last year’s 3.53 million viewers. That’s the largest audience for the Tonys since 2019, when the telecast that year nabbed 5.4 million viewers and “Hadestown” was crowned best new musical. The latest version also had to compete with the second game of the NBA Finals, between the Thunder and Pacers,

Tony Awards offer many intriguing matchups in a star-studded season

June 7, 2025

A pair of singing androids. Two Pulitzer Prize-winning plays. A drunken Mary Todd Lincoln. A musical with a corpse as its hero. A “Romeo and Juliet” with teddy bears and rave music. Not to mention George Clooney. Broadway has had a stuffed season with seemingly something for everyone and now it’s time to recognize the best with the Tony Awards. They’re set for Sunday night on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ with Cynthia Erivo as host. Broadway buzz is usually reserved for musical but this year plays powered by A-list talent are driving the conversation.

Tom Felton will become Draco Malfoy again — this time, on Broadway

June 5, 2025

The original Draco Malfoy from the “Harry Potter” movies will slip into his old role on Broadway this winter in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” Tom Felton will be making his Broadway debut in the role, beginning performances at the Lyric Theatre on Nov. 11 and playing through March 22, 2026. Malfoy was Potter’s nemesis in the books and eight movies. But in the play set 19 years after the events of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” Potter’s son Albus becomes friends with Malfoy’s son Scorpius at Hogwarts.

Kara Young, already on a Broadway streak, could make Tony history with her role in ‘Purpose’

June 3, 2025

Kara Young’s work in the play “Purpose” has earned her a Tony Award nomination and a chance to make history. Already the first Black person to be nominated four times consecutively, if she wins, she’ll be the first Black performer to win two Tonys in a row. “Purpose,” Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ drawing-room drama is about an accomplished Black family revealing its hypocrisy and fault lines during a snowed-in gathering. Young made her Broadway debut in 2021 in “Clyde’s,” was in “Cost of Living” the next year and co-starred opposite Leslie Odom Jr. in 2024’s “Purlie Victorious” winning a Tony.

How Christopher Gattelli crafted Broadway’s ‘Death Becomes Her’ and made it a Tonys powerhouse

June 2, 2025

When he was first asked to lead the Broadway hit musical “Death Becomes Her,” director and choreographer Christopher Gattelli loved it, but refused to work on the big, splashy opening number. It was just too delicious. So Gattelli worked out everything else about how to put Robert Zemeckis’ 1992 comic cult classic onto a stage and only then turned to the brassy song, “For the Gaze,” a winking nod to gay men. What Gattelli crafted is an opening number for the ages: Mid-song costume changes, spangly jumpsuits, tuxedos, high-kicking Vegas showgirls, a body double doing somersaults and a Liza Minnelli cameo.

What to watch for at the Tony Awards, Broadway’s biggest night

May 30, 2025

The Tony Awards this year will be held Sunday, June 8, from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It will be broadcast live to both coasts on CBS and Paramount+. Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy-winner and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo will host. There are new six new musicals hoping to win: “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Dead Outlaw,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Maybe Happy Ending” and “Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical.” For new plays, it’s “English,” “The Hills of California,” “John Proctor Is the Villain,” “Oh, Mary!” and “Purpose.” Audra McDonald, the most recognized performer in the theater awards’ history, could possibly extend her lead as most decorated actor.

Special Tony for educators goes to NYC high school teacher who urges students to ‘step out the box’

May 29, 2025

The special Tony Award that honors educators is going to a New York public high school teacher who shows how theater skills can apply to a career in the arts and also far away from it. Gary Edwin Robinson says he tries to show how theater can “help develop you in whatever area you’re going into.” Robinson teaches five drama classes a day, offering an average of 95-100 students a three-year sequence of 45-minute sections. The award includes a $10,000 prize and a pair of tickets to the Tony ceremony and gala. Robinson’s students will also receive a visiting master class taught by Carnegie Mellon drama professors. The Tony Awards will be held June 8.

Phineas and Ferb return this summer with zany new episodes and a small change

May 28, 2025

The beloved cartoon duo Phineas and Ferb are returning for new episodes this summer after a decade away and pretty much nothing has changed. Except maybe one thing. The most observant viewers will notice Phineas’ shirt has one extra stripe. Other than a fourth stripe on Phineas’s orange-and-white T-shirt, “Phineas and Ferb” return with all the characters that Gen Z viewers so adored, including Perry the Platypus, the mad scientist Dr. Doofenshmirtz, the easily excitable older sister Candace and the bully Buford. The first two episodes air June 5 on Disney Channel and Disney XD and premiere on Disney+ the next day.

Tony Award nominee Marjan Neshat makes history in celebrated Broadway play ‘English’

May 20, 2025

Marjan Neshat, a veteran of stage and screen, teaches fledgling actors. This spring, her students got to celebrate her becoming a Tony Award nominee. Neshat earned the nod for her work — appropriately enough — playing a teacher in Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-nominated play “English,” which premiered on Broadway in the fall. The play has made history by making Neshat and her co-star Tala Ashe the first female actors of Iranian descent to be Tony-nominated. Neshat adores the plays of Anton Chekhov and watching movies on the Criterion Channel and she’s obsessed with the novel “Anne of Green Gables.”

MARK KENNEDY Entertainment Writer.