Latest news with #RachelZegler
CNN
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Rachel Zegler is serenading crowds of people in central London almost every night for free
Strands of music float through every city soundscape, emanating from buskers, passing cars or your neighbor's flat, but not until this summer has the voice of a Hollywood star echoed around Argyll Street in London's Soho district. Near nightly until early September, Rachel Zegler will walk out at just before 9 p.m. onto the balcony above the London Palladium's front doors and deliver, in her crystal-clear voice, a rendition of 'Don't Cry for Argentina' for free to the hundreds of people gathered below. The paying audience inside the theater watch the song on a live video feed. Zegler's six-minute balcony performance has made 'Evita' the production of the moment on London's West End. The reasons behind staging this iconic scene in this way have sparked headlines. It is a clever marketing ploy, some say, drumming up much publicity even before the show's official press night. It is a way to make theater more accessible, others say, a chance to see Zegler, best known for her starring turns in 'West Side Story' and 'Snow White,' for free. In the context of the show, it provides an almost literal interpretation of the moment when Eva (Evita) Perón, the wife of former Argentine president Juan Perón and whose life the musical is based on, addressed a crowd from the Casa Rosada balcony. Several British outlets have highlighted the more controversial aspects of the stunt – what about those who have paid up to £245 ($336) for a ticket to watch the show's most famous song on a screen? 'People are complaining that it's a free show when people have paid, but that's the point of the show,' one onlooker, Nadine, told CNN, referencing Perón's life spent championing the rights of the poor. Much like the themes depicted in the musical, Zegler eschews the paying patrons inside for the 'peasants' outside. But on Wednesday, no one in the crowd outside the Palladium who had either seen the show or had plans to see it minded that the main spectacle happened outside the theater. For Alma Nielsen, visiting from Tucson, Arizona, watching part of Zegler's performance on a screen didn't detract from her experience. It was 'amazing,' she told CNN, adding that seeing the enormous crowds on the video feed only improved the scene. Although it was her children who persuaded her to see 'Evita' in the first place, she had returned without them to stand outside the theater and 'experience everything.' Similarly, Charlotte Pegrum is seeing the show in a few weeks time and liked the idea. Still, 'we're lucky, we're locals, maybe if you're visiting and only have one night, you might not appreciate it,' she said. Others are more skeptical. Adam Rhys-Davies, an actor himself, isn't quite sure what to make of it. 'I don't want the gimmick to be bigger than the show,' he told CNN. Jamie Lloyd, who directed this production of 'Evita,' has come to embody a modern, stripped-back, almost setless type of theater, embracing the use of cameras in his other shows. In his staging of 'Sunset Boulevard,' Tom Francis, who plays Joe Gillis, sings the titular song while walking through the streets surrounding the theater. 'Are you going to get people sitting at home, watching it on a screen, the theatres empty and saying we're watching it live?' Rhys-Davies said. Whatever the reasons behind the staging – Lloyd hasn't commented publicly and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has only noted he hopes it can continue even as the crowds get bigger – it draws a joyful, semi-spontaneous gathering of people in keeping with London's habit of fusing the glamorous and unglamorous together. Glance left while Zegler sings and there is Ikea's new Oxford Street store at the end of the road; glance right and there is a Five Guys with scaffolding outside it. Life continues in a city center, even if a Hollywood star is performing for free, and the crowd is carefully controlled, allowing onlookers to pass by unimpeded, albeit blinking upwards in bemusement. Two tourists visiting London for the first time hang around just because an excited-looking crowd has gathered. For what, they weren't exactly sure. And, just after the crowd had dispersed, another tourist wandered past the Palladium looking for Zegler. 'Has it happened already?' she said.
CNN
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Rachel Zegler is serenading crowds of people in central London almost every night for free
Strands of music float through every city soundscape, emanating from buskers, passing cars or your neighbor's flat, but not until this summer has the voice of a Hollywood star echoed around Argyll Street in London's Soho district. Near nightly until early September, Rachel Zegler will walk out at just before 9 p.m. onto the balcony above the London Palladium's front doors and deliver, in her crystal-clear voice, a rendition of 'Don't Cry for Argentina' for free to the hundreds of people gathered below. The paying audience inside the theater watch the song on a live video feed. Zegler's six-minute balcony performance has made 'Evita' the production of the moment on London's West End. The reasons behind staging this iconic scene in this way have sparked headlines. It is a clever marketing ploy, some say, drumming up much publicity even before the show's official press night. It is a way to make theater more accessible, others say, a chance to see Zegler, best known for her starring turns in 'West Side Story' and 'Snow White,' for free. In the context of the show, it provides an almost literal interpretation of the moment when Eva (Evita) Perón, the wife of former Argentine president Juan Perón and whose life the musical is based on, addressed a crowd from the Casa Rosada balcony. Several British outlets have highlighted the more controversial aspects of the stunt – what about those who have paid up to £245 ($336) for a ticket to watch the show's most famous song on a screen? 'People are complaining that it's a free show when people have paid, but that's the point of the show,' one onlooker, Nadine, told CNN, referencing Perón's life spent championing the rights of the poor. Much like the themes depicted in the musical, Zegler eschews the paying patrons inside for the 'peasants' outside. But on Wednesday, no one in the crowd outside the Palladium who had either seen the show or had plans to see it minded that the main spectacle happened outside the theater. For Alma Nielsen, visiting from Tucson, Arizona, watching part of Zegler's performance on a screen didn't detract from her experience. It was 'amazing,' she told CNN, adding that seeing the enormous crowds on the video feed only improved the scene. Although it was her children who persuaded her to see 'Evita' in the first place, she had returned without them to stand outside the theater and 'experience everything.' Similarly, Charlotte Pegrum is seeing the show in a few weeks time and liked the idea. Still, 'we're lucky, we're locals, maybe if you're visiting and only have one night, you might not appreciate it,' she said. Others are more skeptical. Adam Rhys-Davies, an actor himself, isn't quite sure what to make of it. 'I don't want the gimmick to be bigger than the show,' he told CNN. Jamie Lloyd, who directed this production of 'Evita,' has come to embody a modern, stripped-back, almost setless type of theater, embracing the use of cameras in his other shows. In his staging of 'Sunset Boulevard,' Tom Francis, who plays Joe Gillis, sings the titular song while walking through the streets surrounding the theater. 'Are you going to get people sitting at home, watching it on a screen, the theatres empty and saying we're watching it live?' Rhys-Davies said. Whatever the reasons behind the staging – Lloyd hasn't commented publicly and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has only noted he hopes it can continue even as the crowds get bigger – it draws a joyful, semi-spontaneous gathering of people in keeping with London's habit of fusing the glamorous and unglamorous together. Glance left while Zegler sings and there is Ikea's new Oxford Street store at the end of the road; glance right and there is a Five Guys with scaffolding outside it. Life continues in a city center, even if a Hollywood star is performing for free, and the crowd is carefully controlled, allowing onlookers to pass by unimpeded, albeit blinking upwards in bemusement. Two tourists visiting London for the first time hang around just because an excited-looking crowd has gathered. For what, they weren't exactly sure. And, just after the crowd had dispersed, another tourist wandered past the Palladium looking for Zegler. 'Has it happened already?' she said.
Geek Vibes Nation
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Snow White' (2025) 4K UHD Blu-Ray SteelBook Review - Rachel Zegler Gives Life To The Original Disney Princess
Disney's Snow White is a vibrant live-action musical reimagining of Walt Disney's groundbreaking full-length animated classic. Experience the timeless adventure as Snow White (Rachel Zegler) journeys into magical woods to escape her stepmother, the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot), and meets the beloved Bashful, Sleepy, Sneezy, Happy, Dopey, Grumpy and Doc who join her quest to restore the kingdom and bring kindness to the land. For in-depth thoughts on Snow White (2025), please see my colleague Lane Mills's review from its original theatrical release here. Video Quality The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Snow White offers a lovely uptick in quality over the already pleasant accompanying Blu-Ray, offering a visual tapestry that thrives on the format. The expanded range of the color spectrum is quite a sight to behold. The Dolby Vision enriches the colors from beautiful to dazzling when it comes to vibrancy. From beginning to end, you are immersed in this world of bold and sumptuous colors in the costumes and production design. Even the shadowy corners of the cottage have a more nuanced look when it comes to the darkness. All of these elements are more vivid and finely delineated. The black levels are especially strong in this presentation, staying deep and inky with impeccable detail. The highlights in the film are more refined with whites more pure and balanced with no instances of blooming to be found. Skin tones appear to be a touch more natural with healthy doses of crisp detail apparent. The CGI throughout the film is rendered as seamlessly as can be with some unconvincing moments, but this is inherent to the source. This 4K UHD presentation really delivers on all fronts including strong gains in clarity and color. The Blu-Ray is nice, but Disney has delivered another first-rate transfer on this latest 4K release. Audio Quality This disc comes equipped with a wonderful Dolby Atmos presentation which brings as much excitement to this picture as you would hope. Sounds are deftly rendered with considerate directionality from the more bustling scenes to interpersonal exchanges. Ambient details are copious and quite satisfying in the rear and overhead channels. The overhead channels complement the other speakers rather than carry the main load, which opens up the sense of space in the mix. The songs are a very important part of the film's identity, and they saturate the room with great warmth. Dialogue is presented crisp and clear without ever being overwhelmed by any of the numerous competing sonic elements. The sounds of the world provide an all-encompassing soundscape that kicks in throughout all the speakers. The low end is engaged in key moments, but that is not the prize element of the experience. The soundscape delivers an expansive experience suitable for bringing this world to life. Disney has provided a top-tier listening experience for audiences. Optional English SDH, French, Spanish (Latin American and Castellano), and more subtitles are provided. Special Features Disney has provided Snow White with a sleek new SteelBook featuring artwork that is very cool in person. Photos of the SteelBook can be found at the bottom of this review. Fearless, Fair, Brave, and True – Making Snow White : A 12-minute documentary in which the cast and creative team discuss the challenge of adapting the story for a new generation, the legacy of the original film, finding the right cast members for these roles, the elaborate production design, and the creation of new songs for the feature. Merry Tunes: A ten-minute exploration of the songs in the film in which the cast and creative team discuss the function of the new song, the challenges of interpreting the classic songs for a new generation, what these tunes mean to them personally and more. Fairy Tale Fashion: A nine-minute piece that takes a closer look at the costumes in the film with a mixture of iconic looks and new adaptations to the world. Bloopers: A nearly three-minute collection of amusing moments, flubbed lines, joking around on set, laughing fits and more. Deleted Scenes: There are three scenes totaling two-and-a-half minutes of unused material including more material with the Queen speaking to the magic mirror and Snow White lost in the woods. Final Thoughts Snow White received a lot of hatred from the outside world long before the film ever debuted, and not for valid reasons like general disappointment in the trend of remaking anything and everything instead of creating new magic. Most of the hatred was directed at Rachel Zegler, which is unfortunate since she is easily one of the best things about this latest adaptation. She captures the easy grace of the character while delivering powerful vocals. At the same time, she is saddled with a generally ugly looking digital aesthetic that is hard to lose yourself in, not to mention a pretty stiff co-star and love interest. The new songs are somewhat catchy, but none of them strike you as being a new classic. The film fits comfortably in the middle of the output of Disney live-action reimaginings, but if you are tired of this creative path, this is not going to change your mind on them. Disney Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a terrific A/V presentation and a decent assortment of special features in a fetching SteelBook. Snow White is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Disney Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Time Out
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The 10 best new London theatre openings in July 2025
News From Rachel Zegler in 'Evita' to Rosamund Pike's National Theatre debut, it's another big month on the London stage By the standards of any other city, July in London is a pretty damn busy month for theatre. Here, it's the start of the summer slowdown, with few of the big subsidised venues running a show over the hols, most big new West End shows keeping their powder dry until the autumn, and much of the industry decamping to the Edinburgh Fringe, which this year begins at the very end of the month. Nonetheless, there's still plenty to keep us going, including loads from the National Theatre which is opening a show in each of its three theatres plus one in the West End. Really, though, there's only one show on people's lips at the moment – and it handily takes our number one spot. The best new London theatre openings in July 2025 What is it? If last year was Brat Summer, this one is Balcony Summer. Hollywood star Rachel Zegler's nightly 9pm-ish performances of 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' in Jamie Lloyd's revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's finest hour (don't @ me) has made headlines around the world thanks to the fact she's not singing it in the auditorium but on the outside front balcony, to an increasingly large nightly crowd. Even if the rest of it is rubbish it deserves the number one slot for such an audacious gesture. But as it's essentially a reworking of Lloyd's excellent 2019 Open Air Theatre production, we're expecting it to be pretty damn good. London Palladium, now until Sep 6. Buy tickets here. 2. Inter Alia What is it? It's a month of London shows, heavily dominated by the National Theatre: you can catch last year's Michael Sheen-starring Nye again, plus see The Estate and Till the Stars Come Down below. But pick of the bunch has to be Susie Miller's Inter Alia, the follow up to her massive Jodie Comer-starring smash Prima Facie. Reuniting with director Justin Martin, it stars the mighty Rosamund Pike – making her NT debut – as a maverick high court judge struggling to balance her work and home life. National Theatre, Lyttelton, Jul 10-Sep 13. 3. Girl from the North Country What is it? A welcome return home to the Old Vic for Conor McPherson's Bob Dylan sort-of-musical. A dark and brooding yarn of the American Dustbowl – certainly not autobiographical – it follows the inhabitants of a Minnesota boarding house as they grapple with poverty, madness and worse. There are, of course, Dylan songs – though on the whole they're not the ones you expect. It's an ensemble piece, but Olivier winner Katie Brayben is probably the biggest name as the witchy Elizabeth, who gets to sing 'Like A Rolling Stone'. Old Vic, now until Aug 23. 4. Till the Stars Come Down What is it? This is nice: Beth Steel's poignant, beautifully observed, subtly devastating drama about an Anglo-Polish wedding in the town of Mansfield was one of the best shows to be staged at the National Theatre last year, and while you wouldn't instantly peg it for a West End transfer, it's lovely that it's getting one. The great Siobhan Matthews returns as bride-to-be Sylvia at the head of a partially recast ensemble that also includes The White Lotus 's Julian Kostov as her intended Marek. Haymarket Theatre Royal, Jul 1-Sep 27. Buy tickets here. 5. Sing Street What is it? A little over a decade ago playwright Enda Walsh scored a walloping great transatlantic musical theatre hit when he adapted John Carney's Irish indie film Once for the stage. Now Walsh turns his attention to Carney's 2016 coming-of-age film Sing Street, which follows the exploits of a schoolboy named Conor who forms a band in '80s Dublin. Expect to be charmed. Lyric Hammersmith, Jul 8-Aug 23. Buy tickets here. 6. The Estate What is it? Arguably me and the National Theatre should just get a room. But it's a big month for them, okay? The Estate feels like the great unknown of this list. Starring the excellent Adeel Akhtar as an Asian politician with a sudden, unexpected chance to seize the role of Leader of the Opposition, it's made all the more intriguing by the fact that it's written by Shaan Sahota, a first time writer (who is also a doctor). Most people don't get their debut plays staged at the National – one assumes she's pretty good. National Theatre, Dorfman, Jul 9-Aug 23. 7. The Merry Wives of Windsor What is it? Globe boss Michelle Terry becomes possibly the only artistic director in history to programme Shakespeare's preposterous Henry IV-spin off twice: following an earlier indoor production of The Merry Wives, Sean Holmes directs this outdoor one, starring George Fouracres as Sir John Falstaff, mysteriously reincarnated to the Elizabethan court. Holmes is great on the weirder bits of Shakespearean whimsy – expect something a bit harder and darker than you'd usually expect from the Wives. Shakespeare's Globe, Jul 4-Sep 20. Buy tickets here. 8. Noughts & Crosses What is it? A revival of Dominic Cooke's 18-year-old stage adaptation of Malorie Blackman's seminal racial dystopia is probably the randomest moment of Drew McOnie's first season in charge of the Open Air Theatre. But it's also a pretty cool one that shows associate artistic director Tinuke Craig is hopefully going to be allowed to put her own imprint on the theatre, as she heads up her first production here. Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, now until Jul 26. Buy tickets here. 9. Nature Theatre of Oklahioma: No President What is it? London's first chance to see this revered avant-garde US company as it plays a string of dates at the Southbank. Subtitled A Story Ballet of Enlightenment in Two Immoral Acts, I have no idea why the show is called No President, but it focuses on a showdown between rival gangs of former actors and ex-ballet dancers, taking each other on to protect a mysterious theatre curtain and whatever might be behind it. Queen Elizabeth Hall, Jul 9-11. 10. Burlesque the Musical What is it? There is a lot of potential for a big glitzy West End musical adaptation of Christina Aguilera's cult-ish 2010 film, which comes with a songbook of tracks from the film written by Aguilera and Sia. There are eccentricities to this production: a very limited West End run, the fact that its original director was dumped after last year's regional dates, and the fact that US reality show contestant Todrick Hall is now director, choreographer, writer of some new songs and the co-star, which is… a lot of hats. These are eccentricities rather than failings though: let's not prejudge.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Rachel Zegler stands by support for Gaza despite backlash
DUBAI: US actress Rachel Zegler has responded to the backlash she received for speaking out in support of Palestine, saying, 'Nothing is worth innocent lives.' For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The 'West Side Story' star, who played the lead in Disney's 2025 live-action remake of 'Snow White,' came under fire during the film's press tour for her political posts about the war in Gaza. In a new interview with i-D, she addressed the vitriol she faced — not just for her stance on Palestine, but also the widespread online narrative blaming her for the film's poor box office performance. Zegler pushed back against the idea that actors should stay silent on humanitarian issues for fear of professional fallout. 'I can really only echo Hannah Einbinder in saying that a platform becomes a responsibility, and that responsibility is ours to use as we please,' Zegler said, referencing the 'Hacks' actor's powerful remarks at a Human Rights Campaign dinner earlier this year, in which Einbinder criticized Israel's assault on Gaza and emphasized the need for public figures to speak up. 'My compassion has no boundaries, is really what it is, and my support for one cause does not denounce any others. That's always been at the core of who I am as a person. It's the way I was raised,' Zegler continued. 'There are obviously things that are at stake by being outspoken, but nothing is worth innocent lives. My heart doesn't have a fence around it, and if that is considered my downfall? There are worse things.' In August 2023, 'The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' actor expressed support for Palestine when she shared the first official 'Snow White' trailer on X. She thanked her fans for their support, before adding in a separate post: 'And always remember, free Palestine.'
