A theatre company nearly bankrupted by Woody Allen are putting on a satirical play based on the auteur's 'death.' The Empty Stage Theatre Company were forced to scrap a production of Allen's play Death in spring 2001 when they were informed by Allen's lawyer that the rights had expired. They lost thousands of dollars from the cancellation - and have now written a show based on their experiences, entitled Who Killed Woody Allen? - enraging the neurotic star. The play features actors playing Allen associates Diane Keaton, Dianne Wiest, Christopher Walken, Conan O'Brien, Alan Alda, Spike Lee, Ed Burns, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Cusack, Francis Ford Coppola and Billy Crystal, all of whom have a motive for murdering him. One of the show's creators Tom Dunn invited Allen to the opening night, but has instead received a threatening letter from his lawyer Irwin Tenenbaum. He writes, "I trust that you have adhered to and stayed within the parameters of applicable law with regard to the use of my client's name and character. I reserve all of my client's rights with regard to this project, should events prove otherwise." Dunn insists the show is an affectionate portrait and the company are still big fans of the Manhattan mastermind. He says, "We steer clear of personal stuff in the show. It's a send-up of celebrity-obsessed culture. I think Woody'd get a kick out of it."...
- 1/23/2003
- WENN
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