"It's You I Like"- Mr. Rogers
Hey everyone,
I don’t blog near as often as I’d like to. I realized it’s not necessary to speak if I don’t have anything to say. However, I just got back from an incredible movie and need to share the joy, nostalgia and beauty.
I eagerly anticipated the release of “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood” with Tom Hanks. I grew up watching some quality PBS! Sesame Street (back in the day when Mr. Hooper died, “oh, and it wasn’t on HBO”), Lamb Chop’s Play-Along, Arthur, Wishbone, Reading Rainbow, and of course-- though not on PBS but still a massive staple in my life and career, Sharon Lois & Bram’s The Elephant Show on Nickelodeon.
I still have the newspaper clippings of when Mr. Fred Rogers, Shari Lewis, and Lois Lilienstein all passed away from different types of cancer. This movie brought up some insane emotions I wasn’t personally ready for. It brought up nostalgia and brought back memories I had long forgotten or hadn’t yet attacked in my life.
Without giving anything away, this movie, based on a true story, took us on a journey through realization, healing acceptance and with the help of Tom Hanks playing the iconic Mister Rogers, it taught us how to deal with our feelings. Release them. Let them go. Attack them head on. Just like a real life episode of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood”.
Many people over the years have wondered what’s the big deal with Mr. Rogers? While others have called it hokey and unrealistic, this movie has proved otherwise. It goes to show how impactful Mr. Rogers was then and in his resurgence, posthumously. I firmly believe that he’s looking down very proud of this product.
As my insanely talented friend Ben and I, entered the theatre for our 10:30pm showing......well past my bedtime, the theatre was not very full. Slowly but surely, as the credits started wrapping up and the lights dimmed, people of all age groups, ethnicities, and backgrounds filled the theatre. That alone should show the impact Mr. Rogers has had on families and individuals.
I want to tell you everything and give you a play by play however I can’t stress getting out and seeing this movie for yourselves. There was laughter, quiet whispers of “awe”, clapping, affirming responses, as well as the occasional “wow”. “Wow” is one phrase I just kept saying over and over.
Having lost both sets of grandparents, two mentors in the same year, friends due to terminal illness, chronic illness or suicide, and then over the past 5 years working hard to repair, build, and rebuild a strong and beautiful relationship with my own father, this movie was the ticket- pun intended!
This movie gave you pause, made you rethink, made you cry and want you to text a loved one that you still had the privilege of having on this earth and letting them know, “It’s You I Like”.
Tom Hanks, though not a singer, sang a few of Fred Rogers’ standards and then the credits rolled with, of course, a familiar, friendly, sweet, and genuine voice of Fred Rogers himself. There was some true Broadway representation with Tony nominee, Carmen Cusack from Broadway's Bright Star, and a cameo from one of my favorite movies “Sister Act,” none other than the sister herself, Sister Mary Robert -- Wendy Makkena.
Everyone in the movie did a fantastic job. There were some amazing hat tips to the original series, in which the original opener was in stop motion. That feature appeared throughout as a sort of theatrical scene change. The writers, producers, directors and creators of this movie took their time. They allowed their own nostalgia to ring through, as well as their appreciation for their friendship, be it in person or through our television screens with Fred Rogers and his legacy.
With all of that being said, I want to thank Ben for inviting me to something I was not interested in being a part of to begin with. Not that I didn’t want to spend time with my friend, but teaching from 9am-6pm and being up since 6am was daunting. Thank you to my mentors on this earth and those who’ve left. Thank you to my parents, especially to my dad who, as a kid was very difficult --go figure......as an adult was so difficult --also go figure, but his resilience in loving his very creative, scatterbrained theatre kid dreamer son always did and still does shine through as he loves his family fiercely and prays for us daily.
Thank you finally to both Tom Hanks and the legend himself Mr. Fred Rogers. You’ve taught us some incredible lessons. Through this movie, you’ve brought those lessons to the forefront in a time where our world and country is very polarized. If we take time to be a friend, listen, hear one another, and validate even the most different of opinions, maybe, just maybe, we can all come together to make the world a brighter place. One person at a time.
Thank you Mr. Rogers for being my neighbor. Thank you for letting me know it’s okay to not be okay. Thank you for letting me know that it’s me you like and I’m wonderful just the way I am.
A Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood is now playing in theatres! There's also a soundtrack available to download, stream or purchase.
PRODUCTION INFORMAITON LISTED BELOW.
Directed by
Marielle Heller
Writing Credits (in alphabetical order)
Micah Fitzerman-Blue...(written by)
Noah Harpster...(written by)
Cast (in credits order)
Tom Hanks...Fred Rogers
Matthew Rhys...Lloyd Vogel
Chris Cooper...Jerry Vogel
Susan Kelechi Watson...Andrea Vogel
Maryann Plunkett...Joanne Rogers
Enrico Colantoni...Bill Isler
Wendy Makkena...Dorothy
Tammy Blanchard...Lorraine
Noah Harpster...Todd
Carmen Cusack...Margy
Kelley Davis...First AD
Christine Lahti...Ellen
Maddie Corman...Lady Aberlin
Daniel Krell...Mr. McFeely
Jon L Peacock...Sound Technician
Gretchen Koerner...Doctor
Gavin Borders...Young Boy
Mark August...Young Boy's Dad
Tressa Glover...Young Boy's Mom
Jessica Hecht...Lila Vogel
Di Zhu...Waitress
Diane Monroe...Uptown String Quartet
Maxine Roach...Uptown String Quartet (as Maxine L. Roach)
Lesa Terry...Uptown String Quartet
Tahirah Whittington...Uptown String Quartet
Nigel Swinson...Subway Singer
Kayla Fan...Subway Singer
Alexander Ment...Subway Singer
Madeline Ment...Subway Singer
Olivia Irene Ruiz...Subway Singer
Kiesse Yengo-Passy...Subway Singer
Marcel Kottmann...Subway Singer
John Castagliola...Subway Singer
Preston Lopez...Subway Singer (as Jimmy Preston Lopez)
Reginald Bannerman...Subway Singer
Spencer Lott...Puppeteer
Haley Jenkins...Puppeteer
Marc Petrosino...Puppeteer
Kathleen Kim...Puppeteer
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mike Ancas...WQED Grip (uncredited)
Tom Bonello...WQED Grip and Electric (uncredited)
Chris Breen...EMT (uncredited)
Gregory Bromfield...Awards Banquet Waiter (uncredited)
Francesca Calo...Train Passenger (uncredited)
William Caraballo...Port Authority Passenger (uncredited)
Lloyd Crago...Gala Attendee (uncredited)
Kitty Crystal...Subway Punk (uncredited)
Amy Lyn Elliott...WQED Makeup Artist (uncredited)
Joe Fishel...Journalist (uncredited)
Jim Fitzgerald...Restaurant Diner (uncredited)
Heather Habura...Award Presenter (uncredited)
Robert Edward Healy III...Orderly (uncredited)
Josh Heileman...Gala Attendee (uncredited)
Liz Higgins...Journalist (uncredited)
Lauren Hopkins...Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Matthew Iacono...Mister Rogers Fan (uncredited)
Kevin L. Johnson...Darin Scharf (uncredited)
Nathaniel Johnson...Waiter (uncredited)
William Kania...Orderly (uncredited)
Trudi Kennedy...Journalist (uncredited)
Rosie Koster...Esquire Employee (uncredited)
James Lloyd...Grip (uncredited)
Jack Marnoni...Gala Attendee (uncredited)
Michael Masini...Richie (uncredited)
Scott Matheny...Journalist (uncredited)
Kirsten McCain...Gala Attendee (uncredited)
Patrick McDade...Rick (uncredited)
Phil Nardozzi...Hospital Visitor (uncredited)
Mark Newara...Gala Attendee (uncredited)
Jackson Nunn...Grip (uncredited)
Trevor Stevie Ray Ontiveros...New Yorker (uncredited)
Keith Otto...Gala Attendee (uncredited)
Alex Perez...Parent (uncredited)
Katrina E. Perkins...Mr. Rogers Superfan (uncredited)
Jivan Xander Ramesh...Mr. Rogers' Fan (uncredited)
Scott Rapp...Bartender (uncredited)
Jordan Rhone...WQED Production Assistant (uncredited)
Edlyn Sabrina...Gala Guest (uncredited)
Laurie Sheppard...School Teacher on Subway (uncredited)
Ryan Sobota...Wedding Band Guitarist (uncredited)
Rebecca Watson...Diana (uncredited)
Stephen West-Rogers...Peter (uncredited)
Ted Williams...WQED Electrician (uncredited)
Frank Wilson...WQED Sound Technician (uncredited)
Raymond Wormack...WQED Grip & Crew (uncredited)
Produced by
Micah Fitzerman-Blue...executive producer
Noah Harpster...executive producer
Youree Henley...producer
Leah Holzer...producer
Peter Saraf...producer
Wenxin She...co-producer
Bergen Swanson...executive producer
Marc Turtletaub...producer
Music by
Nate Heller
Cinematography by
Jody Lee Lipes
Film Editing by
Anne McCabe
Casting By
Avy Kaufman
Production Design by
Jade Healy
Art Direction by
Gregory A. Weimerskirch
Set Decoration by
Merissa Lombardo
Costume Design by
Arjun Bhasin
Makeup Department
Ma Kalaadevi Ananda...makeup department head
Donita Miller...key hair stylist
Krista Montgomery...makeup artist
Eve Negley...makeup artist
Christopher Patrick...makeup artist
Jason Renner...hair stylist
Tony Ward...hair department head
Production Management
Stephanie Blackwood...production supervisor: New York Unit
Richard E. Chapla Jr....production manager
Kelley Cribben...post-production supervisor
Alyssa Hanna Falarski...location production manager
Bergen Swanson...unit production manager
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Alyssa Batchelor...second second assistant director
Tomas Deckaj...first assistant director
Steve Parys...second unit first assistant director
Susan Ransom-Coyle...second assistant director
Stephen Turselli...additional second assistant director
Jordan Weir...second second assistant director
Art Department
Liz Barentine...Set Decoration Production Assistant
Carolina Barros...property assistant
Kip Bartlett...assistant property master
Edgar Um Bucholtz...set dresser
Shannon Dailey...miniatures
Jolene Dames...on set scenic
Teresa Donatelli...art department coordinator
Eugene Doyle...gang boss
Brad Fombelle...set dresser
Elliot Gardner...scenic artist
Will Giannotti...carpenter
Gregory Jones...key greens
Jennifer L. Kirkpatrick...set painter
Matthew M. McCloskey...set dresser
Jason Millet...storyboard artist
Buster Pile...construction coordinator
Adele Plauche...set designer
Philip Schneider...property master
Shawn Shelpman...set dresser
Craig Shoji...concept artist
Christopher St. Pierre...lead scenic
Mamie Stein...on set dresser
Aaron Streiner...leadman
Corey Sweazen...assistant art director
Brad Towell...graphic designer
Sound Department
Aaron Austin...boom operator
Kristin Catuogno...adr recordist
Mark DeSimone...adr mixer
Jim Emswiller...sound mixer
Robert Fernandez...re-recording mixer
Sean Garnhart...sound effects editor
Matthew Kay...foley mixer
Tony Martinez...supervising adr editor / supervising dialogue editor
Filipe Messeder...sound editor
Michael Miller...adr mixer
Bobbi-Jo Napoletano...Sound utility
Jay Peck...foley artist
Spyros Poulos...NY unit second boom operator/utility / utility
George E. Simpson Jr....sound mixer
Jason Stasium...pro tools playback mixer
Bill Sweeney...foley editor
Damian Volpe...re-recording mixer / supervising sound editor
Dave Wilson...adr mixer: Atlanta
Special Effects by
Chris Moran...special effects crew
Brandonn S. Petri...special effects key
Visual Effects by
Josh Child...lead compositor
David Entin...visual effects coordinator: TriStar Pictures
Ranran Meng...compositor
Shannen Walsh...visual effects coordinator
Stunts
Doug Coleman...stunt coordinator
Brian Machleit...stunts
Rene Mousseux...stunts
Dwayne Pintoff...precision driver / precision/stunt driver
Camera and Electrical Department
Eliott Acevedo...additional rigging electric / additional set electrician
Allan Barch...set lighting technician
Buzzy Burwell...best boy electric
Brian 'Buzz' Buzzelli...Dolly grip
Dante Cardone...gaffer: second unit
Chad Cunningham...Additional Grip
Jonathan Curotola...grip
Ross Dunkerley...gaffer
Sam Ellison...camera operator: A camera
Bart Flaherty...key grip
Sean Flaherty...grip
Anthony Hechanova...digital imaging technician
Erin Henning...camera operator
Jacob Hoyson...additional set lighting technician
William Hurst...Grip
Donald Klinefelter...electrician / gaffer: additional photography
Dante Ludovici...c camera operator
Gabe Marchetti...Loader
Damian Martin...camera utility
Jason B. McCann...grip
Travis McMunn...aerial director of photography
Chris Moran...video assist assistant
Jon D. Morrison...rigging gaffer
Sean Murray...additional lighting technician
Deb Peterson...first assistant camera: "b" camera
Brian Powers...key rigging grip
David Satin...dit / video control: Ikegami camera
Rich Schutte...camera operator/steadicam additional days
Toni Sheppard...second assistant camera
Yevgeniy Shrayber...B second assistant camera / additional loader
Spencer Siebe...grip
Doug Stanczak...key hd video assist
Yousheng Tang...steadicam/additional camera operator
Lacey Terrell...still photographer
Jon Thurner...Dolly Grip: b camera
Tiffany Getkin Woods...dimmer board operator
Brad Zoka...additional grip
Animation Department
Jurasama Arunchai...assistant art director
Mark Barill...scenic
June Edwards...fabricator
Peter Erickson...lead fabricator
Jon Hartman...fabricator
Anton Raphael Miriello...fabricator
Radu Plucinski...fabricator
Evan Scott...scenic
Katrina Whalen...producer
Casting Department
Donna Belajac...local casting director
Dann Fink...adr voice casting
Missy Finnell...local casting associate
Harrison Nesbit...casting associate
Chelsea Lynn Peterson...casting director: extras
Bruce Winant...adr voice casting
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Darcie Buterbaugh...costume supervisor
James Hammer...assistant costume designer
Jillian Rose Keenist...costumer
Gina La Monica...key set costumer / set costumer
Emmanuelle Martin...costume coordinator
Emily McElroy...key tailor
Tori Musial...key costumer
Michael Tisdale...costume production assistant
Dan Travis...set costumer
Editorial Department
Sam Daley...colorist
Adam Dicterow...first assistant editor
Jason Dougherty...dailies engineer
Philippe Majdalani...feature finishing producer
Cara Manise...senior offline editorial producer: Harbor Picture Company
Gabriele McIntyre...colorist: dailies
Stephen Regnier...location systems engineer: ec3 dailies
Ronnie Rios...apprentice editor
Alexis Ross...dailies producer: ec3 dailies
Samantha Uber...digital intermediate editor
Location Management
Michele Baker...location manager: new york
Mitchell Barutha...location scout
Christopher Britton...location scout: New York
Kent Jackson...location manager
Brandon Marlan...assistant location manager
Phil Pierre...assistant location manager / location scout
Tom Sexton...assistant location manager: New York unit
Matthew H. Wiesner...location scout
Music Department
Bethany Brinton...music preparation
Tim Davies...conductor / orchestrator
John M. Davis...music editor
Luke Flynn...music preparation
Chris Fogel...score recording and mixing engineer / source music engineer
Mark Graham...head of music preparation
Howard Paar...music supervisor
Andrew Synowiec...musician
Keith Ukrisna...pro tools operator
Joe Zimmerman...music librarian
Script and Continuity Department
Rebecca Breckel...script supervisor
Megan Graham...additional script supervisor
Transportation Department
Frank Conforti...transportation captain
Carmen E. Costa...transportation
Curtis Norman Fuqua...driver: Chris Cooper
Michael Goddard...driver
Ron Goddard...production driver
Mike Kondos...driver
Donald A. Kraus...transportation coordinator
Dominic Mecchia...driver
Scott Mincher...transportation
Tommy Rieger...driver for mathew rhys
Amy Sotereanos...dispatcher / dot
Angelo Sotereanos...picture car coordinator
Other crew
Thomas Alexander...Head of Security
Mary Ann Anane...assistant to producer
Havilah Brewster...Associate Producer
Christina Bright...script clearance: legal
Claire Cella...New York
Deborah Charity...stand-in: susan kelechi watson
Joshua M. Cohen...development executive
David Billy Cole...assistant production coordinator
Olivia Crocker...catering assistant
Ciara D'Altorio...additional set production assistant
Jim Dunlap...first assistant accountant
Sydney Dupree...production assistant
Mark Gazica...production assistant
Sarah Jane Grande...second assistant accountant
Naren Henry...additional background production assistant: New York Unit
James Croal Jackson...office production assistant
Mike Kuse...stand-in
Amry Landsberg...production coordinator: New York Unit
Tyler James Larkin...production assistant
Spencer Lott...puppet captain
Jeff Lowery...production assi
stant
Rebecca Markuson...location coordinator
Ilana McAllister...production accountant
Brenden Meers...production assistant
Sean O'Connell...Payroll Clerk
Ryan O'Shea...production assistant
Jonathan Ong...Assistant to Mr. Swanson
Anthony Peduzzi...production assistant
Mitchell Poljak...additional set production assistant
Eric Schwartzmiller...set production assistant
Jimmy Ray Sorrells...second assistant accountant
Janice F. Sperling...production coordinator
Alphonse Swinehart...main title design
Kim Fouche Tipton...travel coordinator
Jodi Tripi...stock footage research
Bryan Vavro...stand-in
Cherokee Walker...helicopter pilot aerial coordinator
Tim Warner...production assistant
Ted Williams...production assistant
