From Crystal Club Soda to Gertrude Hawk Chocolate

Paul Sorvino said he is reconsidering putting his film studio in Lackawanna County because recent publicity regarding “The Trouble With Cali” has left him wondering if “it’s worth it.” The film and TV actor/director said recent news reports in regard to a letter the majority county commissioners sent him demanding an accounting of the county’s investment — Lackawanna County gave him $500,000 for the film, which was shot in and around Scranton in 2006 — has him contemplating his plans. The state has committed $6 million toward Mr. Sorvino’s plan to open a film and TV production studio in the former Corning Inc. plant in Benton Township. Continue reading. Editor’s Note: It looks like Paulie just found a convenient excuse to take the money and run, courtesy of the Lackawanna County Commissioner’s Office.

The Greater Scranton Film Office is looking for extras for a feature film that will be shot in the city in a couple of months.  The director of “Matter of Honor” said he got the idea to use Scranton because one of his friends married a woman from Old Forge and spent a lot of time in the Scranton area.  The movie is an Italian-themed crime drama/suspense celebrating love, honor and respect.  The film will star Harvey Keitel, Doris Roberts and Kathy Griffin. Casting is being completed by Toni Cusumano Casting.  People who are interested in being an unpaid extra can email their photos and resumes to tonicusumanocasting@gmail.com.  Continue reading.

This holiday season, tribute band Twelve Twenty Four offers another musical gift to Lehigh Valley audiences when it performs Thursday at the Zoellner Arts Center in Bethlehem.  Twelve Twenty Four bills itself as “a resounding re-creation of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra,” which serves as its inspiration. The Twelve Twenty Four experience is an evening of Christmas music and stories.  Like its namesake, Twelve Twenty Four aims to capture the magic of Christmas Eve through storytelling, music and movement.  Continue reading.

While, recently, he may be more famous for the movies he directs, Rob Zombie can still rock. According to Music Dot Biz, the former White Zombie front man and Halloween remake director will be peforming at the Scranton Cultural Center on Friday January 11th.

Local comedy troupe One Laugh At Least planned to perform its “Heynabonics” skit one last time and that was in front of a videocamera.  Instead the comedy troupe will probably have to perform it for the rest of the troupe’s existence — all because of YouTube.com.  After the 5-minute sketch was posted to YouTube on Oct. 30, One Laugh At Least member Keith Edwards, 52, of Pringle, found out that more than 6,000 people viewed it in two days. By the time he got around to looking at the website, there were more than 9,000 views.  According to the Citizens Voice, now, there are almost 150,000 views at the video website, and One Laugh At Least decided to celebrate the accomplishment the only way they know how — a performance. One Laugh At Least will do a comedy show at Odyssey Fitness Center Sat. Dec. 22 at 8:15 p.m., and yes, the group will perform the “Heynabonics” skit.