Sydney Theatre Co. says they will not profit from “Tot Mom” and neither will Steven Soderbergh
Yesterday I emailed the Sydney Theatre Co. and asked them who exactly was profiting from the film “Tot Mom” and what was the purpose of producing this play at this time. I received the following response, printed in full, below:
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding Tot Mom.
The script of Tot Mom has been drawn from material surrounding the case and deals principally with the intense media and public scrutiny surrounding this tragic event rather than focusing on the murder of Caylee Anthony.
The play does not in any way seek to sensationalise or profit from the murder of a child. On the contrary it seeks to hold up a mirror to our society that will raise ethical questions about the way in which such a case is dealt with in the public domain. We are interested to examine the process by which the case has become a story of national interest in the USA and the question of how justice operates in an environment where such a case has become a media phenomenon.
Sydney Theatre Company is a not for profit arts organisation and this production will not make a profit; we do not stand to make any financial gain from the presentation of Tot Mom. Steven Soderbergh will not be profiting from this project either. He is donating his fee to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Our interest in presenting the work has nothing to do with making money.
The play is essentially documentary in nature and is composed virtually exclusively of verbatim material using excerpts from transcripts of television shows, court documents and police reports.
This production is a one-off and will be only be seen in its Sydney season.
Regards
Sydney Theatre Company
So, there it is in black and white. No profits going to the theater and any moneys made by Soderbergh will be passed to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. And, most importantly to me, the Anthony family will not be making any money from this venture.
If you’d like to know what Jose Baez and the Anthonys think about “Tot Mom”, watch the video below. (Thanks, Mikka!!!)
From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!
-Scottish Saying-
Next hearing of teenage murder suspect in Elizabeth Olten’s death will be open to the public
A Cole County, Missouri, judge determined that the murder suspect in the Elizabeth Olten case will remain incarcerated. He also ruled that the next hearing for the teenaged girl will be open to the public. No photos or recordings will be allowed inside the courtroom. ( although thanks to the internet, her name and photograph are out there if you care to do a little sleuthing.)
The November 18 hearing will determine whether the 15-year old, (expected to be charged with first degree murder) will be tried as an adult. Missouri law does not allow a juvenile under the age of 16 to be given a death sentence. The maximum sentence she could receive if convicted would be life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Her attorney, Kurt Valentine, arguedagainst the open court ruling saying that the publicity iin the case would not allow his client a fair trial.
“There’s been a lot of speculation, but now we will have in giant headlines my client’s name,” Valentine told The Associated Press, “There is no way in the world that could possibly be in the best interest of this particular juvenile.”
Elizabeth, aged 9, disappeared October 21 as she walked home from a friend’s house in St Martins, Mo. After searching for 2 days in the woods around St Martins, a written note led investigators to the 15 year old suspect. She led them to Elizabeth’s body in a heavily wooded area on October 23. The area had been searched previously, but the vegetation was so dense her body was overlooked.
Neighbors say the suspect lived in the same house as the friend that Elizabeth was visiting, and is, in fact, her friend’s sister.
read it below:
This case is just so tragic on so many levels. Another little girl innocently walking home in what her parents must have felt was a safe environment is murdered. And, shockingly, a 15 year old girl is her murderer. Two lives destroyed. What a living nightmare for both families of these children. Just heartbreaking. And frightening, too. What kind of children are we raising in today’s world that can so easily kill other children? It seems to be happening more and more often.
Roy Kronk was fired Tuesday after failing to attend a disciplinary hearing for an undisclosed issue. Kronk was presently working in Orange County Utility’s fiscal and administrative support division.
“Roy Kronk was scheduled to attend a pre-determination hearing yesterday to address issues pertaining to his employment with the County. He failed to show for the hearing, and a decision has been issued terminating his employment effective immediately,” the county wrote Kronk’s lawyer, David Evans. (Evans was being paid by the county to represent Kronk.)”Therefore, the County shall not pay any legal fees associated with representing Mr. Kronk that are incurred from this point forward.”
“We appreciate the courtesy and professionalism you have demonstrated throughout your excellent representation of Mr. Kronk,” the county’s attorney, Lichtman wrote. “Should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.”
According to Ron Nielsen, interim Deputy Director of Orange County Utilities,
“He (Kronk) was basically unable to perform the essential functions of his job. I’m not at liberty to discuss the reasons why.”
Kronk was a $10.60 an hour county worker who had fame suddenly thrust upon him when he discovered the remains of Caylee Anthony. The county hired an attorney for him and set a $10,000 limit on Evans’ bills. Evans discounted his hourly rate by around $100 to $225 an hour, but the county still had to raise their spending limit by $2500.
Well, I’m sure we will hear the reason Kronk was fired quicker than you can blink an eye. I hope it was because of something he CLEARLY did or didn’t do, and had nothing to do with the expense being incurred for his attorney. Otherwise, I’m sure a lawsuit will be in short-order.
read it below:
Could Casey Anthony’s story be headed for Broadway? Steven Soderbergh’s “Tot Mom” premieres in Sydney Australia
Leave it to the Aussies!! (and no, I’m sorry to say this isn’t a joke)
Sydney Theatre Company presents: “Tot Mom”
from their website……
“In June 2008, toddler Caylee Anthony was reported missing by her grandmother in Florida. What followed was a high profile investigation into her disappearance, an investigation that saw the child’s own mother-Casey Anthony-implicated in what was later discovered to be a homicide.
While the strange facts of the case baffled police investigators they also sparked massive media and public interest. Why was Caylee’s disappearance not reported to police for over a month? When was the child last seen? What was the strange smell in the boot of Casey Anthony’s car? Who and where was the alleged babysitter?
Often controversial legal commentator and host of a popular telelvision show, Nancy Grace, was outraged by the case. Her public crusade for justice for little Caylee transformed the case from a tragic story to a 24 hour news spectacle.
Using excerpts from transcripts of Nancy Grace’s show, court documents and police reports, Steven Soderbergh has created Tot Mom–a compelling drama for our sensation-hungry times.”
*******************************************
Sydney Theatre Company presents TOT MOM, Created by Steven Soderbergh 18 December 2009 to 31 January 2010. Opens 23 December 2009 at 8pm Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company, Pier 4, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay.
Olivier Award winning and Tony Award nominated actress Essie Davis, last seen at STC seven years ago in The School For Scandal makes a welcome return to the Company and leads a stellar cast that also includes Wayne Blair, Zoe Carides, Damon Herriman, Rhys Muldoon and Peter Kowitz.
Essie Davis plays Nancy Grace
Well, gag me– 
Jill! (our resident blogger from Down Under) You have to check this out for us. Wonder if George and Cindy are planning on being at the premier? Speaking of which, please tell me the Anthonys will not profit one iota from this disgusting endeavor!
check it out below:
