NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ RPM/ Columbia Records) - The critically acclaimed and ground-breaking television special, TARGET PRESENTS TONY BENNETT: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC received eight Prime-time Emmy nominations as announced earlier today. The special garnered nods in all of the major categories including Outstanding Variety,
Music or Comedy Special; Outstanding Individual Performance for Tony Bennett; and Outstanding Direction for Rob Marshall. Additional nominations were received for Choreography, Art Direction, Editing, Sound Mixing and Technical Direction. TARGET PRESENTS TONY BENNETT: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC was aired on NBC on November 21, 2006 and was acknowledged as a "masterpiece" by the Hollywood Reporter among other media outlets.
Tony Bennett commented, "Working with Rob Marshall was one of the best experiences of my career. I am honored to be nominated and thrilled for all involved who worked at such a high-level of artistry and professionalism to create this special." Tony Bennett previously won an Emmy in 1996 for "Outstanding Individual Performance," for the special, "TONY BENNETT LIVE BY REQUEST: A VALENTINE'S SPECIAL."
Director Rob Marshall (CHICAGO, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA) commented, "TONY BENNETT: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC' was a total labor of love. Having the opportunity to revive and re-imagine the variety specials of our past, as well as working with the legendary Tony Bennett, was an extraordinary, once in a lifetime experience." In addition to his Emmy nomination for direction, Rob was also nominated along with his producing partner John DeLuca for "Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special" and for "Outstanding Choreography." Rob Marshall previously won an Emmy for "ANNIE" in 1999 and received a 2006 DGA AWARD for his direction of "TARGET PRESENTS TONY BENNETT: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC."
Danny Bennett, executive producer for the special and Tony's son and manager remarked, "This program was an unparalleled achievement that brought high-quality entertainment and exceptional production elements to the variety special genre for television." Danny Bennett is nominated in the category of "Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special." Tony Bennett's other son, Dae Bennett, was also nominated in the category of "Outstanding Sound Mixing."
Filmed at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, the special was directed by Rob Marshall who was joined by his Academy Award winning production team. Joining Bennett in musical production numbers that featured stylized sets and show-stopping choreography were Barbra Streisand, Christina Aguilera, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Michael Buble, John Legend, Diana Krall, k.d. lang, Juanes and Chris Botti. In addition, narrative segments highlighting Tony's career achievements featuring Robert DeNiro, Billy Crystal, John Travolta, Bruce Willis and Catherine Zeta-Jones provided a biographic element. The DVD version of the special, which was released in November 2006, has already been certified Gold and Platinum.
"TARGET PRESENTS TONY BENNETT: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC" was produced by RPM Productions & LUCAMAR Productions.
COMPLETE LISTING OF EMMY NOMINATIONS FOR "TARGET PRESENTS TONY BENNETT: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC"
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
- Danny Bennett, Executive Producer
- Rob Marshall, Executive Producer
- John DeLuca, Executive Producer
- Jodi Hurwitz, Producer
Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
- Tony Bennett - Performer
Outstanding Directing for Variety, Music or Comedy Program
- Rob Marshall - Director
Outstanding Choreography
- John DeLuca and Rob Marshall - Choreographers
Outstanding Art Direction for a Variety, Music or Non-Fiction Program
- John Myhre - Production Designer
- Thomas Voth - Art Director
- Barbara Cassel - Set Director
Outstanding Picture Editing For A Special
- Wyatt Smith - Editor
Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video for A Miniseries,
Movie Or A Special
- Terry Donohue - Technical Director
- Sion Michel - Camera
- Darin Moran - Camera
- John Grillo - Camera
- Thomas Tcimpidus - Senior Video
- Nick Theodorakis - Video
Outstanding Sound Mixing for A Variety or Music Series or Special
- Dae Bennett - Recorded and Mixed by
- Sue Pelino - Re-recording Mixer
- Christopher Koch - Additional Audio Post Mixer
TONY BENNETT: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC CREDITS
Premiere Date: Tuesday, November 21 (8-9 p.m. ET/PT) on NBC
Starring: Tony Bennett with guest star appearances by Christina Aguilera, Chris Botti, Michael Buble, Juanes, Elton John, Diana Krall, k.d. lang, John Legend, Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder
Executive Producers: Danny Bennett, Rob Marshall, John DeLuca
Producer: Jodi Hurwitz
Director: Rob Marshall
Director of Photography: Dion Beebe ACS
Production Designer: John Myhre
Choreography: John DeLuca, Rob Marshall
Costume Designer: Colleen Atwood
Origination: Los Angeles Theatre
Produced by: RPM TV Productions Inc. & LUCAMAR Productions
