Launched TUESDAY June 11, 2019. Reportage #704: MAD as HELL: Backstage Pass to Cranston's Broadway Hit 'Network' by ZUMA Press photographer, Jeff Widener..Broadway plays have traditionally restricted photographers to very limited access due to the highly restrictive union regulations, thus keeping the general public in the dark to the on-goings back stage. Photographer Jeff Widener contacted actor Bryan Cranston about photographing a rare back stage look at the cast and crew of his hit Broadway play 'Network' the stage adaptation of the 1976 film. After some initial restrictions by union members it was finally agreed upon to allow Widener to proceed with the project due to the historical importance and legacy of Broadway theater. Widener was granted rare and unprecedented back stage access of eleven performances of 'Network' over two months at the Belasco Theater in New York. He had to wear a cast UBS sweatshirt as he was literally part of the play because audience attendees could clearly see Widener snapping away on stage. It was only because of the extreme kindness and commitment of the union members and cast and crew that Jeff was able to achieve a behind the scenes look at what makes a Broadway show so special. The play, follows the unexpected rise and fall of news anchor Howard, who unravels live on screen during his final broadcast. When the ratings soar, the network seizes on the opportunity to exploit the populist prophet.
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON on stage as TV anchorman Howard Beale is filmed by fellow actor VICTORIA SENDRA as the station camera operator during the Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON waits back stage at the Belasco Theater prior to his performance as Howard Beale during the Broadway play 'Network'. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON watches the 'network' performance from back stage in-between his scenes as Howard Beale. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor TONY GOLDWYN is reflected off the TV glass control booth as he performs his role as Max Schumacher during the play 'Network'. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON during his performance as Howard Beale in the Broadway play 'Network'. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON as Howard Beale during his performance 'Network'. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON addresses the audience as Howard Beale at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON's personal dresser TIM GREER and Asst. Hair Supervisor ANA MARIE SALAMAT, during the Broadway play 'Network' just before a scene where Cranston dashes into the audience from outside the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON with is bodyguard MIKEY GARNER as he prepares to enter the audience from the rear of the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON gets cooled off by a fan as he gets ready in his dressing room with the help of TIM GREER for his performance as Howard Beale in the Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor TONY GOLDWYN as Max Schumacher in a sex scene with fellow actor TATIANA MASLANY as Diana Christensen in the Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
© Jeff Widener/ZUMA Wire

EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON as Howard Beale during the Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON in a scene as the mad TV anchorman Howard Beale after he has been shot by an assassin in the Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Concerned fellow actor is SUSANNAH PERKINS as Schlesinger. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
© Jeff Widener/ZUMA Wire

EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON as anchorman Howard Beale during his Broadway performance at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
© Jeff Widener/ZUMA Wire

EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON get shot by an assassin during his role as Howard Beale in the hit Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
© Jeff Widener/ZUMA Wire

EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON gets a massage from therapist JULIE SEGAL in his dressing room prior to going on stage as Howard Beale in the Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network'. A MAD AS HELL signed by Bryan white t-shirt in background.
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor ERIC CHAYEFSKY runs on stage as the assassin of Howard Beale in the Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON clowns around with actor ERIC CHAYEFSKY who plays the assassin of Howard Beale played by Cranston in the Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'.
© Jeff Widener/ZUMA Wire

EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON performs on stage as Howard Beale along with CAMILA CANO-FLAVIA as his secretary during the hit Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
© Jeff Widener/ZUMA Wire

EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON who plays the TV anchorman Howard Beale in the Broadway play 'Network' walks with his bodyguard MIKEY GARNER during a scene where Cranston bursts into the Belasco Theater to the surprise of the audience. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
© Jeff Widener/ZUMA Wire

Actor RON CANADA smiles under the neon lights of Broadway after his performance as Edward Ruddy in the play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'.
© Jeff Widener/ZUMA Wire

EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor RON CANADA, who plays Edward Ruddy, watches backstage between scenes of the Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor JOE PAULIK as the technician during a scene from the Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'.
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EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON is attended to by Asst. Hair supervisor ANA MARIE SALAMAT and Dresser TIM GREER outside the Belasco Theater as he prepares for a dramatic entrance as the crazy news anchor Howard Beale during the Broadway play 'Network'.
© Jeff Widener/ZUMA Wire

EXCLUSIVE Series: Actor BRYAN CRANSTON watches cast members of 'Network' off stage during a performance of the Broadway play where he stars as crazy TV anchorman Howard Beale at the Belasco Theater. Backstage on the hit Broadway Play 'Network.'
© Jeff Widener/ZUMA Wire

Actor BRYAN CRANSTON gives a final farewell to the audience after the final performance of the Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater.
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Actor RON CANADA weeps after the final performance of the hit Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater. Canada played Edward Ruddy in the show which had been extended due to popular demand.
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Actor TONY GOLDWYN who played Max Schumacher in the Broadway play 'Network' (L) laughs on stage with actor BRYAN CRANSTON who played the crazy TV anchorman Howard Beale during a party following the show's final performance at the Belasco Theater.
© Jeff Widener/ZUMA Wire

Actors CAMILA CANO-FLAVI (L) and TATIANA MASLANY dance, on stage, during a party following the final performance of the hit Broadway play 'Network' at the Belasco Theater.
© Jeff Widener/ZUMA Wire

The Belasco Theatre just finished a hit run of 'NETWORK' based on Oscar wining movie from 1976. Bryan Cranston has won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play, for his portrayal of Howard Beale in Network. The stage-and-screen star was honored at the 73rd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall. ''Finally a straight, old, white man gets a break!'' Cranston, who played the final performance of the play June 8, joked during his acceptance speech. ''We have a company that are some of the finest human beings that I have ever been associated with. I will miss you greatly.'' Network centers on failing news anchor Howard Beale, who unravels on-screen one night, sending ratings soaring. Cranston dedicated his award to real-life journalists. ''Howard Beale is a fictitious TV news man who found himself in the line of fire because of his pursuit of the truth,'' he said. ''And I would like to dedicate this to all the real journalists of the world, both in the print media and also broadcast media, who actually are in the line of fire with their pursuit of the truth. The media is not the enemy of the people; demagoguery is the enemy of the people.'' The theatre is no stranger to fame and along with ghost sightings, add to the Belasco Theater's lore, which has a rich history of celebrities who have performed on stage including Humphrey Bogart, Lionel Barrymore and Judy Holliday.
© Jeff Widener/ZUMA Wire