Glimpse into Oscars rehearsals shows stars at Dolby Theatre

LOS ANGELES (AP) – At the Oscars Sunday, viewers can expect to see stars from some of their favorite movies reunite.

“Four Weddings and a Funeral” co-stars Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell will stand next to each other to present an award on the show, as will Harrison Ford and Glenn Close, President of the United States and Vice President of “Air Force One”. I will do ,” and “Creed III” starring Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors.

The Associated Press got a peek inside Oscars rehearsals at the Dolby Theater on Saturday.

Presenters made the trek to the theater as light, chilly rain fell outside, to practice walking through their rows and presenting prizes. This is one of many rehearsals for the show, which ends with the entire run lasting late into the night.

Populated by a few dozen people from Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, to theaters and camera operators rehearsing their movements, there was an air of calm and anticipation.

McDowell opened the envelope and said, “I hope I’m saying everything right.” “I hope I pronounce everything correctly. I wish Hugh was doing this part.

The awards are fake and so are the winners – working actors are hired to play the nominees, sit in their seats, take the stage, and give acceptance speeches. The same person could play everyone from “Tar” director Todd Field to composer John Williams. And all ready to go with well researched, and very concise, comments.

The presenters have different points of view. Some are one and done – others have questions and tweaks. Jordan discussed font size with the show’s producer, Glenn Weiss, over teleprompter. Mindy Kaling had the director’s hat on, rewriting and reworking some of her and John Cho’s comments on the spot.

“Sorry, I was asking too many questions,” Kaling said.

“No, thank goodness you did,” Cho replied.

Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield laughed through their lines. Garfield went to Mike and cleared his throat.

“Maybe don’t do it,” Pugh said.

Halle Berry rehearsed with a tiny brunette woman playing Jessica Chastain, and Kate Hudson made a dramatic entrance, dramatically spreading her arms as if “I come.”

Although everyone will be dressed to the nines in 24 hours, rehearsal is a decidedly more casual affair – at least for the men. Jordan wore a matching black sweatsuit, while Grant opted for a more professional look with a blazer, sweater, oxford combination. All the ladies wore show heels with their jeans and daywear. Not only do camera operators need to know how tall the stars are going to be at night, but it’s also a long walk across the storied stage with millions of people watching.

Everything that goes on in the theater is completely off the record, though – from the look of the stage to who is presenting which award and what they’ve been scripted to say. Those behind the show, which airs at 8 p.m. EST on ABC, want to preserve some of the surprises after all.

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