Eddie Varley - Page 199

The 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were simulcast Live Nationally on TNT and TBS last night, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT, and 6 p.m. MT from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. Stage and screen favorites suchas Meryl Streep, Laura Linney and Alec Baldwin all took home awards for their fantastic work, BroadwayWorld had cameras everywhere from the Red Carpet to the Winners Stage in the Press Room to bring you all the starry action!

Making Books Sing, the New York-based company dedicated to turning books for young readers into musical works for the stage, will present the world premiere of the new family musical JOS? LIM?N: THE MAKING OF AN ARTIST - with Book & Lyrics by Barbara Zinn Krieger and Music by Charles Greenberg, with performances set for the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College in The Bronx; Symphony Space in Manhattan; the Goldstein Theatre at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn; and Stanford Lively Arts in Stanford, CA. Brad Malow directs, with choreography by Eric Jackson Bradley.

Variety has reported the sad news that Allen Zwerdling, co-founder and co-publisher of Back Stage, died of natural causes on Jan. 12 in Rosendale, NY. He was 86. In 1960, he created Back Stage, the performing arts trade paper, with Ira Eaker, with Zwerdling serving as editor, and Eaker as advertising director. Zwerdlin started as an actor in the late 1930s, and launched Backstage after serving in the Army Air Force, directing, acting, teaching and newspaper editing. He served as editor of Show Business, a theatrical trade journal where he met Eaker who was the paper's advertising director. After a dozen years, Zwerdling and Eaker left and eventually began Back Stage describes Variety.

Mark Indelicato - best known as 'Justin Suarez' on ABC-TV's UGLY BETTY - read Susanna Reich's book - Jose! Born to Dance, on Saturday, January 24th at 2:00pm as part of Making Books Sing Day at the Barnes & Noble in Greenwich Village (396 6th Avenue - at 8th Street). Additionally, following the reading, there was be a 'sneak peek' of Making Books Sing's new musical - the World-Premiere family musical JOS? LIM?N: THE MAKING OF AN ARTIST, with star Diego Rodriguez. JOSE LIMON: THE MAKING OF AN ARTIST has Book & Lyrics by Barbara Zinn Krieger and Music by Charles Greenberg, with performances set for the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College in The Bronx; Symphony Space in Manhattan; the Goldstein Theatre at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn; and Stanford Lively Arts in Stanford, CA. Brad Malow directs, with choreography by Eric Jackson Bradley. Based on an unfinished memoir by the famed dancer and choreographer Jose Limon - JOSE LIMON: THE MAKING OF AN ARTIST tells his story of struggle and survival through a combination of music, dance and theatre. It examines his life from his exodus with his family to the United States at age 5 during the Mexican Civil War, through his struggle to find an artistic outlet and finally to his triumph as one of the greatest male dancers/choreographers of all time.

SOUL OF SHAOLIN, the Chinese martial arts spectacular, begins its final week of performances tonight at the Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway). In addition, tonight marks the special Lunar New Year performance of SOUL OF SHAOLIN as the world rings in the Year of the Ox. The production began performances on Tuesday, January 13 and opened Thursday, January 15. The show will end its strictly limited 24 performance engagement on Saturday, January 31. Direct from appearances in Sydney, Macau, and at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, comes a theatrical event that is unparalleled on Broadway. SOUL OF SHAOLIN tells the story of a boy named Hui Guang who is separated from his mother by war. Hui Guang is found and taken in by the legendary monks of the Shaolin temple and raised among them. As he becomes a man, Hui Guang becomes an accomplished master of Shaolin Kung Fu and embarks on a spectacular journey of self-discovery. SOUL OF SHAOLIN marks the first time a production from the People's Republic of China has appeared on Broadway.

Stormy Weather, starring Tony and Emmy Award-winner Leslie Uggams, celebrates The Life of the legendary Lena Horne. The Pasadena Playhouse West Coast premiere is conceived and written by Sharleen Cooper Cohen, directed by Michael Bush and choreographed by Randy Skinner. The production features music by Cole Porter, Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer, Rodgers & Hart, Billy Strayhorn, and more. Stormy Weather, is suggested by the biography Lena Horne, Entertainer published by Chelsea House. Uggams sat down with the Los Angeles Times to discuss a variety of subjects in relation to the production.

Manhattan Theatre Club is pleased to announce that After Words, the popular discussion series which has been a success at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre will come to MTC at New York City Center for the world premiere of Lynn Nottage's RUINED, the haunting, probing work about the resilience of the human spirit during times of war. The series will make its debut at New York City Center on Saturday, January 31 following the matinee performance of RUNED. The panel will feature RUINED playwright Lynn Nottage and Jessica Neuwirth, a founder and current president of Equality Now. The discussion will be moderated by MTC Artistic Associate Lisa McNulty. After Words is part of MTC's continuing effort to deepen and enrich the play-going experience for its audiences. Held after selected Saturday matinees, this exciting series of talks with writers, cultural critics, journalists, and members of the RUINED cast and creative team provides provocative and illuminating insights into the political, cultural, and artistic contexts of the work MTC produces.

The 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were simulcast Live Nationally on TNT and TBS last night, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT, and 6 p.m. MT from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. Stage and screen favorites such as Meryl Streep, Laura Linney and Alec Baldwin all took home awards for their fantastic work, BroadwayWorld had cameras everywhere from the Red Carpet to the Winners Stage in the Press Room to bring you all the starry action! Of the top industry accolades presented to performers, only the Screen Actors Guild Awards are selected solely by actors' peers. Two randomly selected panels-one for television and one for film-each comprised of 2,100 Guild members from across the United States, chose this year's Actor and stunt honors nominees. Integrity Voting Systems, the Awards' official teller mailed the nominations secret ballots were mailed on November 26. Voting was completed by noon Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008.

On Friday, January 23, Mario Lopez, the current host of 'Extra!' and the Miss America Pageant, attended a performance of JERSEY BOYS at The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino. Lopez was in town with family and stopped backstage after the show to congratulate the cast and crew. After only seven months on The Strip, the musical phenomenon JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, was named the number one show of 2008 by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Recently named Hottest Bachelor of 2008 by People magazine, Lopez danced his way into America's heart on the hit program 'Dancing with the Stars' and is one of the most popular performers in the history of that show. He also served as the host of Warner Horizon Television's hit reality-competition series 'Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew,' on MTV, and also starred on Broadway in the part of musical theatre director Zach in the recent revival of 'A Chorus Line.' His television credits include starring roles in the telefilms 'Holidays in Handcuffs' and 'Husband for Hire,' hosting the 2007 Miss America Pageant, and guest-starring appearances on 'Nip/Tuck' and 'George Lopez.' Jersey Boys opened in Las Vegas on May 3, 2008 as the exclusive west coast permanent company, led by Erich Bergen (Bob Gaudio), Rick Faugno (Frankie Valli), Jeff Leibow (Nick Massi) and Deven May (Tommy DeVito) as The Four Seasons. Presented in Las Vegas in a unique, custom-built theatre adorned with one-of-a-kind memorabilia from The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jersey Boys at The Palazzo is the same production fans all over the world have come to know and love.

In anticipation of the show's Broadway debut in the Spring of 2009, fans of the new musical 'Rock of Ages' have launched 'The Cry of the Strip,' a 'semi-official' website created by and for supporters of the show. The site's administrative staff plans for the site to be interactive between both fans of the show and members of the cast, band and crew. Features include: ? 'The Cry of the Strip', a blog written by the staff, informing fans of upcoming news on the show, cast and related information (i.e. rock celebrity birthdays / milestones in music history) ? 'Bourbon Room,' a message board for fans and production members to interact with each other and discuss the show, cast, etc. ? Photo albums, including rare, behind-the-scenes glimpses into the production ? Links to all cast member / band member web sites, as well as links to official sites for the show

UK's The Telegraph is reporting that Trevor Nunn discussed the potential for a Harry Potter musical and the fact that he almost had the rights for such a project, but the timing wasn't right...Nunn presented a South Bank Show lifetime achievement award to Sir Cameron Mackintosh last week and told the Telegraph that Warner Bros swiped the production rights from under his nose. 'Many many years ago I proposed it and they said: 'Oh if only you had come to us a few weeks ago. We have just sold the movie rights',' he harrumphs. 'It will be a long time now before anyone is allowed to stage Harry Potter.'

The award winning, critically acclaimed smash hit production of GYPSY played its final performance at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street) on Sunday, January 11, 2009. New York Magazine was granted the exclusive chance to document the historic final performance in a photo essay featuring the production's Tony Winning 'Mama Rose', the legendary Patti LuPone. Directed by theatrical legend and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, GYPSY played 332 performances and 27 previews. The production starred Tony Award winners Patti LuPone as 'Rose,' Boyd Gaines as 'Herbie' and Laura Benanti as 'Gypsy'. GYPSY began preview performances on Monday, March 3, 2008 and officially opened on Thursday, March 27, 2008. GYPSY was awarded three 2008 Tony Awards, one for each of the show's three stars: Patti LuPone (Leading Actress in a Musical), Laura Benanti (Best Featured Actress) and Boyd Gaines (Best Featured Actor). The production was nominated for seven Tony Awards in total, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Arthur Laurents), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Martin Pakledinaz) and Best Sound Design of a Musical (Dan Moses Schreier). In addition, GYPSY was nominated for six Outer Critics Circle Awards (boasting wins for LuPone and Benanti), four Drama Desk Awards (including wins for LuPone, Gaines and Benanti) and three Drama League Awards including the 'Distinguished Performance Award' for Patti LuPone.

On Monday evening, February 23 at 8:00pm, the Broadway community (and beyond) is coming together for one of the most important events of the year - Defying Inequality: The Broadway Concert -- A Celebrity Benefit for Equal Rights, a one-night only concert event at the Gershwin Theatre (222 W. 51st Street). The special star-studded evening will feature performers from stage & screen - from Saturday Night Live to Spring Awakening - all to benefit Family Equality Council, Empire State Pride Agenda, Equality California, Garden State Equality, and The Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force. 100% of the profits from this spectacular event will be donated directly to Family Equality Council, Empire State Pride Agenda, Equality California, Garden State Equality, and The Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, five charitable organizations working to promote equality and protect civil rights for the gay and lesbian community. Defying Inequality: The Broadway Concert, A Celebrity Benefit for Equal Rights, is produced by 4Good Productions, the same presenters of the 2005 event Broadway's Celebrity Benefit for Hurricane Relief at the Gershwin Theatre. Featuring over 200 Broadway performers, the 2005 event raised more than $200,000 in just one night. Special thanks to the producers of Wicked and the Nederlander Organization for generously donating the Gershwin Theatre for the evening.For tickets and information, please contact Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4100 and visit www.defyinginequality.com.

The New York Post's gossip icon Cindy Adams has returned from Washington, D.C and her exhaustive coverage of all the behind the scenes action at the Inaugural and brings a slew of Broadway related news with her. What is of most interest is the fact Will Ferrell hinted that his currently in previews 'You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W Bush' may be looking at extending. The show is gaining excellent word of mouth (including Cindy herself) and an extension would not be a surprise. There is no official word regarding such a move at this time, well keep you posted. Adams also chats with Broadway favorite Stephanie J. Block about the upcoming '9 To 5 The Musical', the always engaging Block describes the many set changes in the film to stage transfer of the Dolly Parton hit.

Alonzo King's LINES Ballet will perform a special New York City engagement May 5 - 10, 2009 at The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue (at 19th Street). The acclaimed company is returning to the Joyce with a new program of work from the gifted choreographer featuring: 'Rasa', an exhilarating and transformative work set to tabla master Zakir Hussain's rhythmic beat and another New York Premiere tba. Tabla music began as dancing music, in Northern Indian courts in the early 1700s, and its hypnotic intensity and complex rhythms convey the strong feeling that they are meant to move the body. There is an enthralling quality to the cyclical, accentual repetitions of rhythms. Zakir Hussain, son of the legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha, has created music with an array of artists from the Karnatic tradition of Southern India, the international Silk Road Project, and Western drummers. He is the preferred accompanist for many of India's classical musicians and dancers. He began touring before he was twelve, and has received numerous awards including a Grammy for his collaborative album, Planet Drum. This is his third collaboration with Alonzo King. The tabla, with its rich texture of rhythmic patterns, is the main form of percussion in the Hindustani music of North India. The tabla bridges folk, semi-classical, and classical Hindustani music genres, and was intrinsic to the lost dances of the tawaif-s, who performed in 18th-century courts.

Variety reports the good news that despite the continuing sharp economic downturn in the final quarter, London theater had a record-breaking year in 2008, with attendance for the year totaling 13,807,286, up 1% on the previous record set in 2007. Box office revenue hit 480,563,674 ($658 million), a 3% rise on the 2007 high.

Meryl Streep, who stars in the film Doubt as the stern Sister Aloysius , has won the 2008 SAG Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for playing the part. Streep was up for an Academy Award for her performance in The Devil Wears Prada. She is a two-time Oscar winner for Kramer vs. Kramer and Sophie's Choice, and has been nominated for an additional 11 Oscars. Other film credits include The Deer Hunter, Silkwood, Out of Africa, Postcards from the Edge, Heartburn, The Bridges of Madison Countyand Adaptation. She was last seen on screen as Donna in the film version of the Broadway hit Mamma Mia!. Her many theatre credits include Trelawney of the 'Wells,' The Taming of the Shrew, Happy End, The Cherry Orchard, The Seagull and Mother Courage (she starred in the latter two at the Delacorte Theatre). Doubt opened on Broadway on March 9th, 2005 and ran through July 2nd, 2006; it had originally played a hit run at Manhattan Theatre Club. With Tony-winning performances by Cherry Jones and Adriane Lenox, and Tony-nominated work by Brian F. O'Byrne, the show won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Play in addition to the Pulitzer Prize. Doug Hughes won a Tony for directing the play.

Celebrated for her great dramatic performances in both film and theater (most recently the Broadway revival of 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses'), Laura Linney has just won the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for her role in HBO's JOHN ADAMS. Laura Linney was born in New York City on February 5, 1964, into a theatre family. Her father is the prominent playwright Romulus Linney. Linney's world revolved, in part, around his profession from the earliest age. She graduated from Brown University in 1986 and studied acting at Julliard and the Arts Theatre School in Moscow and, thereafter, embarked on a career on the Broadway stage receiving favorable notices for her work in such plays as 'Hedda Gabler' and 'Six Degrees of Separation'.

Marni Nixon has joined the upcoming Encores! presentation of Music in the Air, she replaces Sally Ann Howes who had to drop out due to an illness. Marni Nixon, is known in the popular world as the singing voice behind the stars of West Side Story, The King and I and My Fair Lady. An accomplished singer in her own right, she has has sung opera, classical song and appeared on Broadway. Ms. Nixon worked with Lehmann in a production of Ariadne auf Naxos at the Music Academy of the West and considered her a friend. Besides her singing career, Marni Nixon is also an actress, recently nominated for an Ovation award. She gives master clases throughout the country in musical theater and classical song. She was last seen on Broadway in NINE and The Dead. Music in the Air, a rarely seen 1932 musical, will be directed by Gary Griffin with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Michael Lichtefeld. The production runs for five performances at City Center, West 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues). Production dates are February 5th through the 8th.

Three-time Tony Award winner Frank Langella is among the American theater world's greatest living actors. Though he gained recognition as a film star in the 1970s, the stage has always been his first love. He spoke candidly with CBS Sunday Morning's Tracy Smith about his career, the work of an actor and the price of fame. His career off-Broadway was launched with an Obie Award in 1965 for his performance in poet-playwright Robert Lowell's The Old Glory: Benito Cereno. His other major off-Broadway productions include Edmond Rostand's Cyrano, Arthur Miller's After the Fall, John Webster's The White Devil, Heinrich von Kleist's The Prince of Homburg, Andre Gide's The Immortalist and Shakespeare's The Tempest. Langella's triumphs on Broadway include Tony Awards for Edward Albee's Seascape, for Turgeneve's Fortune's Fool and last year for his role as President Richard Nixon in the New York production of Frost/Nixon. He was just seen on Broadway in the recent Roundabout Theatre Company production of A Man for All Seasons.