Jeff Dennhardt - Page 26

Writer Jon Robin Baitz is currently in the works of authoring a new play about Hollywood film producer Robert Evans. Evans worked on such films as Rosemary's Baby, Love Story, The Godfather and Chinatown and was also well known for his much-publicized seven marriages. The play is expected to open during the 2010-2011 Broadway season.

Stage and screen stars Andrea Anders and Allison Janney are being tapped to star in a new ABC pilot series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The series, entitled 'Mr. Sunshine,' features Anders opposite Matthew Perry's Ben, a San Diego stadium owner who comes to the realization he can no longer skirt by on his charm and good looks.

Producers Jean Doumanian and Sonia Friedman announced today that they hope to bring their Martin Luther King Jr. play, THE MOUNTAINTOP, to Broadway in fall of 2010 according to The New York Times. The play surrounds King's last nights before his assassination. The play premiered in London in summer 2009 and was written by Katori Hall.

Arizona Theatre Company celebrates its 43rd season on Saturday, April 17 with CURTAIN UP! 2010: Live from New York City. Audiences will experience an evening filled with the music, sights and sounds of New York at the Herberger Theater Center and the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix. Chairing the CURTAIN UP! 2010 committee are ATC Trustees Zelda Faigen and Laura Green.

The Drama Desk, the organization of professional writers, critics and columnists who cover all sectors of New York theater, will present its first Panel Discussion of the 2009-2010 theater season on Thursday, February 25, 2010, from 5:30 - 7:30 PM in the BMI offices at 320 West 57th Street, it was announced by William Wolf, President of the organization.

The invited dress rehearsal of the upcoming show LOOPED taking place on February 18th will benefit the Actors Fund, producers announced today. A limited number of seats were provided by producers to be made available for purchase through the Actors Fund.

Marquee Five will bring their show 'We Can Make It: The Songs of Kander and Ebb' back to Don't Tell Mama for a repeat performance on February 25th and April 15th. After a successful performance in Decemeber, the group is back to perform classic Kander and Ebb songs from such musicals as Chicago, Cabaret, The Rink and Flora, the Red Menace.

Broadway star Louis Gossett Jr. announced today that he is battling prostate cancer. Gossett Jr. said he was able to catch the cancer in its early stages and is receiving treatment. He is also using this opportunity to encourage other African-Americans to be examined early as to avoid any future complications.

Broadway vet Jeffrey DeMunn has joined the cast of the upcoming production of DEATH OF A SALEMAN, opening in April at the Dallas Theater Center. DeMunn will play the role of Willy Lohman in the Arthur Miller classic. The show will run April 16th through May 16th.

WestBeth Entertainment and Henson Alternative have announced the New York debut of STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG, a live uncensored show that lets loose the perilous and provocative elements of comedic improvisation on stage with a bunch of puppets. Created by award-winning director, producer, writer and performer Brian Henson and actor and improvisational guru Patrick Bristow, this one-of-a-kind comedy performance is set for a special 10-week limited engagement kicking off Wednesday, March 17 at the Union Square Theatre. Official Opening takes place Thursday, April 1 at 9:00 PM.

The first round of Hollywood auditions on 'American Idol' brought the welcome addition of Ellen DeGeneres to the judging panel. Ellen replaced Paula Abdul, after Paula was not hired back for 'Idol's' ninth season. Ellen was a refreshing change to panel, being brutally honest to the contestants, as well as providing several amusing comments about the performances.

Broadway star Laura Benanti, Tony winner for her role as Louise in GYPSY alongside Patti LuPone, has been tapped to star as lead role in the upcoming CBS pilot 'Open Books.'

The New York Times today features the newly reborn career of Wes Bentley, star of Classic Stage Company's current production of VENUS IN FUR. Bentley starred in the 1999 hit film 'American Beauty' at the age of 21 and has since taken a hiatus from the entertainment. Bentley's return to acting has come in the form of an off-Broadway play, a role he hopes will put him back in the spotlight.

The 55th Annual Drama Desk Awards Ceremony will take place on May 23rd this year at a to-be-announced location. The awards will honor excellence in theatre for the 2009-2010 season. The nominations will be announced on May 3rd at the New York Friars Club in Manhattan. Emcees have yet to be determined.

Stage, film, and television star Henry Winkler will join the cast of USA's 'Royal Pains' in its second summer season. Winkler will join the cast in a major role next season as Eddie R. Lawson, father of the show's two lead characters Hank and Evan Lawson, played by Mark Feuerstein and Evan Paulo Costanzo respectively. It was revealed at the end of the first season that Winkler's would be character stole all of the money from his sons' business, HankMed. The show will air on Thursdays on USA during the summer. A premiere date and time slot have yet to be announced.

Broadway vet Merle Dandridge will be featured on an upcoming episode of ABC's 'The Deep End.' Dandridge will be featured on an episode entitled, 'The Innocent Man,' where Addy's long-distance boyfriend surprises her at the office. The episode will air Thursday, February 18th from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET, on the ABC Television Network.

Lincoln Center Festival and Park Avenue Armory, in association with The Ohio State University will bring the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to New York in July and August 2011 for an unprecedented six-week residency. The joint announcement was made today by Nigel Redden, Director, Lincoln Center Festival; Rebecca Robertson, President and CEO, Park Avenue Armory; and Michael Boyd, Artistic Director of the RSC.

The Palace Theatre hosted the 8th Annual NH Theatre Awards show on February 5th. The awards celebrate the state's outstanding achievements and exceptional talent in locally produced theatre. Along with the announcement of the winners, the event also featured selections from several of the nominees.

Broadway vet Colin Hanlon and ROCK OF AGES star Jeremy Jordan have joined the cast for the upcoming reading of the new musical, NEXT THING YOU KNOW. The reading will be presented by CAP21's Theatre Company. NEXT THING YOU KNOW is by the Drama-Desk nominated creators of I LOVE YOU BECAUSE, featuring book and lyrics by Ryan Cunningham and music by Joshua Salzman. The reading is directed by John Simpkins.

92nd Street Y and Jujamcyn Theaters will present a series of conversations entitled 'Broadway Talks,' featuring some of today's biggest Broadway stars, throughout the spring. The talks will be held as one-on-one conversations with Jujamcyn President, Jordan Roth, and will take place on four separate occasions from March to May. Currently scheduled for talks are Liev Schrieber, Nathan Lane, Laura Linney, and Sean Hayes.