Jessica Lewis - Page 203

Estimated Weekend Movie Box Office: December 4 - December 6, 2009

Bursting with explosive music and dance moves, a group of gifted performing artists travel down a path of self-discovery and stardom in Fame, arriving on Blu-ray Disc with Digital Copy and DVD January 12 from MGM Home Entertainment. In the contemporary remake of the 1980 fan-favorite, the film follows a crew of dancers, singers, actors and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts. A diverse, creative powerhouse, the school offers students from all walks of life a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame...the kind that comes only from talent, dedication, and hard work. In an incredibly competitive atmosphere, students, mentored by the best and toughest teachers, strive for their moment in the spotlight and find out who amongst them has what is takes to succeed.

In a feature out in Variety today, GLEE's musical supervisor, PJ Bloom reveals that, at first, he wasn't sold on the idea.

She already has the endorsement of NINE collaborators Nicole Kidman and director Rob Marshall, and now, IMDB News is reporting that Kate Hudson may be eying a stage debut in the West End, so long as her 5-year old son Ryder is okay with it.

Broadway's perfectly magical musical MARY POPPINS is pleased to welcome Valerie Boyle to the company as Mrs. Brill, tonight, Friday, December 4 at 8pm. Produced by Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh, MARY POPPINS performs at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

A report out from the arts advocacy group NYS Arts today, is stating that at the final Council meeting on October 28, grant recommendations were made in the amount of $6,562,592, the amount of local assistance funding remaining for the current fiscal year. That was to be the maximum recommendation pending official direction from the Department of Budget, so no contracts were issued following that meeting.

People.com is premiering the first Joan Marcus shot photo of Catherine Zeta-Jones as Desiree in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.

Stage and screen favorite Hank Azaria, will be honored with an Artivist Award along with fellow thespian Olivia Wilde (House) and producer Stephen Nemeth. The Artivist Awards are presented at the Artivist Film Festival, which, now it its 6th year, has screened 45 independent, narratives, documentaries, shorts, and experimental films from around the world. The awards recognize activist efforts of filmmakers, specifically in the areas of human rights, child advocacy, environmental preservation, and animal rights. Artivist Awards will take place at a ceremony on December 5 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, the new musical inspired by the famed 1956 recording session that brought together four of the most legendary figures in the history of rock 'n' roll - Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley - will open on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre. Previews will begin March 13, 2010.

Sony Classical and Integrity Music have released the CD and DVD of Handel's Messiah Rocks, a groundbreaking musical event that blends classical music with classic rock in a fresh new interpretation of George Fredrick Handel's celebrated oratorio. On December 15, its stars, La Chanze and J.Robert, will perform in concert and sign copies of the CD at the Lincoln Center Barnes & Noble.

A report out in the Toronto Star today suggests that Garth Drabinsky, convicted and sentenced to 7 years in prison for fraud, is back in action...at least for now. According to the report, Drabinsky has three new large-scale productions in the works for the 2010-2011 season: Christopher Plummer in Barrymore; Colm Wilkinson in Finian's Rainbow; and an all-black revival of Kiss of a Spider Woman.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, will continue its star-studded Fall 2009 season with Broadway star, KATE BALDWIN on December 13. For her show at Feinstein's the Finian's Rainbow star will celebrate the release of her debut album, Let's See What Happens, devoted to the music and lyrics of Finian's Rainbow creators Burton Lane and E.Y. Harburg. Selections will include the tender 'How Are Things in Glocca Morra?,' a swinging rendition of 'Come Back to Me' and the raucous and robust 'I Don't Think I'll End It All Today.'

Fresh from his starring role in this year's Tony Award winner for Best Musical, 'Billy Elliot,' Kiril Kulish, who also won the Tony for Best Male Performer in a Broadway Musical, will appear on the stage of the Occidental Grand Aruba in Palm Beach during holiday season 2009.

On Thursday, December 17 at 9pm, SCTV Golden Classics will feature legendary sketch comedy skits by The Second City alumi John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, and Dave Thomas. The exclusive broadcast on WLIW21 honors the 50th anniversary of The Second City, which opened its first theatre December 16, 1959 in Chicago, and spawned the Emmy Award-winning SCTV in 1976, launching the careers of comedy luminaries ranging from Alan Arkin and Joan Rivers to John Belushi, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, and Stephen Colbert. Distributed by WLIW21 in association with WNET.ORG, SCTV Golden Classics will air nationwide on public television stations beginning March 2010 (check local listings).

Award-winning Composer, lyricist and writer Eric Woolfson died from cancer in the early hours of the 2nd December 2009, at age 64.

She already has the endorsement of NINE collaborators Nicole Kidman and director Rob Marshall, and now, IMDB News is reporting that Kate Hudson may be eying a stage debut in the West End, so long as her 5-year old son Ryder is okay with it.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) will present BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, a new musical. Featuring the sounds of R&B and gospel, Best of Both Worlds features book and lyrics by Randy Weiner, music by multiple Obie-winner Diedre Murray, and is directed by Tony nominated Diane Paulus (Director of HAIR - Tony Winner: Best Musical Revival 2009).

Tickets are now on-sale for MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, the new musical inspired by the famed 1956 recording session which brought together four of the most legendary figures in the history of rock 'n' roll - Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley. This jam session happened 53 years ago today at Sun Records.

Ken Davenport, producer of the off-Broadway staple Altar Boyz, has announced today that the show will play its final performance on January 10, 2010 at 7:30pm at its home, New World Stages after playing 2023 performances. It is the 9th longest running off-Broadway musical in history.

On January 17, Birdland will host Stage and screen star Caroline O'Connor in concert, The Girl From Oz: An Evening With Caroline O'Connor, at 6pm.