Jessica Lewis - Page 212

Emerging playwright Marisa Wegrzyn is the recipient of the 2009 Wasserstein Prize for her play Hickorydickory. The Wasserstein Prize was established in memory of the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright Wendy Wasserstein, who died in 2006. The $25,000 prize is awarded for an outstanding script by a young woman who has not yet received national attention. The Wasserstein Prize is funded by the Educational Foundation of America (EFA) and administered by Theatre Development Fund. It will be presented by Wendy's life-long friend and EFA Board member Heidi Ettinger and TDF's Executive Director Victoria Bailey at a reception at The Players at 16 Gramercy Park South in New York City on Tuesday, December 1. In addition to the $25,000 prize, Ms. Wegrzyn's play, Hickorydickory, will receive a reading at Second Stage Theatre in New York City.

The headliners of Broadway's Superior Donuts, now playing at The Music Box Theater, have been billed as stage and screen vet Michael McKean and the play's scribe, Tracey Letts, of Pulitzer Prize fame for her recent August: Osage County. Yet, The New York Times reveals that immersed in the shows ensemble is another star in Jon Michael Hill, a big name in the Chicago theater scene (where Donuts originated), though relatively unknown to the New York and L.A. worlds.

Chicago is alight with the 'altogether cooky' Addams family this month. The largest Broadway tryout (to the tune of $17 million) to hit the town since 2003's The Producers, this new Brickman and Elice musical (Jersey Boys) began previews on November 13 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. The new The Addams Family musical, based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, will play Chicago through Sunday, January 10, 2010.

Th Hollywood Reporter confirmed last night that Nickelodeon will pull the trigger on a new half-hour pilot from Peter Barsocchini, writer of the 'High School Musical' movies.

The UNLV Performing Arts Center celebrates the holiday season with A Forbidden Broadway Christmas, conducted by Catherine Stornetta and with the UNLV Jazz Symphony, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 as part of the New York Stage & Beyond Series, From the mischievous merry-makers who brought you Forbidden Broadway, this holiday musical extravaganza will fill your holiday with hilarity. Selections include 'Barbra Jingle Bells' and 'Fiddler on an Xmas Tree.'

For most any actor, there is nothing better than performing on Broadway night after night alongside some of the industry's most celebrated talent. Tell that to the teens currently performing in the current Roundabout Revival of Bye Bye Birdie, who frequently rush off the stage following their final bows to collectively gather in their pajamas in front of the television to watch the latest GLEE episode.

As previously reported, the soundtrack for Disney's Princess and the Frog will be released and available for purchase on November 23. The album, with original songs by Academy Award winner Randy Newman, features the voices of the movie's stars, Anika Noni Rose (Caroline or Change, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Footloose), Keith David, and Jenifer Lewis.

The Lakewood Theatre Company will celebrate the holidays with Lakewood in Lights 2009 on December 7, 2009 from 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM. This annual holiday fundraiser for Lakewood, hosted by Tracy Barry and Larry Blackmar, features food, music, dance, and a tree auction to benefit Lakewood Theatre Company and Lakewood Center for the Arts. The title sponsor is Umpqua Bank.

Bloomington Theatre and Art Center has announced auditions for The Prisoner of Second Avenue, directed by Zach Curtis, Artistic Director, Paul Bunyan Playhouse, on Monday December 7 and Tuesday November 8 at 6:30 p.m. Callbacks will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday December 9.

A Noise Within, the critically acclaimed classical repertory theatre company, announces special events linked to two of its current productions, CRIME AND PUNISHMENT and NOISES OFF, running through December 17 and December 20, respectively at A Noise Within theater space in Glendale.

Celebrating the largest individual philanthropic gift made to a cultural institution in the Tampa Bay area, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center President and CEO Judith Lisi today announced a major institutional gift from the David A. Straz, Jr. Foundation. In recognition of that gift, Lisi said that TBPAC will be renamed the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts.

Entertainment Tonight has confirmed that songbird Whitney Houston will be the featured performer on the Dancing with the Stars finale on November 24. The final four couples on the hit dance-off will compete tonight on ABC.

According to Variety, the 19th Annual Independent Film Award ceremony is shaping up to be a starry evening. Presenters include Meryl Streep, Joel and Ethan Coen, Willem Dafoe, Ellen Burstyn, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Anthony Mackie, Oliver Platt, Jim Sheridan and Brooke Shields. The event will be hosted by Comedian Kumail Nanjiani at the ceremony, which will take place at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan.

Weekend Movie Box Office Update: November 13 - November 15, 2009

As previously announced, Z Space, in association with Brian Eastman and Richmond Theatre Productions, will present the world premiere of A Round-Heeled Woman starring Sharon Gless, which will run at the Theater Artaud in San Francisco from Jan. 5-Feb. 7, 2010. Opening night is scheduled for Jan. 16 at 8 PM.

Estimated Weekend Movie Box Office: November 13 - November 15, 2009

Billboard's Top Cast Albums chart for week ending 11/14/2009.

Broadway's Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies: November 13, 2009

The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that the newest edition to the Focker franchise is stage and screen vet Harvey Keitel.

For one night only, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County presents BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL, a Tony Award winner who has captivated audiences all over the country, on December 12, 2009 at the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall.