Photo Flash: BEASTLY Film Opens in LAFebruary 25, 2011After being delayed from it's originally scheduled July 30, 2010 opening, BEASTLY, starring Neil Patrick Harris, Vanessa Hudgens, Alex Pettyfer and Mary Kate Olsen opened in LA. BroadwayWorld brings you photo coverage below.
SPIDER-MAN's Carney, Damiano, Carpio Visit Letterman, 3/1February 24, 2011The cast of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark will perform on CBS's 'The Late Show With David Letterman' this Tuesday, March 1. The appearance will feature stars Reeve Carney, Jennifer Damiano, and T.V. Carpio, debuting the show's Act I anthem, 'Rise Above.'
Harvey Fierstein Hosts 2011 Drama Desk Awards on National TV, 5/23February 24, 2011The 56th Annual Drama Desk Awards announced a series of major changes designed to enhance the visibility and outreach of the Drama Desk Awards nationwide while, at the same time, creating a large national footprint for all segments of New York theater. The changes include a television broadcast deal with Ovation; moving the awards ceremony from a concert hall to a prestigious ballroom in Midtown Manhattan; presenting the awards at a gala sit-down dinner in an elegant setting, hosted by a major Broadway star; adding musical numbers from nominated New York stage productions; changing the day of the annual Drama Desk Awards from its traditional Sunday time-slot to a Monday night when most Broadway and Off Broadway shows are dark; and adding major media partners. The changes were announced at a news conference held today (Thursday, February 24, 2011) at Inc Lounge in the Time Hotel, 224 West 49th Street, by Robert R. Blume, who has been Executive Producer of the annual Drama Desk Awards since 1999.
CHICAGO Welcomes Back Christopher Sieber as 'Billy Flynn,' 3/8 - 3/25February 24, 2011Next month, Broadway's record-breaking, six-time Tony Award-winning musical smash CHICAGO is pleased to welcome back Christopher Sieber in the role of Billy Flynn, 'the silver-tongued prince of the courtroom,' for a limited engagement beginning Tuesday, March 8 and continuing through Friday, March 25.
TV: Sherri Shepherd Hosts Bailey House AuctionFebruary 24, 2011Kathy Griffin, Robert Verdi, Jane Pauley, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hota Kotb, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and 'Real Housewives' Ramona Singer, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Alex McCord & Simon van Kempen walked the red carpet with hosts Sherri Shepherd and fashion designer Carmen Marc Valvo at the 23rd Annual Bailey House Auction and Party last night, February 23rd at The Lexington Avenue Armory. Festivities began at 6 PM. The evening benefits Bailey House, the landmark AIDS housing agency for homeless New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.
Details Emerge on THE NORMAL HEART; To Be Performed as Staged Reading; Tix Now on Sale February 24, 2011According to an Equity Casting notice, Broadway's THE NOrMAL HEART will be performed as a staged reading, directed by Joel Grey. Accordingly, the production will be adding the character of a Reader / Examining Doctor, whose character description reads: 'Male, any age. He will introduce the play every evening, read stage directions, and play a pivotal scene with Emma every night. Casting personnel state, 'We are looking for exciting ideas to do a few weeks at a time.'
Will Chase Guests on USA's ROYAL PAINS Finale Tonight, 2/24February 24, 2011Broadway's Will Chase will be tonight's guest star on the season finale of the USA network's Royal Pains. Chase will play MS patient Benjamin Richards, a Hamptonite hosting his annual MS Fundraiser, and looks to hire someone to launch his foundation's new philanthropic effort- a fleet of mobile medical clinics in developing nations. When Benjamin experiences symptoms associated with MS flare-ups, HankMed treats him and discovers something altogether different is effecting his health.
James Earl Jones Will Lead Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN on Broadway in 2012February 24, 2011The New York Times reports today that following his stint in DRIVING MISS DAISY, James Earl Jones will be hanging around Broadway a bit longer, assuming the role of Arthur Hockstader in the revival of Gore Vidal's 'The Best Man.' The production is scheduled to open in the spring of 2012. Orphan's Home Cycle director Michael Wilson will helm the revival. The plot centers around chief executive Hockstader trying to decide which presidental nominees to support: William Russell and Joe Cantwell.
Gonzalez, Rapp, Ferrera et al. Lead 24 HOUR MUSICALS, 3/7February 23, 2011On Monday, March 7, 2011, The 24 Hour Company will team with the Exchange to produce The 24 Hour Musicals at The Gramercy Theatre (127 East 23rd Street, between Park and Lexington Aves). Four brand new musicals will be written, cast, rehearsed and performed in a single day, featuring an star-studded line up of Broadway performers, composers, writers, directors, choreographers and musical directors. Creative director Ted Sperling (musical director of Light in the Piazza, South Pacific and Guys & Dolls), will lead some of the theatre's brightest talent from Broadway, film and television as they collaborate under one roof, in one day, to create original musical theatre.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Welcomes Murray, Houdyshell, Austrian, 3/22 February 23, 2011Roundabout Theatre Company has announced that Brian Murray, Jayne Houdyshell and Jessie Austrian will join the critically acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford as 'Lady Bracknell,' at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway.
Adam Shankman Confirms Tom Cruise for ROCK OF AGES FilmFebruary 22, 2011After months of speculation, ROCK OF AGES film director Adam Shankman has confrimed that Tom Cruise has officially begun work as Stacee Jaxx. He tells the Toronto Sun: 'I think we're going to see him every drop the rock'n'roll god. He's pouring himself in this part in a way I've never had an actor do. It's pretty intense. Between the voice lessons, the incredible study... researching the period, it's like 1987, just going there!'
Roundabout Completes Cast for Murphy Led PEOPLE IN THE PICTUREFebruary 22, 2011Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Tracy Aron, announces the complete cast for the new Broadway musical THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, starring two time Tony® Award-winner Donna Murphy, directed by Leonard Foglia. THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE features book & lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler.
Larry King Launches LARRY KING: STANDING UP Live Show in CT, 4/14February 22, 2011Larry King is a name that has been woven into the fabric of American culture, being invited into the living rooms of millions of people every night for 25 years on CNN. He has been kissed by Marlon Brando; he's tussled with Jerry Seinfeld; he was the first to sit down with Paris Hilton after she left prison; he's interviewed people that never give interviews like the press-shy Frank Sinatra; and his coverage of 9/11 will forever be remembered. In today's society, you can't be considered a success until you've sat down across the table from the master: Larry King.
TV: Geoffrey Rush in DIARY OF A MADMAN at BAM!February 22, 2011One of Australia's most respected theater companies, Belvoir returns to BAM with the US premiere of The Diary of a Madman, featuring Academy, Emmy, and Tony Award winner Geoffrey Rush and directed by renowned Belvoir co-founder Neil Armfield. See below for a first look of Rush on stage in the production!
Photo Flash: TIMON OF ATHENS at The PublicFebruary 18, 2011The Public Theater began previews on Tuesday, February 15 for TIMON OF ATHENS, the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE featuring Richard Thomas in the title role. Directed by Shakespeare Initiative Director Barry Edelstein, TIMON OF ATHENS runs February 15 through March 6 at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street), with an official press opening on Tuesday, March 1. Single tickets are on sale now; all tickets for Public LAB productions are $15. Production photos are below!
Kelli O'Hara & Nathan Gunn Deliver a Night of Show Tunes with NY Philharmonic, 3/21February 18, 2011Broadway leading lady Kelli O'Hara and opera star Nathan Gunn will perform selections from Show Boat; Carousel; Kiss Me, Kate; Very Warm for May; Love Life; One Touch of Venus; Street Scene; On the Town; Candide; and West Side Story with the New York Philharmonic, in Classic Broadway, conducted by Tony Award winner Ted Sperling, Monday, March 21, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. The pair will perform solos and duets from hit shows by American songwriters Jerome Kern, Kurt Weill, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Leonard Bernstein, whose music was matched with words by such celebrated lyricists as Oscar Hammerstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and Stephen Sondheim. A complete listing of songs follows.
TV: LA CAGE's 'Lili Whiteass' Takes You on a San Tropez Tour!February 24, 2011LA CAGE AUX FOLLES made Tony Awards history last year as the first show to ever win the Tony Award three times for best production - the classic musical comedy won six Tony Awards in 1984, including Best Musical, and a Broadway revival won two 2005 Tony Awards including the Best Revival of a Musical prize. LA CAGE also won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, as well as Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical (Douglas Hodge) and Best Director of a Musical (Terry Johnson).
TV: COMPULSION On Stage at the Public! Opens Tonight, 2/17February 17, 2011The Public Theater began previews Tuesday, February 1 for the world premiere production of Rinne Groff's COMPULSION, directed by Oskar Eustis. The cast features Hannah Cabell, Matte Osian, and Mandy Patinkin, with puppet design and puppetry supervision by Matt Acheson. COMPULSION runs through Sunday, March 13 at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street). The official press opening is tonight, February 17. In celebration of the opening, BroadwayWorld brings you a preview of Compulsion on stage below!