Barry Levinson News

Discovery Channel announced today that it has tapped Hollywood heavyweights Tom Fontana and Barry Levinson as co-executive producers of its new crime series KILLING FIELDS.

Adam Karim (Sajit Khan), Assad Zaman (Saleem Khan), Dharmesh Patel (Abdul Khan), Salma Hoque (Meenah Khan) and Simon Nagra (George Khan) join the previously announced comedy award-winning actress Pauline McLynn (Ella Khan) and original West End cast members, Ashley Kumar (Tariq Khan) and Darren Kuppan (Maneer Khan) to complete the casting of the Khan family in the national tour of Ayub Khan Din's critically-acclaimed play East is East. The Khans are joined by Kammy Darweish (Mr Shah), Sakuntala Ramanee (Mrs Shah) and Sally Bankes (Auntie Annie).

Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation announced that Brian Hyland will be joining Dick Fox's DOO WOP EXTRAVAGANZA on Sunday, June 6 at 7pm. Brian Hyland is known for a slew of iconic hit songs including 'Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini' and 'Sealed With a Kiss.'. Dick Fox's DOO WOP EXTRAVAGANZA is a celebration of Doo-wop, the iconic sound that caused a sensation in the 1950's and early 1960's.

Adam Karim (Sajit Khan), Assad Zaman (Saleem Khan), Dharmesh Patel (Abdul Khan), Salma Hoque (Meenah Khan) and Simon Nagra (George Khan) join the previously announced comedy award-winning actress Pauline McLynn (Ella Khan) and original West End cast members, Ashley Kumar (Tariq Khan) and Darren Kuppan (Maneer Khan) to complete the casting of the Khan family in the national tour of Ayub Khan Din's critically-acclaimed play East is East. The Khans are joined by Kammy Darweish (Mr Shah), Sakuntala Ramanee (Mrs Shah) and Sally Bankes (Auntie Annie). 

As it closes in on its second consecutive season-long victory in the key adult 18-49 demographic, NBC unveils a new 2015-16 primetime schedule that combines popular returning series, edge-of-your-seat new dramas, inventive new comedies and season nine of the Emmy Award-winning musical competition series “The Voice.”

Today we are talking to a spectacularly accomplished Broadway leading man with a considerable TV and film resume who plays a prominent role in the new Encores! production of John Kander & Fred Ebb's Tony Award-winning musical ZORBA coming up next month, the thoughtful Santino Fontana. Explaining his part in the production as well as the unique demands of a special limited run concert presentation such as ZORBA! is, Fontana also opens up about the rehearsal process for the show and the developing rapport and camaraderie between himself and the starry assortment of fellow cast members involved in the production - including John Turturro, Zoe Wanamaker, Marin Mazzie and more, all directed by Walter Bobbie. Besides the full 411 on ZOBRA, Fontana also sheds considerable light on his many current and upcoming projects, including the recently released FROZEN follow-up short musical film FROZEN FEVER and whether or not he would like to be involved in subsequent FROZEN-related entities. Furthermore, Fontana gives us a first look at his new TV series SHADES OF BLUE, starring Jennifer Lopez, as well as his new feature film comedy SISTERS, starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Additionally, Fontana previews his upcoming PBS twofer with the hotly anticipated premiere of his recent Broadway play ACT ONE, as well as a Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert co-starring members of SESAME STREET. All of that, SUBMISSIONS ONLY reflections, comments on MOZART IN THE JUNGLE and much, much more!

Mary-Louise Parker, a Tony Award winner and three time Tony nominee, will be joined by Emmy and Golden Globe winner Bruce Willis to announce the nominations for the American Theatre Wing's TONY AWARDS in a live webcast, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, April 28 at TonyAwards.com.

According to Deadline, Tony nominee Santino Fontana has signed on for NBC's upcoming police drama series SHADES OF BLUE. Barry Levinson directs.

Virginia's Signature Theatre is recently presented the world premiere of Diner, the musical adaptation of the landmark film with a book by the movie's Academy Award®-winning screenwriter and director Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Bugsy, The Natural) and an original score by nine-time Grammy Award® winner Sheryl Crow. BroadwayWorld has just learned that the new musical will soon play at the Delaware Theatre Company as a part of their 2015-16 season. Kathleen Marshall is set to return to helm the production, which is set to run December 2- 27, 2015. Casting has not yet been announced.

Today we are celebrating the many cinematic showcases for Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and director David Mamet.

The New York Times writes that John Turturro will star in ZORBA! for Encores!, running May 6-10, 2015.

THE HOLLYWOOD NETWORKING BREAKFAST (HNB) Presents The President of HBO Films, Len Amato

Yale Repertory Theatre announces its 2015-16 Season, which will include three world premieres and two classics.

Arts For All is thrilled to announce that Steve Rosen is hosting our Annual Benefit Cabaret on April 13th at 42 West. On Broadway, Steve originated the roles of Sir Belvedere, et al in Spamalot, Harlan Honn, et. al. in The Farnsworth Invention; and played Benny Southstreet in the 2009 revival of Guys & Dolls.

Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless, EastEnders) will play Ella Khan in Ayub Khan Din's critically-acclaimed play East is East, embarking on a 16 week national tour and making its Scottish debut at the Theatre Royal Glasgow from Monday 10 until Saturday 15 August 2015.

Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless, EastEnders) will play Ella Khan in Ayub Khan Din's critically-acclaimed play East is East, which was part of Jamie Lloyd's second Trafalgar Transformed season, directed by Sam Yates, on a 16 week National Tour from 11 June 2015, commencing at Theatre Royal, Brighton. East is East is designed by Tom Scutt, with lighting by Richard Howell and sound and music by Alex Baranowski.

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning Keen Company will present a one night only concert to benefit the company: Tony Award and Grammy Award-nominated composer and lyricist ANDREW LIPPA will be joined by Christina DeCicco (Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark, Evita), Adam Kantor (The Last Five Years, Rent, Avenue Q), and Christiane Noll (Ragtime, Jekyll & Hyde) and in a unique one night only concert, We're Keen on Andrew Lippa.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today that Barbra Streisand (recipient of the 40th Chaplin Award) will present the 42nd Chaplin Award to Academy Award-winner Robert Redford

Josh Grisetti, who will be making his official Broadway debut in the show (check out the full story below), plays Marty, the ex-boyfriend of the bride. Check out an exclusive interview with Grisetti below, as he chats about how he relates to his character, what he loves about the material, and so much more!

Academy Award winner Helen Mirren will return to Broadway this spring as Elizabeth II in Peter Morgan's The Audience, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Daldry. Opening Night is tonight, March 8, 2015; the limited engagement runs through June 28, 2015 at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Scroll down to learn more about the company!