Ben Shenkman News

Continuing its streak of dominating the summer TV landscape, USA Network announced today a powerful line-up of new originals and fan favorite returning series.

Proof, the 2001 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play by American playwright David Auburn will be presented for 8 performances only at the Gene Frankel Theatre (24 Bond Street - between Lafayette & Bowery). Produced by an ensemble of independent New York actors and artists, performances will begin on Thursday, February 21st and continue through Sunday, March 3rd.

Now, a cable network insider tells us exclusively that the film will instead be an HBO television production, with a budget in the neighborhood of $15 million dollars. There is no word yet on a timeline for the project, or if the announced starry cast are staying aboard the project.

Dennis Quaid, Michael Chiklis, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jason O'Mara and Taylor Handley star in a rebroadcast of VEGAS, on a special night and time, Saturday, September 29th.

USA's new series POLITICAL ANIMALS will spearhead a week of original programming on the network. Check out what's coming up this week!

With a great slate of shows already on-air, USA Network had you covered for now. But just wait for July, when WHITE COLLAR and COVERT AFFAIRS premiere (Tuesday, July 10th) and USA Network's Limited Series Television event POLITICAL ANIMALS (starring Sigourney Weaver) premieres July 15th at 10/9c.

TV Guide reports that Tony Award nominee Ben Shenkman has been cast as HankMed's new hire in the USA television show Royal Pains, which returns this summer for its fourth season.

Second Stage Theatre celebrated its annual All-Star Bowling Classic last night, February 6th. For over 20 years, stars of stage and screen have come out to bowl in support of Second Stage's award-winning seasons and to assist the theatre in its fund-raising efforts.

Tony Award-winner Adriane Lenox (Doubt), two-time Emmy Award nominee Janel Moloney ('The West Wing') and film and TV veteran Joyce Van Patten have joined the upcoming cast of the hit Off Broadway show Love, Loss, and What I Wore, playing through Sunday, October 2 at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43 Street).

The Public Theater began previews on Monday, June 6 for the 2011 Shakespeare in the Park summer season featuring MEASURE FOR MEASURE, directed by David Esbjornson, and ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, directed by Daniel Sullivan. The two shows will run in repertory with the same company of actors through Saturday, July 30 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Last night marked the official launch gala for the 2011 Shakespeare in the Park season and BroadwayWorld was on hand for the photo op!

The Public Theater's productino of KNICKERBOCKER will close on Sunday, May 29. All tickets for Public LAB productions are $15.

Those who miss the patter of little urbanites that made Thursday night sitcoms so popular in the 1990s should welcome the arrival of Jonathan Marc Sherman's angsty new comedy, Knickerbocker; a play generously populated by an assortment of smart, funny and hip New Yorkers whose charm lies in their ability to over-think.

The Public Theater opened the New York premiere of KNICKERBOCKER, written by Jonathan Marc Sherman and directed by Pippin Parker last night, May 19. The final show in the 2010-2011 Public LAB season, KNICKERBOCKER began performances on May 6. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening night arrivals and brings you photo coverage below!

The Public Theater opened the New York premiere of KNICKERBOCKER, written by Jonathan Marc Sherman and directed by Pippin Parker last night, May 19. The final show in the 2010-2011 Public LAB season, KNICKERBOCKER began performances on May 6. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening night arrivals and brings you photo coverage below!

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) presents the New York premiere of KNICKERBOCKER, written by Jonathan Marc Sherman and directed by Pippin Parker. The final show in the 2010-2011 Public LAB season, KNICKERBOCKER will run Friday, May 6 through Sunday, May 29, with an official press opening on Thursday, May 19. Single tickets are on sale now; all tickets for Public LAB productions are $15.