Benjamin Bratt News

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media, has announced an innovative and diverse programming lineup for Outfest 2009: The 27th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The nation's leading LGBT festival and the oldest continuously running film festival in the city will be held July 9 to 19.

Award-winning writer and actor John Leguizamo hits the road this summer with his brand new show, John Leguizamo LIVE! Launching Friday, July 10 at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT, this tour will land in a new city each week, continuing through Fall 2009 (initial dates and venues listed below).

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media, has announced an innovative and diverse programming lineup for Outfest 2009: The 27th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The nation's leading LGBT festival and the oldest continuously running film festival in the city will be held July 9 to 19.

A.C.T. Conservatory Director Melissa Smith announced today that honorary master of fine arts degrees will be conferred upon Grammy Award-winning musician Tracy Chapman and master playwright John Guare.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is proud to announce that A.C.T.?s 2008?09 season gala, Illuminate the Night, raised $715,000 to benefit A.C.T?s acclaimed conservatory programs. The elegant gala event, co-chaired by Carla Crane and Chandra Geiger Gordon, was attended by over 300 of San Francisco?s cultural, corporate, and philanthropic communities, as well as alumni of A.C.T.?s Master of Fine Arts Program such as Tony Award?winning actor Anika Noni Rose. The black tie event took place Sunday, April 19, 2009, at San Francisco?s Four Seasons Hotel and featured an exclusive performance by Judy Kaye, Tony Award?winning star of A.C.T.?s Sweeney Todd and Souvenir. Students from A.C.T.?s own Master of Fine Arts Program and Young Conservatory also performed in musical numbers directed by John Carrafa, the Tony Award?nominated choreographer of Urinetown, the Musical. Along with a cocktail hour and elegant dinner, Illuminate the Night featured a live auction, a paddle raise, and a special raffle drawing for a Smart Car with an exclusive parking spot in front of the American Conservatory Theater all year long.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) and gala co-chairs Carla Crane and Chandra Geiger Gordon are proud to announce A.C.T.'s 2008-09 season gala, Illuminate the Night, featuring an exclusive performance by Judy Kaye, Tony Award-winning star of A.C.T.'s Sweeney Todd and Souvenir. The entertainment for this wonderful evening also includes performances by A.C.T.'s own Master of Fine Arts Program and Young Conservatory students, created and directed by John Carrafa, the Tony Award-nominated choreographer of Urinetown, the Musical on Broadway and at A.C.T.

Academy Award-winning movie star and 'Partridge Family' 'mom' Shirley Jones just turned 75, yet that's not stopping her from trying something surprising and edgy.

A.C.T. Conservatory Director Melissa Smith announced today that honorary master of fine arts degrees will be conferred upon Grammy Award-winning musician Tracy Chapman and master playwright John Guare.

The American Conservatory Theater Master of Fine Arts Program, ranked fifth in the nation, announces the launch of the M.F.A. 8, a smaller-size class and a new institutional structure, with the incoming class of 2011. The new structure, aimed to re-envision A.C.T.'s institutional culture and the experience of the M.F.A. candidates, includes eight students per class (compared to the admitted class of 12 last year), a full-time faculty, full scholarships for all eight students in their third year, and increased opportunities for students to appear on the A.C.T. mainstage.

The American Conservatory Theater Master of Fine Arts Program, ranked fifth in the nation, announces the launch of the M.F.A. 8, a smaller-size class and a new institutional structure, with the incoming class of 2011.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) and gala co-chairs Carla Crane and Chandra Geiger Gordon are proud to announce A.C.T.'s 2008-09 season gala, Illuminate the Night, featuring an exclusive performance by Judy Kaye, Tony Award-winning star of A.C.T.'s Sweeney Todd and Souvenir. The entertainment for this wonderful evening also includes performances by A.C.T.'s own Master of Fine Arts Program and Young Conservatory students, created and directed by John Carrafa, the Tony Award-nominated choreographer of Urinetown, the Musical on Broadway and at A.C.T.

The star-studded black tie Multicultural Motion Picture Association's 16th Annual Diversity Awards - 'Celebrating Diversity - American Spirit And Global Talent - Making Happen!' honoring artists for their exceptional achievements in film and television, was held on Sunday evening, November 23, 2008 in the Globe Theatre at Universal Studios Hollywood. Prior to the Awards Show, a Celebrity VIP Silent Auction and Reception was held.

Working Artists Theatre Project proudly presents the world premiere of The Golden Aurora written by acclaimed playwright Steven Fechter as part of the 12th Annual New York International Fringe Festival - FringeNYC.

American Conservatory Theater conservatory director Melissa Smith and Young Conservatory director Craig Slaight announced casting today for the world premiere production of playwright Amy Herzog's The Wendy Play. Directed by A.C.T. associate artist Domenique Lozano, the production features actors from the graduating class of the Master of Fine Arts Program as well as from the Young Conservatory. The Wendy Play plays March 21 through April 5 at Zeum Theater, located at Yerba Buena Gardens (Fourth and Howard streets). Tickets are $15.50-$20.50 and are available by calling A.C.T. Ticket Services at 415.749.2228 or online at www.act-sf.org.

Stomp Out Loud will collaborate with Grammy-nominated Latin superstars Calle 13 when they perform together on the 8th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on Thursday, November 8.

The Center Theatre Group's production of Come Back, Little Sheba opened June 24 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in downtown Culver City, which is staring S. Epatha Merkerson and Alan Rosenberg in the William Inge classic...

The Carlyle Hotel (James McBride, Managing Director) opens the Café Carlyle 2007 Winter/Spring season with RITA MORENO 'LITTLE TRIBUTES.'

Working Playground, in association with Moxie Pictures and Gran Centenario Tequila, presents a 24 Hour Company Production of THE 6TH ANNUAL 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY on Monday, October 23rd at the American Airlines Theatre. To date, participating actors include Emmy Award winner Jennifer Aniston, Elizabeth Berkley (Hurly Burly) 'Saturday Night Live's Rachel Dratch, Oscar nominee Rosie Perez (Frankie & Johnny), and two-time Tony Award nominee Patrick Wilson (Oklahoma!, The Full Monty).

Bill Kenwright and Marla Rubin announce that they will present the Almeida Theatre production of FESTEN, the hugely successful London play about a family with a dark secret, on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre (239 W. 45th St.), with performances beginning Thursday, March 23. Larry Bryggman, Michael Hayden, Ali MacGraw and Julianna Margulies have been cast in the Broadway production. Directed by Rufus Norris, in a dramatization by David Eldridge from the Danish 1998 film, FESTEN will have its official press opening on Sunday, April 9.