Bill Condon News

Vampire and werewolf lovers everywhere can rejoice as MTV today announced that Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner are confirmed to present viewers with the very first look at footage from 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1' during the '2011 MTV Movie Awards.'

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media, will present its 15th Annual Achievement Award to Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato.

Reviews likes hers last week usually only come once in a lifetime and there is no question whatsoever that the brightest new star on Broadway is none other than SISTER ACT's own Patina Miller. She is a superstar of the highest order singing one of the strongest scores on Broadway in years - from the gifted, gilded pen of six-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken. In this extensive, exclusive conversation we discuss her long history with the role, her recent performance in the Encores! staging of Weill's LOST IN THE STARS, as well as her work with Henry Krieger on both his recent musical ROMANTIC POETRY and being a runner-up on the DREAMGIRLS movie when the role of Effie White went to Jennifer Hudson. Additionally, we discuss HAIR, working with Sondheim on BEING ALIVE, her own favorite recent shows, her close friendship with fellow West End/Broadway criss-crosser Jonathan Groff, her soap stint on ALL MY CHILDREN, what her solo album would sound like, and much, much more!

Last night saw the highly-awaited return of FOX's hit musical comedy/drama series GLEE, featuring performances by this week's InDepth InterView participant tearing up 'All By Myself' - international recording superstar Charice - in addition to the return of Broadway baby Cheyenne Jackson as part of Sue Sylvester's Legion of Doom and Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow returning as Holly Holiday. While the focus was more on the drama and plot developments for once - expectedly enacted to reacquaint us all with what was up lo, two months ago when the last new episode pf Season Two aired - as opposed to the musical content, which dominates the proceedings more often than not. That being said, Charice and Gwyneth delivered in a big Broadway way - and there were more rabbits than a magician's hat in Harry Shum‘s slinky and stylish choreographic tour de force. And, it is clear that the screen chemistry when combining Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Morrison and Cheyenne Jackson is something to be seen.

Ms. Howard shares with me all about the filming of the highly anticipated conclusion of the TWILIGHT series, TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN Parts 1 & 2 in which she plays a central role: that of Siobahn, an ancient Irish vampire. William Finn, Dan Fogler, Bill Condon, Michael Sheen, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and stories about working with many more of her exciting co-stars and collaborators await in this comprehensive conversation.

This week marks the release of Lisa Howard's stunning new collection of William Finn songs, SONGS OF INNOCENCE AND EXPERIENCE, as well as a showcase at Birdland featuring the selections from the album and some special surprises, so now is certainly the best time to catch up with the 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE star before she takes on Mother Abbess in THE SOUND OF MUSIC and Paulette in LEGALLY BLONDE later this year.

The Big C: The Complete First Season, Sony Pictures Television's critically acclaimed Showtime original dark comedy series, debuts on DVD and digital download June 7th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Having appeared on Broadway in FOOTLOOSE, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF co-starring James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad, and snagging a Tony Award for her work on Jeanine Tesori and Tony Kushner's CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, Anika Noni Rose cites the stage as her first love.

The following information for Reel Talk with Stephen Farber has just been announced:

New York Stage and Film (Johanna Pfaelzer, Artistic Director; Mark Linn-Baker, Max Mayer, Leslie Urdang, Producing Directors) will honor Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning actress Laura Linney and Jujamcyn Theaters President, Jordan Roth.

The following information for Reel Talk with Stephen Farber has just been announced:

New York Stage and Film (Johanna Pfaelzer, Artistic Director; Mark Linn-Baker, Max Mayer, Leslie Urdang, Producing Directors) has announced that its Annual Winter Gala, to be held on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at The Plaza Hotel (770 Fifth Avenue, New York City), will honor Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning actress Laura Linney and Jujamcyn Theaters President, Jordan Roth.

Stephen Farber, one of the country's leading film critics and historians, will continue his film series Reel Talk with Stephen Farber at the Wadsworth Theatre for 12 Monday nights beginning September 20. Reel Talk with Stephen Farber is presented in partnership with RICHMARK Entertainment and Landmark Theatres.

Hugh Jackman, who was most recently seen on Broadway opposite Daniel Craig in A STEAD RAIN, has declined the opportunity to host the Oscar telecast for a third straight year, deadline.com reports. Last year, Jackman reportedly had to turn down the prestigious gig to prep for his role in the movie The Real Steel. He also was vary of hosting the show two consecutive years Jackman will be unable to host the 2011 ceremony, as he will be preoccupied with X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Filming begins in late February/early March of 2011.

Tony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose (Caroline, or Change; Dreamgirls; For Colored Girls) joins the lineup of top theatrical talent who will pay tribute to playwright Lynn Nottage, recipient of the 2010 'Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award', presented by The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust.

Stephen Farber, one of the country's leading film critics and historians, will continue his film series Reel Talk with Stephen Farber at the Wadsworth Theatre for 12 Monday nights beginning September 20. Reel Talk with Stephen Farber is presented in partnership with RICHMARK Entertainment and Landmark Theatres.

Today, we present a particularly thrilling taste of the forthcoming InDepth InterView in this BWW WORLD EXCLUSIVE with one of the finest actors of stage and screen - and, now, thanks to the Scissor Sisters NIGHT WORK album, recording studio - the foremost Shakespearean interpreter of our age and star of two of the biggest film franchises of all time - LORD OF THE RINGS and X MEN - Sir Ian McKellen! In this portion of the complete discussion, we discuss his second year hosting the ONLY MAKE BELIEVE gala to benefit hospitalized children, as well as discuss how he became involved with the Dena Hammerstein-founded charity. We also discuss his participation in Peter Jackson's forthcoming LORD OF THE RINGS prequel THE HOBBIT and his cameo in the epic music video for his Sister Sisters collaboration 'Invisible Light' - plus thoughts on Shakespeare, stage, screen and monster movies and not just GODS & MONSTERS. All god, no monster, Ian McKellen is as renowned and respected as it gets. And rightfully so.

Today, we present a particularly thrilling taste of the forthcoming InDepth InterView in this BWW WORLD EXCLUSIVE with one of the finest actors of stage and screen - and, now, thanks to the Scissor Sisters NIGHT WORK album, recording studio - the foremost Shakespearean interpreter of our age and star of two of the biggest film franchises of all time - LORD OF THE RINGS and X MEN - Sir Ian McKellen! In this portion of the complete discussion, we discuss his second year hosting the ONLY MAKE BELIEVE gala to benefit hospitalized children, as well as discuss how he became involved with the Dena Hammerstein-founded charity. We also discuss his participation in Peter Jackson's forthcoming LORD OF THE RINGS prequel THE HOBBIT and his cameo in the epic music video for his Sister Sisters collaboration "Invisible Light" - plus thoughts on Shakespeare, stage, screen and monster movies (and not just GODS & MONSTERS). All god, no monster, Ian McKellen is as renowned and respected as it gets. And rightfully so.