Bill Condon News

The anticipated new Broadway production of Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Tony Award® winning musical RAGTIME has announced complete casting of its 40 member company.

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media, has announced additional programming for Outfest 2009: The 27th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. In addition to its already diverse and innovative lineup, Outfest will be showcasing special events, panels and its wildly popular 'Under the Stars' seriesat the Ford Amphitheatre, which includes the much-anticipated, annual Sing-Along.

Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Laura Linney ('John Adams,' The Savages) will play the lead role in Manhattan Theatre Club's upcoming New York premiere of TIME STANDS STILL by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Donald Margulies. The limited engagement, to be directed by Tony winner Daniel Sullivan (Accent on Youth, Sight Unseen on Broadway, Brooklyn Boy, Dinner with Friends) will begin previews at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 in preparation for a Thursday, January 28, 2010 opening night. The production had previously been announced to play MTC's New York City Center - Stage I.

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media, has announced additional programming for Outfest 2009: The 27th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. In addition to its already diverse and innovative lineup, Outfest will be showcasing special events, panels and its wildly popular 'Under the Stars' seriesat the Ford Amphitheatre, which includes the much-anticipated, annual Sing-Along.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced casting for its production of RAGTIME in the Eisenhower Theater April 18 - May 10, 2009. Based on a 1975 novel by E.L. Doctorow, the production features book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and will be directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge. The musical is part of the Kennedy Center's Broadway: The Third Generation, a series celebrating the current generation of Broadway musical composers. The official press night will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.

This past weekend, Broadway and recording star Billy Porter brought his new hit one man show 'The Standard' to Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant for two sold-out SRO engagements. Upright Cabaret producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel in association with Lenny Beer and Suzi Dietz proudly presented Porter to Los Angeles audiences, with those in attendance including Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and 'Dreamgirls' film director Bill Condon.

IMBD has a report that reveals that screen superstar Eddie Murphy has landed his dream role - portraying the late, great comedic icon Richard Pryor in a new bio film.

Robert Morton will executive produce the 30-minute 'Oscar's Red Carpet 2009' show for the 81st Academy Awards?, producer Laurence Mark and executive producer Bill Condon announced today. The show will air on the ABC Television Network at 5 p.m. PT, immediately preceding the Oscar? telecast. This will be Morton's first stint as executive producer for the Oscar pre-show.

Hugh Jackman tell the Associated Press he'll be bringing plenty of nudity to this years Oscar telecast. Jackman discussed his upcoming Academy Award hosting duties saying, 'I haven't told anyone this, but we are going to do most of it naked and we're going to sing through the whole show,' the affable actor joked during an interview backstage at the Kodak Theatre. 'In fact, all the acceptance speeches are going to be sung. There will be some interpretive dance behind them, and I really think it will be beautiful and touching.'

IMDB.com and other sources are reporting that Academy Award nominee Anne Hathway is now set to be part of the opening number for this Sunday's Oscars with a 'song and dance routine' that she's been spotted rehearsing along with Hugh Jackman in preparation for Sunday's awards.

E! Online is reporting that stage and screen star (and Oscars' host) Hugh Jackman won't be the only one singing and dancing at this Sunday's Academy Awards. They report that he'll be joined on stage by stars including Beyonce, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Amanda Seyfriend, Dominic Cooper & more.

Internationally acclaimed architect and designer David Rockwell, who was selected by Academy Awards producers Laurence Mark and Bill Condon to design the sets for this year's Oscar telecast, is now revealing select design elements of the 81st Academy Awards ceremony, airing February 22, 2009 at 8:00pm EST on ABC.

Hugh Jackman tell the Associated Press he knows the Oscars ceremony isn't about him, but he's looking forward to enjoying it all the same. The screen and stage superstar chatted with the AP in a phone interview yesterday, Friday, February 13th, less than two weeks before the Feb. 22 ceremony which will be airing on ABC.

Variety is reporting that Peter Gabriel has withdrawn from performing at the Academy Awards in protest. Gabriel was told he would be performing for only 60-65 seconds in a medley of the nominated songs.

For the first time in its history, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is inviting the public to vote on an element of its annual Oscar(R) Show telecast. In 'Oscars Designer Challenge,' seven up-and-coming fashion designers are vying to have their original evening gown worn by one of the Awards escorts during the 81st Academy Awards on Sunday, February 22.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that , 'promising an Oscar show that will be 'truly different,' Academy president Sid Ganis used the annual Nominees Luncheon to put this year's awards hopefuls on notice. Teasingly withholding actual specifics, Ganis on Monday warned that 'it's going to be a show that takes some risks.' Speaking directly to the actors, he warned, 'Your categories are being presented in a completely different way. Heads up.'

Robert Morton will executive produce the 30-minute 'Oscar's Red Carpet 2009' show for the 81st Academy Awards?, producer Laurence Mark and executive producer Bill Condon announced today. The show will air on the ABC Television Network at 5 p.m. PT, immediately preceding the Oscar? telecast. This will be Morton's first stint as executive producer for the Oscar pre-show.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced casting for its production of RAGTIME in the Eisenhower Theater April 18 - May 10, 2009. Based on a 1975 novel by E.L. Doctorow, the production features book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and will be directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge. The musical is part of the Kennedy Center's Broadway: The Third Generation, a series celebrating the current generation of Broadway musical composers. The official press night will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.

The Huffington Post reports that in a total reversal of years past, the list of starry Oscar night presenters will be kept a well guarded secret. Leslie Unger, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, says none of the superstar names will be announced before the February 22 telecast.

The fourth year of the acclaimed series, Monday Nights, New Voices, will continue tonight, Monday November 17th at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre with special guest host Bobby Steggert (110 in the Shade) and guest composer/lyricist Ryan Scott Oliver.