Charles S. Dutton News

The HBO film BESSIE is scheduled to debut SATURDAY, MAY 16 at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO. This marks a return to the network for Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah following her Golden Globe- and SAG Award-winning performance in HBO Films' “Life Support.”

?HBO has confirmed the debut date for BESSIE, with the HBO Films presentation scheduled to debut SATURDAY, MAY 16 at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO.

Oscar nominee Queen Latifah ('Chicago') stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in the HBO Films drama BESSIE, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees ('Pariah') from a screenplay by Rees and Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois. With a story by Rees and Horton Foote, the film focuses on Smith's transformation from a struggling young singer into 'The Empress of the Blues,' one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and an enduring icon today.

Goodman Theatre, in collaboration with Chicago's various off-Loop theaters and Northwestern University, unveils partial programming in its spring 2015 citywide "August Wilson Celebration" -- an extensive retrospective of the late playwright's life, artistry and influence on American culture. The seven-week Celebration takes place in March and April 2015 on dual landmark occasions: the 70th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright's birth and the 10th anniversary of his death.

Nominations have been revealed for the 46th annual NAACP Image Awards. The event will take place on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, and be broadcast live on TV One.

The magical spark of the holiday season continues into the New Year on Hallmark Channel with brand new original romances!

Principal photography has begun on Screen Gems' thriller 'The Perfect Guy,' starring Sanaa Lathan ('The Best Man Holiday'), Michael Ealy ('Think Like A Man,' 'Think Like A Man 2,' 'About Last Night,' 'Seven Pounds') and Morris Chestnut ('Think Like A Man,' 'Identity Thief,' 'The Best Man Holiday'). The film also stars Charles S. Dutton ('Longmire,' 'Against the Ropes,' 'Cry the Beloved Country,' 'Alien 3'), Rutina Wesley ('True Blood') and Kathryn Morris ('Cold Case'). Directed by David M. Rosenthal ('A Single Shot,' 'Janie Jones'), the film is produced by Tommy Oliver ('1982,' 'Kinyarwanda'), Darryl Taja ('New IN Town'), Nicole Rocklin ('The Magnificent Cooly-T,' 'Middle of Nowhere') and Wendy Rhoads ('The Haunting in Connecticut,' 'Because I Said So') and will shoot on locations throughout Los Angeles.

Continuing its effort of producing rarely'independently' produced works in the classical theatre canon, GoKash Productions presents a spin on the Arthur Miller classic 'Death of a Salesman'.

Oscar(R) nominee Queen Latifah ('Chicago') stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in HBO Films' BESSIE

Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah (“Chicago”) stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in HBO Films' BESSIE, written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees (“Pariah”). Currently in production in Atlanta and debuting in 2015, the film focuses on Smith's transformation from a struggling young singer into “The Empress of the Blues,” one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and an enduring icon today. The cast also features Michael K. Williams, Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps, Tika Sumpter, Tory Kittles, Oliver Platt, Bryan Greenberg, Charles S. Dutton and Mo'Nique. BESSIE is executive produced by Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Lili Fini Zanuck, Shelby Stone and Randi Michel.

Continuing its effort of producing rarely'independently' produced works in the classical theatre canon, GoKash Productions presents a spin on the Arthur Miller classic 'Death of a Salesman'.

Olney Theatre Center has finally taken the plunge in their intimate black-box space with their inaugural August Wilson production, 'The Piano Lesson.' Blessed with a talented cast, they should enjoy a prosperous run; and the choice of play is appropriate, given the role that Baltimore's own Charles S. Dutton had in its first production. And the piano of the title, with its unique and bloody history, endures as one of the most powerful stage metaphors of our time.

The Warner Theatre is celebrating October and Halloween with a line-up of campy musical theatre, cult classic film and the CT screening of a new horror film.

Dallas Theater Center launches its 2013-14 season with A Raisin in the Sun. Tre Garrett of Fort Worth's Jubilee Theatre will make his directorial debut at DTC with this Tony Award-winning play. A Raisin in the Sun begins with a Pay-What-You-Can performance tonight, September 13 and runs through Sunday, October 27 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Dallas Theater Center launches its 2013-14 season with A Raisin in the Sun. Tre Garrett of Fort Worth's Jubilee Theatre will make his directorial debut at DTC with this Tony Award-winning play. A Raisin in the Sun begins with a Pay-What-You-Can performance on Friday, September 13 and runs through Sunday, October 27 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Today, July 29th, ABC Family launches “Summer Crush,” the network's fifth annual 10-day long summer programming event filled with all-day marathons, movies and all-new episodes of its original series

On Monday, July 29th, ABC Family launches “Summer Crush,” the network's fifth annual 10-day long summer programming event filled with all-day marathons, movies and all-new episodes of its original series

Chiller today unveiled two additions to its growing slate of original films: Animal, from executive producer Drew Barrymore for Flower Films, and Deep in the Darkness, from Synthetic Cinema International.

FEARnet starts the summer off right, serving up a slew of premieres, stunts and marathons headlined by the World Television Premiere of BATTLE ROYALE, the way it was meant to be seen - completely unedited, in all its gory gloryon Saturday, May 18, at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

On ZERO HOUR's upcoming episode, titled 'Suspension,' Hank is frustrated and confused about his relationship with Laila, as more questions come to light about who she really is. With the next clue sending Hank and Beck to Asuncion, Paraguay, the duo find themselves one step behind White Vincent, who shares a startling piece of information with Hank about his past and their connection. Meanwhile Arron and Rachel meet Melanie Lynch, a.k.a. 'Mother,' head of the 41 Trust, who seems to be hiding her own agenda and interest regarding the relic at the center of it all, on THURSDAY, MARCH 14 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on ABC.