Denzel Washington News

Under new leadership, The Classical Theatre of Harlem is proud to present two gripping world premiere productions that mark the Company's return to full-scale works. From August 5 - September 4, The Classical Theatre of Harlem will present Shakespeare's great history play, Henry V, in a new staging directed by Jenny Bennett that features OBIE award-winner Ty Jones in the title role. An acclaimed veteran of the Company and driving force behind its survival, Jones heads a cast of 15 in a raw, timeless production. His interpretation of King Henry V not only highlights the character's charisma and inspirational power to lead, but also his heroic faults and morally questionable tactics.

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, presents The Best of Enemies, a world premiere by the author of BSC's longest-running hit play, Freud's Last Session.

A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) opens its 2011-12 season with The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin. The adaptation by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray, directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, with choreography by Ronald K. Brown, begins previews on August 17 and opens for the reviewing press on August 31 at 7pm. Performances are at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge. Tickets for preview performances are currently on sale, remaining tickets for the run go on sale on July 12.

Norm Lewis, Audra McDonald, and David Alan Grier will star as Porgy, Bess, and Sportin' Life in A.R.T.'s new production of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess. Performances will begin August 17 at the Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge, where it will run until October 2. The show's next stop will be on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theater, where it will begin previews on December 17th and will open on January 12th, 2012.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles® (BAFTA Los Angeles) will honor Academy Award® winning writer/director John Lasseter with the Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Filmed Entertainment, and BAFTA winning director David Yates with the John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing at the 2011 BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards on Wednesday, November 30 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

World Without End, the sequel to Ken Follett's groundbreaking masterpiece, The Pillars of the Earth, has been optioned by TANDEM COMMUNICATIONS to be made into a television series. Ridley Scott and Tony Scott's Scott Free will be producing this worldwide bestseller together with Tandem. The Pillars of the Earth writer John Pielmeier is back to adapt World Without End for a possible eight-hour series. Starz is co-funding the writing portion with Tandem and is in first position to be the U.S. home for the new project, as it is for Pillars. According to published reports, the miniseries will feature stage veterans Ben Chaplin, Peter Firth, Cynthia Nixon, and Charlotte Riley. Also set to join them are Miranda Richardson and Tom Weston-Jones.

American film's finest have confirmed their participation on the American Film Institute (AFI) Gala Benefit Committee honoring 39th Life Achievement Award recipient, Morgan Freeman. Members of this year's benefit committee are Ben Affleck, Jim Carrey, Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, Ashley Judd, Helen Mirren, Mike Nichols, Jack Nicholson, Brad Pitt, Sidney Poitier, Robert Redford, Tim Robbins, Steven Spielberg, Hilary Swank, Denzel Washington and Alfre Woodard. AFI will present the 39th AFI Life Achievement Award - America's highest honor for a career in film - to Freeman on June 9th. 'TV Land Presents: The AFI Life Achievement Award Honoring Morgan Freeman' will air on TV Land on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Continuing its long-standing support and connection to the African-American community, McDonald's will recognize a distinguished list of five prominent African-Americans who influence and inspire greatness through outstanding community service at the 2011 365Black Awards.

Andrew Benator is probably the most beloved actor to ever set foot on stage at TheaterWorks. He has performed hilariously and unforgettably in productions including Lobby Hero, Proof, and The SantaLand Diaries.

One of the nicest aspects of seeing a play in The Roundabout's beautiful American Airlines Theatre is that it has fine acoustics. Little, if any, amplification is used when drama or comedies are staged at that venue do nothing stands between the actors' voices and the audience's ears. Such is the case with the charming revival of Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST which will be presented there until June 26th.

The New York Times reports today that Susan Stromen will direct a musical adaptation of Tim Burton's film, Big Fish. As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Hugh Jackman and Laura Benanti recently participated in a reading of the show. The musical is aiming for a spring 2012 Broadway opening. No word from the Times if either Jackman or Benanti are confirmed for the project. Additional creative team members have yet to be announced.

The Stella Adler Studio of Acting announced today that Lemon Andersen will teach a spoken word intensive class at the Studio from May 31- June 10, 2011.

The Stella Adler Studio of Acting announced today that Lemon Andersen will teach a spoken word intensive class at the Studio from May 31- June 10, 2011.

Following five seasons of sold-out concerts, KEYS TO THE FUTURE-New York's only festival of contemporary solo piano music-is back with 10 'front-rank soloists' (The New Yorker) who will perform 27 classical and jazz-inspired works by an aesthetically diverse group of modern masters and emerging composers over the course of three evenings.

Queen Latifah, winner of Grammy, Golden Globe and SAG awards, has partnered with leading multichannel retailer HSN for the exclusive launch of the Queen Collection, her first-ever lifestyle brand.

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special Gala at the historic Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) last night, May 22nd. This special event saluting NFT, for 40 years a seminal force in Black Theater, was co-hosted by Randall Pinkston (CBS News) and Lynn Whitfield. Chairmen for the event were Laurence Fishburne, John Morning and Susan Taylor. The Honorary Chair was Dr. Maya Angelou. BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities, and brings you coverage of the starry arrivals below!