Elizabeth Banks News

According to Laughspin, comedian Margaret Cho will make a return appearance as Kim Jong Il on the May 17th episode of NBC's 30 ROCK.

Today we are talking to an Emmy Award-winning actor perhaps most well-known for his title role in the iconic and ground-breaking millennial NBC sitcom hit, WILL & GRACE, who can now be seen eight times a week on Broadway playing a pivotal role in the starry revival of Gore Vidal's politically-themed satire, THE BEST MAN - the affable Eric McCormack. Shining a spotlight on his theatrical roots at the Straford Shakespeare Festival in Canada all the way up to his small-screen sensation in WILL & GRACE and, now, his forthcoming new dramatic series, PERCEPTION, McCormack illustrates all aspects of his career and generously offers his insights, observations and shares his lessons learned over the course of his near-thirty-year career onstage and onscreen. In addition to all of that, McCormack outlines his experiences sharing the stage with titanic talents such as James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, Candice Bergin and the rest of the ensemble of THE BEST MAN, as well as sharing his thoughts about the relevance and poignancy of the play today, more than a half decade after its premiere, and what it says about our society, then and now, in addition to expanding on the play's pertinent political themes and their exploration in the classic drama. Plus, McCormack clues us in on his own favorite plays and musicals, initial theatrical inspiration, his stint portraying the eponymous THE MUSIC MAN, future career plans and first news about his new TNT series, PERCEPTION - all of that and much, much more!

LIONSGATE , a leading global entertainment company, announced today that Francis Lawrence has officially signed on to direct CATCHING FIRE, the sequel to THE HUNGER GAMES, based on the second in a series of books by Suzanne Collins that has 36 million copies in circulation in the US alone.

Katselas Theatre Company will presents the world premiere of BEAUTIFIED by multi-award-winner Tony Abatemarco, opening Friday, May 25, 2012 with reception to follow and then 8pm Friday and Saturdays, 2pm Sundays through July 1, 2012 at the Skylight Theatre 1816 N. Vermont, LA 90027.

The nominees are in for the 2012 MTV MOVIE AWARDS with The Hunger Games and Bridesmaids neck-in-neck with eight nominations each, including the categories 'MOVIE OF THE YEAR,' 'BEST CAST' and 'BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE.'

With the help of A.C.T. Young Conservatory alumnus Darren Criss and two-time Tony Award winner Bill Irwin, American Conservatory Theater raised over $760,000 at its 2012 Season Gala, Expect the Unexpected!, which took place Sunday, April 15, at The Regency Center in San Francisco.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) and Gala Chair Patti Rueff open Expect the Unexpected!, A.C.T.'s 2012 Season Gala tonight, April 15. The show stars A.C.T. Young Conservatory alumnus Darren Criss (TV's Glee, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway), two-time Tony Award winner Bill Irwin (Scapin at A.C.T., Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? on Broadway), A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program graduate Patrick Lane (Brian Hawkins in A.C.T.'s world premiere production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City), and Betsy Wolfe (Mary Ann Singleton in A.C.T.'s world premiere production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City, 110 in the Shade and Everyday Rapture on Broadway). Proceeds from the Gala support A.C.T.'s acclaimed actor training and arts education programs. The historic Regency Center (1300 Van Ness Avenue) in San Francisco hosts the gala.

TVLine.com reports that Elizabeth Banks will be returning to the set of 30 ROCK this May, reprising her role as Jack's (Alec Baldwin) wife, Avery Jessup.

NBC's 30 ROCK, which achieved impressive ratings and critical acclaim with its first live episode in 2010 - goes live again on Thursday, April 26 (8:30-9 p.m. ET) from the iconic Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center in New York.

ABC Family continues to grow its program offerings and has acquired the network television premiere rights to the blockbuster THE HUNGER GAMES in a deal with Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a leading diversified global entertainment company, the two companies announced today.

Kathy Bates is among the upcoming guests on CBS's THE LATE LATE SHOW with CRAIG FERGUSONON for the weeks of 3/21- 4/3. The show airs Monday through Friday, 12:37-1:37 AM, ET/PT.

On last night's LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN on CBS, David Letterman welcomed actress Jennifer Lawrence, star of the soon-to-be blockbuster movie franchise, THE HUNGER GAMES.

IFC announced today at its first ever Upfront the slate of guest stars that will be sitting down to chat with host Scott Aukerman (co-creator/director/producer, Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis; writer/performer, Mr. Show) on his new comedy series, COMEDY BANG! BANG!, which cleverly riffs on the well-known format of the late night talk show.

At the network's first-ever Upfront event, IFC unveiled its 2012/2013 original programming line-up which includes the return for a third season of its breakout hit series, PORTLANDIA and a second season of WHISKER WARS.

IFC announced today at its first ever Upfront the slate of guest stars that will be sitting down to chat with host Scott Aukerman (co-creator/director/producer, Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis; writer/performer, Mr. Show) on his new comedy series, Comedy Bang! Bang!, which riffs on the well-known format of the late night talk show.

The complete list for the soundtrack to Lionsgate's upcoming film adaptation of THE HUNGER GAMES has just been released. Taylor Swift, Arcade Fire, Miranda Lambert and Kid Cudi are among the artists featured on the album.

Two songs from the soundtrack of the highly anticipated upcoming film THE HUNGER GAMES have been released, Taylor Swift's 'Eyes Open' and Kid Cudi's 'The Ruler & The Killer.' The album will become available on March 20th only a few days before the film's March 23rd release in US theaters.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) and Gala Chair Patti Rueff just announced Expect the Unexpected!, A.C.T.'s 2012 Season Gala, starring A.C.T. Young Conservatory alumnus Darren Criss (TV's Glee, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway), two-time Tony Award winner Bill Irwin (Scapin at A.C.T., Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? on Broadway), A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program graduate Patrick Lane (Brian Hawkins in A.C.T.'s world premiere production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City), and Betsy Wolfe (Mary Ann Singleton in A.C.T.'s world premiere production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City, 110 in the Shade and Everyday Rapture on Broadway). Proceeds from the Gala support A.C.T.'s acclaimed actor training and arts education programs. The Gala will be held on Sunday, April 15, 2012, at the historic Regency Center (1300 Van Ness Avenue) in San Francisco. Individual tickets range in price from $1,000 to $2,500, with patron levels ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. An extremely limited number of $500 tickets are available online only. For more information or to purchase tables or tickets, please visit www.act-sf.org/gala or contact Luz Perez, A.C.T. Special Events Manager, at 415.439.2470 or lperez@act-sf.org.

A new clip has just been released for the highly antincipated film THE HUNGER GAMES. The scene features heroine Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) showing off her archery skills in the pre-Hunger Games chaos.