Emma Thompson News

Actor Dominic Cooper has been cast in the role of Hippolytus in the National Theatre's upcoming revival of Ph?dre. Co-starring Helen Mirren in the title role and directed by Nicholas Hytner, Artistic Director of the National Theatre, Jean Racine's 1677 classic tragedy is based on a Greek myth about a queen who falls passionately in love with her stepson in her husband's absence.

Variety is reporting that HBO has signed on as a producer of Will Ferrell's upcoming Broadway show, 'You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush'. The cable network is also set to air a live telecast of the show from Broadway, at a date to be named later. (It's assumed that it'll be from towards the end of the show's run).

Acclaimed film and stage actors Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard have joined the cast of Classic Stage Company's upcoming new production of Anton Chekhov's UNCLE VANYA, starring Tony Award winner Denis O'Hare as Vanya, and directed by Austin Pendleton, it was announced today by CSC Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen. UNCLE VANYA will begin previews on Saturday, January 17 at Classic Stage Company at 136 East 13th Street. An official press opening date will be announced in the coming weeks. UNCLE VANYA will play a limited engagement through March 1, 2009.

The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards will take place Sunday, January 11, 2009 at The Beverly Hilton with a live telecast airing on NBC at 8 PM (EST) and produced by Dick Clark Productions in association with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Variety is reporting that HBO has signed on as a producer of Will Ferrell's upcoming Broadway show, 'You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush'. The cable network is also set to air a live telecast of the show from Broadway, at a date to be named later. (It's assumed that it'll be from towards the end of the show's run).

Stage and screen star Kristin Chenoweth, Tony Award winner for 'You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown,' and Tony Award nominee for originating the role of Glinda the Good Witch in 'Wicked,' will appear in a Valentine's Benefit Concert at Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director) on Saturday, February 7, 8 p.m. A pre-show champagne welcome will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets for the fundraising event are $100, $150, $250.

Two of the best actors working today and two of the biggest names in music topline NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' for two back-to-back live shows in December.

Sundance Institute announced today the lineup of films selected to screen in the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions for the 25th Sundance Film Festival. In addition to the four Competition categories, the Festival presents films in five out-of-competition sections to be announced tomorrow. The 2009 Sundance Film Festival runs January 15-25 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Sundance, Utah.

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Kristin Chenoweth (whose most recent TV gig, Pushing Daisies, appears to be all but cancelled) has joined the cast of Fox's new animated comedy Sit Down, Shut Up, about the staff at a small-town Florida high school.

The International Press Academy has announced the nominees for the 13th Annual Satellite Awards. The Satellite Awards are an annual award given by the International Press Academy. The awards were originally known as the Golden Satellite Awards. The awards, given by the Intl. Press Academy, will take place Dec. 14 at Century City's InterContinental Hotel.

The Custom Made Theatre Company presents TWO BY WOODY!, two recent one-act plays by Woody Allen, directed by Brian Katz. The Custom Made Theatre Company is located at 965 Mission Street (between 5th and 6th), San Francisco. Performances begin Friday, November 7 at 8PM. The show closes Saturday, December 13 at 8PM.

Film and television star WILL FERRELL's upcoming Broadway debut in his new one-man show 'You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W Bush' will officially open on Thursday, February 5th, 2009, with previews starting on January 20th

The Custom Made Theatre Company presents TWO BY WOODY!, two recent one-act plays by Woody Allen, directed by Brian Katz. The Custom Made Theatre Company is located at 965 Mission Street (between 5th and 6th), San Francisco. Performances begin Friday, November 7 at 8PM. The show closes Saturday, December 13 at 8PM.

Available to U.S. audiences for the first time, Acorn Media announces the August 26, 2008 home video debut of Alfresco, a hilarious sketch comedy series that launched the careers of Oscar®-winner Emma Thompson, Golden Globe®-winner Hugh Laurie (House), BAFTA-winner Robbie Coltrane (Cracker, the Harry Potter films), Stephen Fry, Ben Elton, among others.

Available to U.S. audiences for the first time, Acorn Media announces the August 26, 2008 home video debut of Alfresco, a hilarious sketch comedy series that launched the careers of Oscar®-winner Emma Thompson, Golden Globe®-winner Hugh Laurie (House), BAFTA-winner Robbie Coltrane (Cracker, the Harry Potter films), Stephen Fry, Ben Elton, among others.

In this weekends Parade magazine Emma Thompson announced that she's working on a film adaptation of My Fair Lady.

Elizabeth Spriggs died last week at the age of 78.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) is thrilled to premiere Philip Ridley's striking drama VINCENT RIVER at Brits Off Broadway.

Glen Roven's World premiere of 'The Runaway Bunny' debuts at Carnegie Hall on April 29 with Brooke Shields graciously appearing as the soloist. Roven discussed how he and Shields got to Carnegie Hall...