Ethan Hawke News

New Brooklyn Theater has announced casting today for its site-specific production of Edward Albee's The Death of Bessie Smith at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn. This rare revival will run for eight performances between January 9 and 19, 2014. Each performance will be followed by talkbacks or panel discussions with leaders in the arts, government, labor, and health. These discussions are intended to raise critical questions about health access, race, class, and the arts in New York.

Actor Ethan Hawke, currently starring in Broadway's MACBETH at Lincoln Center, stopped by MSNBC's MORNING JOE today, Jan. 3. In the interview below, check out what he had to say about what it takes to bring Shakespeare to the stage, as well as his upcoming film BEFORE MIDNIGHT.

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in writing for the screen during 2013.

Tony-nominated and Obie-winning Chekhov director Austin Pendleton helms and appears in Mississippi Mud Productions' SeaGull69, a new version of Anton Chekhov's masterpiece, The SeaGull. This is a world premiere of an adaptation by Austin Pendleton and the acting company drawing on Marian Fell's translation. Set in Los Angeles in the summer of 1969, the play looks at family and friends pursuing the American dream of fame, love, and fortune in Hollywood, the land of dreams. Chekhov's sense of humor along with his tender and honest look at life is explored through the terrain of this family and their circle's life in Hollywood from 1969-1971. Tickets on sale online @ http://seagull69.brownpapertickets.com - $17 general admission, $14 student/senior.

As always, Connecticut's professional theaters offerered a bountiful selection of excellent theater in 2013. It's hard to pick just a few, but here are some of the year's standouts from the theaters I cover for BroadwayWorld.com:

Actor Ethan Hawke, currently starring on Broadway in MACBETH, stopped by the fourth hour of NBC's TODAY to talk with hosts Kathie Lee and Hoda about the production.

Today, check out BWW's production highlights from 2013, and catch up on anything that you might have missed within the last 12 months!

Today, check out BWW's production shots from shows that opened in 2013, and catch up on anything that you might have missed within the last 12 months!

Ethan Hawke took on 'Elf' duties on this morning's TODAY on NBC as part of the show's annual toy drive. The actor spoke about his current role on Broadway in MACBETH.

Woody Allen and Joel and Ethan Coen are among the nominees in the original screenplay category of the Screenwriters Choice Awards. The nominations were announced today, Thursday, December 19th.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that Michael K. Williams (Boardwalk Empire), Carmen Ejogo (Sparkle), Zach Gilford (Friday Night Lights) and Kiele Sanchez (A Perfect Getaway) have signed on for THE PURGE sequel. They will join previously announced star Frank Grillo.

'12 Years a Slave" and "American Hustle" top this year's nominations for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards with 13 nominations each.

The Tibet House US 11th-Annual Benefit Auction will be held tonight, December 16 at Christie's (20 Rockefeller Plaza) in New York. There will be many unique items available for theatre fans that benefit a fantastic cause - the Tibet House US and The Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey.

The Detroit Film Critics Society is pleased to announce the best of 2013 in ten categories. The society was founded in Spring 2007 and consists of a group of twenty Michigan film critics who write or broadcast in the Detroit area as well as other major cities within a 150-mile radius of the city including Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Flint, Michigan.

The Daily Mail writes that Anne-Marie Duff, currently starring opposite Ethan Hawke in Macbeth on Broadway, will join Carey Mulligan in the upcoming film SUFFRAGETTE by Abi Morgan. Directed by Sarah Gavron, the movie will begin filming in the UK in February 2014.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the series, Celine and Jesse Forever, a special presentation of Richard Linklater's Before trilogy (including the Gotham and Spirit Award nominated BEFORE MIDNIGHT) at the Film Society from January 3-9.

Oberon Theatre Ensemble will present 'TOAST, BOAST, OR ROAST - A Tribute to Austin Pendleton' - the company's annual benefit on Monday, January 13 at The Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South) in Manhattan, doors open at 7:30pm and the tribute is scheduled to begin at 8:00pm.

Today we are talking to a notable playwright, screenwriter and director all about his newest venture - the searing and absorbing two-character film SOME VELVET MORNING, starring Stanley Tucci and Alice Eve - as well as taking a look at his many current and upcoming projects, as well - the estimable Neil LaBute. Discussing the details behind the conception, creation and release of SOME VELVET MORNING, LaBute offers a glimpse into the brilliant design and intriguing premise of the unusual new romantic drama as well as offers his own insights into the film's controversial final moments. Additionally, LaBute opens up about his new DirecTV series FULL CIRCLE and expresses a desire to continue with the series should be it renewed for a second season in 2014. Also, LaBute offers comments on the new feature film adaptation of his oft-produced play SOME GIRL(S) starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as well as shares first news on two upcoming films he is writing/directing - including DIRTY WEEKEND, also starring Alice Eve along with Matthew Broderick, as well as, perhaps, SECONDS OF PLEASURE. All of that and much, much more in this brief chat with one of the most intriguing and important playwrights of our age!