Forest Whitaker News

The animation studio from Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki who has made such films as Spirited Away and 2023's The Boy and the Heron, will receive the Honorary Palme d’Or award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The Cannes Film Festival is an annual festival taking place in France, which showcases new films of all genres. In its 77th year, the upcoming festival will be on May 14 and 15.

At the closing ceremony of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, George Lucas will receive the Honorary Palme d’Or award, following Harrison Ford in 2023. In addition to the Star Wars franchise, Lucas directed American Graffiti and co-created the Indiana Jones films alongside friend and collaborator Steven Spielberg.

The Broadway premiere of Mary Jane, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Herzog, starring Academy Award nominee & Critics Choice Award Winner Rachel McAdams, begins previews on Broadway tonight, Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Meet the cast of Mary Jane here!

The National Press Club’s special pre-release screening of the new political drama from Rolling Pictures and Good Films Collective, ANNA (MOTHER RUSSIA), took place on March 20, 2024, and included such luminaries as actor Sean Penn, journalist Bob Woodward, U.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA), former CIA director John Brennan. 

New York Theatre Workshop hosted its 2024 Gala, honoring theater and film visionary Liesl Tommy. The evening’s program was hosted by Nicole Ari Parker, directed by Kevin Cahoon, and feature musical direction by Rick Hip-Flores.

The 96th Oscars are currently underway at the Dolby Theatre. Notable nominees include Danielle Brooks, Bradley Cooper, Maestro, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Colman Domingo, Carey Mulligan, Emily Blunt, Emma Stone, and more. Find out who won as we share LIVE updates below and check back later for the full list of winners.

Wicked movie stars Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande will present at the Oscars this year. They join a new slate of presenters that also include Emily Blunt, America Ferrera, Sally Field, Ryan Gosling, Ben Kingsley, Melissa McCarthy, Rita Moreno, Jessica Lange, Jennifer Lawrence, John Mulaney, and more. Check out the full lineup now!

New York Theatre Workshop's 2024 Gala will honor theater and film visionary Liesl Tommy. Learn more about the gala and about Tommy!

This week, Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of The Hollywood Museum) joined many personalities, as they honor Black History Month with a new exhibit  “THIS JOINT IS JUMPIN” a celebration of Black Entertainers from Film, TV, Theater and Song. Check out photos from the event here!

The Sharon J. Resch Institute of Music at UW-Green Bay and The Weidner has announced world-renowned jazz musician Wycliffe Gordon will headline Green Bay Jazz Fest 2024 with a live a concert featuring the Green Bay Jazz Orchestra Saturday, April 13 at The Weidner.

The NAACP Image Award Nominations have been announced, with The Color Purple leading with a total of 16 nominations, with nods for Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and more. Check out the full list of nominations now!

MGM+ announced that Forest Whitaker (Godfather of Harlem) will star in Emperor of Ocean Park, a thrilling, suspenseful take on author and law professor Stephen L. Carter's best-selling novel, from executive producer/writer Sherman Payne (Charm City Kings, Shameless), John Wells Productions (JWP), and Warner Bros. Television.

Mary Jane, starring Rachel McAdams, has set its opening night date of April 23, following previously announced previews that begin on April 2 at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The limited run will continue through June 2 and we've got the history of the show, info on ticketing and more.

In addition to Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) as star and executive producer, Season Four will see the return of Ilfenesh Hadera (She’s Gotta Have It, Baywatch), Lucy Fry (Bright, Vampire Academy), Antoinette Crowe-Legacy (Geechee, Passing), and Erik LaRay Harvey (Boardwalk Empire, Luke Cage), among others. 

See photos from a special Saturday Night on Broadway! The Music Box Theatre was graced by multiple celebrities on Saturday Night for the performance of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through The Cotton Patch. 

From Hannah Waddingham's new Christmas special to classics like The Muppet Christmas Carol, see which holiday streaming titles are sure to bring any Broadway fan some extra merriment this year. Check out our complete guide to what Broadway fans should be streaming this holiday season on Netflix, Peacock, Disney+, and more now!

All new photos have been released from this year’s Janice Honeyman Pantomime, Peter Pan at Joburg Theatre. Performances run from the 3rd of November to the 24th of December 2023. Check out the photos here!

Manhattan Theatre Club will present the Broadway premiere of Mary Jane written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Herzog, starring Academy Award® nominee & Critic’s Choice Award Winner Rachel McAdams and directed by Anne Kauffman. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Get all the latest updates on Berkshire Theatre Group's upcoming production of Copenhagen. Find out who has been cast in the lead roles and when and where you can catch this highly anticipated show. Don't miss this limited engagement - learn more now!

NewYorkRep celebrates 10 years of producing theatre that inspires social change with a dinner benefit event on September 18 at Harbor Lights Yacht - Skyport Marina (2430 FDR Drive, NYC).