Jada Pinkett News

Photographer Marilyn Nance is suing the musical FELA! for unauthorized use of one of her photographs, the New York Post reports.

The cast and crew of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Fela!, based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will be honored by New York City Council Members Jimmy Van Bramer and Julissa Ferreras on the Steps of City Hall on Thursday, July 29.

According to HollywoodNews.com, Will Smith is set to star in 'The Legend of Cain,' a vampire movie based on the Bible's warring brothers story about Cain and Abel.

According to Michael Riedel this morning, Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith may be leading a production of Streetcar Named Desire on Broadway next year as Stanley and Stella, respectively. Reportedly, the pair have been approached by producers and are considering the possibility. Emily Mann will direct the production, which will be produced by Stephen Byrd. Click here for the full report.

Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that songbird Patti LaBelle will be joining the Broadway cast of FELA! in September as Fela's mother. She will be filling in for Lillias White, who has concert obligations in Australia that month.

The New York Times reports that Femi Kuti, son of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, saw FELA! while in New York on Sunday. Previously, Kuti would not see the production unless it was brought to Lagos, where his father originally built the nightclub. On Saturday, over a World Cup viewing with FELA! co-conceiver and producer Stephen Hendel, Kuti was promised the show will see a production in Lagos. Said Hendel: 'We're going to keep our word.'

Monday night's premiere of TNT's new original series Rizzoli & Isles now claims the record as cable's #1 commercial-supported series launch of all time, with 7.6 million viewers. The series, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander, raced out of the starting gate after an equally strong performance for the sixth-season premiere of The Closer, which delivered 7.7 million viewers, up 7% over its fifth-season premiere on June 8, 2009. Both premieres also rank as ad-supported cable's top series telecasts for the year-to-date among viewers and households.

A new multi-million-dollar headquarters and an internal political struggle over who will become the next police chief add a whole new set of challenges for Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson as TNT presents the sixth season of ad-supported cable's #1 series of all time - THE CLOSER. Golden Globe(R) winner and four-time Emmy(R) nominee Kyra Sedgwick returns as Johnson, who heads up the LAPD's Major Crimes Division.

Casting for the London production of FELA! has been announced, Grace Notes reports. As previously reported on BroadwayWorld, the production will star Sahr Ngaujah, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway production, as Nigerian composer and activist Fela Kuti. The production will also star Paulette Ivory and Melanie Marshall.

Fela!, recipient of three 2010 Tony Awards including Best Choreography, will celebrate its 250th performance on Wednesday, June 30 @ 8pm. Produced by Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, this critically acclaimed show based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Kuti, began performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on October 19 and opened to rave reviews on November 23.

Photos from arrivals for the 2010 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Last night, June 13, the 64th Annual Tony Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall. Hosted by PROMISES, PROMISES star Sean Hayes and Broadcast on CBS, the evening honored movie stars (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Scarlett Johansson), industry vets (Katie Finneran, Bill T. Jones, Michael Grandage), Broadway newcomers (Eddie Redmayne, David Bryan, Douglas Hodge) and more!

Last night, June 13, the 64th Annual Tony Awards were held at Radio City MusicAl Hall. Hosted by PROMISES, PROMISES star Sean Hayes and Broadcast on CBS, the evening honored movie stars Catherine Zeta-Jones, Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Scarlett Johansson, industry vets Katie Finneran, Bill T. Jones, Michael Grandage, Broadway newcomers Eddie Redmayne, David Bryan, Douglas Hodge, and more!

Last night, June 13, the 64th Annual Tony Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall. Hosted by PROMISES, PROMISES star Sean Hayes and Broadcast on CBS, the evening honored movie stars (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Scarlett Johansson), industry vets (Katie Finneran, Michael Grandage), Broadway newcomers (Eddie Redmayne, David Bryan, Douglas Hodge) and more, including FELA!'s own director/choreographer, Bill T. Jones and costume designer Marina Draghici.

BWW's UK editor-in-chief is backstage at the Tonys - live!

The American Theatre Wing's 64th Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 13, 2010 and broadcast on the CBS Television Network. For more information visit tonyawards.com.

BroadwayWorld.com's Editor-in-Chief, Robert Diamond is live blogging from the 2010 Tony Award Rehearsals at Radio City Music Hall! Refresh for updates!

Each month, BroadwayWorld will be shining the spotlight on a stage actor making their Broadway debut as part of our 'Debut of the Month' series. This month, we are featuring Chris Chalk, making his Broadway debut as Cory in the Broadway revival of August Wilson's Fences. The play stars two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and Tony Award winner Viola Davis.