Jessica Parker News

Just moments ago the trailer for the 2011 re-imagining of the 1984 Herbert Ross musical film FOOTLOOSE hit the internet, and while the emphasis was on the attractive, largely up-and-coming cast and the gritty, earthy take on the revamped and modernized material, there were enough glimpses of boot-kickin', booty shakin' and barn-stormin' to please the gleeks, DWTS addicts and Broadway musical fans out there in the dark, as well. After all, it isn't very often at all anymore that a film boasting a musical element as prevalent as that in the new 2011 FOOTLOOSE comes along, so - if only for that - it's a cause for anticipatory excitement. Directed by HUSTLE & FLOW helmer Craig Brewer, the new Craig Zadan/Neil Meron-produced big screen version of the classic story of a town that banishes dancing and the scrappy new kid on the bleak block who puts the spark back in their step clearly appears to be a fully-functioning new twist on the tale all its own, ready to reintroduce the story to a whole new generation hungry for a dance-heavy hit. After all, it's been quite awhile since there was a decent movie-musical or music/dance-centric film - HAIRSPRAY, actually (also a Zadan/Meron production), and CHICAGO before that. While this new FOOTLOOSE does not have any traditional burst-into-song moments - as the late-90s Broadway stage version did (though the original film did not) - the dance element is at the forefront of the proceedings, front and center. Yet, what music can we expect?

This summer, Broadway actors Darlene Love, Julia Murney, Anthony Rapp and Matt Dengler star in 'Free to Dream: New Songs for the American Journey,' a concert specially adapted for Colonial Williamsburg. Television personality Willard Scott also lends his recorded voice to the program, which showcases the people and places that make up the fabric of America with musical styles from country, rock and pop to swing and the blues. It is a compilation of pieces by Grammy-winning composer Doug Katsaros and two-time Emmy-nominated lyricist William Schermerhorn. A nine-piece band accompanies the singers.

Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) continues its 23rd Season with TRYST, Karoline Leach's romantic thriller about two lost souls and their secrets, set to begin previews on the company's Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage on July 1, prior to its official press opening July 7. Joe Brancato, whose Off-Broadway credits include COBB, directs.

On Saturday, Goodspeed Musical held a gala celebrating the 25th anniversary of ANNIE, and honoring its creators. Sarah Jessica Parker, who acted in the Broadway production, attended the event at the Goodpseed Opera House where ANNIE was developed in 1976.

Goodspeed Musicals will proudly honor the tremendous creative team that introduced the world to Annie nearly 35 years ago when it debuted at the Goodspeed Opera House. The incomparable team of Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin will be celebrated at a Gala evening on Saturday, June 4, 2011 when they will each receive The Goodspeed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in recognition of their extraordinary careers. Previous award recipients include Julie Andrews, Ira Gershwin, Jerry Herman, William Ivey Long, Michael P. Price, Gerald Schoenfeld, Stephen Schwartz, Susan Stroman, Tommy Tune and Paul Williams. Proceeds from the Gala will support Goodspeed Musicals' Education Programs through The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre.

Goodspeed Musicals will proudly honor the tremendous creative team that introduced the world to Annie nearly 35 years ago when it debuted at the Goodspeed Opera House. The incomparable team of Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin will be celebrated at a Gala evening on Saturday, June 4, 2011 when they will each receive The Goodspeed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in recognition of their extraordinary careers. Previous award recipients include Julie Andrews, Ira Gershwin, Jerry Herman, William Ivey Long, Michael P. Price, Gerald Schoenfeld, Stephen Schwartz, Susan Stroman, Tommy Tune and Paul Williams. Proceeds from the Gala will support Goodspeed Musicals' Education Programs through The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre.

What was once a well-kept secret, a destination accessible only to celebrities, stylists, and personal shoppers, +Beryll flagship store is now open to all good people who appreciate innovative designs and fresh ideas applied to fashion and art.

The trailer for Sarah Jessica Parker's next film, 'I Don't Know How She Does It,' has been released. The comedy, based on the book 'I Don't Know How She Does It: The Life of Kate Reddy, Working Mother,' tells the story of Kate Reddy (played by Parker), a finance exec who's the breadwinner for her husband and two kids. The trailer features Parker as well as Greg Kinnear who plays her husband. Other actors in the film include Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Munn, Kelsey Grammer, Seth Meyers, Jessica Szohr and Christina Hendricks.

This evening, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, Christine Vachon (Producer, Far From Heaven, Boys Don't Cry, Hedwig and the Angry Inch), fashion guru and author Carson Kressley of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, talk show host Phil Donahue, food critic and Chopped host Ted Allen, and openly-gay and HIV-positive New York State Senator Tom Duane will host a cocktail reception and preview screening from 6:30-8:30 PM at New York City's LGBT Community Center, 208 West 13th Street (between 7th & Greenwich Avenues) in Manhattan to raise funds for ACT UP!, a documentary film currently in production with the expectation of premiering at Sundance 2012, followed by wide theatrical release and television broadcast.

Penguin Rep Theatre (Joe Brancato, Artistic Director, and Andrew M. Horn, Executive Director) and Edmund Gaynes, in association with Don and Lizanne Mitchell, will present The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, a musical by Angelo Parra, conceived and directed by Joe Brancato.

Hedda Lettuce, the six-time Drag Queen of the Year Award-winner (H/X Magazine), marks ten years of doing live, hilarious, audience-involved screenings of cult movies with a special one-time 'INTERACTIVE 'MOMMIE DEAREST' presentation at the Ziegfeld Theatre, 141 W. 54th St., on Thursday, June 23rd at 8PM. This special event -- a melange of 'Rocky Horror' and 'Mystery Science Theater' with barbed wit will usher in this year's Gay Pride celebration.

The Public Theater opened the New York premiere of KNICKERBOCKER, written by Jonathan Marc Sherman and directed by Pippin Parker last night, May 19. The final show in the 2010-2011 Public LAB season, KNICKERBOCKER began performances on May 6. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening night arrivals and brings you photo coverage below!

The Public Theater opened the New York premiere of KNICKERBOCKER, written by Jonathan Marc Sherman and directed by Pippin Parker last night, May 19. The final show in the 2010-2011 Public LAB season, KNICKERBOCKER began performances on May 6. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening night arrivals and brings you photo coverage below!