Jim Backus News

Need something new to read, watch, or listen to? Check out this week's list of new and upcoming releases! This week's list includes an upcoming holiday album from Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, a new song from the Back to the Future Musical, and more!

This week's list includes new music from Josh Groban and Broadway songs from Seth MacFarlane. In addition, The SpongeBob Musical is coming to DVD, and the lyrics of Hadestown are now available!

Audiences at The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre will once again have the chance to see some of their favorite characters come to life on the stage as the theatre sets sail for laughter as it presents the area premiere of Gilligan's Island - The Musical.

The 7-Disc Set, Available for the Very First Time at Retail, Features 26 Complete, Remastered Episodes from the Landmark Emmy® And Golden Globe®-Winning Series. Season Three Guest Stars IncludeJohnny Carson, Peter Sellers, Michael Caine, Bob Hope, Diana Ross, Sonny & Cher, The Monkees, Carol Channing, Buddy Hackett, Sid Caesar, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Debbie Reynolds, Jack Benny, Engelbert Humperdinck, Peter Lawford, Phyllis Diller, Roger Moore, James Garner, Bing Crosby, Tony Curtis, Andy Griffith, Carl Reiner, Ringo Starr and More!

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California, has announced complete casting for their production of the original 1947 radio play of Miracle on 34th Street, which is being presented in honor of its 70th anniversary for a limited engagement of 14 performances from December 14 to 23 (press opening is December 15).

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California, has announced complete casting for their production of the original 1947 radio play of Miracle on 34th Street, which is being presented in honor of its 70th anniversary for a limited engagement of 14 performances from December 14 to 23 (press opening is December 15).

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California, presents the original 1947 radio play of Miracle on 34th Street, on its 70th anniversary for a limited engagement of 14 performances from December 14 to 23, directed by Cameron Watson.

With Arizona Theatre Company's (ATC) mainstage 2016-17 season completed after the run of the world premiere of Holmes and Watson, ATC has decided to leave the Temple of Music & Art theater dark this summer because it's the best way to watch movies, particularly the classics.

A CELEBRATION OF THE BEST HOLIDAY COMMERCIALS FROM AROUND THE WORLD — Kevin Frazier ('Entertainment Tonight”) and Keltie Knight ('The Insider”) host this holiday celebration with a countdown of the 12 best holiday commercials ever – one for each of the 12 days of Christmas.

If you've been joining us for BWW's 12 Days of Christmas video features, on this 3rd day, the choice was easy and obvious for me. Tonight, for the first time ever on a stage, MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL will be staged and performed, benefitting the The Actors Fund. The very special event takes place this evening at 7:30 pm at The Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College (524 West 59th Street). For more info, and how to get tickets, click here.

As my hand was turning to mincemeat while writing personal notes in Christmas card after Christmas card, I persevered, knowing that at the end of my travails there would be a reward: A much anticipated performance of Theatre Memphis' annual 'gift' to Memphis, Charles Dickens' venerable A CHRISTMAS CAROL. I must admit: I have not attended every performance of that classic since its inception. I have, however, infrequently stopped to hang my wreath at its door; and I've seen some fine 'Ebeneezers' over the years (I recall a former teaching colleague, Tom Ford, offering a tight, clipped interpretation and, of course, one of the best and most frequent of the actors donning those tattered gloves, Memphis acting favorite Barry Fuller). As I wrote card after card, I began to think about all the other interpretations of A CHRISTMAS CAROL that I have encountered through the years - Seymour Hicks; Reginald Owen (in the role MGM intended for an ailing Lionel Barrymore, who had become famous for his radio performance and who would have, no doubt, been superior; a not-all-that-bad consolation prize was his equally tight-fisted 'Mr. Potter' in Frank Capra's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE); Orson Welles (in a Mercury Theatre radio performance); Sir Ralph Richardson (a beautiful audio recording); Alastair Sim (in the early 1950's British film and offering my favorite interpretation of the role; Danny Peary, in his fascinating ALTERNATE OSCARS, selects him as Best Actor for that performance); and, certainly, George C. Scott, in what was considered to be the version to end all versions. (And does anyone recall Jim Backus' 'Mr. Magoo' in a delightful animated musical television special back in the 1960's?)

The following are highlights of The CW's Holiday episodes and specials

Russell Johnson, who portrayed Professor Roy Hinkley on three seasons of the CBS comedy GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, has passed away of natural causes at the age of 89.

When he died in 1955 at the age of 24 in a car crash, James Dean was mourned by millions of fans throughout the world. Despite only making three films – all of them for Warner Bros. – Dean became one of Hollywood's most spectacular stars

The 50th Anniversary screening and celebration of Stanley Kramer's 'IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD' which opened The Cinerama Dome 50 years ago, will take place today, October 27th, which will be declared 'IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD DAY' in Los Angeles.

The 50th Anniversary screening and celebration of Stanley Kramer's “IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD” which opened The Cinerama Dome 50 years ago,

Today, Camp Broadway has announced its roster of guest artists visiting its three-day musical theater dance intensive geared towards dancers ages 14-18, occurring over the Columbus Day weekend, today, October 12-14, 2013.

On November 5, Warner Home Video will debut East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant (a George Stevens production), remastered Blu-ray as the James Dean Ultimate Collector's Edition