Joan Plowright News

As BroadwayWorld reported last month, stage and screen legend Angela Lansbury was in talks to join Wes Anderson's THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. Today, IndieWire reports that Lansbury, who will be performing in Australia's DRIVING MISS DAISY opposite James Earl Jones, will no longer be a part of the film; Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray and Jude Law are all reportedly close to deals.

According to Dark Horizons, Wes Anderson recently revealed that Broadway favorite Angela Lansbury has joined Bill Murray, Johnny Deep and Jude Law in 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'. Lansbury will play a 'woman of mystery' in the movie, which will begn filming in January.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) (Jed Bernstein, Producing Director) has launched The Saturday Arts Program (SAP), a training ground for passionate young performers. Classes will take place weekly from September 22nd - November 17th at the Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope Solebury High School, and the Solebury School.

Opera and Theatre director Sir Jonathan Miller will return to the British theatre stage next year for the first time in five years to helm the Northern Broadsides production of Githa Sowerby's Rutherford & Son. The production will open at the Viaduct Theatre, Halifax from Friday 8th February 2013 and then tour the UK.

ESP is delighted to present for our Valentine offering the ebullient Neopolitan comedy Saturday Sunday Monday by Eduardo de Filippo, featuring Seattle's beloved Clayton Corzatte! (pictured at right)

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced 10 Finalists for its prestigious playwriting award, now celebrating its thirty-fourth year. The ten Finalists for the 2011-2012 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, chosen from over 100 submitted plays, are:

Alive Theatre is set to present Orson's Shadow by Austin Pendleton, directed by Ricci Dedola, the first in the 2012 Collaborative series at the Long Beach Playhouse's Studio Theatre.

Alive Theatre proudly presents Orson's Shadow by Austin Pendleton, directed by Ricci Dedola, the first in their 2012 Collaborative series at the Long Beach Playhouse's Studio Theatre.

Alive Theatre is set to present Orson's Shadow by Austin Pendleton, directed by Ricci Dedola, the first in the 2012 Collaborative series at the Long Beach Playhouse's Studio Theatre.

Alive Theatre is set to present Orson's Shadow by Austin Pendleton, directed by Ricci Dedola, the first in the 2012 Collaborative series at the Long Beach Playhouse's Studio Theatre.

Turner Classic Movies has named Angela Lansbury its Star of the Month. Wednesdays throughout January will be devoted to the star, featuring some of her many film roles during primetime and into the early morning hours.

Alive Theatre will present Orson's Shadow by Austin Pendleton and directed by Ricci Dedola.

Alive Theatre will present Orson's Shadow by Austin Pendleton and directed by Ricci Dedola.

Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner CANDICE BERGEN, five-time Tony Award winner ANGELA LANSBURY, Tony and Emmy Award winner JOHN LARROQUETTE and Drama Desk Award winner and Academy Award nominee MICHAEL McKEAN will join the previously announced JAMES EARL JONES in the Spring 2012 Broadway revival of Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN.

Based on true events, ORSON'S SHADOW is an ingenious tale of two Hollywood giants-Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier. The time is 1960; the place is a West End theatre. Legendary critic Kenneth Tynan has made a startling proposal: Welles should direct Olivier and the young Joan Plowright in Rhinoceros, Ionesco's absurdist masterpiece. But it is the rehearsal process that brims with absurdity as titanic personalities, including Vivien Leigh, wrestle the muse in this witty and incisive depiction of the drama of theatre.

The Theatre School at DePaul University's Showcase Series of Contemporary Plays and Classics presents INTIMATE APPAREL, by Lynn Nottage, and directed by Phyllis E. Griffin.

Based on true events, ORSON'S SHADOW is an ingenious tale of two Hollywood giants-Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier. The time is 1960; the place is a West End theatre. Legendary critic Kenneth Tynan has made a startling proposal: Welles should direct Olivier and the young Joan Plowright in Rhinoceros, Ionesco's absurdist masterpiece. But it is the rehearsal process that brims with absurdity as titanic personalities, including Vivien Leigh, wrestle the muse in this witty and incisive depiction of the drama of theatre.

The Theatre School at DePaul University's Showcase Series of Contemporary Plays and Classics presents INTIMATE APPAREL, by Lynn Nottage, and directed by Phyllis E. Griffin.

As reported back in April by BroadwayWorld, Tracey Ullman will make her return to the London stage in a production of Stephen Poliakoff's MY CITY at Almida Theatre. Reheasals will begin next month.

As reported by Showbiz Tonight, 'Lady Gaga has just gotten a major shoutout from an acting legend. 85-year-old Angela Lansbury has just revealed to Showbiz Tonight, she wants Gaga to bring it to Broadway and play Mame, one of the stage's most over-the-top eccentrics. Lansbury, who won a Tony for originating the role in 1966, tells us Gaga could pull it off, more or less.' Lansbury herself went on to say that: 'She could sure wear the clothes, that's for sure...everything's possible.'