Joel Grey News

Artistic Director Molly Smith has announced that the 2011 Tony Award-winning production of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, presented by special arrangement with Daryl Roth, and directed by George C. Wolfe, will launch its national tour as part of the 2011/12 season, replacing Like Water for Chocolate in order to provide additional development time for the world-premiere musical. The Normal Heart assumes the original run dates of Like Water for Chocolate, June 8 - July 29, 2012, and will coincide with AIDS 2012, the biennial international AIDS conference that returns to the United States for the first time in 22 years.

Rehearsals begin today, Tuesday, November 15th for Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director), Broadway premiere production of Athol Fugard's play The Road To Mecca starring Tony Award winner Rosemary Harris as 'Miss Helen,' Carla Gugino as 'Elsa Barlow' and Tony Award winner Jim Dale as 'Marius Byleveld', directed by Gordon Edelstein.

We'll have photo coverage up shortly, but couldn't resist bringing you a quick preview 'Freeze Frame' from Sonnet Repertory Theatre's Tenth Annual Benefit and Cabaret on Monday, November 14 of Patti LuPone and Kevin Kline.

In a special limited engagement, Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical A Second Chance, featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Ted Shen. Directed by Jonathan Butterell (Signature's Giant), A Second Chance fuses jazz and musical theater stylings, with musical direction by Zak Sandler.

Roundabout Theatre Company is a not-for-profit theatre dedicated to providing a nurturing artistic home for theatre artists at all stages of their careers where the widest possible audience can experience their work at affordable prices. Roundabout fulfills its mission each season through the revival of classic plays and musicals; development and production of new works by established playwrights and emerging writers; educational initiatives that enrich the lives of children and adults; and a subscription model and audience outreach programs that cultivate loyal audiences.

Sonnet Repertory Theatre will present their Tenth Annual Benefit and Cabaret on Monday, November 14, bringing together a diverse and talented group of performers and composers at Joe's Pub to honor award-winning director and teacher, Gerald Freedman.

Musical powerhouse Avery Sommers, who just wowed the crowds as Motormouth Maybelle in the Actors' Playhouse production of Hairspray (for which she just received a BWW Florida Award Nomination), is returning to The Colony Hotel for her fifth engagement since making her Royal Room debut in August 2008. She starred on Broadway in the long running, critically acclaimed musicals Ain't Misbehavin' (where she replaced Nell Carter) and Showboat, and in two national tours: Chicago with Joel Grey and Chita Rivera and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with Ann-Margret. A frequent co-star of Burt Reynolds (B.L. Stryker, The Man from Left Field), she also starred in Menopause, the Musical and as Bloody Mary in South Pacific. In addition, she produced and co-starred in the film Hiding Victoria with Anita Gillette. At the Monaco International Film Festival last December, Sommers received the Best Supporting Actress Award at the Angel Film Awards.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more!

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director), in association with Damian Arnold, is pleased to announce the Broadway premiere of Marc Camoletti's classic farce Don't Dress For Dinner, adapted by Robin Hawdon, directed by John Tillinger. The cast will be announced soon. Don't Dress For Dinner will begin previews on March 30 and open officially on April 26, 2012 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This will be a limited engagement through June 17, 2012.

Award-winning actors Aida Turturro and Joel Grey will each guest star on one episode of the upcoming season of NURSE JACKIE. This will mark a reunion for series star Edie Falco and Turturro as both starred together on the long-running hit drama series The Sopranos. Production on season four of NURSE JACKIE is currently underway in New York for a 2012 premiere. The two stars join the recently announced Rosie Perez and Bobby Cannavale as season four guest stars.

As previously reported, Stephanie J. Block has joined the Tony Award winning company of Anything Goes performing the role of 'Reno Sweeney' while Sutton Foster is filming the television pilot, Bunheads, for 3 weeks beginning on November 4. Block will fill the famed tap shoes though November 22. Below, we give you a glimpse of the star in costume!

The acclaimed 1994 world premiere of the Klezmer musical Shlemiel the First, was at Boston's American Repertory Theater (ART).

As first reported on TV Line, Academy Award winner Joel Grey will guest star in an upcoming episode of Season 4's NURSE JACKIE on Showtime. According to TV Line, Grey is set to play a patient who comes to All Saints Hospital due to a severe case of dementia.

Joel Grey returned to Roundabout's Tony Award winning production of 'Anything Goes' on Sunday, November 6th. Robert Creighton stepped into the role for most of October, after Grey fractured his foot. Grey will be playing 'Moonface Martin' opposite Stephanie J. Block through November 22nd when Sutton Foster returns to play opposite Joel beginning November 23rd.

Sonnet Repertory Theatre will present their Tenth Annual Benefit and Cabaret on Monday, November 14, bringing together a diverse and talented group of performers and composers at Joe's Pub to honor award-winning director and teacher, Gerald Freedman.

Givenik.com yesterday announced three more members of their Ambassador Program. Audra McDonald (Porgy & Bess) joins in support of Broadway Impact, Cathy Rigby (Peter Pan) joins in support of Discovery Arts and Aaron Carter (The Fantasticks) joins in support of Kids Beating Cancer and the Howard Phillips Center.

As previously reported, Stephanie J. Block will join the Tony Award winning company of Anything Goes performing the role of 'Reno Sweeney' while Sutton Foster is filming the television pilot, Bunheads, for 3 weeks beginning tonight, November 4. Block will fill the famed tap shoes though November 22. BroadwayWorld caught up with Block this week and was treated to a sneak peek of the star in costume as 'Reno'. Below, we give you glimpse!

The Suburban Players will hold auditions for their 37th annual dinner theatre production. This year, the group will presenting the musical comedy 'George M!' featuring Gary Dieter in the title role. Auditions are being held on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM and Monday, November 7, 2011 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2504 Cub Hill Road in the Carney area of Baltimore County. No appointment is necessary.