Johnny Depp News

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick, has announced that acclaimed actress Christina Ricci will join two-time Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth in the company's upcoming production of William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Directed by Tony Speciale, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM will begin performances Wednesday, March 28 and play a limited engagement through Sunday, May 6. Neuwirth will play the role of Titania and Ricci the role of Hermia. Additional casting will be announced early in the new year. Tickets will go on sale to the general public February 6. CSC is currently presenting the highly-acclaimed, sold-out production of Anton Chekhov's THE CHERRY ORCHARD (through January 8 only) and will next present Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham in Bertolt Brecht's GALILEO, directed by Brian Kulick, beginning performances Wednesday, February 1.

59E59 Theaters will welcome InProximity Theatre Company with the New York City premiere of THE FALL TO EARTH, written by Joel Drake Johnson and directed by Joe Brancato.

The New York Times reports today that a FINDING NEVERLAND musical has been greenlighted by The Weinstein Company for further development following successful readings in London last week. The project was last workshopped in New York this past spring and was scheduled to premiere at the La Jolla playhouse this fall. The Weinstein's pulled the project at the last minute (which was replaced at La Jolla by the Startford Festival's Jesus Christ Superstar, currently running) to develop further. Tony Award winner Rob Ashford helms the project, which has Broadway apsirations. The project marks the first musical on which the Weinstein company is lead producer.

The much-delayed Lone Ranger movie - headlined by Johnny Depp - has announced additional casting.

John Logan, the playwright responsible for the Mark Rothko-inspired 2010 Tony Award winner for Best Play, RED, is also a name familiar to movie buffs around the world who may very well have enjoyed his considerable contributions to cinema - among them, the screenplays for 2000 Best Picture Oscar-winner GLADIATOR (directed by Ridley Scott), Oliver Stone's ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, Martin Scorsese's THE AVIATOR, Tim Burton's film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (2008 Golden Globe winner for Best Picture, Musical Or Comedy) and many more. Discussing his collaborations with those lauded directors as well as his work for the stage - going all the way back to his Chicago roots - Logan and I also touch on some of his incredibly exciting upcoming projects - the new Sam Mendes James Bond film, SKYFALL; the Ralph Fiennes-directed adaptation of Shakespeare's CORIOLANUS; Martin Scorsese's critically lauded HUGO, now in theaters; and, Steven Spielberg's forthcoming biopic of LINCOLN, co-written with Tony Kushner and starring Daniel Day-Lewis. Additionally, Logan illustrates his appreciation for RED Tony-winning leading man Eddie Redmayne, who also starred in the Kathryn Bigelow-directed HBO pilot of Logan's aborted Broadway-themed musical series, A MIRACULOUS YEAR. All of that, plus early casting ideas for Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett, as well as much, much more!

Tim Burton brings his unique screen style to the children's favorite, 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' airing as the 'ABC Sunday Movie of the Week,' DECEMBER 11 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

HBO Documentary Films' PARADISE LOST 3: PURGATORY, the conclusion of the award-winning trilogy that spawned a world-wide movement to free three convicted men - Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley - known as The West Memphis 3, tells the complete story of one of the most notorious child murder cases in U.S. history.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) will welcome InProximity Theatre Company with the New York City premiere of THE FALL TO EARTH, written by Joel Drake Johnson and directed by Joe Brancato.

Is CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY headed for the West End? According to The Daily Mail, director Sam Mendes is readying the show for a 2013 West End bow at the London Palladium, pending negotiations with Warner Brothers.

BBC AMERICA announced that Madonna will make a rare talk show appearance and her first on The Graham Norton Show on Saturday, January 14, 10:30pm ET/PT as part of the Ministry of Laughs comedy block.

The debut date for the new seasons of the HBO comedy series EASTBOUND & DOWN and LIFE'S TOO SHORT has been confirmed.

Tribute artist Peter Mac, nominated for 4 BWW Awards 2011, left his dresses in the closet November 25 and 26 to present an intimate evening of song at the Gardenia in honor of his favorite composers.Potpourri was almost the title of the show, Mac explained, because the composers as diverse as Harold Arlen and Bobby Darin, who composed the opener and title song 'As Long As I'm Singing', created tunes with a mix of styles. Very few impressionists can strip away the makeup and perform as themselves. Jim Bailey did it on occasion, and Peter Mac is following gloriously in his footsteps. Mac has a terrific vocal range, and much, much more... he's sexy and has an aura, a charismatic spirit that never lets down. Anecdote follows anecdote, and he keeps his audience on their toes as they are asked to take commemorative journeys with him. Such TV programs as Dark Shadows and everyone's fav vampire Barnabas Collins played into a couple of his songs. Remember? Those who did not live through the 60s had either collected those delightful Shadows videos like Mac himself or had found themselves entertained by the gothic soap's actors, such as David Selby or Lara Parker, at yearly conventions/festivals. If none of the preceding, you can look forward to the new film starring Johnny Depp as Collins. Mac essayed 'If I Can't Love Her' from Beauty and the Beast and really delved into this in depth love that he compared to that of Barnabas and his beloved Josette Dupres.

NovemberISM kicks off with a studio showing of Tahli Corin's latest work, hot on the heels of her short play The Arcade for Money Shots at Sydney Theatre Company.

Tim Burton brings his unique screen style to the children's favorite, 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' airing as the 'ABC Sunday Movie of the Week,' DECEMBER 11 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Al Pacino brought his one man show to Sydney over two special nights at The Lyric Theatre, The Star, Sydney on 17 and 18 November 2011. The multi-award winning actor entertained audiences, as he recounted his varied career and most memorable roles in the 2,000 seat venue.

CBS has announced its schedule of upcoming guests on LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN, 11/18-12/2.

People magazine has just announced its 'Sexiest Man Alive' for 2011 - screen star Bradley Cooper. The star of 'The Hangover' was grateful for the award and told the magazine, 'I think it's really cool that a guy who doesn't look like a model can have this title . I think I'm a decent-looking guy. Sometimes I can look great, and other times I look horrifying.'

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.

Nominees for PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS 2012 were announced this morning at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills by Elisha Cuthbert ('Happy Endings'), Julianne Hough ('Footloose'), Joe Jonas (The Jonas Brothers), Jennifer Morrison ('Once Upon A Time'), Sharon Osbourne ('The Talk') and Busy Philipps ('Cougar Town'), along with PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS 2012 host Kaley Cuoco ('The Big Bang Theory') and Executive Producer Mark Burnett. Prior to this morning's announcement, fans cast more than 40 million votes to pick new categories and determine the nominees for the annual awards show that celebrates fan favorites in movies, music and television. See below for a complete list of nominees.