Morgan Freeman News

Last night the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact launched the all-star Broadway premiere of '8'. The play, which chronicles the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8, was written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and directed by Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello. Broadway Beat was at the after party to meet the stars. Click below to hear about getting to the big premiere night and why they believe this piece is so important.

Last night the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact launched the all-star Broadway premiere of '8'. The play, which chronicles the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8, was written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and directed by Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening night after party and brings you photo coverage below.

Last night the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact launched the all-star Broadway premiere of '8' to a packed and enthusiastic audience. The play, which chronicles the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8, was written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and directed by Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello.

'8,' a new play chronicling the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8 will have its World Premiere on Broadway in a one night-only staged reading to benefit the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER). The play is written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and directed by two-time Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello. Black, who penned the Academy Award-winning feature film Milk, based '8' on the actual words of the trial transcripts, first-hand observations of the courtroom drama and interviews with the plaintiffs and their families. The reading is now completely sold-out!

Two-time Tony Award® winner James Earl Jones (Hoke Coleburn), Tony and Oscar® winner Vanessa Redgrave (Daisy Werthan) and four-time Tony Award® winner Boyd Gaines (Boolie Werthan) will star in the critically acclaimed production of Driving Miss Daisy, at the Wyndham's Theatre from 26 September until 17 December, with press night on 5 October.

A limited number of $40 tickets to the World Premiere all-star staged reading of Dustin Lance Black's new play '8' will be released for public sale at 10:00AM Monday morning, September 19, 2011. Tickets will be sold at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) until 6:00PM, and must be paid for by cash only. Tickets will be sold on a first-come first-served basis and are limited to two tickets per person.

'8,' a new play chronicling the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8, will have its World Premiere on Broadway in a one night-only staged reading to benefit the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on Monday, September 19, 2011. That morning (tomorrow), two of the reading's stars will appear on MSNBC news programs to discuss their roles in '8.'

A limited number of $40 tickets to the World Premiere all-star staged reading of Dustin Lance Black's new play '8' will be released for public sale at 10:00AM Monday morning, September 19, 2011. Tickets will be sold at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) until 6:00PM, and must be paid for by cash only. Tickets will be sold on a first-come first-served basis and are limited to two tickets per person.

Academy, Tony and four-time Emmy Award nominee Bob Balaban; acclaimed 'White Collar' television star Matt Bomer; Emmy Award-winning journalist Campbell Brown; celebrated playwright and gay rights activist Larry Kramer; two-time Academy Award-nominated, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning, two-time Tony Award-winning actor John Lithgow; Tony Award nominee and Broadway Impact Co-Founder Rory O'Malley; and Emmy Award winner and three-time Golden Globe Award nominee Bradley Whitford will appear in the world premiere of '8' on Broadway, joining the previously announced Anthony Edwards, Morgan Freeman, Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Lahti, Rob Reiner, Yeardley Smith and Marisa Tomei. The production is an unprecedented account of the Federal District Court trial in Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Perry v. Brown), the case filed by AFER to overturn Proposition 8, which eliminated the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples in California.

A limited number of $40 tickets to the World Premiere all-star staged reading of Dustin Lance Black's new play '8' will be released for public sale at 10:00AM Monday morning, September 19, 2011. Tickets will be sold at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) until 6:00PM, and must be paid for by cash only. Tickets will be sold on a first-come first-served basis and are limited to two tickets per person.

Today the American Foundation for Equal Rights, in partnership with Broadway Impact, announce the complete cast and roles for the highly anticipated one-night only staged reading of '8,' a new play chronicling the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8. The play is written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and will be directed by two-time Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello.

Academy, Tony and four-time Emmy Award nominee Bob Balaban; acclaimed 'White Collar' television star Matt Bomer; Emmy Award-winning journalist Campbell Brown; celebrated playwright and gay rights activist Larry Kramer; two-time Academy Award-nominated, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning, two-time Tony Award-winning actor John Lithgow; Tony Award nominee and Broadway Impact Co-Founder Rory O'Malley; and Emmy Award winner and three-time Golden Globe Award nominee Bradley Whitford will appear in the world premiere of '8' on Broadway, joining the previously announced Anthony Edwards, Morgan Freeman, Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Lahti, Rob Reiner, Yeardley Smith and Marisa Tomei. The production is an unprecedented account of the Federal District Court trial in Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Perry v. Brown), the case filed by AFER to overturn Proposition 8, which eliminated the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples in California.

he Village Voice, the nation's first and largest alternative weekly newspaper, has announced the judges for the 57th Annual Village Voice Obie Awards. The Voice's chief theater critic, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, and theater dramaturge Michael Feingold, who has chaired the Obies since the 2006-7 season, will become the first Obies Chairman Emeritus. The 2011-12 Obie Chairman will be Brian Parks. Brian is the Arts and Culture editor of The Village Voice, which includes editing the paper's theater section. He has previously served as Obies Chairman, from 1999 to 2003.

After completing their 40th anniversary year, highlighted by an all-star gala in May, New Federal Theatre will announce its 2011-'12 season.

Chinese Mother Jewish Daughter Productions has announced that Emmy, Drama Desk, and MAC Award nominated actress / director Donna Drake will helm the world premiere of LES ENFANTS DE PARIS at the 2011 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

As previously reported, Dustin Lance Black, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of 'Milk', has penned a new play about the fight for the legalization of same-sex marriage in California that will receive a one-night-only reading on Broadway September 19, directed by Joe Mantello. Matt Bomer is the lastest addition to the cast.

Today the American Foundation for Equal Rights in partnership with Broadway Impact announce initial casting for the highly anticipated one night only Broadway staged reading of '8,' a new play chronicling the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8. The play is written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and will be directed by two-time Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello.

Sean Hayes' new comedy for NBC will star Hayes as half of a gay couple raising a 12-year-old son, EW reports. The show has also hired 'Rescue Me' co-creator Peter Tolan to write and executive produce the pilot. Michael Wimer will also executive produce.

According to Collider.com, a film adaptation of Irvine Welsh's novel 'Filth' is in the works, and boasts the talents of James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, and Alan Cumming thus far.