Natalie Portman News

The American Film Institute and TV Land announced today that many of Hollywood's finest will be on hand to salute acclaimed and beloved film, television and stage director Mike Nichols when he receives the 38th AFI Life Achievement Award on June 10, 2010 on the historic Stage 15 at the Sony Pictures Studios.

Before there was GLEE or 'American Idol,' there was Stagedoor Manor, a theater camp in the Catskills where big-time Hollywood casting directors came to find the next generation of stars. It's where Natalie Portman, Robert Downey, Jr., Zach Braff, Mandy Moore, Lea Michele, and many others got their start. The famed theater camp continues to be a breeding ground for Broadway and Hollywood. And at age 31, Mickey Rapkin, a senior editor at GQ, was lucky enough to go, too.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) and Back Stage present the industry panel Marketing Your Showcase: Finding Your Audience, Punching Up Sales, Getting Reviewed on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm) at The Players Theatre Mainstage, 115 MacDougal Street (below W. 3rd Street), NYC.

On Monday, May 24, the National Arts Club hosted a pre-release celebration party for Mickey Rapkin's 'Theater Geek.' 'Theater Geek' tells the story of Stagedoor Manor's rich history and amazing track record for producing the next generation of stars. 'Theater Geek,' penned by GQ Senior Editor and author of 'Pitch Perfect,' is published by Free Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc. and will be released June 1, 2010.

The Los Angeles Times reports that GLEE's Jane Lynch has been named this year's host of the VH1's 'Do Something Awards,' which honors young activists, on July 19 in Los Angeles. The show will be broadcast live on VH1.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) and Page 73 Productions has announced casting for Samuel D. Hunter's JACK'S PRECIOUS MOMENT, which receives its World Premiere at Americas Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters from May 21 - June 13. Opening Night is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26 at 7:30 PM.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU), Audience Extras and Back Stage present the industry panel Equity 2.0: Upgrades to the Basic Codes and Contracts on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 7:30pm at The Players Theatre Mainstage, 115 MacDougal Street (below W. 3rd Street), NYC.

The Forum Theatre Presents 'They Changed Broadway: From Berlin to Bernstein and Beyond' a benefit performance June 13 at 4pm. 'They Changed Broadway' will benefit Congregation Neve Shalom of Metuchen New Jersey.

Five-time Emmy Award-winner John Larroquette will make a stage appearance this spring, joining Johanna Day, Monica Raymund, and Michael Zegen in the cast of Elizabeth Meriwether's new play OLIVER PARKER!, in its world-premiere by the Off-Broadway theatre company the stageFARM, with previews starting May 9 prior to its official opening night May 17 at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St.) in Manhattan.

Five-time Emmy Award-winner John Larroquette will make a stage appearance this spring, joining Johanna Day, Monica Raymund, and Michael Zegen in the cast of Elizabeth Meriwether's new play OLIVER!, in its world-premiere by the Off-Broadway theatre company the stageFARM, with previews starting May 9 prior to its official opening night May 17 at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St.) in Manhattan.

Before there was GLEE or 'American Idol,' there was Stagedoor Manor, a theater camp in the Catskills where big-time Hollywood casting directors came to find the next generation of stars. It's where Natalie Portman, Robert Downey, Jr., Zach Braff, Mandy Moore, Lea Michele, and many others got their start. The famed theater camp continues to be a breeding ground for Broadway and Hollywood. And at age 31, Mickey Rapkin, a senior editor at GQ, was lucky enough to go, too.

Directed by Evan Cabnet, OLIVER PARKER! is a jet black comedy about hurting the ones you love, and loving the ones that hurt: Oliver (Michael Zegen) is 17 and Jasper (John Laroquette) is 60. They are best friends. Oliver wants to get laid, and Jasper wants to help. Jasper wants to drink himself to death, and Oliver wants to save him. And they share a secret that could ruin them both... if it hasn't already.

Five-time Emmy Award-winner John Larroquette will make a stage appearance this spring, joining Johanna Day, Monica Raymund, and Michael Zegen in the cast of Elizabeth Meriwether's new play OLIVER PARKER!, in its world-premiere by the Off-Broadway theatre company the stageFARM, with previews starting May 9 prior to its official opening night May 17 at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St.) in Manhattan.

Five-time Emmy Award-winner John Larroquette will make a stage appearance this spring, joining Johanna Day, Monica Raymund, and Michael Zegen in the cast of Elizabeth Meriwether's new play OLIVER!, in its world-premiere by the Off-Broadway theatre company the stageFARM, with previews starting May 9 prior to its official opening night May 17 at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St.) in Manhattan.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU), Audience Extras and Back Stage present the industry panel Equity 2.0: Upgrades to the Basic Codes and Contracts on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 7:30pm at The Players Theatre Mainstage, 115 MacDougal Street (below W. 3rd Street), NYC.

The American Film Institute and TV Land announced today that American film's finest performers Cher, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep are among the many in the arts and entertainment community who are scheduled to appear when AFI honors beloved film, television and stage director Mike Nichols with the AFI Life Achievement Award. The gala will take place on Thursday, June 10th in the historic Stage 15 on the Sony Studios lot in Culver City, CA. 'TV Land Presents: The AFI Life Achievement Awards Honoring Mike Nichols' premieres on TV Land in June.

Top artists from the entertainment community will come together on June 10, 2010 as AFI presents the 38th AFI Life Achievement Award - the highest honor for a career in film -- to acclaimed director Mike Nichols. The 25 artists from film, television and the stage who have confirmed their participation on the AFI Benefit Committee in support of the event are: Amy Adams, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Candice Bergen, Cher, Nora Ephron, Harrison Ford, Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Shirley MacLaine, Steve Martin, Elaine May, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Mary-Louise Parker, Natalie Portman, Robert Redford, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Elizabeth Taylor, Emma Thompson, Sigourney Weaver and Robin Williams. 'TV Land Presents: The AFI Life Achievement Award Honoring Mike Nichols' will air on TV Land on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Top artists from the entertainment community will come together on June 10, 2010 as AFI presents the 38th AFI Life Achievement Award -- the highest honor for a career in film -- to acclaimed director Mike Nichols.

Emmy(R) Award-winning actress Lisa Kudrow joins the growing list of celebrated stars in the SHOWTIME line-up with the pick-up of her original online comedy series WEB THERAPY, it was announced today by SHOWTIME Networks' President of Entertainment Robert Greenblatt. SHOWTIME will air a minimum of 10 half-hour episodes that will include additional new material to be shot.

Usdan Center For the Performing Arts, the nationally renowned summer arts day camp which has introduced the arts to more than 50,000 young people, announces that Maurice Brandon Curry, a director/choreographer/educator, and former Director of the Joffrey Ballet School, will become Chairperson of the Usdan Center Dance Department beginning in the summer of 2010.