Octavia Spencer News

Apple TV+ has unveiled the trailer for the third season of its NAACP Image Award-winning anthology “Truth Be Told” starring Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer, who also executive produces, and award-winning actress Gabrielle Union, who joins the all-new season. The video trailer also stars Ron Cephas Jones, Merle Dandridge, and Tracie Thoms.

Although it may be a new year, a few classics are returning to streaming services, giving Broadway fans the perfect throwback binge list, plus some exciting new cast recordings that will start your new year off right!

Sunita Mani is bringing that 'Christmas Mornin' Feeling' in Apple TV+'s new movie musical, Spirited. BroadwayWorld caught up with Mani to go behind the filming of Spirited's musical numbers, what it was like working with the all-star cast, and what she thinks audiences can take away from the film!

From director Sean Anders ('Daddy’s Home,” 'Instant Family”), written by Sean Anders and John Morris, with original songs by Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ('La La Land') and production numbers choreographed by Chloe Arnold (“The Late Late Show with James Corden”), this modern retelling is a sweet and spicy holiday treat.

In all, while SPIRITED has a lot about it that feels familiar, mostly owing to its nods to its heritage; it is just twisted enough to be a new twist on the old fable.

Following its globally acclaimed first season, Apple TV+ has announced a season two renewal for “Surface,” the hit psychological thriller starring and executive produced by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and created by Veronica West. Led by star Mbatha-Raw, “Surface” is produced by Apple Studios and Hello Sunshine.

The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU kicks off Art Basel Season in Miami Beach with the premiere of the new exhibition Lady Liberty: A Bonnie Lautenberg Retrospective (November 16 through March 26).

 TheaterWorksUSA in association with The Apollo, will present an invite only staged reading of Jason Reynolds’ New York Times best-selling young adult novel Long Way Down in a compelling new musical by Dahlak Brathwaite and Khiyon Hursey, directed and choreographed by Ken-Matt Martin on November 21 at Pearl Studios.   

Here’s our selection of brand-new, recent, and classic festive films featuring some of theater’s most iconic faces that you won’t want to miss.

Anthony Williams' 'Urban Nutcracker', the modern Boston-centric holiday classic, returns to the Boch Center Shubert Theatre this December! This production celebrates the city of Boston with winter scenes set in present-day downtown Boston, blending the rhythms of Duke Ellington with the classical music of Tchaikovsky.

Top stories include new details on the upcoming Wicked films, plus a cast recording of Kimberly Akimbo has been announced, and more!

With original songs by Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ('La La Land'), Spirited is the highly-anticipated new movie musical take on A Christmas Carol. The film stars Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, Octavia Spencer, Patrick Page, Joe Tippett, and more. Read what critics thought of the new movie musical now!

Check out photos of Spirited stars Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, Octavia Spencer, Sunita Mani, Patrick Page, and more on the red capret. Filmmakers in attendance included composers and executive producers Justin Paul and Benj Pasek; director, writer and producer Sean Anders; plus, Mariah Carey, Brooke Shields, and more.

Will Ferrell, Octavia Spencer, and Ryan Reynolds appeared on The TODAY Show this morning to discuss singing and dancing in the new movie musical, Spirited. Watch the complete interview now, in which the group discussed their previous singing experiences, working together on the film, and more.

Reynolds was nominated for a Golden Globe and Grammy award for his work on the “Deadpool” franchise. Reynold’s most recent film “The Adam Project,” which he also produced, is currently Netflix's fourth most-viewed English-language movie of all time. He can next be seen in the musical comedy “Spirited” opposite Will Ferrell and Octavia Spencer,

From director Sean Anders ('Daddy’s Home,” 'Instant Family”), written by Sean Anders and John Morris, with original songs by Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ('La La Land'), the film stars Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, Patrick Page, Joe Tippett, and Octavia Spencer. Watch the new video trailer now!

From highly-anticipated new movie musicals like Disenchanted and Spirited, to the soundtrack for Netflix's upcoming Matilda the Musical movie soundtrack, November's new streaming releases will give Broadway fans entertained throughout the month. 

Top stories include casting for the North American Tour of Beetlejuice, which will be led by Justin Collette in the title role! Plus, get a first look at KPOP The Musical which begins previews on Broadway tonight!

For the first time, 'A Christmas Carol' is told from the perspective of the ghosts in this hilarious musical twist on the classic Dickens tale. With music by Pasek & Paul , the film stars Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds and Octavia Spencer, with Sunita Mani, Patrick Page, Joe Tippett, Marlow Barkley and Jen Tullock. Watch the video teaser trailer now!

The cast of the movie musical includes  Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, Octavia Spencer, Patrick Page, Sunita Mani, Loren Woods, Joe Tippett, Marlow Barkley, and Jen Tullock. The new film will feature music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, plus newcomers Sukari Jones, Khiyon Hursey and Mark Sonnenblick. Check out new behind the scenes photos now!