Paul Schneider News

Water for Elephants, based on Sara Gruen's novel of the same name and directed by Francis Lawrence premiered yesterday, April 17, in New York City. The film stars Robert Pattinson as Jacob Jankowski, Reese Witherspoon as Marlena and Christoph Waltz as August. Hal Holbrook plays the older Jacob Jankowski.

NBC.com presents a special 'Producers' Cut' version of NBC's comedy 'Parks and Recreation' with extra footage and extended versions of the episode, 'The Master Plan,' and season finale, 'Freddy Spaghetti,' featuring guest-stars Rob Lowe ('Brothers and Sisters') and Adam Scott ('Party Down'). The full 'Producers' Cut' episode of 'The Master Plan' is currently available on NBC.com and 'Freddy Spaghetti' will be available early morning Friday, May 21.

NBC unfurls its Spring sweeps with a banner full of special episodes along with the broadcast return of 'Friday Night Lights' (May 7, 8-9 p.m. ET) and the live finales of 'The Biggest Loser' (May 25, 8-10 p.m. ET) and 'The Celebrity Apprentice' (two-parter, May 16 and May 23, 9-11 p.m. ET both nights).

As previously reported, the National Society of Film Critics has selected the Iraq war drama 'The Hurt Locker' as its pick for Best Picture of the Year. The film also earned Kathryn Bigelow an award for best direction, as well as the award for best actor for Jeremy Renner.

To help celebrate our 20th season, BLUEBARN THEATRE will revive our 2001 award-winning play, Wit, which opens March 19 and runs through April 11, 2009. BLUEBARN founding member, Kevin Lawler, returns to direct the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, with Phyllis Doughman recreating the role that won her rave reviews, as well as a Theatre Arts Guild Award for Best Actress. The BLUEBARN's 2008 production will also feature local theatre veterans, Melissa Jarecke, Mary Kelly, Benjamin Beck, Paul Schneider, Jennifer McGill, Chris Elston, Eric Grant-Leanna, and Danielle Smith.

Les Misérables in Concert makes its Hollywood Bowl debut in a production featuring Melora Hardin as Fantine, Maddie Levy as Young Cosette, Tom Lowe as Enjolras, Michele Maika as Cosette, Michael McCormick as Thénardier, J. Mark McVey as Valjean, Lea Michele as Éponine, Brian Stokes Mitchell as Javert, Sage Ryan as Gavroche and John Lloyd Young as Marius. Rosie O'Donnell, who was to play the role of Madame Thenardier, has withdrawn from the performances in order to care for her eldest son, who broke his wrist. She will be replaced by veteran actress Ruth Williamson.

Production begins in Connecticut this week on an untitled contemporary comedy directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty) from an original screenplay by Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida. The film is being produced and co-financed by Big Beach, with Focus Features co-financing and distributing worldwide.