Ralph Macchio News

Contagious Laughter LLC. welcomes Roxie Lucas and Kevin O'Donnell to the cast of the World Premiere of LET'S KILL GRANDMA THIS CHRISTMAS by Brian Gianci, directed by John Dapolito. LET'S KILL GRANDMA THIS CHRISTMAS will begin performances tonight, November 25; it will celebrate its opening on Monday, December 3 and will run through January 6, 2013 at the Theatre at St. Clement's (423 West 46th Street).

Rob Schiller, Emmy-award winning Hollywood director and producer and president of R&B JAAMZS, Inc., concluded his latest television directing project for TV Land's hit sitcom, HAPPILY DIVORCED starring Fran Drescher (The Nanny"). The much anticipated season premiere airs on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 10:30 pm ET/PT.

Rob Schiller, Emmy-award winning Hollywood director and producer and president of R&B JAAMZS, Inc., concluded his latest television directing project for TV Land's hit sitcom, "Happily Divorced," starring Fran Drescher ("The Nanny"). The much anticipated season premiere airs on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 10:30 pm ET/PT. Pop culture icons, including Joan Collins ("Dynasty"), Robert Wagner ("It Takes a Thief'), Debi Mazar ("Entourage"), Florence Henderson ("Brady Bunch") and iconic pop sensation Cyndi Lauper, all guest star in new episodes.

"Come Get Some Comedy For Hurricane Relief," will take place tonight, November 21 at the Beacon Theatre starring Artie Lange, Nick DiPaolo, Michael Che, Sherrod Small, John Pizzi, and Colin Quinn, with more comedians to be announced. Also scheduled to appear are Adam Graves, Ralph Macchio and Chazz Palminteri.

Today we are talking to one of Broadway's brightest new marquee names all about her Tony Award-winning work in the recent revival of WEST SIDE STORY, as well as originating roles in Lin-Manuel Miranda's IN THE HEIGHTS and BROOKLYN before that, with a special emphasis on her work in the new Manhattan Theater Club rock musical MURDER BALLAD - the engaging and emotive Karen Olivo. In this career-spanning chat, besides filling us in on the themes, style, story, music, characters, casting and overall creation of the original musical she is currently co-starring in with Will Swenson Off Broadway, MURDER BALLAD, now in previews and running through December 16, Olivo also opens up about many of her other most memorable roles in past productions, ranging from her work in the Broadway production of RENT all the way to last season's straight comedy BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK to her current work on MURDER BALLAD and her plans for the future, near and far. Plus, Olivo shares details about her upcoming featured role in the Lifetime Christmas-themed movie HOLIDAY SPIN, choreographed by recent InDepth InterView participant Paul Becker, as well as her long-awaited return to the hit CBS legal drama THE GOOD WIFE this Sunday. All of that, memories of legendary collaborators such as Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, Marvin Hamlisch, Kathy Bates, a preview of her upcoming robot-themed sci-fi indie RISE, details on her participation in the new FUGITIVE SONGS recording and much, much more awaits!

Today we are talking to one of Broadway's brightest new marquee names all about her Tony Award-winning work in the recent revival of WEST SIDE STORY, as well as originating roles in Lin-Manuel Miranda's IN THE HEIGHTS and BROOKLYN before that, with a special emphasis on her work in the new Manhattan Theater Club rock musical MURDER BALLAD - the engaging and emotive Karen Olivo. In this career-spanning chat, besides filling us in on the themes, style, story, music, characters, casting and overall creation of the original musical she is currently co-starring in with Will Swenson Off Broadway, MURDER BALLAD, now in previews and running through December 16, Olivo also opens up about many of her other most memorable roles in past productions, ranging from her work in the Broadway production of RENT all the way to last season's straight comedy BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK to her current work on MURDER BALLAD and her plans for the future, near and far. Plus, Olivo shares details about her upcoming featured role in the Lifetime Christmas-themed movie HOLIDAY SPIN, choreographed by recent InDepth InterView participant Paul Becker, as well as her long-awaited return to the hit CBS legal drama THE GOOD WIFE this Sunday. All of that, memories of legendary collaborators such as Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, Marvin Hamlisch, Kathy Bates, a preview of her upcoming robot-themed sci-fi indie RISE, details on her participation in the new FUGITIVE SONGS recording and much, much more awaits!

The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Dodgers today announced the casting of the title role in the RSC's eagerly anticipated Broadway-bound musical MATILDA THE MUSICAL. Each of the four girls will play the role at difference performances: Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro. Each girl will be making her Broadway debut.

It was announced today that "Come Get Some Comedy For Hurricane Relief," will take place on Wednesday, November 21 at the Beacon Theatre starring Artie Lange, Nick DiPaolo, Michael Che, Sherrod Small, John Pizzi, and Colin Quinn, with more comedians to be announced. Also scheduled to appear are Adam Graves, Ralph Macchio and Chazz Palminteri.

Contagious Laughter LLC. welcomes Roxie Lucas and Kevin O'Donnell to the cast of the World Premiere of LET'S KILL GRANDMA THIS CHRISTMAS by Brian Gianci, directed by John Dapolito. LET'S KILL GRANDMA THIS CHRISTMAS will begin performances on Sunday, November 25; it will celebrate its opening on Monday, December 3 and will run through January 6, 2013 at the Theatre at St. Clement's.

The Madison Theatre at Molloy College of Rockville Centre, New York (Angelo Fraboni, Artistic Director), will present a benefit reading of Long Island Express Plays, written by Eugene Pack, on Sunday, October 28, at 3pm. The reading will star Noah Fleiss ("Fringe"), Helen Hanft (Moonstruck), Carol Kane ("Cheers," Princess Bride, "Taxi"), Natasha Lyonne (American Pie, "Weeds"), and Dayle Reyfel (Drama Desk Winner for Celebrity Autobiography).

The Drama Desk Award-winning Celebrity Autobiography returns for its fourth season at the Triad Theater (158 West 72 Street) with its new edition Celebrity Autobiography: The Next Chapter, opening last night, October 22. Check out photos from last night's opening below!

Contagious Laughter LLC. will present the World Premiere of LET'S KILL GRANDMA THIS CHRISTMAS by Brian Gianci, directed by John Dapolito. LET'S KILL GRANDMA THIS CHRISTMAS will begin performances on Sunday, November 25; it will celebrate its opening on Monday, December 3 and will run through January 6, 2013 at the Theatre at St. Clement's (423 West 46th Street).

The Drama Desk Award-winning Celebrity Autobiography returns for its fourth season at the Triad Theater (158 West 72 Street) with its new edition Celebrity Autobiography: The Next Chapter, Monday, October 22 at 7pm.

Lifetime today unveiled It's a Wonderful Lifetime, its major star-studded holiday movie slate featuring the world premieres of ten Lifetime Original Movies featuring such beloved stars as David Hasselhoff, Mira Sorvino, Haylie Duff, Ralph Macchio, Lea Thompson, Marilu Henner, Harry Hamlin and numerous others, including Shelley Long and George Wendt reuniting together for the first time since Cheers.

Some of the biggest names in pop culture history are joining fellow TV icon Fran Drescher ('The Nanny') on new episodes of TV Land's hit sitcom, HAPPILY DIVORCED, it was announced today by Keith Cox, executive vice president, development and original programming, TV Land.

Today we are talking to a terrifically talented triple-threat who has graced the silver screen in CHICAGO, as well as in the TV productions of THE MUSIC MAN, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS and in many stunt and dance double roles in his career thus far who has since become the protegee of dance extraordinaire Kenny Ortega and broken out on his own with a string of striking and memorable sequences in entities as diverse as TV's HELLCATS and the recent feature films THE CABIN IN THE WOODS, SUCKER PUNCH, MIRROR, MIRROR and TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN PART 1 - gifted dancer/choreographer/director Paul Becker. Talking about many of his most memorable past projects and filling us in on his many current and future ones - TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN PART 2, a Ben Vereen documentary, an original movie musical titled STAGE FRIGHT, a James Gray film featuring Jeremy Renner and Marion Cotillard, a Lifetime movie musical with Karen Olivo and even more - Becker brings us into his unique and idiosyncratic world and gives us a glimpse into how he achieves consistent excellence in all of his many endeavors as he attempts to define his anomalous career for us. Additionally, Becker takes a look back at acting onscreen in the Oscar-winning Best Picture CHICAGO, choreographing the ultimate vampire wedding, judging SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE? Canada, producing CANADA'S GOT TALENT, giving two hundred dancers movement for a Michael Buble music video and he also shares some hopes and wishes for what he would like to take on in his blindingly bright future in show business - directing a feature film, perhaps? What about a Broadway show when time permits? The possibilities are multitude and seemingly endless and Becker is one of the most brightly shining behind-the-scenes talents on the rise, as is clear to qualify by all of the exquisitely exciting entities he is involved with on the horizon, both near and far. Plus, Becker shares his experiences choreographing various THE MUPPETS movies, working with Ortega on the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus concert tours, directing the first YouTube feature film, dancing with death in MASTERS OF HORROR, giving moves to monsters in THE CABIN IN THE WOODS, staging the spectacular finale of MIRROR, MIRROR showcasing Julia Roberts, choreographing the fairy tale characters of ONCE UPON A TIME, and he also offers opinions on GLEE and SMASH, reveals his early influences, favorite stars, formative films - and much, much more!

Gennaro Productions in association with The Midtown International Theatre Festival present Vincent Gorliormella's new outrageous comedy WHATTA YA NUTS! directed by Charles Messina, choreographed by Tricia Brouk, with musical Direction by Ray Naccari and songs by Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler, John Fogerty, Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini, Wham!, Tom Jones, Les Reed, Geoff Stephens, and Neil Diamond. The show stars Al Sapienza, Ernest Mingione, Alex Ishkanian, Gina Ferranti, Autumn Ready Potter, Steven LaChioma and Valerie Smaldone. WHATTA YA NUTS! plays July 19 - August 5 at the June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36 Street - between Eighth & Ninth Avenues).

Omaha Performing Arts presents Cox Music & Movies, featuring The Karate Kid and the retro pop ukulele sounds of Omaha band All Young Girls Are Machine Guns. This summer's first free Cox Music & Movies event will be held on Friday, June 22 in the Courtyard of the Holland Performing Arts Center. Music begins at 7:45 p.m. followed by the movie at dusk, or approximately 8:45 p.m.