Richard Gere News

Last night I had the pleasure of speaking to two of the hottest producers in Hollywood and on Broadway all about their recent smash hit December with the ratings bonanza of NBC's live presentation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC as well as the three-network tent-pole two-night TV event, BONNIE & CLYDE - the peerless Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Discussing all aspects of the unprecedented live presentation, Zadan and Meron outline the process of bringing the gigantic production to the small screen and grant us a vivid look behind the scenes of the big show. Additionally, Zadan and Meron comment on the social media frenzy that occurred during the 25+ million-viewed telecast as well as their reaction to criticism of country music superstar Carrie Underwood in the starring role, as well as their longstanding relationship with NBC in general. Plus, Zadan and Meron also clue us in on what elements they seek out in special events such as this as we look ahead to next year's confirmed major live musical - whatever could it be?! Besides all about THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Zadan and Meron also offer us the 411 on a number of other projects immediately upcoming in 2014 and far beyond, with a special focus on their just-announced Harvey Weinstein collaboration on a feature film version of Stephen Schwartz's beloved PIPPIN, as well as first news on a forthcoming original Beach Boys jukebox musical currently in development and preliminary information on the pilot for a new musical series inspired by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Diane Warren titled SONGBYRD, set to shoot in January. All of that, reflections on last year's sensational Academy Awards broadcast hosted by the controversial Seth MacFarlane and a look ahead to this year's Zadan & Meron-produced Oscars show - set to be hosted by daytime queen Ellen Degeneres - as well as stories from their early years producing cabaret showcases and penning books on theatre as well as much, much more in this all-encompassing conversation with the most important men in movie musicals.

A book launch party for 'Wynn Place Show: A Biased History of the Rollicking Life & Extreme Times of Wynn Handman and The American Place Theatre' by Jeremy Gerard (Smith and Kraus Publishers) was held December 16, 2013 at The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South, NYC. Stars attending the book launch celebration were Richard Gere, John Leguizamo and Frank Langella. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts produces, in association with La Jolla Playhouse, a re-imagining of Henry Krieger and Bill Russell's Side Show. Directed by Academy Award winning director Bill Condon, the musical closes at La Jolla Playhouse tonight, December 17 and will open at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater in spring 2014. The musical features book and lyrics by Bill Russelland music by Henry Krieger who will revise the show before its debut at La Jolla.

Piedmont Players Theatre (PPT) announces a Bob Fosse style MASTER DANCE CLASS set for tonight, December 10, 2013 7pm-9pm at the Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St., Salisbury, NC.

Piedmont Players Theatre (PPT) announces a Bob Fosse style MASTER DANCE CLASS set for Tuesday, December 10, 2013 7pm-9pm at the Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St., Salisbury, NC.

It's Official! Sutton Foster is coming BACK to Broadway, as Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced that it will present two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster in a Broadway production of VIOLET (first seen as part of Encores! Off-Center concert series in 2013), directed by Leigh Silverman. Based on the short story 'The Ugliest Pilgrim' by Doris Betts, VIOLET features music by Jeanine Tesori and book & lyrics by Brian Crawley. VIOLET will be produced in association with Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, David Mirvish, Barry and Fran Weissler, Elizabeth Armstrong, and Mary Jo and Ted Shen.

With LES MISERABLES' stirring success at the box office last year and upcoming, all-star film versions of INTO THE WOODS, JERSEY BOYS, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ANNIE and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, we couldn't resist rounding up a few of our favorite stage-to-screen adaptations.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will produce, in association with La Jolla Playhouse, a re-imagining of Henry Krieger and Bill Russell's Side Show. Directed by Academy Award winning director Bill Condon, the musical will play at La Jolla Playhouse now through December 17 and will open at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater in spring 2014. The musical features book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Henry Krieger who will revise the show before its debut at La Jolla. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Museum of the Moving Image's ongoing series See It Big! presents classic and contemporary films on the big screen in the beautiful Sumner M. Redstone Theater. In November and December, the Museum will showcase 22 films photographed by some of the world's greatest cinematographers, including Gordon Willis, Vittorio Storaro, Vilmos Zsigmond, Nestor Almendros, Raoul Coutard, James Wong Howe, and more. The series, See It Big!: Great Cinematographers, runs from November 8 through December 29, 2013.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will produce, in association with La Jolla Playhouse, a re-imagining of Henry Krieger and Bill Russell's Side Show. Directed by Academy Award winning director Bill Condon, the musical will play at La Jolla Playhouse November 5 through December 17 and will play the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater in spring 2014, according to an equity casting notice. The musical features book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Henry Krieger who will revise the show before its debut at La Jolla.

Laurence Fox, Jack Huston, ChristIan McKay, Miranda Raison, Imogen Stubbs and MyAnna Buring will star in Strangers on a Train by Craig Warner, which will be presented at the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End by Barbara Broccoli, Colleen Camp, Michael G Wilson, Lucky VIII/Lou Spisto, Frederick Zollo and Michael Rose Limited for Strangers (UK) Limited. The production, directed by Robert Allan Ackerman, will preview from today, 2 November. This gripping thriller is based on Patricia Highsmith's acclaimed novel, which was the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock's legendary movie.

Laurence Fox, Jack Huston, ChristIan McKay, Miranda Raison, Imogen Stubbs and MyAnna Buring will star in Strangers on a Train by Craig Warner, which will be presented at the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End by Barbara Broccoli, Colleen Camp, Michael G Wilson, Lucky VIII/Lou Spisto, Frederick Zollo and Michael Rose Limited for Strangers (UK) Limited. The production, directed by Robert Allan Ackerman, will preview from Saturday 2 November. This gripping thriller is based on Patricia Highsmith's acclaimed novel, which was the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock's legendary movie. Check out a sneak peek below!

According to Deadline, Fox Searchlight is going after Richard Gere for its planned sequel to the 2011 hit THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL.

Broadway's most daring, curious, and talented artists are preparing to gather at Cielo for the Fall 2013 BC Beat on Monday November 11th, the showcase and dance party with it's own rules for sharing work and connecting artists. Doors open at 7pm and guests are welcomed by the evening's choreographers, Charlie Sutton, Cindy Salgado, Caleb Teicher, Kyle Mullins, Tricia Brouk, Josh Assor, Rickey Tripp, Jennifer Jancuska, and performers including Daniel Watts, Jennifer Locke, Ephraim Sykes, Aurelia Michael, Voltaire Wade-Greene, Masi Yahya James, Amber Jackson, Elizabeth Burke, Macy Sullivan, Ryan VanDenBoom, Matthew Steffens, Heather Hamilton, Shiloh Goodin, Liz Piccoli, Paul Romero, Borris York, Rachel Guest, Matthew Oaks and Michael Williams as Broadway veteran Justin Johnson curates music.

Carlos de Abreu, founder and executive producer of the 17th Annual Hollywood Film Awards, announced today that Matthew McConaughey, who starred this year to critical acclaim in Roadside Attractions' 'Mud' and Focus Features' 'Dallas Buyers Club,' will be honored with the Hollywood Actor Award.

The 1980 Broadway production was directed by Robert Allan Ackerman, scenery by Santo Loquasto, costumes by Robert Wojewodski, lighting by Arden Fingerhut, and music by Stanley Silverman. The show featured Richard Gere as Max, David Marshall Grant as Rudy,James Remar as Wolf, Michael Gross as Greta, George Hall as Uncle Freddie, Bryan E. Clark as Officer, David Dukes as Horst, Ron Randell as Captain, and the Guards were Kai Wulff, Philip Kraus, and John Snyder. Check out a photo of the marquee below!

The 2013 Marian Anderson Award has announced the guest artists for the 15th anniversary award gala, honoring iconic star-maker and founder of Motown, Berry Gordy, at the Kimmel Center Nov. 19.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) is pleased to announce that Founder Sir Elton John will receive the Harvard AIDS Initiative Leadership Award at the Foundation's annual An Enduring Vision benefit on October 15, 2013.

Laurence Fox, Jack Huston, Christian McKay, Miranda Raison, Imogen Stubbs and MyAnna Buring will star in Strangers on a Train by Craig Warner, which will be presented at the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End by Barbara Broccoli, Colleen Camp, Michael G Wilson, Lucky VIII/Lou Spisto, Frederick Zollo and Michael Rose Limited for Strangers (UK) Limited. The production, directed by Robert Allan Ackerman, will preview from Saturday 2 November. This gripping thriller is based on Patricia Highsmith's acclaimed novel, which was the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock's legendary movie.

Producers Michael Alden, Stefany Bergson and Rodger Hess have announced the New York premiere of Becoming Dr. Ruth, a warmhearted, candid and inspiring comedy starring Debra Jo Rupp, ('That 70's Show') written by Mark St. Germain and directed by Julianne Boyd.