Rob Reiner News

Today we are taking a look at the very best theatre-related entities in a variety of different categories - books, music, television, film, and, of course, theatre - as we look back on 2011 and all of the many marvelous moments of excitement, passion, joy and exultation that only theatre and theatre-related projects can possibly hope to provide. From Stephen Sondheim's LOOK, I MADE A HAT on the bookshelves of every Broadway baby worth their weight in sequins to Neil Patrick Harris and Patti LuPone in Sondheim's COMPANY on the big screen courtesy of Fathom to the stunning Broadway revival of FOLLIES starring Bernadette Peters and its tremendous new cast album, all the way to the thrills and chills of Andrew Lloyd Webber's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL on the big screen and Blu-ray to the BOOK OF MORMON breaking Broadway records and even TV's best drama and comedy, both from mastermind Ryan Murphy - GLEE and AMERICAN HORROR STORY. Plus, we also have top film picks in the categories of Drama and Comedy, as well as the best of the best of them all, with Lars Von Trier's apocalyptic masterpiece MELANCHOLIA, George Clooney's play adaptation THE IDES OF MARCH and the 80s music video stylized thriller/drama DRIVE topping the list. All of that and a whole lot more awaits in this all-encompassing look back at the theatrical highlights in all entertainment realms in 2011, as well as a look ahead to what we cannot wait for in 2012!

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed this morning that George Clooney will lead Dustin Lance Black's Prop 8 play, '8' in the show's LA premiere at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on March 3, 2012. The show premiered with an all-star cast including Bob Balaban, Ellen Barkin, Matt Bomer, Campbell Brown, Anthony Edwards, K. Todd Freeman, Morgan Freeman, Jayne Houdyshell, Cheyenne Jackson, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Larry Kramer, Christine Lahti, Ken Leung, John Lithgow, Rory O'Malley, Rob Reiner, Ben Rosenfield, Kate Shindle, Yeardley Smith, Stephen Spinella and Bradley Whitford on Broadway on September 19, 2011 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

According to Deadline.com, actor George Clooney and Grant Heslov's Smokehouse and Sony Pictures are currently planning a feature length film based on the lives of comedians Tom and Dicky Smothers. The film will based on David Bianculli's book entitled 'Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour'.

Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Don Gregory, announced that Jim Parsons (Elwood P. Dowd), Jessica Hecht (Veta Louise Simmons) and Charles Kimbrough (William R. Chumley, M.D.) starring in a new Broadway production of the Pulitzer Prize winning comedy Harvey by Mary Chase and directed by Scott Ellis.

Two new faces will make their co-hosting debuts and two favorites return in the coming weeks on nationally-syndicated morning talk show 'LIVE! with Kelly.' Joining co-host Kelly Ripa for the first time will be 'Dancing with the Stars' professional dancer and Season 13 finalist DEREK HOUGH (Monday, December 5) and actor JONAH HILL (Tuesday, December 6). Returning to the show are favorites JERRY O'CONNELL (Friday, November 25) and singer JOSH GROBAN (December 7-9).

Actress Juliet Landau, best known to television audiences for her portrayal of Drusilla in 17 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) is currently co-starring onstage in John Patrick Shanley's Danny and the Deep Blue Sea @ Crown City Theatre through December 18. In our chat the actress, who is a member of the Actors Studio, talks about what it was like growing up the daughter of famous parents, actors Martin Landau and Barbara Bain, her favorite plays and what drew her to playwright John Patrick Shanley in the first place.

The Katselas Theatre Company will extend the performance schedule of this critically acclaimed world premiere production, spawned from their INKubator series. Now running through December 18th. LA Weekly - GO!

Film and television star Jerry O'Connell, now in rehearsals to make his Broadway debut in the World Premiere of Alan Rickman starring in the new comedy SEMINAR by Theresa Rebeck, will co-host 'Live! with Regis and Kelly' this Thursday morning, October 13.

Last night the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact launched the all-star Broadway premiere of '8'. The play, which chronicles the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8, was written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and directed by Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello. Broadway Beat was at the after party to meet the stars. Click below to hear about getting to the big premiere night and why they believe this piece is so important.

Last night the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact launched the all-star Broadway premiere of '8'. The play, which chronicles the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8, was written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and directed by Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening night after party and brings you photo coverage below.

Last night the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact launched the all-star Broadway premiere of '8' to a packed and enthusiastic audience. The play, which chronicles the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8, was written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and directed by Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello.

'8,' a new play chronicling the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8 will have its World Premiere on Broadway in a one night-only staged reading to benefit the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER). The play is written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and directed by two-time Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello. Black, who penned the Academy Award-winning feature film Milk, based '8' on the actual words of the trial transcripts, first-hand observations of the courtroom drama and interviews with the plaintiffs and their families. The reading is now completely sold-out!

A limited number of $40 tickets to the World Premiere all-star staged reading of Dustin Lance Black's new play '8' will be released for public sale at 10:00AM Monday morning, September 19, 2011. Tickets will be sold at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) until 6:00PM, and must be paid for by cash only. Tickets will be sold on a first-come first-served basis and are limited to two tickets per person.

'8,' a new play chronicling the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8, will have its World Premiere on Broadway in a one night-only staged reading to benefit the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on Monday, September 19, 2011. That morning (tomorrow), two of the reading's stars will appear on MSNBC news programs to discuss their roles in '8.'

A limited number of $40 tickets to the World Premiere all-star staged reading of Dustin Lance Black's new play '8' will be released for public sale at 10:00AM Monday morning, September 19, 2011. Tickets will be sold at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) until 6:00PM, and must be paid for by cash only. Tickets will be sold on a first-come first-served basis and are limited to two tickets per person.

Academy, Tony and four-time Emmy Award nominee Bob Balaban; acclaimed 'White Collar' television star Matt Bomer; Emmy Award-winning journalist Campbell Brown; celebrated playwright and gay rights activist Larry Kramer; two-time Academy Award-nominated, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning, two-time Tony Award-winning actor John Lithgow; Tony Award nominee and Broadway Impact Co-Founder Rory O'Malley; and Emmy Award winner and three-time Golden Globe Award nominee Bradley Whitford will appear in the world premiere of '8' on Broadway, joining the previously announced Anthony Edwards, Morgan Freeman, Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Lahti, Rob Reiner, Yeardley Smith and Marisa Tomei. The production is an unprecedented account of the Federal District Court trial in Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Perry v. Brown), the case filed by AFER to overturn Proposition 8, which eliminated the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples in California.

A limited number of $40 tickets to the World Premiere all-star staged reading of Dustin Lance Black's new play '8' will be released for public sale at 10:00AM Monday morning, September 19, 2011. Tickets will be sold at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) until 6:00PM, and must be paid for by cash only. Tickets will be sold on a first-come first-served basis and are limited to two tickets per person.

Today the American Foundation for Equal Rights, in partnership with Broadway Impact, announce the complete cast and roles for the highly anticipated one-night only staged reading of '8,' a new play chronicling the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8. The play is written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and will be directed by two-time Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello.

Academy, Tony and four-time Emmy Award nominee Bob Balaban; acclaimed 'White Collar' television star Matt Bomer; Emmy Award-winning journalist Campbell Brown; celebrated playwright and gay rights activist Larry Kramer; two-time Academy Award-nominated, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning, two-time Tony Award-winning actor John Lithgow; Tony Award nominee and Broadway Impact Co-Founder Rory O'Malley; and Emmy Award winner and three-time Golden Globe Award nominee Bradley Whitford will appear in the world premiere of '8' on Broadway, joining the previously announced Anthony Edwards, Morgan Freeman, Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Lahti, Rob Reiner, Yeardley Smith and Marisa Tomei. The production is an unprecedented account of the Federal District Court trial in Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Perry v. Brown), the case filed by AFER to overturn Proposition 8, which eliminated the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples in California.