Rob Reiner News

Two-time Emmy winner Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) is back for a second season as co-host of THE ESSENTIALS on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). In his first season, Baldwin displayed a deep knowledge of classic films. Baldwin and TCM host Robert Osborne will return in 2010 with a new slate of 'must see' movies each week.

Aurora Theatre Company continues its 19th season with Minneapolis-based playwright Allison Moore's COLLAPSE. This surprising comedy, which originated as one of Aurora Theatre Company's Global Age Project (GAP) finalists last season, is the second main stage production to develop from the GAP; it will receive its main stage debut as a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere, a collaboration with Aurora Theatre Company (lead theater), Curious Theatre in Denver, and Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas.

Today we are talking to the composer of the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical NEXT TO NORMAL, Tom Kitt, about his influences - from Sondheim to Schwartz to Finn to Elton John to some of his own contemporaries - and working with Green Day on AMERICAN IDIOT and his own eponymous band, to the creation of a Broadway phenomenon by tracing the path of the show from FEELING ELECTRIC to NEXT TO NORMAL - plus, the many exciting projects that he has coming up this year and beyond, including a thorough discussion of his upcoming collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Amanda Green and Jeff Whitty on BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL and the very first news of a new, original Kitt/Yorkey musical on the horizon - and much, much more.

Aurora Theatre Company continues its 19th season with Minneapolis-based playwright Allison Moore's COLLAPSE. This surprising comedy, which originated as one of Aurora Theatre Company's Global Age Project (GAP) finalists last season, is the second main stage production to develop from the GAP; it will receive its main stage debut as a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere, a collaboration with Aurora Theatre Company (lead theater), Curious Theatre in Denver, and Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas.

Over the course of our ninety minute conversation earlier this week, Tony-winning Broadway star Alice Ripley was kind enough to open up about her role in the phenomenon of the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical NEXT TO NORMAL, which is now kicking off a US Tour beginning in Los Angeles, as well as offer thoughts on many of her significant stage roles that she has taken on over the course of her impressive and varied career. Pete Townshend and THE WHO'S TOMMY to Andrew Lloyd Webber and SUNSET BOULEVARD and TELL ME ON A SUNDAY, to Sondheim with COMPANY (as the greatest Amy of all time), and even a turn in ROCKY HORROR; Alice Ripley has seemingly done it all, and her passion, dedication and insight into her craft are amply evident in both her studied performances on stage as well as in discussing the art of acting in musical theatre in conversation and what she has taken as her inspirations to play Diana Goodman, ranging from Albee to O'Neill to actors like Cynthia Nixon, Toni Collette and more. In this portion of her most comprehensive interview to date, BroadwayWorld is proud to present Part I of InDepth InterView: Alice Ripley.

Hollywood heavyweight Rob Reiner is eager to turn the Pulitzer and Tony-winning musical, Next to Normal into a movie musical. Says Reiner to The Malibu Times: 'I'd love to do Next to Normal...It's about ordinary people, but set to music. It's funny and dark and uplifting. You know, about real stuff.'

Today, perhaps the greatest gift a Broadway baby could receive was benevolently bestowed upon me in the form of an indepth and revealing discussion with the foremost composer and lyricist of his generation, one of the greatest writers in American history in any medium - the unmatched musical and lyrical genius himself, Stephen Sondheim. In this portion of our complete discussion we discuss his new book, FINISHING THE HAT, as well as take a look back at his legendary career both in Hollywood and on Broadway. Merman to Madonna, Brecht to Barbra Streisand, COMPANY to GROUNDHOG DAY (or not) - we cover it all. See here just a glimpse of the reason why the name Stephen Sondheim means more to musical theatre than any other name in the last fifty years. Plus, his promise to - in his own immortal words from SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE - 'give us more to see' in the very near future. That moment cannot come soon enough, as any fan of theatre - or art in America, for that matter - can assuredly attest.

GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, will honor the Emmy Award-winning hit ABC show, 'Modern Family,' at tomorrow night's Respect Awards - Los Angeles, Presented by Centropolis Entertainment at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Emmy winner Rob Reiner will present the show with the Inspiration Award, and America's favorite mom, Florence Henderson, currently appearing on 'Dancing with the Stars,' will be welcoming everyone to the gala. Also being honored are Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and the GLSEN Educator of the Year, presented by Sodexo.

Today we begin a new comprehensive academic music discussion series on BroadwayWorld in which I speak to the most cutting-edge artists in the recording industry, on Broadway and in Hollywood about their influences and experiences in the industry with an emphatic emphasis on the songwriting process itself and what drives and inspires it. While these discussions may be on occasion only tangentially theatre-related, the insights provided by the various participants is a demonstrative way in which to illuminate perhaps the most mysterious of all the arts: music. Peering into the psyche of the composer and lyricist, we may begin to understand what the craft of composition and lyric-writing is all about and why musical theatre tends to attract the most talented and innovative songwriters, both in the twentieth-century and today (as this column proves).

Talk Show Listings for Monday, August 30, 2010.

Bringing together the subject of this week's InDepth InterView, Liza Minnelli, and this week's Sound Off, Stephen Sondheim, is today's Flashback Friday taking a look at some fantastically spectacular performances of Ms. Minnelli singing and words and music of Stephen Sondheim throughout the years. A song from FOLLIES given a Pet Shop Boys face-lift, a trip down MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG lane, a jazzy Mel Torme gem from DICK TRACY and a lot more than you could have ever wished for given the blazing talent and astonishing accomplishments of both legends. When Sondheim's intellectual artistry meets Liza's extroverted actorly introspection it is a combustible combination with the results more mind-blowing than you would ever even think possible even loving both! Indeed, both individuals are the very, very best of Broadway. So, see why when they meet it is pure Broadway magic.

Chock full of uncanny impersonations and behind the scenes stories from Kevin Pollak's long-standing film career, THE LITTLEST SUSPECT is a one-hour stand-up special from the comedian best known for his award-winning work as an actor in over 60 films (A Few Good Men, Casino, The Usual Suspects). In the special Pollak channels such iconic celebrities as Christopher Walken, Jack Nicholson, Larry King, William Shatner, Alan Arkin, Peter Falk and Paul Riser. Pollak recalls his numerous practical jokes over the years, particularly at the expense of such celebrity friends as Arkin & Walken.

On Thursday evening, July 22, 2010, The American Society of Music Arrangers & Composers will host the Annual Golden Score Awards, hosted by actor/producer Rob Reiner, at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City.

Chock full of uncanny impersonations and behind the scenes stories from Kevin Pollak's long-standing film career, THE LITTLEST SUSPECT is a one-hour stand-up special from the comedian best known for his award-winning work as an actor in over 60 films (A Few Good Men, Casino, The Usual Suspects). In the special Pollak channels such iconic celebrities as Christopher Walken, Jack Nicholson, Larry King, William Shatner, Alan Arkin, Peter Falk and Paul Riser. Pollak recalls his numerous practical jokes over the years, particularly at the expense of such celebrity friends as Arkin & Walken.

On Thursday evening, July 22, 2010, The American Society of Music Arrangers & Composers will host the Annual Golden Score Awards, hosted by actor/producer Rob Reiner, at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, continues its star-studded Spring 2010 season with the debut of critically acclaimed singer, songwriter and actress NELLIE McKAY from June 1 - 12.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, continues its star-studded Spring 2010 season with the debut of critically acclaimed singer, songwriter and actress NELLIE McKAY from June 1 - 12.

Comedy Legend of Stage and Screen, Rip Taylor, is scheduled to introduce 'It Ain't All Confetti' at the El Portal Theatre. Rip is one of television's most recognizable personalities and 'It Ain't All Confetti' puts a humorous and revealing spotlight on a career that has spanned five remarkable decades.

Comedy Legend of Stage and Screen, Rip Taylor, is scheduled to introduce 'It Ain't All Confetti' at the El Portal Theatre. Rip is one of television's most recognizable personalities and 'It Ain't All Confetti' puts a humorous and revealing spotlight on a career that has spanned five remarkable decades.

Comedy Legend of Stage and Screen, Rip Taylor, is scheduled to introduce 'It Ain't All Confetti' at the El Portal Theatre. Rip is one of television's most recognizable personalities and 'It Ain't All Confetti' puts a humorous and revealing spotlight on a career that has spanned five remarkable decades.