Sam Mendes News

As the momentum and excitement builds in anticipation of the Sunday, May 11th premiere, Showtime has released an all-new trailer of its highly-anticipated drama series PENNY DREADFUL. Check it out below!

In honor of the 2014 Tony Award nominations this week, we are shining a special spotlight on the first national broadcast of the Tony Awards, which occurred way back on March 26, 1967, with CABARET becoming the big winner of the night (and back on Broadway this season, as a matter of fact).

Last night I had the particular privilege of discussing the intricacies and intrigue of William Shakespeare's legendary history play RICHARD III with one of the greatest actors of our age and a true patron of the arts - two-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey. Discussing the finer points of his characterization of the hunchback antihero, Spacey paints a vivid portrait of his experiences in reteaming with his AMERICAN BEAUTY collaborator, director Sam Mendes, on bringing a truly 21st century take on the classic play to the stage - and then bringing the production all the way from the hallowed ground of Spacey's own The Old Vic in London, to the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City to a whirlwind worldwide tour spanning the globe. NOW, a compelling new documentary following the project from rehearsal through to opening night and ensuing world tour is set to be released next month and is highlighted by the fly-on-the-wall intimacy and access it provides viewers, as well as offering copious performance footage of Spacey and company in action onstage. Additionally, Spacey and I address and analyze the undeniable connections between RICHARD III and his super-successful Netflix dramatic series HOUSE OF CARDS, touching upon not only the dramatic parallels, but the lucky sequence of events that made the entire endeavor possible in the first place. After all, Frank Underwood is the modern Richard III in many ways - bloodlust, ambition, ego, humor and darkness included; but, also, the humanity. Plus, Spacey expresses his enthusiasm for starting work on Season Three of the series now that they have been granted Maryland filming tax breaks once again, which was holding up production until this week. Besides all of that, Spacey also clues us in on his future endeavors of interest, mentioning his spate of recent musical performances and his desire to pursue a musical role once again sometime soon following his acclaimed turn as Bobby Darin in musical biopic BEYOND THE SEA. FOLLIES, perhaps?! A wide-ranging conversation with a stage and screen mega-star like none other awaits in today's special spotlight.

According to Deadline, Allison Janney has signed on to join SPY, starring Melissa McCarthy and written and directed by Paul Feig.

Two-time Olivier Award winner Simon Russell Beale's performance in the title role of William Shakespeare's KING LEAR, directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, will be seen by cinema audiences worldwide when NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE broadcasts the production live from the National's Olivier Theatre today, May 1, 2014, with varying dates internationally and encore screenings to follow.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: HERE LIES LOVE, THE FABULOUS MISS MARIE and TOO MUCH SUN begin today off-Broadway!

Cabaret opened on Thursday, April 24 to rave reviews.

Red Bull Theater has announced the Sixth Annual RUNNING OF THE RED BULLS BENEFIT on Monday June 2nd, at 6pm, celebrating their 10th Anniversary and honoring Juliet Rylance, ART/New York, and Olympia Dukakis with the 2014 Matador Awards For Excellence In Classical Theater

The Sam Mendes/Rob Marshall revival extends the daring nature of the Harold Prince original.

Most people never get the opportunity to experience theatre life on the road firsthand but now, thanks to Kevin Spacey and director Sam Mendes, everyone is able to go along for an amazing ride in the new documentary, NOW: In the Wings on a World Stage. The 90-minute film follows twenty British and American actors on a whirlwind ten month international tour of Richard III and will be available for digital download beginning May 2.

Atlantic Theater Company has announced full casting for Nancy Harris' play OUR NEW GIRL, directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch. Lisa Joyce, Henry Kelemen and CJ Wilson will join previously-announced Atlantic Theater Company founding member Mary McCann for the US premiere production.

SHOWTIME is offering viewers nationwide a chance to sample its highly-anticipated new drama PENNY DREADFUL across multiple platforms in advance of its series premiere in two weeks.

The company of Cabaret just celebrated their opening with the Gypsy Robe ritual. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you full photo coverage below!

During a performance of Cabaret, Alan Cumming banged his head and couldn't perform the second half of the show. Cumming told Jimmy Fallon all about the experience and his time in Cabaret.

On Monday, April 28, 2014, The New York Pops marks its 31st birthday with a grand gala evening celebrating the work of composer, lyricist, and arranger Marc Shaiman and director, lyricist, and writer Scott Wittman

Roundabout Theatre Company opened officially last night April 24, 2014 at the newly transformed Kit Kat Klub at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th Street). The revival stars Alan Cumming in his Tony Award-winning role as 'Emcee' and three-time Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams as 'Sally Bowles'. Tickets are now available through January 4, 2015. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the red carpet arrivals!

Roundabout Theatre Company opened officially last night April 24, 2014 at the newly transformed Kit Kat Klub at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th Street). The revival stars Alan Cumming in his Tony Award-winning role as 'Emcee' and three-time Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams as 'Sally Bowles'. Tickets are now available through January 4, 2015. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was on hand at the after party, where he got to chat with Cumming about bringing the character back to life, Williams about making her Broadway debut, and so much more!

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include a look at HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH starring Neil Patrick Harris, photo coverage of a REEFER MADNESS benefit concert, a peek at the opening night curtain calls of VIOLET, CABARET, THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, and more!

Roundabout Theatre Company opened officially last night April 24, 2014 at the newly transformed Kit Kat Klub at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th Street). The revival stars Alan Cumming in his Tony Award-winning role as 'Emcee' and three-time Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams as 'Sally Bowles'. Tickets are now available through January 4, 2015. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the after party!

Roundabout Theatre Company opened officially last night April 24, 2014 at the newly transformed Kit Kat Klub at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th Street). The revival stars Alan Cumming in his Tony Award-winning role as 'Emcee' and three-time Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams as 'Sally Bowles'. Tickets are now available through January 4, 2015. BroadwayWorld was there for all of the opening night festivities and you can check out photos from the first curtain call below!