Sam Mendes News

BBC Worldwide America Sales & Distribution and PBS announced today they have signed a deal that brings a second season of the critically-acclaimed British drama CALL THE MIDWIFE to PBS, with new episodes to start airing on March 31, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

SKYFALL, the most recent installment of the James Bond adventure, has become the biggest UK release of all time, earning £94,277,612 in just 40 days. Below is the official announcement:

The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute (www.strasberg.com) will present LOVELAB by playwright Lila Feinberg, who is the first recipient of The Clifford Odets Ensemble Play Commission. The Clifford Odets Ensemble Play Commission is an annual playwriting commission that encourages early career playwrights to write plays for large ensembles of emerging actors.

America Ferrera, joined by cast members Emily Ackerman, Kristin Griffith, Ken Marks, Tobias Segal and Myra Lucretia Taylor, begins rehearsals today for Women's Project Theater's world premiere dark comedy Bethany by Laura Marks. Directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, Ms. Ferrera stars as a financially-strapped woman who discovers just how far she'll go to regain what she has lost.

The Carol Tambor Theatrical Foundation has announced the NY premiere of the critically-acclaimed production of MIDSUMMER [A PLAY WITH SONGS], written and directed by David Greig, with songs by Gordon McIntyre, from the Traverse Theatre in Scotland. MIDSUMMER comes to NY as the 2012 co-winner of the Best of Edinburgh Award given annually by the Carol Tambor Theatrical Foundation.

The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute (www.strasberg.com) will present LOVELAB by playwright Lila Feinberg, who is the first recipient of The Clifford Odets Ensemble Play Commission. The Clifford Odets Ensemble Play Commission is an annual playwriting commission that encourages early career playwrights to write plays for large ensembles of emerging actors.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY continues its Fall 2012 season with the return engagement of film, television, and theatre star PETER GALLAGHER. For his one-man show, "How'd All You People Get In My Room?," Gallagher shares real-life stories from his early days starting out as a young actor in New York, to working with legends like Jack Lemmon, Tom Stoppard, Mike Nichols, Robert Altman, Peter O'Toole and more. Joined by his four-piece band, Gallagher brings his experiences to life with songs ranging from Broadway, to music from the hit television show "The OC," to classics from Sammy Cahn, Jules Styne, Burt Bacharach and Van Morrison. When Gallagher debuted at the club in 2007, The New York Times raved that "he inhabits a song so comfortably that it flows directly out, a fusion of his own personality and the character he is playing." His new show will run through November 17 at the Loews Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street). Check out photos from his first concert below!

The New Group has announced that Brooks Ashmanskas, Vincent D'Onofrio and Zoe Kazan have joined the cast of Clive, up next in the company's 2012-2013 season. Written by Jonathan Marc Sherman and directed by and featuring Ethan Hawke in the title role, Clive begins a limited Off-Broadway engagement on January 17, 2013. Official Opening Night is set for Thursday, February 7 at 7:00pm. This production is slated through March 9 at The New Group at Theatre Row (The Acorn Theatre / 410 West 42nd Street).

Students from Lawrence Academy of Music will have a chance to appear alongside Broadway performers in Elf the Musical at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center today, November 13-18. The young performers between the ages of 5 and 12 will include Nora Austin, Pippa Austin, Gavin Burkheimer, Eleanora Dane, Izzy Dane, Roseanna Dane, Nathaniel James, August McLaughlin, Sylvia Polansky, Will Scheffler, Maura Tarnowski and Annika Urness.

Students from Lawrence Academy of Music will have a chance to appear alongside Broadway performers in Elf the Musical at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center November 13-18. The young performers between the ages of 5 and 12 will include Nora Austin, Pippa Austin, Gavin Burkheimer, Eleanora Dane, Izzy Dane, Roseanna Dane, Nathaniel James, August McLaughlin, Sylvia Polansky, Will Scheffler, Maura Tarnowski and Annika Urness.

Abingdon Theatre Company - the producer of over 77 new American plays during its 20-year history - launches its new family theatre program, the POP UP PLAYHOUSE with a one-time special concert by MyKaZoo/Universal Music recording artist Barry G along with Erin the Red of the acclaimed Dream Jam Band. The live concert featuring songs from Barry G's brand new family album, 'Huh Uh,' as well as some earlier favorites, will kick-off the POP UP PLAYHOUSE season today, November 10 at 11am in Abingdon Theatre Company's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street).

Sony Classical releases the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of SKYFALL™ today, November 6, 2012, consisting of original music written by leading film composer Thomas Newman. From Albert R. Broccoli's EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the film is the 23rd James Bond adventure and coincides with the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise.

Emmy® Award winning actress America Ferrera, best known for her fearless portrayal of Betty on ABC's hit comedy Ugly Betty, will star as a financially-strapped woman who discovers just how far she'll go to regain what she has lost in Women's Project Theater's first play of the 2012 - 2013 season, the world premiere dark comedy Bethany by Laura Marks, directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, Julie Crosby, Women's Project Theater Producing Artistic Director, announced.

Deadline reports that Tony winning SKYFALL co-writer John Logan and director Sam Mendes will soon join forces again for an upcoming Vampire Hunter drama series for TV.

The creative team behind the recent acclaimed Southwark Playhouse musicals, Parade and Mack & Mabel, are returning to the Vault to present the Broadway musical comedy, Victor/Victoria. Directed by Thom Southerland and produced by Danielle Tarento, it is currently running at The Vault at Southwark Playhouse through Saturday December 15.

The creative team behind the recent acclaimed Southwark Playhouse musicals, Parade and Mack & Mabel, are returning to the Vault to present the Broadway musical comedy, Victor/Victoria. Directed by Thom Southerland and produced by Danielle Tarento, it will run for an 8-week season in The Vault at Southwark Playhouse, now through Saturday, December 15. Check out new photos of the cast onstage below!

The latest James Bond film, SKYFALL, starring Daniel Craig will be directed by Sam Mendes. SKYFALL opens internationally on October 26 and will debut in IMAX theaters in North America on November 8 and conventional theaters on November 9. Check out a clip from the film below! Check out a clip from the latest Bond film, SKYFALL, below!