Sony Pictures Entertainment News

The New York Times has just announced that rehearsals for the much-delayed and much anticipated SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark, will officially begin on August 16, 2010. According to the report, some choreography and aerial flying lessons began on Monday for some of the cast, including Spidey himself, Reeve Carney.

Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that songbird Patti LaBelle will be joining the Broadway cast of FELA! in September as Fela's mother. She will be filling in for Lillias White, who has concert obligations in Australia that month.

SPIDER-MAN has made headlines again. The New York Times reports that press agent Adrian Bryan-Brown of Boneau/Bryan-Brown has cut ties with Broadway's upcoming SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK. Bryan-Brown's Thursday statement noted that he 'made the personal decision to resign this week,' and looked forward to seeing the production on Broadway. He has been working on the show for the past three years. The lead producer of the show, Michael Cohl, has accepted the resignation and appointed Rick Miramontez, president of firm O&M, to head future press for SPIDER-MAN.

The New York Times reports that Femi Kuti, son of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, saw FELA! while in New York on Sunday. Previously, Kuti would not see the production unless it was brought to Lagos, where his father originally built the nightclub. On Saturday, over a World Cup viewing with FELA! co-conceiver and producer Stephen Hendel, Kuti was promised the show will see a production in Lagos. Said Hendel: 'We're going to keep our word.'

As fans of TBS's acclaimed series MY BOYS eagerly await the launch of the fourth season, TBS is offering new and returning viewers a chance to catch up on what happened during the third season. The day before the new season begins, TBS will present a three-hour marathon of the best episodes from last season. The MY BOYS marathon kicks off Saturday, July 24, at 12:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The fourth season of the series launches Sunday, July 25, with two back-to-back episodes at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).

As fans of TBS's acclaimed series MY BOYS eagerly await the launch of the fourth season, TBS is offering new and returning viewers a chance to catch up on what happened during the third season.

The bloodthirsty vampires are back October 5th when 30 Days of Night: Dark Days -- the action-packed sequel to the globally successful franchise -- arrives on DVD and in a Blu-rayTM + DVD Combo pack from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Casting for the London production of FELA! has been announced, Grace Notes reports. As previously reported on BroadwayWorld, the production will star Sahr Ngaujah, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway production, as Nigerian composer and activist Fela Kuti. The production will also star Paulette Ivory and Melanie Marshall.

Fela!, recipient of three 2010 Tony Awards including Best Choreography, will celebrate its 250th performance on Wednesday, June 30 @ 8pm. Produced by Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, this critically acclaimed show based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Kuti, began performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on October 19 and opened to rave reviews on November 23.

In an interview with Examiner out yesterday, Reeve Carney reveals that SPIDER-MAN is indeed gearing up for rehearsals at last, beginning on August 10, 2010. Currently on tour with the UK band, Athlete, Carney's band, Carney, will play a final show in Chicago for 'Taste of Chicago' on July 4th and together head to New York to begin rehearsals for the show. The three additional members of the Carney band will play in SPIDER-MAN's orchestra pit.

Damiano_to_Play_Mary_Jane_in_SpiderMan_20010101 Variety reports today that SPIDER-MAN, Turn Off the Dark is yet one step closer to opening at the Hilton Theatre on Broadway, as Marvel Comics has granted the production a 5th (and an alleged final) extension on the rights, in anticipation of a November or December opening. Previews would begin in October.

AMC announced today the renewal of its Emmy(R) Award-winning and critically acclaimed drama series 'Breaking Bad' for a fourth season, continuing the network's momentum in delivering the best original storytelling on television. From acclaimed writer/producer/director Vince Gilligan ('The X-Files'), the series follows the story of a desperate man who turns to a life of crime to secure his family's financial security. 'Breaking Bad's' first two seasons awarded Bryan Cranston the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, which marked the only time an actor from basic cable has ever been recognized with back-to-back Emmy Awards.

The American Theatre Wing's 64th Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 13, 2010 and broadcast on the CBS Television Network. For more information visit tonyawards.com.

Make sure the kids are in bed because Henson puppets are about to unleash their inner tabloid personalities as GSN (Game Show Network) debuts LATE NIGHT LIARS. The original new late night comedy game show, produced by Henson Alternative, is set in the glamorous, cocktail-soaked world of five outrageous puppets - who also happen to be celebrities. Actor-comedian Larry Miller ('10 Things I Hate About You,' 'Best In Show') serves as ringleader, er, host of the late-night shenanigans. LATE NIGHT LIARS features the brilliant puppet design of Henson Alternative, a label of The Jim Henson Company for content specifically and exclusively for adults. LATE NIGHT LIARS premieres on Thursday, June 10 at 11 PM (ET/PT), only on GSN.

The New York Times is repoting that Jennifer Damiano who just announced her July 18th departure from NEXT TO NORMAL has already found her next role - love interest Mary Jane Watson, in the upcoming SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark which is said to be on track for a late 2010 opening.

Feel like you have the best seat in the house when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases the one-time only live event Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) on Blu-ray DiscTM and DVD on June 8, 2010. Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) delivers the magic of a historic performance by members of the Monty Python troupe celebrating their 40th Anniversary with a song oratorio inspired by the cult film The Life of Brian at London's Royal Albert Hall. The performance features a rare on-stage reunion of Python troupe members Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, and Terry Gilliam. Brand new special features include three behind-the-stage featurettes and 6 sing-a-long songs, along with BD-LiveTM functionality on the Blu-ray Disc version.

Audiences around the world will be able to experience FELA!, the new hit Broadway musical about the life and music of legendary Nigerian performer and political activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, when it is broadcast in January 2011 on movie screens around the globe as part of NT Live, the initiative by London's National Theatre to broadcast live performances of plays to a world audience.

The top-rated and quirky comedic drama series on Lifetime TV comes to DVD June 1st when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment debuts Drop Dead Diva: Season One. This unique series from Sony Pictures Television which was a network surprise hit from last summer, stars Brooke Elliott (Broadway's 'Taboo') as a shallow wannabe model who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney, Jane. Comedian Margaret Cho (TV's 'All American Girl') also stars in the series which features guest appearances by Rosie O'Donnell (The Rosie O'Donnell Show), Paula Abdul (TV's 'American Idol'), Tim Gunn (TV's 'Project Runway'), Liza Minnelli (Cabaret, Arthur), Sharon Lawrence (TV's 'Monk'), Kathy Najimy (TV's 'King of the Hill'), Delta Burke (TV's 'Designing Women') and Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding). Drop Dead Diva: Season One contains exclusive bonus content including short films, deleted scenes and all-new behind-the-scenes featurettes. The DVD will be available for $39.95.

A new exhibition at the International Center of Photography will offer an innovative view of the Civil Rights Movement and the catalytic social role played by changing portrayals of African Americans in the 1950s and ‘60s.

The upcoming SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark musical was scheduled to begin previews on February 25, 2010. Financial troubles and a makeover of the producing team has delayed the opening to an undetermined date next season. Auditions for the role of Mary Jane Watson (formerly held by Evan Rachel Wood) and for the ensemble were held in April. The production's home will remain at the Hilton Theatre.