Tony Plana News

Second Stage Theatre's production of THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST, written by 2012 Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegria Hudes and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson, begins performances tonight, February 11.

Lone Star Theatre Co. will present a night of music by Texas composer Paul Cozby Jan. 27 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre as part of their on-going series TX MUSIC / NY STAGES.

LAUREN VELEZ, best known for her role as Captain Maria LaGuerta on the hit Showtime series, "Dexter," will play the role of Yaz in the upcoming Second Stage Theatre production of THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegria Hudes and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Ms. Velez replaces the previously announced Elizabeth Rodriguez.

Award-winning Broadway, film and TV actor Tony Plana (Ugly Betty) and actor-singer-comedian Ada Maris are among singers slated to perform the songs of writer/composer Paul Cozby Monday, Jan. 27, at 8 p.m. at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Lone Star Theatre Co. presents the evening in its "Texas Music/New York Stages" series-Only Humans Like My Music-The Songs of Paul Cozby.

Grammy Award-nominated musician Nelson Gonzalez has joined the creative team of the upcoming Second Stage Theatre production of THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST, written by 2012 Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegria Hudes and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Mr. Gonzalez, who is widely considered the master of the Cuban Tres guitar, will oversee the production's musical elements and will lead a live band during performances.

As previously announced, Red Bull Theater will present two RUSSIAN READINGS by Vladimir Nabokov and Alexander Ostrovsky on December 9 and December 16 as part of its OBIE Award-winning Revelation Readings Series. Today, the all-star casts for the two readings have been announced, boasting a roster which includes Jonathan Groff, Tovah Feldshuh, Stephen Spinella, and more.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director), currently celebrating its 35th Anniversary season, has announced the complete cast for its upcoming production of THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST, written by 2012 Pulitzer Prize winnerQuiara Alegria Hudes and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The company will feature ANTHONY CHISHOLM (Radio Golf, Jitney), DARIUSH KASHANI (Homebody/Kabul), TONY PLANA (Ugly Betty), ARMANDO RIESCO (2ST's Water by the Spoonful), ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ (Motherf***er with the Hat, Orange is the New Black), and ANNAPURNA SRIRAM (Pericles at Berkeley Rep).

The Public Theater just opened The Foundry Theatre's GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN by Bertolt Brechton, and the American premiere of GRASSES OF A THOUSAND COLORS last night, October 29. With a translation by John Willett and directed by Lear deBessonet, GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN will run through Sunday, November 24. GRASSES OF A THOUSAND COLORS will run through Sunday, November 24.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company's annual Free For All is a much-loved Washington tradition, offering free Shakespeare performances to the general public for the past 22 years. This year the beloved tradition launches the Company's 2013-2014 Season by reviving Much Ado About Nothing, initially presented during the 2011-2012 Season with original direction by Ethan McSweeny. Much Ado About Nothing will run at STC's Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from today, August 20-September 1, 2013. Resident Assistant Director Jenny Lord will direct this delightful summer comedy for residents and visitors to D.C.

Back for its sixth summer, the Fordham Alumni Company will for the first time host a weekend of film screenings created by Fordham Alumni. The sister program to the company's FRESH ART festival the weekend before, The CANNED Art weekend showcases work Fordham Alumni have finished creating, saved for prosperity in the can. A variety of feature length and short films, documentaries, as well as web-series and sketches will be shown. All screenings will be presented at the Wild Project (195 E. 3rd St., NYC). Admission is $5 per film. In addition, audience members can purchase a $12 “RamPass” to see 3 or more films. To purchase tickets in advance visit www.thewildproject.com. Specific screening information is as follows:

Back for its sixth summer, the Fordham Alumni Company will for the first time host a weekend of film screenings created by Fordham Alumni. The sister program to the company's FRESH ART festival the weekend before, The CANNED Art weekend showcases work Fordham Alumni have finished creating, saved for prosperity in the can. A variety of feature length and short films, documentaries, as well as web-series and sketches will be shown. All screenings will be presented at the Wild Project (195 E. 3rd St., NYC). Admission is $5 per film. In addition, audience members can purchase a $12 “RamPass” to see 3 or more films. To purchase tickets in advance visit www.thewildproject.com. Specific screening information is as follows:

The Shakespeare Theatre Company's annual Free For All is a much-loved Washington tradition, offering free Shakespeare performances to the general public for the past 22 years. This year the beloved tradition launches the Company's 2013-2014 Season by reviving Much Ado About Nothing, initially presented during the 2011-2012 Season with original direction by Ethan McSweeny. Much Ado About Nothing will run at STC's Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from August 20-September 1, 2013. Resident Assistant Director Jenny Lord will direct this delightful summer comedy for residents and visitors to D.C.

The Lifetime Original Movie JODI ARIAS: DIRTY LITTLE SECRET, based on the disturbing murder trial that is captivating the nation, averaged 3.1 million Total Viewers

The Lifetime Original Movie Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret, based on the disturbing murder trial that is captivating the nation, averaged 3.1 million Total Viewers (+55% versus Lifetime's 2013 original movie average), 1.3 million Adults 25-54 viewers (+58%), 1.2 million Adults 18-49 viewers (+75%), 927,000 Women 25-54 (+51%) viewers and 870,000 Women 18-49 (+67%) viewers in its world premiere Saturday night, according to Nielsen Research.

On the heels of Jodi Arias' murder conviction last week, Lifetime today announced that its original movie Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret will make its world premiere tonight, June 22, at 8:00pm ET/PT.

On the heels of Jodi Arias' murder conviction last week, Lifetime today announced that its original movie Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret will make its world premiere on Saturday, June 22, at 8:00pm ET/PT.

As part of its ongoing series Changing the Picture, sponsored by Time Warner, Inc., Museum of the Moving Image will present the documentary film Latinos Beyond Reel: Challenging a Media Stereotype followed by a town-hall discussion about the role of Latinos in the media and the obstacles they face in representation within mainstream culture. The program, today, April 28, at 5:30 p.m., will feature appearances by Miguel Picker, co-director of Latinos Beyond Reel; actress Liza Colon-Zayas (Law and Order: SVU, Louie); actor Tony Plana (Ugly Betty, Three Amigos, Resurrection Blvd.); Maria Agui Carter, Chair, National Association of Latino Independent Producers; and will be moderated by Museum trustee Warrington Hudlin. The program was organized by independent filmmaker Edwin Pagan, a producer of Latinos Beyond Reel.

As part of its ongoing series Changing the Picture, sponsored by Time Warner, Inc., Museum of the Moving Image will present the documentary film Latinos Beyond Reel: Challenging a Media Stereotype followed by a town-hall discussion about the role of Latinos in the media and the obstacles they face in representation within mainstream culture. The program, on Sunday, April 28, at 5:30 p.m., will feature appearances by Miguel Picker, co-director of Latinos Beyond Reel; actress Liza Colon-Zayas (Law and Order: SVU, Louie); actor Tony Plana (Ugly Betty, Three Amigos, Resurrection Blvd.); Maria Agui Carter, Chair, National Association of Latino Independent Producers; and will be moderated by Museum trustee Warrington Hudlin. The program was organized by independent filmmaker Edwin Pagan, a producer of Latinos Beyond Reel.

The Company Members of Labyrinth Theater Company, the award-winning, downtown ensemble, have announced today casting for its upcoming NEWYORKNEWYORK Festival Marathon Weekend, which will feature forty-eight hours of free, round-the-clock readings of plays centered around New York themes - iconic playwrights, vibrant cultures, urban ideals, and more. Over 180 actors will participate in the marathon weekend of free play readings including: Max Casella, Sarita Chowdhury, Liza Colon-Zayas, Kieran Culkin, Tony Danza, John Doman, Tate Donovan, Halley Feiffer, Michael Kelly, Elizabeth Kemp, Josh Hamilton, Sarah Nina Hayon, Florencia Lozano, Julia Murney, Tony Plana, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Julia Stiles, Marlo Thomas, and Yul Vazquez. The marathon will feature classic works by over twenty esteemed New York playwrights, including Maria Irene Fornes, Lorraine Hansberry, David Henry Hwang, Kenneth Lonnergan, Arthur Miller, Clifford Odets, Miguel Pinero, and more.