Charlie Piane - Page 34

Andrew Garfield, who will star in the upcoming 'Spider-Man' film - the fourth in the series - has admitted that he can certainly relate to his future onscreen role. The actor told the Daily Mail that he and 'Peter Parker' (the secret identity of the web-slinging hero) share a common experience; they were both bullied in school.

On the heels of its most successful season yet, Taproot Theatre Company opens its 35th Anniversary Season with The Odyssey, a mythic tale of epic proportions re-told by playwright Mary Zimmerman with her trademark humor, witty twists and imagination. Homer's ancient Greek epic comes alive with mythological monsters, gods and adventurers and one of the most enduring stories in history. The Odyssey-an adaptation based on Robert Fitzgerald's translation of Homer's poem, and directed by producing artistic director Scott Nolte-kicks off the 2011 season with an opening night on February 4. The production runs through March 5, with previews on February 2 and 3.

Soul/R&B legend Betty Wright has signed with S-Curve records following a 2011 Grammy nomination for her bold new song 'Go!' in the Traditional R&B Vocal category. Recorded live and clocking in at ten minutes long, the song takes a gritty, unflinching and ultimately courageous look at domestic violence.

Celebrated performer Lorna Luft visited LX New York to talk family memories and her new show, 'Songs My Mother Taught Me: The Judy Garland Sondbook.'

Five years ago, Ted Haggard was on top of the world. He was the leader of the National Association of Evangelicals. He led 30 million Christian conservatives spread over 45,000 churches. And his organization had massive political influence, reaching all the way to the White House. Then an international scandal broke out: he was caught having a shocking sexual encounter with a male prostitute over a lengthy period of time. Pastor Haggard also revealed he had been using crystal meth. His world was turned upside down when the male prostitute went public with the secret life Haggard had been leading the controversy forced Haggard to leave his powerful position at the NAE. He, his wife Gayle (author of best-selling book 'Why I Stayed') and their five children were exiled from their hometown of Colorado Springs. For the past four years Haggard and his family have been desperately trying to rebuild their lives.

Following BET Networks' successful syndicate acquisition in February 2009 and hearing the tremendous response from fans, the 'San Diego Sabers' and their significant others will make a return to television on BET on Tuesday, January 11 at 10:00 p.m.* with the hour-premiere of the 4th season of THE GAME.

Terry Crews, America's favorite TV dad is back for another season of THE FAMILY CREWS, granting viewers an honest, glance of what it is like to have a successful career in Hollywood, while keeping your faith intact and your family fulfilled. The second season of THE FAMILY CREWS premieres Sunday, March 6 at 8:00 p.m.*

Toya, who made her debut on BET's hit series TINY & TOYA, is back with a new series TOYA: A FAMILY AFFAIR, premiering Tuesday, April 19 at 10:00 p.m.* Viewers will follow her fearless journey as she continues to carve out a personal and professional path for herself while dealing with the burden of keeping her troubled family together and out of the perils of street life.

Count Dracula, the world's most famous vampire, returns to the New York stage this fall in DRACULA by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston, based on the eponymous novel by Bram Stoker, opened January 5 at the Little Shubert Theatre (442 West 42nd Street). Paul Alexander directs the production, which began previews December 14. Based on the world-famous novel by Bram Stoker, DRACULA is the classic Gothic drama about the power of seduction and the nature of true love.

The winners of the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS 2011 were announced during the live broadcast at the Nokia Theater, L.A. Live on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011 (9:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

After sweeping the 2008 Tony Awards and enchanting audiences throughout the country, the Lincoln Center Theater Production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC - featuring the largest orchestra of any Broadway production currently on tour - will land at Prudential Hall in the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) for an eight performance run starting Wednesday, January 26, 2011.

Polish Canadian pianist Daniel Wnukowski (vnoo-KOV-skee) is performing a homecoming recital on Friday, February 4 at Glenn Gould Studio, 8 PM. A highly gifted artist who left Ontario at age 15 to pursue studies in Europe and the US, Mr. Wnukowski will perform a concert entitled 'Heaven and Hell: A Year of Liszt'. The repertoire features demonic and blissful works of Franz Liszt as well as the lyrical and dramatic works of Polish composers Chopin and Szymanowski.

Nashville Symphony concert to be broadcast nationwide via NPR on Thursday, January 6, at 7 p.m.

The Family Theatre At the Grove Theatre in downtown Upland begins its 2011 season with The Jungle Book on January 15, 2011 at 2:00 pm. The Jungle Book is the story of Mowgli, the man-cub, who is raised by wolves. Shere Kahn, the tiger and King of the Jungle, decides that Mowgli is no longer welcome in the Jungle, so Bagheera, the Panther, plans to guide Mowgli to safety.

Next Theatre Company is proud to announce the Midwest premiere of J.T. Rogers' Madagascar, directed by Kimberly Senior, January 20 - February 20, 2011 927 Noyes Street in Evanston.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that seven films remain in the running in the Visual Effects category for the 83rd Academy Awards®.

Today, maurices announced the winner of its 'Small Town Sound' nationwide band search. After several months of competition, fans voted Illinois-based band Audri & Aaron through the final round and named them the hottest female-fronted band in the country. maurices, the leading small town specialty store and fashion authority with 760+ stores nationwide, created the 'Small Town Sound' contest in partnership with PlayNetwork and Sonicbids.

NBC is offering viewers a sneak peek at the new NBC series 'The Cape' (two-hour premiere Sunday, January 9, 9-11p.m. ET). In a special promotion, DC Comics will offer viewers the chance to view the one-hour pilot episode of 'The Cape' via their free comic book iPad application during the week preceding the show's premiere on NBC - January 5 through January 8. This is the first time DC Comics has offered long form video through their iPad application (which is also available for the iPhone) and Digital Comics Store. 'The Cape' will move to its regular timeslot on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET starting January 17th. The series stars David Lyons ('ER') as Vince Faraday, a cop who is unjustly accused of a crime and becomes a secret crime fighter.

TV Land celebrates Betty White's 89th birthday by giving stars and fans the opportunity to honor everyone's golden girl with birthday wishes and personal video messages via a birthday card that is on the 'Hot in Cleveland' Facebook page.

Over the past several years, the debate over same-sex marriage has split the country, deeply divided religious communities, and galvanized American politics. Caught is a contemporary play which examines this contentious debate through the life of one American family. The story centers around the upcoming wedding of Kenneth and Troy, a committed gay couple living in Los Angeles. Kenneth's estranged, culturally-conservative sister, Darlene, and her daughter Krystal unexpectedly visit the couple's home from south Georgia only days before the event. Through this set of circumstances, Caught explores the meaning of 'marriage,' and how the family can find a way to meet in the middle while navigating long-standing religious values and staying true to each's core beliefs.