Jessica Khan - Page 59

BACK TO THE FUTURE will be tuning its DeLorean time machine's 'flux capacitor' to a different frequency when it travels to the West End in musical form next year.

John Tartaglia, Tony-nominated actor who has appeared on Broadway in Shrek, Avenue Q, Hair and Beauty and the Beast, as well as TV's Sesame Street, has a long history of collaborating with The New York Pops. He will reunite with the Pops' Music Director Steven Reineke this Saturday to narrate a brand new family concert version of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. Tartaglia recently chatted with BWW about guiding the audience through what he hopes will become a new holiday tradition, using his family programming background to his advantage, and directing the new musical Because of Winn Dixie, currently running in Little Rock.

Steven Reineke, Music Director of The New York Pops, is hoping to bring the true meaning of Christmas to Carnegie Hall this Saturday with a brand new family concert version of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, based on the beloved TV special by Charles M. Schulz. Reineke recently spoke with BWW about adapting A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS for the stage and the collaborative power behind it.

Donna Vivino, who starred for two years as 'Elphaba' in the First National Tour of WICKED and also in the role on Broadway, just released a jazzy new album called 'Beautiful Dreamer' via Ghostlight Records. This is Donna's first album, which came about in a spur-of-the-moment collaboration with her father, Jerry Vivino, who is part of Conan's Basic Cable Band -- the house band for O'Brien's late night show on TBS. Donna recently spoke with BWW about working with her father, her current project off-Broadway, and the upcoming third season of 'Submissions Only'.

Tonight, December 5 at 11:30 p.m., Elizabeth Wasser will bring her show 'Fate, Fury, and Musical Theatre' to 54 Below.

On December 5 at 11:30 p.m., Elizabeth Wasser will bring her show 'Fate, Fury, and Musical Theatre' to 54 Below.

Actress Laila Robins has seen Broadway, the big screen and the small screen. But lately she has poured her soul onto the off-Broadway stage and into her character 'Marian Apple Platt', a role she originated in 2010 as part of The Apple Family Plays: Scenes from Life in the Country. BroadwayWorld recently spoke with Robins about the challenges and joys of revisiting 'Marian' afresh and being part of the fictional, liberal Apple family of Rhinebeck, New York, whose actors have become like a family of their own.

Cone Man Running Productions presents the world premiere of EYE OF THE STORM: TALES FROM HURRICANE IKE by Fernando Dovalina, directed by Steve Carpentier.

The Daily Mail reports that a year after the first incarnation of FINDING NEVERLAND closed in the West End, the musical has undergone a transformation for the better -- with the help of a little pixie dust and a lot of new songs, new talent and streamlined plot. The musical is now aiming for a Spring 2014 run at A.R.T. in Boston before heading back to the West End and on to Broadway.

Noted thespian and screen actor Val Kilmer (currently starring onstage in his show Citizen Twain at the Pasadena Playhouse) Tweeted today: 'Give Ben a chance!'

Cone Man Running Productions presents the world premiere of EYE OF THE STORM: TALES FROM HURRICANE IKE by Fernando Dovalina, directed by Steve Carpentier.

Composer and lyricist Dan Messé of Hem revealed on the band's Facebook page on August 13 that he is currently working on the Broadway adaptation of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's 2001 film AMELIE.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that GREY'S ANATOMY star Sandra Oh, known for her long-time portrayal of 'Cristina Yang' since the series debuted 2005 on ABC, will not be returning after season 10.

After starring as 'Rita' in two workshop productions of the musical adaptation of the film MADE IN DAGENHAM, Gemma Arterton is officially the producers' top pick to star in the show when it comes to the West End. The Daily Mail reports that backer Stage Entertainment is meeting with theatre owners to scout a Fall 2014, mid-sized house for MADE IN DAGENHAM's stage debut.

Deadline.com reports that Meryl Streep is in talks to join Jeff Bridges in the upcoming film adaptation of Lois Lowry's award-winning, YA novel THE GIVER, directed by Phil Noyce.

Deadline reports that Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro will co-star in THE GOOD HOUSE, a romantic drama from FilmNation Entertainment and Tribeca.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that STAR TREK and STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are in talks to write the franchise's next film for Paramount and Skydance Productions. Director J.J. Abrams is currently in negotiations to produce STAR TREK 3 through Bad Robot.

The Smurfs are making a tiny impression with THE SMURFS 2's blue first week in theaters. After five days, the movie's total domestic gross is sitting at $27.8 million, according to Deadline.com. This is far behind the $35.6 million the 2011 Smurfs pic drew in its first three days.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that Zack Snyder is beginning to look at actors for the role of Batman in the upcoming Man of Steel sequel. This Bruce Wayne/Batman will be in his late 30s or early 40s. Among the frontrunners are Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Joe Manganiello, Richard Armitage, Max Martini and Matthew Goode.

The Associated Press reports that actress Valerie Harper has returned to work following the news that she has been diagnosed with incurable brain cancer. She is filming in Vancouver for the TV movie THE TOWN THAT CAME A-COURTIN', which is set to air in January 2014 on Canada's UP cable channel.