Al Franken News

COMEDY CENTRAL has announced today the launch of 'COMEDY CENTRAL's Indecision' Election Companion,' a new iOS-optimized election news and political humor app.

The Old Globe today announced principal casting for the Globe's 2012 Shakespeare Festival. Craig Noel Award winner Jay Whittaker returns to the Festival for his third consecutive season to appear in the title role of William Shakespeare's Richard III. He will also appear as Oliver in Shakespeare's As You Like It. Also returning to the Festival are Craig Noel Award winner Robert Foxworth and Adrian Sparks, who will take to the courtroom floor as titanic lawyers Henry Drummond and Matthew Harrison Brady, respectively, in the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee classic Inherit the Wind. Foxworth, an Old Globe Associate Artist, will also play Lord Hastings in Richard III, and Sparks will play Lord Mayor of London in Richard III and Corin in As You Like It. Festival veteran Dana Green will star as Rosalind, and Dan Amboyer, new to the Festival stage, will play Orlando, the object of her affections, in As You Like It. Green will also play Queen Elizabeth in Richard III. Amboyer will also be featured as Bertram Cates in Inherit the Wind and the Earl of Richmond in Richard III. Festival newcomer Jacques C. Smith will play Jacques in As You Like It, the Duke of Buckingham in Richard III and Mr. Meeker in Inherit the Wind. Adrian Noble returns for his third outing as Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Festival and will helm As You Like It and Inherit the Wind. Renowned British director Lindsay Posner makes his debut at the Globe with his production of Richard III. Noble recently directed the World Premiere stage version of The King's Speech, which is currently touring England, and Posner's hit revival of Noises Off is currently playing at London's Old Vic and will transfer to the West End in March. The 2012 Shakespeare Festival, performed in repertory in the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, runs June 3 - Sept. 30, 2012.

As BroadwayWorld previously announced, Gerald Goehring, Michael F. Mitri and Dorothy Berloni are developing BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE, a new Broadway musical based on the popular 2000 novel by Kate DeCamillo. Casting for a developmental reading is currently underway and set to take place in early March. This is set to be followed by an out of town engagement and Broadway production, the timing of which will be confirmed at a later date.

Gerald Goehring, Michael F. Mitri and Dorothy Berloni are developing BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE, a new Broadway musical based on the popular 2000 novel by Kate DeCamillo. A developmental reading will be staged in early 2012, followed by an out of town engagement and Broadway production, the timing of which will be confirmed at a later date.

Broadway star Christiane Noll, Tony nominated for her role as Mother in the revival of Ragtime, and Composer/Lyricist Scott Alan have released a brand new Christmas song which is now available on iTunes.

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts announces the 2011 Wolf Trap Ball, the organization's largest annual fundraising event, will take place Saturday, September 17 on the Filene Center stage at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts announces the 2011 Wolf Trap Ball, the organization's largest annual fundraising event, will take place Saturday, September 17 on the Filene Center stage at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.

Seinfeld mocked it. Letterman put it on one of his Top Ten lists. More than 15 years later, the McDonald's coffee case continues to be cited as a prime example of how citizens use 'frivolous' lawsuits to take unfair advantage of America's legal system. But is that an accurate portrayal of the facts?

Seinfeld mocked it. Letterman put it on one of his Top Ten lists. More than 15 years later, the McDonald's coffee case continues to be cited as a prime example of how citizens use 'frivolous' lawsuits to take unfair advantage of America's legal system. But is that an accurate portrayal of the facts?

The Nora Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Cambridge playwright Amy Merrill and renowned folksinger and activist Si Kahn's romantic musical comedy, SILVER SPOON.

Tony nominee Christiane Noll (Ragtime) will play Yum-Yum in The Mikado from March 11-13 with the Eugene Opera. The production's cast also includes Nicholas Isherwood, Joel Andrew Weiss, Jamie LaVerdiere, Brooke Cagno and Anne Allgood.

Tony nominee Christiane Noll (Ragtime) will play Yum-Yum in The Mikado from March 11-13 with the Eugene Opera. The production's cast also includes Nicholas Isherwood, Joel Andrew Weiss, Jamie LaVerdiere, Brooke Cagno and Anne Allgood.

The Hive Theatre Company is pleased to present The Hive Exposed Series; staged readings of new and underexposed plays.

The Hive Theatre Company is pleased to present The Hive Exposed Series; staged readings of new and underexposed plays.

Mel Brooks has taken a giant tumble off the mountaintop on which he stood following the success of THE PRODUCERS. To think about it, THE PRODUCERS revealed itself not to be one of the greats as soon as Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick departed. Performers mean an awful lot in a Broadway musical. It seems the Brooks machine is willing to trade gifted star performers (they got to be stars for a reason, you know) for a more immediate return of profit. Seems to be unwise for them, and certainly not a reason for the audience to rejoice. But, on to the show.

San Diego Theatres continues to offer a wide range of the best entertainment for their audiences with the announcement of a full 2010-2011 BALBOA THEATRE SEASON! Following the initial 2010 presentations of Video Games Live and 'An Evening with' Mary Chapin Carpenter and Craig Shoemaker will be the previously announced Bellydance Superstars' BOMBAY BELLYWOOD on Sunday, October 3; 4TROOPS on Thursday, October 7; and DRUMLINE LIVE on Wednesday, October 13.

Some of the biggest names in music and the Writers Guild of America, East are urging the White House and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to act immediately to secure Net Neutrality and protect the future of music.

San Diego Theatres continues to offer a wide range of the best entertainment for their audiences with the announcement of a full 2010-2011 BALBOA THEATRE SEASON! Following the initial 2010 presentations of Video Games Live and 'An Evening with' Mary Chapin Carpenter and Craig Shoemaker will be the previously announced Bellydance Superstars' BOMBAY BELLYWOOD on Sunday, October 3; 4TROOPS on Thursday, October 7; and DRUMLINE LIVE on Wednesday, October 13.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 135 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2010 to the Academy's roster of voting members. Included in this year's list are Tony Award nominees James Gandolfini (GOD OF CARNAGE) and Anna Kendrick (HIGH SOCIETY), Drama Desk nominee Carey Mulligan (THE SEAGULL), director Adam Shankman ('Hairspray'), and musicians Bono & The Edge (SPIDERMAN: TURN OFF THE DARK).

Upright Citizen's Brigade Present Adsit & Gauses Wednesday May 5. Adsit & Gauses is a monthy show in which Scott Adsit and Christina Gausas improvise an hour long one-act play. Adsit & Gausas will be performed on Wednesday April 21 at 9:30pm.