Al Franken News

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.

Upright Citizen's Brigade Present Adsit & Gauses Wednesday April 21. Adsit & Gauses is a monthy show in which Scott Adsit and Christina Gausas improvise an hour long one-act play.

Upright Citizen's Brigade Present Adsit & Gauses Wednesday April 21. Adsit & Gauses is a monthy show in which Scott Adsit and Christina Gausas improvise an hour long one-act play.

The New School will honor Joan Ganz Cooney, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Sesame Workshop, at its 2010 LaGuardia Award Dinner on February 25, 2010, at the Mandarin Oriental New York.

When Mel Brooks' classic Young Frankenstein makes its way to the Fox Theatre stage in its exciting new musical form, a familiar face to fans of Brooks' previous work will be leading the way (and flipping the switches, laughing maniacally, and Puttin on the Ritz). That face belongs to Roger Bart, familiar to many for his Tony nominated role of Carmen Ghia (and later Leo Bloom) in Mel Brooks' critically acclaimed hit The Producers in addition to numerous award winning theatrical, film and television roles. Roger sat down with me recently to talk a little about his career, working with Mel Brooks and the exciting and 'Abby Normal' thrill it is to be bringing this fresh new musical to Atlanta audiences.

With final ticket sales tallied for A Christmas Story, The Musical!, Kansas City Rep's artistic director Eric Rosen, who also directed the record-breaking world premiere, has announced that the production earned $883,151.50 in gross revenue.

The New School will honor Joan Ganz Cooney, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Sesame Workshop, at its 2010 LaGuardia Award Dinner on February 25, 2010, at the Mandarin Oriental New York.

The Klezmatics, globally renowned world music superstars, will offer holiday and non-holiday music steeped in Jewish tradition at Westport Country Playhouse, on Thursday, December 17, 8 p.m.

The Klezmatics, globally renowned world music superstars, will offer holiday and non-holiday music steeped in Jewish tradition at Westport Country Playhouse, on Thursday, December 17, 8 p.m.

BroadwayWorld.com presents its newest column, Twitter Watch, which will bring you only the best and most interesting reports straight from the mouths of Broadway stars, shows and more on the hot social networking service - Twitter!

Executive Producer Lou Spisto is thrilled to announce the addition of Robert Foxworth to the exclusive list of Old Globe Associate Artists. Foxworth is the 52nd artist named to the illustrious group that includes Paxton Whitehead, Marion Ross, A.R. Gurney and Richard Easton.