Al White News

Apparently, not all upper west side Jewish families spend Christmas Day going out for Chinese food and a movie.  Take the extended family of Richard Greenberg's The Assembled Parties, who spend two December 25ths, twenty years apart, in a perfunctory celebration of the holiday while complaining about the inability to find a plumber to come right over fix a leaky pipe (Even when offered a 'Nativity surcharge.') and referring to the season's continual playing of Bing Crosby singing 'White Christmas' as, 'a tiny acoustic rape every time you leave the apartment.'

Richard B. Worley, chairman of The Philadelphia Orchestra, joined Opera Philadelphia Chairman Daniel K. Meyer today to announce plans for a first-ever artistic collaboration in the 2013-14 season-a theatrically-inspired production of Richard Strauss's compelling and provocative masterpiece, Salome. The performances, set to take place on Thursday, May 8, and Saturday, May 10, 2014, in the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall, will be led by Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin. With this initial collaboration, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Opera Philadelphia reinforce their strong commitment to delivering more diverse offerings to audiences in Philadelphia and beyond through groundbreaking performances and innovative collaborations. This new partnership leverages Opera Philadelphia's reputation as a dynamic producer of theatrical opera, and The Philadelphia Orchestra's standing as one of the preeminent orchestras in the world.

The Mariinsky Theatre, one of the largest and most acclaimed performing arts institutions in the world, under the leadership of Artistic and General Director Valery Gergiev, today announced that its new state-of-the-art opera house, Mariinsky II, will open to the public with three celebratory days of star-studded musical and dance performances from May 2 through 4, 2013. Further defining the Mariinsky as one of the world's premier centers for classical music, opera and ballet, the opening of the new hall marks the completion of the Mariinsky Cultural Complex in St. Petersburg's historic Theatre Square and provides the legendary Russian organization with even greater artistic possibilities.

Mystery and scandal on March's two Reel 13 Classics. Jim Broadbent, John Cusack, Joan Fontaine, Cary Grant, and Melissa Leo head the month's stellar casts.

Comedian and faithful supporter of the Armed Forces Foundation Ron White joins CMT for an evening full of laughs, when CMT PRESENTS RON WHITE'S VEGAS SALUTE TO THE TROOPS 2013 premieres tonight, March 15 at 10:00 p.m., ET/PT on CMT.

Comedian and faithful supporter of the Armed Forces Foundation Ron White joins CMT for an evening full of laughs, when CMT PRESENTS RON WHITE'S VEGAS SALUTE TO THE TROOPS 2013 premieres Friday, March 15 at 10:00 p.m., ET/PT on CMT.

Hallmark is sharing the love today with the launch of its new Cody Simpson greeting card collection now available in Hallmark Gold Crown stores nationwide.

Another freshman NBC series may be facing the axe. After today's announcement that they had officially cancelled DO NO HARM after two episodes, the network also confirmed that the low-rating 1600 PENN will not be airing next week. NBC has replaced the February 14 episode of the political comedy, starring Bill Pullman and Jenna Elfman, with a new installment of its departing series THE OFFICE.

NBC is partnering with national cupcake bakery Sprinkles to celebrate the launch of the network's newest comedy 1600 PENN.

NBC's new comedy 1600 Penn comes to the White House today, January 9 as President Obama will host the cast and crew at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for a screening and reception for the series that premieres on Thursday, January 10 (9:30-10 p.m. ET).

In a new NBC promo entitled 'A Day in the Life: With Josh Gad', go behind the scenes with 1600 PENN star Josh Gad and the cast of the new comedy premiering Thursday, January 10th at 9:30/8:30c. In the video, Gad bumps into his Book of Mormon co-star, Tony nominee Rory O'Malley, who guest stars as 'a rule-abiding White House tour guide' on the show. Check it out below!

The cast and producers of NBC's newest comedy, 1600 Penn, will take questions on what it's like to be the first on-screen family of the White House at the National Press Club on Wednesday, January 9, at 12 noon in the First Amendment Lounge.

Austin City Limits (ACL) ushers in the new year and the second half of Season 38 with an unforgettable hour of rock and roll from Jack White.

'Book of Mormon' star and Tony award nominee Josh Gad sat down to talk about his new NBC comedy 1600 PENN, premiering Thursday, January 10 (9:30-10 p.m. ET) on NBC. In the series, Gad portrays First Son Skip, described as 'one of the administration's biggest liabilities.' Check out the interview below!

Vicki and Chris Le Vine, along with The Broadway Dreams Foundation, presented the third annual White Christmas at Sweetwater Farm and Grace Winery (50 Sweetwater Road, Glen Mills, PA) on Sunday, December 16. The festive old-fashioned piano party and cabaret featured performances by Broadway's brightest stars and talented local BDF students. Each year hundreds of students received valuable musical theatre training through BDF programs offered in partnership with Philadelphia's Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Check out photos from the event below!

The national tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, which will make its Orange County premiere tonight, December 18 - 30 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.