Alan Cumming News

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) announced today that Daytime Emmy® award-winning talk show host and comedian Joy Behar will receive the Excellence in Media Award at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented in New York by IBM and Prudential on March 13, 2010 at the Marriott Marquis.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, announced today the nominees for its 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards. By recognizing and honoring media for outstanding images of the LGBT community, the GLAAD Media Awards serve as a benchmark for the media industry and complement GLAAD's work to bring LGBT images and stories to Americans.

Variety has confirmed that Evan Rachel Wood, who had been set to star as Mary Jane Watson in the much delayed Broadway production of SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off The Dark, has bowed out of the production altogether. A statement out from the producers claims that her departure is due to a 'scheduling conflict' but that a search is 'underway to find a new Mary Jane to join the rest of the cast in the production.'

More than 20 of cabaret's brightest stars will be honored at the 25th Annual Bistro Awards which will take place on Tuesday, April 13 at Gotham Comedy Club. Legendary singer-dancer-actress Mitzi Gaynor, star of such films as South Pacific, Les Girls, Anything Goes, and a longtime headliner in Las Vegas and the nightclub circuit, making her first NY night club appearance in years in May at Feinstein's at Loews Regency, will be honored with the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award. Elaine Stritch, the uniquely sensational actress and singer and star of stage, film, and TV, will be recognized in the category of Extraordinary Cabaret Artist, noting her recent conquests of the cabaret stage.

Alan Cumming, Jonathan Winters, George Lopez and Katy Perry will lend their voices to he upcoming live action/animated film 'Smurfs', reports Variety. They join the previously announced Neil Patrick Harris who will play the live action character.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today announced that Gavin Creel and cast members from the Tony Award-winning revival of HAIR will perform at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards on March 13, 2010 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Living In A Musical Plays March 4 to 21 at Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue (at E. 10th Street). The show is presented by Theater for the New City and runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm; Sundays at 3:00 pm $10.

Last night, Monday March 1, The Epic Theatre Ensemble held their 9th Annual Winter Gala (titled 'Spark'). This year's honoree was James Calleri, of Calleri Casting, for his longstanding support of adventurous independent Off-Broadway theatre and his helping spark the careers of many of America's finest actors.

The New York Times is reporting that the Classic Stage Company's critically-acclaimed production of VENUS IN FUR, a new play by David Ives and directed by Walter Bobbie, may be headed to the Great White Way. Featuring Nina Arianda and Wes Bentley, the production has received two extension off-Broadway and will now run through Sunday, March 28. VENUS IN FUR has now become the longest-running production in CSC's 42 year history.

The 9th Annual Winter Gala of Epic Theatre Ensemble (titled 'Spark') will be held on Monday, March 1st, 6:00 p.m. at 24 Fifth (24 Fifth Avenue btw. 9th and 10th).

The Costume Designers Guild held its 12th annual awards show on Thursday, February 25 at the Beverly Hilton. The awards honor contemporary, period and fantasy costume design in films, TV and commercials.

Opera Boston presents the company's first commissioned work- the world premiere of Madame White Snake, an opera by composer Zhou Long and librettist Cerise Lim Jacobs, based on a beloved ancient Chinese legend.

A musical adaptation of 'Spider-Man' was scheduled to begin previews today, February 25. However, plagued by financial troubles, the team behind the production decided to delay its opening. According to a recent report in which U2's The Edge, who along with the band's frontman Bono wrote the music and lyrics for the show, the production is now poised for a Fall 2010 opening. A creative meeting was held on February 18 and new lead producer Michael Cohl is rapidly getting funds in place to proceed.

Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, will present two-time Academy Award-winner Dianne Wiest in THE FOREST, by Alexander Ostrovosky, translated by Kathleen Tolan, and directed by Brian Kulick, beginning performances Friday, April 23 at CSC (136 East 13th Street) with an official press opening Thursday, May 6 at 7pm.

Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, will present two-time Academy Award-winner Dianne Wiest in THE FOREST, by Alexander Ostrovosky, translated by Kathleen Tolan, and directed by Brian Kulick, beginning performances Friday, April 23 at CSC with an official press opening Thursday, May 6 at 7pm. THE FOREST will also star Obie Award-winning actor John Douglas Thompson, who earned great acclaim last year for his title role performance in Othello at Theatre for a New Audience. THE FOREST will play a limited engagement through Sunday May 30 only.

The 9th Annual Winter Gala of Epic Theatre Ensemble (titled 'Spark') will be held on Monday, March 1st, 6:00 p.m. at 24 Fifth (24 Fifth Avenue btw. 9th and 10th).

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) announced today that Daytime Emmy® award-winning talk show host and comedian Joy Behar will receive the Excellence in Media Award at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented in New York by IBM and Prudential on March 13, 2010 at the Marriott Marquis.

This coming June, Broadway veterans Nellie McKay, Alan Cumming, LaKisha Jones, Adam Pascal and Aaron Lazar will be headlining concerts at Feinstein's at Lowes Regency.

According to U2's The Edge, SPIDER-MAN is poised for a fall 2010 opening, as has been speculated. 411.com reports that a productive creative meeting with all of the principles took place yesterday, February 18, and that new lead producer Michael Cohl is rapidly getting funds in place.

The 21st Annual GLAAD Award Ceremony will be co-hosted by Broadway veteran Wilson Cruz and Candis Cayne. The event will take place on April 17th at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Tickets begin at $300. For more information, call 877-519-7904 or visit www.glaad.org/mediaawards.