Ben Davis News

After months of speculation, Marvel has finally confirmed that Vin Diesel will officially voice 'Groot' in the upcoming live-action film GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. The studio posted the news this weekend, with the photo on the left attached.

Asolo Repertory Theatre will open its 2013-2014 season with SHOW BOAT, based on the novel by Edna Ferber, music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. This winner of the 1994 Tony Award for best revival features a score of timeless classics, including 'Ol' Man River, 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man' and 'Make Believe.' Previews will be held tonight, November 12 - 14 and the show will run from November 15 - December 29. Opening night will be held on Friday, November 15 at 8pm.

Chris Pratt, who will play Peter Quill aka the Star-Lord in the upcomming Marvel film of GUARDIANS IN THE GALAXY talked to Fandango about playing the role in the upcoming film. He tells the site that 'I was signed up to do the movie before I was even allowed to read a script, so it wasn't like something about this particular character that got me to do it. The fact that it was a Marvel movie is what got me to do it.

THE STORY: August, 1949. A fascinatingly realistic picture of routine cases brought into a bustling metropolitan police station in the course of an evening. Out of the welter of human misery, vice and foolishness there emerges the moving case of a decent young man who has stolen money from his employer; a hardened criminal dragging his young friend down with him; a lawless NJ 'gardener' with a corrupt lawyer; and others. In the throes of the tumult is Detective McLeod -- a man whose black & white vision of justice will be challenged by the woman he loves most: his wife. A cast of 22 men and women will bring this drama of truth and consequences to life on the stage November 8-17, 2013.

On Friday, October 25, 2013, Asolo Repertory Theatre hosted its SHOW BOAT maiden media voyage press conference on board the Marina Jack II yacht. Scroll down for photos!

THE STORY: August, 1949. A fascinatingly realistic picture of routine cases brought into a bustling metropolitan police station in the course of an evening. Out of the welter of human misery, vice and foolishness there emerges the moving case of a decent young man who has stolen money from his employer; a hardened criminal dragging his young friend down with him; a lawless NJ 'gardener' with a corrupt lawyer; and others. In the throes of the tumult is Detective McLeod -- a man whose black & white vision of justice will be challenged by the woman he loves most: his wife. A cast of 22 men and women will bring this drama of truth and consequences to life on the stage November 8-17, 2013.

Asolo Repertory Theatre will open its 2013-2014 season with SHOW BOAT, based on the novel by Edna Ferber, music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. This winner of the 1994 Tony Award for best revival features a score of timeless classics, including 'Ol' Man River, 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man' and 'Make Believe.' Previews will be held November 12 - 14 and the show will run from November 15 - December 29. Opening night will be held on Friday, November 15 at 8pm.

'Baritones UnBound' makes a delightful world premiere at the Paramount Center Mainstage at ArtsEmerson in Boston, giving splendid voice to a cavalcade of songs for the common man.

Ten years ago, as a reaction to over-amplification of musicals, Scott Siegel had the crazy idea that there might be an audience for a concert of Broadway show tunes performed the way they used to be sung: without microphones. And Scott had the perfect place to try out his theory, the acoustically wonderful Town Hall on West 43rd St. With no money, but the support of a great many singers who wanted, literally, to be heard in a way that was no longer possible on Broadway, he launched the first Broadway Unplugged, boasting 'Sound Design by God.' BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the special concert below!

On October 8-20, Arts Emerson will present Baritones UnBound: Celebrating the UnCommon Voice of the Common Man- a celebration of the baritone voice and its emergence as the revolutionary sound of the common man in one enchanted evening ringing with music, laughter and showmanship.

BARITONES UNBOUND, featuring MARC KUDISCH, BEN DAVIS & JEFF MATTSEY have joined the 10th Annual Concert at Town Hall lineup on Monday, Sept. 30th at 8 PM.

New York City Opera's 2013-14 season and BAM's 2013 Next Wave Festival opened Sept. 17 with the U.S. premiere of Anna Nicole, an opera by composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and librettist Richard Thomas based on the flamboyant life and tragic death of Anna Nicole Smith. This highly anticipated co-production includes seven performances at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, on September 17, 19, 21, 24, 25, 27, and 28 at 7:30pm. Click below to go behind the scenes with the opera's cast and creative team!

New York City Opera's 2013-14 season and BAM's 2013 Next Wave Festival opened Sept. 17 with the U.S. premiere of Anna Nicole, an opera by composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and librettist Richard Thomas based on the flamboyant life and tragic death of Anna Nicole Smith. This highly anticipated co-production includes seven performances at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, on September 17, 19, 21, 24, 25, 27, and 28 at 7:30pm. Individual tickets are on sale at BAM.org or through BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below!

New York City Opera's 2013-14 season and BAM's 2013 Next Wave Festival begin today, Sept. 17, with the U.S. premiere of Anna Nicole, an opera by composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and librettist Richard Thomas based on the flamboyant life and tragic death of Anna Nicole Smith. This highly anticipated co-production includes seven performances at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, on September 17, 19, 21, 24, 25, 27, and 28 at 7:30pm. Individual tickets are on sale at BAM.org or through BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100.

New York City Opera's 2013-14 season and BAM's 2013 Next Wave Festival begin with the U.S. premiere of Anna Nicole, an opera by composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and librettist Richard Thomas based on the flamboyant life and tragic death of Anna Nicole Smith. This highly anticipated co-production includes seven performances at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, tonight, September 17 and September 19, 21, 24, 25, 27, and 28 at 7:30pm.

According to Deadline, the actor's deal is now dry to voice Rocket Raccoon, joining join previously announced Chris Pratt, as Peter Quill aka Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana, as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Vin Diesel as Groot, Lee Pace as Ronan the Accuser, Michael Rooker as Yondu, Karen Gillan as Nebula, two-time Academy Award nominee Djimon Hounsou as Korath, with Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro as The Collector, Academy Award nominee John C. Reilly as Rhomann Dey, and six-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close as Nova Prime.

As first reported by the usual spot-on Latino Review, Deadline has confirmed that Bradley Cooper is in 'deep negotiations' to board the interstellar superhero flick. Vin Diesel is also all-but signed to play the tree-like 'Groot.'

New York City Opera's 2013-14 season and BAM's 2013 Next Wave Festival begin with the U.S. premiere of Anna Nicole, an opera by composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and librettist Richard Thomas based on the flamboyant life and tragic death of Anna Nicole Smith. This highly anticipated co-production includes seven performances at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, on September 17, 19, 21, 24, 25, 27, and 28 at 7:30pm. Individual tickets are on sale August 12 (August 5 for Friends of BAM) at BAM.org or through BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100.

Marvel has officially announced that Glenn Close will portray 'Nova Prime' in its upcoming feature film GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY.