Benjamin Bratt News

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) and gala co-chairs Lesley Clement and Carlie Wilmans are proud to announce A.C.T.'s 2009-10 season gala, the Crystal Ball. San Francisco First Lady and A.C.T. Conservatory alumna Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Ken McNeely, president, AT&T California, serve as honorary co-chairs. AT&T is the presenting sponsor for the event. Headlining this special evening is one of the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program's most celebrated graduates, Tony Award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose, whose credits include roles on film (the lead in Disney's The Princess and the Frog and Dreamgirls) and Broadway (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Caroline, or Change).

Christina Applegate, Simon Baker, Benjamin Bratt, Morgan Freeman, Kate Hudson, Diane Kruger, Helen Mirren, Mo'Nique, Gabourey Sidibe and Christoph Waltz will be presenters at the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Executive Producer Jeff Margolis announced today.

La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to present John Leguizamo Diary of a Madman as part of its Page To Stage program, by special arrangement with WestBeth Entertainment. The production will run March 4 - 14, 2010 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre. Performances take place Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 pm; Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm; Sunday at 2:00 pm.

Actors Benjamin Bratt and Edward Norton will pay a visit to ABC's quirk-filled ‘Modern Family' in an upcoming episode, according to a report on TVguide.com. Bratt will play the ex-husband of Sofia Vergara's Gloria, who is now married to the much older Jay, played by Ed O'Neill. Norton portrays the bassist of a band that Julie Bowen's Claire hires for a surprise anniversary party for her husband Phil, portrayed by Ty Burrell. Norton will make his guest appearance in an episode scheduled to air in November.

NCLR (National Council of La Raza) the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization today announced that this year s revamped 2009 ALMA Awards® will showcase more Latino talent in more arenas than ever before. NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía and Executive Producer Eva Longoria Parker made the announcement at a news conference at Beso Restaurant, Longoria Parker s Latin-themed restaurant in Hollywood. Among the major changes to this acclaimed show is the addition of a co-host, the actor, comedian, and talk show host George Lopez.

NCLR (National Council of La Raza) the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization today announced that this year s revamped 2009 ALMA Awards® will showcase more Latino talent in more arenas than ever before. NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía and Executive Producer Eva Longoria Parker made the announcement at a news conference at Beso Restaurant, Longoria Parker s Latin-themed restaurant in Hollywood. Among the major changes to this acclaimed show is the addition of a co-host, the actor, comedian, and talk show host George Lopez.

CLR (National Council of La Raza)-the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization-today announced that this year's revamped 2009 ALMA Awards® will showcase more Latino talent in more arenas than ever before. NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía and Executive Producer Eva Longoria Parker made the announcement at a news conference at Beso Restaurant, Longoria Parker's Latin-themed restaurant in Hollywood. Among the major changes to this acclaimed show is the addition of a co-host, the actor, comedian, and talk show host George Lopez.

Heather M. Kitchen, now in her 14th season as executive director at American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), will step down from her position at the end of August 2009. Ms. Kitchen will remain available to the company through the end of this year as a consultant and adviser during the transition process. The A.C.T. Board of Trustees is forming a search committee to conduct a comprehensive search for Ms. Kitchen's successor.

Award-winning writer and actor John Leguizamo hits the road this summer with his brand new show, John Leguizamo LIVE! Launching Friday, July 10 at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT, this tour will land in a new city each week, continuing through Fall 2009 (initial dates and venues listed below).

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media, has announced an innovative and diverse programming lineup for Outfest 2009: The 27th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The nation's leading LGBT festival and the oldest continuously running film festival in the city will be held July 9 to 19.

Award-winning writer and actor John Leguizamo hits the road this summer with his brand new show, John Leguizamo LIVE! Launching Friday, July 10 at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT, this tour will land in a new city each week, continuing through Fall 2009 (initial dates and venues listed below).

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media, has announced an innovative and diverse programming lineup for Outfest 2009: The 27th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The nation's leading LGBT festival and the oldest continuously running film festival in the city will be held July 9 to 19.

A.C.T. Conservatory Director Melissa Smith announced today that honorary master of fine arts degrees will be conferred upon Grammy Award-winning musician Tracy Chapman and master playwright John Guare.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is proud to announce that A.C.T.?s 2008?09 season gala, Illuminate the Night, raised $715,000 to benefit A.C.T?s acclaimed conservatory programs. The elegant gala event, co-chaired by Carla Crane and Chandra Geiger Gordon, was attended by over 300 of San Francisco?s cultural, corporate, and philanthropic communities, as well as alumni of A.C.T.?s Master of Fine Arts Program such as Tony Award?winning actor Anika Noni Rose. The black tie event took place Sunday, April 19, 2009, at San Francisco?s Four Seasons Hotel and featured an exclusive performance by Judy Kaye, Tony Award?winning star of A.C.T.?s Sweeney Todd and Souvenir. Students from A.C.T.?s own Master of Fine Arts Program and Young Conservatory also performed in musical numbers directed by John Carrafa, the Tony Award?nominated choreographer of Urinetown, the Musical. Along with a cocktail hour and elegant dinner, Illuminate the Night featured a live auction, a paddle raise, and a special raffle drawing for a Smart Car with an exclusive parking spot in front of the American Conservatory Theater all year long.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) and gala co-chairs Carla Crane and Chandra Geiger Gordon are proud to announce A.C.T.'s 2008-09 season gala, Illuminate the Night, featuring an exclusive performance by Judy Kaye, Tony Award-winning star of A.C.T.'s Sweeney Todd and Souvenir. The entertainment for this wonderful evening also includes performances by A.C.T.'s own Master of Fine Arts Program and Young Conservatory students, created and directed by John Carrafa, the Tony Award-nominated choreographer of Urinetown, the Musical on Broadway and at A.C.T.

Academy Award-winning movie star and 'Partridge Family' 'mom' Shirley Jones just turned 75, yet that's not stopping her from trying something surprising and edgy.

A.C.T. Conservatory Director Melissa Smith announced today that honorary master of fine arts degrees will be conferred upon Grammy Award-winning musician Tracy Chapman and master playwright John Guare.

The American Conservatory Theater Master of Fine Arts Program, ranked fifth in the nation, announces the launch of the M.F.A. 8, a smaller-size class and a new institutional structure, with the incoming class of 2011. The new structure, aimed to re-envision A.C.T.'s institutional culture and the experience of the M.F.A. candidates, includes eight students per class (compared to the admitted class of 12 last year), a full-time faculty, full scholarships for all eight students in their third year, and increased opportunities for students to appear on the A.C.T. mainstage.

The American Conservatory Theater Master of Fine Arts Program, ranked fifth in the nation, announces the launch of the M.F.A. 8, a smaller-size class and a new institutional structure, with the incoming class of 2011.