Buck Henry News

A look back at comedy icon Mel Brooks' legendary career in film and television, debuts December 13 on HBO.

From the groundbreaking TV series “Your Show of Shows” to landmark films like “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein,” Mel Brooks has been one of the most influential voices in comedy. Now, this entertainment legend looks back on his remarkable career in MEL BROOKS UNWRAPPED, debuting FRIDAY, DEC. 13 (9:00-10:10 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

"The Graduate" opens July 26th. The play is adapted by Terry Johnson, based on the novel by Charles Webb and the motion picture screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry, by special arrangement with StudioCanal. The play is directed by Lance Nuttman.

On this day, we're celebrating the great Mel Brooks, who turns 93 today! 

Today's top stories: Moulin Rouge! begins previews, and more!

Blazing Saddles. Young Frankenstein. The Producers. Mel Brooks has created some of the most iconic comedies in film history, and he is returning to the New York stage for an exclusive two-night engagement.

Live Nation, The Araca Group and EBG (Entertainment Benefits Group) have just announced that iconic Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award winner MEL BROOKS will take the stage on June 17 and 18 as part of the recently announced In Residence on Broadway series at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street).

Join the incomparable Mel Brooks live on stage for an exclusive, inside look at his storied career, and the making of the legendary and groundbreaking movie Blazing Saddles on Saturday, October 6th, 2018 at Bellco Theatre. This outrageous masterpiece, considered one of the top comedy films of all time, will be presented on the big screen followed by a conversation and audience Q&A with Mel Brooks himself.

Find out what happens to the beloved characters in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF after the musical ends. TEVYE SERVED RAW is an evening of Sholem Aleichem material, with adaptations of his 'Tevye' stories ('What, Me Worthy?' and 'Get Thee Gone!'), scenes from his own long-unseen Yiddish stage version, and three of his purely comedic stories, newly adapted ('Strange Jews on a Train,' 'The Yiddish Sisyphus' and 'A Stepmother's Trash-Talk'). The production is set to officially open next Tuesday, July 17th at The Playroom Theater in the Heart of the Theatre District, 151 West 46 Street (just east of Seventh Ave.)

Find out what happens to the beloved characters in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF after the musical ends. TEVYE SERVED RAW is an evening of Sholem Aleichem material, with adaptations of his Tevye stories ("What, Me Worthy?" and "Get Thee Gone!"), scenes from his own long-unseen Yiddish stage version, and three of his purely comedic stories, newly adapted ("Strange Jews on a Train," "The Yiddish Sisyphus" and "A Stepmother's Trash-Talk").

A brand new video offering a sneak peek into the upcoming New York premiere of Tevye Served Raw made its debut today on YouTube. Watch it below!

Find out what happens to the beloved characters in Fiddler on the Roof after the musical ends. TEVYE SERVED RAW is an evening of Sholem Aleichem material, with adaptations of his Tevye stories ("What, Me Worthy?" and "Get Thee Gone!"), scenes from his own long-unseen Yiddish stage version, and three of his purely comedic stories, newly adapted ("Strange Jews on a Train," "The Yiddish Sisyphus" and "A Stepmother's Trash-Talk").

It's been more than 50 years since Mrs. Robinson seduced Benjamin Braddock-as well as film audiences-in Mike Nichols' cinematic classic, The Graduate. This summer, Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. pays homage to this iconic picture by incorporating film into its production of the play. The stage adaptation, written by Terry Johnson, not only features classic scenes from the film, but dialogue from the original novel, as well as new scenes created by the playwright. And while the play uncovers new insights into the characters that audiences have known all of their lives, the basic premise of the story remains unchanged. It is 1964, and Benjamin Braddock is leaving behind the safety of college for an unknown future full of insecurities. Enter Mrs. Robinson, the frustrated wife of his father's business partner, and Ben gets an education not found in any college curriculum.

It's been more than 50 years since Mrs. Robinson seduced Benjamin Braddock-as well as film audiences-in Mike Nichols' cinematic classic, The Graduate. This summer, Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. pays homage to this iconic picture by incorporating film into its production of the play.

Penobscot Theatre Company proudly announces its 2018-2019 Season, an assortment of plays and musicals professionally produced and staged at the company's historic home, the Bangor Opera House. The season will open just after Labor Day and extend into early July with a surprise seventh show, to be announced at a later date. 'If there's a unifying theme for our 45th season,' said Producing Artistic Director Bari Newport, 'it's family. Through these compelling stories we'll introduce families of various stripes-from nuclear to nontraditional, embattled to emboldened-while growing our own family of subscribers.'

The reviews are in for Laguna Playhouse's THE GRADUATE, starring Melanie Griffith! THE GRADUATE opened on February 21st, and is set to run through March 25th.

Golden Globe winner Melanie Griffith can now be seen on stage playing pop culture's most famous cougar, Mrs. Robinson---the infamous 'mom of a certain age' who uses her predatory sexuality to seduce a recent college graduate into entering a torrid affair---in a new production of THE GRADUATE, which continues its just-extended engagement at the Laguna Playhouse through March 25, 2018 in Laguna Beach, CA. On paper, the role seems like a perfect fit for the now 60-year-old star who has demonstrated prior success in playing sultry, seductive women. But in this production, the results---like the dysfunctional relationships that criss-cross in this play---aren't as well-matched as you'd hope it would be.

Watch Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway present the Best Picture 2018 nominees at the Oscars. Warren states its good to see everyone again. Faye echoes his excitement saying presenting is better the second time around.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to announce that due to overwhelming demand, the fifth show in its 97th season, Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner MELANIE GRIFFITH starring as Mrs. Robinson in THE GRADUATE, adapted by Terry Johnson, based on the novel by Charles Webb and the screenplay by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham, directed by Ovation Award-winner Michael Matthews (Twelve Angry Men, Billy & Ray) is EXTENDING through SUNDAY, MARCH 25 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive in Laguna Beach. THE GRADUATE will begin previews on Wednesday, February 21 and will open on Sunday, March 4 at 5:30pm.

Ben's character may be a phony pastiche, and Elaine's a confusing cypher, but in Elaine's mother Mrs. Robinson, novelist Charles Webb struck gold. Bored, lecherous, alcoholic, deeply dishonest, vengeful, and possessed of a twisted motherly loyalty, she is real and vital and scary as hell. Dyana Neal's Mrs. Robinson is pretty much perfect. She has the intimidating stare, the commanding manner, the resolute lack of curiosity about any aspect of the world aside from sex, tobacco, and alcohol, the maternal protectiveness, all down pat. If Anne Bancroft is looking down from heaven, she probably approves.