Chris Butler News

The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, announced nominations today for its 37th Annual Annie Awards recognizing the year's best animated features, television productions, commercials, short subjects and outstanding individual achievements in the field of animation. Walt Disney Animation Studios' 'The Princess and the Frog' received eight nominations, including Best Animated Feature and individual nominations for animated effects, character animation, production design and voice acting, while its 'Prep and Landing' received nine nominations including Best Animated Television Production and individual nominations for character animation, character design, music, production design, storyboarding and writing.

In the theatre, 'the show must go on,' and it certainly does for the Willows Theatre Company, who have moved all operations to their refurbished Willows Cabaret in Martinez. The Willows' official name is now The Willows Theatre Company performing at the Campbell Theatre in Martinez.

It's the musical that outraged your parents in the 1960s and had a smashing return to Broadway this year. Now the Willows Theatre in Concord presents Hair - The American Tribal Rock Musical - August 14-September 27 at the Willows Mainstage in Concord.

It's the musical that outraged your parents in the 1960s and had a smashing return to Broadway this year. Now the Willows Theatre in Concord presents Hair - The American Tribal Rock Musical - August 14-September 27 at the Willows Mainstage in Concord.

The Willows Theatre Company brings back the ?80s (as if they?d ever left) with its production of The Wedding Singer, the musical comedy based on the hit 1998 film that starred Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The musical version has music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, with book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. Ryan Weible directs the Willows Theatre production, with choreography by Gia Solari-Welch, and music direction by Tim Hanson. Ryan Drummond stars as the wedding singer, Robbie Hart, with Sarah Aili as his gal Julia. The Willows production runs May 11 ? June 14 at the Willows mainstage, 1975 Diamond Boulevard in Concord.

Stick Fly - The West Coast premiere of Lydia R. Diamond's provocative and witty drama about an upper class African American family extends through June 28 at The Matrix Theatre. In this new play from one of America's freshest and most dynamic voices, a wealthy African American family vacationing on Martha's Vineyard wrestles with parental expectations, sibling rivalry, and issues of class and race. Sensitive Kent LeVay and his slick brother Flip see their weekend at the family home as the perfect opportunity to introduce their girlfriends to their parents. Instead, they stumble onto a domestic powder keg of prejudice, hypocrisy and family secrets.

The Willows Theatre Company brings back the ?80s (as if they?d ever left) with its production of The Wedding Singer, the musical comedy based on the hit 1998 film that starred Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The musical version has music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, with book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. Ryan Weible directs the Willows Theatre production, with choreography by Gia Solari-Welch, and music direction by Tim Hanson. Ryan Drummond stars as the wedding singer, Robbie Hart, with Sarah Aili as his gal Julia. The Willows production runs May 11 ? June 14 at the Willows mainstage, 1975 Diamond Boulevard in Concord.

An upper class African American family wrestles with parental expectations, sibling rivalry, and issues of class and race. Following a two-year hiatus, Joseph Stern's multiple award-winning Matrix Theatre Company returns with the West Coast premiere of Stick Fly by Lydia R. Diamond, an important new play from one of America's freshest and most dynamic voices. Shirley Jo Finney directs Chris Butler, Avery Clyde, Tinashe Kajese, Terrell Tilford, John Wesley and Michole Briana White at The Matrix Theatre, April 4 through May 31, with previews beginning March 26.

An upper class African American family wrestles with parental expectations, sibling rivalry, and issues of class and race. Following a two-year hiatus, Joseph Stern's multiple award-winning Matrix Theatre Company returns with the West Coast premiere of Stick Fly by Lydia R. Diamond, an important new play from one of America's freshest and most dynamic voices. Shirley Jo Finney directs Chris Butler, Avery Clyde, Tinashe Kajese, Terrell Tilford, John Wesley and Michole Briana White at The Matrix Theatre, April 4 through May 31, with previews beginning March 26.

Roundabout Theatre Company's limited engagement of 110 in the Shade will play its final performance on Sunday, July 29th at 2:00 PM

June 5 at 5:30PM, Tony-winners and 2007 nominees Audra McDonald and John Cullum, stars of the hit Broadway revival of '110 In the Shade,' and other cast members performed three musical selections from the score, joined by veteran lyricist Tom Jones to sign copies of the new cast recording.

Tony Award-winner and current nominee Audra McDonald, starring in Roundabout Theatre Company's 110 in the Shade, will be featured on WNYC's 'Soundcheck' on Tuesday, June 5th from 2:15PM-3:00PM on channel 93.9FM and WOR's 'Joan Hamburg Show' on Wednesday, June 6th from 9:00-11:00AM on 710AM

Beauty is most certainly in the eye of the beholder when the eye is beholding Broadway's Audra McDonald. So what is she doing playing a woman considered far too plain and unappealing to land a man? A damn fine acting job is what she's doing.

Tony Award-winner and current nominee John Cullum, currently starring in Roundabout Theatre Company's new Broadway production of 110 in the Shade, will be featured on Sirius Satellite Radio's 'Broadway's Best' with Seth Rudetsky, beginning Friday, June 1st at 7:00PM on Channel 77

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced a two-week extension of the Tony nominated, critically acclaimed, new Broadway production of 110 in the Shade now through Sunday, July 29th.

On May 9th, the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of 110 in the Shade opened at Studio 54, and BroadwayWorld was there for the glittering after-party!

On Wednesday, May 9th, the Roundabout Theatre Company's new Broadway production of 110 in the Shade, starring Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, opened at Studio 54, and BroadwayWorld was there to capture the excitement!

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced that PS Classics will record the new Broadway cast album of 110 IN THE SHADE on April 23rd, 2007 to be released June 5th, 2007.

The Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of 110 in the Shade, starring four-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald as Lizzie Curry, begins previews April 13th and opens May 9th at Studio 54

The Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the full company joining Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald as 'Lizzie Curry,' Tony Award winner John Cullum as 'H. C. Curry,' and Steve Kazee as 'Starbuck' in a new Broadway production of 110 in the Shade, with a book by N. Richard Nash, music by Tony Award-honoree Harvey Schmidt, lyrics by Tony Award honoree Tom Jones and directed by Lonny Price.