Chris Butler News

Focus Features and LAIKA, the two companies behind the Academy Award-nominated animated feature Coraline are reteaming for LAIKA's next two projects.

Production begins this week on Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, written and directed by Lorene Scafaria. The pre-apocalyptic comedy stars Golden Globe Award winner Steve Carell and Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley.

Laura Bell Bundy, the singer/actress last seen on Broadway in 2008's Legally Blonde before embarking on a successful country music career, has landed a new TBS pilot. 'Hound Dogs' centers on a fictional Nashville team whose players and general manager have plenty of personal issues to contend with off the field. It features a bartender (Bundy) who is seeking a singing career. Rob Mayes ('Cold Case') takes on the role of a rookie pitcher and her love interest, Variety reports.

The cast for "A Pretty Filthy Evening," to be held February 5 at 9 p.m., at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, will feature (in alphabetical order) Mia Barron ("The Venture Bros.," "The Coast of Utopia"), Chris Butler ("The Good Wife," "Criminal Minds"), Kathryn Hahn ("Hung," "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"), Rashida Jones ("Parks and Recreation," "The Social Network"), Paul Provenza ("Northern Exposure," "The West Wing"), Emily Swallow ("Southland," "The Lucky Ones"), Sam Trammell ("True Blood," "Alien vs. Predator: Requiem"), Steven Weber ("Wings," "Brothers & Sisters"), Rutina Wesley ("True Blood," "How She Move") and Bess Wohl (who is writing the book for the upcoming musical "Pretty Filthy").

Since 1985, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles has been a vibrant hub of unique programs and events designed to make Shakespeare accessible and engaging in Los Angeles.

Since 1985, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles has been a vibrant hub of unique programs and events designed to make Shakespeare accessible and engaging in Los Angeles. At last April's annual 'Simply Shakespeare' fundraiser, Helen Hunt read the role of Beatrice in 'Much Ado About Nothing.'

Since 1985, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles has been a vibrant hub of unique programs and events designed to make Shakespeare accessible and engaging in Los Angeles. At last April's annual "Simply Shakespeare" fundraiser, Helen Hunt read the role of Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing."

Lyle Lovett joins the cast of 'Much Ado About Nothing' beginning December 10 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. The performing company of 18 actors and musicians include Chris Butler, Ramon De Ocampo, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Grace Gummer, Helen Hunt, Tom Irwin, Brian Joseph, Greta Jung, Geoffrey Lower, Anthony Manough, Dakin Matthews, Stephen Root, Jared Sakren, Fred Sanders, David Ogden Stiers, Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins.

Lyle Lovett joins the cast of "Much Ado About Nothing" beginning December 10 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. The performing company of 18 actors and musicians include Chris Butler, Ramon De Ocampo, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Grace Gummer, Helen Hunt, Tom Irwin, Brian Joseph, Greta Jung, Geoffrey Lower, Anthony Manough, Dakin Matthews, Stephen Root, Jared Sakren, Fred Sanders, David Ogden Stiers, Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins.

Lyle Lovett joins the cast of 'Much Ado About Nothing' beginning December 10 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. The performing company of 18 actors and musicians include Chris Butler, Ramon De Ocampo, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Grace Gummer, Helen Hunt, Tom Irwin, Brian Joseph, Greta Jung, Geoffrey Lower, Anthony Manough, Dakin Matthews, Stephen Root, Jared Sakren, Fred Sanders, David Ogden Stiers, Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins.

Since 1985, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles has been a vibrant hub of unique programs and events designed to make Shakespeare accessible and engaging in Los Angeles.

Since 1985, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles has been a vibrant hub of unique programs and events designed to make Shakespeare accessible and engaging in Los Angeles. At last April's annual 'Simply Shakespeare' fundraiser, Helen Hunt read the role of Beatrice in 'Much Ado About Nothing.'

Greg Germann joins previously announced Gregory Itzin, Amy Pietz and Steven Weber when L.A. Theatre Works records Enron, Lucy Prebble's rapid-fire, sophisticated thrill-ride that propels the audience through one of the most infamous financial scandals in history. Using a clever mix of humor, pathos, and music, the big biz machinations of Kenneth Lay. Jeffrey Skilling, and Andy Fastow are laid bare as razzle-dazzle entertainment, casting a shocking new light on the state of today's economy and how we got here. All performances will be recorded to air on L.A. Theatre Works' syndicated radio theater series, which broadcasts weekly on public radio stations nationwide and can be streamed on demand at www.latw.org.

Since 1985, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles has been a vibrant hub of unique programs and events designed to make Shakespeare accessible and engaging in Los Angeles.

Since 1985, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles has been a vibrant hub of unique programs and events designed to make Shakespeare accessible and engaging in Los Angeles. At last April's annual 'Simply Shakespeare' fundraiser, Helen Hunt read the role of Beatrice in 'Much Ado About Nothing.'

Greg Germann joins previously announced Gregory Itzin, Amy Pietz and Steven Weber when L.A. Theatre Works records Enron, Lucy Prebble's rapid-fire, sophisticated thrill-ride that propels the audience through one of the most infamous financial scandals in history. Using a clever mix of humor, pathos, and music, the big biz machinations of Kenneth Lay. Jeffrey Skilling, and Andy Fastow are laid bare as razzle-dazzle entertainment, casting a shocking new light on the state of today's economy and how we got here. All performances will be recorded to air on L.A. Theatre Works' syndicated radio theater series, which broadcasts weekly on public radio stations nationwide and can be streamed on demand at www.latw.org.

Greg Germann joins previously announced Gregory Itzin, Amy Pietz and Steven Weber when L.A. Theatre Works records Enron, Lucy Prebble's rapid-fire, sophisticated thrill-ride that propels the audience through one of the most infamous financial scandals in history. Using a clever mix of humor, pathos, and music, the big biz machinations of Kenneth Lay. Jeffrey Skilling, and Andy Fastow are laid bare as razzle-dazzle entertainment, casting a shocking new light on the state of today's economy and how we got here. All performances will be recorded to air on L.A. Theatre Works' syndicated radio theater series, which broadcasts weekly on public radio stations nationwide and can be streamed on demand at www.latw.org.

Beginning Saturday, June 5, L.A. Theatre Works Radio Theatre Series will air Work Song: Three Views of Frank Lloyd Wright by Jeffrey Hatcher and Eric Simonson, starring Jim Beaver, Amy Brenneman, Chris Butler, Matthew Patrick Davis, Sean Dougherty, Robert Foxworth, Charles Janasz, Kathryn Meisle, Kali Rocha and Raphael Sbarge.

Beginning Saturday, June 5, L.A. Theatre Works Radio Theatre Series will air Work Song: Three Views of Frank Lloyd Wright by Jeffrey Hatcher and Eric Simonson, starring Jim Beaver, Amy Brenneman, Chris Butler, Matthew Patrick Davis, Sean Dougherty, Robert Foxworth, Charles Janasz, Kathryn Meisle, Kali Rocha and Raphael Sbarge.

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.