Chris Chalk News

Academy Award nominee and Tony-winner Viola Davis and director Kenny Leon, both Tony-nominated for their work on FENCES, will be featured on tonight's edition of 'The Charlie Rose Show.' 'The Charlie Rose Show' airs on WNET Channel 13 at 11:00 PM ET (check local listings).

The first Broadway revival of August Wilson's 1987 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play FENCES, broke the box office record for the second time at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street, NYC) for the week ending June 6, 2010, grossing $1,024,316.50.

Theatre World Awards for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut performances during the 2009-2010 theatrical season will be presented by former Theatre World Award winners. Past award recipients expected to present (or perform) at this year's ceremony include: Kate Burton (Winners, 1983), Michael Cristofer (The Cherry Orchard, 1977), Viola Davis (Seven Guitars, 1996), Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening, 2007), Robert LuPone (A Chorus Line, 1976 Special Award), Alli Mauzey (Cry-Baby, 2008), Michael McKean (Accomplice, 1990), Brian Stokes Mitchell, (Mail, 1988), Alfred Molina (Molly Sweeney, 1996) Loretta Ables Sayre (South Pacific, 2008), John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, 2004), and Vanessa Williams (Kiss of the Spider Woman, 1995). The award-winning composer, arranger, and pianist Alex Rybeck will serve as musical director for the event.

Academy Award nominee and Tony Award winner Viola Davis, nominated for a Tony Award this season for her performance opposite two-time Academy Award-winner and Tony nominee Denzel Washington in August Wilson's FENCES, was featured this morning on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe'.

The current Broadway production of FENCES, written by August Wilson and starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, just reported its second week of over one million dollars in grosses, according to www.deadline.com. FENCES reported grossing $1,002,750 last week. The week of May 9, FENCES grossed $1,008,103.50, grossing more than any previous production at the Cort Theatre, where it is playing.

Two-time Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington, nominated for a Tony Award this season for his performance opposite Academy Award nominee and Tony Award winner Viola Davis in August Wilson's FENCES, was featured this morning on ABC's 'Good Morning America.'

Here are the winners of the 2010 Drama Desk Awards... Outstanding Play: Alan Ayckbourn, My Wonderful Day Annie Baker, Circle Mirror Transformation Lucinda Coxon, Happy Now? **John Logan, Red ** WINNER Geoffrey Nauffts, Next Fall Bruce Norris, Clybourne Park Outstanding Musical:

Last night, May 23, the Drama Desk Association hosted the 55th Annual Drama Desk Awards ceremony at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. Former Drama Desk Award winner Patti LuPone hosted the ceremony, which honored the best of Broadway and off in the 2009-2010 season. BroadwayWorld.com provided live coverage on the site throughout the ceremony and was on hand at the event to capture the starry arrivals.

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE and FENCES share the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Best Revival of a Play.

Viola Davis is this year's recipient of the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Best Featred Actress in a Play.

Brandford Marsalis is this year's recipient of the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Best Original Music for a Play.

The 55th Annual Drama Desk Awards ceremony just ended at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. Former Drama Desk Award winner Patti LuPone hosted tonight's ceremony.

The 55th Annual Drama Desk Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. Former Drama Desk Award winner Patti LuPone will host the awards ceremony. Keep your browser tuned to BroadwayWorld.com for LIVE coverage on the site of all the winners and more starting at 9pm.

Academy Award nominee and Tony-winner Viola Davis, director Kenny Leon and Stephen McKinley Henderson, all Tony-nominated for their work on FENCES, will appear this weekend on 'Theater Talk.' 'Theater Talk' airs on Channel Thirteen on Saturday, May 22 at 12:30 AM and on CUNY TV Saturday, May 22 at 8:30 PM; Sunday, May 23 at 12:30 PM and Monday, May 24 at 7:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 7:30 PM.

Academy Award nominee and Tony-winner Viola Davis, director Kenny Leon and Stephen McKinley Henderson, all Tony-nominated for their work on FENCES, will appear this weekend on 'Theater Talk.' 'Theater Talk' airs on Channel Thirteen on Saturday, May 22 at 12:30 AM and on CUNY TV Saturday, May 22 at 8:30 PM; Sunday, May 23 at 12:30 PM and Monday, May 24 at 7:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 7:30 PM.

Washington and Davis recently discussed their roles with the New York Times.

Today, the 66th annual Theatre World Award winners for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performances during the 2009-2010 theatrical season were announced.

Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company and Jujamcyn Theaters presented the fourth annual August Wilson Monologue Competition National finals Monday, May 3 at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre (245 W. 52nd Street). The finals featured performances of monologues from August Wilson's Century Cycle by twelve regional finalists from Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Chicago and New York. The evening also included performances by Blues musician Guy Davis (Finian's Rainbow), Chris Chalk (Fences), LaTanya Richardson (Joe Turner's Come and Gone), Keith Randolph Smith (Fences, King Hedley II), Heather Alicia Simms (Gem of the Ocean, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) and Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Gem of the Ocean, Tony Award winner for Seven Guitars). The competition was judged by celebrity judges playwright Regina Taylor (Crowns and Drowning Crow), costume designer Constanza Romero (Fences, Gem of the Ocean, Seven Guitars, The Piano Lesson), and actors Russell Hornsby (Fences, Jitney), Mykelti Williamson (Fences, 'Forrest Gump,' '24') and Phylicia Rashad.

Two-time Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington, currently starring alongside Academy Award nominee and Tony Award winner Viola Davis in the first Broadway revival of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning FENCES, was featured on 'Live with Regis & Kelly' yesterday.

The first Broadway revival of August Wilson's 1987 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play FENCES broke the box office record at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street, NYC) for the week ending May 9, 2010, grossing $1,008,103.50.