Cynthia Rowley News

The New Group presents the first production in its 2012-2013 season, the world premiere of The Good Mother, a new play by Francine Volpe. Directed by Scott Elliott, this production features Mark Blum, Darren Goldstein, Gretchen Mol, Alfredo Narciso and Eric Nelsen. Previews begin October 29 in advance of an Official Opening Night on Thursday, November 15 at 7:00pm. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through December 22 at The New Group @ Theatre Row (The Acorn Theatre / 410 West 42nd Street / Acorn Theatre). Check out a first look at Mol in the show below!

Producer David Youse and Four Things Productions in association with L.A. Works has just announced a celebrity staged reading in celebration of The 25th Anniversary of Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias to take place on Monday, 3 December 2012 at 7pm to benefit The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). This special one night only event will take place at the Lucille Lortel Theater located at 121 Christopher Street in New York City, where the original production performed. Directed by Judith Ivey and starring Blythe Danner, Annie Potts as M'Lynn, the original Truvy, Margo Martindale as Ouiser, Celia Keenan-Bolger as Shelby and Sarah Stiles as Annelle. Additional cast announced soon! Music for this production has been generously donated by Bonnie Raitt and Pat Boone. With support from the 25th Anniversary Honorary Committee including Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field, Daryl Hannah, Shirley MacLaine, Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts and sponsored by Lifetime Television, Magnolia Bakery and Veranda Restaurant. A VIP reception with the cast and crew will follow this special performance.

Mark Blum has joined the cast of The New Group's The Good Mother, written by Francine Volpe and directed by Scott Elliott. He joins Darren Goldstein, Gretchen Mol, Alfredo Narciso and Eric Nelsen in the premiere of this new play, replacing the previously announced Bill Sage, who had to withdraw due to a scheduling conflict prior to start of rehearsals. Mark Blum's Broadway credits include Gore Vidal's The Best Man, Twelve Angry Men, A Thousand Clowns, Lost in Yonkers, and more. He has appeared previously at The New Group in Wallace Shawn and Allen Shawn's play/opera The Music Teacher, among others.

The New Group will present the first production in its 2012-2013 season, the world premiere of The Good Mother, a new play by Francine Volpe. Directed by Scott Elliott, this production features Darren Goldstein, Gretchen Mol, Alfredo Narciso, Eric Nelsen and Bill Sage. Previews begin October 29 in advance of an Official Opening Night on Thursday, November 15 at 7:00pm. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through December 22 at The New Group @ Theatre Row (The Acorn Theatre / 410 West 42nd Street / Acorn Theatre).

Photographer Bob Carey's much anticipated compilation of self-portraits in a tutu will be available September 2012. Ballerina, a hard cover 9 x 12 book with a foreword by Amy Arbus, showcases color photographs and back-stories about the journey behind the images. The captured images present both impertinent playfulness and vulnerability, themes that run thoughout much of Carey's work. The project has taken Carey from Italy to Times Square, and he hopes to turn the photos of himself into an inspirational force behind breast cancer awareness. Net proceeds from the sale of Ballerina will go directly to The Carey Foundation, a non-profit organization established by Carey and his wife Lindato provide support to women diagnosed with breast cancer and their family members.

The New Group has announced complete casting for Francine Volpe's suspenseful drama The Good Mother. Darren Goldstein, Alfredo Narciso, Eric Nelsen and Bill Sage join Gretchen Mol (previously announced) in this world premiere directed by Scott Elliott. Previews for the play, which launches The New Group's 2012-13 season, begin October 29 in advance of an Official Opening Night on Thursday, November 15. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through December 22 at The New Group @ Theatre Row (The Acorn Theatre / 410 West 42nd Street / Acorn Theatre).

Actress Lea Michele today joined Valspar Paint® and Habitat for Humanity in unveiling Valspar Hands for Habitat. Now in its second year, the program auctions the colorful handprints of celebrities and notable personalities, created using Valspar Paint. Money raised from the auction benefits Habitat for Humanity's disaster response programs, which provide immediate and long-term response and solutions to natural disasters such as the recent tornados in the Midwest and Southeast which damaged and destroyed the homes of thousands.

Hilary Easton + Company presents its 20th anniversary season with the world premiere of The Constructors, a richly animated evening-length work for five dancers, at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, now through May 20, 2012.

Hilary Easton + Company's 20th Anniversary Season presents The Constructors, May 17-20, 2012, at Baryshnikov Arts Center, with choreography by Hilary Easton and featuring performers Alexandra Albrecht, Hilary Easton*, Michael Ingle, Joshua Palmer, Emily Pope-Blackman, and Sarah Young.

Alan Cumming, Emmy-nominated star of The Good Wife on CBS, was honored at Live Out Loud's Eleventh Annual Young Trailblazers Benefit Gala this year and BroadwayWorld.com was there!

Hilary Easton & Company are set to present THE CONSTRUCTORS May 17-20.

Hilary Easton + Company will present its 20th anniversary season with the world premiere of The Constructors, a richly animated evening-length work for five dancers, at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, May 17-20, 2012.

The fierce and competitive world of fashion gets even cattier with the premiere of the new series, 24 Hour Catwalk, beginning Thursday, January 10, 2012, at 10pm ET/PT on Lifetime.

Lifetime will give viewers an early look at 24 HOUR CATWALK on Thursday, January 5 at 10:00/9:00c behind the launch of 'Project Runway All Stars,' network sources have confirmed to the site.

Lifetime will give viewers an early look at 24 HOUR CATWALK on Thursday, January 5 at 10:00/9:00c behind the launch of 'Project Runway All Stars,' network sources have confirmed to the site.

The fierce and competitive world of fashion gets even cattier with the premiere of the new series, 24 Hour Catwalk, beginning Thursday, January 10, 2012, at 10pm ET/PT on Lifetime.

LAByrinth Theater Company (Co-Artistic Directors Stephen Adly Guirgis, Mimi O'Donnell, Yul Vázquez, and Managing Director Danny Feldman) presented its annual signature benefit Celebrity Charades 2011: Down and Derby last night, November 14th. Four celebrity teams jockeyed their way to the Winner's Circle in a fearsome and hilarious speed charades competition to support LAByrinth Theater Company's 2011/12 season. Celebrity Charades, LAByrinth Theater Company's annual star-studded fundraising event, remains one of the most popular ‘happenings' of the year in New York City.