Debra Messing News

Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research hosted its signature fundraiser, the Angel Ball, on Tuesday, October 29th at Cipriani Wall Street. The black-tie benefit, hosted by Grammy-nominated song writer Denise Rich featured a cocktail reception, dinner, live musical performances, a paddle raise and both live and online auctions raising nearly $3 million for the Foundation's research initiatives. This year's gala honored three individuals for their outstanding philanthropic contributions to cancer research. Supermodel Karolina Kurkova presented Simon de Pury, Chairman, de Pury de Pury with an award for his dedication to raising much needed funds for cancer research. Hugh Jackman along with his wife Deborra-lee Furness honored Deborra-lee's mother, Fay Duncan, President of the Fight Cancer Foundation in Australia and Ethan Zohn took the stage to talk about how research and the work of Clay B. Siegall, Ph.D., Co-Founder, President & CEO, Seattle Genetics, saved his life. Scroll down for photos!

Charles Newell, Artistic Director of Court Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, is the 2013 recipient of The Zelda Fichandler Award, an award to recognize an outstanding director or choreographer who is transforming the regional arts landscape through imaginative, brave work in theatre. The $5,000 award, given by Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, heralds both accomplishment to date and promise for the future, and lauds deep commitment to a community.

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), announces that Artistic Director Charles Newell of Court Theatre is the recipient of the 2013 Zelda Fichandler Award, which recognizes an outstanding director or choreographer who is transforming the regional arts landscape through singular creativity and artistry in theatre. The award heralds accomplishment to date and promise for the future, artistic vision, and deep commitment to a region outside of New York. It carries an unrestricted grant of $5000 to the individual recipient. The award will be presented to Mr. Newell on Monday, November 4, 2013 at a reception at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

Popular small screen mainstay Debra Messing recently ended her tenure as headliner of the short-lived NBC musical drama series SMASH, yet the theatre-trained star is setting her sights on making her Broadway debut now that the Broadway-centric show has unfortunately ended after two seasons.

'Will & Grace's' Eric McCormack and Debra Messing stopped by this morning's TODAY on NBC for a special reunion marking 15 years since the show premiered. Check out the appearance below!

BYOU Magazine has made Karlee their 'Girl Making A Difference' feature for the Oct/Nov issue and, as such, the Girlscouts will highlight her anti-bullying efforts at Girltopia 2013 on November 9, held at the LA Convention Center. The audience of young teens and tweens is expected to reach 15,000+. Karlee will perform a 15-20 minute set that will include her viral hit 'Call Me Whatever' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEFaB-eYpB8), written by Karlee and directed by her older sister, Marlee Roberts.

Popular multi-award-winning TV personality and erstwhile SMASH star Debra Messing opens up about the unceremonious cancellation of that NBC musical series earlier this year and looks ahead to her Broadway debut in John Patrick Shanley's OUTSIDE MULLINGAR as part of a new interview.

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced that due to overwhelming demand, THE COMMONS OF PENSACOLA, the world premiere play currently in rehearsals at MTC, is extending an additional three weeks. The limited engagement, which begins previews on Tuesday, October 22 in advance of a Thursday, November 21 opening at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street), must close on Sunday, January 26. This is the last possible extension for the production.

WILL & GRACE the 16-time Emmy(R) Award-winning comedy will make its debut on WE tv, enjoying a robust run on the network beginning today, September 22, just in time for the series' 15th Anniversary.

A preliminary peek at the stage and screen stars populating the cast of the new indie romantic drama LIKE SUNDAY, LIKE RAIN has leaked, showcasing Green Day frontman and AMERICAN IDIOT composer/star Billie Joe Armstrong as well as recent SMASH leading player and upcoming OUTSIDE MULLINGAR Broadway headliner Debra Messing, among others.

According to Deadline, GOSSIP GIRL's Leighton Meester is set to lead the indie drama from RAY DONOVAN's Frank Whaley, with Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and Debra Messing attached to co-star.

Rick Najera takes an unapologetic and honest look at the depiction of Latino culture with his new thought-provoking and comedic memoir, Almost White: Forced Confessions of a Latino in Hollywood (SmileyBooks, September 16, 2013, ISBN: 978-1-4019-4312-7, $16.95, Trade Paperback). The book released nationwide on September 16th, during Hispanic Heritage month and on Mexican Independence Day.

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of THE COMMONS OF PENSACOLA, the new play by Amanda Peet, directed by MTC's award-winning artistic director Lynne Meadow, begins rehearsals today. The limited engagement will start previews Tuesday, October 22 and open Thursday, November 21 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer), have announced that Manhattan Theatre Club, by special arrangement with Colin Callender, Robert Cole, Frederick Zollo and the Shubert Organization, will produce the world premiere of CASA VALENTINA, the play by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello.

WILL & GRACE the 16-time Emmy(R) Award-winning comedy will make its debut on WE tv, enjoying a robust run on the network beginning September 22, just in time for the series' 15th Anniversary.

Manhattan Theatre Club has just announced complete casting for the upcoming world premiere production of THE COMMONS OF PENSACOLA, the new play by Amanda Peet, directed by MTC's award-winning artistic director Lynne Meadow.

Syfy has inked actors Chris Diamantopoulos (Broadway's 'The Full Monty', 'Les Miserables') and Jake Sandvig for starring roles in HIGH MOON, a 90-minute pilot

Academy Award-winning DREAMGIRLS actress and international recording star Jennifer Hudson appeared for a short arc on the second season of the recently-cancelled NBC musical drama series SMASH and a new deleted scene featuring Hudson alongside some of the show's stars has now been released in anticipation of the forthcoming Season Two DVD set being released next week.

While the first and only Broadway-themed TV series on a major network thus far has unfortunately been cancelled by NBC following its second season, fans of the musical series SMASH now have their chance to ring in the new year - and every day of 2014 for that matter; and even beyond - with the characters of the cult show thanks to a new 2014 wall calendar now available to own.

'A concert could feature the cast and additional performers from Broadway. That would be a wonderful way for the show to live on,' Shaiman told THR.