Douglas Hodge News

Ewan talks about his beard, dressing up for Halloween, trick-or-treating in Scotland, his favorite candy, keeping his return as Obi-Wan Kenobi a secret, reading William Shatner's book on the set of Star Wars with Jar-Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best, his new sequel to The Shining, Doctor Sleep, and his terrifying experience seeing Halloween as a 12-year-old in Holland.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and the Barbican Theatre have today announced that, following its overwhelming sell-out success in 2019 at the Open Air Theatre, Evita transfers to the Barbican Theatre for just 8 weeks in summer 2020 (27 June a?" 22 August). Reinvented by director Jamie Lloyd, his transformative production was seen by over 75,000 people at the Open Air Theatre, becoming the theatre's highest grossing production ever.

According to Deadline, Joker is on its way to breaking the box office record for an R-rated film. It is currently expected to make $900M in global ticket sales.

On Sunday, October 13th, Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes spent the day with a group of students at Broadway Artists Alliance, workshopping audition material and sharing stories about her experience on Broadway. Osnes was most recently seen on Broadway in the critically acclaimed production Bandstand, in which she originated the role of Julia Trojan and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Osnes is also well known for her starring turns in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (Ella, Tony Award Nomination), Bonnie and Clyde (Bonnie, Tony Award Nomination), Anything Goes (Hope Harcourt), South Pacific (Nellie Forbush) and Grease (Sandy). Osnes took time out of her busy schedule to connect with the students and share her advice for navigating the theater industry.

Joker has officially grossed a record-breaking $234M worldwide in its first weekend, according to Deadline. $140.5M of that was made at the international box office across 73 markets. The film broke the October record, previously held by last year's Venom.

The new film Joker has caused a lot of differing opinions, from fans and actors alike. The most recent to speak out on his opinions is Josh Brolin.

Joker is continuing to bring in a record amount of money in October, with an increase of $39.8M on Friday, according to Deadline. The film's 3-day haul is now at $94M. This puts the film at an expected $188M-$194M worldwide.

Theater Resources Unlimited presents the Writer-Producer Speed Date, a unique opportunity to pitch a project to a roomful of New York producers and artistic directors on Sunday, October 13, 2019 from 4:30pm to 8:30pm at the newly opened 797 Studios, 797 Eighth Avenue (betw. 48th and 49th), 3rd floor, NYC.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre have today announced their 2020 season which opens with their first newly commissioned musical, 101 Dalmatians (16 May a?' 21 June), based on Dodie Smith's iconic story set in the heart of Regent's Park with book by Zinnie Harris and music and lyrics by Douglas Hodge. The production is directed by Timothy Sheader, with puppetry designed and directed by Toby Olié. Also confirmed are Katrina Lindsay (Set and Costume Designer), Liam Steel (Choreographer), Sarah Travis (Musical Supervisor and Orchestrator), Howard Hudson (Lighting Designer) and Tarek Merchant (Musical Director). Casting is by Jill Green, with children's casting by Verity Naughton.

The Off-Broadway Alliance will hold the next event in its Seminars series focused on the Off-Broadway producing process on Saturday, September 21, 2019.

Director Todd Phillips “Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone fictional story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips' exploration of Arthur Fleck, who is indelibly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, is of a man struggling to find his way in Gotham's fractured society. A clown-for-hire by day, he aspires to be a stand-up comic at night…but finds the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cyclical existence between apathy and cruelty, Arthur makes one bad decision that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events in this gritty character study.

Director Todd Phillips “Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone fictional story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips' exploration of Arthur Fleck, who is indelibly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, is of a man struggling to find his way in Gotham's fractured society. A clown-for-hire by day, he aspires to be a stand-up comic at night…but finds the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cyclical existence between apathy and cruelty, Arthur makes one bad decision that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events in this gritty character study.

Aspen Film is proud to announce the program for its 40th Anniversary Filmfest, which will showcase top filmmaking from across the globe at Aspen's Wheeler Opera House and Metropolitan's Isis Theatre from September 23-29, 2019, and a weighty lineup of documentaries at the Crystal Theater in Carbondale from September 27-29, 2019. In addition to screenings of highly anticipated fall previews and award-winning features and documentaries, panel discussions with special guests punctuate the week-long festival, which celebrates 40 years of Independent by Nature.

Amazon Studios has released the trailer for The Report starring Adam Driver and Annette Bening. The Report is a riveting thriller based on actual events.

On Thursday, July 25th, Tony® Award winner Beth Leavel stopped by Broadway Artists Alliance to share some words of wisdom before the students' highly anticipated industry showcase. Leavel has been starring as Dee Dee McAllen in the Broadway hit The Prom for the last year, a role for which she received a Tony® Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. She is also well known for her Tony® Award win for The Drowsy Chaperone, and her other Broadway credits include Bandstand (June Adams), Elf (Emily), Baby It's You! (Florence Greenberg, Tony® Award nomination), Mamma Mia (Donna), 42nd Street (Annie, Dorothy Brock), Showboat (Ellie), and The Civil War (Mabel, Mrs. Bixby).  Leavel took time out of her busy show schedule to connect with the students and share her advice for navigating the theater industry. 

On Thursday, July 18th, Tony® Award winner Santino Fontana surprised the students of Broadway Artists Alliance during their exciting week of master classes and rehearsals in the heart of New York City. It's been a little over a month since Fontana took home the 2019 Tony® award for playing Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels in Tootsie, but he is also well known for his roles in Cinderella, Hello, Dolly!, Billy Elliot, The Importance of Being Earnest, and for his various roles on screen in shows and movies like Frozen, Crazy-Ex Girlfriend and Fosse/Verdon. Fontana took time out of his busy show schedule to share some encouraging words with the young performers.

Christine Andreas opened her show at the Beach Cafe last night by telling the intimate group of Cabaret lovers that contrary to current trends, her show had no theme. It would simply contain songs she liked to sing. By the end of her performance it was obvious the show did have a theme…..Great Songs Sung by a Great SingerActor. I've often said that the best musical experience is when the singer happens to be the pianist. The fingers join the vocal chords and create the most well planned arrangements. I may be wrong. Having your spouse as your pianist and music director also creates a rare and inspired musical experience. Martin Silvestri creates exceptional accompaniments. He is a true artist at the keyboard and happens also to be an Accordion virtuoso, which is extremely effective when Christine sings her unforgettable Piaf medley.

The Off-Broadway Alliance, the organization of Off-Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents, and marketing firms, will hold the next event in its Seminars series focused on the Off-Broadway producing process on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

Warner Bros. Pictures has released the first teaser trailer for JOKER starring Joaquin Phoenix.

The Off-Broadway Alliance, the organization of Off-Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents, and marketing firms, will hold the next event in its Seminars series focused on the Off-Broadway producing process on Saturday, March 9, 2019.