Dylan Baker News

"Baby, I would catch a grenade for you," as Bruno Mars wrote in his international smash hit song "Grenade", recently nominated for a Grammy, and, so, too, would Joe DiMaggio catch a grenade for Marilyn Monroe, and, maybe - just maybe - married Broadway star Michael Swift (Will Chase) will cross the line into the danger zone and rekindle his romance with former flame (similarly, married with children) Julia (Debra Messing), half of the songwriting team responsible for the spectacular musical-within-the-show on NBC's SMASH. Yes, the third episode of the new musical drama series was a much different experience from the first two shows, with Karen (Katharine McPhee)'s journey back home to Iowa - complete with down-home karaoke baby shower and Gretchen Wilson's "Redneck Woman" - and the introduction of Broadway star Will Chase's character and the subsequent exploration of his prior trysts with Julia, as well as detailing more of Ivy (Megan Hilty) and Derek (Jack Davenport)'s hot and heavy romance. So, too, did the dissolving marriage between the Marilyn musical's lead producer, Eileen (Anjelica Huston) and her ex (Michael Cristofer) see further shading, as did the trusting and caring coupling of Karen and Dev (Raza Jaffrey). Along with recurring guest stars Dylan Baker and Becky Ann Baker as Karen's supportive but speculative parents, "Enter Mr. DiMaggio" was a relationship-themed episode that reached its thematic, dramatic and musical apotheosis in the stunning new Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman Marilyn musical composition, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith", ending the episode on a stylish and all-too-apropos note. A hard rock rendering of the aforementioned Bruno Mars pop hit "Grenade", as well as Karen's spirited country karaoke "Redneck Woman" were the other musical entertainments in an episode that showed that SMASH does, indeed, have legs - a Rockette-worthy line of them, actually - and this story can sustain more than a handful of episodes or, even, a season or two. Sure, this episode had a different feel than the first two, more Broadway-based shows, yet the series seems to be finding a rhythm that is particularly appreciable at this very, very early stage of the game. After all, the first two episodes of an hour-long adult drama such as SMASH usually set the scene for the series as a whole, if they even succeed at accomplishing that. So far, SMASH has already gone far beyond that, and, I promise, next week will be more along the lines of the first two entries, showcasing the simple fact that this tree has many, many branches and exceptionally deep roots supporting the strong core of central and supporting performers that make up its trunk. Episode Three was a gamble that largely paid off dramatically and thematically, and, wow, that final number was a home run hit truly worthy of a show billing itself as SMASH.

USA Network today announces the January premiere dates for the new original series COMMON LAW on Thursday, January 26 at 10/9c and returning original favorites WHITE COLLAR on Tuesday, January 17 at 10/9c and ROYAL PAINS on Wednesday, January 18 at 10/9c.

Birdland Jazz Club presented We're Gonna Have to ask You to Leave...(a benefit concert to kick out cancer) last night, January 23rd, 2012 at 7pm. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below!

This week's new episodes of ROYAL PAINS and WHITE COLLAR feature all new content.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series will present We're Gonna Have To Ask You To Leave...(a benefit concert to kick out cancer), to be presented at Birdland on tonight, January 23 at 7pm.

TNT's acclaimed series SOUTHLAND returns for Season 4 tonight. In the episode, Officer John Cooper returns to duty after recovering from back surgery and meets his new partner, Officer Jessica Tang (special guest star Lucy Liu), a tough and disciplined cop with her own set of baggage from working the streets.

We're Gonna Have to ask You to Leave...(a benefit concert to kick out cancer) to be presented at Birdland Jazz Club on January 23rd, 2012 at 7pm.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series will present We're Gonna Have To Ask You To Leave...(a benefit concert to kick out cancer), to be presented at Birdland on Monday, January 23 at 7pm.

Kate Winslet and Jodi Foster star in the film adaptation of Yasmina Reza's Tony-winning play, God Of Carnage, under the direction of Roman Polanski. Reza has adapted her original script for the screen alongside Polanski.

USA Network today announces the January premiere dates for the new original series COMMON LAW on Thursday, January 26 at 10/9c and returning original favorites WHITE COLLAR on Tuesday, January 17 at 10/9c and ROYAL PAINS on Wednesday, January 18 at 10/9c.

On Wednesday, November 16, 2011 over 200 people attended 'Stockings with Care's Celebrity Bartending Night' in New York City at Hudson Station Bar and Grill. Stockings with Care provides holiday gifts for children whose families either live in homeless shelters or are in jeopardy of becoming homeless.

Last night, November 14, The Williamstown Theatre Festival honored the Festival's renowned Training Programs at its Annual Benefit, 'We The Future' at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. The evening, hosted by Award-winning comedian (and Williamstown veteran) Lewis Black, featured former WTF alumni Tony Goldwyn (Promises, Promises; 1981 Non-Equity Company), Kathryn Hahn (Revolutionary Road, 1997 Non-Equity Company) and Constantine Maroulis ('American Idol,' 2002 WTF Apprentice), performing with members of the 2011 Apprentice and Non-Equity companies. BroadwayWorld was there for the star-studded event, and bringa you full photo coverage below!

The Williamstown Theatre Festival (Jenny Gersten, Artistic Director) will honor the Festival's renowned Training Programs at its Annual Benefit, 'We The Future,' to be held on Monday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Edison Ballroom in New York City (240 West 47th Street), it was announced today. The evening, hosted by Award-winning comedian (and Williamstown veteran) Lewis Black, will feature former WTF alumni Tony Goldwyn (Promises, Promises; 1981 Non-Equity Company), Kathryn Hahn (Revolutionary Road, 1997 Non-Equity Company) and Constantine Maroulis ('American Idol,' 2002 WTF Apprentice), performing with members of the 2011 Apprentice and Non-Equity companies.

Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway premiere of VENUS IN FUR, the new play by David Ives, directed by Walter Bobbie opened last night, November 8 at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. BroadwayWorld.com was there for the celebratory evening and below brings you photo coverage of the night's starry theater arrivals.

The Williamstown Theatre Festival (Jenny Gersten, Artistic Director) will honor the Festival's renowned Training Programs at its Annual Benefit, 'We The Future,' to be held on Monday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Edison Ballroom in New York City (240 West 47th Street), it was announced today.

The Williamstown Theatre Festival (Jenny Gersten, Artistic Director) will honor the Festival's renowned Training Programs at its Annual Benefit, 'We The Future,' to be held on Monday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Edison Ballroom in New York City (240 West 47th Street), it was announced today. The evening, hosted by Award-winning comedian (and Williamstown veteran) Lewis Black, will feature former WTF alumni Tony Goldwyn (Promises, Promises; 1981 Non-Equity Company), Kathryn Hahn (Revolutionary Road, 1997 Non-Equity Company) and Constantine Maroulis ('American Idol,' 2002 WTF Apprentice), performing with members of the 2011 Apprentice and Non-Equity companies.

New York's television and theatrical celebrities will take their place behind the bar at the semi-annual 'Stockings with Care Celebrity Bartending Night' in New York City, Wednesday November 16 at Hudson Station Bar and Grill (440 Ninth Avenue between 34th and 35th Streets) from 7pm to 11pm to raise money for the not-for-profit organization.

Sony Pictures Classics's CARNAGE will be released in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles on December 16th, 2011. The upcoming film adaptation of Yasmina Reza's original play and Tony Award winning Broadway production GOD OF CARNAGE! is an ensemble cast of Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, and John C. Reilly. It is directed by Roman Polanski and produced by Ben Said. Check out photos from the premiere at the 2011 AFI Fest below!

After last season's highly successful and critically acclaimed co-production of Conor McPherson's The Seafarer, Unicorn Theatre and Kansas City Actors Theatre join forces again to produce the 2009 Tony Award Winner for Best Play, God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton.

Vineyard Theatre opened the world-premiere production of Nicky Silver's play THE LYONS, starring Linda Lavin and Dick Latessa, last night, October 11. The production, which was originally scheduled to run through October 30 has been extended through through November 11 due to popular demand. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening night and brings you photo coverage of the starry arrivals below!