J.J. Abrams News

Performances begin in one week for the U.S. Premiere of the international comedy sensation and 2023 Olivier Award nominated ONE WOMAN SHOW, written and performed by Liz Kingsman, in her New York stage debut.

Sara Bareilles recently opened an American Idol episode with a special rendition of Disney100 song “When You Wish Upon a Star.” Disney has now released a new music video of Bareilles recording the track, along with orchestras in New York, Scotland, and London. Watch the music video of Bareilles recording the song now!

Ezra Knight will host The Acting Company’s annual Reimagined Renaissance Gala, featuring a performance by Sara Bareilles. See how to purchase tickets!

AEA forms PAC to support members. Biden admin mulls higher visa fees for international artists. Playwright Sarah Mantell wins Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for 'Futurity'. Lucille Lortel Theatre expands, buys building in Chelsea for new works; Caridad Svich and Michael Heitzman named Artistic Directors.

Governmental funding shifts continue around the globe as governments reveal their latest budget proposals - often with some form of a decrease of support for the creative economy as these countries wind down the support they offered at the height of the pandemic.

While the UK grapples with unruly audiences (not an issue unique to the West End by any means), one critic makes the case that the way we are discussing unruly audiences doesn’t have the best interest of the art form in mind - that it gives it a sense of snobbishness that doesn’t invite more audiences in to enjoy a show.

Dance news, lawsuits, and J.J. Abrams is coming to the stage all featured in this week's newsletter, along with a surprisingly strong report on the state of the creative economy in California. If California is any indication, there is reason for hope even as the bounceback is slower in other parts of the country as we re-emerge from the pandemic.

Ambassador Theatre Group has announced an exclusive three-year partnership with the newly formed Bad Robot Live, the theatre division of J.J. Abrams's Bad Robot Productions.

Due to popular demand, tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong are now on sale through October 29, 2023.

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress and musician Sara Bareilles, and Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Kelly Rowland have signed on to judge the show. Grammy and Tony Award-winning host Daveed Diggs will escort listeners on the contestants’ journeys as they learn from industry notables.

HBO Max has ordered the eight-episode drama DUSTER to series from J.J. Abrams, LaToya Morgan. The series stars Keith David as Ezra, Sydney Elisabeth as Genesis, Greg Grunberg as Abbott, Camille Guaty as Izzy, Rachel Hilson as Nina, Josh Holloway as Jim, Asivak Koostachin as Awan, Adriana Aluna Martinez as Luna, Benjamin Charles Watson as Royce.

Listen to Sara Bareilles on The Story Pirates Podcast season 5!

William Shatner, the Emmy Award-winning actor who came to fame portraying Captain James T. Kirk on the original “Star Trek” television series, today announced he has signed on to provide special recorded co-narration for the all-new concert tour, Our Planet - Live in Concert.

RuPaul has released a new album ahead of tonight's premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race. 'Black Butta' is now available on all streaming platforms. The new 10 track album features Skeltal Ki and Eric Kupper.

Produced by Academy Award nominee Cara Speller (“Pear Cider and Cigarettes”) of NoneMore Productions and J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella of Bad Robot Productions. Directed by Peter Baynton (“The Tiger Who Came To Tea”) and Mackesy, the film is adapted from the book in collaboration with Jon Croker (“Paddington 2”). Watch the new video trailer now!

Vineyard Theatre's 40th Anniversary Gala will honor Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor Billy Crudup with celebratory toasts to Ken Greiner, Chair, Vineyard Board of Directors and Marcia Pendelton, President and Founder of Walk Tall Girl Productions, on February 13, 2023 beginning at 6:00pm at Edison Ballroom.

Education Through Music-Los Angeles (ETM-LA), a 501(c)3 nonprofit, hosted their 17th Year Celebration Benefit Gala last night, the evening of Wednesday, November 30th, 2022 at the Skirball Cultural Center.

New festive programming from beloved series includes the “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock” Night of the Lights holiday special and “Sago Mini Friends” Thanksgiving special premiering on Friday, November 18, and holiday specials from “Interrupting Chicken,” “Pretzel and the Puppies,” and “The Snoopy Show.”

The film, featuring Mackesy’s distinctive illustrations brought to life in full color with beautiful hand-drawn animation, stars Tom Hollander (“The Night Manager”) as The Mole, Idris Elba (“Luther”) as The Fox, Golden Globe Award winner Gabriel Byrne (“All Things Bright and Beautiful”) as The Horse, and newcomer Jude Coward Nicoll as The Boy. 

The smash hit The Play That Goes Wrong will be coming to Dover Little Theatre (DLT) this November.