James Earl Jones News

Rapper Common (formerly known as Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr.) may be heading to the Broadway stage as boxer Jack Jefferson in Howard Sackler's play 'The Great White Hope.'

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center will commemorate its 50th Anniversary this year through a variety of programming and special events. The year will include its 14th Annual Monte Cristo Award, which will celebrate and honor the work of legendary theater, film, and television actress Meryl Streep this Spring. The O'Neill will unveil a special exhibition at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; and on the same date, they will celebrate the launch of its book The O'Neill: The Transformation of Modern American Theater through Yale University Press.

The Little Orchestra Society is reaching out to fellow New Yorkers to help craft its new name. Long time fans of the Orchestra and new enthusiasts alike will have the opportunity to submit their favorite names for an institution beloved by generations of concert-goers. Today through March 9th, music lovers are invited to visit the Orchestra's website: littleorchestra.org, and recommend a new name for an Orchestra known for its audience engagement, inclusive educational mission and commitment to innovative music and multi-disciplinary performances. The Orchestra's new name will be announced later this year.

BLUE MAN GROUP returns to Washington for one week only at the National Theatre, May 6 though 11.

The 7th Annual Thomas Barbour Playwrights' Award contenders will be showcased on March 10, 20, 24 at 7:00 pm at Guild Hall at The Little Church, 1 E. 29th St., New York, NY 10016 (b/w Fifth Ave. and Madison Ave.)

Ford's Theatre Society 2013-2014 season continues with the quirky Tony-winning musical comedy 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,' directed by Peter Flynn, March 14 through May 17, 2014, at Ford's Theatre (511 Tenth Street NW, Washington, D.C.). The production features a local Washington cast of Helen Hayes Award nominees as six awkward adolescents and their proctors, all working through a daunting and hilarious championship quest.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) has announced the launch of a 2014 winter concert series. Making her debut at the Bucks County Playhouse is Tony and Emmy Award-winning Leslie Uggams, whose career has spanned Broadway, Hollywood and concert stages around the world. In AN EVENING WITH Leslie Uggams directed by Michael Bush, Leslie will perform a variety of her classic, signature songs all in one evening audiences won't forget. One performance only: tonight, February 22nd at 8pm.

Broadway legend, Barbara Cook, will be honored with The Julie Harris Award for Artistic Achievement at The Actors Fund's 18th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party on June 8th, 2014.

The Smith Center announced today that single tickets for The National Tour of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, will go on sale today, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m.

Today we are turning our attention to the increasingly ubiquitous presence of performers in their golden years reaching lofty new career heights and ingratiating themselves with new audiences all the while - most notably, Elaine Stritch, Christopher Plummer, Bruce Dern, June Squibb, Judi Dench, Angela Lansbury, Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones.

Based on DuBose Heyward's novel 'Porgy' and the play of the same name, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward, the Broadway revival of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess is a stunning and stirring new staging with a magnificent 23-piece orchestra, including such legendary songs as 'Summertime,' 'It Ain't Necessarily So,' and 'I Got Plenty of Nothing.'

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame music legend Lloyd Price, who is developing a Broadway bio show, was honored with the Pioneer of the Arts Awards at the Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival 25th Season Launch Party on February 9 at the Bronx Museum of the Arts.

The national tour of Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT, the explosive Broadway hit, makes its Washington premiere tonight, February 18, and continues through the 23rd at National Theatre as part of the Broadway at the National subscription series.

Tickets for The National Tour of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, are now on sale. Part of the BROADWAY PHILADELPHIA season, presented by the KimMel Center for the Performing Arts and The Shubert Organization, THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS arrives at the Academy of Music for a limited engagement beginning today, Feb. 18 - 23. The official press opening is tonight, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

The Smith Center announced today that single tickets for The National Tour of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, will go on sale Feb. 21 at 10 a.m.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) has announced the launch of a 2014 winter concert series, kicking off with the World Premiere of JUSTIN GUARINI LOVESICK, a new show from Justin Guarini and directed by Gordon Greenberg.

The Public Theater announced the line-up today for the 2014 free Shakespeare in the Park season, continuing a 52-year tradition of free theater in Central Park. Since 1962, over five million people have enjoyed more than 150 free productions of Shakespeare and other classical works and musicals at the Delacorte Theater. Conceived by founder Joe Papp as a way to make great theater accessible to all, The Public's free Shakespeare in the Park continues to be the bedrock of the Company's mission to increase access and engage the community. This summer, free Shakespeare in the Park will feature a comedy and a tragedy with Jack O'Brien directing MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and Daniel Sullivan directing KING LEAR.

When Robert Duvall was inducted into the Actor's Hall Of Fame last Sunday, February 9th, 2014, he announced that he would be donating the $10,000 grant that accompanies that honor to his acting alma mater, The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Executive Director, Pamela Moller Kareman released a statement saying - 'We are thrilled that Mr. Duvall thinks so highly of the school. We're still going strong after 85 years and Mr. Duvall's generosity will help train the next generation of remarkable actors.'