James Lapine News

The very first look at stage and screen superstar Meryl Streep as the Witch in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's fairy tale-themed musical INTO THE WOODS has now been revealed, showcasing the three-time Academy Award winner in perhaps her most grisly guise to date.

The modern movie musical remake of beloved children's classic ANNIE is currently in production, on location filming on the streets of New York City and stars Quvenzhane Wallis and Jamie Foxx were spotted on the set earlier this week, with Wallis providing updates to fans and followers via social media.

The first video footage of the starry cast assembled for the big screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's fairy tale musical INTO THE WOODS on location in the UK is now available to view, including an extensive preview of Cinderella's Wedding and the orchestral fanfare from Sondheim's score to be featured in the scene.

Agbaje will take on the role of 'Nash,' described as 'the tough but lovable bodyguard and driver for Stacks (Foxx) and a good friend of Annie.'

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, announced today that its upcoming production of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, starring Elizabeth Olsen as Juliet and Julian Cihi as Romeo, directed by Tea Alagi?, will now begin previews Saturday, September 28 at 3 pm, one day later than originally scheduled. The shift is due to a scenic element modification that will require additional technical rehearsal later this week. The official press opening remains Wednesday, October 16.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the big screen adaptation of ANNIE will now be released a week earlier, December 19th, to avoid the Christmas Day rush.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, September 22, 2013 - Sunday, September 22, 2013.

Playwrights Horizons and Symphony Space will present a panel discussion previewing the theater company's new season tonight, September 23 at 7:30 PM at Symphony Space's Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theater (2537 Broadway at 95th Street). Moderated by The Washington Post's Chief Theater Critic Peter Marks, joined by Playwrights Horizons Artistic Director Tim Sanford, the 6th annual panel discussion will feature artists representing the six productions of the theater company's 2013/2014 Season.

All of your favorite fairy tales come to life when the Tony Award winning musical Into the Woods continues for one final weekend at Titusville, NJ's Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre. Into the Woods brings together the classic tale of witches, wolves and magic beans in a mystical adventure you will not want to miss. The production continues on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 through Sunday, September 29.

Mainstage subscription packages are now available for purchase for the 2014 season at the historic Woodlawn Theatre in conjunction with the announcement of its 2014 season. Coming up on the main stage are three Texas premieres, two shows currently playing on and off Broadway, three popular movie adaptations and a fairytale.

The project is 'a period drama, which re-imagines The Hunchback Of Notre Dame through the eyes of beautiful Gypsy Esmeralda.'

One of Broadway's all-time greatest voices, Barbara Cook, brings her trio to Bass Concert Hall for an intimate performance with cabaret seating on the stage. Cook's show is set for tonight, September 19 at 8:00 p.m. at Bass Hall.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, announced today that its upcoming production of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet starring Elizabeth Olsen as Juliet and Julian Cihi as Romeo, directed by Tea Alagi? will extend for one additional week through Sunday, November 10. Previews begin Friday, September 27 prior to an official press opening Wednesday, October 16. The cast also features McKinley Belcher III (Benvolio), Daniel Davis (Friar Laurence), Stan Demidoff (Paris/Sampson), Harry Ford (Gregory, Friar John, Watchman), David Garrison(Capulet), T. R. Knight (Mercutio), Anthony Michael Martinez (Prince), Kathryn Meisle (Lady Capulet), Dion Mucciacito (Tybalt), John Rothman(Montague/Apothecary) and Daphne Rubin-Vega (Nurse). Set design is by Marsha Ginsberg; costumes by Clint Ramos, lighting by Jason Lyons, and original music and sound by Ryan Rumery.

Craig Bierko will begin performances tonight in the role of Miss Trunchbull in MATILDA THE MUSICAL at Broadway's Shubert Theatre. Bierko was originally scheduled to begin on September 3, but a minor injury caused a delay. Since Tony nominee Bertie Carvel departed on September 1, the role was played by Chris Hoch.

Playwrights Horizons and Symphony Space will present a panel discussion previewing the theater company's new season on Monday evening, September 23 at 7:30 PM at Symphony Space's Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theater (2537 Broadway at 95th Street). Moderated by The Washington Post's Chief Theater Critic Peter Marks, joined by Playwrights Horizons Artistic Director Tim Sanford, the 6th annual panel discussion will feature artists representing the six productions of the theater company's 2013/2014 Season.

Due to critical acclaim and popular demand, Playwrights Horizons has announced an extension of its New York premiere production of MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY, a new play by Anne Washburn, with music by Obie Award winner Michael Friedman. Directed by Steve Cosson, the Obie Award-winning Artistic Director of The Civilians, MR. BURNS is being presented as the first production of Playwrights Horizons' 2013/2014 Season.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that, Kirsten Wyatt will take over for J. Elaine Marcos as 'Lily St. Regis' in ANNIE on Broadway. Marcos will play her final performance on September 29, and Wyatt will join the cast October 1.

The highly touted documentary tracing six of Stephen Sondheim's most memorable and significant compositions, SIX BY SONDHEIM, directed by James Lapine, as well as the new drama series LOOKING, starring Broadway/Hollywood crossover star Jonathan Groff, both are first glimpsed very briefly in the new HBO Fall 2013 preview released this week.

ANNIE, currently playing at the Palace Theatre, recently welcomed a new gang of orphans- Gaby Bradbury, Amaya Braganza and Skye Alyssa Friedman as 'Pepper', 'July', and a standby repectively. In the videos below, meet the adorable new cast members!

The Dramatists Guild's Fellows Program will host their Annual Presentation at Playwrights Horizons in New York on October 7, 2013. The Fellows Program will present excerpts from new works written by the fourteen talented playwrights, composers and lyricists who were the 2012-2013 Dramatists Guild Fellows.