James Lapine News

Below, Kathie Lee Gifford interviews ANNIE stars Anthony Warlow and Katie Finneran!

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, has announced that acclaimed stage, screen and television actress Joely Richardson (bio below) has joined the cast of their upcoming production of Anton Chekhov's IVANOV, starring Ethan Hawke and directed by Austin Pendleton, which begins performances Wednesday, October 17 at CSC (136 East 13th Street) as the first show of the award-winning company's 45th Anniversary Season. Hawke, in the title role, and Richardson, who will play Anna, will be joined in IVANOV by Glenn Fitzgerald (Borkin), Roberta Maxwell (Zinaida), George Morfogen (Shabelsky), Juliet Rylance (Sasha), Jonathan Marc Sherman (Lvov) and Louis Zorich (Lebedev). IVANOV, which will have its official opening on Sunday, November 4, will play a limited engagement through Sunday, November 25. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday, September 20.

On September 25th, music legend Barbara Cook releases an all new recording, Loverman, her latest from DRG Records. Loverman is described as 'a brilliant departure from Ms. Cook's traditional Broadway repertoire, featuring instead a large collection of jazz and standards.' In addition to the release of Loverman, on October 18th Ms. Cook will perform a concert at Carnegie Hall in celebration her 85th birthday.

Celebrity blogger and television personality Perez Hilton checked out the smash Off-Broadway hit SILENCE! The Musical this past Friday evening, August 31st at the brand new Elektra Theatre in the heart of Times Square. Afterward he tweeted, 'Saw SILENCE! in NYC. Loved! The song about smelling the C*nt, I will never forget! Ha.' Check out photos of Hilton with the cast below!

Winner of the 2012 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical, SILENCE! The Musical the unauthorized parody of The Silence of the Lambs, with book by Hunter Bell, music & lyrics by Jon and Al Kaplan, and direction & choreography by Christopher Gattelli, will open a Los Angeles company with performances beginning tonight, August 31, at the Hayworth Theatre. This engagement marks the West Coast Premiere of the Off-Broadway hit. The press opening is scheduled for Saturday, September 8, 2012. SILENCE! The Musical is produced by Theater Mogul.

ANNIE, the new production of the Tony Award-winning musical, went into rehearsal today in New York City with its full company. The production begins previews October 3, 2012 and opens November 8, 2012 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street). The marquee for the show is on its way up at the Palace and you can check out photos of the beginnings of the marquee below!

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced additional casting for its 2012/2013 Season, with initial casting for THE GREAT GOD PAN, the World Premiere of a new play by Obie Award winner Amy Herzog (After the Revolution at PH, 4000 Miles), directed by Carolyn Cantor (After the Revolution and Essential Self-Defense at PH, Pumpgirl, Orange Water Flower).

David Eisner and Avery Saltzman, co-Artistic Directors of the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, Toronto's only professional theatre company established to celebrate, illuminate and share Jewish culture, today announced their 2012/2013 season.

This week - it's all about INTO THE WOODS! The Public Theater's production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS, part of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte, opened on August 9th and stars Donna Murphy, Amy Adams, Denis O'Hare, Jessie Mueller and Chip Zien. Will the show transfer to Broadway? Stay tuned!

According to a report by The Sun, the new Annie film starring Willow Smith will begin production in Spring 2013 in New York City. The film is being developed by Sony Pictures and produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's Production Company, Overbrook Entertainment. In January of 2011, Columbia Pictures President Doug Belgrad said in a statement, 'The time is right to bring back 'Annie' to the big screen. Of course, we're true believers in Willow's talent and believe she will be perfect in this role.' Emma Thompson has signed on to write the screenplay.

There has already been a lot of buzz about the show transferring to Broadway this fall. Last week's poll asked if you thought it should make the move, and your response was 'Yes!'

This fall, Andrew Samonsky returns to Broadway in the new musical SCANDALOUS: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson.

When Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's moralistic take on traditional European fairy tales, mostly penned by The Brothers Grimm, last hit town in a major production, it was April of 2002.  The city was still very much rattled by the events of the past September, but a positive spirit was growing from our observances of acts of heroism surrounding us.

ANNIE, the new production of the Tony Award-winning musical, went into rehearsal today in New York City with its full company. The production begins previews October 3, 2012 and opens November 8, 2012 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street). Meet the full cast below!

Baby Tiger Productions, Daniel Wallace and Trish Whitehurst in association with the Falcon Theatre present the American premiere of The Gronholm Method written by Jordi Galceran Ferrer, translated by Anne Garcia-Romero and Mark St. Germain and directed by BT McNicholl, the first production of the Falcon Theatre's 2012-2013 Subscription Season.

The Public Theater's production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS, part of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte opened last week, August 9th to mixed reveiews from critics. Now according to the New York Times, the show is still 'pursuing a possible Broadway transfer.' Producer Joey Parnes is currently working to bring the show to Broadway in late winter or spring of 2013.

The Public Theater's production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS, part of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte opened last night, August 9th. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there on opening night to interview the cast! Check out what they had to say below!

Check out photos of the show's opening night guests on the red carpet!

Check out photos of the cast and creative team at the production's opening night party!

The Public Theater's production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS, part of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte opened last night, August 9th. BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture all the excitement of the evening. Check out photos of the cast taking their opening night bows below!