Jimmy Smits News

A CAPITOL FOURTH, the live PBS broadcast of America's favorite Independence Day tradition, will feature unrivaled performances from some of the country's best-known musical names topped off by the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation. Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits will host the all-star line-up that includes: Grammy and Emmy Award-winning actor and musician Steve Martin performing withthe Steep Canyon Rangers; multi-platinum recording superstar Josh Groban; Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated star of stage and screen who has just released his debut self titled album Matthew Morrison (Glee); American Idol winner Jordin Sparks; Rock 'N Roll legend Little Richard performing with the cast of the Broadway smash hit Million Dollar Quartet; three time Tony-nominated Broadway star Kelli O'Hara; and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. Consistently one of the highest rated programs on PBS over the past decade, A CAPITOL FOURTH became the top-rated program in primetime on PBS for the 2009-2010 season. The eventwill air in HD from the West Lawn of the United States Capitol on Monday, July 4, 2011 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our service members around the world on the American Forces Network. A CAPITOL FOURTH can also be heard live in stereo over NPR Member stations nationwide.

It's summer's most festive day. When you're not at a BBQ, on a sandy beach or watching the annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks over the Hudson or the accompanying performances from Beyonce and Brad Paisley, consider checking out these events to satisfy your inner theaterlover!

Two-time Dancing with the Stars champion Mark Ballas and Emmy-nominated choreographer Chelsie Hightower join the cast of A CAPITOL FOURTH, the live PBS broadcast of America's favorite Independence Day tradition.

Front Row Productions has announced that the world-renowned film composer and trumpet player Terence Blanchard will compose the original musical soundscape for the upcoming Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Emily Mann, starring Blair Underwood and opening in the spring of 2012.

DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. are pleased to announce that SHREK THE MUSICAL with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, will play DeVos Performance Hall, for one week only, June 21-26, 2011.

A CAPITOL FOURTH, the live PBS broadcast of America's favorite Independence Day tradition, will feature unrivaled performances from some of the country's best-known musical names topped off by the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation. Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits will host the all-star line-up that includes: Grammy and Emmy Award-winning actor and musician Steve Martin performing with the Steep Canyon Rangers; multi-platinum recording superstar Josh Groban; Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated star of stage and screen who has just released his debut self titled album Matthew Morrison (Glee); American Idol winner Jordin Sparks; Rock 'N Roll legend Little Richard performing with the cast of the Broadway smash hit Million Dollar Quartet; three time Tony-nominated Broadway star Kelli O'Hara; and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. Consistently one of the highest rated programs on PBS over the past decade, A CAPITOL FOURTH became the top-rated program in primetime on PBS for the 2009-2010 season. The event will air in HD from the West Lawn of the United States Capitol on Monday, July 4, 2011 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our service members around the world on the American Forces Network. A CAPITOL FOURTH can also be heard live in stereo over NPR Member stations nationwide.

Four-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift will make a special appearance with The Black Eyed Peas at the historic Chase presents the "Concert 4 NYC" in Central Park on June 9th.

Directing the Broadway premieres of entities as diverse as Edward Albee's blisteringly brilliant modern tragedy THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? - as well as Albee's THE PLAY ABOUT THE BABY Off-Broadway; in addition to other notable Off-Broadway credits including the recent revival of Larry Kramer's Pulitzer-prize-winning THE NORMAL HEART starring Raul Esparza - to Arthur Miller's THE RIDE DOWN MT. MORGAN starring Patrick Stewart, Farah Fawcett's troubled star vehicle BOBBI BOLAND, up to this season's hit revival of Alfred Uhry'ss DRIVING MISS DAISY starring James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave and the brand new Shakespeare-In-The-Park production of MEASURE FOR MEASURE - beginning previews at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park this week - director David Esbjornson's work is always vivid, human and compelling. Taking on one of Shakespeare's most problematic plays is merely one of the many challenges for Esbjornson and that has been even further compounded by the intense and sporadic rehearsal nature of playing two new productions simultaneously in repertory, as the Public is doing this season with MEASURE FOR MEASURE along with Daniel Sullivan's ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL - which was featured in this very column last week. Talking about all aspects of this revolutionary new take on MEASURE FOR MEASURE as well as his past work, Esbjornson and I shine a light on the sensitive and moving productions that he has provided the theatre community with in his tenure, foremost of all being this new MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

Chase and the Robin Hood Foundation have announced the first special guest stars to join The Black Eyed Peas in the June 9th benefit concert in Central Park.

Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) Award winning actor Edward James Olmos joins recently announced special guest stars, Colin Hanks and Mos (formerly Mos Def) in the cast of the Emmy nominated SHOWTIME(R) drama series DEXTER(TM) for Season 6.

A CAPITOL FOURTH, the live PBS broadcast of America's favorite Independence Day tradition, will feature unrivaled performances from some of the country's best-known musical names topped off by the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation. Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits will host the all-star line-up that includes: Grammy and Emmy Award-winning actor and musician Steve Martin performing withthe Steep Canyon Rangers; multi-platinum recording superstar Josh Groban; Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated star of stage and screen who has just released his debut self titled album Matthew Morrison (Glee); American Idol winner Jordin Sparks; Rock 'N Roll legend Little Richard performing with the cast of the Broadway smash hit Million Dollar Quartet; three time Tony-nominated Broadway star Kelli O'Hara; and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. Consistently one of the highest rated programs on PBS over the past decade, A CAPITOL FOURTH became the top-rated program in primetime on PBS for the 2009-2010 season. The eventwill air in HD from the West Lawn of the United States Capitol on Monday, July 4, 2011 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our service members around the world on the American Forces Network. A CAPITOL FOURTH can also be heard live in stereo over NPR Member stations nationwide.

According to Deadline.com, stage veterans Julia Stiles and Taye Diggs are set to star in the upcoming big screen adaptation of off-Broadway play BETWEEN US. Filming will begin in May.

According to Deadline.com, Broadway veterans Jimmy Smits and Donald Sutherland are both set to star in television pilots this season. Smits will appear in NBC's untitled crime drama, while Sutherland is set for NBC's My Life As an Experiment.

As reported by TV Line, Jimmy Smits has been cast as the remaining lead role in the Stephen Gagham pilot being produced by NBC for this fall.

Loreen Arbus, Founder & Chair of Women Who Care and Edward R. Matthews, CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, are pleased to announce the honorees for The Diamond Anniversary Women Who Care Luncheon to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of New York City. The event will be held on Thursday, May 5th, at Cipriani 42nd Street. Women Who Care celebrates the accomplishments of women as caregivers, volunteers and professionals. The event will be hosted by Donna Hanover, former First Lady of New York City.

In the following video, Julia Stiles reveals what movie made her want to become an actor. Click below to find out!

DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. are pleased to announce that SHREK THE MUSICAL with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, will play DeVos Performance Hall, for one week only, June 21-26, 2011.

This New Year's Eve, The Conga Room is the only place to be! GRAMMY and multi Latin GRAMMY Award nominated salsa artist LA INDIA, will perform December 31, 2010 at The Conga Room's New Year's Eve Extravaganza.

This New Year's Eve, The Conga Room is the only place to be! GRAMMY and multi Latin GRAMMY Award nominated salsa artist LA INDIA, will perform December 31, 2010 at The Conga Room's New Year's Eve Extravaganza.

Lee Daniels, who's most well known for directing PRECIOUS, has just signed on to develop and to direct ANNA IN THE TROPICS, a film adaptation of Nilo Cruz's Pulitzer and Steinberg Prize-winning play, reports the Hollywood Reporter. Cruz is on board to help develop the script as well.