John Lithgow News

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: ANTHEM opens off-Broadway tonight, the NYPL hosts a discussion in honor of the O'Neill Center's 50th anniversary, and the creator of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Otis Sallid boogies down at 54 Below!

Actor French Stewart will repeat his role as Buster Keaton in Stoneface, written by his wife Vanessa Claire Stewart, at the Pasadena Playhouse beginning June 3. The play will costar Daisy Eagan. Stewart, best known to TV audiences for 3rd Rock from the Sun, the middle and other sitcoms is a wonderful dramatic actor, and as Buster Keaton in Stoneface, which sold out houses for months at Sacred Fools Theatre in 2012, he just shines.

Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike will feature Resident Actor Jeffrey Bean as Vanya, Sharon Lockwood returning to the Alley as Sonia, Alley Artist Josie de Guzman returning as Masha, and Resident Actor Jay Sullivan as Spike. Rounding out the cast and making their Alley debuts are Rachael Holmes as Cassandra and Sarah Nealis as Nina. Jonathan Moscone, Artistic Director of California Shakespeare Theater, helms the production and returns after having directed the Alley's 2011 production of Amadeus.

Last March, the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora, announced another blockbuster line-up for its 2014-15 Broadway Subscription Series: Cats (Sept. 10-Oct. 12, 2014); Mary Poppins (Nov. 26, 2014-Jan. 4, 2015); The Who's Tommy (Jan. 14-Feb. 15, 2015); and Les Miserables (Mar. 18-Apr. 26, 2015).

The Public Theater has announced complete casting for KING LEAR, the second show of The Public's free Shakespeare in the Park season at the Delacorte. Featuring the previously announced John Lithgow as Lear, this enduring tragedy will begin performances on Tuesday, July 22 and run through Sunday, August 17, with an official press opening on Tuesday, August 5.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: MISS SAIGON returns to the West End and stars gather for a pre-Tonys, outdoor STARS IN THE ALLEY concert!

Four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening returns to the Geffen Playhouse for the world premiere of Ruth Draper's Monologues. A pioneer in 20th century drama, Ruth Draper was described as, "the greatest individual performer that America has ever given us." BroadwayWorld has a first look below!

A new official trailer has been released for Christopher Nolan's upcoming film INTERSTELLAR. Check it out below!

Glenn Close, John Lithgow, Lindsay Duncan, Bob Balaban, Clare Higgins, and Martha Plimpton will star in a new Broadway production of Edward Albee's A DELICATE BALANCE this fall at the Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street). The production, which will be directed by Pam MacKinnon, begins previewsMonday, October 20 and plays an 18-week limited engagement through Sunday, February 22, 2015. Opening night is Thursday, November 20.

The TONY Award-winning score of PARADE will be brought to life for one night only at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, February 16, 2015. Recent TONY-nominee Jason Robert Brown will be at the helm to conduct a star-studded cast and full chorus as Music Director.

The greatest operatic bass in the world today, Ferruccio Furlanetto, makes his Canadian debut this spring in the Canadian Opera Company premiere of the operatic tale of literature's famous dreamer, Don Quichotte by Jules Massenet. Known for an intensely moving portrayal of the title character, Furlanetto stars in this musically lush and romantic homage to Cervantes' iconic hero, Don Quixote. Don Quichotte is sung in French with English SURTITLES, and runs for seven performances at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts today, May 9 and May 11, 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 2014.

A reading of the prolific actor's play about the 1994 Rwanda genocide will stream live and include a web-assisted talkback with people in Rwanda.

On May 3rd and 4th, Mainstreet Musicals will launch its premiere festival season with the St. Louis/Mainstreet Festival of New Musicals - presenting three new musicals in concert readings at The Muny - Orthwein Hall, #1 Theatre Drive, St Louis, MO.

Two-time Olivier Award winner Simon Russell Beale's performance in the title role of William Shakespeare's KING LEAR, directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, will be seen by cinema audiences worldwide when NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE broadcasts the production live from the National's Olivier Theatre today, May 1, 2014, with varying dates internationally and encore screenings to follow.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for recent Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Appearing in titles roles are Resident Actor Jeffrey Bean as Vanya, Sharon Lockwood returning to the Alley as Sonia, Alley Artist Josie de Guzman returning as Masha, and Resident Actor Jay Sullivan as Spike. Rounding out the cast and making their Alley debuts are Rachael Holmes as Cassandra and Sarah Nealis as Nina. Jonathan Moscone, Artistic Director of California Shakespeare Theater, helms the production and returns after having directed the Alley's 2011 production of Amadeus.

The Music Center celebrated 12 teen performing artists and four teen visual artists at The Music Center's 26th Annual Spotlight Awards during a finale performance on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Hosted by Oscar-nominated actor, musician and author, John Lithgow, the awards show culminated The Music Center's year-long free recognition and scholarship program for Southern California high school performing and visual artists. A first place and runner-up were named in each of eight categories, including ballet, non-classical dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrumental, jazz instrumental, two-dimensional art (works of art with height and weight, but no depth, using drawing, painting, computer generated or mixed media) and photography (black/white, color and digital). This year's top performing and visual artists were awarded more than $100,000 in cash scholarships with $5,000 for students selected as first place finalists and $4,000 for runners-up in each category; five honorable mentions in each category received $250.

Tonight, April 28, Symphony Space will host its spring gala, Fiddler at 50, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof.

On April 28, Symphony Space will host its spring gala, Fiddler at 50, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof. The evening will honor Sheldon Harnick, the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning lyricist behind the iconic musical. Symphony Space's Gala is co-chaired by Lenore Davis and Amy Wilson. Honorary co-chairs for the evening are Mary Rodgers Guettel, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Harold Prince, and Stephen Sondheim.

Paper Mill Playhouse concludes its 75th Anniversary Season with America's favorite musical, Grease. With book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, Grease will be directed by Daniel Goldstein with original choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Additional songs are by John Farrar, Barry Gibb, Scott Simon and Louis St. Louis. Grease will play the Millburn, New Jersey, theater from May 28 through June 29, 2014. The official press opening night is Sunday, June 1, at 7:00pm. Paper Mill Playhouse's 75th Anniversary Season is proudly sponsored by Investors Bank.

On April 28, Symphony Space will host its spring gala, Fiddler at 50, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof. The evening will honor Sheldon Harnick, the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning lyricist behind the iconic musical. Symphony Space's Gala is co-chaired by Lenore Davis and Amy Wilson. Honorary co-chairs for the evening are Mary Rodgers Guettel, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Harold Prince, and Stephen Sondheim.