John Lithgow News

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: King Kong begins previews on Broadway, Al Roker makes his Broadway debut in Waitress, and more!

Twenty years after its Obie Award-winning debut, actor, writer, and former correspondent for "The Daily Show" Aasif Mandvi (Disgraced) begins performances tomorrow in Sakina's Restaurant, the vibrant, funny, and heartwarming one-man show that centers on an Indian immigrant who comes to New York to work at a restaurant and live the American dream.

Two-time Tony Award winner and three-time Emmy Award winner Laurie Metcalf, and two-time Tony Award winner and six-time Emmy Award winner John Lithgow, will return to Broadway to star in Hillary and Clinton, a new play by Tony nominee Lucas Hnath

More than $100,000 was raised at the exclusive one-night-only reading of Terms of Endearment presented by Berlanti Productions and Jessica Queller at the Geffen Playhouse, it was announced today. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Stand Up To Cancer and Geffen Playhouse's New Play Development Program.

Happy 100th birthday, American Airlines Theatre! Roundabout's flagship home on Broadway, the American Airlines Theatre first opened its doors as the Selwyn Theatre in 1918. In 2000, Roundabout restored the theatre to its original neo-renaissance style as part of the 42nd Street Development Project, thanks to generous support from the City of New York. Through an unprecedented partnership between Roundabout and American Airlines, this historic theatre remains one of Broadway's most exquisite and patron-friendly houses.

An additional week of performances of Sakina's Restaurant, the Obie Award-winning one-man show written by and starring Aasif Mandvi (Disgraced,"The Daily Show"), has just been announced.

Well-ensconced on the UCLA campus, Los Angeles Theatre Works presents audio theatre, or as pre-millennials call it 'radio drama,' a throwback technique of decades-old entertainment enhanced by current day technology. I had the chance to delve into the inner workings of LATW from one of the co-founders herself, Susan Albert Loewenberg.

Event committee co-chairs Ken Fulk,Robina Riccitiello, and Jeff and Laurie Ubben, and honorary artistic committee co-chairs Uma Thurman and Josh Lucas, are proud to announce American Conservatory Theater's (A.C.T.) fall celebration welcoming new Artistic DirectorPam MacKinnon and new Executive Director Jennifer Bielstein.

As previously reported, an exclusive one-night-only reading of Terms of Endearment is headed to The Geffen Playhouse. Newly announced Kate Burton, Willie Garson, Alfred Molina, Kumail Nanjiani, and Italia Ricci join the cast.

Big laughs kick off the month, on Saturday, October 6th, with stand-up comedian GARY VIDER. Gary performs regularly in NYC and went all the way to the finals on NBC's America's Got Talent in 2015. His television appearances include Conan, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, AXS TV Gotham Live, and Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen. All Seats are $21.00, and the hilarity begins at 8 PM.

Solo performers from six continents will once again unite in the heart of New York's theatre district. Over 130 productions will be presented at this year's United Solo, the largest festival of its kind in the world, now in its 9th year. With up to five performances every day until November 18 at Theatre Row, this year's robust selection of one-person shows will attract thousands of theatregoers. Over 25 performances have sold out in advance, with more expected to follow. The festival will grant additional performance dates to its most popular productions. This year, United Solo also offers Master Classes with world-famous theatre creators and recognized experts, including Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis, who will give her Master Class hosted by Omar Sangare, founder and artistic director of United Solo, on September 16, and Juilliard School professor Janis Brenner, whose Master Class is scheduled for September 17.

Penobscot Theatre Company is proud to present New York City singer/pianist Brad Simmons in his one-man musical performance Storytellers on Saturday, September 29 at 7 pm and Sunday, September 30 at 3 pm at the historic Bangor Opera House. In Storytellers, Mr. Simmons shares his journey from Alabama to New York City through celebrating the songwriting genius of such legendary recording artists as Paul Simon, Billy Joel, John Denver, Dolly Parton, Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks and James Taylor.  

John Lithgow will star as Roger Ailes, the Fox News chief who masterfully exploited the country's political divisions to rise to the top of the cable news heap, in an upcoming film, according to Variety. TheAnnapurna film will revolve around the sexual harassment scandal that ended Ailes career.  

Berlanti Productions and Jessica Queller will present an exclusive one-night-only reading of Terms of Endearment at the Geffen Playhouse, it was announced today. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Stand Up To Cancer and Geffen Playhouse's New Play Development Program.

Audible Inc., has announced the upcoming slate of productions at the Minetta Lane Theatre. The slate includes dynamic writing and performances from Patti Smith, Aasif Mandvi and Isaac Gomez, as well as Chisa Hutchinson. All performances will be recorded as Audible Original productions.

LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) present the final productions of its graduating MA students. Six upcoming directors will present a season of six plays from 23 August to 7 September, showcasing the work of students on the MA Directing course. MA Classical Acting graduates will perform the Shakespeare Season, running from 14 to 19 September.

Based on the 1988 Steve Martin-Michael Caine comedy film of the same name, this original Broadway musical starred John Lithgow and Joanna Gleason and ran nearly two years. The role of the Steve Martin character won Norbert Leo Butz a Tony award. The music is written by the Tony-award-winning composer of THE BAND'S VISIT David Yazbek.

FX Picks Up New Limited Series DEVS

Laff, the country's first-ever, over-the-air broadcast television network devoted to comedy around-the-clock, will add to its sitcom hall of fame lineup on Monday, July 16 when 3rd Rock from the Sun joins the network's schedule.

Cesear's Forum, Cleveland's small non-profit professional theatre company, is pleased to announce a performance benefit entitled; CLEVELAND THEATRE STORIES with Lee Mackey & Ron Newell.