John Wells News

Starz, a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), today announced it has signed Writer and Producer Heather Zuhlke (STARZ Original series 'Power,' 'Tell Me A Story,' 'Southland') to a two-year overall deal. Under the pact, Zuhlke will develop new projects exclusively for the network and join the writing staff of the drama series 'The Continental' from Starz and Lionsgate as co-executive producer. 'The Continental' is the television series adaptation of the highly successful Lionsgate film franchise John Wick, currently in development.

There's just two weeks left to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld San Diego Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.

There's just one month left to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld San Diego Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.

Directors Guild of America President Thomas Schlamme today announced that FX Networks will be the recipient of the Guild's 2019 Diversity Award. The Award is being given for the network's commitment to, and leadership in, inclusive hiring in DGA-covered categories – and for the example they set for the rest of the industry. The Award will be presented at the 71st Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 2, 2019.

There's just one month left to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld San Diego Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.

Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, EON Productions today announced they have hired film, television, and theater producer, Patrick Daly, as Overseeing Consultant, in charge of production and development across all theatrical projects. Independent of his work with EON Productions, Daly will continue to run the company he launched last year, Caledonia Productions, in producing and developing its own upcoming slate of stage and screen projects.   

The Old Globe announces its inaugural New Voices in the Community series: free public performances at libraries across San Diego County, followed by conversations with the playwrights and experts in the community. The first New Voices in the Community features three solo shows by women: Hold These Truths by Jeanne Sakata, "A" Train by Anne Torsiglieri, and Unveiled: A One-Woman Play by Rohina Malik.

The Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Sydney Youth Orchestra and a stellar cast of performers join to present a wonderful expression of Leonard Bernstein's CANDIDE under the baton of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs' Artistic and Music Director Brett Weymark and theatrical direction by Mitchell Butel. 

Emmy® winning actress-turned-director Cady McClain's Seeing is Believing: Women Direct, a documentary film about women who direct film and television, is partnering with TuggEDU to bring the film to all North American schools, organizations, community centers, libraries, churches, groups, boardrooms and more. Groups can choose to host a private event or public screening, while high schools, community colleges and universities can purchase an educational license, DVD or host a single screening. The film is available in 27-, 58- and 84-minute versions. Ms. McClain is currently available to travel to screenings and to share her experience in the making of this film. The 84-minute, full-length feature version of the film will also be screening three times at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis, where McClain will be appearing as a panelist on Saturday, Oct. 13 after the screening.

Through a partnership with TNT and Refinery29, Shatterbox is a film series that gives female storytellers a platform to create short films that redefine identity, imagination and storytelling through the female lens.This year's class of prestigious female directors include Yara Shahidi, Gillian Jacobs, Academy Award-nominated Jessica Sanders, A.M. Lukas (aka Anna Martemucci),

Emmy Rossum took to her Facebook page to announce that she will be leaving the Showtime Series. In the post, Rossum says, 'I know you will continue on without me, for now. There is much more Gallagher story to be told. I will always be rooting for my family. Try not to think of me as gone, just think of me as moving down the block.' 

SHOWTIME has announced that the ninth season of its hit comedy series SHAMELESS will expand to a 14-episode order, and will air in two parts – this fall and in winter 2019. The first seven episodes will begin airing on Sunday, September 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with a midseason finale on Sunday, October 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The second half of season nine will premiere on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

SHOWTIME has unveiled the official trailer for season nine of its No. 1 comedy SHAMELESS, premiering on Sunday, September 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Starring Oscar(R) nominee and Emmy and SAG Award(R) winner William H. Macy and Golden Globe(R) nominee Emmy Rossum, SHAMELESS is one of the network's longest-running and most successful series ever and attracts the youngest-skewing audience of any SHOWTIME series.

SHOWTIME has unveiled the official trailer and poster for season nine of its No. 1 comedySHAMELESS, premiering on Sunday, September 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Starring Oscar® nominee and Emmy and SAG Award® winner William H. Macy and Golden Globe® nominee Emmy Rossum, SHAMELESS is one of the network's longest-running and most successful series ever and attracts the youngest-skewing audience of any SHOWTIME series.

Scripps Ranch Theatre, located on the campus of Alliant International University, presents their 7th Annual Out on a Limb (OOAL) - New Plays from America's Finest City. SRT is a leader in the Southern California Arts Community in developing and producing new plays.

TNT Renews Juggernaut Dramas ANIMAL KINGDOM and CLAWS

Paramount Network's AMERICAN WOMAN Scores Cable's Highest Rated Half-Hour Scripted Series Premiere Since January

Boston Court Pasadena announced the full details of its 14th annual New Play Reading Festival, July 19 - 28.  Curated by Literary Manager Emilie Beck, in concert with Artistic Directors Jessica Kubzansky and Michael Michetti, the New Play Reading Festival is a key component of Boston Court Pasadena's commitment to nurturing playwrights and new work, and continues the company's core mission of developing and programming works that are inherently theatrical, textually rich, and visually arresting. This year's Festival features four female playwrights.

SHOWTIME has announced its new fall comedy line-up with the ninth season of its hit series SHAMELESS, starring Oscar(R) nominee and Emmy(R) and SAG Award(R) winner William H. Macy and Golden Globe(R) nominee Emmy Rossum, premiering on Sunday, September 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, followed by the series premiere of the new half-hour comedy series KIDDING, starring Golden Globe(R) winner Jim Carrey in his first series regular role in more than two decades and reuniting him with Oscar winner Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

SHOWTIME has announced its new fall comedy line-up with the ninth season of its hit series SHAMELESS, starring Oscar(R) nominee and Emmy(R) and SAG Award(R) winner William H. Macy and Golden Globe(R) nominee Emmy Rossum, premiering on Sunday, September 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, followed by the series premiere of the new half-hour comedy series KIDDING, starring Golden Globe(R) winner Jim Carrey in his first series regular role in more than two decades and reuniting him with Oscar winner Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), at 10 p.m. ET/PT.