John Willis News

The 71st Annual Theatre World Awards - the oldest award given for a debut theatre performance on or off-Broadway - will be held Monday, June 1, 2015 at 7:45 p.m. at Broadway's Lyric Theatre (213 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036). The winners of this year's Theatre World Awards will be announced Tuesday, May 5.  The 2015 John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre will be presented to Chita Rivera. The 7th Annual Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence will also be presented to honor an Outstanding Performance in a Broadway or Off-Broadway production.  Hosted annually by respected theater journalist, Peter Filichia, the awards ceremony is produced by the Theatre World Awards, Inc. Board of Directors.

A cross-industry jury of leading figures from film, television and games industries met at the headquarters of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), 195 Piccadilly in London, to decide which talented newcomers will be named this year's BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry.

Christopher Plummer, the Canadian actor who is most widely known for playing Captain Von Trapp in the movie version of The Sound of Music, told MetroFocus about his intention of bringing his self-assembled one-man show, A Word or Two, to New York in the near future.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include the winners room at the Drama Desk Awards, the 2014 Tony nominees on the Empire State Building, the naming of Duke Ellington Way, and more!

First presented in 1945, the prestigious Theatre World Awards, founded by John Willis, the Editor-in-Chief of both Theatre World and its companion volume, Screen World, are the oldest awards given for Outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway Debut Performances. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there for the big night, where he chatted with all of this year's winners and presenters. Check out what they had to say below!

The Theatre World Awards are presented annually at the end of the theatre season to six actors and six actresses for their significant, reviewable, debut performances in a Broadway or Off-Broadway production. The ceremony is a private, invitation-only event followed by a party to celebrate the new honorees and welcome them to the Theatre World 'family.' In what has become a highly entertaining and often touching tradition, 12 previous winners serve as the presenters, and often relive moments from past ceremonies and share wonderful stories rarely heard at other theatrical awards. Check out potos from insode this year's ceremony below!

The Theatre World Awards took place last night, June 2, at Circle in the Square (West 50th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue), home of the current Broadway revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. 2014 Honorees for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance included: Paul Chahidi, Nick Cordero, Bryan Cranston, Mary Bridget Davies, Sarah Greene, Rebecca Hall, Ramin Karimloo, Zachary Levi, Chris O'Dowd, Sophie Okonedo, Emerson Steele, and Lauren Worsham. The 2014 Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theater Winner went to Celia Keenan-Bolger for her performance as Laura in The Glass Menagerie and the 2014 John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre Winner went to Christopher Plummer.

The Theatre World Awards has announced the roster of presenters for the 70th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony that include DeAdre Aziza, Dylan Baker, Len Cariou, Tovah Feldshuh, Trent Kowalik, Jefferson Mays, John McMartin, and Zachary Quinto, with special performances by Mr. Cariou and Rob McClure, Monday evening, June 2, 2014 beginning at 7:45 p.m. at Circle in the Square (West 50th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue), home of the current Broadway revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.

The Theatre World Awards has announced the roster of presenters for the 70th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony that include DeAdre Aziza, Dylan Baker, Len Cariou, Tovah Feldshuh, Trent Kowalik, Jefferson Mays, John McMartin, and Zachary Quinto, with special performances by Mr. Cariou and Rob McClure, Monday evening, June 2, 2014 beginning at 7:45 p.m. at Circle in the Square (West 50th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue), home of the current Broadway revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.

The 2014 Honorees for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance, the 6th Annual Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theater for an Outstanding Performance in a Broadway or Off-Broadway Production, and the John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, were announced today by the Theatre World. The winners will be celebrated at the 70th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony set Monday evening, June 2, 2014 beginning at 6:45 p.m. at Circle in the Square (West 50th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue), home of the current Broadway revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.

On Sunday 16 February, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) will present Dame Helen Mirren with the Academy Fellowship at the EE British Academy Film Awards ceremony at the Royal Opera House, London.

On Sunday, February 16th, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) will present Dame Helen Mirren with the Academy Fellowship at the EE British Academy Film Awards ceremony at the Royal Opera House, London.

Today, 8 January 2014, actors Helen McCrory and Luke Evans will join BAFTA's Chairman John Willis to announce the nominations for the EE British Academy Film Awards in 2014.

On Wednesday 8 January 2014, actors Helen McCrory and Luke Evans will join BAFTA's Chairman John Willis to announce the nominations for the EE British Academy Film Awards in 2014.

Today BAFTA brought together the 17 'Breakthrough Brits' for a day of mentoring by leading industry figures at BAFTA's headquarters, 195 Piccadilly in London , followed by an evening reception in their honour at the Burberry global flagship store, 121 Regent Street.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is delighted to announce the first ever BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry. The 17 talented newcomers, who are making a name for themselves within film, television or games, will be celebrated at a showcase event on Monday 21 October.

After several hours of discussion, the jury – which included actors Eddie Redmayne and Felicity and BAFTA-winning director Shane Meadows agreed on a list of talented newcomers

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today announced the Chairs and Deputy Chairs of two of its three Sector Committees - Film, Television and Games - following the results of its annual Committee and Council elections earlier in in the month.

Theatre World Award Alumni Courtney B. Vance, Anika Noni Rose, Ben Vereen, Christine Lahti, Tony Sheldon, Lea Salonga, Isabel Keating, Phillip Boykin, Jessie Mueller, Jackie Hoffman, Wesley Taylor, Patricia Elliott, Meg Bussert, Crystal A. Dickinson, with special guestNathan Lane, all took part in the 69th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony last night, June 3, 2013 at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street), home of the current Broadway revival of Pippin. BroadwayWorld was there for the celebration and you can check out highlights and interviews with the honorees below!

Theatre World Award Alumni Courtney B. Vance, Anika Noni Rose, Ben Vereen, Christine Lahti, Tony Sheldon, Lea Salonga, Isabel Keating, Phillip Boykin, Jessie Mueller, Jackie Hoffman, Wesley Taylor, Patricia Elliott, Meg Bussert, Crystal A. Dickinson, with special guestNathan Lane, all took part in the 69th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony last night, June 3, 2013 at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street), home of the current Broadway revival of Pippin. BroadwayWorld was there for the celebration and you can check out photos from Part 2 of the ceremony below! Don't forget to check out Part 1!