Jonathan Demme News

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Tony Award-nominee Marcia Rodd, who originated the role of Bobbi in Neil Simon's Last of the Red Hot Lovers, passed away on December 27, 2025, at the age of 87. 

The Silence of the Lambs will make its world stage play premiere in 2026. Television writer and playwright Gina Gionfriddo will bringThomas Harris' gripping literary masterpiece to the stage in a new modern adaptation directed by Nikolai Foster.

Following sold-out screenings across the country, Jerry Harrison – keyboardist/guitarist of the band Talking Heads – has announced an extended run of live events tied to the 40th anniversary re-release of the concert film Stop Making Sense.

Tom Hanks will star in the world premiere of This World of Tomorrow, which he wrote with James Glossman, based on short stories written by Hanks. The production will be directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon.

Jerry Harrison doesn’t have too many regrets in his musical career. The Talking Heads’ keyboardist, who was in town to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band’s landmark film STOP MAKING SENSE May 4 at the Southern Theatre (21 E. Main Street in downtown Columbus), is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his bandmates in 2002 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 2021.

Noted reviewer Leonard Maltin gave STOP MAKING SENSE four out of four stars and called it  one of the best concert films. The staging was ambitious: set pieces float in and out of the frame while screens project random images and words behind the band.

The Cinema Columbus Film Festival has announced the roster of independent films selected for the 2025 festival and its screening schedule for April 30-May 4.

The Cinema Columbus Film Festival will screen Down to the Felt, directed by Columbus filmmaker Jon Osbeck, as its opening night presentation Wednesday, April 30 at 7 pm in the Southern Theatre (21 E. Main St.). 

Cinema Columbus Film Festival will present a screening of the 1984 concert/documentary STOP MAKING SENSE: A Film by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads, with a special guest appearance by Jerry Harrison. Learn more!

Michael Ironside, Leslie Zemeckis and Rick Springfield joined the cast of Deep Tissue a comedy/thriller by writer-director P.J. Wolff. Learn more and see how to watch the film!

The National Center for Choreography-Akron will host a panel discussion and book launch for 'Artists on Creative Administration'. Learn how to attend.

Pittsburgh CLO has announced the full cast and creative team for THE COLOR PURPLE, running June 25 - 30, 2024, at the Benedum Center.

Join TFANA as they honor Robert A. Caro, Leonard Tow, and The Tow Foundation at their gala, while also celebrating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio on May 13.

Pittsburgh CLO's 2024 Summer of Musicals at the Benedum Center will be highlighted by Broadway and TV stars, as well as beloved Pittsburgh favorites. See who is starring and learn about the programming!

Experience the diverse sounds of the Middle East at Flushing Town Hall with the acclaimed Nibal Malshi Quintet in May. Learn more about the performance!

Following a critically acclaimed Broadway debut on March 21, the composers of Water for Elephants will celebrate their achievement with a two-date residency in New York City. PigPen Theatre Co. will debut “Trunk Songs: PigPen Theatre Co.” at City Winery on May 17, 2024 with a second performance on June 4, 2024. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 26th, 2024 at 12pm ET. “Trunk Songs: PigPen Theatre Co.” will feature deep cuts from their two-decade long catalog and debut brand new music.

Lorde pays tribute to Talking Heads with a cover of 'Take Me To The River' for A24 Music's compilation album, 'Everyone's Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense'.

Discover BLONDSHELL's latest single, 'Docket (Feat. Bully)'. This exciting new release follows their self-titled debut album, available now via Partisan Records. The vocal pairing between Blondshell and Bully and the tongue-in-cheek lyrics about risk-taking on tour make for a tasty, spirited collaboration.

Who are the seven composers who made Water For Elephants sing? Meet the men of PigPen Theatre Co.! Watch in this video.

Dominick Balletta, who has served as Executive Director of National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene for over four years, will depart that position on February 4, 2024, to establish High Hard Heat, a company where he will focus on producing and managing projects in live performance and film.