Jonathan Demme News

While speaking to Canada's Citytv, Liza Minnelli commented on the planned Judy Garland bio film 'GET HAPPY' and urged filmmakers to avoid focusing on her late mother's drug addiction in the upcoming project.

Variety is reporting that Anne Hathaway will star on both stage and screen as Judy Garland in the Weinstein Co.'s stage and film adaptations of Gerald Clarke's bio 'Get Happy.' The Weinstein Company recently optioned the legit and film rights to the book, first published by Delta in 2001.

Academy Award-nominee Edward Norton and Award-winning actor/director Tim Blake Nelson set to co-host SOHO REP SPRING GALA '09 on Monday, May 4th at 6:30 p.m. at The Park (118 10th Avenue btw. 17th &18th Streets)

Broadway heats up this summer when three-time Emmy Award nominee and 'Grey's Anatomy' star Chandra Wilson steps into the celebrated role of Matron 'Mama' Morton, the reigning cellblock diva of the smash hit musical CHICAGO, for a four-week limited engagement, Monday, June 8 through Sunday, July 5, 2009 at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.).

Hartford Stage, under the artistic direction of Michael Wilson, announced that acclaimed Emmy-nominated actor Matthew Modine will make his Hartford Stage debut as Atticus Finch in the eagerly anticipated stage adaptation of Harper Lee's classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Hartford Stage Wilson will direct the production, which will play at the Tony Award-winning theatre February 19 - April 4. To Kill a Mockingbird is a tender portrait of a southern town, brimming with powerful lessons of tolerance, justice and quiet heroism. Scout and Jem are growing up in the Deep South during the 1930s depression. Their idyllic childhood is jolted with the realization that prejudice and bigotry rule in their small town when their father, a lawyer of principle and integrity, is asked to defend a young black man falsely accused of raping a white woman.

One of the most beloved and influential stories of our time is coming to life at Hartford Stage. Emmy-nominated actor Matthew Modine will make his Hartford Stage debut as Atticus Finch in the eagerly anticipated stage adaptation of Harper Lee?s classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced today that the 2009 Shakespeare in the Park summer season will begin in June with a new production of William Shakespeare?s TWELFTH NIGHT directed by Daniel Sullivan and featuring Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway as Viola. TWELFTH NIGHT will run June 9-July 12 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. In August, JoAnne Akalaitis will return to direct Euripides?s THE BACCHAE, translated by Nicholas Rudall, and featuring original music by Philip Glass. THE BACCHAE will run August 11-September 6.

Beginning performances Tuesday, February 10, Dashiell Eaves will join the cast of the hit comedy, BECKY SHAW. Mr. Eaves will play the role of Andrew. The remainder of the acclaimed cast - David Wilson Barnes, Emily Bergl, Kelly Bishop, and Annie Parisse - continue with the production.

Hartford Stage, under the artistic direction of Michael Wilson, announced that acclaimed Emmy-nominated actor Matthew Modine will make his Hartford Stage debut as Atticus Finch in the eagerly anticipated stage adaptation of Harper Lee's classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Hartford Stage Wilson will direct the production, which will play at the Tony Award-winning theatre February 19 - April 4. To Kill a Mockingbird is a tender portrait of a southern town, brimming with powerful lessons of tolerance, justice and quiet heroism. Scout and Jem are growing up in the Deep South during the 1930s depression. Their idyllic childhood is jolted with the realization that prejudice and bigotry rule in their small town when their father, a lawyer of principle and integrity, is asked to defend a young black man falsely accused of raping a white woman.

James Naughton and Joanne Woodward Join Cast of "A Holiday Garland"at Westport Country Playhouse. Two-time Tony Award winner James Naughton and Academy Award winner Joanne Woodward have joined the cast of "A Holiday Garland" at Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director). Staged December 13 - 21, the production will feature holiday songs, funny stories, poignant readings, jokes and poems compiled to celebrate the season and enchant the family. Performances are Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 4 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m.

Two-time Tony Award winner James Naughton and Academy Award winner Joanne Woodward have joined the cast of ?A Holiday Garland? at Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director). Staged December 13 ? 21, the production will feature holiday songs, funny stories, poignant readings, jokes and poems compiled to celebrate the season and enchant the family. Performances are Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 4 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) announced full casting for the upcoming Broadway premiere of Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN which will be directed by Tony nominee David Grindley (Journey's End). The previously announced Lily Rabe and Mercedes Ruehl will be joined by Benjamin Eakeley (Sweeney Todd), Austin Lysy (A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Delacorte), and Brenda Pressley (The First Breeze of Summer).

James Naughton and Joanne Woodward Join Cast of "A Holiday Garland"at Westport Country Playhouse. Two-time Tony Award winner James Naughton and Academy Award winner Joanne Woodward have joined the cast of "A Holiday Garland" at Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director). Staged December 13 - 21, the production will feature holiday songs, funny stories, poignant readings, jokes and poems compiled to celebrate the season and enchant the family. Performances are Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 4 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m.

Two-time Tony Award winner James Naughton and Academy Award winner Joanne Woodward have joined the cast of 'A Holiday Garland' at Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director).

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) have announced that Academy Awardâ and Tony Awardâ winner Mercedes Ruehl and Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominee Lily Rabe will appear in the upcoming Broadway premiere of THE AMERICAN PLAN by Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Greenberg (Take Me Out).

Manhattan Theatre Club announced casting for two of its upcoming productions: ROMANTIC POETRY, the world premiere musical by John Patrick Shanley and Henry Krieger, and RUINED, a world premiere play by Lynn Nottage.

Previews begin tomorrow, Tuesday May 6th, for Signature Theatre Company's world premiere production of Edward Albee's 'Occupant' starring Mercedes Ruehl and Larry Bryggman.

Production begins in Connecticut this week on an untitled contemporary comedy directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty) from an original screenplay by Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida. The film is being produced and co-financed by Big Beach, with Focus Features co-financing and distributing worldwide.

Annaleigh Ashford and Alex Lacamoire will perform on Monday, April 7, 2008 at 7PM, as part of the long-running, critically-heralded and popular concert series Broadway at Birdland.

The Stella Adler Studio of Acting will host its 4th annual Stella by Starlight gala benefit on March 17, 2008 at Cipriani 23rd Street. This event will be a memorable evening with an extraordinary line-up of honorees. Martin Sheen will accept the Marlon Brando Award for a life committed to social activism and excellence in film art