Judi Dench News

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present screen legend Leslie Caron, in her first Southern California theatrical performance in over 25 years! SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, written by Richard Alfieri, with choreography by Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line) and directed by Michael Arabian (Waiting for Godot). SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will also feature 6-time Ovation Award-winning actor David Engel. 'What an honor to have on our stage the incomparable Leslie Caron and the multi-talented David Engel,' remarks Wood. 'It's a dream cast and a dream come true. With Michael Arabian and Donna McKechnie directing and choreographing, this has to be one of the most anticipated productions in the Playhouse's storied history,' adds Wareham. SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will begin previews tonight, April 26 and will open on Saturday, May 3 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, June 8, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

'What good is sitting alone in your room?' Especially when a big splashy revival of John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff's celebrated Weimar Germany musical CABARET is back on Broadway, starring Michelle Williams and Alan Cumming!

The Olivier prize for Best Actress 2014 was awarded to first-time winner Lesley Manville for her part in Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts - a production nominated for five awards itself.

Since its World Premiere performance on February 14, 1895, Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST has been an enduring favorite of audiences. Critics recognized the play for its wit and popularity with audiences. In 2014, those same attributes hold up well. Currently, Houston's Classical Theatre Company is producing THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and earning many hearty laughs with their take on the classic.

NextStop Theatre Company's new production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods, running May 1-June 1, 2014, makes a major announcement for the season-closing production. Directed by NextStop's Artistic Director Evan Hoffmann, the production team is announcing the addition of TODAY Show Co-Host, Kathie Lee Gifford, as the voice of the Giant's Wife. The addition of Ms. Gifford is a significant achievement for the emerging company as they close out their inaugural main stage season.

Dame Judi talks to the cameras on the red carpet. She was nominated as Best Actress for her role in new play Peter and Alice, but the category was won by Lesley Manville for Ghosts.

The Olivier Awards 2014 are presented this evening - keep an eye on this page, updating live, for the results. Established in 1976, the Laurence Olivier Awards celebrate the world-class status of London's theatre and are Britain's most prestigious stage honours.

Nominees are 1984 (Almeida Theatre), Chimerica (Almeida), Peter and Alice (Noel Coward Theatre), and The Night Alive (Donmar).

Nominees are Judi Dench (Peter and Alice, Noel Coward Theatre), Anna Chancellor (Private Live, Gielgud Theatre), Lesley Manville (Ghosts, Almeida/Trafalgar Studios) and Hayley Atwell (The Pride, Trafalgar Studios)

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present screen legend Leslie Caron, in her first Southern California theatrical performance in over 25 years! SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, written by Richard Alfieri, with choreography by Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line) and directed by Michael Arabian (Waiting for Godot). SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will also feature 6-time Ovation Award-winning actor David Engel. "What an honor to have on our stage the incomparable Leslie Caron and the multi-talented David Engel," remarks Wood. "It's a dream cast and a dream come true. With Michael Arabian and Donna McKechnie directing and choreographing, this has to be one of the most anticipated productions in the Playhouse's storied history,' adds Wareham. SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will begin previews on Saturday, April 26 and will open on Saturday, May 3 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, June 8, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Sources have confirmed that the studio is heavily courting the Oscar-nominee, though no deal has been offered, and scheduling issues must be worked out.

The Boston Theater Critics Association (BTCA) has announced Academy Award-winner and international star of stage, television and film OLYMPIA DUKAKIS will receive the 2014 Elliot Norton Lifetime Achievement Award on Monday, May 19 at The Wheelock Family Theatre, 200 The Riverway, Boston. The ceremony highlights will feature nominated musical performances, The Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence, and other surprises. Tickets are $30 for ceremony and party, and available through the WFT box office, 617-879-3200, or online at nortonawardsboston.com or OvationTix. (Use 'Norton2014' code to receive $10 off through April 30, 2014).

It's April, and in Theatreland that means it's Oliviers time! This year's glittering glamorous extravaganza is to be held at the Royal Opera House on Sunday 13th April, with a party in the Covent Garden Piazza running simultaneously.

The Olivier Awards with MasterCard – the most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar – has revealed further details of the 2014 awards ceremony to be held on Sunday 13 April at the Royal Opera House and broadcast from 22:15 that evening on ITV in a full highlights package.

Como cada día 27 de marzo, gracias a la iniciativa del Instituto Internacional de Teatro (ITI), se hará un reconocimiento al arte Teatral. Brett Bailey, dramaturgo sudafricano, el encargado del mensaje de esta edición 2014.

Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Joe Masteroff, John Kander and Fred Ebb's Tony winning musical Cabaret, starring Tony Award-winner Alan Cumming and Golden Globe-winner Michelle Williams, begins previews tomorrow, Friday March 21. Cabaret officially opens on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Studio 54 (254 West 54th Street). This is a 24-week limited engagement. Scroll down to learn more about the full company, plus watch a TV spot for the production below!

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre and home of the U.S. Center of the International Theatre Institute (ITI-US), has released Brett Bailey and Diane Rodriguez's World Theatre Day 2014 messages. Each year, a renowned theatre artist of world stature is invited by ITI Worldwide in Paris to craft the International Message, which is then translated into more than 20 languages to mark the global occasion. This year, TCG has renewed their tradition of asking a noted U.S. artist to also reflect on the themes of World Theatre Day.

Primavera has announced full casting for Jean-Jacques Bernard's seminal 1922 play Martine, which opens on Tuesday, 22 April 2014 for a four-week season. Award-winning film and television star Hannah Murray plays Martine, supported by the iconic Susan Penhaligon as Madame Mervan, Leila Crerar as Jeanne, Chris Porter as Alfred, and Barnaby Sax as Julien.

Sharon Bush, Philanthropist & Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Teddy Share, Arianna Huffington, Chair, President & Editor-in-Chief of the Huffington Post Media Group, and Joan Vail Thorne, playwright and director, were Women's Project Theater's 2014 Women of Achievement, who were inducted at its 29th Annual Gala Celebration at the Mandarin Oriental, 80 Columbus Circle, on Monday, March 10. Veanne Cox and Doug Wamble lead a musical tribute to lyricist Dorothy Fields. Also on hand throughout the evening were presenters David Hyde Pierce and Stanley Zareff. Check out a look back below!

The nominations for The Olivier Awards 2014 with MasterCard - the most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar - were announced today (Monday, March 10) by Nigel Harman and Leigh Zimmerman with the full list of nominations available below and online at www.olivierawards.com.