Judi Dench News

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the National Theatre presents National Theatre: 50 Years on Stage, bringing together the best British actors for a unique evening of unforgettable performances, broadcast live from London to theatres and cinemas around the world.

Helen Mirren, Benedict Cumberbatch and Christopher Eccleston have joined the starry cast for the National Theatre of Great Britain's 50th anniversary celebration "LIVE FROM THE NATIONAL THEATRE: 50 YEARS ON STAGE," directed by Nicholas Hytner. This special event will be broadcast by National Theatre Live to cinemas internationally on Saturday, November 2, 2013 (with many encore dates in U.S. cities). From Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to The History Boys, from Antony and Cleopatra to Angels in America, from Guys and Dolls to London Road, this will be a thrilling evening of live performance and rare glimpses from the archive, featuring many of the most celebrated actors who have performed on their stages over the past five decades.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) has selected Academy Award nominee Elizabeth McGovern as the 2013 recipient of The William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre (Will Award). KPMG, LLP will be awarded the Sidney Harman Award for Philanthropy in the Arts. McGovern & KPMG, LLP will be honored at the Harman Center for the Arts Annual Gala, hosted by STC at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW), tonight, October 6, 2013.

On Opening Night, Wednesday, November 13, the Napa Valley Film Festival will present August: Osage County, based on the award winning play, and directed by John Wells, one of the most prolific writers, directors and producers for television, film and stage. The film stars the legendary Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, as part of a dysfunctional family returning to their home in Oklahoma.

Judy Garland. Frank Sinatra. Fred Astaire. Ginger Rogers. These are just a few of the stars of the silver screen thatChristine Pedi and Johnny Rodgers will be bringing to life in their performance "Heartthrobs & Bombshells" on Friday, October 18th at 8 p.m. atStamford's Palace Theatre. The performance is the second in the Courtyard by Marriott Stamford Broadway/Cabaret/Jazz Series "Perfect Pairs at The Palace." The series is also sponsored by Norman Drubner. Tickets are available at www.SCAlive.org.

Experiencing a play from Britain's National Theatre in London is possible thanks to the Live in HD series at The Ridgefield Playhouse, which will broadcast NTL 50 Years on Stage on Sunday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate its 50th anniversary, The National Theatre of Great Britain presents a once-in-a-lifetime performance featuring stars from its early golden period under the leadership of Laurence Olivier at the Old Vic theatre to its now iconic building in the heart of London. The anniversary performance will feature Britain's finest theatrical talent, including renowned writers such as Harold Pinter, Peter Shaffer, Tom Stoppard, Alan Bennett and David Hare, and celebrated actors including Maggie Smith, Derek Jacobi, Judi Dench, Michael Gambon and the rising stars of today.

The Dallas Opera has announced the opening production of their 2013-2014 “By Love Transformed” Season: Georges Bizet's colorful, sensual and passionate 19th century masterpiece, CARMEN, one of the most beloved and popular works in the entire opera canon.

Today we are talking to a Tony Award-winning performer known around the world for her iconic original performance as Eponine in both the West End and Broadway editions of international stage sensation LES MISERABLES, copiously convivial chanteuse Frances Ruffelle. Discussing her legacy with the iconic mega-musical and her relationship with the show's director, John Caird, Ruffelle opens up about a life in the theatre, telling tales of her time spent treading the boards in the various incarnations of LES MISERABLES - winning the Tony for her Broadway performance - as well as working on the original London production of Stephen Schwartz's CHILDREN OF EDEN with Caird and fellow InDepth InterView participants Matthew Bourne and Ruthie Henshall in addition to shedding light on fascinating workshop experiences - STARLIGHT EXPRESS, SUNSET BOULEVARD and WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND among them - and her more recent roles, such as her run as the title character in PIAF and featured part making up the intricate ensemble of William Finn's entertaining revue MAKE ME A SONG. Ruffelle also discusses her solo album work and future recording plans and also comments upon the pop success of her daughter, UK star Eliza Doolittle. Most importantly, Ruffelle peels back the layers of the return engagement of her successful solo show BENEATH THE DRESS and clues us in on what we can expect from her upcoming dates at celebrated cabaret venue 54 Below. Plus, Ruffelle fills us in on her next cabaret piece and its inspiration, as well as shares the 411 about her new films coming out in the next couple of months. All of that, thoughts on Broadway versus the West End, sharing the screen with Anne Hathaway in the mega-hit big screen edition of LES MISERABLES, thoughts on some of her recent TV roles as well as much, much more in this all-access pass with a particularly lovely and lively star.

About to costar at the Fountain in The Normal Heart, opening September 21, actor Tim Cummings discusses his role in the play and his award-winning role in The New Electric Ballroom at the Rogue Machine, as well as other theatrical interests.

New BroadwayWorld.com Poll - Who is your favorite Sally Bowles?

Digital Theatre has just announced that the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's Olivier Award-winning revival of James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods will be added to its paid Youtube channel, for a limited run, from Thursday 5 September. Today also sees Digital Theatre announce a global virtual screening of the production at 7.30pm BST on Friday 27 September across all of Digital Theatre's platforms.

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE has just announced a live broadcast of the National Theatre of Great Britain's 50th anniversary celebration 'National Theatre: 50 Years on Stage,' to cinemas around the world. From Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to The History Boys, from Antony and Cleopatra to Angels in America, from Guys and Dolls to London Road, this will be a thrilling evening of live performance and rare glimpses from the archive, featuring many of the most celebrated actors who have performed on their stages over the past five decades and directed by Nicholas Hytner. The celebration will be broadcast to cinemas internationally and in the UK on BBC Two on Saturday, November 2, 2013 (with many encore dates in U.S. cities).

Roundabout Theatre Company has officially announced that Oscar nominee Michelle Williams will star for the first time on Broadway as 'Sally Bowles' in its upcoming production of Cabaret. She will take the stage at Studio 54 alongside Alan Cumming as the Emcee, reprising the role that won him a Tony Award in 1998.

The biggest day of the year for Broadway fans will include one-of-a-kind opportunities to own a part of theatre history or to step into the footlights as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS presents the 27th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction (#bwayflea).

PHILOMENA, starring Dame Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, will premiere In Competition at Venice Film Festival and will be a Special Presentation at Toronto International Film Festival. Check out a new clip from the film below!

The Daily Mail reports that Simon Russell Beale, Frances de la Tour, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Derek Jacobi, Alex Jennings, Rory Kinnear, Adrian Lester, Anna Maxwell Martin, Andrew Scott, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton and more will be joining NATIONAL THEATRE: 50 YEARS ON STAGE on November 2, 2013.

Deadline reports that Academy Award winner Dustin Hoffman will team with Dane Judi Dench in an upcoming 90-minute adaptation of Roald Dahl's ESIO TROT for the BBC.

The Gala Tribute to Cate Blanchett will take place on Wednesday, October 2, and the Gala Tribute to Ralph Fiennes will take place on Wednesday, October 9

Today we are turning our attention to one of the most romantic and rapturous musicals ever written, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.