Ken Howard News

Alec Baldwin, Jeff Bridges, Josh Duhamel, LL Cool J, Cory Monteith and Amy Poehler will be presenters at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards(R), Executive Producer Jeff Margolis announced today. They join previously announced presenters Rosario Dawson, Angie Harmon, Eva Longoria, Hilary Swank, Betty White and SAG President Ken Howard in honoring their colleagues at this year's Actors(R) ceremony.

USA Network, the #1 network in 2010 for an unprecedented five consecutive years among ad-supported networks, will host a bevy of exciting new and recurring guest stars to appear in the original series WHITE COLLAR, ROYAL PAINS and its newest entry FAIRLY LEGAL this winter.

Today we are talking to an Emmy-winning stage star best known for his unforgettable turns as the Wizard of Oz himself in the original Broadway cast of THE WIZ, as well as his Emmy-winning performance in both the Broadway and filmed version of AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'. In recent years, he has found much success with his choices of eccentric, oft-controversial roles, particularly those roles in the hot-button play PRYMATE and the David Yazbeck/Terrance McNally musical THE FULL MONTY. In this portion of our conversation, De Shields impresses with his effortless grace, studied theories on his craft and the art of theatre, all with taking a look forward to his newest stage venture - KNOCK ME A KISS by Charles Smith - which opens this weekend. We also discuss his role in the career of legendary songwriter Jim Steinman - from RHINEGOLD and BLOODSHOT WINE with Joe Papp in the 70s all the way to the workshop for the forthcoming BAT OUT OF HELL: THE MUSICAL.

The Met: Live in HD presents Donizetti's Don Pasquale in movie theaters worldwide this Saturday, November 13 at 1:00 pm ET. Anna Netrebko revives her sensational turn in this sophisticated bel canto comedy, opposite Matthew Polenzani, Mariusz Kwiecien, and John Del Carlo in the title role. Music Director James Levine conducts. When Otto Schenk's production premiered in 2006, the New York Times called it 'brilliant' and 'wonderful.' We hope you will make your readers aware of this fantastic upcoming event.

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate Levin today unveiled a new plaque at the TKTS booth in Duffy Square, honoring the site's history and recent restorations, while also lauding the efforts of Mayor John V. Lindsay. Mayor Lindsay was a passionate supporter of the Broadway Theatre and was instrumental in the creation of the original TKTS booth with the Theatre Development Fund in 1973, making Duffy Square ever since a destination point for those in search of reduced-price theater tickets. Also in attendance at today's unveiling were State Assembly Member Richard Gottfried; Broadway producer Hal Prince, who is Chair of the Theatre Industry Committee to Honor John Lindsay; as well as leaders of the Times Square Alliance, Theatre Development Fund, Broadway League, Broadway Association, and members of Mayor Lindsay's family.

Anna Netrebko reprises her celebrated portrayal of Norina, the irresistible and clever romantic heroine of Don Pasquale, in a revival of Donizetti's comic opera that begins performances Friday, October 29. James Levine, in his first-ever performances of this opera, will conduct a cast that also features Matthew Polenzani as the lovelorn Ernesto, Mariusz Kwiecien as the duplicitous Dr. Malatesta, and John Del Carlo as the title character. Renowned Austrian director Otto Schenk will return to the Met to direct the first revival of his production, which The New York Times praised as 'wonderful' and 'insightful' when it premiered in 2006.

Giuseppe Verdi's popular masterpiece Rigoletto returns to the Met this season featuring five artists in their Met debuts and four performers singing major roles for the first time with the company. On September 29, Lado Ataneli sings the hunchback court jester and Christine Schäfer is his daughter Gilda, both adding new roles to their Met repertory. Conductor Paolo Arrivabeni makes his Met debut, as does Francesco Meli as the Duke of Mantua, Nino Surguladze as Maddalena, and Andrea Silvestrelli as Sparafucile. On October 5, George Gagnidze returns to the role of Rigoletto which he sang at the Met in 2009.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association today announced that plans for its 2010 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon are almost complete, and the 21 1/2-hour live show is going to be spectacular. From live remotes to amazing dance and production numbers, to sensational music performances (e.g., David Archuleta, Enrique Iglesias, Lynyrd Skynryd, WAR, John Ondrasik, OneRepublic, and Barry Manilow, etc.), to side-splitting comedy and dramatic appeals by some of America's most popular entertainers, the two-day television event is certain to delight viewers Labor Day weekend.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association today announced that plans for its 2010 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon are almost complete, and the 21 1/2-hour live show is going to be spectacular. From live remotes to amazing dance and production numbers, to sensational music performances (e.g., David Archuleta, Enrique Iglesias, Lynyrd Skynryd, WAR, John Ondrasik, OneRepublic, and Barry Manilow, etc.), to side-splitting comedy and dramatic appeals by some of America's most popular entertainers, the two-day television event is certain to delight viewers Labor Day weekend.

Ernest Borgnine, who is exuberantly entering his seventh decade of creating memorable characters and award-winning performances, will receive Screen Actors Guild (SAG)'s most prestigious accolade-the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment.

The International Federation of Actors, also known as FIA (Fédération Internationale des Acteurs), has endorsed the global I AM PWD Campaign of Actors' Equity Association, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild.

Today, we are taking a listen to five of the greatest and most deservedly classic-status cast albums of all time, with all five selections also being Tony-winning Best Musicals recently remastered, repackaged and re-released by Masterworks Broadway in time for Tony Award season which this week is finally coming to a close. In salute of Broadway now - and as it was fifty years ago when the first of these scores premiered - we take stock of what we have got, for better or worse. Surely, the strength of these shows' scores speak and sing out loud for themselves: 42nd Street, 1776, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, MAME and CITY OF ANGELS. From Herman to Coleman to Loesser and beyond we go, with a glance to the future and the all-to-recent past...

As the theatrical community of NY gathered on the Great White Way to celebrate their own for the 2010 TONY AWARDS, the Los Angeles thespian society congregated 3000 miles away to cheer their colleagues via a LIVE feed, courtesy of Direct TV, as THE ACTORS FUND and host Tommy Tune honored TONY Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell at their 14th Annual Tony Awards Party with the Julie Harris Award. Former High School chum and dance partner Annette Bening presented the award in recognition of not only 'Stokes' theatrical accomplishments, but also his leadership as Chairman of the Board of The Actors Fund. The gala, which included a memorable performance of 'You Made Me Love You' by Lorna Luft dedicated to the evening's honoree, was produced and written by Marc Cherry and David Rambo.

Renowned actresses Amy Irving and Sian Phillips are appearing as the beautiful Desiree Armfeldt and Madame Armfeldt, her mother, with acclaimed baritone Ron Raines as Desiree's former lover, in Opera Theatre's new production of A Little Night Music directed and designed by Isaac Mizrahi.

The Screen Actors Guild Regional Branch Division (RBD) Board of Directors voted to endorse the creation of one union to cover all performers.

Tonight, May 6, is the Opening Night Party for WHITE'S LIES starring Betty Buckley, Tuc Watkins, Peter Scolari, Christy Carlson Romano, Rena Strober, Andrea Grano & Jimmy Ray Bennett. See below for a first look at the show! .

Last night, March 18, 2010 the stars of Los Angeles came out for the A Night at Sardi's annual musical revue and gala, benefitting the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association. Laurie Burrows Grad founded this event 18 years ago in honor of her father, the late playwright Abe Burrows. To date, A Night at Sardi's has raised close to $18 million in the fight against Alzheimer's. Last night's evening raised $1 million alone.

Not Black and White is a three month season of plays to be presented by the Tricycle Theatre examining life and social issues in 21st Century London from the perspective of three leading black contemporary playwrights. Roy Williams, Kwame Kwei-Armah and Bola Agbaje will tackle the prison system, the mayoralty and immigration respectively in the Not Black and White season which runs from 8 October to 19 December 2009.

Nominees for the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® for outstanding performances in 2009 in five film and eight primetime television categories and for the SAG honors for film and television stunt ensembles were announced this morning in Los Angeles at the Pacific Design Center's Silver Screen Theater in West Hollywood.

Michelle Monaghan, who starred opposite Tom Cruise in blockbuster 'Mission: Impossible III,' and 'NCIS: Los Angeles' star Chris O'Donnell will join Screen Actors Guild President Ken Howard to announce the nominees for the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Executive Producer Jeff Margolis announced today.