Mark Twain News

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) brings Neil Simon's comic masterpiece about show business, friendship and growing old, 'The Sunshine Boys' to Arizona audiences. David Ira Goldstein directs one of Neil Simon's most beloved and acclaimed plays in ATC's new production that will premiere in Tucson for three weeks of performances and continue to Phoenix for an additional three weeks. ATC's 'The Sunshine Boys' opens at the Temple of Music and Art, running from tonight, March 2, 2013 through March 23, 2013. It continues its run in Phoenix at the Herberger Theater Center from March 28, 2013 through April 14, 2013.

Harry Belafonte, Gay Talese, Michael Shannon and Ellen Burstyn have joined Christine Vachon, Fred Schneider, Sofia Coppola, Todd Solondz, Barbara Kopple, Scott Foundas, Eric Kohn, Emily Russo, Jenny Lumet, Darren Aronofsky, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Hal Hartley, Peter Saraf, Nancy Savoca, Amy Ryan and Martin Scorsese as participants in First Time Fest.

It's a busy and exciting time for Cinedigm, with two upcoming theatrical releases this March: DON'T STOP BELIEVIN': EVERYMAN'S JOURNEY and COME OUT AND PLAY, and plenty of other new releases.

One of America's most beloved comedians, living legend Bill Cosby, returns to Stamford's Palace Theatre on Saturday, March 16 at 8:00pm. Cosby, who last played The Palace in 2008, has captivated generations of fans with his comedy routines, iconic albums and best selling books such as Fatherhood. His comedy transcends age, gender and cultural barriers. Tickets are on sale now at www.SCAlive.org. The 2012-2013 season is made possible through the generosity of SCA's Season Sponsors Seaboard Properties, Inc. and The Whittingham Family.

MTV today announced that Will Ferrell will be honored at the 2013 MTV MOVIE AWARDS with the first-ever "Comedic Genius Award" for his incomparable contributions to the world of comedy, including his on-screen portrayals of some of pop culture's greatest characters. View a promo for the event below!

Harry Belafonte, Gay Talese, Michael Shannon and Ellen Burstyn have joined Christine Vachon, Fred Schneider, Sofia Coppola, Todd Solondz, Barbara Kopple, Scott Foundas, Eric Kohn, Emily Russo, Jenny Lumet, Darren Aronofsky, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Hal Hartley, Peter Saraf, Nancy Savoca, Amy Ryan and Martin Scorsese as participants in First Time Fest.

Ka-Tet Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of SMUDGE by two-time Emmy Award-winning writer Rachel Axler, directed by Allison Shoemaker, playing May 25 - June 23, 2013 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago. SMUDGE features Ka-Tet company members Stevie Chaddock Lambert and Scott Allen Luke with Andrew Marchetti.

In the past 40 years, The Acting Company has produced and performed 137 classic and new plays for audiences totaling 3.5 million in 48 states and 10 foreign countries.

Christine Vachon, Fred Schneider, Sofia Coppola, Todd Solondz, Barbara Kopple, Scott Foundas, John Anderson, Eric Kohn, Emily Russo, Jenny Lumet and Martin Scorsese have signed on to join the previously announced Darren Aronofsky, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Hal Hartley, Peter Saraf, Nancy Savoca and Amy Ryan at First Time Fest.

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) brings Neil Simon's comic masterpiece about show business, friendship and growing old, 'The Sunshine Boys' to Arizona audiences. David Ira Goldstein directs one of Neil Simon's most beloved and acclaimed plays in ATC's new production that will premiere in Tucson for three weeks of performances and continue to Phoenix for an additional three weeks. ATC's 'The Sunshine Boys' opens at the Temple of Music and Art, running from March 2, 2013 through March 23, 2013. It continues its run in Phoenix at the Herberger Theater Center from March 28, 2013 through April 14, 2013.

The 2012-2013 Waxlax Second Stage season continues with the musical, Woody Sez, The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie. Devised by David M. Lutkin with Nick Corley, Woody Sez takes the Waxlax Stage from March 7 - 24, 2013 and is sponsored by Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers.

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum announces its fourth season of the Samuel M. Nickerson Lecture Series, an annual program which seeks to foster appreciation for historic architecture and design. The lectures feature five notable speakers who explore themes in late 19th and early 20th century decorative arts and architecture.

CPCC opens Big River: The Musical Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Roger Miller on Friday February 15th for a two week run in the Halton Theater. Based on Mark Twain's immortal classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Big River sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River. Their adventures along the way are hilarious, suspenseful and heartwarming. Propelled by an award winning score from Roger Miller, the king of country music, this jaunty journey provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana.

First Time Fest (FTF) - a celebration of first time filmmakers - is a new and unique film festival taking place in New York City from March 1 through 4, 2013. Just as Stanley Kubrick had KILLER'S KISS, Darren Aronofsky PI, and John Huston THE MALTESE FALCON as their first works (all of which will be screened during the festival), First Time Fest is set to discover and present the next generation of great cinema artists. The core of the festival is an exciting lineup of twelve international films - from Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Chile, Israel, Mongolia, and the United States, all debut films by promising and provocative directors.

Imagination Theater welcomes the Old West Trio and McAvoy Layne to the stage on Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Rising-star soprano Susanna Phillips - who returned to the Metropolitan Opera to acclaim in Don Giovanni earlier this season - will make her Carnegie recital debut in Weill Recital Hall tonight, February 8, with a program that ranges from Schubert, Chausson and Granados to Berg, Messiaen and Gordon Myers.

Available in hardback, softcover, and as an e-book, "An Emperor Among Us" by author David St. John is a "simple yet ambitious novel" about Joshua Norton, Emperor of the United States. It is available from Amazon.Com and BarnesAndNoble.Com, among other online retailers.

Following two sold-out performances, iconic funny man Bill Cosby brings his signature comedy back to the Treasure Island Theatre March 1 at 8 p.m.

Sometimes you just want to jump on a raft and float down the river just for the fun of it. If you're a fan of Mark Twain, you'll love Big River; this musical takes you on the famed journey down the Mississippi, with Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn singing and dancing right before your eyes. Now on stage at Grosse Pointe Theatre is the effusive musical, complete with jovial action, infectious songs, larger than life characters, and superb talent.

Rising-star soprano Susanna Phillips - who returned to the Metropolitan Opera to acclaim in Don Giovanni earlier this season - will make her Carnegie recital debut in Weill Recital Hall on February 8, with a program that ranges from Schubert, Chausson and Granados to Berg, Messiaen and Gordon Myers.