Max Casella News

Film Forum is pleased to present the U.S. theatrical premiere of PASSIONE, directed by and featuring John Turturro.

Film Forum is pleased to present the U.S. theatrical premiere of PASSIONE, directed by and featuring John Turturro. This wild, colorful, sexy ode to the music and people of Naples, was 'rapturously received' (Variety) and interrupted by 'spontaneous outbreaks of applause' (Sight + Sound Magazine) in Italy, where it played for more than four months (its soundtrack on the charts for five). A brilliant actor in film, theater, and television, Turturro is also the director of three features (including the hilarious, irreverent ROMANCE & CIGARETTES, which premiered in 2007 at Film Forum) and a man whose talents are fueled by an unquenchable zest for life. He describes his new film as 'a musical adventure that comes directly out of the people and the volcanic land they inhabit. Conjuring ancient stories and myths that still live - of love, sex, jealousy, and social protest - each song is a small screenplay, an emotional postcard. I tried to see if I could understand in a small way, a little bit of the soul of the city, while at the same time killing clichés about it. There are places you go and once is enough. Then, there's Napoli.'

When acclaimed actor-director John Turturro was invited to make a film about Neapolitan music, he was intrigued and traveled to Naples to meet the artists living and working there.

When acclaimed actor-director John Turturro was invited to make a film about Neapolitan music, he was intrigued and traveled to Naples to meet the artists living and working there. He was utterly blown away by the abundance of talent he found, and what was meant to be a straightforward documentary quickly transformed into a wild fantasia.

Broadway's cuddliest cast kicked off a new year with the 14th edition of THE BROADWAY BEARS auction yesterday, Sunday, March 6, 2011 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, produced by and benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Sure to out-do last year's collection, 43 one-of-a-kind, autographed BROADWAY BEARS - each dressed in original, handmade costumes representing some of the theater's most legendary performers and performances - will be put up for auction.

Broadway's cuddliest cast kicks off a new year with the 14th edition of THE BROADWAY BEARS auction on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill (237 West 42 Street), produced by and benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

It isn't just Curtis Moore's action-accenting electric guitar licks that give Richard Thomas a rock star presence in director Barry Edelstein's swift and rowdy production of Timon of Athens, a stinging morality tale attributed as a collaboration of sorts between William Shakespeare and the younger scribe, Thomas Middleton.  Though scholars will call the piece incomplete and problematic, the star gives a charismatic performance that glides through the rough patches.

The Public Theater began previews on Tuesday, February 15 for TIMON OF ATHENS, the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE featuring Richard Thomas in the title role. Directed by Shakespeare Initiative Director Barry Edelstein, TIMON OF ATHENS runs February 15 through March 6 at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street). The official press opening was last night, Tuesday, March 1. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below.

Broadway's cuddliest cast kicks off a new year with the 14th edition of THE BROADWAY BEARS auction on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill (237 West 42 Street), produced by and benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The Public Theater began previews on Tuesday, February 15 for TIMON OF ATHENS, the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE featuring Richard Thomas in the title role. Directed by Shakespeare Initiative Director Barry Edelstein, TIMON OF ATHENS runs February 15 through March 6 at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street), with an official press opening on Tuesday, March 1. Single tickets are on sale now; all tickets for Public LAB productions are $15. Production photos are below!

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) will begin previews on Tuesday, February 15 for TIMON OF ATHENS, the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE featuring Richard Thomas in the title role.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) will begin previews on Tuesday, February 15 for TIMON OF ATHENS, the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE featuring Richard Thomas in the title role.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced complete casting today for TIMON OF ATHENS, the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE featuring Richard Thomas in the title role. Directed by Shakespeare Initiative Director Barry Edelstein, TIMON OF ATHENS runs February 15 through March 6 at The Public Theater, with an official press opening on Tuesday, March 1. Single tickets go on sale on Tuesday, January 18; all tickets for Public LAB productions are $15.

LAByrinth Theater Company (Co-Artistic Directors Stephen Adly Guirgis, Mimi O'Donnell, Yul Vazquez and Managing Director, Danny Feldman), Off-Broadway's home of exhilarating and incendiary theater, has announced the full roster of actors and directors for the 11th Annual Barn Reading Series, a festival of staged readings highlighting 14 new plays.

LAByrinth Theater Company (Co-Artistic Directors Stephen Adly Guirgis, Mimi O'Donnell, Yul Vazquez and Managing Director, Danny Feldman), Off-Broadway's home of exhilarating and incendiary theater, has announced the full roster of actors and directors for the 11th Annual Barn Reading Series, a festival of staged readings highlighting 14 new plays.

New Dramatists, Tony Honor recipient and one of the nation's premiere playwright development workshop, honored two-time Tony Award winner Julie Taymor with their 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award at its 61st Annual Spring Luncheon tribute, to be held Tuesday, May 18th at the New York Marriott Marquis. Ms. Taymor's award was presented to her by Academy Award winning actress Helen Mirren, who stars in Taymor's soon-to-be-released film adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatricals served as the Luncheon Chair. Disney Theatricals and Robert Boyett were the benefactors for New Dramatists 61st Annual Spring Luncheon.

Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray, High School Musical) will be the host and musical guest of the upcoming The 24 Hour Plays Off Broadway on July 13 at the Atlantic Theater. Laura Breckenridge ('Gossip Girl'), Joey Slotnick ('Nip/Tuck'), Julie Halston (Hairspray, 'Sex and the City'), Patrick Heusinger (Next Fall, 'Gossip Girl'), Max Casella ('The Sopranos'), and Russell Jones (Ruined) will join the At Play ensemble in this exciting Off Broadway theatrical event.

Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray, High School Musical) will be the host and musical guest of the upcoming The 24 Hour Plays Off Broadway on July 13 at the Atlantic Theater. Laura Breckenridge ('Gossip Girl'), Joey Slotnick ('Nip/Tuck'), Julie Halston (Hairspray, 'Sex and the City'), Patrick Heusinger (Next Fall, 'Gossip Girl'), Max Casella ('The Sopranos'), and Russell Jones (Ruined) will join the At Play ensemble in this exciting Off Broadway theatrical event.

LAByrinth Theater Company (John Ortiz, Artistic Director; Philip Seymour Hoffman, Co-Artistic Director; John Gould Rubin, Co- Artistic & Executive Director) opens its alternative festival of free staged readings, Live Nude Plays (November 16-19, 2008).

LAByrinth Theater Company (John Ortiz, Artistic Director; Philip Seymour Hoffman, Co-Artistic Director; John Gould Rubin, Co- Artistic & Executive Director) opens its alternative festival of free staged readings, Live Nude Plays (November 16 ? 19, 2008).