Mel Brooks News

From the groundbreaking TV series 'Your Show of Shows' to landmark films like 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein,' Mel Brooks has been one of the most influential voices in comedy. Now, this entertainment legend looks back on his remarkable career in Mel Brooks STRIKES BACK!, debuting MONDAY, DEC. 10 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively onHBO. OtherHBO playdates: Dec. 13 (noon, 8:00 p.m.), 15 (3:00 p.m.), 18 (2:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 21 (5:00 p.m.), 23 (noon) and 25 (5:30 a.m.) HBO2 playdate: Dec. 27 (noon, 8:00 p.m.) Appearing onstage with Alan Yentob, creative director for the BBC, at the Geffen Theater in Westwood, Cal. before a live audience, Brooks reviews his career as a writer, director, actor, producer, composer, failed ballet dancer and comedian. The special looks at the Brooklyn native's early life, show-business influences, early career and ascension as one of Hollywood's most successful writers and directors. Mel Brooks STRIKES BACK! also features clips from some of his classic movies and TV work, including 'Your Show of Shows,' featuring Sid Caesar and Carl Reiner, one of Brooks and Reiner's '2000 Year Old Man' routines and the movies 'The Producers,' 'Blazing Saddles' and 'High Anxiety.' Brooks also takes questions from the audience, discussing his experiences in World War II and the origins of the song 'Retreat,' which he performs in a clip with longtime collaborator Ronny Graham. Mel Brooks STRIKES BACK! marks his second appearance onHBO in recent years, following 2011's Emmy(R)-nominated special 'Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again.'

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 204th season with an all-new production of Broadway's five-time Tony Award-winning family musical, Meredith Willson's THE MUSIC MAN. Directed and choreographed by Marc Robin, this production will feature Philadelphia's very own Jeffrey Coon and Broadway's Jennifer Hope Wills. The cast also includes a live horse that will pull the Wells Fargo Wagon in the first act.

Today in 2007, Young Frankenstein opened at the Hilton Theatre (now the Foxwoods Theatre), where it ran for 485 performances. Young Frankenstein is a musical with a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Brooks. It is based on the 1974 comedy film of the same name written by Brooks and Gene Wilder and directed by Brooks, who has described it as his best film. It is a parody of the horror film genre, especially the 1931 Universal Pictures adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and its 1939 sequel, Son of Frankenstein.

After receiving more than 3,000 nominations once BroadwayWorld.com announced it's first-ever New York Cabaret Awards in early October, BWW is now pleased to announce it's final nominations ballot in 20 categories. Now it's time for all you cabaret performers and fans to vote for the best singers, musicians and shows of the year. Voting will continue until December 31 and winners will be announced in early January.

From the groundbreaking TV series 'Your Show of Shows' to landmark films like 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein,' Mel Brooks has been one of the most influential voices in comedy. Now, this entertainment legend looks back on his remarkable career in MEL BROOKS STRIKES BACK!, debuting MONDAY, DEC. 10 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

Vividly bringing to life the epic struggles of the men and women who ended slavery, THE ABOLITIONISTS interweaves drama with traditional documentary storytelling

Who sat in the pumpkin patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin? Which actor played the Frankenstein monster in Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein"? Who haunted Ichabod Crane? Do you know your ghosts and ghouls? Then mark your calendars for Cortland Repertory Theatre's Halloween themed Trivia Night and Costume Contest! This fund raiser, in support of CRT's Youth Programs, will be held tonight, October 24th, upstairs at the Dark Horse Tavern, 96 Main Street in Cortland.

92nd Street Y announces casting for the 2013 season of Lyrics & Lyricists™. Jason Danieley, Rebecca Luker, Barbara Carroll and James Naughton are among the performers from the worlds of Broadway, jazz and cabaret presenting a panoramic journey through the American Songbook via New York, London, Hollywood, and Stratford-on-Avon. L&L's shows this season explore Shakespeare on Broadway, iconic singer/lyricist Peggy Lee, a fresh take on Jerome Kern, and our look at Vernon Duke's and W. S. Gilbert's influence on Broadway. The season is curated by series artistic director Deborah Grace Winer (also returning as artistic director for one of the shows), and a line-up of guest artistic directors - Rob Fisher (with host Sheldon Harnick), Billy Stritch, David Loud and Mark Lamos.

Die neue Revue im Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin, welche die Vorgänger Show 'Yma' ablöst ist brilliant... aber leider nur für ungefähr fünf Minuten. Was nach einer schön durchdachten Eröffnungsszene 'unter Wasser' auf den Zuschauer einströmt ist eine quietschbunte, geschmacklos ausgestattete Kostümschlacht mit albernen Choreografien und lieblos zusammengeschusterten 'Handlungssträngen'

For ten years, Santa has always made it a point to stop by The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre and Children's Theatre to have breakfast with children and their families at what has become the most popular event at the Frederick theater.

Dopo due stagioni poco fortunate, il Teatro Brancaccio cambia direzione artistica e si mette nuovamente al servizio della sua città grazie al coraggio e alla tenacia di Alessandro Longobardi, già alla guida della Sala Umberto di Roma.

Who sat in the pumpkin patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin? Which actor played the Frankenstein monster in Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein"? Who haunted Ichabod Crane? Do you know your ghosts and ghouls? Then mark your calendars for Cortland Repertory Theatre's Halloween themed Trivia Night and Costume Contest! This fund raiser, in support of CRT's Youth Programs, will be held on Wednesday, October 24th, upstairs at the Dark Horse Tavern, 96 Main Street in Cortland.

Brooks has agreed to throw himself into a new documentary about his storied career, giving American Masters exclusive interviews and complete access to his film archives. Slated to premiere May 2013 on PBS (check local listings), American Masters Mel Brooks (w.t.) features new interviews with Brooks and his actor friends, including Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Cloris Leachman, Carl Reiner, and Joan Rivers.

The Broadway Channel announces the return of "Broadway Profiles" to its series as half hour shows and announces Tamsen Fadal as the series new host.

Broadway star and lead in ABC Family's new show 'Bunheads' Sutton Foster sang the National Anthem at last night's (October 14th) Yankees game. Click below to listen to her performance!

The holidays are always the busiest time at The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre and Children's Theatre. Over the years, some of the most popular shows at the theatre have been its Christmas productions. From Frosty the Snow Man to Santa's elves to the furry characters from the children's book Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, they have all helped to celebrate the joy of the season in the Children's Theatre at one time or another.

Variety reports that Alex Karras, the star of the film 'Blazing Saddles' and the TV series 'Webster' passed away today at age 77. The NFL star played for the Detroit Lions in the 1960's before he began his acting career.

Today, with musicals such as The Book of Mormon enjoying phenomenal box office success, revivals like The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess delighting new generations, and musical stage versions of popular films such as Once and Newsies dominating the Tony Awards, Broadway is proving yet again that its vitality and magic endure. Nominated for five 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards and winner of two, including Outstanding Nonfiction Series, THIRTEEN's landmark Broadway: The American Musical returns tonight, October 7 at 10 p.m., and continues on six consecutive Sundays through November 11 (check local listings).

Sir Howard Stringer, Chair of the American Film Institute's Board of Trustees, announced today the Board's decision to honor Mel Brooks with the 41st AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor for a career in film. The award will be presented to Brooks at a gala tribute on Thursday, June 6, 2013 in Los Angeles, CA.

ANNIE, the new production of the Tony Award-winning musical, went into rehearsal today in New York City with its full company. The production begins previews October 3, 2012 and opens November 8, 2012 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street). Meet the full cast below!