Morgan Freeman News

Whatsonstage.com is reporting that the stage adaptation of the Shawshank Redemption, which opened just a few months ago on September 13 at the Wyndham's Theater in the West End, has posted an early closing notice. The production will play through its 100th performance on November 29. Initially, booking had been open through February 2010.

PETER GALLAGHER, DON'T GIVE UP ON ME is a new musical play by stage and screen star Peter Gallagher. Featuring great American song selections from 'Pal Joey,' 'Guys and Dolls,' and songs by Cy Coleman, Bart Howard, Lyle Lovett, Leon Russell, Burt Bacharach, Dan Penn and others, this new musical play is the story of an actor's apprenticeships with the legends he admires: James Cagney, Jack Lemmon, Peter O'Toole, Stubby Kaye and more and the journey he takes with them.

Sarahbeth Grossman and Craig Zehms today announced that they would present the Off-Broadway premiere of Martin Casella's acclaimed comedy THE IRISH CURSE at the Soho Playhouse, 15 Vandam Street (between Avenue of the Americas & Varick Street) beginning an open-ended run on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th.

The 21st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present Morgan Freeman with the Career Achievement Award for Acting. Presented by Cartier, the Awards Gala will kick off the 2010 awards season on Tuesday, January 5 at the Palm Springs Convention Center and will be hosted by 'Entertainment Tonight's' Mary Hart. The Festival runs January 5-18.

Stage and screen star Helen Mirren has joined the cast of the upcoming thriller 'Red', Variety reports. Already announced for the cast are Morgan Freeman and Bruce Willis. Produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Gregory Noveck, and Mark Vahradian, 'Red' is written by Erich and Joe Hoeber and directed by Robert Schwentke. Shooting is set to begin January 2010 with an expected release date of November 19th, 2010.

I mean it with the most sincere amount of respect and admiration for both gentlemen when I write that Peter Gallagher seems to have morphed into Jerry Orbach.  At least in his portrayal of Bernie Dodd, the hard-driving Broadway director convinced that when the star of his new play suddenly leaves for a Hollywood gig he can get a great turn out of the washed-up alcoholic actor whose performances twIce Thrilled him many years ago.  He's the best part of Mike Nichols' new production of Clifford Odets' The Country Girl (which has undergone some text tweaking by Jon Robin Baitz).  His tough, but passionate mannerisms and gruff speaking voice bring out a sense of urgency to the proceedings as he convinces a skeptical producer (Chip Zien), a reluctant actor and his long-suffering wife that his high-stakes risk can pay off big.  By the end of the evening I was half expecting the man to send his star on stage with an exhilarated, 'Think of musical comedy!'

Whatsonstage.com is reporting that the stage adaptation of the Shawshank Redemption, which opened just a few months ago on September 13 at the Wyndham's Theater in the West End, has posted an early closing notice. The production will play through its 100th performance on November 29. Initially, booking had been open through February 2010.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen's The Exonerated, October 9 - 18 in the Nafe Katter on the Storrs campus

The New York Post's Michael Riedel is reporting this morning that Kristin Chenoweth has been nabbed by producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron for their upcoming Broadway revival of PROMISES, PROMISES. The Post reports that while not yet signed, a deal appears to have been reached for the always-in-demand star to take on the role of Fran Kubelik opposite Sean Hayes as Chuck Baxter.

PETER GALLAGHER, DON'T GIVE UP ON ME is a new musical play by stage and screen star Peter Gallagher. Featuring great American song selections from 'Pal Joey,' 'Guys and Dolls,' and songs by Cy Coleman, Bart Howard, Lyle Lovett, Leon Russell, Burt Bacharach, Dan Penn and others, this new musical play is the story of an actor's apprenticeships with the legends he admires: James Cagney, Jack Lemmon, Peter O'Toole, Stubby Kaye and more and the journey he takes with them.

When attorney Karen Goodrow comes to UConn on Oct. 14 to see the Connecticut Repertory Theatre's production of The Exonerated, many of the play's stories of prisoners wrongly accused may sound familiar to her.

Variety reports that 'Harry Potter' star Daniel Radcliffe will lead the cast of an upcoming New York reading of 1961 musical 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,' marking the first musical turn for the 'Harry Potter' star. Producers Broadway Across America, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will guide the reading, seen as a set up for a potential Broadway revival.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen's The Exonerated, October 9 - 18 in the Nafe Katter on the Storrs campus

When attorney Karen Goodrow comes to UConn on Oct. 14 to see the Connecticut Repertory Theatre's production of The Exonerated, many of the play's stories of prisoners wrongly accused may sound familiar to her.

When attorney Karen Goodrow comes to UConn on Oct. 14 to see the Connecticut Repertory Theatre's production of The Exonerated, many of the play's stories of prisoners wrongly accused may sound familiar to her.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen's The Exonerated, October 9 - 18 in the Nafe Katter on the Storrs campus

Megan Mullally talks to Metrosource about her upcoming projects, including a new little musical she has in the works, Karen: The Musical.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops opens its 2009-10 season with its signature show, Broadway Showstoppers! Celebrating its ninth year, Broadway Showstoppers is, without a doubt, Philadelphia's unparalleled Broadway show. Broadwayworld.com called it '... the envy of any New York production.'

Ollie Fielding shares his thoughts on the stage production of The Shawshank Redemption.

On August 30th, Oscar Winning producers Craig Zadan And Neil Meron hosted a truly 'All-Star' cast reception for Lifetime Network's hit series DROP DEAD DIVA. Zadan and Meron are executive producers of the show which was recently picked up for a second season.