Neil LaBute News

Howard Panter, the dynamic UK co-founder of the Ambassador Theater Group, the producing company and owner of 23 London theatre venues, is setting his sights on Broadway in a VERY big way reports Variety. The trade paper reports that he has created an ambitious list of new projects targeting for Broadway -- including a handful of productions and in very exciting news, a possible new theater space.

Variety is reporting that Neil LaBute has signed a two-picture deal with Screen Gems. The first project will be to reunite with his 'Nurse Betty' star Chris Rock for a remake of 2007 British comedy 'Death at a Funeral.' LaBute, who most recently directed the Samuel L. Jackson film 'Lakeview Terrace' and will also head up the romantic comedy 'Here Comes the Sun' for Screen Gems.

CINEMONDE SOIREE Presents An Exclusive Film Screening and Gourmet Cocktail Reception, With Cast, Filmmakers and Special Guests THE UNDERSTUDY Dying for stardom...She found a role to kill for Marin Ireland Aasif Mandvi Tom Wopat Paul Sparks Richard Kind Gloria Reuben Scott Cohen Reiko Aylesworth Amy Redford Cast: Marin Ireland( Neil LaBute's 'reasons to be pretty'; Blasted) , Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show), Tom Wopat (Chicago) , Paul Sparks (Hedda Gabler) , and Richard Kind Filmmakers: David Conolly, Hannah Davis (Mothers & Daughters) Evening's Host: Jerry Rudes Gourmet Cocktail Reception & Exclusive Screening of THE UNDERSTUDY, a film by Hannah Davis and David Conolly A Q&A with cast & crew will immediately following the screening. Saturday, February 7 5:30 pm Arrivals 6:00 pm Cocktail Reception 7:30 pm Screening 9:15 pm Q&A and Post-screening Dessert Reception

Furious Theatre Company continues its 2008-2009 season of shows with the Los Angeles Premiere of HUNTER GATHERERS, written by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb (boom, Colorado) and directed by D?maso Rodriguez (Canned Peaches In Syrup, Furious Theatre; Orson's Shadow, Pasadena Playhouse). HUNTER GATHERERS will preview on Wednesday, January 21; Thursday, January 22 and Friday, January 23 at 8 p.m. and will open on Saturday, January 24 at 8 p.m. and run through Saturday, February 21 at the home of Furious Theatre Company, the Pasadena Playhouse Carrie Hamilton Theatre, 39 S. El Molino Ave. in Pasadena.

The following statement has just been released to the media by Jeremy Piven's publicist. Stay tuned to BroadwayWorld.com for future updates as they become available.

It was announced today that Marin Ireland, Steven Pasquale, Piper Perabo and Thomas Sadoski will comprise the four-person cast of this season's production of Neil LaBute's new play, reasons to be pretty, under the direction of Terry Kinney. Perabo and Sadoski appeared in this summer's smash Off Broadway world premiere for MCC Theater, with Ireland and Pasquale slated to join the cast for the Broadway production. Preview performances begin Friday, March 13, 2009 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) with an official opening night scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2009. Tickets are on sale now through www.telecharge.com. reasons to be pretty confronts America's obsession with physical beauty headlong. In Neil LaBute's new play, Greg's (Sadoski) tight-knit social circle is thrown into turmoil when his off-handed remarks about a female co-worker's pretty face (and his girlfriend's lack thereof) get back to said girlfriend (Ireland). But that's just the beginning.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that Kathleen Turner has been confirmed to star in their production of Charles Busch's The Third Story, directed by Carl Andress. Ms. Turner will appear opposite Mr. Busch, who was previously announced to play the other leading female role.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that Jennifer Van Dyck, Scott Parkinson, Sarah Rafferty and Jonathan Walker will complete the cast for their production of Charles Busch's The Third Story, directed by Carl Andress. As previously announced Kathleen Turner and Mr. Busch will appear as dueling divas.

The producers of the upcoming Broadway production of Neil LaBute's reasons to be pretty held a casting call for real people with real bodies (all shapes and sizes) to be models who will be photographed for the play's advertising campaign (no professional models, please). The open audition was conducted by casting directors Bernard Telsey and Will Cantler on Thursday, January 8th at the casting offices of Telsey & Co. (311 West 43rd St., 10th Fl).

Tickets went on sale this past Sunday for the Broadway production of 'reasons to be pretty' by Neil LaBute, directed by Terry Kinney. Online and phone transactions can be made via www.telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200. Preview performances begin Friday, March 13, at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) with an official opening night scheduled for Thursday, April 2nd.

Tickets will go on sale this Sunday for the Broadway production of ?reasons to be pretty' by Neil LaBute, directed by Terry Kinney. Online and phone transactions can be made via www.telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.

Furious Theatre Company continues its 2008-2009 season of shows with the Los Angeles Premiere of HUNTER GATHERERS, written by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb (boom, Colorado) and directed by D?maso Rodriguez (Canned Peaches In Syrup, Furious Theatre; Orson's Shadow, Pasadena Playhouse). HUNTER GATHERERS will preview on Wednesday, January 21; Thursday, January 22 and Friday, January 23 at 8 p.m. and will open on Saturday, January 24 at 8 p.m. and run through Saturday, February 21 at the home of Furious Theatre Company, the Pasadena Playhouse Carrie Hamilton Theatre, 39 S. El Molino Ave. in Pasadena.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) continues its 30th Anniversary Season with the New York premiere of Gina Gionfriddo's play, BECKY SHAW, directed by Peter DuBois.

The producers of the upcoming Broadway production of Neil LaBute's reasons to be pretty are looking for real people with real bodies (all shapes and sizes) to be models who will be photographed for the play's advertising campaign (no professional models, please).

Chicago-Profiles Theatre, currently celebrating its 20th Anniversary Season, will host a benefit evening with acclaimed playwright and filmmaker Neil LaBute on Saturday, January 3, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. The event will include a pre-show reception at 6:30 p.m., selected readings of LaBute's work at 7:30 p.m. and a post-show audience talkback and discussion with LaBute. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Profiles Theatre.

Profiles Theatre continues its 20th Anniversary Season with the acclaimed new comedy-drama Great Falls by Lee Blessing, directed by Profiles Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. The production runs January 15 - March 1, 2009, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway.

Profiles Theatre continues its 20th Anniversary Season with the acclaimed new comedy-drama Great Falls by Lee Blessing, directed by Profiles Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. The production runs January 15 - March 1, 2009, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway.

Chicago-Profiles Theatre, currently celebrating its 20th Anniversary Season, will host a benefit evening with acclaimed playwright and filmmaker Neil LaBute on Saturday, January 3, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. The event will include a pre-show reception at 6:30 p.m., selected readings of LaBute's work at 7:30 p.m. and a post-show audience talkback and discussion with LaBute. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Profiles Theatre.

Profiles Theatre, currently celebrating its 20th Anniversary Season, will host a benefit evening with acclaimed playwright and filmmaker Neil LaBute on Saturday, January 3, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. The event will include a pre-show reception at 6:30 p.m., selected readings of LaBute's work at 7:30 p.m. and a post-show audience talkback and discussion with LaBute. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Profiles Theatre.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) will continue its 30th Anniversary Season with the New York premiere of Gina Gionfriddo's play, BECKY SHAW, directed by Peter DuBois.