Neil Meron News

Country singer Julianne Hough has reportedly been ordered to take acting classes to secure her role in the upcoming Footloose remake. IMDB has posted news that Hough is set to take some acting lessons in hopes that they improve her acting abilities.

Lifetime's new one-hour comedic drama series, Drop Dead Diva, became the Network's highest-rated original drama series debut across key demographics since the June 3, 2007, launch of the hit drama Army Wives. The July 12, 2009, premiere of Drop Dead Diva averaged a 1.6 rating, a 148% increase from the 9:00 PM time period's prior four-week average, among the highly coveted advertiser demographic of Women 18-49 and a 1.9 among Women 25-54, a 158% increase from the prior four week average. In Households, Drop Dead Diva scored a 2.2 rating, up 103% from the prior four week time period and averaged more than 2.8 million total viewers, a 129% jump from the prior same four weeks.

After a 48 year absence, Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents the first new Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie as the inaugural production of the new Henry Miller's Theatre (124 West 43rd Street) beginning Thursday, September 10th, 2009 with an official opening on Thursday, October 15th, 2009. This will be a limited engagement through January 10th, 2010.

On Sunday, July 12 at 9PM ET/PT Lifetime Television premieres 'Drop Dead Diva.' The one-hour, comedic drama tells the story of a shallow model-in-training who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney.

On Sunday, July 12 at 9PM ET/PT Lifetime Television premieres 'Drop Dead Diva.' The one-hour, comedic drama tells the story of a shallow model-in-training who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney.

Access Hollywood is exclusively reporting that AMERICAN IDOL judge Paula Abdul will play a fictionalized version of herself on Lifetime's upcoming series, 'Drop Dead Diva.'

Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello has reported in his 'The Ausiello Files' that recent Tony Award-Winner Liza Minnelli and actress Delta Burke are set to play dueling sisters on Lifetime's upcoming legal dramedy Drop Dead Diva.

Country singer Julianne Hough has reportedly been ordered to take acting classes to secure her role in the upcoming Footloose remake. IMDB has posted news that Hough is set to take some acting lessons in hopes that they improve her acting abilities.

X Repertory Theatre is proud to present and evening with Actor/Musician John Stamos, Producer Neil Meron (Chicago, Hairspray, Footloose), talent manager Danny Sussman (Brillstein Entertainment Partners), talent agent Brandt Joel (Endeavor Agency) and Director Andrew Bernstein

Variety is reporting that 'Dancing With the Stars' pro dancer and country singer Julianne Hough will star opposite Chace Crawford on Paramount's upcoming remake of 'Footloose,' contingent on working out scheduling.

X Repertory Theatre is proud to present and evening with Actor/Musician John Stamos, Producer Neil Meron (Chicago, Hairspray, Footloose), talent manager Danny Sussman (Brillstein Entertainment Partners), talent agent Brandt Joel (Endeavor Agency) and Director Andrew Bernstein

Tony Award-winning composing team Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman wrote something special for Neil Patrick Harris to sing at last night's The Tony Awards. We now bring you their comic lyrics that were set to tune of West Side Story's 'Tonight' and Guys and Dolls' 'Luck Be a Lady.'

A number of 'little birdies' are revealing that Tony Award-winning composing team Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman have written something special for The Tony Awards. And that same gaggle of gregarious geese have informed us to set our DVR's for the telecast possibly going past 11pm.

Variety reports that Universal Pictures has made a big-bucks deal to acquire an untitled Mattel toy property for a live-action musical film to be produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. The duo will reunite with the 'Hairspray' team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Shaiman and Wittman are in talks to write an original score for the musical.

Chace Crawford will undergo gruelling singing and dancing lessons before the cameras role on his remake of movie musical 'Footloose.' Paramount Pictures announced earlier this month that the 'Gossip Girl' star will play the lead role of Ren McCormack in the film 'Footloose,' which will be produced and directed by Kenny Ortega.

Perez Hilton has announced the exclusive news that Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford has been cast in the upcoming remake of Footloose. Pararmount Studio, which is producing the movie, confirmed the much rumored casting choice exclusively to PerezHilton.com

After a 48 year absence, Bye Bye Birdie will return to Broadway this fall presented by Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) in a production starring John Stamos (Albert Peterson), Gina Gershon (Rose Alvarez), Bill Irwin (Mr. Harry MacAfee) and Jayne Houdyshell (Mrs. Mae Peterson). Directed & choreographed by Robert Longbottom, Bye Bye Birdie has a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse. Roundabout is proud to welcome back three artists who have previously worked at the theatrical institution: John Stamos, Gina Gershon and Bill Irwin.

The Heroes star has auditioned for the role of Ariel Moore - a part for which Dancing with the Stars' Julianne Hough is also reportedly seeking - in the musical remake of Footloose, E! News reports. Lori Singer played the character of Ariel in the original film.

E! Online's Marc Malkin is reporting that Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford's scheduling commitments to the show are causing significant issues with the upcoming big screen remake of Footloose. Negotiations are ongoing and are said to be getting down to the 'nitty-gritty of scheduling.'

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Zac Efron has been cast in the title role of Jonny Quest in the upcoming action film based on the famed comic character.