Neil Meron News

Young actor Zac Efron revealed to EW.com why he pulled out of the Footloose remake: He didn't want to be type-cast as the musical guy.

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.

E! Online's Marc Malkin is exclusively reporting that Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford tested this weekend for the upcoming big screen remake of Footloose.

Variety is reporting that Zac Efron is in negotiations to re-team with 17 Again director Burr Steers on an adaptation of the novel 'The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud.' The film will likely be the next for Efron, who just bailed out of Paramount's Footloose remake.

Hollywood news website The Wrap has reported that teen-throb and star of Disney's first three 'High School Musical' films, Zac Efron has dropped out of Paramount's planned remake of 'Footloose,' in what seems an apparent effort to push his career beyond fame as just a cute song-and-dance man.

Variety is reporting that Amanda Bynes is set to star in the new ABC pilot 'Canned.' Bynes plays Sarabeth, a 'naive Midwesterner who's being exploited by her boss - and doesn't realize it'.

The Hollywood Reporter has announced that actor Skeet Ulrich has been cast as the lead of CBS' drama pilot 'Back', executive produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

Variety.com is reporting that New Line Cinema and the top notch producing team of Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have selected their next musical film project, a contemporized version of the classic musical Damn Yankees.

ABC's small screen version of the Broadway hit, A Raisin in the Sun, which starred Sean Combs, Saana Lathan, Audra McDonald, Phylicia Rashad, and Sean Patrick Thomas was named Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-series or Special at this evening's NAACP Image Awards, and Combs and Rashad also won Image awards for their performances in the highly acclaimed telemovie.

China.org is reporting that Oscar nominee Anne Hathaway is looking set to star in Hong Kong comedy filmmaker Stephen Chow's Hollywood debut.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is proud to announce the full cast for the upcoming New York premiere of Distracted, by Lisa Loomer, directed by Mark Brokaw. Distracted will begin previews on Saturday, February 7th and open officially on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street).

Variety is reporting that CBS has greenlit a trio of drama pilots, including one executive produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. 'Back,' from Zadan and Meron's Storyline Entertainment, centers on a man 'who disappeared in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks -- but who suddenly shows up, eight years later. Project follows the man as he reconnects with his family and adjusts to a world that has dramatically changed'.

Lifetime Television today announced the pick up of Drop Dead Diva, a spirited new comedic drama series that puts a uniquely compelling twist on the age-old battle between brains and beauty. Drop Dead Diva 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, thoughtful and plus-size attorney. Drop Dead Diva is produced by Sony Pictures Television and is set to premiere on Lifetime Television in the Summer 2009. 'I couldn't be more excited about Drop Dead Diva,' said JoAnn Alfano, Executive Vice President, Lifetime Networks. 'It's the type of show that truly enhances the Lifetime brand - the duality of emotionally compelling drama with an equal balance of humor.'

The Directors Guild of America announced the Guild's nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Documentaries and Commercials for the year 2008. Kenny Leon, received a nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television/Miniseries nomination for the TV version of A Raisin in the Sun.

Film star Anne Hathaway will be a guest on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tonight Thursday January 8th. The show airs at 12:05am (EST) on ABC stations.

Tonight Wednesday January 7th, 2009 film star Anne Hathaway will be a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno tonight, the program airs 11:30pm (EST) on NBC.

On Monday January 5th, 2009 film star Anne Hathaway will be dropping by 'Live With Regis and Kelly' to talk about her new movie 'Bride Wars'. The show begins at 9AM EST on ABC stations.

Liza's at the Palace...! opened on Broadway on December 3rd and the raves reviews and cheering hasn't stopped! What also hasn't stopped is the steady stream of starry well wishers who've caught the show and stepped backstage to share in the excitement that is Liza's at the Palace...!

Variety is reporting that Hairspray and upcoming Bedtime Stories director Adam Shankman has signed on to direct two new projects, Bob the Musical at Disney and Sinbad at Sony

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is proud to announce the full cast for the upcoming New York premiere of Distracted, by Lisa Loomer, directed by Mark Brokaw. Distracted will begin previews on Saturday, February 7th and open officially on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street).