Nick Hornby News

"It's commonly said that if people understood the difficulties and heartbreaks of having children, they might not do it," writes Walter Kirn in MY MOTHER'S BIBLE($1.99), just released by Byliner, the acclaimed e-shorts publisher. "This seems to be true of God as well. Parenthood was not what he expected."

The digital publishing startup Byliner announced today a collaboration with The New York Times for a series of co-produced e-shorts that play to the Times's longstanding reportorial strengths in culture, politics, sports, business, science, and health and feature some of its finest writers.

Sebastian Junger, arguably America's greatest chronicler of life lived at its extremes and the bestselling author of The Perfect Storm, War, and A Death in Belmont publishes a rare work of short fiction today with digital publisher Byliner, A WORLD MADE OF BLOOD ($1.99).

The bestselling memoir, WILD, by Cheryl Strayed is set for a big-screen adaptation - with fellow novelist Nick Hornby penning the script, and Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon starring. Witherspoon and Bruna Papandrea will produce for River Road Entertainment. Deadline first broke the news on the adaptation this evening.

Fuller's new e-single, published today by Byliner, Falling: The Story of a Marriage($2.99) is a heartbreakingly honest tale of passion and loss. It speaks to wives, husbands, and anyone who has been deeply in love.

Having recently performed at the Americana Music Association Conference in Nashville, Merritt is touring North America in support of the new record. Dates include a fall tour with Justin Townes Earle before a February headlining tour throughout the east coast and southeast. Please see below for a list of shows.

Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company proudly presents our Houston area premier of Kimberly Akimbo, by Pulitzer Prize- winning playwright, David Lindsay Abaire. The show will be directed by veteran Houston director, Ron Jones, starring Carolyn Boone, Kim Tobin-Lehl, Jennifer Decker, Luke Fedell and Ty Doran. The performances will run November 29 thru December 15, 2012 at Studio 101 at Spring Street Studios.

Shakedown explodes the postwar America of June and Ward Cleaver, breathing randy new life into the man who whetted our national appetite for sex and scandal. Freddy's lack of scruples-and lack of morality-make today's gossip culture seem almost innocent. What's true and what's fiction? Ellroy's certainly not telling.

At 5:00 p.m. on September 11, 2001, an ashen-faced but composed President Al Gore stepped into the East Room of the White House to deliver a televised address to the nation. With him were former presidents Clinton and Bush, as well as Texas governor George W. Bush-flown to Washington from Dallas on a military jet, his first visit back to the capital after the close race that lost him the presidency just months before.

Variety reports that Rosamund Pike, Sam Neill, Toni Collette, Pierce Brosnan, Aaron Paul and Imogen Poots have joined the cast of the upcoming film A LONG WAY DOWN. The project is based on the best-selling dark comedy from Nick Hornby.

Tift Merritt's highly anticipated Yep Roc Records label debut Traveling Alone is due October 2. The album was recorded in Brooklyn with Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, My Morning Jacket, Spoon) and features a guest appearance by Andrew Bird as well as performances by Marc Ribot, Rob Burger (Lucinda Williams, Iron & Wine, Rufus Wainwright), John Convertino (Calexico), Eric Heywood (The Jayhawks, Son Volt, Alejandro Escovedo) and Merritt's longtime collaborator Jay Brown.

When I reviewed New Line Theatre's production of HIGH FIDELITY in 2008, I decided to start off in the spirit of Nick Hornby by giving my readers the top five reasons they should see this wonderful musical. Well, here are the Top Five reasons you should see High Fidelity, either for the very first time, or again, in 2012 (in reverse order, naturally). Number Five: because the cast members that remain the same are still superb in their roles, and the new additions make it even more entertaining. Number Four: because the music of Tom Kitt and the lyrics of Amanda Green are pure ear candy that cribs cool bits from classic rock and soul. Number Three: because this time it's in a different venue that allows for a grander scenic design, as well as a larger area for the fun choreography. Number Two: because seeing the musical still beats sitting through the movie, which didn't really capture Hornby's novel completely. And the Number One reason to see this revival production of HIGH FIDELITY: IT ABSOLUTELY ROCKS!

The first-ever Sundance London film and music festival came to a close on April 29th, capping off four days of film screenings and music performances hosted by Robert Redford, Sundance Enterprises, Sundance Institute and AEG Europe, with the support of Presenting Partner Sony Entertainment Network.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rooney Mara has joined the cast of the big-screen adaptation of Colm Toibins' BROOKLYN. The film will be based on the best-selling novel by author and screenwriter Nick Hornby. The actress will join previously announced cast members Pierce Brosnan, Toni Collette and Emile Hirschcast.

TOPHER GRACE and OLIVIA THIRLBY will co-star in Second Stage Theatre's production of Paul Weitz's world premiere comedy, LONELY, I'M NOT, directed by Trip Cullman. Preview performances are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 10 at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd street). The production will officially open on Monday, May 7. For tickets or more information, please visit www.2ST.com. Additional casting will be announced shortly.

According to Digitalspy.com, actor and director Robert Redford and musician T Bone Burnett are set to launch Sundance London at The O2 this coming April. Redford hopes to share the excitement and success of his long running Sundance Film Festival in Utah to the United Kingdom. The festival is set to kick off on April 26, 2012.

Priscilla Gilman Book Reading and Signing is set to be held at Spectrum Playhouse + Good Purpose Gallery.

Priscilla Gilman Book Reading and Signing is set to be held at Spectrum Playhouse + Good Purpose Gallery.

Two emerging female directors and University of the Arts alumni will lead a new generation of undergrads in October productions produced by the Ira Brind School of Theater Arts. Award-winning director Jackson Gay will direct Caryl Churchill's Top Girls (Oct. 6 - 9). Megan Nicole O'Brien, a Barrymore nominated director and co-founder of Philadelphia's 11th Hour Theatre Company, will direct the Philadelphia premiere of the musical High Fidelity (Oct. 14 - 16 & 20 - 22).

Two emerging female directors and University of the Arts alumni will lead a new generation of undergrads in October productions produced by the Ira Brind School of Theater Arts. Award-winning director Jackson Gay will direct Caryl Churchill's Top Girls (Oct. 6 - 9). Megan Nicole O'Brien, a Barrymore nominated director and co-founder of Philadelphia's 11th Hour Theatre Company, will direct the Philadelphia premiere of the musical High Fidelity (Oct. 14 - 16 & 20 - 22).