Portia News

Last night (8 March 2016) marked the opening of the West End production of Motown the Musical. With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy,Motown the Musical is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. Last month, due to public demand, a further 200,000 tickets were released for sale taking bookings at the Shaftesbury Theatre to 18 February 2017.  BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the opening night bash below!

The West End production of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL officially opens tonight 8 March 2016. With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. Let's see what the critics had to say...

The West End production of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL officially opens tonight 8 March 2016. With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, MOTOWN THE MUSICALis directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. 

Freestyle Digital Media, the recently-acquired Digital Film Distribution of Entertainment Studios, announced today that the New York-set mobster farce FRIENDS AND ROMANS will be released on VOD today, March 8th, 2016.

Craig Robinson (“The Office”) has been cast as a recurring guest star in the highly-anticipated second season of USA Network's award-winning drama series MR. ROBOT. Robinson will star as “Ray,” a neighborhood local who reaches out to Elliot in his time of need. He joins the previously announced Joey Bada$$ and Chris Conroy (“Members Only”) for the 10-episode second season.

Cherry Lane Theatre has announced casting for the second production of the company's award-winning MENTOR PROJECT 2016, Sarah Einspanier's play THE CONVENT OF PLEASURE, being presented at Cherry Lane (38 Commerce St.) from March 23-April 2, it has been announced by Seri Lawrence and Janio Marrero, MENTOR PROJECT's Producing Artistic Directors.

Michael Cristofer (“Ray Donovan”) and Stephanie Corneliussen (“Legends of Tomorrow”) have been upped to series regulars on the Golden Globe award-winning USA Network series MR. ROBOT.

The ABC Television Network has issued pick-up orders for the following series for the 2016/2017 season: "America's Funniest Home Videos," "The Bachelor," "black-ish," "Dancing with the Stars," "Fresh Off the Boat," and more.

The West End production of Motown the Musical is now in previews at the Shaftesbury Theatre, with press night on 8 March 2016. With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Motown the Musical is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright.   The show recently released a further 200,000 tickets for sale taking bookings to 18 February 2017. Check out a first look below!

?Five-time Obie Award-winning theater company Clubbed Thumb has announced the line-up for SUMMERWORKS, its annual series of new plays. Now in its 21st season, SUMMERWORKS will run May 27 through July 9 at The Wild Project (195 E 3rd Street) in Manhattan, and will feature productions of three new plays: EVERY ANGEL IS BRUTAL by Julia Jarcho and directed by Knud Adams; THE TOMB OF KING TOT by Eric Dufault and directed by Portia Krieger; and TUMACHO by Ethan Lipton and directed by Leigh Silverman. Festival passes are now on sale at: https://www.artful.ly/clubbedthumb/store/passes.

Brown Paper Box Co. has announced their upcoming production of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. The show opens Saturday, March 5, and runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 2:00 PM through April 3 at The Greenhouse Theater Center in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood (2257 N. Lincoln Avenue). A preview is also scheduled for Friday, March 4, along with a special Monday night performance on March 7, both of which begin at 7:30. Ticketing information and more can be found at www.brownpaperbox.org.

Goldstar is excited to announce the latest guest star to answer viewer questions online in real time next week: Actress Bellamy Young, best known for playing First Lady Mellie Grant on ABC's Scandal. Young will answer fans' questions during Coffee With Goldstar on Monday, February 29 at 4:30pm EST/1:30pm PST.

Second Stage Theatre will present the world premiere of Sofia Alvarez's FRIEND ART, directed by Portia Krieger, and the New York premiere of Lucy Teitler's ENGAGEMENTS as part of the company's fourteenth annual SECOND STAGE THEATRE UPTOWN SERIES this summer.

Last night, February 18, Harvey Weinstein hosted a star-studded performance of Eugene O'Neill's HUGHIE -- starring Academy Award winner, Golden Globe Award winner & BAFTA winner Forest Whitaker and Tony Award winner Frank Wood at Broadway's Booth Theatre (222 West 45 Street) -- followed by and intimate reception in celebration of director Michael Grandage and Whitaker, who is making his Broadway debut. Eugene O'Neill's HUGHIE opens Thursday, February 25, 2016, in a strictly limited engagement. Scroll down for photos from the party!

USA Network is bringing the world of MR. ROBOT to SXSW with a custom, series-inspired footprint. Beginning Friday, March 11 – Monday, March 14, attendees will become immersed in the fsociety space, complete with a one-of-a-kind 100-foot Ferris wheel, hacker den and retro arcade.

The citizens of Tromaville are crying out for a hero - enter Melvin Ferd the Third, an aspiring earth scientist determined to clean up the toxic waste problem. But when a corrupt Mayor and her government goons try to stop this heroic feat, Melvin is tossed into a vat of toxic waste and transformed into The Toxic Avenger, New Jersey's first superhero! 

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced it will present Shakespeare's Globe's critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE in five performances from July 27 - 30, 2016 in the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater.

NOISES OFF star Andrea Martin is headed back to the small screen! Deadline writes that she will star opposite Kimrie Lewis-Davis in a new NBC comedy written by Tracey Wigfield (30 ROCK, THE MINDY PROJECT).

On the next episode of ABC's SCANDAL titled 'The Candidate', Mellie turns to Olivia for help; Liz tries to persuade Susan Ross to run for president; a profile piece on Fitz puts Abby and Cyrus at odds.

Freestyle Digital Media, the recently-acquired Digital Film Distribution division of Entertainment Studios, announced today that the coming-of-age dramedy KTOWN COWBOYS will have a limited theatrical release on March 18, 2016, and a nationwide VOD release on March 25th.