Renee Zellweger News

Last night I had the pleasure of speaking to two of the hottest producers in Hollywood and on Broadway all about their recent smash hit December with the ratings bonanza of NBC's live presentation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC as well as the three-network tent-pole two-night TV event, BONNIE & CLYDE - the peerless Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Discussing all aspects of the unprecedented live presentation, Zadan and Meron outline the process of bringing the gigantic production to the small screen and grant us a vivid look behind the scenes of the big show. Additionally, Zadan and Meron comment on the social media frenzy that occurred during the 25+ million-viewed telecast as well as their reaction to criticism of country music superstar Carrie Underwood in the starring role, as well as their longstanding relationship with NBC in general. Plus, Zadan and Meron also clue us in on what elements they seek out in special events such as this as we look ahead to next year's confirmed major live musical - whatever could it be?! Besides all about THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Zadan and Meron also offer us the 411 on a number of other projects immediately upcoming in 2014 and far beyond, with a special focus on their just-announced Harvey Weinstein collaboration on a feature film version of Stephen Schwartz's beloved PIPPIN, as well as first news on a forthcoming original Beach Boys jukebox musical currently in development and preliminary information on the pilot for a new musical series inspired by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Diane Warren titled SONGBYRD, set to shoot in January. All of that, reflections on last year's sensational Academy Awards broadcast hosted by the controversial Seth MacFarlane and a look ahead to this year's Zadan & Meron-produced Oscars show - set to be hosted by daytime queen Ellen Degeneres - as well as stories from their early years producing cabaret showcases and penning books on theatre as well as much, much more in this all-encompassing conversation with the most important men in movie musicals.

As BroadwayWorld.com continues to celebrate the site's landmark 10th anniversary, with a variety of special features, today we're turning our spotlight on the wonderful photography of Linda Lenzi.

One of the most sought after live comedians in the business, Artie Lange will bring his natural storytelling ability and seemingly bottomless pit of material to Stamford's Palace Theatre tonight, October 19, 2013 at 8 P.M. Tickets are on sale now at www.SCAlive.org.

Helen Fielding previously announced through her publisher, Jonathan Cape, her new book, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy will be published today, October 10th 2013.

The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles (SCLA) presents its 23rd Annual Simply Shakespeare benefit reading of 'The Two Gentlemen of Verona,' September 25, 2013 at The Broad Stage, Santa Monica. The evening will feature a star-studded cast including Sir Paul McCartney, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and William Shatner. Additional participants will be announced. Simply Shakespeare features a hilarious and entertaining evening of impromptu Shakespeare and song. All proceeds from the event support the SCLA and its arts based veterans employment and youth employment programs for inner-city youth and arts education in local schools.

One of the most sought after live comedians in the business, Artie Lange will bring his natural storytelling ability and seemingly bottomless pit of material to Stamford's Palace Theatre on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 8 P.M. Tickets are on sale now at www.SCAlive.org.

Drybar, the nation's leading hair blowout destination, is quickly approaching its 1,111,111th client. In celebration of this exciting milestone, the company is launching an exclusive promotion in Drybar locations nationwide, offering a free blowout to all customers who purchase $100 or more of Drybar-branded products or tools, either in store or online from Monday, June 17 through Sunday, June 23.

Helen Fielding announced through her publisher, Jonathan Cape, her new book, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy will be published on October 10th 2013.

Screen Actors Guild Foundation and Broadway World have partnered for an inaugural filmed Conversations Q&A series to recognize and celebrate the vibrant theatre community in New York City and the union actors who aspire to have a career on the stage and screen. The most recent event was a two hour career conversation with Vincent D'Onofrio moderated by Broadway World's own Richard Ridge, and you can check out highlights from the discussion below!

At 6:30pm, tonight, April 8th producer Marty Richards' feast of friends and loved ones will gather in celebration of his extremely accomplished life at The Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) where they will be served a magnificent four-course dinner and be entertained by a star-studded retrospective of show-stopping numbers from Mr. Richards' acclaimed Broadway musicals including Chicago, On The Twentieth Century, The Life, Grand Hotel, Sweeney Todd, La Cage Aux Folles, Sweet Smell Of Success, The Will Rogers Follies and Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life.

At 6:30pm, on Monday, April 8th producer Marty Richards' feast of friends and loved ones will gather in celebration of his extremely accomplished life at The Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) where they will be served a magnificent four-course dinner and be entertained by a star-studded retrospective of show-stopping numbers from Mr. Richards' acclaimed Broadway musicals including Chicago, On The Twentieth Century, The Life, Grand Hotel, Sweeney Todd, La Cage Aux Folles, Sweet Smell Of Success, The Will Rogers Follies and Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life.

At BroadwayWorld we pride ourselves in showcasing content submitted by our regional contributors from all corners of the globe. Get all your theater news at a glance each Friday with 'Around BWW: Regional Highlights of the Week'! Scroll below for the most-read stories for the week of February 25!

According to the Daily Mail, Renee Zellweger is set to appear in a West End stage version of the movie The Hustler. She would play 'Fast Eddie' Felson's girlfriend. No further casting has been announced.

The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences put three of FIDM's most talented fashion designers to the test as they compete with what they think the five Best Actress nominees and funny man host Seth MacFarlane should wear on the Red Carpet at the Oscars.

'SEX AND THE CITY ZOO 4: SEXY BEAST!,' an extraordinary Valentine's Day event celebrating romance in the animal kingdom, is presented by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) tonight, February 9, 2013, 5 pm, in the Zoo's Witherbee Auditorium.

Tony Award winner Richard Maltby, Jr. will direct The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's world premiere production of Cathy Tempelsman's A Most Dangerous Woman about the famed Victorian-era writer George Eliot. The production begins performances on September 18, 2013 at The Shakespeare Theatre's F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison New Jersey.

'SEX AND THE CITY ZOO 4: SEXY BEAST!,' an extraordinary Valentine's Day event celebrating romance in the animal kingdom, is presented by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) on Saturday, February 9, 2013, 5 pm, in the Zoo's Witherbee Auditorium.

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier today, producer Marty Richards passed away today after a long battle with cancer. He was 80 years old. We celebrate the life and career of the legend below

BroadwayWorld.com has confirmed the sad news that producer Marty Richards passed away today after a long battle with cancer. He was 80 years old.

GPR Records (Glen Roven, Peter Fitzgerald, Richard Cohen, artistic directors)releases a children's CD of Catherine Zeta-Jones narrating The Runaway Bunny, based on the best selling children's classic by Margaret Wise Brown. Michael Douglas narrates everyone's favorite elephant - The Story of Babar - The Little Elephant, a 1931 classic written by Jean de Brunhoff. Also on the CD will be English Baritone Mark Stone singing Goodnight Moon also by Margaret Wise Brown. The CD, distributed by Naxos, will be released today, November 15th and will be available at www.GPRRecords.com, Amazon, and iTunes.