Rob Ashford News

Variety gave a roundup this weekend of the many projects on the currently very hot director, Rob Ashford who's currently working on the upcoming Los Angeles production of Parade, which he will follow with preparations for a Spring debut of the highly anticipated Broadway revival of Promises, Promises.

'Parade,' which features T.R. Knight playing the historical figure Leo Frank and Lara Pulver reprising her role as his wife, Lucille Frank, started rehearsals this week. The Center Theatre Group's presentation of the Donmar Warehouse production begins previews September 24, 2009, and will open at the Mark Taper Forum on October 4. Performances continue through November 15.

The Donmar Warehouse presents A Streetcar Named Desire By Tennessee Williams Cast: Jack Ashton, Elliot Cowan, Charles Daish, Judy Hepburn, Barnaby Kay, Gary Milner, Daniela Nardini, Luke Rutherford, Rachel Weisz, Ruth Wilson

Ericka moved up when Savannah did: from offstage voice to full ensemble player in her first show since returning from L.A.

Dizzy Feet Foundation founding member, actress Katie Holmes performed an homage to Judy Garland in which she danced to and sang Garland's classic 'Get Happy' on the 100th episode of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Thursday, July 23rd on FOX TV.

Katie Holmes gave a big and bright performance on the 100th episode of FOX TV's 'So You Think You Can Dance tonight', her tribute to Judy Garland found her dancing to 'Get Happy' and was a pure delight to behold. Her cheery passion as she moved across the stage coupled with that joyful smile proved a showbiz winner!

Katie Holmes talks to Cat Deeley about her upcoming song-and-dance for the celebration of the 100th episode of 'So you Think You Can Dance' and Entertainment Tonight has a peek at their conversation which you can watch here on STAGE TUBE.

Executive Producer Ron Iannone is proud to announce WVPT's third straight debut with The Wedding Singer, which runs from July 21st through July 26th in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre at the WVU Creative Arts Center.

Variety is reporting that Katie Holmes has teamed up with Hairspray director Adam Shankman, reality TV mastermind Nigel Lythgoe and Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba to set up the Dizzy Feet Foundation. 'Dizzy Feet' is a dance scholarship fund that will give underprivileged youngsters the opportunity to take part in dance programs and win grants to enroll in accredited dance studios.

The Donmar Warehouse presents PARADE, with a book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. PARADE is co-conceived by Harold Prince and directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford.

PEOPLE is reporting that Katie Holmes will put on her dancing shoes for So You Think You Can Dance this season. The show's producer Nigel Lythgoe confirmed the news to PEOPLE saying, 'It's about a charity, I do not have the status.' Lythgoe is rumored to be directing Holmes in choreography by Tyce Diorio.

Center Theatre Group is announcing casting for the upcoming Donmar Warehouse production of the musical 'Parade,' starting previews on September 24, 2009, at the CTG/Mark Taper Forum. Opening is set for October 4 and performances will continue through November 15.

T.R. Knight has confirmed his next project; the 'Grey's Anatomy' actor will star in PARADE at the Mark Taper Forum. The production is based on the 2007 London production, which appeared at the famed Donmar Warehouse. Knight will star as Leo Frank in the Jason Robert Brown-Alfred Uhry masterpiece.

Four Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts alumni will perform at The 2009 Tony Awards this Sunday, June 7 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Rob Ashford, a 1983 dance alumnus, is choreographing the opening number. Ashford is a Tony-winning Broadway director and choreographer. He won a Tony Award for Best Choreography for Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2002; he received Tony nominations for his choreography for Cry-Baby, Curtains and the Wedding Singer.

Daniela Nardini and Ruth Wilson join Rachel Weisz in the Donmar's new production of A Streetcar Named Desire

Variety reports that Katie Holmes is set to star in Miramax Films' 'Don't Be Afraid of the Dark,' a thriller that is scripted by Guillermo del Toro and Matthew Robbins.

Nominations for the 2009 Astaire Awards were announced last night at Elaine?s Restaurant by Michael Riedel of the New York Post. These selections were made by this year?s Nominating Committee; Sylviane Gold (Theater Columnist for Dance Magazine), Anna Kisselgoff (former Chief Dance Critic of The New York Times), Wendy Perron (Editor in Chief of Dance Magazine), Linda Winer (Chief Theater Critic of Newsday) and Damian Woetzel (Former Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet). The producers of the 2009 Astaire Awards, which recognizes excellence in dance on stage and in film, are Patricia Watt and Ron Glucksman.

Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director)Waiting for Godot began previews Friday, April 3rd. Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot stars (in order of speaking)Nathan Lane (Estragon), Bill Irwin (Vladimir), John Goodman (Pozzo), John Glover (Lucky) and is directed by Anthony Page at Studio 54 on Broadway.

The Manhattan Theatre Club production of Samson Raphaelson's ACCENT ON YOUTH running at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) celebrated Opening Night yesterday evening Wednesday, April 29th. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there for the celebrity filled arrivals.

Patricia Watt and Ron Glucksman, Producers of the 2009 Astaire Awards, have announced that this year's Nominating Committee, Sylviane Gold (Theater Columnist for Dance Magazine), Anna Kisselgoff (former Chief Dance Critic of The New York Times), Wendy Perron (Editor in Chief of Dance Magazine), Linda Winer (Chief Theater Critic of Newsday) and Damian Woetzel (Former Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet), will announce this year's nominees from the best of Broadway and film performances and choreography this season on Monday, May 4 at 7:00pm at Elaine's Restaurant (1703 2nd Avenue at 88th Street). The Astaire Awards recognize excellence in dance on stage and in film.