Steve Martin News

After 23 years of guiding Totem Pole Playhouse into national prominence as a premiere professional summer theatre, Carl Schurr and Wil Love are stepping down at the end of the 2008 season. As Producing Artistic Director and Associate Artistic Director, respectively, this theatrical duo has produced, directed and acted in well over one hundred productions since assuming their current positions in 1985. Ray Ficca, long time friend of Schurr and Love and a resident company member at the Playhouse will become the artistic director in September of this year.

Hugh Jackman tell the Associated Press he'll be bringing plenty of nudity to this years Oscar telecast. Jackman discussed his upcoming Academy Award hosting duties saying, 'I haven't told anyone this, but we are going to do most of it naked and we're going to sing through the whole show,' the affable actor joked during an interview backstage at the Kodak Theatre. 'In fact, all the acceptance speeches are going to be sung. There will be some interpretive dance behind them, and I really think it will be beautiful and touching.'

IMDB.com and other sources are reporting that Academy Award nominee Anne Hathway is now set to be part of the opening number for this Sunday's Oscars with a 'song and dance routine' that she's been spotted rehearsing along with Hugh Jackman in preparation for Sunday's awards.

Desire Under the Elms has just announced that it will transfer from Chicago's Goodman Theatre to Broadway's St. James Theater. Previews will begin on April 14, with opening night set for April 27th.

Laurel Mill Playhouse presents The Underpants A play by Carl Sternheim Adaptation by Steve Martin Laurel Mill Playhouse, located at 508 Main Street in historic Laurel, MD., presents The Underpants by Carl Sternheim and adapted by Steve Martin. Directed by Marie Sproul and produced by Maureen Rogers, this hilarious, laugh-out-loud farce opens February 20. The talented and comedic cast includes Rob Allen, Jeff Mocho, Elisa Rodero, Maureen Rogers, Larry Simmons and Lenne Sirasky.

BWW TV STAGE TUBE brings you the official Oscar night preview trailer courtesy of the fine folks over at ABC!

ABC's Barbara Walters, who interviewed Hugh Jackman for her annual Oscar-night special, says the actor's role as host of Sunday's Oscar broadcast has given him a trace of pre-show jitters. Walters revealed, 'He's nervous about it. He's never done it before!' She added, 'I said, 'What would REALLY make you nervous?' And he said, 'Looking in the front row and seeing Jack Nicholson.'

Bernadette Peters is guest starring on UGLY BETTY this season as a 'magazine mogul with a mouthful for a name.' New upcoming episode dates have been announced for her return, she'll back back on February 19th and 26th.

Circle Theatre, a professional, contemporary regional theatre company in Sundance Square, is proud to announce the line-up for their 2009 season. Unveiling a new look and new productions in 2009, Circle will produce a full season, with previews for the first show beginning on March 19, 2009. Shows this season include: ART, Hail Mary!, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Incorruptible and Lone Star Christmas Carol. Circle Theatre also hosts a resident emerging theatre company, FireStarter Productions, which will present Tapas, April 16 through 19.

E! Online is reporting that stage and screen star (and Oscars' host) Hugh Jackman won't be the only one singing and dancing at this Sunday's Academy Awards. They report that he'll be joined on stage by stars including Beyonce, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Amanda Seyfriend, Dominic Cooper & more.

Laurel Mill Playhouse presents The Underpants A play by Carl Sternheim Adaptation by Steve Martin Laurel Mill Playhouse, located at 508 Main Street in historic Laurel, MD., presents The Underpants by Carl Sternheim and adapted by Steve Martin. Directed by Marie Sproul and produced by Maureen Rogers, this hilarious, laugh-out-loud farce opens February 20. The talented and comedic cast includes Rob Allen, Jeff Mocho, Elisa Rodero, Maureen Rogers, Larry Simmons and Lenne Sirasky.

Hugh Jackman tell the Associated Press he knows the Oscars ceremony isn't about him, but he's looking forward to enjoying it all the same. The screen and stage superstar chatted with the AP in a phone interview yesterday, Friday, February 13th, less than two weeks before the Feb. 22 ceremony which will be airing on ABC.

The wit and creativity of Steve Martin debuts on the Saint Sebastian Players' (SSP) stage when the company performs his play Picasso at the Lapin Agile. The production runs February 13-March 8, 2009 at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey Pkwy. in Chicago. In Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso meet at a bar in Montmartre, Paris on October 8, 1904. Both men are on the verge of an amazing idea-Einstein will publish his special theory of relativity in 1905, and Picasso will paint Les Demoiselles d'Avignon in 1907-when they find themselves at the Lapin Agile (Nimble Rabbit), where they have a lengthy debate about the value of genius and talent while interacting with a host of other characters. Directing SSP's production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile is Steven Walanka, who has directed SSP productions of Tribute, The Lion in Winter, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Days of Wine and Roses and The Caine Mutiny Court Martial. The cast features Luke Daigle as Picasso, Doug Werder as Einstein, SSP member Renae Stone, as well as Lauren Goode, Rob Grabowski, Jaclyn Jensen, Chris Kordys, Steve Malone, Nate Negron and Jeff Taylor. In addition, in an effort to attract new and larger audiences, SSP has cast the role of the 'female admirer' with a different actress at each of the 12 performances. Mike Patrick is set designer, Rachel Lambert is costume designer, Stacy Raker is assistant director, SSP member Kelly Rhyne is stage manager and SSP member Jim Masini is producer.

Be ready to laugh at the hilarious farce The Underpants, written by German playwright Carl Sternheim and adapted by comedian Steve Martin. The show is presented by Grosse Pointe Theatre and Ed Lazar, agent, State Farm Insurance Companies. The Underpants opens on Sunday, February 22nd with a 2:00 p.m. matinee. The show continues February 26-29 at 8:00 p.m., March 1st at 2:00 p.m. and March 4-7 at 8:00 p.m. All performances are in the Fries Auditorium of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236. Tickets are $16 and group rates are available for 10 or more. Call 313-881-4004 or visit the Grosse Pointe Theatre website at www.gpt.org for tickets and information.

Tony Award winner and recent Encores! 'Music In The Air' leading lady Kristin Chenoweth is set to perform a special benefit concert for L.A.'s Reprise Theatre Company on Monday, February 23 at the UCLA Freud Playhouse.

Bernadette Peters is guest starring on UGLY BETTY this season as a 'magazine mogul with a mouthful for a name.' New upcoming episode dates have been announced for her return, she'll back back on February 19th and 26th.

The wit and creativity of Steve Martin debuts on the Saint Sebastian Players' (SSP) stage when the company performs his play Picasso at the Lapin Agile. The production runs February 13-March 8, 2009 at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey Pkwy. in Chicago.

New Repertory Theatre announced today that Kate Warner, nationally known, award-winning director from Atlanta-based Dad's Garage Theatre Company, will be the company's new Artistic Director. 'Kate Warner is a natural leader,' said Michael McCay, Chairman of the Board of New Repertory Theatre. 'She has been very successful as an Artistic Director and is known for her programming savvy. Kate also has the vision and experience to drive the continuing growth of our theatre. Under her stewardship, Dad's Garage experienced impressive growth while remaining financially stable.'

The New York Times has reported that Tony winner Rob Ashford will lend his talents to director Baz Luhrmann's staging for Hugh Jackman's opening number for the 81st Annual Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on December 12th, 2008, that Hugh Jackman will host this year's Oscar telecast. Previous hosts have usually been TV or film comedians including Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, John Stewart, Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres and others