American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, kicks off the Ensemble's 27th season with the world premiere of Illegal Use of Hands by Emmy Award-winner, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and ABT Artistic Affiliate James Still, directed by Sandy Shinner, tonight, August 31 - September 30 at Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue. Press opening for Illegal Use of Hands is Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $10 - $39. Complete ticket information including ticket on-sale date and performance schedule will be announced at a later date.
GPR Records will release a recording of Catherine Zeta-Jones narrating The Runaway Bunny, based on the best selling children's classic by Margaret Wise Brown. Also on the CD will be English Baritone Mark Stone singing Goodnight Moon and a special guest superstar narrating Poulenc's Babar, The Elephant. The CD will be released on November 15th, will be available at www.GPRRecords.com, Amazon, and iTunes.
It's becomes very clear very quickly, when talking to Rupert Holmes, that writing the libretto for The Nutty Professor-which paired him with composer Marvin Hamlisch-has been an astonishing and inspiring experience for the man whose resume is filled with noteworthy achievements in theater, music, publishing and, practically, any endeavor of self-expression that one can name. Yet, as Holmes remembers his friend, his collaborator and his fellow musical theater legend, it is apparent that Hamlisch's sudden death this week has left an indelible imprint upon him.
According to a family spokesperson, composer Marvin Hamlisch passed away Monday evening at 68 years old following a brief illness. Here's an interview with the legendary man from 2010.
Tribecafilm.com launches a month of conversation around the upcoming documentary release Side By Side today. Each day a new exclusive clip will post from one of the film's prognosticators that couldn't be squeezed into the final cut of the film. The clips will offer a daily opportunity to follow the debate on the digital revolution that is portrayed in this seminal film.
Stage and screen star Sanaa Lathan (A Raisin in the Sun, Contagion) returns to the title role in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark for its West Coast premiere at the Geffen Playhouse. Lathan, who originated the character of Vera Stark in the critically acclaimed New York run, will once again take the stage as the 1930's era maid turned movie star, reunited with original cast member Kimberly Hebert Gregory (Spike Lee's Red Hook Summer) reprising her role as fellow aspiring African American actress Lottie. Broadway vet and Geffen alum Merle Dandridge (Spamalot, Rent, Aida) will take on the spicy role of Anna Mae, who fakes a Brazilian accent for a slice of fame, and former leading lady of ABC's Man Up, Amanda Detmer, will portray Gloria Mitchell, the white starlet dubbed "America's little sweetie pie" and Vera's first employer. Helmed by award-winning director Jo Bonney, the West Coast premiere cast also features Kevin Carroll (Paid in Full, Being John Malkovich), Spencer Garrett (Iron Man 3, Air Force One) and Geffen alum Mather Zickel (Extraordinary Chambers, Rachel Getting Married).
Today we are talking to one of Broadway's most recent stars to make a big impression in Hollywood with his many recent TV and film appearances - from GLEE, 30 ROCK and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM to the forthcoming HBO Liberace biopic BEHIND THE CANDELABRA as well as the new NBC series MOCKINGBIRD LANE - following his stints on the Great White Way in the lead roles of musicals such as ALL SHOOK UP, XANADU and FINIAN'S RAINBOW - the convivial, exceedingly talented Cheyenne Jackson. Giving us an all-access pass to his new role as songwriter, crafting two pop gems - "Drive" and "Before You" - and creating accompanying music videos for them as a preview of his forthcoming EP, which will also include collaborations with Sia and more. In addition to his recording career and songwriting responsibilities, Jackson also has a number of high profile film and TV projects coming up and he gives us the 411 on his role opposite Michael Douglas in the new Steven Soderbergh HBO film BEHIND THE CANDELABRA, as well as shares his experiences filming the new Bryan Fuller-created NBC reboot of THE MUNSTERS titled MOCKINGBIRD LANE. Also, will he be returning to 30 ROCK for its final season? What about a GLEE reprise? Plus, Jackson fills us in on the newest member of his family, as well as recollections of working on Dustin Lance Black's remarkable landmark PROP 8 live multi-media presentation, his involvement with Neil LaBute's THE HEART OF THE MATTER, his new film MUTUAL FRIENDS, participating in BARACK ON BROADWAY duetting with SMASH star Megan Hilty and what we can expect from his appearance in the new Christopher Ashley-directed movie musical adaptation of Ahrens & Flaherty's LUCKY STIFF. All of that and much, much more!
As a super-special prelude to BroadwayWorld's forthcoming InDepth InterView with Cheyenne Jackson, today we are shining a light on his two infectiously catchy and frothily pleasing pop singles from a forthcoming EP tentatively scheduled for release later this year - "Drive" and "Before You". Particularly given this week's world premiere of the eye-grabbing new music video for the instant earworm "Before You", now was the perfect time to catch up with one of Broadway and Hollywood's biggest rising stars as he prepares for his roles on the new NBC reboot of THE MUNSTERS, created by PUSHING DAISES and upcoming HANNIBAL writer/producer Bryan Fuller, titled MOCKINGBIRD LANE, as well as his part in the new star-studded Steven Soderbergh-directed HBO Liberace biopic BEYOND THE CANDELABRA, co-starring Oscar-winners Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, all about his many exciting endeavors. While the InDepth InterView covers those fresh topics as well as his new songwriting career and upcoming EP - as well as much, much more - today we are focusing primarily on the two new summer singles, some live performances of them, and, of course, both of their subsequent uniquely effective music videos. The music video for "Drive" is an instantly visually arresting animated road-trip travelogue depicting a cartoon Cheyenne navigating life's highways and byways while casting the occasional glance in the literal and proverbial rearview mirror, whereas "Before You" is a slightly ROCKY HORROR-esque, almost entirely black-and-white throwback to the frivolous sci-fi and horror-themed cheesy B-movies of the era - complete with a house of horrors featuring zombies, mummies, monsters and Rachel Dratch in a bizarre bird-themed hat. Both videos go the unexpected route in delivering the song's message, yet each hits their target in managing to showcase Cheyenne's considerable skills to their best advantage.
During a recent Twitter question-and-answer session for Glamour magazine, actor Channing Tatum responded to the question of a possible sequel to the hit film MAGIC MIKE by commenting, 'Yes, yes and yes! We're working on the concept now. We want to flip the script and make it bigger.'
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Reid Carolin, screenwriter for the upcoming film MAGIC MIKE, is currently working on a 'spin-off' of the movie, which he plans to bring to Broadway as a new musical. Deadline.com has since noted that the musical is gunning for the Great White Way in the summer of 2013. The show will reportedly be produced by Tatum alongside Carolin under the banner of their production company, Iron Horse Entertainment, alongside the film's director Steven Soderbergh, Gregory Jacobs, and Nick Wechsler. For more on the project from
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Reid Carolin, screenwriter for the upcoming film MAGIC MIKE, is currently working on a 'spin-off' of the movie which he plans to bring to Broadway as a new musical.
On today's episode of THE VIEW, host Whoopi Goldberg asked Catherine Zeta-Jones if she would like to return to Broadway, to which she replied 'I'd love to.' The Tony-winning star then revealed that she is at work with director Steven Soderbergh on a 'idea of a rock opera based on CLEOPATRA', that was originally intended as a rock and roll musical movie, that's now being thought of as 'perfect' for Broadway.
MAGIC MIKE is coming to theaters on June 29, 2012 from Warner Brothers Pictures. The drama is directed by Steven Soderbergh and stars Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey, Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello. Get a first look at the trailer below!
According to Indie Wire, Broadway favorite Cheyenne Jackson is currently in talks to star in Steven Soderbergh's upcoming 'Behind The Candelabra' film about the life of Liberace. Jackson would join previously announced Academy Award(R) winners Michael Douglas ('Wall Street,' 'Traffic,' 'Solitary Man') and Matt Damon ('Contagion,' 'Ocean's Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen,' 'Invictus'). Also in negotiationas are Rob Lowe and Boyd Holbrook.
American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, kicks off the Ensemble's 27th season with the world premiere of Illegal Use of Hands by Emmy Award-winner, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and ABT Artistic Affiliate James Still, directed by Sandy Shinner, August 31 - September 30 at Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue. Press opening for Illegal Use of Hands is Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $10 - $39. Complete ticket information including ticket on-sale date and performance schedule will be announced at a later date.
The official opening night for Polly Draper in MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE, took place last Saturday night at Bay Street Theatre. Geraldine Aron, the playwright for this American Premiere attended the after party in the lobby along with other theatre veterans including Blythe Danner, TEd Hartley and Dina Merrill, John McDaniel, Terrence McNally, Joe Pintauro, Mercedes Ruehl, Sloan Shelton, and Harris Yulin. The show runs now through Sunday, June 24. The production is directed by Matt McGrath, one of Bay Street Theatre's Artistic Associates.
Bay Street Theatre is pleased to announce the first production of the 2012 Mainstage Season. Polly Draper stars in MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE, by Geraldine Aron. This American Premiere runs May 29 - June 24. The production is directed by Matt McGrath, one of Bay Street's Artistic Associates.
