The Muppets News

Starz Entertainment announced today the launch of the STARZ PLAY and ENCORE PLAY authenticated online services.

Red Branch Theatre Company unveiled the first look of the puppets they commissioned for their upcoming production of Avenue Q. The puppets were handcrafted by professional artisan Kaitlen Sousa from New England.

Celebrating the American Spirit, performed by Essential Voices USA (EVUSA) and conducted by Judith Clurman along with guest artists, Broadway stars Kelli O'Hara and Ron Raines and composer-arranger Larry Hochman, represents an American songbook for the 21st century.

Sundance Institute today announced the six projects selected for the New Frontier Story Lab that will take place from October 21-26 at the Sundance Resort in Utah. Inspired by New Frontier at the Sundance Film Festival and built on the Sundance Institute Lab model, the Lab is supporting projects that use technology to deepen story and engage audiences.

Elektra recording artist CeeLo Green has announced early details of his eagerly awaited holiday album, 'CEELO'S MAGIC MOMENT.' The album -- which features the Grammy Award-winning superstar performing a collection of holiday classics -- arrives everywhere on October 30th.

Slipping and sliding back into Fathom-equipped movie theaters nationwide for an encore engagement on August 22 in honor of its sixtieth anniversary, the iconic and legendary 1952 movie musical masterpiece SINGIN' IN THE RAIN makes its grand return to the silver screen in a brand new HD remastering that any movie musical fan, film fanatic or Broadway baby will definitely want to experience first hand - especially on the very night before Gene Kelly's 100th birthday. A special event presented by Turner Classic Movies - also featuring an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary hosted by Robert Osborne and spotlighting original film star Debbie Reynolds - this Wednesday's encore showing of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is one more enduring entry in a continuing series of classic releases shown in HD for the first time in Fathom-equipped movie theaters across the country - past highlighted films have included SCARFACE, WEST SIDE STORY, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, CASABLANCA and many more. So, in celebration of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN splashing its way back to the silver screen one more time, today we are going to take a look back at some of the most well-known and best-loved scenes from the film - boasting a star-studded cast led by Gene Kelly, Donald O'Conner and Debbie Reynolds; directed by Kelly and Stanley Donen, with songs by Nacio Herb Brown and movie musical magnate Arthur Freed - as well as partake in the many famous and infamous homages paying tribute to the rightly well-regarded movie musical gem over the years since its release. Gene Kelly to Gwyneth Paltrow to Kurt Browning to Usher; GLEE to THE MUPPET SHOW to FAMILY GUY; A CLOCKWORK ORANGE to FAME to SPAMALOT and far, far beyond; this retrospective look at one of the most important and influential - and just plain fun - American movie musicals ever produced certainly has it all; and then some! Ain't it great to stay up late (again)?

The Casting Society of America CSA) announced today the nominations for the organization's 28th Annual Artios Awards for outstanding achievement in casting given in 22 categories including film, television and theater. The CSA will fete their own on Monday, October 29, 2012 with award ceremonies to be held simultaneously at the The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles (reception will commence at 6:00 p.m. PDT) and at XL Nightclub, Cabaret & Lounge (512 West 42nd Street) in New York (reception will commence at 6:00 p.m. EDT). Honorees for this year's Career Achievement Award, Hoyt Bowers Award and The New York Apple will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

Rooftop Films has announced the following films for its last week of the season.

Last night's sneak peek preview of Matthew Perry's NBC sitcom 'Go On,' which co-stars Tony Award winners Laura Benanti and Julie White, drew 16.1 million viewers overall, following primetime Olympic coverage. The special averaged a 5.6 rating in adults 18-49, according to 'fast official' ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

Immediately following tonight's coverage of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games from London, NBC will air the complete first episode of its new comedy series GO ON, starring Matthew Perry and Tony Award winners Laura Benanti and Julie White. The pilot is scheduled to air at 11:06 PM ET; (check local listings.)

Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre celebrates its Ruby Pink 40th Anniversary with a "Salute to the Ladies" during its 2012-13 season. Nineteen full-length adult and family productions will feature strong, determined, feisty women, like the adventurous Maria in "The Sound of Music," and the fashionista turned lawyer Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde - The Musical." The Kelsey Kids Series offers 12 productions featuring traveling professional companies and local troupes, in fun family shows like "Charlotte's Web" and "Cinderella." Kelsey Theatre is conveniently located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

Producer Clifford Bell (www.Cabarabia.com) brings an eclectic collection of the best of the best working in the Cabaret Scene-Brad Ellis of 'Glee' and 'The Glee Project', recent Emmy nominee for his work on Jason Segel's Muppets Song on 'Saturday Night Live', Eli Brueggemann, the newest musical director, composer and arranger on 'SNL' (www.elibmusic.com), Joanne Tatham, direct from 'Feinstein's At Loews Regency' in New York, with a preview of her new show 'CINEMA NYC: Music From Movies Made In Manhattan' (www.joannetatham.com), Kid Hollywood, a hot new up and coming band generating a lot of buzz (www.kidhollywood.net), and a special appearance by singer-songwriter Sarah White (soundcloud.com/sarah_white), tonight, August 5 at 8 p.m.

The Intrepid Summer Movie Series, presented by Dr. Pepper, returns this summer with a selection of entertaining and family-friendly films. Members of the public are invited to bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets to the Intrepid Museum to view a popular movie outdoors, free of charge, on a huge inflatable screen on the Flight Deck of the aircraft carrier.

Upstairs Landing Productions presents another episode of "Standing By" with guests Nikki Bohne and Bettis Richardson from the new production of Bring It On, opening this week on Broadway at the St. James Theater. Watch the video below!

Matthew Perry, the star of NBC's upcoming freshman comedy GO ON is hoping for a 'Friends' reunion on his new show.

Producer Clifford Bell (www.Cabarabia.com) brings an eclectic collection of the best of the best working in the Cabaret Scene-Brad Ellis of 'Glee' and 'The Glee Project', recent Emmy nominee for his work on Jason Segel's Muppets Song on 'Saturday Night Live', Eli Brueggemann, the newest musical director, composer and arranger on 'SNL' (www.elibmusic.com), Joanne Tatham, direct from 'Feinstein's At Loews Regency' in New York, with a preview of her new show 'CINEMA NYC: Music From Movies Made In Manhattan' (www.joannetatham.com), Kid Hollywood, a hot new up and coming band generating a lot of buzz (www.kidhollywood.net), and a special appearance by singer-songwriter Sarah White (soundcloud.com/sarah_white), on Sunday, August 5 at 8 p.m.

The Intrepid Summer Movie Series, presented by Dr. Pepper, returns this summer with a selection of entertaining and family-friendly films. Members of the public are invited to bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets to the Intrepid Museum to view a popular movie outdoors, free of charge, on a huge inflatable screen on the Flight Deck of the aircraft carrier.

Rooftop Films has a full line-up city-wide next week, beginning today, July 23, including several free shows starting on Monday with a free screening of The Muppets on Coney Island; a free screening of The Waiting Room in Manhattan on Tuesday, a special free screening of NY premiere of Her Master's Voicein Queens on Wednesday, a free screening of The Natural in Staten Island on Thursday, Animation Block Party in Brooklyn on Friday and finally, Grandma Lo-Fi in Brooklyn on Saturday.

TEEN CHOICE 2012 will once again celebrate the hottest teen icons in television, music, film, sports, fashion, comedy and the web in the choicest, star-studded two-hour event airing live tonight, July 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. Among the nominees are GLEE star Lea Michele and 'How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris.

Rooftop Films has a full line-up city-wide next week, beginning Monday, July 23, including several free shows starting on Monday with a free screening of The Muppets on Coney Island; a free screening of The Waiting Room in Manhattan on Tuesday, a special free screening of NY premiere of Her Master's Voicein Queens on Wednesday, a free screening of The Natural in Staten Island on Thursday, Animation Block Party in Brooklyn on Friday and finally, Grandma Lo-Fi in Brooklyn on Saturday.