The Muppets News

The Muppets have been a worldwide phenomena for more than 50 years. From their humble beginnings on local television and variety show appearances, through their incredible success in six theatrical motion pictures (including the original 1979 'Muppet Movie'), their Grammy-winning music career, and their Emmy-winning international television hit 'The Muppet Show', the Muppets have gone where no troupe of frogs, pigs, bears, and well, whatever, have ever gone before.

Television icon Regis Philbin, Muppets creator Jim Henson, the extraordinary actresses who vocally brought to life many modern-day Disney Princesses including Jodi Benson (Ariel from The Little Mermaid), Paige O'Hara (Belle from Beauty and the Beast), Lea Salonga (singing voices of Jasmine from Aladdin and Mulan from Mulan), Linda Larkin (speaking voice of Jasmine from Aladdin), and Anika Noni Rose (Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog) plus other equally impressive contributors to the Disney legacy will be named and honored as official Disney Legends during the D23 EXPO at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 19, in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena.

The Muppets are set to make another big screen splash this year, more than 30 years after their big screen debut. Featuring the talents of a slew of stars - Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Rashida Jones, Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, Liza Minnelli, Katy Griffin, and John Kraskinski, to name a few - the film is slated for a November 23 release. View the trailer below!

The Muppets are set to make another big screen splash this year, more than 30 years after their big screen debut. Featuring the talents of a slew of stars - Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Rashida Jones, Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, Liza Minnelli, Katy Griffin, and John Kraskinski, to name a few - the film is slated for a November 23 release.

On Monday, May 9th at 6pm New York Post columnist and theatre critic Michael Riedel will interview Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin in the Bruno Walter Auditorium at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (65th Street and Amsterdam Avenue).

Jim Henson, the internationally known creative genius whose work encompassed film, television, and puppetry, made elaborate imaginary worlds filled with unique characters, objects, and environments.

The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), presented by Founding Sponsor American Express, today announced the return of its signature free community events: the Tribeca Drive-In (April 21-23), Family Festival Street Fair (April 30), Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day (April 30), and free panel series, "Tribeca Talks: Pen to Paper" and "Tribeca Talks: Industry" (April 23-30).

The Kennedy Center production of Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical is coming to The Orpheum Theatre on Saturday evening, April 16th at 6:00 PM as part of The Orpheum Theatre Family Series.

On Monday, May 9th at 6pm New York Post columnist and theatre critic Michael Riedel will interview Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin in the Bruno Walter Auditorium at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (65th Street and Amsterdam Avenue).

The Kennedy Center production of Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical is coming to The Orpheum Theatre on Saturday evening, April 16th at 6:00 PM as part of The Orpheum Theatre Family Series.

Today we are talking to the current Prior Walter in Michael Grief's off-Broadway revival of Tony Kushner's Pulitzer prize-winning ANGELS IN AMERICA, and also a headliner of Monday night's SPRING AT LAST! Gala to benefit The Harvey Milk School, late of ABC's smash-hit comedy UGLY BETTY, the charmingly candid and overwhelmingly talented Michael Urie! In this exclusive conversation we tackle topics ranging from Shakespeare to Sondheim to the power and legacy of ANGELS IN AMERICA and what songs and words of hope we can expect from him at the SPRING AT LAST! Gala alongside headliners Lance Horne and Wanda Sykes. Plus, Michael gives us the first news on a number of films he has coming out in the next year and much, much more!

Earlier today I spoke to one of America's most beloved comedians - screen, stand-up or otherwise - the Emmy-winning Wanda Sykes about her upcoming appearance headlining Monday's GayFest Spring At Last! Gala to benefit The Harvey Milk School and she shared with me her message of hope to the next generation, what she wishes for in the equal rights movement in the near future, as well as personal stories of herself being bullied and how she remained resilient in the face of adversity. Additionally, she clues us in on what her character arc will involve this season on HBO's CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - hint: it involves Cheyenne Jackson - when it makes its highly-awaited return in the Summer; plus, we take a look back at her TV specials, various series and film roles and she offers up a glimpse of what we can expect from her in 2011 and beyond. All of this is, of course, in addition to a thorough discussion of her recent essaying of the role of Miss Hannigan in ANNIE in Philadelphia and if she would consider taking on the role in the upcoming James Lapine-directed revival aimed at Broadway. Plus, news about the forthcoming big-screen MUPPET MOVIE - and much more!

Academy Award®-nominated actress Amy Adams will be a presenter for the 83rd Academy Awards®, telecast producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer announced today.

Victoria Theatre Association announces a change in cast for its presentation of The Soundtrack of Your Life. Due to scheduling conflicts, Oscar® nominee Lamont Dozier will be replaced by Grammy® award winner Paul Williams. The Soundtrack of Your Life plays April 23, 2011 at the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center.

Josh Lamon is truly living his dream. A self-admitted theater geek, Josh has spent the past few years making a name for himself on the boards, most recently in the Broadway cast of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. Originally from San Diego, Josh can currently be seen as crowd favorite Margaret Mead in the First National Tour of the 2009 Tony Award winner for Best Revival of a Musical, which continues performances at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts through February 6. Josh recently chatted with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos about life on tour and offers some inside dish on his HAIR-raising co-stars.

According to the Miami Herald, nine-time Tony Award winner Tommy Tune has spent two weeks working with playwright Mark Saltzman and University of Miami theater students on 'Project 54.' The untitled musical is about New York's Studio 54 and its co-creator Steve Rubell.

Actor(R) nominees Amy Adams, Annette Bening, Helena Bonham Carter, Jesse Eisenberg, Colin Firth, Andrew Garfield, Armie Hammer, Mila Kunis, Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, Geoffrey Rush, Justin Timberlake and Mark Wahlberg will introduce their nominated films at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards(R), Executive Producer Jeff Margolis announced today.

This week, in honor of today's InDepth InterView: Idina Menzel, we are taking a look back at some of Ms. Menzel's most memorable appearances over the years, culling clips from everything from RENT to WICKED to GLEE, with some Muppets, music and much more served up for your entertainment enjoyment, as well. All eyes - on Broadway and beyond - are most certainly focused on what Idina will do next, but just look at all she has accomplished thus far!

Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, will present Anton Chekhov's THREE SISTERS, featuring 2010 Academy Award nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal (Masha), Josh Hamilton (Andre) 2010 Tony Award nominee Jessica Hecht (Olga) and acclaimed actor Peter Sarsgaard (Vershinin).

The University of Miami Department of Theatre Arts in the College of Arts & Sciences regularly hosts master classes and workshops with artists, actors, producers, casting directors, designers, and directors from around the world. Past guests have included Jerry Herman, Angela Lansbury, John Mayer, Lucie Arnaz, Laurence Luckenbill, André DeShields, and Michael McElroy among others. This spring semester, Tommy Tune will visit with UM theatre students for a workshop. Known as one of the most prolific director/choreographers of the twentieth century, Tommy Tune has enchanted audiences over the past 50 years. Television, film and stage writer Mark Saltzman will also collaborate with Mr. Tune and UM students.