Thomas Meehan News

Access Hollywood reports today that Willow Smith is hopeful that Brad Pitt will play the role of 'Daddy Warbucks' in the upcoming remake of Annie, in which she will star. Pitt has not yet responded to the appeal. As reported yesterday, Deadline.com revealed that GLEE creator Ryan Murphy is in talks to direct the Annie remake, produced by Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jay-Z and partners, starring the Smith's youngest, Willow.

Overbrook Entertainment partners James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith have formed a joint venture with Shawn 'JAY-Z' Carter to develop and produce major motion pictures. One of the projects being discussed is the re-imagination of the classic Broadway musical ANNIE as a vehicle for Willow Smith to star. The film will be developed with Sony Pictures Entertainment and produced by Overbrook Entertainment and Mr. Carter.

Leapin' lizards! The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never losing hope.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) presents the Off-Broadway premiere of the new true musical comedy, The Road to Qatar!, featuring book and lyrics by Stephen Cole and music by David Krane, with direction by Phillip George (Forbidden Broadway), choreography by Bob Richard (Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!) and musical direction by David Caldwell (Children of Eden).

The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein, a new musical comedy from the creative team of the 12-time Tony Award winning smash The Producers, is coming to the DuPont Theatre for eight (8) performances only.

Roundabout Theatre Company will present the world premiere of the new musical Death Takes a Holiday, with a book by Peter Stone & Thomas Meehan, music & lyrics by Maury Yeston, directed by Doug Hughes. Death Takes a Holiday is based on the dramatic play by Alberto Casella, rewritten for the American stage by Walter Ferris, and originally produced by Messrs. Shubert. Click below for an introduction to the piece from the creators themselves.

Grosse Pointe Theatre's Purdon Studio Theatre presents The Exonerated by Erik Jensen and Jessica Blank, the compelling true stories of six people who, wrongfully convicted of murder, served harrowing sentences on death row waiting for their own execution.

Highlights Include the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Natalie Cole, Michael Feinstein, Dudu Fisher, Kathy Griffin, Shirley MacLaine, Jackie Mason, Peking Acrobats, Itzhak Perlman, The Temptations & The Four Tops, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein, Spring Awakening, Tango Inferno, West Side Story & the World Premiere Screening of Steven Caras: See Them Dance

Grosse Pointe Theatre presents Relativley Speaking, a witty, charming and beautifully constructed comedy of manners and mistaken identities from one of England's most popular playwrights, Alan Ayckbourn. The show opens with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday, January 16 in the Fries Auditorium of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road , Grosse Pointe Farms. Relatively Speaking continues with shows on January 20, 21 and 22 at 8:00 p.m., January 23 at 2:00 p.m., and January 26, 27, 28 and-29 at 8:00 p.m.

The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein, a new musical comedy from the creative team of the 12-time Tony Award winning smash The Producers, will play at The Orpheum Theatre, March 8th-13th, 2011.

Overbrook Entertainment partners James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith have formed a joint venture with Shawn 'JAY-Z' Carter to develop and produce major motion pictures. One of the projects being discussed is the re-imagination of the classic Broadway musical ANNIE as a vehicle for Willow Smith to star. The film will be developed with Sony Pictures Entertainment and produced by Overbrook Entertainment and Mr. Carter.

First reported by BroadwayWorld.com back in December, the Hollywood Bowl has now officially confirmed that they have chosen their summer musical... Drum roll please... HAIRSPRAY! The Hollywood Bowl has been knocking these musicals out of the ballpark these last three years with LES MISERABLES, GUYS & DOLLS and RENT.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the world premiere of the new musical Death Takes a Holiday, with a book by Peter Stone & Thomas Meehan, music & lyrics by Maury Yeston, directed by Doug Hughes. Death Takes a Holiday is based on the dramatic play by Alberto Casella, rewritten for the American stage by Walter Ferris, and originally produced by Messrs. Shubert.

Highlights Include the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Natalie Cole, Michael Feinstein, Dudu Fisher, Kathy Griffin, Shirley MacLaine, Jackie Mason, Peking Acrobats, Itzhak Perlman, The Temptations & The Four Tops, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein, Spring Awakening, Tango Inferno, West Side Story & the World Premiere Screening of Steven Caras: See Them Dance

According to a report by Variety, Will Smith and Sony are looking into the possibility of creating a movie remake of ANNIE, starring none other than daughter Willow in the title role. 'Whip My Hair' collaborator Jay-Z is currently in talks to join the project. Additional details on the film have not yet been released.

Grosse Pointe Theatre presents Relativley Speaking, a witty, charming and beautifully constructed comedy of manners and mistaken identities from one of England's most popular playwrights, Alan Ayckbourn. The show opens with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday, January 16 in the Fries Auditorium of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road , Grosse Pointe Farms. Relatively Speaking continues with shows on January 20, 21 and 22 at 8:00 p.m., January 23 at 2:00 p.m., and January 26, 27, 28 and-29 at 8:00 p.m.

Leapin' Lizards! Annie has been extended at Olney TheatreCenter for a second time, to Sunday, January 16.

Leapin' Lizards! America's most beloved musical, ANNIE, close at Hartford Children's Theatre Sunday, January 16, 2011 at The Carol Autorino Center for Arts and Humanities on the Campus of Saint Joseph College (1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford).

America's iconic musical 'Annie' comes to The Media Theatre November 23, 2010-January 16, 2011. The Broadway hit is 'one of those rare, sacred properties in the musical theater' according to The Chicago Tribune. With seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score (Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin), and Best Book of a Musical (Thomas Meehan), 'Annie' ran for six years and set box office records. It's most popular songs, 'Tomorrow' and 'Hard Knock Life', became cultural milestones and are still popular 30 years later.

Grosse Pointe Theatre presents Relativley Speaking, a witty, charming and beautifully constructed comedy of manners and mistaken identities from one of England's most popular playwrights, Alan Ayckbourn. The show opens with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday, January 16 in the Fries Auditorium of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road , Grosse Pointe Farms. Relatively Speaking continues with shows on January 20, 21 and 22 at 8:00 p.m., January 23 at 2:00 p.m., and January 26, 27, 28 and-29 at 8:00 p.m.