Viola Davis News

VH Theatrical Development Foundation proudly announces the Off-Broadway premiere of THE BRIGHTNESS OF HEAVEN, a new play by acclaimed author Laura Pedersen, directed by Ludovica Villar-Hauser. THE BRIGHTNESS OF HEAVEN will be performed tonight, October 16th through Sunday, December 14th at the Cherry Lane Studio Theatre (38 Commerce Street, Manhattan). The Press Opening is Sunday, October 26th, 2014 at 3PM.

Variety reports that ABC has picked up its freshman series BLACK-ISH and HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER for full seasons.

Tony-winner and premier actress of the American stage Marian Seldes, 86, died peacefully at her home today after an extended illness. Her brother Timothy Seldes made the announcement.

8:00pm: GRACEPOINT | Fox 9:30pm: A TO Z | NBC !0:00pm: HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER | ABC Click for more picks!

Producer Hal Luftig announced today the first-ever Broadway revival of the Tony Award-winning play Children of a Lesser God. Written by Tony Award-winner and Academy Award nominee Mark Medoff and directed by this year's Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon, Children of a Lesser God will open in the upcoming 2015-2016 Broadway season.

Viola Davis stopped by this week's THE VIEW to discuss her new role on ABC's "How to Get Away with Murder." The actress also addressed the recent controversy involving the New York Times 'classically beautiful statement.

On the next episode of ABC's new hit drama series HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER titled 'It's All Her Fault', Annalise takes on a new client, Max St. Vincent (Steven Weber), an eccentric millionaire who is the key suspect in his wife's brutal murder.

Time for the verdict on episode number one of HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER which has premiered on ABC. Be aware: there are spoilers ahead so read carefully if you want to see the show first. HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, from creator Peter Nowalk, promises an attractive and diverse cast, intriguing plots, and legal thrills. Tonight we met the mysterious law professor and attorney Annalise Keating (Davis) her young protégées as they move from the halls of Philadelphia's Middleton University Law School and right into a murder investigation. The unconventional Keating chooses four of her students to work for her law firm and they must prove their worth to earn her trust.

9:00-10:00pm: SCANDAL | ABC 10:00-11:00pm: HOW TO...MURDER | ABC 10:00-11:00pm: PARENTHOOD | NBC Click for more picks!

The 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama winning play DISGRACED is about to begin previews at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre. In anticipation of this drama's return to New York City stages, I recently had an opportunity to talk with Karen Pittman, who is returning to the role of Jory. Together, we discussed the play's Broadway debut, its exploration of relevant sociopolitical issues, and why audiences must see this show.

The next week sees the kickoff of the 2014 Fall TV Season, with loads of shows premiering each week. From new shows like MADAM SECRETARY and GOTHAM debuting to fan favorites like THE GOOD WIFE and MODERN FAMILY returning, there will be no shortage of shows to watch this week. So, check out our list of premiere dates and set your DVRs. Also, read up on the shows that BWW TV World will be recapping this season.

The New York Times' Alessandra Stanley, in her preview of HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, has not pleased its executive producer, Shonda Rhimes.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY, which opens today, September 12th, is not your average film- in fact, it's three. Writer/director Ned Benson has created a new kind of trilogy, one that is sure to be interesting for film buffs and romance junkies alike.

People's Light & Theatre opens its 40th Anniversary Season with August Wilson's Fences running tonight, September 10-October 5, 2014 on the Leonard C. Haas Stage. Kamilah Forbes directs. People's Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355.

MIAMI, Sept. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts), the non-profit organization that contributes to the cultural vitality of the nation by supporting the artistic development of talented young artists, is celebrating YoungArts Awareness Day, a nationwide initiative to 'keep arts alive' today, Monday, September 8, 2014. Encouraging everyone who has a creative instinct to take part, YoungArts Awareness Day will feature pop-up performances and events in Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville and New York City, and invites artists across the country to create and share their own work or their artistic experiences via social media with the tags #keepartsalive, #youngarts and #youngartsawarenessday.

Roundabout Theatre Company will present Tony Award-winner Rosemary Harris in the New York premiere of Tom Stoppard's Indian Ink, directed by Carey Perloff. Indian Ink begins previews tomorrow, September 4, and officially opens on Tuesday, September 30, at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 46th Street).

Sex, murder and law students join Academy Award nominee Viola Davis in ABC's HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, the new legal thriller from the producers of SCANDAL and GREY'S ANATOMY. BWW-TV gives an advanced look at the new series.

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced additional casting for The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry,' Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie,' Cynthia Nixon as 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max.' Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play The Real Thing, directed by Sam Gold begins preview performances on Thursday, October 2, 2014 and opens officially on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42ndStreet). This is a limited engagement. The cast also includes Alex Breaux as 'Brodie' and Madeline Weinstein as 'Debbie.' Final casting to be announced.

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts), the non-profit organization that contributes to the cultural vitality of the nation by supporting the artistic development of talented young artists, today announces YoungArts Awareness Day, a nationwide initiative to "keep arts alive" on Monday, September 8. Encouraging everyone who has a creative instinct to take part, YoungArts Awareness Day will feature pop-up performances and events in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York City and invites artists across the country to create and share their own work, or their artistic experiences at museums and concerts via social media with the tags #keepartsalive, #youngarts and #youngartsawarenessday.

People's Light & Theatre opens its 40th Anniversary Season with August Wilson's Fences running September 10-October 5, 2014 on the Leonard C. Haas Stage. Kamilah Forbes directs. People's Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355.