William Shatner News

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond, including Jennifer Holliday, Chita Rivera, Jeff Daniels, Steve Kazee, After Midnight Swings the Holiday and more. Details below!

Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams hosted the 82nd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas celebration in America, presented by Associated Television International on December 1st.

Members of Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) produced a short video parody (below) with a nod to the viral success of retailer Kmart's Joe Boxer holiday ad.

PS122's contemporary performance festival, COIL, is set to begin on January 3, featuring theatre, dance, music and more. Details below!

Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams hosted the82nd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas celebration in America, presented by Associated Television International on December 1st. The Grand Marshal of the parade was Buzz Aldrin, the second man to ever walk on the moon. The Parade benefited Toys for Tots and saluted Disabled American Veterans.

Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams will host the 82nd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas celebration in America, presented by Associated Television International at 5 p.m. today, December 1st. The Grand Marshal of the parade is Buzz Aldrin, the second man to ever walk on the moon. The Parade will benefit Toys for Tots and salute Disabled American Veterans.

Television and movie legend William Shatner will bring his one man show SHATNER'S WORLD: WE JUST LIVE IN IT (www.shatnersworld.com) to the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts on January 12, 2014. Tickets range from $32-$77 and also available a $152 VIP ticket that includes a meet and greet with a photo opportunity. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 22 at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts box office or through Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000.

Superstars Blake Shelton, Reba and Trisha Yearwood will appear as guest stars in the upcoming holiday special "Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale." Others set to make an appearance include Jay Leno, Matt Lauer, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, William Shatner, Danica Patrick, Heidi Klum, Ken Jeong ("Community") and Jai Rodriguez ("Queer Eye for the Straight Guy").

The Palm Springs Cultural Center announces a new addition to its annual line-up of cultural programs and special events -- The Stanley Kramer Film Festival will debut at Camelot Theatres today, November 15th and run through Sunday, November 17th. The 2013 event, which is designed to coincide with other Stanley Kramer Centennial events taking place this year, will include special screenings of six of Stanley Kramer's best-known films. It will also feature special events, and special appearances with actress Karen Sharpe Kramer, Stanley Kramer's widow, and his daughter, the actress and singer, Katharine 'Kat' Kramer.

Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams will host the 82nd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas celebration in America, presented by Associated Television International at 5 p.m. on December 1st.

Eisner Award-winning artist Rob Guillory will create the eighth in a series of exclusive Wizard World variant covers of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead #1 comic, provided for free to all full-price attendees at Wizard World Austin Comic Con, November 22-24 at the Austin Convention Center. Wizard World and Skybound, Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics, have teamed to produce the line based upon the Eisner Award-winning groundbreaking comic book series and best-selling graphic novels written and created by Robert Kirkman. Guillory will be on hand at Wizard World Austin Comic Con to sign copies of the limited-edition comic, produced in extremely limited quantities and available to fans only while supplies last, and representing the final of eight covers produced in 2013. The first seven covers, illustrated by superstar artists Michael Golden, Arthur Suydam, Julian Totino Tedesco, Neal Adams, Ethan Van Sciver, Mike Zeck and Mico Suayan, respectively, were huge hits at Wizard World events in Portland (February, Golden), St. Louis (March, Suydam), Philadelphia (June, Tedesco), New York (June, Adams), Chicago (August, Van Sciver), Columbus, Ohio (September, Zeck) and Nashville, Tenn. (October, Suayan). Guillory is the co-creator and artist for the New York Times Best-Selling Chew, which won the Eisner Award for Best New Series in 2010 and for continuing series in 2011. The Lafayette, La., native, has also worked on popular independent projects such as Teddy Scares and Popgun Anthology and is a favorite at Wizard World events. Independent third-party comic book grading service CGC, a leader in the industry, will accept TWD #1 variant and Signature Series submissions at its Wizard World Austin Comic Con exhibitor booth (location TBD). The 2013 Wizard World Austin Comic Con will also feature Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee; Norman Reedus, Laurie Holden, Michael Rooker and Chandler Riggs of 'The Walking Dead'; WWE Superstar John Cena and pop culture icons William Shatner and Ralph Macchio among a standout roster of top celebrities. The event also hosts an array of superstar comics creators including Guillory, Adams, Greg Capullo, Mark Bagley, Kenneth Rocafort, David Marquez and many others. The Walking Dead graphic novels accounted for seven of the 10 bestselling titles of the year and were #1 overall for both 2011 and 2012. Wizard World Austin Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Admission is free for kids 10 and under. Event hours are Friday, Nov. 22, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. About Robert Kirkman Robert Kirkman's success and passionate advocacy for creator-owned comics led him to become the first person invited to become a partner at Image Comics since the company's inception twenty-one years ago. Kirkman is the creator/writer of the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur and Thief of Thieves. In 2010, Kirkman formed his own Image imprint, Skybound, which publishes his own work and Clone, Ghosted, Invincible Universe and Witch Doctor. Kirkman has earned the respect of the comic, writing and television communities and topped the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels in 2011 and 2012. In April 2012, he took the top five spots on both the hardcover and paperback lists. He's the creator/executive producer and writer of the hit Emmy-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 122 countries and 37 languages. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles are www.Skybound.com and www.TheWalkingDead.com. About Skybound Skybound is Robert Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics and home to his creator-owned works including his Eisner Award-winning comic book series, The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur and Thief of Thieves. Skybound also develops and fosters other talented writers, creators and artists and publishes their comic book series and graphic novels: Clone, Ghosted, Invincible Universe and Witch Doctor. Since its inception, Skybound has created television shows, merchandise, games (The Walking Dead: Assault iOS app), and entertainment events (The Walking Dead Escape). Skybound's successes include the comic behind the hit Emmy-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S., where Kirkman serves as Executive Producer/writer. Kirkman is also developing a new show with FOX International Channels based on his upcoming comic book series set in the world of exorcism. Skybound/Kirkman frequently top the hardcover and paperback bestseller lists. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles are www.Skybound.com and www.TheWalkingDead.com. About Wizard World Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests. The event schedule for 2013 and for 2014 to date can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

Performance Space 122's Coil 2014 Festival will premiere new contemporary dance, theater, and performance works at venues throughout New York City on Jan. 3-19.

One of the most sought after live comedians in the business, Artie Lange will bring his natural storytelling ability and seemingly bottomless pit of material to Stamford's Palace Theatre tonight, October 19, 2013 at 8 P.M. Tickets are on sale now at www.SCAlive.org.

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein are thrilled to welcome The Countess Katya Smirnoff-Skyy,San Francisco's favorite Russian redhead, to Feinstein's at the Nikko for one performance only - Thursday, December 19 at 8 p.m. Hailed as the best Drag Act by the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Katya will present her holiday spectacular sure to make your yuletide gay! Delighting audiences with a fun-filled evening of belting, banter, and ball gowns to bolster holiday spirit(s), Katya will perform songs ranging from classic holiday fair, to popera and disco. There is something for everyone in this heartwarming and brilliantly funny journey through Katya's holiday misadventures. Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein's at the Nikko presents a wide range of entertainers from stage and screen all withinan intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. There is a $20 food and beverage minimum per person inside the showroom which guests can use towards cocktails as well as a variety of small plates crafted exclusively for Feinstein's at the Nikko by Executive Chef Philippe Striffeler, through Restaurant Anzu. Cheese and dessert platters will also be available in the showroom. Tickets for The Countess Katya Smirnoff-Skyy range in price from $25-$35 and are available now by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

The Palm Springs Cultural Center announces a new addition to its annual line-up of cultural programs and special events -- The Stanley Kramer Film Festival will debut at Camelot Theatres on Friday, November 15th and run through Sunday, November 17th. The 2013 event, which is designed to coincide with other Stanley Kramer Centennial events taking place this year, will include special screenings of six of Stanley Kramer's best-known films. It will also feature special events, and special appearances with actress Karen Sharpe Kramer, Stanley Kramer's widow, and his daughter, the actress and singer, Katharine "Kat" Kramer.

A lineup of over 120 solo performers from six continents and 23 countries will present their shows during the fourth annual world's largest solo theatre festival, today, October 3 - November 24 at Theatre Row on 42nd Street. Twenty-five shows are currently sold out, with others set to reach that status over the next several days. Compared to the inaugural season three years ago, United Solo expanded its schedule four times, from two to eight weeks, gaining the status of a resident company at Theatre Row.

After months of puzzled rumors, probing questions and ponderous speculation, the album is finally ready to be embraced by the general public; it will be released on CD, vinyl and digital formats October 8, 2013.

The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles (SCLA) presented its 23rd Annual Simply Shakespeare benefit reading of 'The Two Gentlemen of Verona,' last night, September 25, 2013 at The Broad Stage, Santa Monica. The evening featured a star-studded cast including Sir Paul McCartney, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and William Shatner. Check out a look back at the starry red carpet arrivals below!

Leading theatrical licensor, Music Theatre International (MTI), creators of the MTI Broadway Junior Collection (featuring 30 and 60-minute musicals designed for young performers) is launching a slate of children's musicals based on Mary Pope Osborne's beloved Magic Tree House book series. The books are number one New York Times bestsellers - more than 100 million copies have been sold in North America alone. The series has been translated into many languages and is available in more than 100 countries around the world.