Anna-Deavere Smith Videos

La Jolla Playhouse presents American Night: The Ballad of Juan José, written by Richard Montoya (Zorro in Hell) for Culture Clash, developed by Culture Clash and Jo Bonney (The Seven, Adoration of the Old Woman), directed by Jo Bonney. A co-production with Center Theatre Group and originally commissioned and produced by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, American Night: The Ballad of Juan José will run through February 26, 2012 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. Check out highlights from the show below!

Last night the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact launched the all-star Broadway premiere of '8'. The play, which chronicles the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California's Proposition 8, was written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and directed by Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello. Broadway Beat was at the after party to meet the stars. Click below to hear about getting to the big premiere night and why they believe this piece is so important.

Edie Falco, whose credits include a multitude of both stage and film projects, is currently starring in the Showtime series 'Nurse Jackie', which is in its third season. 'Nurse Jackie' also features other theater stars, including Anna Deavere Smith, Eve Best, and Dominic Fumusa. Picking up right where last season left off, the third season begins with Jackie Peyton facing an unwanted intervention. View the trailer for the new episodes below.

In the wake of the escalating debate on health care reform, Anna Deavere Smith's new one-woman show, 'Let Me Down Easy,' brings a new relevance to the problems of modern medicine that have plagued America for decades. NewsHour Senior Correspondent Judy Woodruff talks with Smith about portraying the human spirit, the importance of listening to the stories of many people, and the role the show can have in sparking conversation about the choices Americans face.

Fela!, the critically acclaimed new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Bill T. Jones (Spring Awakening), with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones. Sahr Ngaujah and Kevin Mambo play the title character at alternate performances, while the world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson, perform Kuti's rousing music live onstage.

Sting and Alicia Keys were amongst other well-known music and entertainment personalities to visit the Broadway sensation Fela! during its first week run, and the praise for this dazzling production was unanimous.