Burn This - 2002 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 13

Bravo Media announced today they have picked up two new scripted pilots slated to commence production early 2013. Both pilots center on the complex dynamics of modern families. 'Rita,' produced by Fox Television Studios, and 'The Joneses,' produced by ABC Studios, are part of the network's overall strategy to expand its non-scripted original programming slate into the scripted genre. Bravo plans to debut its first original scripted series in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Broadway stars Emily Padgett and Matthew Hydzik will star as "Alex" and "Nick" in the world premiere of FLASHDANCE - THE MUSICAL, the stage adaptation of the 1983 hit film that defined a generation. Padgett and Hydzik will be joined on stage by the legendary Rachelle Rak in the role of "Tess." Sergio Trujillo, director and choreographer for the production returned to the home of FLASHDANCE and launch of the world premiere, Pittsburgh's Heinz Hall, to announce the lead casting from a press conference. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Kevin McMahon, CEO of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, were also on hand to welcome the cast and creative team to Pittsburgh and to make a proclamation, naming January 1, 2013 as FLASHDANCE DAY. Celebrating its 30th Anniversary,FLASHDANCE kicks off a national tour January 1-6 at Heinz Hall and continues on to more than 20 cities with additional bookings to be announced:

Rainstorm Entertainment has announced that it will produce the biographical documentary IT'S SO EASY AND OTHER LIES, which will be directed and produced by Christopher Duddy ("Cougar Club"). The film will be produced by Steven G. Kaplan ("The Big Empty", "F*CK" and "Sunset Strip") for Rainstorm Entertainment, and by former Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan, whose life story the film is based on. The start date is scheduled for later this year. Executive producers include Daniel Zirilli ("Locked Down"), Joe Mundo ("Sunset Strip"), Christopher Shelburne and Kati Thomson ("Sunset Strip").

Acclaimed theater company Playwrights Horizons recently announced additional performers participating in the return of its popular benefit evening STORIES ON 5 STORIES: Poetic Justice this evening, October 22.

Acclaimed theater company Playwrights Horizons has announced additional performers participating in the return of its popular benefit evening STORIES ON 5 STORIES: Poetic Justice on Monday evening, October 22.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that tickets are on sale for A Civil War Christmas, written by Paula Vogel and directed by Tina Landau. Performances of this holiday-themed work begin Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at 7pm at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Opening night is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4 at 7pm. A Civil War Christmas is scheduled to run through Sunday, December 30.

Bravo Media announces five additional scripted projects currently in development including HEATHERS, a present day update of the cult classic 1980's film.

The University of Houston's School of Theatre & Dance has a long tradition of producing successful show business professionals. This fall, six esteemed alums are returning to the university to pay tribute to the program that helped launch their careers.

The producers of FLASHDANCE - THE MUSICAL, the stage adaptation of the 1983 smash hit movie that defined a generation, have just announced that the production will arrive on Broadway in August 2013 with a theater, dates and casting to be announced.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Toni Collette and Catherine Keener have signed on for the currently untitled Nicole Holofcener film from Fox Searchlight.

The University of Houston's School of Theatre & Dance has a long tradition of producing successful show business professionals. This fall, six esteemed alums are returning to the university to pay tribute to the program that helped launch their careers.

Previews begin this Friday, May 18 for the Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) World Premiere of RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN, a new play by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award winner Gina Gionfriddo (Becky Shaw). Directed by Peter DuBois (Becky Shaw, Sons of the Prophet, Measure for Pleasure, Jack Goes Boating, Artistic Director of Huntington Theatre Company), the play is the final production of the theater company's 2011/2012 Season. Opening Night is set for Tuesday, June 12 at 7PM and the limited engagement will play through Sunday, June 24 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

The annual season of new plays at Summer Works is presented the Obie Award-winning theater company Clubbed Thumb -- has announced complete casting for its 17th season running May 26 to June 30 at the HERE Arts Center (145 Sixth Ave. at Dominick Street) in Manhattan.

Kelly Clarkson, Linkin Park, Nelly Furtado and Usher have been announced as the second round of artists to perform at the '2012 Billboard Music Awards,' airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on SUNDAY, MAY 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The ABC Television Network announces highlights of its upcoming May sweeps programming, including the two-hour series finale of 'Desperate Housewives,' the Live Broadcast of 'The 2012 Billboard Music Awards,' and the Season Premiere of 'The Bachelorette.'

The world-premiere of the new play PRATFALLS, by playwright Holly Webber, directed by Jenn Thompson and starring Victor Verhaeghe (HBO's 'Boardwalk Empire'), Kate Middleton, Amelia White and Matthew Baldiga opens tonight, April 27 at the Abingdon Theatre Complex (312 West 36th Street).

Signature Theatre today announced eight productions for its 2012-13 season at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues), the company's new Frank Gehry-designed permanent home.

James Naughton, two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award winning star of stage and screen, will lend his talents once again to the National Meningitis Association Give Kids a Shot! Gala 2012: A Benefit to Save Lives in the Fight Against Meningitis, a Vaccine-Preventable Disease. Honorary Chairs are Ambassador John L. Loeb, Jr. and Sharon Loeb and Nick Springer; Gala Chairs are Lenore Cooney, Cooney/Waters Group and Gary Springer, Springer Associates PR ; Master of Ceremonies is EMMY Award winning actor Richard Thomas. Auction Chairs are Matt Klarberg and Errol Rappaport.

Today, the network announced a 27 percent increase in original programming with 11 new and eight returning unscripted series, and two new scripted projects in development. The network plans to premiere scripted series in 2013.

Playwrights Horizons has just announced complete casting for the World Premiere of RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN, a new play by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award winner Gina Gionfriddo (Becky Shaw). Directed by Peter DuBois (Becky Shaw, Sons of the Prophet, Measure for Pleasure, Jack Goes Boating, Artistic Director of Huntington Theatre Company), the production will begin previews Friday, May 18 at 8PM with an Opening Night set for Tuesday, June 12 at 7PM. The limited engagement will play through Sunday, June 24 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

Actors Dennis Quaid, Brett Cullen, Cindy Pickett and Robert Wuhl learned their craft under the tutelage of University of Houston professor Cecil J. Pickett. Soon, these star alums will return to the university to celebrate his legacy and talk theater.

The world-premiere of the new play PRATFALLS, by playwright Holly Webber, directed by Jenn Thompson and starring Victor Verhaeghe (HBO's 'Boardwalk Empire'), Kate Middleton, Amelia White and Matthew Baldiga opens April 27 at the Abingdon Theatre Complex (312 West 36th Street).

The Huntington Theatre Company's production of MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM completes August Wilson's Century Cycle, ten plays that reflect the African-American experience in America by the decade throughout the 20th century. Yvette Freeman (NBC's ER) is a force of nature in the title role, and local actor Jason Bowen captivates as the hotheaded young trumpeter who personifies the Zeitgeist.

Ground UP Productions presents the World Premiere of Holly Webber's PRATFALLS, a new comedy about falling down - set on a rooftop in Brooklyn - directed by Jenn Thompson (THE LATE CHRISTOHER BEAN). Preview performances begin April 27 prior to an official press opening of April 29 at the Abingdon Theatre Complex /Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street).

James Naughton, two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award winning star of stage and screen, will lend his talents once again to the National Meningitis Association Give Kids a Shot! Gala 2012: A Benefit to Save Lives in the Fight Against Meningitis, a Vaccine-Preventable Disease. Honorary Chairs are Ambassador John L. Loeb, Jr. and Sharon Loeb and Nick Springer; Gala Chairs are Lenore Cooney, Cooney/Waters Group and Gary Springer, Springer Associates PR ; Master of Ceremonies is EMMY Award winning actor Richard Thomas. Auction Chairs are Matt Klarberg and Errol Rappaport.