Whoopi Goldberg to Bring SISTER ACT to Broadway in 2011

Whoopi Goldberg confirmed yesterday on the Joy Behar show that she will be brining Sister Act, now playing at The London Palladium in the West End, to Broadway in 2011.

While speaking with Behar, Goldberg reveals:

BEHAR: [following a clip of Sister Act] That was the scene from "Sister Act" and Whoopi as a singing and dancing nun. You`re going to be producing this show on Broadway?

GOLDBERG: Yes in 2011 we`ll bring it here. It`s in London now.

BEHAR: It`s so perfect for a Broadway musical.

GOLDBERG: Yes.

BEHAR: It was a no-brainer to get it together, right?

GOLDBERG: Well, I, you know, I came to the process late because the original folks said that they decided to do it hadn`t contacted me and didn`t, I guess, want my input.

BEHAR: Uh huh.

GOLDBERG: And the man that subsequently took over called and said, we would like you to be part of this. Okay, sure.

BEHAR: Well, I think it`s going to be fantastic.

GOLDBERG: Well I mean it is fun. It`s fun. You know, this is never -- you never think that a movie you`ve done or anything you`ve done has another life.

Barrowman Lands Guest Role on 'Desperate Housewives'

Mail Online is reporting stage and screen star John Barrowman had landed a guest role as the villain on the hit television series "Desperate Housewives." Barrowman is said to have a recurring role for several episodes on the upcoming season. Barrowman is set to begin filming in Los Angeles in early March alongside Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross and Eva Longoria Parker.

Although "Housewives'" creator Marc Cherry is keeping the plot line secret for now, he has said that Barrowman will be the main villian during the latter half of the season. Barrowman's episodes should appear in late spring.

Barrowman recently led the cast of Menier Chocolate Factory's La Cage aux Folles, having stepped into the role of Albin on 9/14. Barrowman is a common face in English house-holds, having been a judge on UK reality TV shows "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" and the BBC program "I'd Do Anything" (to cast stars of Oliver!). He is also the star of the hit TV series "Torchwood."

South Park' Creators Developing a Musical for New York Theater Workshop

According to the New York Times, the New York Theater Workshop has announced a project being developed by "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The two are working with composer Robert Lopez, who won a Tony Award for AVENUE Q. The team is working to create a musical that will run at the New York Theater Workshop from August thru September.

The New York Theatre Workshop has not released any additional details about the production or it's topic.

"South Park," has become infamous for its crude, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics. The ongoing narrative revolves around four children, Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick, and their bizarre adventures in the fictional and titular Colorado town.

Parker and Stone developed the show from two animated shorts they created in 1992 and 1995. The latter became one of the first Internet viral videos, which ultimately led to its production as a series. "South Park" debuted on August 13, 1997 with great success, consistently earning the highest ratings of any basic cable program. Subsequent ratings have varied, but the show remains Comedy Central's highest rated and longest running program.

LuPone's GYPSY Heading to the West End?

Whatsonstage.com is reporting that rumors have resurfaced surrounding the possible transfer of the most recent Broadway revival of Gypsy, starring Patti LuPone, to the West End.

The production, was presented by Encores! from July 9 to 29, 2007 with Patti LuPone playing Rose, and direction byArthur Laurents. Principal casting included Laura Benanti in the title role of "Gypsy/Louise", with Boyd Gaines as "Herbie", and Leigh Ann Larkin as "Dainty June."

Arthur Laurents directed his famed production for Encores!, which is based on the 1957 memoirs of GypsyRose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and her mother, Rose, whose name has become synonymous with "the ultimate show business mother." It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The character of Louise is based on Lee, and the character of June is based on Lee's sister, the actress June Havoc.

The Encores! production was so successful it moved to Broadway at the ST. James Theatre, opening in March 2008, with Patti LuPone, Boyd Gaines, Laura Benanti, and Leigh Ann Larkinreprising their roles. Arthur Laurents again directed and Bonnie Walker reproduced the original choreography by Jerome Robbins. The production closed on January 11, 2009 after 332 performances and 27 previews. The production won three Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards, in each case for the performances by LuPone, Gaines and Benanti. It was also nominated for Best Revival of a Musical, and Best Direction. The show was originally intended to close in March 2009 on Lupone's final performance, but closed in January due to decreases in ticket sales.

Following the close of the show, West End producer David Ian was quoted saying that he was keeping "a close eye on what's shaking up and what's shaking down" in order to find the appropriate house for the large production, which boasts a cast of 30 and a 27 piece orchestra.

No word yet on whether the Broadway revival cast would be returning to the production across the pond.

Glee's Second Season's 3 new characters

The Aussielo Files of Entertainment Weekly today reveals the identity of the third Gleek addition debuting in Season 2. The Files reported earlier in the month that the first new character is an "Eve Harrington-esque rival for Rachel," while the second is a "gay jock-slash-boyfriend for Kurt."

Creator Ryan Murphy tells the site of the final Gleek:
"The third role is an R&B-singing teen...A male Mercedes!"

As for a Merceded/newbie duet, Murphy only replied: "Perhaps."

As previously reported, GLEE returns to FOX on April 13 at 9pm on Tuesdays, and while the show will be off the air for the summer, the GLEE cast is going live on tour by June. The first tour cities to be confirmed are Orlando, New York, LA, Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis, and Portland.

Matthew Morrison will most likely not be joining the crew on tour, as it is expected that he will begin work on his solo album. Tickmaster and Live Nation will be the tour sponsors. Tickets are allegedly to be between $30 and $50, though, of course, that could change based on demand.

The World Premiere of Whisper House

the first video footage from the World Premiere of Duncan Sheik and Kyle Jarrow's Whisper House. Emmy Award winner Mare Winningham headlines the new musical, Sheik's follow-up to his Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway sensation, Spring Awakening.

Josh Groban Communes with the Hippies of Hair

Chart-topping crooner Josh Groban, who has always sported a delicious mop of curls, checked out the shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen peaceniks at the Tony-winning revival of Hair on Broadway. After grooving to the performance at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on January 22, Groban hopped on stage to pose for pics with the fun-loving hippies. The Tribe even adorned the singer-songwriter in some far-out love beads. Check it out… and peace!

Cheyenne Jackson Finian's Rainbow Video Blog #5: Rainbow's End

Phantom Turns 22 as Record-Breaking Broadway Run Continues

A five-year run is considered a spectacular success for any Broadway show, but for The Phantom of the Opera, that was only the beginning. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mega-musical, which opened at the Majestic Theatre on January 26, 1988, continues to shatter records—and it reached another milestone on January 26, 2010, celebrating its 22nd Broadway anniversary with performance number 9,149. After the show, the stars and crew gathered backstage for cake and toasted the enduring appeal of the man in the mask. Happy birthday, Phantom!

'Ugly Betty' Names This Season Its Last, Series to End in April

We are soo sad about this....

But hopefully Daniel and Betty will find true love on each other, since thats how all the other ugly betties of the world have ended.

Producers announced today that the current season of "Ugly Betty" will be its last, Variety is reporting. Cast and crew were told today that the ABC will no longer air episodes of the show and the finale of the current season will be the finale of the series, planned to air in April.

Four episodes have not yet been produced for the current season and series executive producer Silvio Horta andABC Entertainment Group chairman Steve McPherson said they chose to make the decision now to allow time to provide closure to the series.

"We've mutually come to the difficult decision to make this Ugly Betty's final season, and are announcing now as we want to allow the show ample time to write a satisfying conclusion," they said in a joint statement. "We are extremely proud of this groundbreaking series, and felt it was important to give the fans a proper farewell."

The series cancellation is not completely unexpected, as the show was to be cancelled at the end of last season, but received a stay of execution on the basis that it move from its standard Thursday night time slot to Friday nights. However, earlier this season, "Ugly Betty" was moved to 10:00pm Wednesday nights.

LES MIS 25th Anniversary Cast Recording To Go Ahead

The cast of the Les Miserables 25th anniversary UK tour are to record a live CD of their performance.

The news was revealed by John Owen Jones, who plays Valjean in the production, via Twitter.

He wrote: "Here is the news. I can officially announce that next week the Les Miz tour cast are recording a live album for release later this year..."

This is sure to delight Les Mis's millions of fans who have been hoping for a new UK cast recording for years.

GLEE: The Music Volumes 1 & 2 Go Gold

It's no surprise that FOX's powerhouse new hit GLEE's soundtracks are popular, and Columbia Records have confirmed just how popular they are: both soundtracks (Glee: The Music, Volume 1, and Volume 2) released last fall have been certified Gold by RIAA for sales in excess of 500,000 units. Volume 1 entered the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart at #4 in its debut week, and Volume 2 debuted at #3. Both volumes continue to be in the top 20 best selling albums this week. GLEE is selling extremely well in digital sales as well: over 4 million songs from GLEE have been downloaded - and that's just since last May.

Winner of the People's Choice Award for Best New Comedy, Golden Globe winner for Best Television Series Comedy or Musical, and recent winner for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, GLEE, the new musical comedy series, follows an optimistic teacher who - against all odds and a malicious cheerleading coach - attempts to save McKinley High's Glee Club from obscurity while helping a group of aspiring underdogs realize their true star potential.

George Lucas Developing CGI-Animated Musical?

Heat Vision blog is reporting George Lucas is currently developing a CGI-animated musical at his home at Skywalker Ranch. Currently the film is untitled and is directed by Kevin Munroe, director of the 2007 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle animated film.

The screenplay is written by David Berenbaum, who authored theWill Ferrell hit comedy "Elf," as well as "The Spiderwick Chronicles."

Not much is currently known about the plot past the fact that it will somehow involve fairies. As George Lucas frequently produces much of is own material, it is likely the screenplay is based on an idea by Lucas; however, this is not yet confirmed.

Casting has yet to be announced and a Lucasfilm's spokeperson declined to comment.

George Lucas is best known for being the creator of the epic sci-fi franchise Star Wars and joint creator of the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones. Today, Lucas is one of the American film industry's most financially successful independent directors/producers, with an estimated net worth of $3.0 billion as of 2009. This will be Lucas' first musical.

Catherine Zeta-Jones on The Late Show with David Letterman

Catherine Zeta-Jones appeared as a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman last night. During the interview, Zeta-Jones shared her impressions about living in New York City, and talked about the gift that her husband (Michael Douglas) gave her when she told him she wanted to have another baby

Kristin Chenoweth Talks Films, Emmy Win, and GLEE

Kristin Chenoweth sits down with the New York Post's PopWrap to talk about her new Lifetime movie 'The 12 Men of Christmas', her Emmy win (and her now-famous'I am looking for a job' statement during her acceptance speech), and her role in the upcoming star-studded 'You Again' film opposite Victor Garber, Jamie Lee Curtis and Sigourney Weaver. Chenoweth also dishes about her upcoming return to GLEE where she hopes that one of her next scenes is "with the guy playing Puck - or Jane Lynch

According to director Roman Polanski's wife, Emmanuelle Seigner, the famed director is currently working on a film adaptation of Yasmina Reza's play, GOD OF CARNAGE, currently appearing on Broadway. Seigner spoke with the French issue of Elle Magazine, revealing that Polanski is currently working on the script while on house arrest in Gstaad, Switzerland.

Seigner said in the article that Reza is a close friend and has provided comfort during Polanski's legal battle. Seigner and Reza recently worked together on Reza's film, "Chicas," an adaptation of Reza's play, "Une Piece Espagnole."

Rob Marshall to Helm Next 'Pirates of the Carribean' Film

Director Rob Marshall has been hired by Disney to helm the next "Pirates of the Carribean" film. Production on the film will begin in 2010, with the majority of shooting taking place in Hawaii. The film is slated for a 2011 release. Disney has already signed Johnny Depp to reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow.

The film has been in limbo since original director Gore Verbinski left the project in April of this year.

Rob Marshall most recently directed the film adaptatio of Maury Yeston's NINE, starring Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, and Daniel Day-Lewis. Marshall received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director for his work on the film CHICAGO. Marshall's choreography has been featured on Broadway in Little Me, Cabaret, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Victor/Victoria, Company, Damn Yankees, She Loves Me, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. Marshall performed on Broadway in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Rink, Zorba, and Cats

Jennifer Hudson Performs 'Let It Be' on HOPE FOR HAITI NOW Benefit

Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson performed a soulful rendition of The Beatles' 'Let It Be' on last night's 'Hope for Haiti Now', a global benefit for earthquake relief.

GLEE's Dianna Agron on Lopez Tonight

Dianna Agron was a guest on Lopez Tonight where she dished with host George Lopez on GLEE's recent Golden Globe win, and also shared her curious fascination with cemeteries and her recent trip to the Parisian catacombs.

Musical Tribute to GLEE's Japanese Debut

Japan readies itself for the premiere of the hit series GLEE with these promotional musical videos, starring former Japanese Sumo Great Akebono.

LOVE NEVER DIES Aka (Phantom of the Opera 2) Cast Dishes On Their Rehearsal Highlights

The Love Never Dies cast talks about their favorite moments in rehearsals and how things are going so far.

The World Premiere of "LOVE NEVER DIES" will take place in London on 9 March 2010 at the Adelphi Theatre. Previews begin on 20 February. The show will subsequently open in New York on 11 November 2010 and then in Australia in 2011.

March 2010 sees the Polydor/Universal release of the album of "LOVE NEVER DIES", the long awaited follow up to "The Phantom Of The Opera" (the eighth best-selling album of ALL TIME, unprecedented for a musical theatre album). The album release will coincide with the opening of the show in London's West End and will be available in both deluxe and standard versions.

First Look! Corbin Bleu Graduates to Broadway's In the Heights

Personally I am a little scared about Corbin Bleu going for Usnavi but at least he is looking good.

He will begin performances as Usnavi starting January 25th

Corbin Bleu Hits the Heights at West Side Story

Corbin soon to be USNAVI in "In The Heights" went to visit the West Side Story

Hair Open Casting Call

Whoopi Goldberg Feels the Love on Stage at The Lion King

The multi-award-winning Whoopi Goldberg makes a series of of cameo appearances in The Lion King.

Glee's Matthew Morrison Signs Deal for Debut CD

A debut solo recording from Glee star Matthew Morrison will hit stores in the fall. The Broadway veteran just signed a record deal with Mercury Records and will start working on his album shortly, according to the label.

Morrison will attend the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, January 17, as a Best Actor in aTV musical or comedy nominee for his work as glee club director Will Schuester on the hitFOX show Glee.

After appearing in the ensemble of Footlooseand The Rocky Horror Show, Morrison received his big Broadway break when he replaced James Carpinello (Rock of Ages) as Link Larkin during rehearsals for the smash Broadway musical Hairspray. He received a Tony Award nomination for his next big role as Fabrizio in The Light in the Piazza at Lincoln Center, where he returned to play Lieutenant Cable in the current hit revival of South Pacific. Other New York credits include the Broadway play A Naked Girl in the Appian Way and the off-Broadway musical 10 Million Miles, which earned him a Drama Desk Award nomination.

Glee will return on April 13, when the second half of Season One will start airing. The smash show was already picked up for a second season in the fall.

Adam Lambert's New Video For Whataya Want From Me

Liza Minnelli's Godson Does A Pitch Perfect Impression

I Loved this :)

HOPE! The Obama Musical Opens in Frankfurt, January 17

Germany's Der Spiegel is reports that a new musical, "Hope! The Obama Musical Story," will open in Frankfurt on January 17th.

Perez Hilton Auditions for 'Amos' in CHICAGO

LOL

Lea Salonga to Star in Manila Run of Cats

Lea Salonga will lead an international cast for the upcoming Manila production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats in July.

Lunchbox Theatrical Productions Limited and David Atkins Enterprises will present the Manila production slated to open July 24 for a limited run at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The run is produced by Citi in association with The Really Useful Group.

Based on T. S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," the musical Catsfeatures music by Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Eliot with additional lyrics by original director Trevor Nunn and Richard Stilgoe.

Salonga, who will appear in the show as Grizabella, rose to stage fame for her turn in the musical Miss Saigon. She earned a Tony Award for her performance as Kim. The songstress has also appeared on Broadway inFlower Drum Song, Les Misérables and toured with Cinderella. She also provided the singing voice for Disney's animated films "Aladdin" and "Mulan."

Idina Menzel's Official Web Site Confirms GLEE Appearance

Setting speculation to rest, an announcement posted today onIdina Menzel's official website confirms that the actress and singer will indeed make a guest appearance on the FOX TV hit show GLEE when the show returns from its hiatus in April.

The announcement on Menzel's website reads, "Get ready to see Idina on a TV near you this spring! Idina is officially confirmed to appear on the hit FOX television series GLEE! Glee returns to FOX with new episodes in April, however we don't have her guest appearance air dates at this time. Look for more details coming soon."

Whoopi Goldberg Joins THE LION KING Cast for One Night Only, 1/14

Disney Theatrical Productionswelcomes Oscar, Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg (moderator of ABC's "The View") to the cast of Broadway's landmark musical event, THE LION KING - for one night only - on Thursday, January 14 at the Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street, NYC). Goldberg will appear in a series of surprise cameos throughout the 8pm performance. The announcement was made live this morning on "The View." The appearance marks a return for Goldberg to the legit stage and her Lion King roots, having originated the voice of Shenzi the Hyena more than 15 years ago in the 1994 Disney animated feature.

Goldberg's rehearsals and the performance itself will be captured by "The View's" own cameras for a feature airing the week of January 18.

Ever's Review of UP IN THE AIR

Genre: Short Drama

Directors:Jason Reitman
Writers:Jason Reitman
Release Date:4 December 2009

Cast: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Tamala Jones, Chris Lowell

I dont want to make this a long since Im just doing it since a fan requested me to blog this movie.

Up in the Air is about a man who travels around the country to terminate corporate employees, and on the side gives motivational speeches, I do not want to give too many things away about the plot but the person who stood from this movie is Anna Kendrick, who if you have seen twilight she is Bella's High school best friend, let me just say that she is the next America's Sweet heart, she is so sharp and wonderful in this role and cant wait to see what she does next, I believe both her and George Clooney are nominated for a Golden Globe award, and Clooney's work in this movie is one of my favorite of his, since i dont like much of his movies, but if you want to feel uplifted and feel happy, this is not the best movie to see, its a great movie if you like dark comedy and drama, but i enjoyed, i would say its a DVD for me, I wouldnt go pay 10 or more dollars to see this movie, but if you are rich and have lots of money go enjoy this performances, i enjoyed this movie, although some times i felt sad about this hard times we are going through in this economy but im sure you would forget that once you see Anna Kendrick's cute litte face :)

sorry i didnt go into detail but this kind of movie is not my cup of tea

i give it 4 stars out of 5, since George and Anna made it for me and the story is realistic and sad,

we need some happy movies out there

but enjoy if you have the money to see it

XOXO

you know you love me

Ever

Destiny's Child Star Williams to Join Broadway Company of Chicago

Michelle Williams, the singing star who rose to fame as one-third of Destiny's Child (along with Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland), will return to Broadway next month in the Tony-winning revival of Chicago.

Williams will play the role of merry murderous Roxie Hart beginning Feb. 8 at the Ambassador Theatre. The singing actress, who played the same role in the London production of the Kander and Ebb hit, will perform on Broadway through March 28. She will succeed Ashlee Simpson-Wentz.

Williams has previously appeared onstage in the title role of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida on Broadway and in the national tour of The Color Purple in Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, playing the role of blues singer Shug Avery. She released her solo debut album in 2002, "Heart to Yours," which charted as the best-selling gospel album of that year and spawned the single "Heard a Word." She also released "Do You Know" in 2004 and "Unexpected” in 2008. In 2004, she also reunited with Knowles and Rowland to make a fourth Destiny's Child studio album, "Destiny Fulfilled," that was followed by a world tour, after which they officially disbanded. On TV, Williams has appeared in "Half & Half," and on the reality TV show "Celebrity Duets."

Chicago won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 1997 as well as awards for actors Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton, director Walter Bobbie, lighting designer Ken Billington and choreographer Ann Reinking. The original production was directed and choreographed by the late Bob Fosse.

Chicago plays the Ambassador Theatre, located at 219 West 49th Street.

Green Day Musical American Idiot Will Rock Broadway Beginning March 24

After an acclaimed world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, the new musical American Idiot will officially rock Broadway. Directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer and featuring music by multi-Grammy Award winning punk trio Green Day, as well as book and lyrics by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and Mayer, the new rock tuner takes the St. James Theatre beginning March 24. Opening night is set for April 20. Complete casting will be announced shortly.

Based on the Grammy Award winning album of the same name,American Idiot follows working-class characters from the suburbs to the city to the Middle East as they seek redemption in a world filled with frustration. The production features Green Day songs from theirAmerican Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown studio releases. The show ended its twice-extended run at Berkeley’s Roda Theatre on November 15, 2009.

Green Day is comprised of vocalist/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tré Cool. Following their mainstream breakout in 1994 with the Grammy-winning Dookie, the band has consistantly topped the charts with studio albums includingInsomniac, Nimrod and Warning. Green Day’s landmark 2004 release of a more mature concept album, titled American Idiot, helped move the group from pop-punk notoriety to the next level musical stardom, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and spawning 5 hit singles before winning two Grammy Awards. Their newest release, 21st Century Breakdown, was nominated for the 2010 Best Rock Album Grammy Award.

Director Mayer received the 2007 Tony Award for his direction of Tony Award-winning Best Musical Spring Awakening. His other Broadway credits include Side Man, Thoroughly Modern Millie, A View From The Bridge, After the Fall, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brownand Triumph of Love.

The show features choreography by Steven Hoggett (Black Watch), orchestrations by Tony-winner Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), scenic design by Tony-nominee Christine Jones (Spring Awakening), costume design by Andrea Lauer (The Butcher of Baraboo), lighting design by two-time Tony-winner Kevin Adams (Hair), sound design by Brian Ronan (Cabaret) and video design by Darrel Maloney.

American Idiot will be produced by Tom Hulce and Ira Pittleman in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre.