On Broadway and beyond, a curtain can rise as quickly as it can fall; a star can be swapped as easily as Bernie Telsey can say, “That’s enough.” Theater is the beating heart of New York show business and, if you want to make it here, it’s crucial you’re up to date on incoming projects, latest castings, and other industry news. Don’t worry, Broadway baby, Backstage has your back. Every week, we’re rounding up the can’t-miss stories no thespian should live without, so you can focus on important matters like hitting your high F. Curtain up and light those lights! Winter is coming—to Off-Broadway.If there’s a dragon-sized hole in your heart following this week’s season finale of “Game of Thrones,” there is a silver lining. For a three-week run this October, “Game of Thrones: The Rock Musical — An Unauthorized...
- 8/31/2017
- backstage.com
Tom Stoppard’s wrenching play “Travesties” is getting the Broadway revival treatment this season thanks to Roundabout Theatre Company. The team is holding Equity Principal Auditions—and soon! Under the casting direction of Jim Carnahan—who casts all Rtc productions—and director Patrick Marber, EPAs will be held for two available roles as well as understudy roles on Sept. 13 at Ripley-Grier Studios (520 8th Ave.). Sides from the piece, which won the 1976 Tony Award for best play, will be provided at the audition. However, talent should bring a photo and copy of their résumé, as well as, of course, their Equity card. This production, which will begin previews for a limited run at the American Airlines Theatre on Mar. 29, 2018, will adhere to a Lort A+ Non-Rep Contract, with pay set at $1,520/week. The run will be limited and conclude at the latest by July 1. If hired, performers will be needed for...
- 8/30/2017
- backstage.com
Roundabout Theatre Company Todd Haimes, Artistic DirectorCEO - in association with Chocolate Factory Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions - has justannounced the first Broadway revival of Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play Travesties, direct from its hit, sold-out productions at London's Menier Chocolate Factory David Babani, Artistic Director and the West End. Tony nominee Patrick Marber will return to direct the London production's acclaimed star Tom Hollander as Henry Carr.
- 8/16/2017
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Playwright Stoppard wins outstanding contribution award.
Tom Stoppard was presented with the outstanding contribution to writing award at the 2017 Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards.
Stoppard accepted the honour from fellow playwright David Edgar at the ceremony on Monday (January 23), held at the Royal College of Physicians.
He said: “For a writer, no award can compare to an award from other writers. The Writers’ Guild is a bright spot in a dark world and I feel very grateful to it.”
Stoppard has written extensively for the stage, TV and film. His plays Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, Travesties, and The Real Thing all won Tony Awards.
He also co-wrote Shakespeare In Love (which won him an Oscar) and Brazil.
Presenting him the award, Edgar said: “Like the BBC, he [Stoppard] has educated and entertained. Like no one else, he has challenged, dazzled, and amazed.”
The event’s best first screenplay award went to Rachel Tunnard for Adult Life Skills while...
Tom Stoppard was presented with the outstanding contribution to writing award at the 2017 Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards.
Stoppard accepted the honour from fellow playwright David Edgar at the ceremony on Monday (January 23), held at the Royal College of Physicians.
He said: “For a writer, no award can compare to an award from other writers. The Writers’ Guild is a bright spot in a dark world and I feel very grateful to it.”
Stoppard has written extensively for the stage, TV and film. His plays Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, Travesties, and The Real Thing all won Tony Awards.
He also co-wrote Shakespeare In Love (which won him an Oscar) and Brazil.
Presenting him the award, Edgar said: “Like the BBC, he [Stoppard] has educated and entertained. Like no one else, he has challenged, dazzled, and amazed.”
The event’s best first screenplay award went to Rachel Tunnard for Adult Life Skills while...
- 1/25/2017
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Screenwriter and playwright Tom Stoppard has signed with Paradigm, re-joining longtime agent Robert Bookman. That means in two consecutive days, two Oscar-winning screenwriters have followed Bookman from CAA to Paradigm. The Silence Of The Lambs scribe Ted Tally joined yesterday. Stoppard most recently scripted Anna Karenina. He’s best known for co-scripting Shakespeare In Love, and his credits include Enigma, Empire Of The Sun and Terry Gilliam’s Brazil. He won the Oscar for Shakespeare In Love and was nominated for Brazil. On the TV side, he just got nominated for a BAFTA for the HBO miniseries Parade’s End. Paradigm is repping him for screenwriting. As playwright, Stoppard has won four Tony Awards for Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, Travesties, The Real Thing and Coast Of Utopia. He directed the movie version of Rosencrantz And Guildernstern Are Dead, and wrote the script. He most recently wrote Dark Side,...
- 4/5/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Stage actors – with minimal scope for makeup or prosthetics between scenes – tend to find it easier to age down than up
There are various ways of measuring a play: the number of characters or scenes, the presence or absence of an interval, and the average length of speeches. But Di and Viv and Rose – the Amelia Bullmore tragi-comedy currently having a second, sold-out run at the Hampstead theatre in London – suggests a new statistic: story years.
In 120 minutes of action, Bullmore follows three college friends across almost three decades (1983-2010), which places the play just ahead of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along (which covers 23 years, 1957-80, in the Maria Friedman production that is deservedly about to transfer from the Menier Chocolate Factory to London's West End). These shows travel through history so rapidly that the Simon Stephens play Port, which recently opened at the National, feels almost laggardly...
There are various ways of measuring a play: the number of characters or scenes, the presence or absence of an interval, and the average length of speeches. But Di and Viv and Rose – the Amelia Bullmore tragi-comedy currently having a second, sold-out run at the Hampstead theatre in London – suggests a new statistic: story years.
In 120 minutes of action, Bullmore follows three college friends across almost three decades (1983-2010), which places the play just ahead of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along (which covers 23 years, 1957-80, in the Maria Friedman production that is deservedly about to transfer from the Menier Chocolate Factory to London's West End). These shows travel through history so rapidly that the Simon Stephens play Port, which recently opened at the National, feels almost laggardly...
- 2/21/2013
- by Mark Lawson
- The Guardian - Film News
Tom Stoppard says his original approach to writing the screenplay for Joe Wright's new film adaptation of Anna Karenina was for a fast, modern movie about being in lust. Then wiser counsels – including his own – prevailed
The latest film adaptation of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina began in what Tom Stoppard calls "a normal kind of way", though it did not exactly have a normal outcome. Sitting in his penthouse flat in west London with his back to a stunning view of the Thames, he lights the first of the six cigarettes that will measure out this conversation.
"Somebody rang my agent, Anthony Jones," he says, before adding: "It was to ask if I was up for adapting Anna Karenina for Joe Wright. It was Joe's choice of movie."
This is an ideal moment to talk to one of Britain's leading contemporary playwrights. Stoppard is in that limbo that writers experience...
The latest film adaptation of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina began in what Tom Stoppard calls "a normal kind of way", though it did not exactly have a normal outcome. Sitting in his penthouse flat in west London with his back to a stunning view of the Thames, he lights the first of the six cigarettes that will measure out this conversation.
"Somebody rang my agent, Anthony Jones," he says, before adding: "It was to ask if I was up for adapting Anna Karenina for Joe Wright. It was Joe's choice of movie."
This is an ideal moment to talk to one of Britain's leading contemporary playwrights. Stoppard is in that limbo that writers experience...
- 9/1/2012
- by Robert McCrum
- The Guardian - Film News
On a recent Friday evening in New York City, a group of writers and comedians assembled in the SoHo offices of The Onion for "Whiskey Friday," an informal drinks and conversation gathering created by features editor Joe Garden.
Similar to the Algonquin Roundtable, only with less cribbage and more naughtily re-captioned "Family Circus" cartoons, the event attracts a variety of New York comedy stalwarts, as well as the occasional visiting dignitary. This particular session had the distinction of counting actor James Urbaniak among the attendees.
Urbaniak, who is perhaps best known as the voice of Dr. Rusty Venture on Adult Swim's "The Venture Brothers," is one of those actors who flies under the radar of the mainstream, while being an iconic celebrity amongst fans of indie films, off-Broadway theatre and alternative comedy.
He got his start in the '80s in New York City, performing with various theater companies,...
Similar to the Algonquin Roundtable, only with less cribbage and more naughtily re-captioned "Family Circus" cartoons, the event attracts a variety of New York comedy stalwarts, as well as the occasional visiting dignitary. This particular session had the distinction of counting actor James Urbaniak among the attendees.
Urbaniak, who is perhaps best known as the voice of Dr. Rusty Venture on Adult Swim's "The Venture Brothers," is one of those actors who flies under the radar of the mainstream, while being an iconic celebrity amongst fans of indie films, off-Broadway theatre and alternative comedy.
He got his start in the '80s in New York City, performing with various theater companies,...
- 3/20/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
On a recent Friday evening in New York City, a group of writers and comedians assembled in the SoHo offices of The Onion for "Whiskey Friday," an informal drinks and conversation gathering created by features editor Joe Garden.
Similar to the Algonquin Roundtable, only with less cribbage and more naughtily re-captioned "Family Circus" cartoons, the event attracts a variety of New York comedy stalwarts, as well as the occasional visiting dignitary. This particular session had the distinction of counting actor James Urbaniak among the attendees.
Urbaniak, who is perhaps best known as the voice of Dr. Rusty Venture on Adult Swim's "The Venture Brothers," is one of those actors who flies under the radar of the mainstream, while being an iconic celebrity amongst fans of indie films, off-Broadway theatre and alternative comedy.
He got his start in the '80s in New York City, performing with various theater companies,...
Similar to the Algonquin Roundtable, only with less cribbage and more naughtily re-captioned "Family Circus" cartoons, the event attracts a variety of New York comedy stalwarts, as well as the occasional visiting dignitary. This particular session had the distinction of counting actor James Urbaniak among the attendees.
Urbaniak, who is perhaps best known as the voice of Dr. Rusty Venture on Adult Swim's "The Venture Brothers," is one of those actors who flies under the radar of the mainstream, while being an iconic celebrity amongst fans of indie films, off-Broadway theatre and alternative comedy.
He got his start in the '80s in New York City, performing with various theater companies,...
- 3/20/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Aol TV.
Ferociously intelligent actor who reigned supreme in Stoppard and Shakespeare
John Wood, who has died aged 81, was one of the greatest stage actors of the past century, especially associated with his roles in the plays of Tom Stoppard. But a combination of his enigmatic privacy and low profile on film – he cropped up a lot without dominating a movie – meant that he remained largely unknown to the wider public.
As with all great actors, you always knew what he was thinking, all the time. Wood was especially striking in the brain-box department. Tall, forbidding and aquiline-featured, he was as much the perfect Sherlock Holmes on stage as he was the ideal Brutus. He exuded ferocious intelligence, and the twinkle in his eye could be as merciless as it was invariably amused.
As the Royal Shakespeare Company's Brutus in Julius Caesar in 1972, he was undoubtedly the noblest Roman of them all,...
John Wood, who has died aged 81, was one of the greatest stage actors of the past century, especially associated with his roles in the plays of Tom Stoppard. But a combination of his enigmatic privacy and low profile on film – he cropped up a lot without dominating a movie – meant that he remained largely unknown to the wider public.
As with all great actors, you always knew what he was thinking, all the time. Wood was especially striking in the brain-box department. Tall, forbidding and aquiline-featured, he was as much the perfect Sherlock Holmes on stage as he was the ideal Brutus. He exuded ferocious intelligence, and the twinkle in his eye could be as merciless as it was invariably amused.
As the Royal Shakespeare Company's Brutus in Julius Caesar in 1972, he was undoubtedly the noblest Roman of them all,...
- 8/10/2011
- by Michael Coveney
- The Guardian - Film News
Veteran British star John Wood has died at the age of 81.
The actor passed away in his sleep on Saturday, his agent has confirmed.
An accomplished TV, film and stage performer, Wood began his career in 1952, when he landed his first film role in Stolen Face.
He went on to earn a name for himself onstage with a number of Royal Shakespeare Company productions, and he won a Tony Award in 1976 for his role in Tom Stoppard play Travesties. He later earned another two Tony nominations and one for an Olivier Award in 1997, for his turn in another Stoppard piece, The Invention of Love.
Wood's most notable film credits include WarGames (1983), Ladyhawke (1985), Ian McKellen's Richard III (1995), and 1994's The Madness of King George, while his TV work ranged from Kavanagh QC (1997) and Foyle's War (2004) to his most recent show, 2007's Lewis.
He was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 when he was made a Commander of the British Empire (Cbe) in recognition of his services to drama.
The actor passed away in his sleep on Saturday, his agent has confirmed.
An accomplished TV, film and stage performer, Wood began his career in 1952, when he landed his first film role in Stolen Face.
He went on to earn a name for himself onstage with a number of Royal Shakespeare Company productions, and he won a Tony Award in 1976 for his role in Tom Stoppard play Travesties. He later earned another two Tony nominations and one for an Olivier Award in 1997, for his turn in another Stoppard piece, The Invention of Love.
Wood's most notable film credits include WarGames (1983), Ladyhawke (1985), Ian McKellen's Richard III (1995), and 1994's The Madness of King George, while his TV work ranged from Kavanagh QC (1997) and Foyle's War (2004) to his most recent show, 2007's Lewis.
He was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 when he was made a Commander of the British Empire (Cbe) in recognition of his services to drama.
- 8/9/2011
- WENN
Film and stage actor John Wood has died at the age of 81. The Derbyshire-born star, who won a Tony Award for his part in the Broadway version of Tom Stoppard's 1971 play Travesties, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday. Wood's agent said in a statement: "John was a distinguished classical actor, who was much loved and respected by his colleagues, and will be greatly missed." On the stage, the performer received two other Tony nominations during his career - for Rosencrantz (more)...
- 8/9/2011
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
The first time Keira Knightley worked with helmer Joe Wright, she landed a Best Actress bid for the costume drama "Pride and Prejudice" in 2005; she lost to Reese Witherspoon ("Walk the Line"). The second time was on the period piece "Atonement" which was a 2007 Best Picture nominee. Now comes news that they are reuniting for a remake of "Anna Karenina" which is set in 1870s Russia. Four-time Tony winning playwright Tom Stoppard ("Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," "Travesties," "The Real Thing" and "The Coast of Utopia") has adapted Leo Tolstoy's oft-filmed tragic tale of love. Sir Tom also won an Oscar for his "Shakespeare in Love" script in 1998. Two-time Oscar nominee Jude Law ("The Talented Mr. Ripley," "Cold Mountain") and newcomer Aaron Johnson ("Nowhere Boy") are to play Knightley's husband and lover respectively. Although the...
- 3/18/2011
- Gold Derby
He got his big break playing Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant and now, 34 years later, John Hurt is at it again
There's something disturbing about John Hurt. That familiar Mount Rushmore face seems to have ironed itself out. It was once compared to a komodo dragon – even his lines seemed to have lines – but today he looks peachy as a schoolboy. You've been on the Botox, haven't you? He roars with how-dare-you laughter. "Nah! Hahahaha! No. Don't say that. That would be awful. Not in a million years would I do that." He's got a point: take away the cracks and creases, and his job prospects would diminish no end. His face is one of the most distinctive in the movies. Almost as distinctive as his voice, dripping with honey and acid, often at the same time. Look, he admits, there might well be a reason for his...
There's something disturbing about John Hurt. That familiar Mount Rushmore face seems to have ironed itself out. It was once compared to a komodo dragon – even his lines seemed to have lines – but today he looks peachy as a schoolboy. You've been on the Botox, haven't you? He roars with how-dare-you laughter. "Nah! Hahahaha! No. Don't say that. That would be awful. Not in a million years would I do that." He's got a point: take away the cracks and creases, and his job prospects would diminish no end. His face is one of the most distinctive in the movies. Almost as distinctive as his voice, dripping with honey and acid, often at the same time. Look, he admits, there might well be a reason for his...
- 11/21/2009
- The Guardian - Film News
Tom Stoppard's classic comic masterpiece, Travesties, previewing at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House from 9 March 2009 (opening 13 March), will reunite one of Australia's most versatile comic actors, Jonathan Biggins, with director Richard Cottrell, award-wining designer Michael Scott-Mitchell and Composer and Sound Designer, Paul Charlier: the creative team behind Sydney Theatre Company's 2007 hit, Ying Tong. Travesties is set during the first world war when James Joyce (Peter Houghton), Lenin (William Zappa) and the Dadaist Tristan Tzara (Toby Schmitz) were all, for various reasons, resident in Zurich. Stoppard imagines them coming together to mount an amateur production of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. The uproarious action is presented from the indistinct memories but distinctive perspective of Biggins' minor British consulate official, Henry Carr, who places himself, to hilarious effect, at the centre of this convergence of some of the most acute minds of the twentieth century.
- 1/29/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
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