Jane Fonda News

West Coast Ensemble presents YENTA: Straight from the Mouth, written and performed by Annie Korzen and Directed by Judy Chaikin. YENTA: Straight from the Mouth will open on Saturday, February 21 at 3:00pm and continue through Sunday, March 22 at the new home of West Coast Ensemble - the El Centro Theatre, 800 N. El Centro Ave. in Hollywood. Annie Korzen (SEINFELD's Doris Klompus) thinks the world would be a better place if everyone would just do what she says. Much to her amazement, the world doesn't seem to agree. An engaging evening of comedy. music and constructive criticism from the creator of the world-wide hit, YENTA UNPLUGGED. Mostly funny, sometimes serious, sometimes naughty: all of it scientifically calibrated to make you a better person!

This year Walnut Street Theater celebrates its 200th birthday, and on February 3rd they will hold a big birthday bash. Boasting over 56,000 subscribers, The Walnut is not only the most popular theater company in Philadelphia, but also the most subscribed theatre company in the world. This season includes three magnificent and beloved musicals: get ready for DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, OLIVER! and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. The Walnut also offers two spellbinding plays: A world premiere production of Eric Conger's THE ECLECTIC SOCIETY and Noel Coward's classic comedy, FALLEN ANGELS. The New Year brings new theatre to the Walnut stage with the world premiere production of Eric Conger's THE ECLECTIC SOCIETY (January 19 - March 7). It's the 1960's, and in order to become the big man on campus, you've got to play the game. In this fraternal society, new recruits need testing and traditions need to be upheld. This new American play celebrates the spirit of youth and the mischief that follows.

Oscar & Emmy Award winning screen legend Jane Fonda will return to Broadway in Moises Kaufman's 33 VARIATIONS. Jane Fonda and the cast met the press yesterday Thursday, January 29th and BroadwayWorld's cameras were there!Tickets are now available to the general public by visiting Telecharge.com, calling (212) 239-6200 and at the box office of the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street). Performances begin on Monday, February 9th, 2009 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street). The official opening will be Monday, March 9th, 2009. The engagement will play through May 24th, 2009.

La Jolla Playhouse productions heading for national exposure fared well as the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, presented the annual Craig Noel Awards for Theatrical Excellence, honoring the best local stage work of 2008. Noel, the 93-year-old founding director of the Old Globe Theatre, was in attendance for his namesake awards, which were presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, in La Jolla, attended by some 350 theater industry members and supporters. Moises Kaufman's '33 Variations,' about to open on Broadway with Jane Fonda in the lead role, was honored for David Lander's lighting and Derek McLane's set. The Playhouse's premiere of Joe DiPietro and David Bryan's 'Memphis' (now in production at Seattle's Fifth Avenue Theatre) was honored as outstanding new musical and for Chad Kimball's lead performance. A fresh staging of 'Xanadu,' which Playhouse artistic director Christopher Ashley first directed on Broadway, was named outstanding resident musical, and Bill T. Jones won for his choreography in the Playhouse's hip-hop musical 'The Seven.' Old Globe productions garnered four mentions, including Steven Drukman's boxing-themed drama about Joe Louis, 'In This Corner,' which was named outstanding new play. 'Dancing in the Dark,' a debut musical with Broadway aspirations (based on the classic film 'The Band Wagon'), won for Patrick Page's featured performance and Larry Hochman's orchestrations. A revival of 'The Women,' directed by Old Globe resident artistic director Darko Tresnjak, was honored for Anna Oliver's costumes. And the national touring production of 'Spring Awakening,' produced by Broadway/San Diego, a Nederlander Organization, won for best touring show.

Two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole returns to the legendary Caf? Carlyle for the first time since her critically acclaimed 2002 debut in an exclusive two-week engagement. Beginning Tuesday, January 20, 2009 (and playing through Saturday, January 31st), Ms. Ebersole will present an all new program of classics, new classics and songs from the stage.

This year Walnut Street Theater celebrates its 200th birthday, and on February 3rd they will hold a big birthday bash. Boasting over 56,000 subscribers, The Walnut is not only the most popular theater company in Philadelphia, but also the most subscribed theatre company in the world. This season includes three magnificent and beloved musicals: get ready for DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, OLIVER! and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. The Walnut also offers two spellbinding plays: A world premiere production of Eric Conger's THE ECLECTIC SOCIETY and Noel Coward's classic comedy, FALLEN ANGELS. The New Year brings new theatre to the Walnut stage with the world premiere production of Eric Conger's THE ECLECTIC SOCIETY (January 19 - March 7). It's the 1960's, and in order to become the big man on campus, you've got to play the game. In this fraternal society, new recruits need testing and traditions need to be upheld. This new American play celebrates the spirit of youth and the mischief that follows.

Westport Country Playhouse incoming artistic director Mark Lamos and managing director Michael Ross announce a new look to the 2009 season. The Playhouse will open its 79th season in April with 'Around the World in 80 Days' directed by Michael Evan Haney. 'Around the World in 80 Days' was original scheduled for a September run, but will now open the 2009 season. 'Around the World in 80 Days,' an adventure tale adapted from the book by Jules Verne and written by Mark Brown, will play April 21 through May 9. Hailed by the New Yorker as 'a riveting testament to the ingeniousness of the human imagination,' and heralded by Associated Press as 'a clever, action-packed production skillfully directed by Michael Evan Haney,' 'Around the World in 80 Days' is a wild, global adventure for the whole family about Phileas Fogg and his ever loyal man-servant Passepartout---complete with elephants, steamboats and trains. Following 'Around the World in 80 Days,' the season's second play will be 'Children,' a timeless and touching family drama by A.R. Gurney, the playwright who penned 'The Dining Room,' 'Sylvia' and 'Love Letters.' It will run May 26 through June 13. When their mysterious brother, Pokey, returns to the family's beachside vacation home, all the family plans crumble as love affairs and family secrets explode. Westport favorite John Tillinger will direct.

Producer David Binder announced today additional casting and the design team for the upcoming Broadway production of Mois?s Kaufman's 33 VARIATIONS starring Oscar & Emmy Award winning actress Jane Fonda.Rehearsals began for the cast including Jane Fonda (Katherine Brandt), Samantha Mathis (ClaraBrandt), Colin Hanks (Mike Clark), Zach Grenier (Beethoven), Don Amendolia (Anton Diabelli), Susan Kellerman (Dr. Gertie Ladenburger), Erik Steele (Anton Schindler) and Diane Walsh (Pianist).

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater (David Van Asselt, Artistic Director and Sandra Coudert, Managing Director) continues its 14th anniversary season with the World Premiere of That Pretty Pretty; or, The Rape Play, a new comedy by Sheila Callaghan, directed by Kip Fagan (Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom, Nelson). Performances begin Tuesday, February 10th. Opening night is Monday, February 23rd at 7pm. The show will run through Sunday, March 15th.

Theater veterans Mark Lamos and Michael Ross have been named artistic director and managing director, respectively, of Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut, as the historic theater enters its 79th season. The new leadership team will assume their positions on February 1, 2009.

This New Year's Eve Join Brandon Cutrell, Alysha Umphress, and The Barry Levitt Trio. Celebrate New Year's Eve right off Times Square with dinner and a live musical performance from two of New York's most acclaimed vocalists.

This New Year's Eve Join Brandon Cutrell, Alysha Umphress, and The Barry Levitt Trio. Celebrate New Year's Eve right off Times Square with dinner and a live musical performance from two of New York's most acclaimed vocalists.

Oscar & Emmy Award winning screen legend JANE FONDA will return to Broadway in MOISES KAUFMAN's 33 VARIATIONS. Performances begin on Monday, February 9th, 2009 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street). The official opening will be Monday, March 9th, 2009. The engagement will play through May 24th, 2009. Tickets are now available for sale to the general public.

Two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole returns to the legendary Caf? Carlyle for the first time since her critically acclaimed 2002 debut in an exclusive two-week engagement. Beginning Tuesday, January 20, 2009 (and playing through Saturday, January 31st), Ms. Ebersole will present an all new program of classics, new classics and songs from the stage.

The 66th Annual Golden Globe Award Nominations were announced today and several of the nominees have graced the Broadway stage many times, a few of them are currently threading the boards right now, Variety spoke to them to get their reactions, here are the latest, we'll update as new statements arrive.

TV Guide is reporting that the ABC series 'Desperate Housewives' may extend with two more additional seasons. Marc Cherry, the series creator announced his hope of continuing at an ABC ceremony celebrating the 100th episode.

Oscar & Emmy Award winning screen legend JANE FONDA will return to Broadway in MOISES KAUFMAN's 33 VARIATIONS. Performances begin on Monday, February 9th, 2009 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street). The official opening will be Monday, March 9th, 2009. The engagement will play through May 24th, 2009. The play marks Fonda's first time on Broadway in 46 years.

Rosie's Gala: Building Dreams for Kids took place on November 24, 2008 at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. BroadwayWorld's cameras shared in the night of fun for a great cause!

Theater news from Broadway and the Baltimore/Washington area.

Oscar & Emmy Award winning screen legend JANE FONDA will return to Broadway in MOISÉS KAUFMAN's 33 VARIATIONS. The play marks Fonda's first time on Broadway in 46 years.