Jennifer West News

New York Stage and Film has announced its inaugural Filmmakers' Workshop, which launches July 7th on Vassar's campus as part of New York Stage and Film & Vassar's 31st Powerhouse Season. Designed to support early-career screenwriters with creative development and mentorship, the Filmmakers' Workshop features a tailored, process-oriented approach akin to Powerhouse's celebrated development of plays and musicals.

New York Stage and Film and Vassar College, this summer celebrating the 31st Powerhouse Season, have announced the first round of casting for their summer collaboration, which runs June 26 - August 2 at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie.

This past week The Public Theater celerbrated their 2015 Summer Gala. The gala featured a special performance of the free Shakespeare in the Park production of THE TEMPEST, featuring a cast that includes Sam Waterston and Jesse Tyler Ferguson and directed by Michael Greif. The summer gala also honored Bernard Spitzer (1924-2014) and Anna Spitzer for their extraordinary support over several years.

The world premiere production of HAMILTON, inspired by the book 'Alexander Hamilton' by Ron Chernow, with book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and directed by Thomas Kail, will run an additional four weeks through Sunday, May 3 with an official press opening last night, February 17 at The Public Theater. BroadwayWorld was there for the opening and you can check out photos from the big night below!

Funky Little Theater Company is proud to present the Regional Premiere of Cricket Daniel's play, Couple Dating. This production will have performances February 26th-March 14th, 2015 (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm + Monday, February 9th at 7pm is Industry Night, a performance dedicated for people in the service industry or theatre industry, but all patrons are welcome).

It was a big year for Broadway newbies! From young newcomers to seasoned Hollywood stars, Broadway welcomed many new faces to the family in 2014. Many earned critical acclaim, a brand-new fanbase, and some even walked away with Tony nominations (and awards)! Below, BroadwayWorld celebrates just a few of our favorite new stage stars!

Dozens of shows celebrated opening nights over the past twelve months, making 2014 a truly epic year in theatre. While some of those shows are still around and others have already wrapped up their Broadway runs, all of them had equally thrilling opening celebrations- welcoming celebrities of the stage and screen to the red carpet. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a roundup of red carpet photo coverage from the past year!

Aurora Theatre Company continues its 23rd season with the Bay Area Premiere of Nicky Silver's (Pterodactyls, Raised in Captivity) scathingly funny Broadway hit THE LYONS. Tony-nominated director Barbara Damashek, who helmed Aurora Theatre Company's productions of American Buffalo, Fat Pig, and Private Jokes, Public Places, returns to direct THE LYONS, featuring Ellen Ratner (After the Revolution, Awake and Sing!), Will Marchetti (Knock Knock), Nicholas Pelczar (Dublin Carol, Marius), Jessica Bates (After the Revolution), Joe Estlack (Shotgun Players, Magic Theatre), and Edris Cooper-Anifowoshe (Brava Theater, TheatreWorks, Magic Theatre). THE LYONS plays January 30 through March 1 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org. For mature audiences.

The highly anticipated film INTO THE WOODS had its premiere Monday night, December 8th at New York's City's Ziegfeld Theatre. The film hits theaters on December 25th, is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. BroadwayWorld was on the red carpet for the fairytale premiere and below, you can check out photos of all the red carpet fashions! Plus, check out Part 1 and Part 2 of our photo coverage from inside the event!

The highly anticipated film INTO THE WOODS had its premiere last night, December 8th at New York's City's Ziegfeld Theatre. The film hits theaters on December 25th, is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. BroadwayWorld was on the red carpet for the fairytale premiere and below, you can check out photos from inside the star-studded event!

THE ELEPHANT MAN opened last night, December 7, 2014 at the Booth Theatre (222 W 45th St), starring two-time Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper, Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola. Directed by Tony Award nominee Scott Ellis, the limited engagement will play through Sunday, February 15, 2014. BroadwayWorld was there for the last big opening of 2014, and you can check out photos from the red carpet arrivals below!

Earlier this week, New York Stage and Film 2014 Gala honored Tony Award winner Michael Mayer and veteran theatrical press agent Rick Miramontez at The Plaza Hotel. They were joined by celebrities and theater VIPs including Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka, Jon Hamm & Jennifer Westfeldt, John Slattery & Talia Balsam, Josh Radnor, Bill Pullman, Harvey Fierstein, Joel Grey, Ken Olin & Patricia Wettig, Carol Kane, Mark Linn-Baker, John Benjamin Hickey, Hunter Parrish, Billy Porter, Jessie Mueller, Sherie Rene Scott, Tommy Tune, Lena Hall, Stephen Trask, Matt Doyle, Bryce Pinkham, Steven Lutvak, Matt Doyle, Isabel & Ruben Toledo, Jon Tenney, Sakina Jaffrey and many more! BroadwayWorld brings you an inside look at the event below!

Just last night, New York Stage and Film 2014 Gala honored Tony Award winner Michael Mayer and veteran theatrical press agent Rick Miramontez at The Plaza Hotel. They were joined by celebrities and theater VIPs including Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka, Jon Hamm & Jennifer Westfeldt, John Slattery & Talia Balsam, Josh Radnor, Bill Pullman, Harvey Fierstein, Joel Grey, Ken Olin & Patricia Wettig, Carol Kane, Mark Linn-Baker, John Benjamin Hickey, Hunter Parrish, Billy Porter, Jessie Mueller, Sherie Rene Scott, Tommy Tune, Lena Hall, Stephen Trask, Matt Doyle, Bryce Pinkham, Steven Lutvak, Matt Doyle, Isabel & Ruben Toledo, Jon Tenney, Sakina Jaffrey and many more! BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the special evening below!

The Public Theater presents The Fortress of Solitude, a world premiere musical with a book by Itamar Moses, and music and lyrics by Michael Friedman. Conceived and directed by Daniel Aukin, The Fortress of Solitude runs through Sunday, November 2. BroadwayWorld brings you phtotos from opening night below!

'Mad Men' star Vincent Kartheiser and Broadway's Larry Pine (CASA VALENTINA) play Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler, respectively, in BILLY & RAY, Mike Bencivenga's new play -- directed by the legendary director/writer/producer Garry Marshall. Earlier this week, the show celebrated its NY premiere and opening night at the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.). Check out photos from the theatre arrivals below!

According to Deadline, a U.S. adaptation of Chris O'Dowd's MOONEY BOY, has been picked up by ABC with a put pilot commitment.

New York Stage and Film has announced that its Annual Winter Gala, to be held this year on Sunday, November 16, 2014 at The Plaza Hotel (770 Fifth Avenue, New York City), will honor Tony Award winner Michael Mayer and veteran theatrical press agent Rick Miramontez.

Leah Ryan's FEWW is hosting an evening of celebratory cocktails and performances tonight, October 6 at Joe's Pub in New York. The benefit will commemorate the fifth year of Leah Ryan's Fund for Emerging Women Writers and the announcement of The Vladimir, a new emergency fund for writers facing medical emergencies.

Manhattan Theatre Club's New York premiere co-production of The Country House, the new play by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan, opened last night on Broadway, and BWW was on the scene to catch the red carpet arrivals!

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its shows running from today, October 1 to 12, 2014. Scroll down for details, and visit www.joespub.com for a complete list of shows.