Latest news with #Theater
New York Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Taye Diggs Can't Resist a Good Rom-Com
Taye Diggs got his big break when he played the landlord Benny in the original Broadway cast of 'Rent,' back in 1996, and he credits the stage for creating, as he put it, 'who I am and why I am who I am.' Problem is, live performance had been taking a back seat in his life. 'Once one is lucky enough to cross over to film and TV, it's easy to get kind of stuck and become an audience member when it comes to theater, and then fear starts to set in,' Diggs said. 'I found myself in the audience wondering how these actors onstage memorized all their lines. That's when I started to get scared.' Not scared enough to turn down the opportunity to step into 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical,' though — Diggs is currently in rehearsals for the show, in which he'll play the scheming, wealthy Duke of Monroth starting Tuesday and through Sept. 28. Diggs's presence on New York stages has been sporadic in the decades since 'Rent.' One reason is that he has been living in Los Angeles; the other is why he's in California. His screen career took off a couple of years after 'Rent,' when he helped Angela Bassett track down her mojo in his film debut, 'How Stella Got Her Groove Back.' This led to lead roles in the beloved rom-coms 'Brown Sugar' and 'The Best Man.' Diggs has also been a steady presence on television, with lengthy runs on 'Private Practice' and 'All American.' But now he's putting his summer to good use by returning to Broadway, his first appearance there since a stint in 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' in 2015. It helped that he's a fan of 'Moulin Rouge,' having seen the show, he said, about 10 times. And the Duke is a juicy character. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Time Out
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' has been canceled—here's how to get tickets for the final season
It's the end of an era at the Ed Sullivan Theater. CBS has announced it's canceling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert after the 2025–2026 season, pulling the plug on what's been the most-watched late-night show for nearly a decade. The final episode is set for May 2026, but if you've ever dreamed of seeing Colbert live, the window's closing fast. The decision came as a shock to many, including Colbert himself, who broke the news to a stunned studio audience last night. 'Next year will be our last season,' he said, met with boos and disbelief. 'This is all just going away.' Why was The Late Show with Stephen Colbert canceled? According to the New York Times, CBS insists the cancelation was 'purely a financial decision,' citing declining ad revenue and the high cost of producing nightly talk shows. Still, the timing raised eyebrows. The announcement came just weeks after CBS's parent company, Paramount, settled a $16 million lawsuit with Donald Trump —whom Colbert has consistently skewered—and while a controversial merger with Skydance Media awaits government approval. Some lawmakers have already suggested politics, not just profits, might be behind the decision. Regardless of motive, the show's demise signals a broader shift. Late-night as we know it is shrinking. Shows are vanishing. Fewer are even submitted for Emmy consideration. And The Late Show, which was first launched by David Letterman in 1993, had become one of the last remaining standard-bearers of the format. Colbert took over in 2015 and quickly found his stride during the Trump years, turning the show into a sharp-edged, news-forward juggernaut. Even with streaming dominating the media landscape, The Late Show maintained a loyal audience. That loyalty is now fueling demand for one last chance to see the show live. How to get tickets to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Tickets are free and released via typically on Thursdays for the following week's tapings. You'll need to create an account and request a date, though not all requests are granted. If you're selected, you'll receive a confirmation email with details on arrival time, dress code and ID requirements. The show tapes from Monday through Thursday, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan to arrive early. Note: All audience members must be at least 16 years old.
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tom Felton supports JK Rowling by attending Harry Potter event
Tom Felton continued to show his support for JK Rowling as he attended the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 10 year theater celebration in Hamburg on Thursday evening. The actor, 37, who played Draco Malfoy in the original films from 2001 until 2011, recently revealed he will be reprising his role for the Broadway show. In stark contrast to his co-stars Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint who have turned their back on Rowling due to her controversial views on trans rights, Tom has been vocal in his support for the author. And on Thursday he appeared in great spirits as he was seen posing for selfies with fans at the Theater am Großmarkt in the German city. Looking stylish for the evening Tom opted for a cream summer blazer jacket and matching trousers. He completed the look with a blue T-shirt and round shades as he smiled for snaps. Author JK Rowling has been very vocal about her views on transgender people, consistently referring to trans women as 'men'. And while Tom's co-stars have turned away from the writer, he has continued to support her, insisting he is 'grateful' for what she has done for him. Last month, he was asked if the controversy surrounding Rowling affected his work. He said: 'No, I can't say it does. I'm not really that attuned. The only thing I always remind myself is that I've been lucky enough to travel the world. 'Here I am in New York. And I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter, and she's responsible for that. So I'm incredibly grateful.' In April, Rowling insisted she would never forgive the younger stars of the film franchise for speaking out against her views on trans rights. Responding to a tweet that asked whether the likes of Daniel and Emma would apologize to the author, 'safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them', she said: 'Not safe, I'm afraid. 'Celebs who cozied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatized detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces.' Tom also previously expressed his excitement about joining the upcoming Broadway production. He told Variety: 'I think we all thought the wizarding world would slowly… that the fandom flame might douse over the years, but clearly it's not. 'I think the most exciting part is to do it live. It took nine months, more or less, to shoot a film. And this is all compact. This is all reimagined into a very lovely new, tight story. And I get to be a dad, which has been fun.' Tom will join the cast in November and star in the show for 19 weeks, concluding his run in March 2026. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, based off a screenplay written by JK Rowling, takes place 19 years after the original series ended. It follows Harry, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Draco's kids as they head off to Hogwarts. Harry's son Albus and Draco's son Scorpius become best friends and get up to their own adventure - and almost destroy the entire wizarding world along the way.
Washington Post
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Musical 'Hamilton' and historian Ron Chernow to receive Liberty Medal awards
PHILADELPHIA — The Broadway musical 'Hamilton' and the historian whose book inspired it will collect the National Constitution Center's Liberty Medal this fall, an award for efforts to spread liberty around the world. Ron Chernow and ' Hamilton ' will collect the medal and its $100,000 cash prize at an event in October on Philadelphia's Independence Mall.
Arab News
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Theater and film experts Fatima Al-Banawi, Lana Komsany lend expertise to Saudi summer camp
DUBAI: Saudi filmmaker Fatima Al-Banawi is set to take part in a two week summer program for children in Jeddah hosted by Alf Wad Productions. The two programs aimed at children are titled 'Little Theater Stars Camp' and 'Camp Journey to the World of Cinema.' The programs run for two weeks. The schedule focuses on teaching theatrical experiences by allowing children to write a play inspired by their ideas. In addition to writing a script, the participants will design the costumes and help in building the set for the production. From lighting to sound and storytelling, the program will offer a holistic understanding of what it takes to bring a theater production to life. Led by instructor Lana Komsany and supervised by Al-Banawi, the programs will conclude with a performance in front of a live audience. A post shared by Alf Wad | ألفُ وادٍ (@alfwadproductions) Al-Banawi is recognized for her roles in 'Barakah Meets Barakah' and the Saudi thriller 'Route 10.' She made her directorial debut with 'Basma,' in which she also plays the titular role of a young Saudi woman who returns to her hometown of Jeddah after studying in the US. Back home, she is confronted with her father's mental illness, strained family ties, and the challenge of reconnecting with a past life that no longer feels familiar. 'I really went into cinema — in 2015 with my first feature as an actress — with one intention: to bridge the gap between the arts and social impact and psychology,' she previously told Arab News. 'And I was able to come closer to this union when I positioned myself as a writer-director, more so than as an actor.' The film debuted on Netflix in 2024. Meanwhile, Qamsani specializes in film and theater, with extensive experience in directing, acting, and writing, and is known for her work in creative training. Alfwad Productions is a Saudi Arabia-based creative arts organization focused on nurturing young talent through performance, storytelling, and cultural education. The organization runs year-round programs that blend theater, music, and visual arts.
