THEATRE/ DRAMA LEAGUE AWARDS HELD TODAY: The 77th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony was held today in New York City. The Drama League's 4 major production awards went to "War Horse" for Distinguished Play, "The Book of Mormon" for Distinguished Musical, "The Normal Heart," pictured, for Distinguished Revival of a Play and "Anything Goes" for Distinguished Revival of a Musical. The winner of The Distinguished Performance is Mark Rylance for his Broadway roles in "Jerusalem" and "La Bete". The Drama League was founded in 1916 as an association of theatre professionals and patrons dedicated to encouraging the finest in professional theatre. Full coverage of the awards can be found on the Drama League website.
THEATRE/ "PICNIC" & "KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN" AIM FOR BROADWAY: Tony Award-winning producer Darren Bagert plans to bring a revival of William Inge's Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Picnic" and a new dramatic adaptation of Manuel Puig's "Kiss of the Spider Woman" to Broadway. In a statement, Bagert revealed that "Picnic," previously announced for a fall 2010 Broadway debut with David Cromer directing, is now preparing for a Broadway arrival during the 2011-2012 season with Sam Gold attached to direct. Bagert is also behind a new production of Puig's dark novel "Kiss of the Spider Woman," which is being adapted by Academy Award nominee Jose Rivera ("Motorcycle Diaries") and Allan Baker for a 2011-2012 Broadway debut. Peter DuBois will direct. Baker's translation of "Spider Woman" premiered in London in 1985 and was later seen at the Donmar Warehouse in 2007, pictured. There was talk of a Broadway debut in 2008, but that never happened. Bagert is also producing a spring 2012 revival of Gore Vidal's "The Best Man," which will star James Earl Jones. Bagert has earned Tony Awards for producing the revivals of "Long Days Journey Into Night" and "Company".
Stephen King’s "Carrie" is once again heading to the big screen. MGM and Screen Gems are partnering up for the new take on the Stephen King book and have hired "Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark" playwright Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa to write the new script. The book, which was King’s 1st published work, centered on Carrie, a sheltered and shy high schooler who develops telekinetic powers and unleashes them when pushed too far during her prom. The book was famously adapted into a 1976 Brian DePalma movie starring Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie and John Travolta. There was also a stage musical, a forgettable 1999 sequel, called "Carrie 2: The Rage," and a 2002 TV movie. Aguirre-Sacasa is a playwright who also writes comics for Marvel, perhaps notably the company’s meticulous adaptations of King’s epic "The Stand". In mid-February, he was brought on board to fix the book of the troubled "Spider-Man" musical.
FILM/ "GREAT HOPE" HAS GREAT CAST: Meryl Streep will star along Steve Carell and Tommy Lee Jones in "Great Hope Springs," the Mandate comedy being directed by David Frankel. The project, written by Vanessa Taylor, centers on a middle-aged couple (Streep and Jones) who after 30 years of marriage attend an intense counseling weekend to examine the marriage and sex issues that are threatening their marriage. Carell plays the famed relationship guru who tries to help the couple out once they arrive in the town of Great Hope Springs. An August start date is planned. Sony Pictures will release the movie domestically in 4th quarter 2012. The movie was a hot seller in Cannes, with dozens of territories already sown up.
MUSIC/ PLAN B TOPS NOVELLO AWARDS: Rapper-turned-singer Plan B won 3 prizes at the Ivor Novellos last night, including best songwriter and best album. The singer, whose real name is Ben Drew, also won most performed song for "She Said," telling the audience the more popular it became "the more I hated it". Other winners included Tinie Tempah and Mercury-nominated Irish band Villagers. Special awards went to Muse, Steve Winwood, Free founder Paul Rodgers and musicals legend Stephen Sondheim. Presenting the songwriter of the year award at the event, Sir Elton said Plan B's "The Defamation of Strickland Banks" was the best album of recent years "by a million miles". "I've played it so many times, I've bought countless copies, I've given it to friends, I've worn it out," he said. Tinie Tempah's #1 single "Pass Out," co-written with singer and producer Labrinth, was named best contemporary song. Birmingham-born vocalist and guitarist Steve Winwood, who had his 1st UK #1 with "Keep On Running," with the Spencer Davis Group in 1966, won the outstanding song collection prize. Other awards went to Michael Nyman and Stephen Sondheim. Full details on all awards can be found on the Ivor Novello website.
MUSIC/ KATHY KIRBY DIES AT 72: Singer Kathy Kirby, best known for her cover version of "Secret Love" in 1963, has died aged 72. She will also be remembered for representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with "I Belong," coming in 2nd place to Luxembourg. During her career, Kirby had 2 UK top 10 hits and 4 other singles in the UK top 40. In a statement, her family said the star passed away on Thursday night after suffering from a short illness. Born in Essex, England, she began her career working with bandleader Bert Ambrose who took her on the club circuit. The blonde pin-up was often compared to Marilyn Monroe and, after securing her 1st record deal, went on to appear on several US TV programs, such as "The Ed Sullivan Show". Kirby was one of the biggest stars in England during the early 1960s. She lived in West London and since the late 1980s, had largely withdrawn from the public eye.
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