John August News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The pre-Broadway 'Big Fish,' a 'Fela!' tour, some long-running shows extend, Theo Ubique lights up the winter, Glencoe's 'Sweet Charity' jazz club, 'Lady Day,' two 'Grand Night' revues and more!

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will star Norbert Leo Butz as Edward Bloom, and have its pre-Broadway world premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph Street) in a limited 5-week engagement beginning performances Tuesday, April 2, 2013, opening Sunday, April 21, 2013, and playing through Sunday, May 5, 2013. Tickets on sale Monday, February 4, 2013.

Nominations for the 40th Annual Annie Awards have been announced. Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony which will take place on February 2 at UCLA's Royce Hall.

IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX; TSX:IMX) and The Walt Disney Studios today announced that Tim Burton's stop-motion, animated film, Frankenweenie will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® 3D format and released in IMAX® digital theatres worldwide day-and-date today, Oct. 5, 2012. The film marks the first black and white Hollywood feature and first stop-motion animated movie to be presented in IMAX.

Deadline reports that the ABC network has ordered a 'script commitment with significant penalty' to a new drama series to be titled CHOSEN. The project will be co-penned by 'Big Fish' scribe John August and Josh Friedman, developer and executive producer of 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.' August and Friedman will also executive produce.

Broadway In Chicago has announced the upcoming 2013 spring season line-up.

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will star Norbert Leo Butz as Edward Bloom, and have its pre-Broadway world premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph Street) in a limited 5-week engagement beginning performances Tuesday, April 2, 2013, and playing through Sunday, May 5, 2013.

Elton John's pop music influences will be readily apparent for audiences when they sit down at the Keeton Theatre for a performance of his Tony-Award-winning Broadway musical Aida, directed by Ralph Gabriel for Circle Players. Using Verdi's classic opera as a source, Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice have created an accessible musical inspired by Motown, dance music, reggae and gospel.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) (Jed Bernstein, Producing Director) has launched The Saturday Arts Program (SAP), a training ground for passionate young performers. Classes will take place weekly from September 22nd - November 17th at the Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope Solebury High School, and the Solebury School.

The national tour of The Addams Family, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, will make its Pennsylvania premiere in Pittsburgh tonight, July 31 and play through Sunday, August 12, 2012, at the Benedum Center as part of the Pittsburgh CLO summer season and PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh 2011-12 series.

Elton John's pop music influences will be readily apparent for audiences when they sit down at the Keeton Theatre for a performance of his Tony-Award-winning Broadway musical Aida, directed by Ralph Gabriel for Circle Players. Using Verdi's classic opera as a source, Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice have created an accessible musical inspired by Motown, dance music, reggae and gospel.

HGTV has collaborated with Disney to create a garden inspired by Tim Burton's FRANKENWEENIE, a stop-motion animated feature film that was filmed in black and white.

Full casting has been announced for theupcoming national tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, which will make its Pennsylvania premiere in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, July 31 - Sunday, August 12, 2012, at the Benedum Center

Sundance Institute has announced the 13 projects selected for its annual June Directors and Screenwriters Labs, taking place at the Sundance Resort in Utah from today, May 28 through June 28. Under the leadership of Michelle Satter, Founding Director of the Institute's Feature Film Program, and the artistic direction of Gyula Gazdag, the projects selected for this year's program include emerging filmmakers and projects from the United States, Italy, Romania, Australia, Algeria, France, Chile and the UK.

In his solo show entitled DESPERATELY SEEKING THE EXIT to be performed at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Peter Michael Marino tells the warts 'n all story of how the much anticipated musical featuring the music of Blondie opened on London's West End in 2007… and closed a month later.

IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX; TSX:IMX) and The Walt Disney Studios today announced that Tim Burton's stop-motion, animated film, Frankenweenie will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® 3D format and released in IMAX® digital theatres worldwide day-and-date on Oct. 5, 2012. The film marks the first black and white Hollywood feature and first stop-motion animated movie to be presented in IMAX.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that the musical adaptation of Tim Burton's BIG FISH, will hold a private industry reading next week in New York City. As previously announced, the show, which was initially aiming for Broadway in spring 2012, is now set to open in spring 2013.

Tim Burton brings his unique screen style to the children's favorite, 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' airing as the 'ABC Sunday Movie of the Week,' DECEMBER 11 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Tim Burton brings his unique screen style to the children's favorite, 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' airing as the 'ABC Sunday Movie of the Week,' DECEMBER 11 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that the musical adaptation of Tim Burton's BIG FISH, will hold a private industry reading next week in New York City. As previously announced, the show, which was initially aiming for Broadway in spring 2012, is now set to open in spring 2013.