Media Morsels 11.2.12

There wasn't a lot of entertainment news this week in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. If you can, consider assisting in the Hurricane Relief effort. Check in with New York Cares to find out how you can volunteer and help out. You can also make a donation in support of relief efforts; donate through the URJ's Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund [the URJ is a non-profit organization that will make sure your donation goes to those on the ground, not overhead costs] or the Red Cross.

Storm-related Updates:
  • Bruce Springsteen and friends, including Bon Jovi and Billy Joel, will perform at a benefit concert in support of the victims of Hurricane Sandy. The concert will take place and be broadcast live on NBC, HBO and other networks tonight (November 2). The event will be hosted by Matt Lauer. Rolling Stone has details.

  • Dead Accounts, the new Theresa Rebeck play starring Norbert Leo Butz and Katie Holmes, will begin previews on November 5, two days later than originally planned. Ticket holders for the canceled performances can return to their point of purchase for a refund or exchange. Playbill has details.

  • The TKTS satellite booth at South Street Seaport will remain closed until further notice. Its Brooklyn outpost will reopen when mass transit is fully operational. The Duffy Square location (47th and Broadway) is open for business.

  • As the election is nearly here, Rolling Stone's national affairs contributor Tim Dickinson looks at the dramatic ways disaster relief would be different under a Romney administration. Matt Taibbi also weighs in, focusing on the arguments about the role of government, brought up by the government's stellar response to the natural disaster.

  • Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS donated $250,000 to hurricane recovery efforts. Playbill has details.

  • Playbill found out what happens to theatre practitioners' paychecks when performances are canceled due to a natural disaster.

  • CSC (Classic Stage Company), which is located downtown, has moved the opening night of Ivanov, starring Ethan Hawke, to November 15. Playbill has details.

In other news...

Election Day
Election Day is right around the corner, dear readers. Many states currently offer early voting options, though many of us will go to the polls on Tuesday, November 6, to vote in the presidential election. Note, of course, that the presidential candidates aren't the only ones on the ballot. The entire House of Representatives is up for re/election (as they are every two years); one-third of the Senate will be voted on; and there are several local races and ballot initiatives to consider. (Four states have marriage equality measures on the ballot.) Visit your state's board of elections website find out who and what will be on your ballot. And remember: Decision are made by people who show up. So show up, take care of your civic responsibility and vote! (I also suggest reading this President Obama-Rolling Stone interview. In one interview, the president sums up his credentials and plan for the future.)

Community WILL Return!
On Tuesday, NBC announced the official return date for the fourth (and, unfortunately, final) season of the ingenious, cult-favorite comedy series. Community will return on Thursday, February 7, 2013. It will keep its 8pm time slot. As you may recall, this season was supposed to debut on October 19, but NBC delayed the premiere. You may also recall that in addition to this being the show's final season, it will also be a shortened season and it will be a season without show creator and former show runner Dan Harmon. Do you think the show will keep its unique voice without Harmon?

Golden Globes Update
Jodie Foster will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes. (The award is a lifetime achievement award.) Foster, who has appeared in many notable films throughout her lengthy career, including Taxi Driver and Silence of the Lambs, will soon join the likes of previous DeMille Award recipients including her Taxi Driver costar and director Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese, Lucielle Ball, Steven Spielberg and others. The DeMille Award and all the other Golden Globe awards will be handed out on January 13, 2013, with the ceremony being hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Nominations will be announced on December 13, 2012. The Hollywood Reporter has details.

Dig This
  • Anne Hathaway (Love and Other Drugs), who stars as Fantine in the upcoming movie-musical version of Les Miserables, will host Saturday Night Live on November 10. (Speaking of Les Mis, check out this poster featuring Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as the Thenardiers.)

  • Downton Abbey heartthrob Dan Stevens, who is making his Broadway debut in The Heiress, spoke to Broadway.com about Downton Abbey, The Heiress and celebrating his 30th birthday.

  • The second season of Smash will premiere on Tuesday, February 5, 2013. Broadway.com has more.

  • "So, Star Wars, you're one of the most popular and obsessed-about (trilogy of) movies of all time. What are you going to do now?" "I'm going to Disney!" Disney has bought Lucasfilm and intends to release a new Star Wars "episode" in 2015. The Hollywood Reporter has details.


  • Do you buy digital albums and miss the liner notes? Head to the Grammy website and sign the petition to give fans the credit.

  • Stage and screen veterans and writers, including The Heiress's Jessica Chastain, playwright Tony Kushner (The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide...) and Bradley Cooper spoke to EW about their respective upcoming movies, set for release this holiday season.

  • The 2013 schedule for the Lincoln Center American Songbook was announced and performers include Tom Morello, Mavis Staples and theatre favorites Kristin Chenoweth, Brian d'Arcy James and Idina Menzel, among others. The New York Times has details.

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