News

Foundation Seeks Theatre Artists

The Lynne Thigpen/Bobo Lewis Foundation, whose purpose is to educate, mentor, and create access and opportunity for aspiring young New York theatre artists, will hold its first round of auditions on Tues., May 17. Auditions will be held by appointment only.

The Tender Trap

"The Tender Trap," presented by and at the Long Beach Playhouse Mainstage Theatre, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Jun. 4-Jul. 9. $18-20. (562) 494-1014.

Review: Knock!

Mixing music, dance, and expressive physical performances,Knock!is a 90-minute delight.

Seattle Sets New 'Idol' Benchmark

The "American Idol" auditions in Seattle, dubbed the "weirdest turnout in history" by host Ryan Seacrest, more than lived up to the billing.

CURRENTLY CASTING

FEATURE FILMS Babel, a drama about a vacationing married couple, interweaving four stories set in Morocco, Tunisia, Mexico, and Japan. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is to direct, with Steve Golin and Jon Kilik producing. Casting: Francine Maisler Casting, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Jimmy Stewart Bldg., Rm. 207, Culver City, CA 90232.

OBITUARIES

The National Endowment for the Arts will award 844 grants totaling $20.4 million through its Access to Artistic Excellence program in the coming fiscal year. The grants support the creation and presentation of work in disciplines including theatre, musical theatre, opera, and dance.

Magnolia Picks Up Horror/Comedy 'Severance'

Magnolia Pictures has acquired U.S. rights to the horror-comedy "Severance," directed by Christopher Smith and starring Danny Dyer and Laura Harris.

Gypsies Storm the Palace

After six weeks of fundraising at Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, the 13th annual Gypsy of the Year competition came to a crescendo Dec. 3 and 4 at the Palace Theatre.

SAG AWARDS VOTER GUIDE: Film -- FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

JUDI DENCH Chocolat This Academy Award winner has an inherent gift for filling the screen with multilayered, larger-than-life characters. Her Armande in Chocolat isn't so larger than life, however. The outspoken, stubborn grandmother estranged from her grown daughter and grandson is fairly normal. It's certainly no queen of ...

Young Playwrights

Young Playwrights, an organization founded in 1981 by Stephen Sondheim to introduce young people to the professional theatre and to encourage their self-expression through the craft of playwriting, will hold its second Young Playwrights Urban Retreat, July 17-25. The program is open to motivated writers, ages 16-21. Tuition is $1 ...