News

League Loves 'Billy,' Rush

The Drama League joined the conga line to honor 'Billy Elliot', presenting the musical with its award for distinguished musical. The show, based on the 2000 film about an aspiring ballet dancer, has won similar citations from the New York Drama Critics Circle and the Outer Critics Circle.

Readers' Choice Los Angeles

Thanks to the more than 2,400 of you who participated in this year's Readers' Choice Survey: Los Angeles. It was the most votes we've received thus far for this annual survey, now in its third year.

TV Pilot Listings

'The Station'  is a comedy about CIA operatives who set up a covert South American outpost so they can install a new dictator. Written by Kevin Napier. Produced and directed by Ben Stiller.

Los Angeles Production Listings

'The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud.' A cemetery caretaker, who blames himself for the accidental death of his younger brother, meets a young woman thought dead in a sailing mishap and begins a relationship with her.  Zac Efron is in negotiations to star.

AADA Panel: Managers and Your Career

Back Stage invites you to "The Successful Actor" an ongoing educational series in partnership with the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.  This month's topic will be: "Managers and Your Career."

SAG's Yes and No Propositions

In the coming weeks, as Screen Actors Guild members prepare to vote on the union's tentative TV-film contract with producers, SAG will hold members-only informational meetings around the country, while the sizable minority of national board members who oppose the pact continues to stage vote-no rallies.

The Urge to Merge

Co-productions between nonprofit theaters, whether crosstown or cross-country, are becoming ubiquitous, and the economy—if anyone had any doubt—is the explanation. Even large, well-funded institutions are feeling the pinch.

Landesman Nominated to Lead NEA

Rocco Landesman, a producer known for bringing such hits as "Big River," "Angels in America" and "The Producers" to Broadway, has been nominated as the next chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Have Sports Helped Your Physique?

If you are an actor who has taken up a sport or other physical activity that's helped your physique as well as your acting , Back Stage would like to hear your story.