‘Sesame Street: The Musical’ to Premiere Off-Broadway (EXCLUSIVE)

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaBroadway is lifting its mask mandate.Starting in July, mask-wearing at all 41 Broadway theaters will be optional, the Broadway League announced Tuesday. The announcement comes as COVID rates have begun to decline in the five boroughs.

Amber Dowling Holly Robinson Peete’s career is anchored by full-circle moments. So it’s pretty fitting that her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony is also pillared by a blast from the past.“I got very emotional, and I thought about my mom driving me across the country when I was 9 years old from Philadelphia in search of a better life,” she tells Variety. “I thought of her becoming a personal manager and signing her first client, LeVar Burton.

A long-lost episode of “Sesame Street” that was only aired once after deemed too frightening for children has resurfaced.

Sesame Street” has been unearthed by Internet archivists, as a rare encounter between Big Bird and the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz” is now available to view online. Back in 1976, actress Margaret Hamilton was asked by Sesame Workshop to reprise her role as the Wicked Witch for a “Sesame Street” episode, 37 years after her iconic “Oz” performance opposite Judy Garland.

Angelique Jackson UTA has signed multi-hyphenate entertainer Hannibal Buress for worldwide representation in all areas.While Buress is primarily known for his stand-up comedy and acting roles as well as his work as a writer, producer and podcaster, he also has strong ties to the music industry, where he goes by the alter-ego Eshu Tune. In April 2022, Buress released his debut self-titled EP, in which he wrote and performed all the tracks.

“Love Lies Bleeding,” a new romantic thriller from A24, already has a lot going for it. For one, it’s an A24 movie, and that brings a certain sheen to it.

EXCLUSIVE: Anna Baryshnikov (Dickinson) will join Oscar nominee Kristen Stewart in A24’s romantic thriller Love Lies Bleeding from double BAFTA Award-nominated director Rose Glass (Saint Maud).

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorIn today’s podcast roundup, domestic guru Martha Stewart teams with iHeartMedia for a talk-show podcast; ESPN expands its partnership with Peyton Manning for a new slate of podcasts; Audible taps Dominic Monaghan for a new spin on Sherlock Holmes’ famous nemesis, Moriarty; SiriusXM premieres original scripted podcast “Marvel’s Wastelanders: Wolverine”; and more.Martha Stewart is no stranger to podcasts — and she has been a mainstay of TV, magazines and other media for years. Now she’s hosting her first-ever original podcast series, “The Martha Stewart Podcast,” slated to premiere June 22, produced in partnership with iHeartRadio.

Kenan Thompson isn't departing  anytime soon. ET spoke to Thompson at the 2022 Apollo Spring Benefit in New York City, where he's hosting the annual fundraiser, about his future on the sketch comedy show after a season that saw major cast exits in Pete Davidson, Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant and Kyle Mooney. «I mean, not that I know of,» Thompson said when asked if he was planning to depart SNL.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentSND has closed a flurry of sales across its slate, including the animated feature “The Jungle Bunch: World Tour,” the French comedy “Ooh La la,” and the international melodrama “The Braid.” Produced by leading animation studio TAT Productions, “The Jungle Bunch: World Tour” is the sequel to the animated feature hit “The Jungle Bunch – The 3D Movie” which was one of the highest grossing French productions worldwide in 2017 and sold to over 70 territories. The spinoff movies expand on the popular animated series “The Jungle Bunch” which follows the adventures of a group of misfit animals on a mission to protect their kingdom.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaNo mere documentary can capture the turbulent life story of “America’s mayor.”In order to do justice to the rise and fall of Rudolph “Rudy” Giuliani, director Jed Rothstein had to invent a new genre. The result, “Rudy! A Documusical,” weaves in musical performances by Broadway actors with archival footage from Giuliani’s metamorphosis from top prosecutor to New York City mayor and hero of 9/11 to his sad final act as Donald Trump’s cable news henchman and chief purveyor of election lies.“Rudy is this very unique and mercurial character,” says Rothstein.

Kristen Stewart has announced a casting call for a “super gay ghost-hunting” reality series.The Spencer actress recently took to social media to announce the new project, calling on all ghost hunters and mediums to audition for the upcoming show.“I am scarily excited to announce that I’m teaming up with Scout, the producers of Queer Eye, Legendary and The Hype on the most gayest, most funnest, most titillating queer ghost-hunting show ever,” says Stewart in an Instagram video shared by her hairstylist and friend CJ Romero.“We need to find the most incredible LGBTQ+ ghost hunters, paranormal specialists, mediums, psychics, investigators who will lead the pack on this super gay ghost-hunting adventure.”Those from the LGBTQ+ community who seek to apply for the show can visit this website and fill out a questionnaire, where they’ll be asked about their experiences with paranormal activity.A post shared by Cj Romero (@cjromero)Stewart first announced that she was working on the reality series in an interview with The New Yorker back in 2021.“Gay people love pretty things,” she said at the time. “So we are aiming for a richness.” The actress also described the project as “a paranormal romp in a queer space.”An official title for the project or how it will be formatted is yet to be revealed.Stewart recently appeared in David Cronenberg’s new horror film Crimes of the Future, which reportedly sparked walkouts in the first five minutes – due to the gory scenes – when screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May.Addressing the audience reaction, Stewart told Vulture: “Before the credits lifted, it was dead silent.

Sesame Street: The Musical, a new stage production featuring Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Grover, Rosita, Bert, Ernie and Oscar the Grouch will open Off Broadway this fall, producers Rockefeller Productions and Sesame Workshop said today.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Chef Mauro Colagreco of the three-Michelin star restaurant Mirazur will be attending the June 13 North American premiere of the documentary “Reinventing Mirazur” at the Tribeca Film Festival.  In a clip released ahead of its premiere in Variety, Colagreco explains the new philosophy behind the restaurant’s menus, borne out of the pandemic.As described, the doc takes “a deep dive into the life of Chef Mauro, who finds himself changing everything about his flagship restaurant after the COVID-19 pandemic halted his worldwide rise to prominence.”Forced to go into hiatus not long after his Menton, France-based restaurant was awarded the coveted three Michelin stars and the No.1 spot in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2019, Colagreco spent more time in his estate’s vast vegetable and flower garden and came up with the idea to introduce menus pegged to the cycles of the moon. Since he sourced all the restaurant’s fresh produce from his garden, where planting and harvesting were timed according to the moon’s cycles, the menus would undergo a radical change.

Party at the Palace viewers have accused Rod Steward of 'butchering' Sweet Caroline as Prince George sang along with his dad Prince William. Stewart put on an energetic performance at Saturday's Party at the Palace.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic“Almost Famous” is almost ready for Broadway. The specific New York theater has yet to be announced, but opening dates for the musical adaptation of the Cameron Crowe film were revealed by the Shubert Organization on Thursday, with previews set to begin Sept.

Today’s Word of the Day is “respect”.

Jon Stewart is standing up for former military personnel by calling out their lack of public support.

 The series also stars Omar Epps, London Brown, Malcolm Mays, Hailey Kilgore, Joey Bada$$ and Shanley Caswell  with Quincy Brown and Toby Sandeman recurring. Antonio Ortiz has been made a series regular in Season 2.