There are two upcoming movie musicals that, for a long time, I've wanted to make into motion pictures, should someone with money be willing to give me the funds to make them -- Into The Woods and The Last 5 Years. I'm both nervous and excited to see how directors Rob Marshall and Richard Lagravenese, respectfully, have interpreted the material I hold so close to my heart. I am especially nervous for Into The Woods, given Marshall's less than impressive track record. If someone is going to screw up something I cherish, it should be me. Of course, there are far more than two musicals I have a deep connection to. Some have already been made into films, like Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Les Miserables, but there is a vast collection of musicals I have thought could make fantastic films, but have never been made.

The PBS concert version of A Tale Of Two Cities will get a DVD and cast recording to be released in the upcoming months. The concert was filmed this past summer at England's Theater Royal Brighton that will be Broadcast on PBS stations, beginning November 26. The concert production features an international cast including James Barbour, Brandi Burkhardt, Natalie Toro, and Kevin Earley from the Broadway production.

Feinstein's At Loews Regency, the nightclub proclaimed "Best of New York" by New York Magazine and "an invaluable New York institution" by The New York Post will continue its 10th Anniversary with "The Actors Fund Broadway Series" on Monday nights from April 27 through the Tony Awards. To help raise money for The Actors Fund, the club will feature such Broadway luminaries as James Barbour, Andrea Burns, the cast of [title of show], Julia Murney and Norm Lewis. All admission proceeds will go directly to the assistance of professionals in performing arts and entertainment in times of need, crisis or transition.

Nominated for the Drama Desk Award for outstanding actress in a play are Jane Fonda for "33 Variations," Saidah Arrika Ekulona for "Ruined," Marcia Gay Harden for "God of Carnage," Elizabeth Marvel for "Fifty Words," Jan Maxwell for "Scenes From an Execution" and Janet McTeer for "Mary Stuart."

In the list for outstanding actor in a musical are James Barbour from "A Tale of Two Cities," Daniel Breaker and Brian d'Arcy James from "Shrek The Musical," Josh Grisetti from "Enter Laughing The Musical," Sahr Ngaujah from "Fela!" and Will Swenson from "Hair."

Shortlisted for outstanding actress in a musical are Stockard Channing for "Pal Joey," Janney, Megan Hilty and Stephanie J. Block for....

"9 to 5," the musical version of the 1980 hit movie comedy, received a generous stimulus package from the Drama Desk on Monday, netting a record 15 nominations from the organization of New York-based theater critics, reporters and editors for its annual awards.

Other top nominees included "Shrek the Musical" with 12, "Billy Elliot" with 10, "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" with six and the "Hair" revival with eight.

The previous record for the most noms was 14 shared by five shows -- "The Secret Garden" (1991), "Ragtime" (1998), "The Producers" (2001), "Hairspray" (2003) and "The Drowsy Chaperone" (2006).

"9 to 5" opened March 30 on the same night as Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of "Waiting for Godot," which received two nominations. Those are the last two productions of the 2007-08 Broadway season.

Unlike the Tony Awards, the DDs consider Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway equally in all of its categories. The noms were determined by a seven-member committee. The winners will be voted on by...

Feinstein's At Loews Regency, the nightclub proclaimed "Best of New York" by New York Magazine and "an invaluable New York institution" by The New York Post will continue its 10th Anniversary with "The Actors Fund Broadway Series" on Monday nights from April 27 through the Tony Awards. To help raise money for The Actors Fund, the club will feature such Broadway luminaries as James Barbour, Andrea Burns, the cast of [title of show], Julia Murney and Norm Lewis. All admission proceeds will go directly to the assistance of professionals in performing arts and entertainment in times of need, crisis or transition.

"Love Songs" continued to seduce New Yorkers every Saturday evening for the last number of weeks, on Saturday, March 28th, James Barbour played his final concert before heading into rehearsals for Paper Mill Playhouse's 1776. He was joined by special guests including John Schuck, Georgia Warner, Jessica Grové, and Aaron Ramey. Sardi's is located at 234 West 44th Street - between Broadway & Eighth Avenue.

James Barbour (Tale of Two Cities) and Kerry O'Malley (White Christmas) will join the cast of Broadway Musicals of 1924 on Monday, February 23rd. The Town Hall (Executive and Artistic Director Lawrence Zucker) is pleased to kick off the ninth season Broadway By The YearTM, known for great singing and spectacular Broadway dancing. The series is created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. Broadway Musicals of 1924 will be directed by Jeffry Denman and will also star previously announced Broadway by the YearTM favorites Marc Kudisch and Sarah Jane McMahon. They will be joined by the show's director/choreographer, Jeffry Denman, who will also star, as well as exciting talents Kendrick Jones, Melinda Sullivan, Erin Denman, Jason Graae, Kevin Worley, special guest The Howard Fishman Quartet and more to be announced.

Due to the overwhelming audience and critical response Sardi's management has scheduled additional Saturday evening concerts with Broadway star, James Barbour. The new concert series, entitled "Love Songs" will premiere on Saturday, January 31st and continue through Saturday, February 28th at Broadway's premiere destination, Sardi's (234 West 44th Street - between Broadway & Eighth Avenue). Musical Direction is by Jeremy Roberts. Morgan James will be Mr. Barbour's Special Guest Artist on Friday, February 13. Morgan James most recently played Sheila in "Hair" at Arizona Theatre Company. New York: Featured soloist in Bernstein's "Mass" with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center, conducted by Marin Alsop (cast recording, Naxos); "The Addams Family" workshop; Pre-Broadway workshop of "Godspell". Regional credits include: "Pirates", Paper Mill Playhouse; "The Human Comedy", Barrington Stage Co.; Mabel in "The Pirates of Penzance", Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and Arizona Theatre Co; Micaela in "The Tragedy of Carmen", Two River Theater Co.

Broadway diva Lauren Kennedy will make a special guest appearance at James Barbour's new concert series "Love Songs", Saturday, January 31 Due to the overwhelming audience and critical response Sardi's management has scheduled additional Saturday evening concerts with Broadway star and vocal power house, James Barbour. The new concert series, entitled "Love Songs" will premiere on Saturday, January 31st and continue through Saturday, February 28th at Broadway's premiere destination, Sardi's (234 West 44th Street - between Broadway & Eighth Avenue). Special Valentine's Concerts are scheduled on Friday, February 13th and Sunday, February 15th. Broadway Diva, Lauren Kennedy, will be Mr. Barbour's Special Guest Artist on Saturday, January 31st. Fresh from igniting audiences to thundering standing ovations for his emotionally blistering portrayal of Sydney Carton in "A Tale Of Two Cities" at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, Mr. Barbour's Concert Series Event is quickly becoming an audience magnate in the Broadway neighborhood.

Elisabeth Moss is about to make her Broadway debut in a role originated by one of the most famous women in the world, but is she concerned about comparisons? "I couldn't care less who's played the role before me," she says. "And there have been many others besides Madonna." Yes, her predecessor in Speed-the-Plow, a bitingly funny Hollywood morality tale, is none other than the Material Girl. But Moss never saw that production, and for her the bottom line is that she is appearing in a David Mamet play, "and I get to act with Jeremy Piven and Raúl Esparza on Broadway." Likewise, James Barbour in A Tale of Two Cities and David Rasche in To Be or Not to Be, both on Broadway, are stepping into the shoes of celebrated actors who previously played their roles, in this case on film. Each role has its own challenges, but they...

Broadway star James Barbour[/link]James Barbour is facing a two month jail sentence after he confessed to groping a 15-year-old girl in his dressing room.

The 41-year-old agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in return for 60 days in jail.

Barbour admitted to Manhattan Superior Court on Thursday that he lured a high school student back to his dressing room in 2001 after a teacher arranged for her and her parents to see him in a production of Jane Eyre.

The actor - who also played the Beast in Beauty and the Beast - revealed he touched the aspiring actress sexually. He then arranged for her to visit him at home, where he touched her again.

Barbour's lawyer Ronald P. Fischetti claims the girl - now 22 - initiated the contact, and has asked a court to allow him to publish ads, featuring the girl's name, asking men if she has filed false claims against them.

He told reporters, "She initiated both of these sexual encounters and then waited five years before filing a complaint against him."

Fischetti added that his client only pleaded guilty to avoid being added to the sex offenders' register.

He said, "By pleading guilty to misdemeanors, he doesn't have to register (as a sex offender), and that's important.

"He wouldn't have been able to travel without reporting, and he wouldn't have been able to work with children."...