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With this year’s Tonys coming up on June 8, the American Theatre Wing will soon be announcing its Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The honor has gone to veteran stage performers, directors, choreographers, playwrights, songwriters, producers, and designers. In some years we get multiple recipients. Last year it was directors Jack O'Brien and George C. Wolfe.

There are several female Broadway vets, over the age of 65, who are deserving. With the likes of Jane Greenwood, Rosemary Harris, and Graciela Daniele having already received the award, here are 10 possible women who could be next in line. Vote in our poll below to let us know who you’d like to see honored.

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Jane Alexander

Tony-winning actress for The Great White Hope (1969). Additional nominations for 6 Rms Riv Vu (1973), Find Your Way Home (1974), First Monday in October (1979), The Visit (1992), The Sisters Rosensweig (1993), Honour (1998), and...

Exclusive: Emmy winner Kim Delaney has been tapped to star in Lifetime original movie The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother’s Hunt for Justice, the network’s latest addition to its winter “Ripped from the Headlines” slate.

The movie is inspired by the emotional story of Mari Gilbert, played by Delaney, a mother whose daughter’s disappearance led to the discovery of 19 bodies, many of which are believed to have been murdered by an unidentified Long Island serial killer. The film follows her relentless pursuit for answers and the truth. Emmy-winning journalist Deborah Norville, who covered Gilbert’s story as anchor for Inside Edition, will executive produce. The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother’s Hunt for Justice is scheduled to premiere winter 2021 on Lifetime.

“Mari Gilbert singlehandedly brought closure to families who never knew what happened to their missing sisters and daughters,” said Norville. “To law enforcement, she was ‘just a mom,...

If nuns make you nervous, you’re not alone. Whether it’s their distinctive religious attire, their unwavering devotion to a higher power, or their reputation for meting out corporal punishment in Catholic school, it’s hard to deny that there’s something vaguely eerie about them at times. As the new supernatural horror film “The Nun 2” prepares to haunt theaters on Sept. 8, here’s a look at 20 other movie nuns that are guaranteed to give you the creeps.

Courtesy of New Line Cinema

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Audiences first met the eerie title character of “The Nun” in the sequel to James Wan’s horror hit “The Conjuring.” Sporting a ghostly complexion, a bad attitude, and a mouthful of rotting fangs that would make Pennywise the clown jealous, the Nun is referred to by several names throughout the film, including the Marquis of Snakes, the Defiler, and the demon Valak.

Part 2 of this list gets a bit more foreign. In fact, this may be the first full list that has more foreign-language films than English-language ones. Maybe English-speaking audiences aren’t as willing to watch religious films. Maybe films associated with religion come off as preachy or accusatory. Or maybe (most of) the films on this list have done it so well already that it doesn’t need to be done again.

courtesy of criterion.com

40. Marketa Lazarová (1967)

Directed by František Vláčil

The film often credited as being the best to come out of the Czech Republic, Marketa Lazarová was based on the novel by Vladislav Vančura and is an early, biting narrative about the chasm of difference between paganism and its shift into Christianity in the Middle Ages, as the daughter of a lord is kidnapped and becomes the mistress of one of her kidnappers, a robber knight. It...

Get back in the Clip joint habit and help us identify the saints and sinners of the cinematic sisterhood

This week's Clip joint is by writer Nia Jones, who blogs at serenwibglambassador.wordpress.com.

Think you can do better than Nia? If you've got an idea for a future Clip joint, send a message to adam.boult@guardian.co.uk

Films portrayals of nuns usually play on stereotypical perceptions of the holy sisterhood. Some forays have been comedic, some intensely dramatic, some inspiring, gruesomely nightmarish or even musical. Why are film-makers in the habit of making nuns the subject of their movies?

1. The Devils (1971)

The Devils tells the story of Father Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed), a 17th-century French priest who falls prey to the sexual obsessions of a nun, Sister Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave). Containing gratuitous violent sexual acts, The Devils is a journey to the pits of depravity and a censorship minefield.

We, like many of you, are ultra curious as to just how the new stage version of the classic William Peter Blatty tale The Exorcist will play out in a live theatre setting. One thing's for sure: Star Emily Yetter has already piqued our curiosity.

The Geffen Playhouse’s stage adaptation of The Exorcist showcases an award-winning design team – including world-renowned creative consultant Teller and internationally acclaimed spiritual composer Sir John Tavener – to bring playwright John Pielmeier’s script and Tony Award winning director John Doyle’s vision to life on stage. The team also includes Tony Award winning scenic/costume designer Scott Pask, lighting designer Jane Cox and sound designer Dan Moses Schreir. Working with Doyle, the design team was tasked with creating a theatrical experience that engages the senses in a way that is unique to live performance.

As the designers create ambiance and atmosphere, the actors taking...

There are few new shows opening on Broadway this summer, which means that the action shifts to other locales. For instance: the Nevada desert, where EW’s Annie Barrett reported on Dancing With the Stars: Live in Las Vegas, a fringe- and sequin-filled spectacle hosted by a gawping and handsy Carson Cressley. Among the week’s other big debuts:

The Exorcist A new (non-musical) stage version of the horror classic, adapted by John Pielmeier (Agnes of God) and directed by John Doyle, premiered at L.A.’s Geffen Playhouse. The heavyweight cast includes Richard Chamberlain as head exorcist Father...

The popular 1973 movie version of William Peter Blatty’s bestselling potboiler The Exorcist, about a young girl inhabited by the devil, may be the most singularly overrated horror film of all time. It was a fundamentally antique morality play tarted up with dirty language when it was still shocking, as well as graphic sound and makeup effects that, while innovative, still boiled down to haunted-house tricks in lieu of metaphoric resonance. But this new pocket version by playwright John Pielmeier (Agnes of God), while intelligently approached by all involved, mostly aspires to negative virtues: avoiding bombast, melodrama and unseemly

read more...

It's quite a shame when a well-written, absorbing play has three strikes against it from the onset. Such is the case with The Exorcist by John Pielmeier. The best-selling novel by William Peter Blatty and the 1973 boxoffice blockbuster film of the same name were so powerfully gripping and unforgettable that, with the play coming along 40 years later, for those of us that lived through the nightmare to end all nightmares, we've been there, seen that. For those of a newer, unfamiliar generation, it won't have enough special effects. Wisely, for my generation, the spinning head and green vomit in the original film are not recreated onstage. But, as a result, many may tune out or turn off preferring a midnight screening of the film on Netflix. As I already said, a shame, as Pielmeieir's script is psychologically thrilling on its own, so apt for the mature, questioning adult mind, and...

The Geffen Playhouses world premiere stage adaptation of The Exorcist features Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlain in the iconic roles of Chris MacNeil and Father Merrin, respectively, as well as Broadway actor David Wilson Barnes as the troubled young priest Father Damien Karras, Tony Award nominee Harry Groener takes on the role of Chris charismatic director Burke Dennings and UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television graduate Emily Yetter plays the young Regan MacNeil. The world premiere cast also includes Stephen Bogardus, Manoel Felciano, Tom Nelis and Roslyn Ruff. The play is written by John Pielmeier adapted from the novel by William Peter Blatty, and is directed by John Doyle.The Exorcist just began previews and opens in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse tonight, July 11, 2012 and runs through August, 12, 2012. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the show below...

Los Angeles -- Forget the movie. This "Exorcist" is turning heads – by not turning heads.

"We're not going to throw up all over the audience," noted actor Richard Chamberlain while on a recent rehearsal break at the Geffen Playhouse in La's Westwood Village.

Chamberlain is one of the stars of the Geffen's new stage adaptation of the 1971 William Peter Blatty novel about a girl who may be possessed by Satan, the girl's distraught mother, and the senior and junior priests charged to save the day.

The book was a phenomenon. And yet for many, its memory is overshadowed by the 1973 William Friedkin film, which provided visceral thrills aplenty, including Linda Blair's famous head-spinning scene.

The Geffen production, running through Aug. 12, reaches back to Blatty's decidedly more cerebral treatment: scaring up a serious discussion of psychology, faith, love and evil.

Little wonder bringing "The Exorcist" to the stage appealed to playwright John Pielmeier.

The Geffen Playhouses world premiere stage adaptation of The Exorcist features Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlain in the iconic roles of Chris MacNeil and Father Merrin, respectively, as well as Broadway actor David Wilson Barnes as the troubled young priest Father Damien Karras, Tony Award nominee Harry Groener takes on the role of Chris charismatic director Burke Dennings and UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television graduate Emily Yetter plays the young Regan MacNeil. The world premiere cast also includes Stephen Bogardus, Manoel Felciano, Tom Nelis and Roslyn Ruff. The play is written by John Pielmeier adapted from the novel by William Peter Blatty, and is directed by John Doyle. The Exorcist just began previews and opens in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse on July 11, 2012 and runs through August, 12, 2012. Get a first look at the production in the photos below...

Things are about to get biblical at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, with "The Exorcist," beginning performances July 3 for a July 11 opening. The play is based on the book by William Peter Blatty, who won an Oscar for his screenplay for the popular 1973 film. The world premiere comes courtesy of acclaimed director John Doyle, known for his innovative stagings of Stephen Sondheim's "Company" and "Sweeney Todd," and playwright John Pielmeier, who previously examined issues of faith and the supernatural with "Agnes of God." "The Exorcist" stars Brooke Shields as Chris MacNeil, an actor and single mother whose 12-year-old daughter begins to exhibit signs of demonic possession and Richard Chamberlin as Father Merrin, the priest brought in to save the girl. Rounding out the cast are a list of stage veterans, three of whom sat down to speak with Back Stage. They are three-time Tony nominee Harry...

The Exorcist hasn’t even premiered in La yet, but producers are already looking forward to a Broadway run, if the play is received well, according to the New York Post.

The play, directed by John Doyle and starring Richard Chamberlain and Brooke Shields, is based on the legendary William Peter Blatty novel. If it goes to NY, horror fan fave Malcolm McDowell would take over the role of Father Merrin from Richard Chamberlain. So a lot if’s, but certainly optimism must be treated as good news, for those in NY wanting to see this play.

As per Dread Central, we have a description of the play, by playwright John Pielmeier: “The story of the battle between faith and evil needed no spinning heads or green vomit. The horror should unfold instead on a simple set with an incredible cast (which we absolutely have), and the central conflict...

It's amazing. It's like Exorcist-a-mania lately. With a TV miniseries and several other unrelated demonic possession flicks and TV shows on their way, the devil is once again at the top of his game. Read on for the latest on The Exorcist stage play!

From the Press Release:

In addition to an accomplished cast, the Geffen Playhouse’s world premiere stage adaptation of The Exorcist showcases an award-winning design team – including world-renowned creative consultant Teller and internationally acclaimed spiritual composer Sir John Tavener – to bring playwright John Pielmeier’s script and Tony Award winning director John Doyle’s vision to life on stage. The team also includes Tony Award winning scenic/costume designer Scott Pask, lighting designer Jane Cox and sound designer Dan Moses Schreir. Working with Doyle, the design team will be tasked with creating a theatrical experience that engages the senses in a way that is unique to live performance.

In addition to an accomplished cast, the Geffen Playhouse’s world premiere stage adaptation of The Exorcist showcases an award-winning design team – including world-renowned creative consultant Teller and internationally acclaimed spiritual composer Sir John Tavener – to bring playwright John Pielmeier’s script and Tony Award winning director John Doyle’s vision to life on stage.

The team also includes Tony Award winning scenic/costume designer Scott Pask, lighting designer Jane Cox and sound designer Dan Moses Schreir. Working with Doyle, the design team will be tasked with creating a theatrical experience that engages the senses in a way that is unique to live performance.

Read more...

Los Angeles is one lucky town. Because we're the city that will have the very first ever stage adaptation of William Peter Blatty's novel The Exorcist premiere on July 11th. The show's cast has just been announced, and it includes a couple of names familiar to horror fans, chief among them Brooke Shields (Alice Sweet Alice, Midnight Meat Train) and Richard Chamberlain (The Swarm, The Last Wave). More details and ticket info after the jump. Here's the official press release announcing the cast of the Geffen Playhouse's production of The Exorcist: "Stage and screen stars Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlain take on the iconic roles of Chris MacNeil and Father Merrin in playwright John Pielmeier's...

Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlain are bringing horror classic The Exorcist to the stage.

In the creepy new adaptation, Shields will take on the part of Chris MacNeil, the mother of demonically possessed child Regan, while Chamberlain will play priest Father Merrin.

Ellen Burstyn and Max von Sydow originally starred in those roles in the cult 1973 film.

Playwright John Pielmeier insists the production will scale back on the movie's more gruesome scenes.

He says, "The story of the battle between faith and evil needed no spinning heads or green vomit. The horror should unfold instead on a simple set with an incredible cast (which we absolutely have), and the central conflict between doubting Father Karras and the demon should be a series of debates, in which the young girl possessed is the least of the figures present."

The Exorcist will open at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse on July 11.

Talk about timing! A few of us were in Los Angeles this past weekend and wondered what was up with the stage play version of The Exorcist, and lo and behold a press release just landed in our inbox with all the latest news, including who the stars will be. Curious? Read on for more!

From the Press Release:

Stage and screen stars Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlain take on the iconic roles of Chris MacNeil and Father Merrin in playwright John Pielmeier’s world premiere of The Exorcist at the Geffen Playhouse. Helmed by acclaimed director John Doyle, who won a Tony Award for his striking reimagining of Sweeney Todd, this stage adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s famous 1971 novel transforms the unsettling battles of good versus evil, faith versus fact, and ego versus ethos into a uniquely theatrical experience as sophisticated as it is suspenseful.

Joining Shields and...

Stage and screen stars Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlain take on the iconic roles of Chris MacNeil and Father Merrin in playwright John Pielmeier’s world premiere of The Exorcist at the Geffen Playhouse.

Helmed by acclaimed director John Doyle, who won a Tony Award for his striking reimagining of Sweeney Todd, this stage adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s famous 1971 novel transforms the unsettling battles of good versus evil, faith versus fact and ego versus ethos into a uniquely theatrical experience as sophisticated as it is suspenseful.

Joining Shields and Chamberlain on stage is Broadway actor David Wilson Barnes (The Lieutenant of Inishmore) as the troubled young priest Father Damien Karras, Tony Award nominee and Geffen alum Harry Groener (Equivocation) as Chris’ charismatic director Burke Dennings and UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television graduate Emily Yetter as young Regan MacNeil. The world premiere cast also includes Stephen Bogardus,...

On Tuesday night, William Friedkin, a legend to horror fans for his film adaptation of William Peter Blatty's novel The Exorcist, appeared at Arclight Cinemas in Hollywood to discuss the upcoming stage version of Blatty's book (set to open at La's Geffen Playhouse on July 3rd), along with the man responsible for the new adaptation -- playwright John Pielmeier. Joining Friedkin and Pielmeier were the Geffen's artistic director Randall Arney and Variety's Stuart Levine, who served as moderator of the discussion. Find out what these guests had to say after the jump. "The first question that most people ask me," began John Pielmeier in discussing his stage adaptation of The Exorcist, "is 'How are...

Don't go see the stage adaptation of “The Exorcist” for the special effects. The production being mounted by The Geffen Playhouse won't feature the same milky-green vomit, 360-degree twisting heads or demonic voice with a prodigious sexual vocabulary that made the 1973 horror film a hit. "That'll be left to your imagination," says Randall Arney, the Geffen's artistic direct. '"It's still scary as hell."The Geffen's version, which will be the first stage adaptation of the story that documents a 10-year-old girl's possession and redemption, is sourced from William Peter Blatty's novel. "It was my Bible, in a way," says John Pielmeier, the playwright who adapted the novel for the stage. Pielmeier's script was borne from a first draft "vomited" from his brain over 10 days. “I’ve never written anything that fast before,” he told the audience after a screening of the film version Tuesday at the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood.

It's become pretty common these days to turn scary movies into theatrical shows. It's been done several times over the years with varying degrees of success.

Now, in the shocking tradition of Evil Dead: The Musical, Re-Animator: The Musical and Legally Blonde, the film often regarded as the greatest horror movie ever made — that's right, The Exorcist — is making the jump to the stage. But you can relax; it's not a musical.

Actually, the stage production is taking its cues more from William Peter Blatty's 1971 novel than from the infamous 1973 film adaptation. John Pielmeier, who penned the popular 1979 play Agnes of God, is writing the show. Rather than focus strictly on the demonic angle, Pielmeier's look at possession will also explore the psychological aspects and questions of faith. If that sounds a bit dry, don't worry. There should be plenty of terror for everyone.

To that end, the show's director,...

The novel terrified you. The movie made you sleep with the lights on. So how will the stage version of The Exorcist scar you? This summer, you can find out. The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles will premiere a stage adaptation of William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist beginning July 2012. The show is directed by John Doyle (who won a Tony award for Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) and written by John Pielmeier (who wrote Agnes of God for the stage, and whose TV movies and mini-series include The Pillars of the Earth, Sybil, and The Capture of the Green River Killer). More after the break. From the Geffen Playhouse website: The most chilling test of faith come to life on stage.  This world...

We've been talking about a stage version of the classic William Peter Blatty novel The Exorcist for some time now, but finally some concrete details have come. The power of Christ compels you to read on!

The Exorcist will be opening at L.A.'s Geffen Playhouse (link below) on July 3rd and will run through August 12th, 2012.

The story was written for the stage by John Pielmeier, the author of Agnes of God, will be directed by John Doyle, and features special effects from Teller of Penn and Teller fame.

Look for more on this one soon!

Synopsis

The most chilling test of faith come to life on stage. This world premiere adaptation of the famous 1971 novel documenting the terror and redemption of a ten-year-old girl remains as frightening and relevant as when first experienced. Under the direction of Tony Award winner John Doyle and adapted by acclaimed playwright John Pielmeier,...

My buddy Joe just tipped me off the Geffen Playhouse site where a place holder has been made for a stage production based on "The Exorcist."

It's coming to L.A. July 3 to August 12. Read on:

The most chilling test of faith come to life on stage. This world premiere adaptation of the famous 1971 novel documenting the terror and redemption of a ten-year-old girl remains as frightening and relevant as when first experienced. Under the direction of Tony Award winner John Doyle and adapted by acclaimed playwright John Pielmeier (Agnes of God), The Exorcist transforms the unsettling battles of good versus evil, faith versus fact and ego versus ethos into a uniquely theatrical experience as sophisticated as it is suspenseful.

We'll have more on this as it comes...

Source: Geffen Playhouse

Read more...

My buddy Joe just tipped me off the Geffen Playhouse site where a place holder has been made for a stage production based on "The Exorcist." It's coming to L.A. July 3 to August 12. Read on: The most chilling test of faith come to life on stage. This world premiere adaptation of the famous 1971 novel documenting the terror and redemption of a ten-year-old girl remains as frightening and relevant as when first experienced. Under the direction of Tony Award winner John Doyle and adapted by acclaimed playwright John Pielmeier (Agnes of God), The Exorcist transforms the unsettling battles of good versus evil, faith versus fact and ego versus ethos into a uniquely theatrical experience as sophisticated as it is suspenseful. We'll have more on this as it comes...

It's good to see a timeless tale like William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist still very much in the public eye as it remains as effective as ever despite the passing of four decades. Well, another iteration is on its way, and we've got the scoop for you right here!

According to Bleeding Cool Teller (of Penn & Teller) is in London working on a stage production of The Exorcist written by John Pielmeier, the author of "Agnes of God," and described by the site as follows:

Unlike William Friedkin's film of The Exorcist (which isn't anywhere near the best film of all time, just for the record), this play will "focus on the psychological aspects and questions of faith." At least, that's according to Ken Novice, the MD of New York's Geffen Playhouse, where the play will premiere in July 2012.

Novice added: "I think it's going to be more powerful...

Teller of Penn & Teller is helping design some special effects to bring one of the scariest movies to the stage. Bleeding Cool reports that Teller, who co-wrote and directed productions Ghost Stories and Play Dead, will be creating special effects for the stage version of The Exorcist.

The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles is producing the show, John Doyle is directing and John Pielmeier (Agnes of God) is writing the show. The stage version is based on William Peter Blatty's book, and will “focus on the psychological aspects and questions of faith.” The show will premiere in July 2012.

I am interested in seeing the special effects that Teller brings to the table for this play. It is hard for me to imagine that the play will be anywhere as scary as the film. I have never been to a play that is based on a horror movie though. Teller...

Bleeding Cool has learned that Teller (of Penn & Teller) is in London working on a stage production of The Exorcist . The adaptation has been written by John Pielmeier, the author of "Agnes of God," and was described by the site as follows: Unlike William Friedkin's film of The Exorcist (which isn't anywhere near the best film of all time, just for the record), this play will "focus on the psychological aspects and questions of faith." At least, that's according to Ken Novice, the MD of New York's Geffen Playhouse, where the play will premiere in July 2012. Novice added: "I think it's going to be more powerful than green pudding and spinning heads. Not that the show will be without some kind of theatrical effects. It's still going to be...

There’s some good news coming from Deadline if you enjoyed the Starz miniseries, The Pillars of the Earth, because the sequel, World Without End, will soon be headed to your TV.

The $44 million eight-hour miniseries is being adapted by John Pielmeier, the same guy who handled the script for Pillars of the Earth, so there’s no doubt the project is in good hands. Tandem Communications, along with Scott Free Prods, Take 5 Prods. and Galafilm is producing the Michael Caton-Jones-directed miniseries that’s based on Ken Follett’s novel.

An all-star cast has already been lined-up, with a roster that includes Cynthia Nixon, Miranda Richardson, Ben Chaplin, Peter Firth, Charlotte Riley, and Tom Weston-Jones. The sequel takes place 200 years after Pillars of the Earth and revolves around a community that rises up against the massive taxes being piled on them by the king and church.

This time around,...

Cynthia Nixon will lead the main cast in the upcoming eight-hour miniseries ‘World Without End,’ the follow-up to ‘The Pillars of the Earth,’ Deadline is reporting. The $44 million dollar miniseries, which will be produced by Tandem Communications and Ridley and Tony Scott’s Scott Free Prods, will also feature Miranda Richardson, Ben Chaplin, Peter Firth, Charlotte Riley and Tom Weston-Jones. Michael Caton-Jones will be directing ‘World Without End,’ which was written by John Pielmeier. The miniseries is set in England, 200 years after ‘The Pillars of the Earth,’ and chronicles the hard times the citizens are facing after being hit with high taxes by the King and the Church. England...

Exclusive: German-based Tandem Communications and Ridley and Tony Scott’s Scott Free Prods. have locked in the main cast of their $44 million eight-hour miniseries World Without End, a follow-up to The Pillars of the Earth, which the two companies also co-produced. Cynthia Nixon, Miranda Richardson, Ben Chaplin, Peter Firth (MI5), Charlotte Riley (The Duchess) and Tom Weston-Jones (Enlightenment) lead the cast of the mini, based on the novel by The Pillars of the Earth author Ken Follett. Michael Caton-Jones (Rob Roy) is directing from a script by John Pielmeier, who also adapted The Pillars of the Earth for Tandem and Scott Free. The two companies are co-producing World Without End with Canada's Take 5 Prods. and Galafilm. Set in England 200 years after the events in Pillars, World chronicles tough times for ordinary citizens who are being hit with enormous taxes by the King, the Church as England teeters on...

Here's some news that's bound to get your head spinning. There's a new version of The Exorcist gearing up in Los Angeles but it may not be what you think it is. The power of Christ compels you to read on!

According to Variety a John Doyle-helmed stage adaptation of The Exorcist is on tap for the 2011-12 season at L.A.'s Geffen Playhouse. Agnes of God playwright John Pielmeier adapts William Peter Blatty's 1971 novel, also the inspiration for the famous 1973 horror film.

Yes you read that right. Well, at least it's not a remake or a musical right? Although we hear Pazuzu has a wonderful singing voice. Color us curious.

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Let your head spin in the comments section below!

Tragedy tomorrow, pea soup tonight! The New York Times' ArtsBeat reports that the classic 1973 film "The Exorcist" -- or at least the classic 1971 novel "The Exorcist" that inspired the 1973 film "The Exorcist" -- is being mounted as a stage play for the first time at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse.

Now before you get all "Ah! 'Carrie: The Musical!' Unclean!" on me, let's be clear: "The Exorcist" is not a musical (thank God, or in this case Satan). So cast any thoughts of Father Merrin doing a soft shoe as he sprinkles Regan with holy water out of our mind. Actually wait, before you cast any thoughts out of your mind: what song would you rather hear from an "Exorcist" musical: "The Power of Christ Compels You!" or

"Your Mother Sucks It In Hell (Regan's Lament)?" Yeah, me too.

At this point I'd like to encourage you to get all "Ah!

"Lifetime... television for idiots." - Family Guy

Not quite. While my experiences with the Lifetime channel have been limited, what few products did cross my way were definitely low-grade dramas that failed to impress time and time again. Yes, Lifetime does cater unabashedly to a specific [read: female] audience but with The Capture Of The Green River Killer “original miniseries”, the network takes slow, limp but occasionally confident steps in the right direction. Unfortunately for director Norma Bailey and screenwriter John Pielmeier, whatever tension is injected occasionally into the framework is deflated by the gargantuan and wholly unnecessary running time. At 180 minutes, Green River Killer begs the question of “why?”

A serial killer haunts Seattle – and one man finds himself inextricably drawn into the case, unable to stop crusading for the killer’s identity while hunting for a faceless evil. He gets calls at home, fears for his family’s safety and...

Scott Free Productions is adapting Ken Follett's bestseller World Without End (the sequel to The Pillars of the Earth) into an eight-hour follow up series to Starz's well-received Pillar mini-series, along with Tandem Communications and Take 5 Productions. This Boy's Life director Michael Caton-Jones will helm the project, which starts shooting this July in Hungary. Executive Producer Ridley Scott says "Michael will bring an authoritative and experienced directorial voice to this sweeping epic." Screenwriter John Pielmeier (who also took on The Pillars of the Earth) is adapting the novel. Scott's Scott Free is also developing a story on Gertrude Bell, the British political attaché, administrator, traveller and archaeologists who lived (1868-1926) during the turn of the century and whose work was instrumental in forming the ...

As soon as we thought we could predict the outcome of the Oscars, here comes another surprise! This one's brought to you by the Writers Guild of America. Picked for Best Original Screenplay was Christopher Nolan's "Inception." The director, famously dissed for not getting a Best Director Oscar nomination, may just win the Best Original Screenplay come Oscar night. Oscar front-runner, "The King's Speech" was not nominated because it didn't quality under union rules which prompted Nolan to say during his WGA acceptance award that he looked forward to a time when he could accept the award "without qualification."

That could be the beginning of a great script Mr. Nolan, go write it :happy

For adapted screenplay, I'm happy to report that Aaron Sorkin's fantastic script won! Based on "The Accidental Billionaires" by Ben Mezrich, "The Social Network" was the only film last year that I predicted to win this very category.

"I Love You Phillip Morris" came out of nowhere and secured a nod for the 2011 Writers Guild Awards. Based on the book by Steven McVicker, the film starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGRegor as prisoners in love received a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination.

"Phillip Morris" will be competing with awards-favorites "127 Hours" (screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy), "The Social Network" (screenplay Aaron Sorkin), "The Town" (screenplay by Peter Craig and Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard), and True Grit (screenplay by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen).

In the Original Screenplay category, critics-darlings "Black Swan" (screenplay by Mark Heyman and Andres Heinz and John McLaughlin), "The Fighter" (screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson), "Inception" (Christopher Nolan), and "The Kids Are All Right" (written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg) will be competing with "Please Give" by Nicole Holofcener. Much like "I Love You Phillip Morris," "Please Give," a family dramedy set in New York,...

HollywoodNews.com: The Writers Guild of America, West and the Writers Guild of America, East have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in television, news, radio, promotional writing, and graphic animation during the 2010 season to be honored at the 2011 Writers Guild Awards on February 5, 2011, in Los Angeles and New York.

Television Nominees

Dramatic Series

Boardwalk Empire, Written by Meg Jackson, Lawrence Konner, Howard Korder, Steve Kornacki, Margaret Nagle, Tim Van Patten, Paul Simms, Terence Winter; HBO

Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Tom Schnauz, John Shiban, Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC

Dexter, Written by Scott Buck, Manny Coto, Charles H. Eglee, Lauren Gussis, Chip Johannessen, Jim Leonard, Clyde Phillips, Scott Reynolds, Melissa Rosenberg, Tim Schlattmann, Wendy West; Showtime

Friday Night Lights, Written by Bridget Carpenter, Kerry Ehrin, Ron Fitzgerald, Etan Frankel, Monica Henderson, David Hudgins, Rolin Jones, Jason Katims, Patrick Massett, Derek Santos Olson, John Zinman; NBC

Mad Men,...

Today the Writer’s Guild of America kept the spirit of awards season happy by revealing their nominations for achievements in writing for television. Plenty of our favorite shows got some love from WGA members including like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, 30 Rock and Modern Family while plenty of new series like Boardwalk Empire, Justified and The Walking Dead also got some praise. Even the finale episode of Lost is in the mix of episodic nominees. Aside from the narrative dramas and comedies, other staple series like The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report get their due diligence as well. Check out the full list of nominees, complete with all the writing talents behind them, after the jump.

Drama Series

Boardwalk Empire – Written by Meg Jackson, Lawrence Konner, Howard Korder, Steve Kornacki, Margaret Nagle, Tim Van Patten, Paul Simms, Terence Winter; HBO

Breaking Bad – Written by Sam Catlin,...

Chicago – Ken Follett’s “The Pillars of the Earth” is in the great tradition of old-fashioned adventure serials. The line between good and evil is clearly drawn and there is little doubt which side of the line each character belongs. This story is a battle between heart and hierarchy, nobility and debauchery, light and darkness. It’s fraught with clichés, melodramatic in the extreme, and entertaining as hell.

Follett’s best-selling 1989 novel must’ve been daunting material for this German/Canadian co-production to tackle. Taking the form of an eight-part miniseries, the film runs over seven hours without commercials, yet still manages to feel somewhat rushed, particularly in its initial episodes, as dozens of characters and story threads are breathlessly set up. Yet once the series settles on its primary subject: the construction of a cathedral in Kingsbridge, England, during the 12th century, “Pillars” becomes an engrossing portrait of how...

More Mipcom news

Cannes -- The international drama market used to be as American as apple pie. This year, however, Europe is serving up a hearty portion of big-budget, English-language, talent-heavy fare that's bringing a new flavor to the global small-screen plate.

Financed by a rainbow coalition of international investors and often with top-tier U.S. cast and showrunners to sweeten their international appeal, such fare is squarely aimed at eating up primetime terrestrial and cable slots in multiple Euro markets.

Take "Borgia." As Mipcom kicked off Monday, production began the same day on the 15th century drama from Lagardere's Atlantique Prods. and U.S. cabler Starz and financed by France's Canal Plus and Germany's Eos.

The 12-hour series inevitably will be pitted against a similarly themed project being produced and aired stateside by Showtime ("The Borgias") and licensed here by sister company CBS Studios International.

Whereas a decade ago...

James Marsters has been added to the cast of the pilot remake of Hawaii Five-0 for CBS, portraying a villain. He told Australia’s Herald Sun, “They saw me in a fight sequence and something about it made them think ‘Let’s keep him around for a little bit’. I’m like a poor man’s Jackie Chan. But I have to say of all of the pilots that I knew about this year, this one stands the best chance of actually making it to the light of day. So I’m pretty hopeful.”

Pop culture reinventors Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci wrote the pilot for showrunner Peter Lenkov. The series picks up from the original by focusing on Chris McGarrett, son of Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord). Casting includes Alex O'Loughlin as Chris, Lost veteran Daniel Dae Kim as Chin Ho Kelly and Battlestar Galactica’s Grace Park as Kono Kalakaua.

Cannes -- Starz is teaming with Ben Silverman's production and distribution outfit Electus to co-develop and co-finance two new series for the U.S. pay player: the medieval period drama "William the Conqueror" and a modern-day action thriller, "Peace Keeping."

Starz chairman and CEO Chris Albrecht announced the two new projects during his Miptv keynote speech Monday, saying they exemplified the kind of internationally-packaged productions Starz would be pursuing in the future.

"William the Conqueror" focuses on the famous French ruler who, in 1066, led the last successful invasion of the British Isles. Pierre Morel, the French-born director of "Taken" (2008) and "From Paris With Love," will take the creative lead on the project and will likely direct the pilot as well as overseeing development of the entire series. Albrecht said "William" would look at the period "just before and just after" the 1066 invasion.

  "Peace Keepers" is set at the United...

See the poster as well as a promo clip from Lifetime Network's "At Risk" starring Andie MacDowell, Daniel Sunjat, Diahann Carroll, Annabeth Gish, and Ashley Williams. John Pielmeier writes based on Patricia Cornwell's #1 Best-Selling Crime Novels. The novels are officially brought to life with two world premiere movies which air two weeks in a row. Be sure to tune-in Saturday, April 10th at 9Pm Et/Pt for "At Risk," only on Lifetime! "At Risk" introduces audiences to the high-powered and glamorous District Attorney Monique Lamont (MacDowell), who seeks to further her political aspirations by solving a decades-old murder. Not convinced of the purity of his boss’ motives, Monique’s colleague, Win Garano (Sunjata), grudgingly takes on the assignment...

Stageworks Theatre will conduct auditions for an upcoming production of Agnes of God. Time: November 21st, 2009, 3pm Place: Shimberg Playhouse

Stageworks Theatre is looking for Two Females for production of Agnes of God by John Pielmeier

Director: Karla Hartley

Dr. Martha Livingstone female (40-50), chain smoker, intellectually passionate

Mother Superior female (50-70), forceful, spiritually passionate

Performance dates are February 12-28, 2010 at the Shimberg Playhouse at the

Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

Rehearsals will begin mid-January, 2010. Experienced actors. Paid.

Call for appt. 813-251-8984. Thanks!

Finalists for the 2009 Humanitas Prize, which honors writers whose work "affirms the dignity of the human person and reveals our common humanity" include the scribes behind "Slumdog Millionaire," "Milk," "The Secret Life of Bees," "Doubt" and "Wall-E."

Awarded by the non-profit, Human Family Educational and Cultural Institute, the winners, who will collect $95,000 in prize money, will be announced at the group's annual luncheon on Sept. 17 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The David & Lynn Angell Fellowship in Comedy Writing, worth $10,000, will be presented to Scott Rutherford for the pilot of "Venice Beach, G.E.D." The Humanitas Student Drama Fellowship, also worth $10,000, will be given to Joey Falco for the pilot of "Fortunate Sons."

The writers cited in the feature category, which carries a $10,000 prize, are Simon Beaufoy ("Slumdog"), Dustin Lance Black ("Milk") and John Patrick Shanley ("Doubt") as well as Andrew Stanton and Jim Reardon, who were nominated for the...

Canada's Movie Central and The Movie Network today announced that they have given the greenlight to a four-hour mini-series adaptation of the long-running superhero 'The Phantom'. The series will be a co-production with Sci Fi Channel (soon to be renamed Syfy). It will debut on Movie Central and The Movie Network in spring 2010.

The Phantom was created by Lee Falk and first appeared in 1936 as a newspaper strip. Since then a character with that name has appeared in comic books by numerous publishers throughout the world. The Phantom has also starred in animated and live-action screen adaptations. The latter include a 1940s movie serial, a 1996 theatrical film and a 1961 TV pilot. Another feature film adaptation, The Phantom: Legacy, is also in the works.  Speaking to Moviehole, screenwriter Tim Boyle said that the movie is still at the scripting stage and he believes it will go into pre-production...

A new mini-series has just landed a trio of new cast members. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rufus Sewell, Ian McShane and Donald Sutherland have joined the cast of Pillars of the Earth.

The mini-series was adapted from the Ken Follett novel by John Pielmeier with Sergio Mimica-Gezzan to direct the eight-hour mini-series. The story is set in 12th Century England and deals with two intertwining love stories set against a backdrop of war and religious conflicts.

Sewell, McShane and Sutherland join the cast that already includes Matthew Macfayden, Sarah Parish, Hayley Atwell, Eddie Redmayne and Gordon Pinsent. The mini-series starts shooting on June 22 in Hungary and Austria, with a premiere set for the later half of 2010.