'Matilda' on the run

The Royal Shakespeare Customers are getting its hit musical to Broadway early next season. The Royal Shakespeare Company brings its large London hit "Matilda" to Broadway early next season, giving preemptive confirmation in the much-anticipated news while watching imminent start adult auditions for your Gotham version.RSC has not selected a u . s . states creating partner for your Rialto transfer it's expected the org determines a precise strategy inside the future.Using the Roald Dahl novel, in addition to-famous musical bowed this season within the RSC in Stratford-Upon-Avon right before the current West Finish transfer that began in October.Adaptation of "Matilda" features a book by Dennis Kelly with tunes by Tim Minchin. Matthew Warchus helms the show, of a book-loving youthful girl whose mysterious forces help her overcome a dastardly headmistress.London version is produced with the RSC with Andre Ptaszynski aboard as professional producer.With preliminary auditions for adult roles to begin later, the timeline for your Gotham version of "Matilda" would start to see the tuner land round the Rialto noisy . 2013.Theater, dates together with other particulars be set. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

James Murdoch Out As News Worldwide Chief

NY, NY February 29, 2012 News Corporation today introduced that, following hisrelocation for the Companys headquarters in NY, James Murdoch, Deputy ChiefOperating Officer, has relinquished his position as Executive Chairman of NewsInternational, its Uk posting unit. Tom Mockridge, Boss of News Worldwide, continues within the publish and may account to News Corporation Leader andCOO Chase Carey. We're all grateful for James’ leadership at News Worldwide and across Asia and europe,wherever he's made lasting contributions for the group’s strategy in paid out digital content and itsefforts to boost and enhance governance programs, mentioned Rupert Murdoch, Chairman andChief Executive Officer, News Corporation. He's proven leadership and continuesto create great value at Star TV, Sky Deutschland, Sky Italia, and BSkyB. Since he hasmoved to NY, James is constantly on the visualize numerous essential corporateleadership mandates, with particular focus on important pay-TV companies and broaderinternational methods. I deeply appreciate the dedication of my many gifted co-employees at News Internationalwho work non-stop to determine everyone and am confident in regards to the tremendous momentumwe have accomplished beneath the leadership of my father and Tom Mockridge, mentioned JamesMurdoch. “With the effective launch in the Sun on Sunday and home based business practices inplace across all game game titles, News Worldwide is becoming in the strong position to build up its successesin the long run. As Deputy Chief Operating Officer, I anticipate growing my commitmentto News Companies worldwide television companies together with other key initiatives across theCompany.

Lisa Edelstein Will Not Return to House for Series Finale

Lisa Edelstein Sorry, Huddy fans: Lisa Edelstein will not be returning to House before the series checks out on May 21, TVLine.com reports. Edelstein, who played House's boss and love interest, Cuddy, left the Fox medical drama in May after seven seasons. Her departure followed an explosive - and critically panned - season finale which saw House drive into Cuddy's home months after their break-up. Edelstein's exit left the show with seemingly little hope of resolution for "Huddy," the nickname fans gave the will-they-or-won't-they couple. Lisa Edelstein on leaving House and her Good new role: "I just move on" House creator David Shore told TVGuide.com at the start of Season 8 that he had mulled the idea of Edelstein returning for a proper Cuddy send-off, but it was too soon to do so. "Down the road, that might be more appropriate. It didn't seem right now," he said. "Given that she was gone, we decided it was better to not just have her come back to leave again." Edelstein moved on quickly after the exit, joining The Good Wife for a multi-episode arc. "It's funny because not everybody knows that I left the show," she told TVGuide.com in October. "I get a lot of 'Congratulations! I'm so excited to watch the show again,' and I just don't say anything. I say thank you. They'll figure it out at some point. I just move on." Fox Schedule Upheaval: Bones moving to Mondays, Touch heads to Thursdays Fox announced Monday that the network would air a one-hour House retrospective before the series finale. A rep for the Fox series did not immediately respond to TVGuide.com's request for comment. Are you sad Edelstein won't be returning to House?

Trailer: Tiny Furniture + Sex and the City = Lena Dunham's GIRLS, Kinda

It's awfully simplistic to say so but with Lena Dunham's forthcoming HBO dramedy series GIRLS, which marks the latest milestone in her rapidly ascending career, the comparisons draw themselves -- comparisons to Dunham's own prior work and to all that's come before in attempting to mine the modern single female experience for insights and laughs in film and television. But whether you're a fan or a Dunham skeptic, it's worth taking a look at the show's first trailer to see for yourself what to expect from the developing filmmaker, especially with folks like Judd Apatow shepherding her post-Tiny Furniture. Dunham's career-starting indie pic Tiny Furniture (her sophomore feature) earned equal shares of praise and criticism upon release in 2010, but it unquestionably put her brand of wry, neurotic comedy on the radar and demonstrated Dunham's willingness to expose herself, warts and all, as a writer and performer. GIRLS, also set in NY and concerned with young women on the brink of figuring out their lives, very much expands on the Dunham brand but shows a marked maturity; Dunham stars in front of the camera in addition to writing and directing, and she's joined by three strong supporting actresses (Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet) who flesh out the series' circle of twentysomething friends. The similarities to Sex and the City can be found, but they're also deliberate; characters fully acknowledge that they're of a generation weaned on SATC's fantasy, just one of the many pop references they cite as somewhat (painfully) self-aware NY transplants. Truth be told, I was sold after previewing the first three episodes, especially given where GIRLS falls in the vast range of female-slanted shows on the air of late; it debuts on HBO this April and bridges the gap between the current class of girl-oriented network fare and the more daring stuff found on cable these days, but also captures a range of interests and talent so innately of this generation. For example: The trailer below teases appearances by Chris Eigeman (Metropolitan) and Peter Scolari (Bosom Buddies)! What's more, an upcoming episode features a particularly juicy turn by Lonely Island's Jorma Taccone that I've been thinking about repeatedly since. This is TV (HBO's scheduled a 10-episode season to run) but more important than this or that format is the idea that Dunham's developing her voice as a storyteller in line with what we've seen previously. She's seemingly been given a considerable amount of rope to keep doing her thing (Apatow's involvement as a producer likely has something to do with that) and it should be interesting to watch as she keeps one foot in television and one in film. GIRLS debuts at SXSW next month and premieres April 15th on HBO.

Discovery Taps MTV Vet Courtney Menzel As SVP Domestic Distribution

SILVER SPRING, MD Discovery Communications has named Courtney Menzel Senior Vice President, Domestic Distribution, effective March 1. An accomplished 20-year affiliate sales and marketing executive with MTV Networks and most recently Current Media, Menzel will lead National Accounts and Field Sales and Marketing efforts for Discoverys Domestic Distribution team, responsible for the strategic oversight and distribution of a portfolio of 13 U.S. networks, nine HD channels and all Discovery U.S. Hispanic networks. “Courtney is an effective and dynamic leader who will be a tremendous asset to our team,” said Bill Goodwyn, President, Global Distribution and CEO, Discovery Education, Discovery Communications, to whom Menzel will report. “She has proven her ability, time and time again, to build strong, productive client relationships and mutually beneficial partnerships. With Courtney on board, Discovery is extremely well positioned to continue its solid tradition of using the strength of its brands and quality content to drive incredible value for distributors. In her new role, Menzel will oversee all aspects of Discoverys partnerships with distributors, as well as its industry-lauded sales and marketing team. She will develop and direct all national accounts strategy with the top distributors, and will oversee the Domestic Distribution Field Sales team and all Affiliate Marketing efforts nationwide. Menzel will manage the teams in the Silver Spring headquarters location, as well as the Los Angeles and Charlotte regional offices. Discoverys Domestic Distribution team was ranked #1 by Beta Research for seven consecutive years as the top sales organization within the cable television industry and has been previously named Affiliate Sales Team of the Year by CableFAX magazine. Menzel comes to Discovery most recently from Current Media, where since 2010 she led all affiliate sales and partner marketing initiatives. Among her many accomplishments for Current, Menzel strategically negotiated affiliate agreements to secure long-term carriage and revenue; created and drove a comprehensive, company-wide strategy for distributing Currents TV video content across platforms; and secured Currents first national VOD and TV Everywhere deals. Prior to joining Current, Menzel spent 14 years at MTV Networks, in various senior distribution and marketing roles. There, she developed strategic relationships with major distributors and increased carriage for a number of networks including TV Land, Comedy Central, MTV2, CMT, Logo and BET. Among her many achievements for MTV Networks, Menzel led partnership negotiations with affiliates and forged key marketing initiatives, most notably a multi-platform music partnership with Comcast and VH1 Storytellers. Her most recent charge for MTV Networks was leading distribution and marketing strategy for EPIX, the joint venture involving Viacoms Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM. In less than one year, Menzel and her team grew distribution of EPIX to 30 million available homes. Menzel started her career in the cable industry as a marketing manager for Cox Communications. Among her many industry achievements and affiliations, Menzel is a member of the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) and Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT). She is a two-time CTAM Mark Award winner and served on a committee to develop WICTs senior executive leadership program. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Delaware.

Alcon acquires Oren Peli's 'Chernobyl Diaries'

Alcon Entertainment has acquired U . s . States and worldwide release rights in Germany, The nation and Japan for Oren Peli's horror-thriller "Chernobyl Journals." The film will probably be released by Warner Bros. via Alcon's output deal on Memorial Day weekend this year. "Chernobyl" is produced by Peli and John Witten ("Dark City") and directed by Kaira Parker. It absolutely was funded and offered worldwide by FilmNation Entertainment. Alcon co-cake cake toppers Andrew Kosove and Broderick Manley are professional producers. Production happened in September and October in Eastern Europe. A geniune story by Peli, "Chernobyl Journals" is occur the city of Prypiat that after situated the workers in the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. Story follows several pals who, while travelling in Europe, finish up stranded inside the abandoned city only to uncover that they are one of many. Dork Fierson, Alcon's SVP of economic Matters, introduced the film into Alcon. The sale was talked about by Alcon CFO Scott Parish, Scott Edel of Loeb & Loeb and Nancy Bruington of O'Melveny & Myers regarding Alcon by Alison Cohen, Linda Lichter and Micah Eco-friendly regarding Oren Peli and FilmNation. Peli written and directed "Paranormal Activity" which is the creator of ABC's "The Forest,Inch a paranormal jungle adventure which opened up the other day getting a 2-part debut. Parker offered since the visual effects supervisor on 2010's "Let Me In" and makes his directorial debut using this project. Peli is repped by CAA. Parker is repped by Paradigm. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Standard and Poor's downgrades Sony

TOKYO -- Credit ratings agency Standard and Poor's has downgraded Sony one step from an A- to BBB+ credit rating. The move comes days after the company forecast $2.9 billion in net losses for the financial year, its fourth consecutive year in the red. The agency said in a statement that the main reason for the red ink is "Sony's strategy to aggressively expand its global market share despite strong competition, a massive erosion of prices, and its high-cost structure compared with overseas competitors." S&P added that "it will be difficult for Sony to return its TV business to profitability even in fiscal 2013. Therefore, we see a low likelihood of a strong recovery in Sony's earnings in the next two years or so." The agency said it may drop Sony's rating even further if it sees "no meaningful sign of recovery" in the coming six to 12 months. Sony prexy and CEO Howard Stringer has said he is stepping down, after seven years at the top, in April to make way for Kazuo Hirai, who turned around Sony's game biz and has since taken over management of its core electronics division. Hirai is aiming to slash TV biz losses in half in the coming 2012 fiscal year and return to profitability by the end of March 2014, but S&P considers such an outcome unlikely. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

A Day Trip Using The Middle Kids

Charlie McDermott and Atticus Shaffer There might be sitcoms which are fancy, edgier and more personal or even more ironic compared to Middle, but you would be hard-pressed to locate any which are more amusing. Since premiering in '09, ABC's hit comedy concerning the Hecks, a functional-class Midwestern group of misfits, has proven it does not have a right- or left-coast sensibility to create laughter - thanks in no small part towards the performances of Charlie McDermott (Axl), 21, Eden Sher (Sue), 20, and Atticus Shaffer (Brick), 13. TV Guide Magazine performed hooky using the trio to have an mid-day of small-golf at Castle Park in Sherman Trees to discover if they are equally entertaining off duty. TV Guide Magazine: You have been playing these figures for any couple of years - have everyone caught yourself dealing with any one of their eccentricities? McDermott: Maybe, but despite the fact that Axl is definitely in the under garments, I am still virtually professional-clothing.Sher: I believe Charlie could be far too comfortable carrying out a nude scene now. I place it available for him. Sorry!Shaffer: Through the finish of every season, I've found myself doing Brick's whisper factor once in a while. Like I'll say, "The blueberry is yellow... [whispers] yellow."Sher: Personality-smart, when you become familiar with me, I am a lot like Sue, but generate an income present myself is really different. I recieve recognized way under other people. TV Guide Magazine: Charlie, you play a higher school junior, however, you had your 21st birthday in April. Have you tear in the L.A. club scene? McDermott: I put together a table from IKEA. It had been crazy.Sher: The blonde one?McDermott: I have never heard a table referred to as blonde.Sher: It is a sexy table.McDermott: It's pretty nice, yeah. The only real time I have visited a golf club was after i was, like, 19, in Canada. It had been a really odd experience - I did not always appreciate it.Sher: It's challenging Charlie to even arrived at the house, that is five miles away, and merely spend time at my blonde table. TV Guide Magazine: Word is, the two of you was once next-door neighbors....Sher: The very best year of my existence! We'd spend some time with one another at the office, go spend time in your own home. We shared one clean cloth. Charlie stored seeking to get different towels, and that i was like, "No."McDermott: I had been from line. We'd a secret-knock language to speak between our walls, however it never got specific.Sher: It's way harder than you'd think. Once I figured he was knocking and that he was really just hanging photos.McDermott: Which was an unfortunate day. TV Guide Magazine: What's going to the Heck kids end up like as grown ups?Shaffer: I believe Brick would most likely work on the library - he'd be maybe somewhat more completed psychologically, not too from it.McDermott: Axl is a professional athlete - otherwise he'll finish up employed in the quarry, like his father.Sher: Sue might be a guidance counselor - maybe in an elementary school. I do not think she's ever gonna develop. Hopefully she will not have braces, though. TV Guide Magazine: Atticus, your mother is the tutor. What's that they like?Shaffer: I have been homeschooled, so doing the work on set is type of exactly the same factor. My mother causes it to be very interactive - we'll obtain a book on chocolate and learn to allow it to be, or she'll buy antique products. I really like military history, the mechanics and means of it. TV Guide Magazine: Likely to invade any small nations?McDermott: I saw a roadmap of Puerto Rico in the trailer.Shaffer: Circled, having a giant "no" sign through it. TV Guide Magazine: Eden, what is the trick to taking Sue's clumsiness?Sher: I must be prepared to fail constantly, and willing to stay in physical discomfort. It feels great. I am not really a teen any longer, so I am reliving this complete factor around the periphery. I'm able to just laugh in internet marketing. When I am carrying out a scene, I believe, "What will be the funniest in cases like this?Inch And it is usually most awkward or uncomfortable factor. TV Guide Magazine: Spent your holidays volunteering in Nicaragua, India along with other places. Are you currently privately saving the planet?Sher: It's a lot more selfish than people allow it to be to be. I simply enjoy to visit and learn. If Atticus destroys Puerto Rico, I'm going to be there setting it up together again. TV Guide Magazine: Your TV parents are sitcom stories Neil Flynn (Scrubs) and Patricia Heaton (Everyone Loves Raymond). Any tales?McDermott: I made Patty laugh throughout a scene once, also it was the proudest day's my existence. She broke character she was off camera, however it was enough for me personally.Sher: In Season 1, I must've raised me being insecure about something to Neil, and that he cited the [poem] Desiderata: "Should you compare yourself with other people, you might become vain and bitter for always you will see persons greater and lesser than yourself." Now it's like my mantra.McDermott: If only I acquired that advice! Neil is much like Yoda. TV Guide Magazine: Spill it: Who's typically the most popular person around the set?Sher: With Atticus, it is a new lady going to every single day.McDermott: We'll see some lady wandering around, like, "I am searching for Atticus...?" Obviously you're.Shaffer: Everyone are inspiring me to consider over Panama And Nicaragua , now. Viva la revolución! The Center airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on ABC. Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

Summit sets 'I, Alex Cross' for October

Summit Entertainment has set an March. 26 domestic launch for "I, Alex Mix," starring Tyler Perry with Make the most of Cohen pointing. QED International's reboot of James Patterson's legendary character is certainly an origin tale in the detective/mental health specialist made famous by Morgan Freeman in "Hug the ladiesInch and "Along Came a Spider." Matthew Fox and Erection dysfunction Burns may also be starring. "Alex Mix" will open in the Weinstein Co.'s "Halloween 3dInch and Fox's surf pic "Of Males and Mavericks," starring Gerard Butler. Lionsgate bought Summit lately but has mentioned Summit is constantly on the function just like a brand inside the organization. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com