Reviewing the Drama: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Ballet, Movies, and TV Reviews

Neil Patrick Harris to Host Variety Show He's hosted the Tonys , the Emmys and magic shows, and he's set to host the Oscars in February. Now, it's been announced, the versatile Tony and Emmy Award winner Neil Patrick Harris ( Hedwig and the Angry Inch ) will host a weekly variety show for NBC. Based on the British sensation, Saturday Night Takeaway , the variety show will likely feature comedy sketches, musical numbers and magic segments, playing into Harris's talents. In a statement, Harris said, "Nothing like this has been done before, and its unique structure fits into my random skill set. I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and have some fun!" [Variety shows have been tried in recent years; in May, in fact, the insanely talented Maya Rudolph hosted a one-night-only variety show...on NBC.] The peacock network has ordered ten episodes of the untitled series. Broadway.com has more. The Last Ship Opens After about a month of previews, the te...

Foo Fighters' Sonic Highways As you know by now, Foo Fighters went on an incredible journey as they developed, wrote and recorded their eighth studio album, Sonic Highways . The band traveled the United States, making stops in cities known for a unique musical sound or influence. Frontman Dave Grohl interviewed musicians, and the band used the influence of the city to write songs. (One song for each city.) Not only is the band releasing the resulting album, but, following on the success of Grohl's Sound City , there is an accompanying HBO docu-series, which premieres tonight. Below, check out the first single from the album, "Something from Nothing," and then watch the bonus performance from the Foos' week-long residency on the Late Show with David Letterman . You can still pre-order the album; visit foofighters.com to do so. The Last Ship in the News The Times Talk featuring The Last Ship collaborators Sting and Joe Mantello will be live stre...

(Scroll down for news about Foo Fighters and Sonic Highways ) Saying Farewell to Wendy Whelan In  The New York Times , Wendy Whelan  (and several of her collaborators) reflects on her time with New York City Ballet, which includes creating roles in several Christopher Wheeldon  ballets, like his breakthrough Polyphonia  and the stunning After the Rain . The not-to-be-missed dancer retires from the company this fall, playing her farewell performance on October 18. (The program has been announced , and it's going to be amazing, and it includes a brand new Wheeldon and Alexei Ratmansky ballet created just for the occasion.) Whelan will continue to dance, though. Her Restless Creatures  program will tour the US in 2015. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees The nominees for the 2015 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been announced. Artists are eligible for nomination 25 years after the release of their first recording. On the ballot this y...

The Last Ship is Coming One of the most eagerly anticipated (by me, anyway) shows of the fall is The Last Ship , an original music with a score by Sting . With a book by John Logan ( Red ) and Brian Yorkey ( Next to Normal , If/Then ), direction by Joe Mantello ( Casa Valentina ) and choreography by Steven Hoggett ( American Idiot , Rocky ), The Last Ship is inspired by the small industrial city Sting once called home. After raves in Chicago, The Last Ship sales into Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre in September. Previews begin September 30, with opening night set for October 26. Watch the first TV spot for the show below, and catch stars Michael Esper ( American Idiot , Tales from Red Vienna ), Jimmy Nail and Rachel Tucker . (Not seen in the spot is star Aaron Lazar ( concert soloist , A Little Night Music .) Visit thelastship.com to learn more and to purchase tickets. The Newsroom The third and final season of The Newsroom will premiere on HBO in November. Watch...

(Scroll down for your first look at Little Dancer , starring Tiler Peck.) Love Letters to Broadway A revival of A.R. Gurney 's Love Letters is coming to Broadway, and the rotating cast is unbelievable! The production, which follows two friends who write, wait for it, love letters to each other for 50 years, will be directed by Gregory Mosher , and will open at the Nederlander Theatre on September 18 (previews begin September 13). The rotating cast is scheduled as follows: ( see Broadway.com for more details ) September 13-October 10: Brian Dennehy and Mia Farrow October 11-November 7: Dennehy and Carol Burnett (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) November 8-December 5: Alan Alda and Candice Berngen December 6-January 9, 2015: Stacy Keach and Diana Rigg January 10-February 1: Martin Sheen (!!!!!!!!!!) and Anjelica Huston Casting News Television —Stage and screen veterans Mary-Louise Parker ( The Snow Geese ) and Peter Sarsgaard ( Blue Jasmine ) will co-star in the NBC miniseri...

(Scroll down for news about Aaron Tveit's debut solo album.) New York City Ballet: Justin Peck The 2013-2014 season is almost here! The season kicks off next week in style as the fall gala celebrates collaborations between choreographers and fashion designers. The one night only event will feature the debut of a new Justin Peck ( In Creases , Paz de La Jolla ) ballet. (He's teaming up with Prabal Gurung.) You might recall that the 25 year old phenom is a soloist with the Company as well as a rising choreographer. Learn more about the gala and the Company's season at nycballet.com , and check out the spotlight video featuring Justin Peck below. (Scroll down for more good news for NYCB dancers.) Downton Abbey Trailer The fourth season of the hit British soap opera will air in the UK this fall and come to US TV screens in early 2014. Here's a look at what you can expect when the series returns: Casting Updates Will Chase  ( The Mystery of Edw...