By: Brian Scott Lipton · Mar 12, 2009 · Los Angeles
The Geffen Playhouse has postponed its world premiere musical Nightmare Alley and will replace it with the West Coast premiere of Beau Willimon’s political drama Farragut North, to run June 16-July 26, according to Variety.

As in New York, where it debuted, Farragut will be directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes and co-star Chris Noth. For this production, the leading role of press secretary Stephen Bellamy will be be played by Chris Pine. Additional casting will be announced shortly.

The play tells the story of a young press secretary who gets caught up in political double-dealings will working on a presidential campaign.

Nightmare Alley, with book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Brielle, was to be helmed by Geffen producing director Gil Cates, who made the decision to postpone the show.

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A huge part of this update is all thanks to ZathrasKnowz @ Flickr.com hard work in finding many of these photos and videos.

Also be sure to check out their Flickr from the link above if your interested in watching videos from the 2009 WonderCon with the Star Trek cast, they have many links to fan recorded videos from the event.

Gallery Link: 02/28/2009 – WonderCon 2009

J.J. Abrams was at the CGV multiplex in Apgujeong-dong in southern Seoul yesterday with stars Chris Pine and Zoe Saldana to present exclusive footage from his upcoming summer release “Star Trek: The Beginning.”

The acclaimed writer, director and producer of TV shows “Lost” and “Alias” the movie “Mission Impossible 3” said the new version of the film – set for its world premier on May 7 – was a re-imagining of the original television series.

“We made this film not for Trekkies but for future fans of Star Trek,” Abrams said.

“The studio wanted to give the film a fresh start and I was originally brought in as a producer, but upon reading the script, I saw so much potential and possibility that the original had failed to realize due to technological constraints so I got very greedy and I decided to direct it myself.”

The new version of the film, as the title indicates, is a prelude to rest of the Star Trek series. The four five minute clips gave a glimpse into the origin of Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise – icons of the television series that spawned legions of fans known as “Trekkies.”

Chris Pine plays the younger version of Kirk – an aimless drunkard who is inadvertently thrust into the world of galactic warfare as a new recruit on the USS Enterprise.

For Chris Pine, reinventing the character that William Shatner had made so famous, posed a great challenge.

“I began watching the original series pretty feverishly cause I knew I only had a limited amount of time to prepare for the role and after getting half way through the first and second season I wasn’t doing myself any favors by trying to pick up on the mannerisms of William Shatner and the minutiae of the Star Trek world,” said Pine.

As a guy who’s been a “Star Trek” fan since his 1975, building phasers-with-Legos pre-school days, I’m really looking forward to seeing what J.J. Abrams does this May with his take on the famed franchise. I caught up recently with Chris Pine, who plays Captain Kirk in the film. (Kirk is by far Pine’s biggest role; previous credits include parts in “Smokin’ Aces” and “The Princess Diaries 2.”) I asked him if his version of the character resembles the friendly, fun-loving man of action we’re used to seeing.

“I think that with this Jim Kirk you’ll get the flavor of the old,” Pine said. “I tried to bring my own take to it and do justice to what Mr. [William] Shatner did before, but you get to see the full spectrum of Jim Kirk. There’s the young, bold, brash, cocky [quality] and I think there’s a maturity that happens within the arc of the character in the movie that’s really fun that I think people will respond to.”

But what about Leonard “Bones” McCoy? I’ve always had a fondness for the cantankerous, mint julep-sipping country doctor. For my money, some of the best character moments of the original series involved him and Kirk. I think my favorite is from the episode “The Immunity Syndrome.” (I told you I was a Trek geek!) Spock is in a shuttle craft trying to escape a giant space amoeba. He’s pleading with them to leave him behind and save themselves. Bones replies, “Shut up Spock, we’re rescuing you!” and both he and Kirk give the absent Spock a funny “so take that” nod.

In Abrams’ film, Karl Urban of “Lord of the Rings” and “Bourne Supremacy” fame is assuming the role made famous by the late, great DeForest Kelley. Pine says Urban was up to the task.

“Yeah, Urban is, oh, he’s fantastic. I think when people see what Karl did with the role they’re going to be blown away,” Pine said. “I mean, it was a shock when I found out that he was doing it, he’s such a great-looking guy. He’s such a leading man and to take on this classic character role … he is like the doppleganger of DeForest Kelley. But he brings his own Karl sensibility to it so people will really enjoy it.”

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Own the Habitat for Humanity hardhat autographed by Chris Pine. Mr. Pine (Star Trek, Bottle Shock) signed the hat to support Habitat’s mission of providing safe and decent housing for all.

Proceeds from the auction benefit families served by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles through the Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity program.

Winner will receive a Certificate of Authenticity from Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity.

You can view the auction here: ClothesOffOurBack.org

Actor has been named Male Star of Tomorrow
By Carl DiOrio
Chris Pine, star of Paramount’s upcoming “Star Trek,” will be honored as the Male Star of Tomorrow at ShoWest 2009.

Pine, whose credits include last year’s “Bottle Shock” and 2006’s “Smokin’ Aces,” will be feted at an April 2 awards gala set to close the annual exhibition confab. ShoWest opens March 20 at the Bally’s and Paris hotels in Las Vegas.

“ShoWest has a history of recognizing major talents at the very earliest points in their rising careers,” ShoWest co-managing director Mitch Neuhauser said. “Pine’s impressive skills on the screen and stage will be sure to be showcased with his performance as Captain Kirk.”

“Star Trek” unspools May 8 domestically.

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