Charlie Sheen expands 'Torpedo of Truth' tour again; is your city next?

Charlie Sheen's "My Violent Torpedo of Truth / Defeat is Not an Option" tour keeps expanding with dates set in more than a dozen cities throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The show "IS where you will hear the REAL story from the Warlock," according to TicketMaster. The Ministry translates this as live, extended versions of the tiger-blooded actor's broadcast interview diatribes and chain-smoking live-streaming segments.

We do know that the show is for or those who are 18 and older, and there will be "surprises."

Sheen will be on stage nearly every other night from April 2 to May 2. Duh, he has quite a bit of time on his hands since he's been fired from "Two and a Half Men," and his warlock lawyers are handling that $100-million breach of contract lawsuit with Warner Bros.

On Monday, he sold out his tour dates in Chicago and Detroit.

On Tuesday, he added dates in Ohio, Connecticut, Boston and New York City.

On Thursday, he announced via Twitter that the "#Torpedo Fastballs keep coming. 12 more shows on sale Sat.."

The torpedoes will fly through the East Coast hitting Washington, D.C., too. He'll be appearing at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and twice at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Sheen added dates throughout the Midwest, down south in Atlanta and various cities in Florida and Texas. Our neighbors to the north in Vancouver and Ontario also will be hit by the torpedoes.

He'll be hurling the fastballs west, as well, in Denver and San Francisco. Yet he's managed to steer clear of Los Angeles...for now.

Tickets range from $100 and to about $750 for a VIP package, which includes a meet-and-greet with the former Charlie Bender.

P.S. His Twitter follower count is now topping 2.9 million. Charlie dares you to keep up with him.

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-- Nardine Saad
Twitter.com/NardineSaad

Photo: A file photo of Charlie Sheen from  May 21, 2006 at the 59th edition of the Cannes Film Festival Credit: Francois Guillot / AFP / Getty

Dane Cook-Julia Stiles Broadway play 'Fat Pig' postponed

"Fat Pig," the Neil LaBute play starring comedian Dane Cook and Julia Stiles, has been postponed to the 2011-2012 Broadway season.

The play was scheduled to open at the Belasco Theatre this spring, but its producers cited the "last-minute fallout of a key investment" as the reason for the delay.

"This did not leave the producers enough time to reacquire the necessary capital and begin rehearsals on schedule to open prior to the Tony Awards cutoff date," a spokesman said in a statement.

"It's our dream to keep this terrific cast and stunning creative team intact as we work to reschedule 'Fat Pig' for next season," added producers Aldo Scrofani and Heather Provost. "The current financial situation did not leave adequate time to maintain the integrity of the show and its marketing campaign. This play deserves to be seen on Broadway and we remain very much committed to that goal."

Josh Hamilton and HeatherJane Rolff were also set to star in the LaBute-written and -directed play.

The blunt-force comedy revolves around a man who falls for an obese woman, which causes a backlash against her among his friends. It was performed off-Broadway in 2004 in a production that starred Jeremy Piven, Andrew McCarthy, Keri Russell and Ashlie Atkinson. In 2007, the Geffen Playhouse mounted a production with a cast that included Scott Wolf and Chris Pine.

Cook's polarizing brand of comedy aimed at the college crowd and LaBute's productions, with their controversial subject matter and colorful language, had been seen as a perfect match. Earlier reports said Ashton Kutcher was in talks for the play.

But fans will have to wait a little bit longer for this show to go on. Previews for the Broadway show were set to begin April 12, with the official opening April 26. Ticket holders are being allowed to get a full refund or exchange their tickets for a different date.

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Twitter.com/NardineSaad

Photo: Dane Cook at Spike TV's Video Game Awards on Dec. 11, 2010, in Los Angeles. Credit: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press

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Jim Parsons, Lee Pace to make Broadway debut in 'The Normal Heart'

Jim Parsons of "The Big Bang Theory" and "Pushing Daisies'" alumni Lee Pace will be making their Broadway debuts as they join the cast for the HIV/AIDS drama "The Normal Heart."

Parsons, the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning funny man who plays uber-genius Sheldon Cooper on the CBS sitcom, will take on the role of early activist Tommy Boatwright, according to Playbill.

Pace, who recently appeared in "When in Rome" with Kristen Bell, will play closeted activist Bruce Niles. He'll also appear onscreen alongside Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner as Garrett, a vampire from the American nomads coven, in both installments of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn."

Ellen Barkin, John Benjamin Hickey and Joe Mantello have also been cast in the Joel Grey-directed play, set in 1980s New York, in the early years of the epidemic.

Previews of "The Normal Heart," which is loosely based on playwright Larry Kramer's life, begin April 19, with the 12-week run starting April 27.

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twitter.com/NardineSaad

Photos: Jim Parsons, left, at the Golden Globes on Jan. 16. Lee Pace, right, in "Pushing Daisies."  Credits: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times, left; Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times, right.

Kelsey Grammer marries Kayte Walsh on stage, on Broadway

Kelsey Grammer married Kayte Walsh on Friday, ending the two weeks of bachelorhood he's had since finalizing his divorce from Camille Grammer with a ceremony held onstage at the Broadway theater where up until recently he'd costarred in "La Cage aux Folles."

The ceremony -- Kelsey's fourth walk down the aisle -- was held before the Longacre Theatre's evening performance of "La Cage," which now stars Jeffrey Tambor and Harvey Fierstein. Cast member Terry Lavell, who plays a drag queen in the show, has a license to officiate at weddings and was expected to do the honors.

Upon arrival, the groom was immediately flanked by more than half a dozen security guards who opened giant umbrellas to protect him from the paparazzi and media gathered outside the theater, Access Hollywood reported. A reception was to follow in the Plaza Hotel's grand ballroom.

The bride wore a white dress slightly reminiscent of the one Camille Donatacci donned for her wedding to Grammer in 1997, TMZ amusingly pointed out.

Walsh, 29, and Kelsey Grammer, who turned 56 on Monday, got engaged in early December. Camille, 42, filed for divorce on July 1, shortly before stories surfaced about Kelsey's new stewardess girlfriend. News that Walsh was pregnant with Kelsey's child went public in August; in October they announced that she'd miscarried.

Camille Grammer agreed to a bifurcation that allowed the divorce to become final on Feb. 10, even though the exes' property settlement is not complete.

Jude, Camille and Kelsey's son together, reportedly attended the ceremony, while their daughter, Mason, did not. Prior commitments on short notice, you know. Us Magazine reported that the "Frasier" star's 28-year-old actress daughter, Spencer Grammer, part of the cast of TV's "Greek," read a poem.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Kelsey Grammer and Kayte Walsh in New York on Dec. 7, 2010. Credit: Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images

Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes see 'Rock of Ages' in L.A. -- research alert!

Looks like Tom Cruise isn't wasting any time preparing for his upcoming turn in the "Rock of Ages" movie -- the actor and wife Katie Holmes attended the musical in Los Angeles on Saturday.

At Hollywood's Pantages Theater, ticketholders got a thrill when Holmes and Cruise turned up, seated front and center next to Adam Shankman, Cruise's director for the film adaptation.

Wide reports say Cruise is in final negotiations for the flick, which has Gwyneth Paltrow, Mary J. Blige and Anne Hathaway as possible costars. We'd say this musical outing tips the scales of his participation.

"Tom was enthralled the entire time," a witness tells the Ministry, "leaning forward with his head in his hands, being very attentive." 

At intermission, Shankman and the famous couple were whisked backstage for a meet-and-greet with producers and cast -- led by former "American Idol" contestant Constantine Maroulis, who appeared in the Broadway production of the show. Upon returning to their seats, the pair happily obliged fans by posing for photos before the second act resumed.

While Shankman and Cruise will embark on their first creative endeavor together, the director and Holmes have been pals for years -- both contributing to the Dizzy Feet Foundation and alums of "So You Think You Can Dance."

Speaking of "So You Think" -- former judge Mia Michaels was seated with Cruise, Holmes and Shankman. Could she be joining the movie production as choreographer?

Leave your thoughts on the theatrical night out in the comments section below.

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-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise hit the red carpet premiere of her flick "The Romantics" in September 2010. Credit: Associated Press

 

Jane Fonda’s on stage, but Colin Farrell and Cher serve as opening act

Colin Farrell? Cher? At the theater?

Jane Fonda may have been the above-the-marquee draw at Wednesday’s opening night for “33 Variations” at the Ahmanson Theatre, but pre-curtain, all eyes were trained on the “In Bruges” star and, two rows up from him, Cher. In fact, the center orchestra section of the downtown L.A. theater was paparazzi heaven (minus the cameras, thank you).

In the play, by Moises Kaufman, Fonda plays a musicologist researching the origins of Beethoven’s  “Diabelli Variations,” while grappling with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) and her shaky relationship with her daughter (played by Samantha Mathis). Heavy stuff.

So one would expect to see Fonda’s brother, Peter, and her son, Troy Garity, show up. But Chelsea Handler? And Anjelica Huston, Christian Slater, Rosanna Arquette, Carla Gugino, Penny Marshall, “True Blood’s” Carrie Preston and “Southland’s” Benjamin McKenzie? All there, within hug-and-kiss reach. (Click on the photo gallery to see who was there.)

Also taking in the show was writer-director Richard LaGravenese (seated with Cher), Tony Award winner Ben Vereen, “Smallville’s” John Glover, Tony winner Adriane Lenox, Michael Emerson (the creepy Ben from “Lost”), Corey Stoll of "Law & Order: Los Angeles," Joan Van Ark and Mary Hart.

Absent from the evening’s event was Lindsay Lohan, who starred with Fonda in 2007’s “Georgia Rule.”  The troubled actress had RSVPed for the performance, but apparently Lohan had other things on her mind Wednesday and wasn’t able to make it.

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-- Lisa Fung

Photo (top): Jane Fonda and Cher, after the show. Credit: Ryan Miller / Capture Imaging

Photo (bottom) Jane Fonda and Troy Garity. Credit: Ryan Miller / Capture Imaging

Zachary Quinto still totally over interviews [video]

 

Hey, nervous interviewer/theater intern, Zachary Quinto isn't asleep -- you're just boring him.

Or so it seems from an interview the actor deigned to participate in, supporting his work in the Signature Theatre Company's New York production of "Angels in America."

Our friends at Just Jared posted new behind-the-scenes shots of Quinto in the Tony Kushner epic, along with a recently uploaded video of the actor from the show's opening night in October. Zach-attack answers questions from Facebook and Twitter, with some uninterest and condescension sprinkled on top.

First, he's asked how long it took to memorize an intense monologue, to which Quinto responds, "I don't know, a while. A minute? A minute. One minute. Sixty seconds."

Cute! Then he's asked if his role as Louis Ironson was on his radar prior to landing it. 

"Well certainly the play was on my radar. When I found out they were doing it, it's the character in the play that I would play. So ... it was on my radar then," he said.

What a relief that Quinto was not only aware the play existed (sigh of relief, Kushner) but he basically cast himself. Clearly it's what he would play. In the play.

Then there's the delicious non-verbals (which you can feast on in the clip above), including exaggerated eyebrows, eye rolls, a glance around the room to see if anyone else knows how much he's suffering and -- brace yourself -- he actually rests his chin on a bent index finger. Or, as the Ministry calls it, "The Ponderer." 

Don't get us wrong, Quinto does come to life when he gets to talk about the difference between the stage work and film and television. The difference for him, that is. We appreciate his process, but would never dream of getting too personal. 

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-- Matt Donnelly
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Photo: Zachary Quinto attends Comic-Con 2010. Credit: Michael Buckner / Getty Images 

Jennifer Love Hewitt, Vanessa Williams, James Denton at 'West Side Story' opening night

When it comes to musicals, few are as universally popular as "West Side Story." And that was evident Wednesday night at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood as celebrities from stage and screen flocked to opening night of the "Romeo & Juliet"-style love story set amid warring (and dancing) New York gangs.

Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt made her way down the red carpet -- click the pic below to see "The Ghost Whisperer" star and others -- as did "Desperate Housewives" costars James Denton, Mindy Sterling and Vanessa Williams, who was there with her daughter.

Fans and well-wishers practically mobbed "High School Musical" director Kenny Ortega inside the theater. He attended with Alex Ko, one of the young actor-dancers in the title role in Broadway's "Billy Elliot." Eric Stonestreet and Nolan Gould of "Modern Family" were also in the house, as were "Mad Men's" Robert Morse and Melora Hardin of "The Office."

Not walking the red carpet but spotted by eager autograph seekers inside the theater were Russ Tamblyn and George Chakiris, who played Riff and Bernardo in the 1961 film version of "West Side Story." Yes, that's Amber Tamblyn's dad.

Others spotted at the event included Nia Vardalos, Kym Johnson of "Dancing With the Stars," Charlene Amoia of "How I Met Your Mother," Josh Sussman of "Glee," Tony Award-winning actor-singer John Lloyd Young and Ken Davitian, who came into pop consciousness in "Borat."

An after-party was held at Cafe Was in Hollywood. "West Side Story" runs through Jan. 2 at the Pantages.

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Top photo: "Hannah Montana" alum Romi Dames, left, actress Tess Hunt, "Glee" guy Josh Sussman and actress Joell Posey at the "West Side Story" opening night after-party Wednesday in Hollywood. Credit: Angela Weiss / Getty Images

Bottom photo: Vanessa Williams and her daughter attend the opening night of "West Side Story" at the Pantages Theatre on Dec. 1, 2010 in Hollywood. Credit: Angela Weiss / Getty Images

Billie Joe Armstrong, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried catch 'Next to Normal'

You'll have to excuse audience members at the Ahmanson Theatre on Sunday night for doing a double-take at the guests in seats K19 and 20. After all, the musical "Next to Normal," about a clinically depressed, bipolar woman (played by Tony Award-winner Alice Ripley) and her family, is probably the last place people would expect to see the lead vocalist for the rock band Green Day.

But sure enough, there was Billie Joe Armstrong, sans mascara, with his wife, Adrienne, in the center orchestra section for opening night of the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical.

The connection? "Next to Normal" composer and co-orchestrator Tom Kitt also served as music supervisor for Green Day's Broadway musical "American Idiot."

A few rows up from Armstrong sat the always-dapper Pierce Brosnan and wife Keely Shaye Smith, seeing the musical for the first time. His "Mamma Mia!" costar Amanda Seyfried also was in attendance.

Sarah Silverman greeted Camryn Manheim with a big hug as she made her way to her seat a few minutes before the lights went down. “Glee” was represented by Jenna Ushkowitz, Darren Criss and the guys who play the Dalton Academy Warblers. And "Modern Family's" Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who is lobbying to host the Tony Awards, and fellow castmate Sarah Hyland took in the show.

Also spotted were Jena Malone, Adam Brody, “Chuck” regular Vik Sahay, Chad Lowe, David St. Louis, Peter MacNicol, Broadway star Adam Pascal, screenwriter Diablo Cody, Tracie Thoms, Charlayne Woodard, Alec Mapa, Ken Page and Lorene Scafaria, as well as members of the "Next to Normal" creative team, director Michael Greif, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics).

"Next to Normal" runs through Jan. 2 at the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown L.A.

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-- Lisa Fung

Top photo: "Next to Normal" composer Tom Kitt, left, with Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day. Credit: Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging

Matthew Morrison, Neil Patrick Harris and 'Modern Family' cast at 'Leap of Faith' opening

Opening night for the new Broadway-bound musical "Leap of Faith" for a moment seemed more like a TV Land party than the typical crowd on a Sunday night at the Ahmanson Theatre.

Gathered off to the side (and later seated together inside the theater) were cast members from the ABC series "Modern Family" — Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson — there to cheer on Stonestreet’s girlfriend, Katherine Tokarz, a “Leap of Faith” ensemble member. (Click the pic of new parents Courtney Mazza and Mario Lopez, right, to launch a photo gallery of red carpet arrivals.)

Matthew Morrison of "Glee" greeted "Leap of Faith" director-choreographer Rob Ashford in the courtyard before stopping by the red carpet for a quick photo. Former "Will & Grace" star Eric McCormack caught up with "Modern Family's" Ferguson nearby. Neil Patrick Harris of “How I Met Your Mother," with his partner, actor David Burtka, waved to friends in the audience as he took his seat toward the front of the orchestra section.

Jimmy Smits of the struggling NBC series “Outlaw” stopped on the red carpet for photos with girlfriend Wanda De Jesus,  lately of "Law & Order: Los Angeles." Other TV stars included: