Wildhorn searching for Broadway return

Frank Wildhorn tuner "Jekyll and Hyde" will get returning work on Broadway, landing in Gotham in spring 2013 undertaking a 25-week tour that launches in Hillcrest this fall.New production will star "The The American Idol Show ShowInch alum Constantine Maroulis -- formerly on Broadway in "Rock old range" -- starring since the split-personality doc in the production helmed and choreographed by Rob Calhoun ("Newsies")."Jekyll" may seem an unlikely Rialto return for Wildhorn given a present Broadway history including short-were living flops "Wonderland" last season and "Bonnie and Clyde" (also helmed by Calhoun) this season.But while Wildhorn rarely can get much love from NY experts or audiences, his work has proven extremely popular on the road and is a box office magnet for regional presenters.The identical could be true for your latest version of "Jekyll and Hyde," Wildhorn's longest-running creation on Broadway. Show's initial Rialto run, which was preceded having a tour, carried out more than 3 1/24 several weeks in the stint that began in 1997.Produced by Wildhorn and Steve Cuden, the tuner has music by Wildhorn and book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.New staging is produced by Nederlander Presentations. Tour starts March. 2 at San Diego's Social Theater carrying out a pre-tour stint Sept. 7-30 within the La Mirada Theater for your Undertaking Arts in La Mirada, Calif. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Brisk pace gives those who win last word

No host. No unnecessary song-and-dance amounts. And, consequently, no marathon running time.During the cold months whirlwind referred to as kudos season, the Screen Stars Guild Honours telecast is well known nearly as much for which it is not for what it's: A quickly paced two-hour ceremony that enables stars to recognition individuals peers who've because of the year's best performances in film and tv.Anticipate that to once more be come Sunday once the telecast is simulcast survive TNT and The best spinner's in the Shrine Exposition Center in La.InchMy philosophy," states longtime professional producer-director Shaun Margolis, "is, 'If it ain't broke, don't repair it.A?InchWith only 13 trophies to provide, these to thesps, the kudoscast is really as star-studded in the winner's podium because it is within the audience."It does not matter where I place the camera," states Margolis, who stays 11 several weeks from the year focusing on the show. "You are likely to see somebody you realize. That's exciting for that audience in your own home.InchAs well as an ideal fit Turner's cable nets that air the show."There exists a real fondness for stars," states Michael Wright, professional Vice president and mind of programming for TNT, The best spinner's and TCM. "That's displayed within the movies we run and also the series we acquire and develop."Aside from the individual and ensemble acting honours, that are chosen on through the guild's 100,000-plus strong membership, the 2011 telecast will recognition Oscar nominee and multiple Emmy champion Mary Tyler Moore using the Existence Achievement Award. Moore will be provided using the statue by her former TV husband Dick Van Dyke.You'll also have the telecast's trademark opening, featuring stars discussing frequently-funny, little-known moments using their careers, and also the "In Memoriam" segment, which honors individuals people from the guild who've died throughout the entire year.As well as for individuals stars lucky enough to win their particular groups, Margolis only has one observe that he hopes will resonate with all of: Keep your acceptance speech to 45 seconds or less. Seriously."Speeches previously few years have began to obtain a bit more time,Inch he states. "I really hope I do not have to cut anybody off this season.InchDroop Honours 2012Idol of capri to acting icon Howard talks up AFTRA merger Acad, SAG share same voter pool Partygoers relax, revel following the show Stunts given due Brisk pace gives those who win last word Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

MSOs raising prices as costs rise

The pressures of a changing marketplace haven't kept MSOs from raising subscription prices on multichannel video offerings across the country. Some of the top cable, satellite and telco services have hiked the cost of TV service in recent months even as criticism persists regarding the high cost of subscription TV packages, particularly as the U.S. economy continues to struggle and cheaper digital alternatives emerge. If anything, it's a sign of confidence from MSOs heading into a series of fourth-quarter earnings calls starting Thursday with Time Warner Cable. But for MSOs, posting any increase at all means running the risk that they'll finally hit a pricing ceiling with consumers, triggering the very cord-cutting trend most industry observers say has yet to occur on a meaningful scale. "Any time a rate increase happens, it comes with the potential for subscribers to make a decision," said Bruce Leichtman, who tracks the multichannel world for Leichtman Research Group. "It's a bit of a gamble, but I wouldn't say it's a bad one." It's impossible to pin down an average figure for rate increases because the complexities of packaging and discounting obscure those totals. But analysts have made their best guess that a 3%-4% increase has taken effect across the board. Comcast, the largest video distributor in the U.S., hit subs in select markets with a 3.9% increase, according to analyst estimates. Both Time Warner Cable and DirecTV registered at least a 4.9% increase depending on the market or tier. Some markets and tiers were impacted more than others, with AT&T U-Verse raising one of its most popular packages, U100, by 8.5%. In Boston, Comcast's repeated increases totaling 80% over the course of three years prompted the city's mayor to petition the FCC for authority to regulate cable prices following the expiration of a price-capping agreement. There are three notable omissions from the price hike trend: Dish Network, which vowed last year to keep its current rates frozen until 2013, and Cablevision and Verizon. For the latter two that's probably not a coincidence given that they compete heavily in the NY area, where their respective footprints have 40% overlap. No MSO would go on the record to discuss the increases. But the consensus inside the industry is that operators ultimately had no choice but to raise prices given the rising costs of the affiliate fees paid to programmers and the relatively recent addition of retransmission consent fees they pay to TV stations. While a 3%-4% average hike may seem foolhardy in the current marketplace, the programming cost increases that MSOs are paying this year are pegged by ISI Group analyst Vijay Jayant to be in the 7%-9% range. All the rate increases from top MSOs are actually roughly even or slightly below 2010 levels, according to Bernstein Research. MSOs also argue that their subs are getting more bang for the buck these days given that the addition of everything from more robust VOD offerings to streaming of channels on iPad hasn't come at any extra charge. Analysts expect some of the top MSOs to report losses of video subs in the fourth quarter, though the declines may not be as deep as in the same quarter the previous year. And for cable companies, in particular, such losses can be compensated for through the addition of subscribers in their broadband and phone services. Those businesses have been growing faster than video has declined for some time now. SNL Kagan data on the cable industry shows that while video subscribers have declined by an average of 1.2% per year since 2001, broadband subs have increased by an average of 20% and voice subs by an average of 30% over the same period. Bottom line: There isn't much pressure for growth in video given that it's seen as a mature market. For consumers, however, all the economic justifications the MSOs may have to raise prices may mean little. Every increase carries with it the possibility that at least some subs will say enough is enough. "There's no way to know precisely when pay TV will hit that wall (or indeed if it already has), but it is an ever-present risk," wrote Craig Moffett, senior analyst at Bernstein, in a recent research note. Last December, Credit Suisse reversed an earlier projection for growth in the MSO business and forecast a drop of 200,000 subs for 2012. The projected decline was based on the notion that young adults who had never signed up for multichannel subscriptions would gravitate to cheaper digital options. Netflix, YouTube and Hulu are among the upstarts seeing growth for their video offerings over the past year, but they are able to charge far less or nothing at all because they don't get the live or firstrun programming exclusive to the MSOs. For all the debate over the existence of cord-cutting, there's plenty of data suggesting that the numbers of households doing so are less than legion. Leichtman calculated the 14 top U.S. subscription TV providers added 150,000 subs in the first three quarters of 2011. "Cord-cutting hasn't been such a big thing," said Jayant. "It's not like you can get the same choices online." Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

Elle Driver nabs int'l privileges to 'Rock'

Just days after Submarine Entertainment offered domestic privileges to Katie Aselton's "Black Rock" to Mickey Liddell's LD Entertainment, the organization has offered all foreign privileges to Paris-based sales company Elle Driver.Deal was discussed by Submarine's David Koh, Josh Braun and Serta Braun with respect to the filmmakers and Adeline Fontan Tessaur of Elle Driver.Adele Romanski created the pic, that was professional created by Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass, the second who authored the scriptDescribed like a mix between "Deliverance" and "Thelma and Louise," story follows three female buddies who put aside their personal issues and organize a women getaway weekend on the remote island around the coast of Maine. One wrong move becomes another as there's a deadly fight for survival."We now have another kick-ass girl to increase their email list of 'Black Rock's' team and that one talks French! We could not become more psyched to utilize Adeline and also the brilliant folks at Elle Driver," stated Aselton and Mark Duplass inside a joint statement."We loved the classic revenge theme using the twist of women kicking ass! Typical chick flick film mixing feelings, suspense and fun, serious if you don't take itself too seriously along with a perfect fit for that Elle Driver slate," added Tessaur."Black Rock" is going to be launched stateside later this season. Pic screens again for Sundance auds in the Egyptian Theater tonight at Night time.As Variety first reported, Elle Driver lately came onto handle foreign sales for Matt Ross' "28 Rooms In Hotels,Inch which stars Chris Messina and Marin Ireland.Submarine continues to be busy at Sundance, brokering deals for "Full of Versailles" (Magnolia Pictures), "Me in the Zoo" (Cinemax) and "Trying to find Sugarman" (The new sony Pictures Classics). Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com

'Virginia' finds home with E1

'Virginia'Entertainment You have acquired United States distribution privileges to Dustin Lance Black's "Virginia." The "Milk" scribe authored and directed the Southern dramedy, which stars Jennifer Connelly, Emma Roberts and Erectile dysfunction Harris. Story centers around Virginia, a psychologically ill mother protected by her illegitimate boy Emmett, whose father might be the neighborhood Mormon sheriff. Their small-town secrets are threatened when Emmett starts an intimate relationship using the sheriff's daughter as her father runs for public office. Pic was initially entitled "Wrong With Virginia" but went through significant edits after debuting in the Toronto Film Fest this year. Film was among the first wave of movies to become created under Michigan's old tax incentive program. The condition continued to create significant cuts towards the program this past year. Christine Vachon of Killer Films created the pic together with Hopwood DePree and Scott Brooks through their TicTock Galleries banner. Gus Van Sant, Yeardley Cruz, Jay Froberg and Greg Suess professional created. E1 continues to be fielding acquisition offers since Toronto, once the distrib's board confirmed it had been going for a purchase of the organization in mind. CAA discussed the offer with E1. Inferno Entertainment is handling worldwide distribution privileges for "Virginia." Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Academy awards Trailer: Billy Very, Robin Williams, Megan Fox Get Funny-ant

What else could you expect in the 84th annual Oscars and new-old host Billy Very? Jokes about texting! '? With the sharp minds at beloved comedy site Funny or Die, the Academy of movement Picture Arts and Sciences launched the very first trailer for that February. 26 telecast, that will play by 50 percent,000 theaters beginning on Friday. At its center, notable Oscar stalwarts Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel (sarcasm!), who -- with the aid of Vinnie Johnson and Robin Williams -- continue a mission to locate Mr. Saturday Evening themself, Very. Anyway, it's kinda funny -- in the manner that the father thinks situations are funny. The 84th annual Oscars air on Sunday, February. 26 beginning at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Academy awards 2012: Oscar Ballot Revealed

For people people who've always aspired to become an Oscar voter ("Yes, 'Breaking Dawn' should win Best Modified Script!"), here's a thing that might pique your interest: a glimpse within the official Academy awards ballot for top Picture. The editors at GoldDerby.com got their at work the dear piece of paper that will rule Hollywood through the following two several days, with the instructions concerning how to complete it. The nitty-gritty: For those who have examined the Indication List, please write the title from the first choice round the first kind of this ballot and list your options round the succeeding lines so by the preference. Don't list the identical title more frequently than once multiple votes for a similar picture don't enhance its chances. The pictures locating the finest volume of votes shall end up being the nominees for final voting to find the best Picture award. There is probably not greater than ten nor under five nominations however, no picture is going to be nominated that receives under five percent in the total votes cast. The preferential system of tabulation may be used in nominations voting. You are voting essentially for starters achievement, as well as the preferential system safeguards the election will probably be cast -- so by the listed preferences -- for your candidate to whom it might carry out the most good. (If, for example, the achievement on the top kind of your ballot receives hardly any support off their votes, you have not "wasted" your election. The equipment progresses and casts your election for that second listed achievement, and so on.) You don't need to complete most five lines. The higher preferences you indicate, however, the greater the certainty the ballot will influence the most effective Picture nominees list. Have a look in a picture in the ballot below mind to GoldDerby.com to determine the whole letter from Academy of motion Picture Arts & Sciences leader Tom Sherak. Ballots are due on Jan. 13, 2012. [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook