Steven Levenson: Last News

Dear Evan Hansen entered a world pre-too many things to mention, at a moment of unimaginable innocence compared to the here and now.The musical, with a book by Steven Levenson, and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, had its world premiere at D.C.’s Arena Stage in 2015 and enjoyed a moment practically to itself at the forefront of a nuanced conversation about teens and depression, guns, suicide, and the pervasive influence of social media.The lore is long surrounding Michael Greif’s original production — perhaps most fervently among those who missed it — and the early revelation of seeing Ben Platt perform the title role.That was before Pasek and Paul had cemented their golden rep as the Oscar-winning lyricists of La La Land‘s “City of Stars,” and composers of original songs like “This Is Me” for Hugh Jackman’s blockbuster hit The Greatest Showman.That was before director Greif took Evan Hansen to Broadway and the show earned six Tonys, including Best Musical and Best Actor for Platt.Eras and movements have come and gone since the show helped frame new ways of considering a host of hot-button issues — chiefly teenage mental health — and before shocking real-world events, from Parkland to presidential politics, kept reshaping the conversation at a grueling and violent pace.Dear Evan Hansen now comes back around for a second time with the touring production of Greif’s Broadway staging, three years after its first stop at the Kennedy Center.It long ago shed its original cachet as the edgiest pop culture phenom around about disaffected teens. In fact, years of audience-pleasing commercial success might have smoothed some of the show’s formerly sharp edges.

Angelique Jackson Oscar Isaac is set to executive produce and star in “Stowaway,” playing Juan Carlos Guzmán, who is internationally recognized as the “greatest conman alive.” Apple TV+ closed a deal for the rights to the developing project following a competitive situation. Steven Levenson is attached to develop the series, set against a glittering backdrop of wealth and opulence, with the pilot directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon.

Universal has dated the Pharrell Williams-Michel Gondry musical feature Atlantis for May 9, 2025.

Katcy Stephan Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry‘s star-studded musical film now has its title and release date. Universal Pictures will release “Atlantis” wide on May 9, 2025.

The cast of Pharrell Williams‘ upcoming movie musical just got bigger!

EXCLUSIVE: Universal Pictures‘ untitled coming-of-age musical from director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams has two new additions, the studio announced on Wednesday: Quinta Brunson, the creator and star of hit ABC comedy Abbott Elementary, and eight-time Grammy winner Anderson .Paak.

EXCLUSIVE: Universal Pictures has rounded out the cast of its coming-of-age musical teaming director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams with four additions: Tim Meadows (Dream Scenario), Jaboukie Young-White (C’mon C’mon), Jamilah Rosemond (Rustin) and Jayson Lee (61st Street).

10x Grammy nominee Janelle Monáe (Glass Onion) has found her newest film role in Universal Pictures‘ coming-of-age musical from director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams, the studio announced on Thursday.

Katcy Stephan Missy Elliott is joining Universal Pictures’ untitled Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry musical project. She joins Halle Bailey, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry and Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in a coming-of-age musical set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977 and inspired by the Atlantis Apartments, located in Williams’ childhood neighborhood. Michel Gondry (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “The Science of Sleep”) is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes (“Toy Story 4,” “The Magician’s Elephant”) and Steven Levenson (“Tick, Tick…Boom,” “Fosse/Verdon”).

Grammy-winning hip-hop and R&B artist Missy Elliott has been tapped for a role in director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams‘ new, untitled feature for Universal Pictures.

With his new highly-anticipated film Challengers bowing this weekend, Mike Faist looks to have found a new agent and manager as he as signed with WME and Brillstein Entertainment Partners for representation. He will continue to work with former agent Samantha Stoller, who transitioned to management in February.

Katcy Stephan Brian Tyree Henry has joined the cast of Universal’s untitled Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry musical project. The Oscar, Emmy and Tony nominee joins Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey and Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the coming-of-age musical, set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.

Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway) has signed on to star alongside Kelvin Harrison Jr., Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Halle Bailey in Universal’s untitled coming-of-age musical from director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams.

Halle Bailey (The Color Purple) has been tapped to star alongside Kelvin Harrison Jr. and The Holdovers Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in Universal Pictures‘ untitled coming-of-age pic from director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and producer Pharrell Williams (Hidden Figures), Deadline has learned.

Katcy Stephan Halle Bailey is set to join Universal Pictures’ untitled Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry project. Bailey will co-star opposite Kelvin Harrison Jr. and joins newly-minted Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in this coming-of-age musical set in the summer of 1977 Virginia Beach inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.

EXCLUSIVE: Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Waves) has been set to lead a new, untitled Universal feature project from director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and producer Pharrell Williams (Hidden Figures), according to multiple sources, who also tell us that 2024 Academy Award winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers) is in talks.

Carole Rothman, co-founder of the renowned New York theater company Second Stage responsible for such acclaimed productions as Dear Evan Hansen, Next To Normal, This Is Our Youth and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, is leaving the company she started in 1979.

Hulu is saying so long to Up Here, the musical romantic comedy from Dear Evan Hansen writer Steven Levenson, after one season.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter The musical romantic comedy series “Up Here” has been canceled after just one season at Hulu, Variety has learned. The series’ one and only season debuted on Hulu back on March 24. It was originally ordered to series at the streamer in January 2022.

After debuting the first footage from Paul King’s Wonka at CinemaCon last year, Warner Bros showed off an extended trailer today for the Christmas 2023 release. The origins story stars Timothée Chalamet as the titular candymeister, who lands in a mid-European city (the pic was shot in London) after traveling the world perfecting his craft. “I’m something of a magician, inventor and chocolate maker,” he says.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor Streaming March 24, Hulu’s “Up Here” joins the musical comedy pantheon of “Smash,” “Schmigadoon” and “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” with Mae Whitman and Carlos Valdes as the romantic leads. The series is based on a play of the same name from songwriting duo Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, which opened at La Jolla Playhouse in 2015. Set in New York City in 1999, the show follows Lindsay and Miguel as they fall in love and discover their inner critic is their biggest obstacle to finding happiness. Robert (“Wandavision,” “Frozen”) and Kristen (“Frozen,” “Frozen II”), also executive producers, weave a tapestry of 21 new and original ’90s-esque songs as the couple navigate fear, fantasies and chaotic inner voices that second-guess their instinct for love.

Mae Whitman has been acting since she was two years old, but her new Hulu series,, is like nothing she's ever done before.«I've never done a musical. I've never gotten to dance,» she shared with ET on the set of the upcoming musical rom-com.