Tony Rodriguez to Participate in Live Reading of Michael Ausiello’s Soap Opera “Beverly Hills”

Tony Rodriguez is preparing for a sudsy experience…

The Latino actor and longtime performer of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theaters in New York and Los Angeles will take part in a live reading of Beverly Hillsa soap opera written by TVLine founder and Spoiler Alert author Michael Ausiello when he was 13.

Tony RodriguezRodriguez, a voice actor on The Simpsons, is part of a cast that includes Ana GasteyerTony Hale, Dulé HillGillian Jacobs, Jim Rash and Sasheer Zamata.

Adding an element of surprise, the actors will get to read the script for the first time when they take the stage on July 16 at Los Angeles’ Hayworth Theater (aka Dynasty Typewriter).

Proceeds from the event, which will be live-streamed, will benefit The Trevor Project.

Per the description: “Back in the ‘80s, when Ausiello was a closeted gay pubescent living in small-town New Jersey, he penned 517 episodes of a daytime soap opera, titled Beverly Hills. Miraculously, he saved every handwritten script. The event on July 16, which has a roughly 80-minute running time, will center on a concentrated, self-contained story arc that found six of Beverly Hills’ most popular characters traveling overseas for a life-or-death adventure. Although some of Teenage Ausiello’s atrocious spelling has been cleaned up for this theatrical experience, the scenes will be performed exactly as they were written all those years ago. For better or worse.”

The cast of the reading also includes Mitch Silpa and newcomer Tristan Michael Brown, who will portray teenage Ausiello.

The performance will be co-directed by Ausiello and LA theater vet Tom DeTrinis and produced by Ausiello and Patrick Cotnoir.

Founded in 1998, The Trevor Project, headquartered in West Hollywood, CA, is a nonprofit suicide prevention organization that provides 24/7 crisis support services, research, and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth.

Stephanie Beatriz to Guest Star on Fox’s “Krapopolis”

It’s a krap shoot for Stephanie Beatriz.

The 42-year-old Colombian-Bolivian Argentine actress will guest star on Fox’s Krapopolis, the network’s long-awaited animated series premiering on September 24.

Stephanie BeatrizBeatriz will be joined by fellow guest stars Ben Stiller, Susan Sarandon, Joel McHale, Dave Franco, Yvette Nicole Brown, Will Forte, Jane Lynch, Daveed Diggs, Steve Buscemi, David Cross, Keith David, Chris Hardwick, Tim Meadows, Bobby Moynihan, Jim Rash, Rob Riffle, Tim Robinson, Michael Urie, Alanna Ubach and Amber Stevens West.

Stiller will bring to life Prometheus, find a preview of his character in the video below.

Set in mythical ancient Greece, Krapopolis tells the story of a dysfunctional family of humans, gods and monsters trying to run one of the world’s first cities, while also trying their best to not kill each other in the process.

Featuring the voices of Hannah Waddingham, Richard Ayoade, Matt Berry, Pam Murphy and Duncan TrussellKrapopolis centers on a flawed family of humans, gods, and monsters attempting to guide humanity out of the savage wilderness and into a new lifestyle experiment they’re calling “civilization.”

Ayoade voices “Tyrannis,” the mortal son of a goddess. He’s the self-involved, narcissistic King of Krapopolis trying to make do in a city that lives up to its name. Waddingham plays “Deliria,” Tyrannis’ mother, goddess of self-destruction and questionable choices. Deliria is as petty as she is powerful and only seems interested in defending civilization if it means she’ll get more worshipers out of it than her frenemies up on Mt. Olympus.

Berry is “Shlub,” Tyrannis’ father, a minotaur (half centaur [horse + human], half manticore [lion + human + scorpion]). He’s the self-described life of the orgy. A true pleasure seeker who thinks that everyone should just chill out and, if they need him for anything, he’ll be down at the bar. Murphy voices “Stupendous,” Tyrannis’ half-sister, daughter of Deliria and a cyclops. Trussell plays “Hippocampus,” Tyrannis’ half-brother, offspring of Shlub and a mermaid, and, obviously, a hot mess, biologically speaking.

Krapopolis is owned by FOX Entertainment and produced by FOX’s Bento Box Entertainment. Dan Harmon is the creator and executive producer. Steve Levy also executive produces alongside Season 1 showrunner, Jordan Young and Seasons 2 and 3 showrunner, Alex Rubens.

Anna Garcia to Make Feature Debut in Apple’s 1960s Space Race Film “Project Artemis”

Anna Garcia has found a new Project

The Latina actress will make her feature film debut with a sizable role alongside Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum in Project Artemis, the anticipated 1960s space race film Greg Berlanti is directing for Apple.

Anna GarciaWhile details about her role are being under wraps, her audition was reportedly impressive enough that it helped her secure one of the most coveted jobs in Hollywood, even in competition with a number of offer-only actresses.

Apple acquired Project Artemis for upwards of $100M when the hot package hit the market this past spring, as we told you first.

Specifics regarding the plot of the Apple Original haven’t yet been revealed. But Garcia joins an ensemble that also includes the previously announced Jim Rash and Ray Romano.

Johansson is producing alongside Jonathan Lia and Keenan Flynn of These Pictures, which commissioned and developed the script by Rose Gilroy, as well as Sarah Schechter.

Garcia is a relative newcomer who most recently wrapped a role on Showtime’s Party Down reboot, having recently appeared on HBO Max’s Emmy-winning series Hacks and FX’s long-running comedy, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. She’s a graduate of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre who still performs regularly at the well-known comedy venue, and also proved a standout as part of the CBS Comedy Showcase for 2022.

Garcia hosts her own live variety show, Scrambled Eggs, at the Elysian Theater and has also appeared on the viral improv show Make Some Noise for College Humor’s subscription media service, Dropout.

Jai Rodriguez to Star in Universal Pictures’ Groundbreaking LGBTQ+ Rom-Com “Bros”

It’s Bros time for Jai Rodriguez.

The 42-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor, musician and former Queer Eye for the Straight Guy co-host is starring in Nicholas Stoller’s groundbreaking LGBTQ+ rom-com Bros for Universal Pictures.

Jai RodriguezRodriguez is starring alongside previously announced cast members including Billy EichnerLuke MacfarlaneTS Madison, Miss LawrenceSymoneGuillermo DiazGuy Branum, Monica Raymund, Jim Rash, Harvey Fierstein, Bowen Yang, Amanda Bearse, Dot-Marie Jones and more.

Bros is the first romantic comedy from a major studio about two gay men. The film written by Eichner and Macfarlane is billed as a smart, swoony and heartfelt story about gay men—played by Eichber and Macfarlane—maybe, possibly, probably, stumbling towards love. Maybe. They’re both very busy. Pic is scheduled to arrive in theaters on September 30th.

Judd Apatow is producing the project alongside Stoller and Josh Church, with Eichner exec producing.

Rodriguez won an Emmy in 2004, as co-host of Outstanding Reality ProgramQueer Eye for the Straight Guy, and will also soon be seen in the Amazon series Bosch: Legacy.

He’s also appeared on series like The RookieEastsidersDollfaceThe Resident and Kingdom, among others.

His film credits include The Producers and The New Guy.

Lin-Manuel Miranda to Lend Voice to Season Finale of “DuckTales,” “The Last Adventure”

Lin-Manuel Miranda is going on a last adventure

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican actor, singer, songwriter, rapper, composer, director, producer, author and playwright will take part in the 90-minute DuckTales series finale, which will air on Monday, March 15 at 7:00 pm ET/PT.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

In the finale, titled “The Last Adventure!,” the future of adventuring hangs in the balance as the Duck family uncovers earth-shattering secrets in a final standoff with the Fiendish Organization for World Larceny (F.O.W.L.).

In addition to Miranda, returning guest voices include Giancarlo Esposito, Julie Bowen, Jaime CamilJameela Jamil, Catherine Tate, Stephanie Beatriz, Paul F. Tompkins, Jim Rash, Margo Martindale.

Jason Mantzoukas, John Hodgman, Retta, Kimiko Glenn, Libe Barer, Jaleel White and Amy Sedaris also return.

Noël Wells and Riki Lindhome guest star as sisters, June and May, respectively.

“It has been an absolute honor to adventure along with the Duck Family for three seasons of derring-do bad and good luck tales. Ever since Carl Barks took a silly squawking duck from a funny animal cartoon and sent him looking for pirate gold, these characters have been part of a constantly evolving legacy of invention and reinvention,” executive producer Matt Youngberg and co-executive producer Francisco Angones said. “We set out to honor all those things that we’ve loved about ‘DuckTales’ since we were kids and introduce new parts of that legacy for families around the globe. Along the way, our stellar crew, unbelievable cast and endlessly supportive fans have become a bit of a family ourselves. And it has been a great joy to solve mysteries and rewrite history alongside them.”

Disney also added that new DuckTales episodes will debut every Monday starting February 22, leading up to the series finale.

In addition to bringing the stories the Duck Family adventures to an end, the series finale will also feature a dramatic reading of the DuckTales main title song.

Cast members David Tennant, Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz, Bobby Moynihan, Kate Micucci, Beck Bennett, Toks Olagundoye and Paget Brewster come together to read the lyrics of the iconic musical number.

Disney Channel Releases Trailer for Myrna Velasco’s Animated Series “Star Wars Resistance”

Myrna Velasco is joining the resistance

Disney Channel has released a new trailer for its upcoming animated show Star Wars Resistance, featuring the Mexican American actress.

Myrna Velasco

“Can you imagine what it’s like to be an ace pilot?” Kazuda Xiono (“Kaz”) asks in the new trailer. Audiences will follow Kaz and some familiar Star Wars faces as he does just that — become a top pilot, not to mention spying on the rising threat of the First Order for the Resistance.

In the hour-long premiere, Poe and BB-8 assign Kaz to go undercover on the Colossus, a massive aircraft home to new aliens, droids, and other creatures. He makes new friends, like Poe’s old buddy Yeager, as well as a battered astromech droid called Bucket. With challenges like dangerous sky races and keeping his mission a secret from his newfound crew, Kaz is in over his head as he tries to avoid the danger of the First Order.

Star Wars Rebels showrunner Dave Filoni created the series, which will see Oscar Isaac reprising his big screen role as pilot Poe Dameron, while Christopher Sean voices Kaz. Gwendoline Christie will return to voice the villainous Captain Phasma, and Rachel Butera plays General Leia Organa.

In addition to Velasco, other supporting voice actors include Suzie McGrath, Scott Lawrence, Josh Brener, Donald Faison, Jim Rash and Bobby Moynihan.

The adventure series will have a one-hour premiere on Sunday, October 7 at 10:00 pm ET/PT on Disney Channel, DisneyNOW, and Disney Channel VOD, with further airings on Disney XD.

Velasco’s credits include Elena of Avalor, Descendants: Wicked World and Modern Family.