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By Michael Lopez

Feeling the need for more John Leguizamo? Not to worry, the talented actor/comedian/theater god has got a ton of stuff lined up for the new year, including a role in Friday's release One For The Money. This past week, we got to speak to him exclusively about his multitude of upcoming projects.

"I think One For The Money is a very clever film," he told us. "[Director] Julie Ann Robinson got a very good vibe going with it. It’s a little edgy, but it’s also a bit of a rom com."

Money happens to be based on a popular book series written by Janet Evanovich. Mixing in elements of romance, action, and good old fashioned gunplay, it's got Katherine Heigl as its headliner and, as John explained, she fit her role perfectly.

"It was really fun working with Katherine," he said. "I play her boxing manager in the movie, so we definitely share a lot of screen time. She's a very sharp lady."

Heigl actually has a lot more than screen time invested in the project. She also serves as one of the producers on the film. But if bounty hunter chick flicks aren't your cup of tea, you can still catch Leguizamo in two other potential blockbusters later this year.

"I've got Ice Age 4 coming out in July," he told us. "This one's going to be cool because you’ll get to meet my whole sloth family. And I've also got a fun character I'm playing in Men In Black III. You can see me in the trailer as Graffiti Man."

And John assured us that he's staying true to his theater roots too with a new all-Spanish version of his hit play Ghetto Klown. As he explained to us, this latest revamp will be sending him all the way to South America.

"I'm going to Colombia to do a Spanish version of Ghetto Klown," he explained. "It's really wild. I've been working three or four months to translate it. It’s like I'm re-conquering my heritage."

Clearly there will be no Leguizamo shortages in 2012. But if you want to get the jump on what he's up to now, check out his role as Jimmy Alpha in One For The Money, which hits theaters tomorrow.

Are you planning on watching One For The Money? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Exclusive Entrevistas, Ghetto Klown, Ice Age, Janet Evanovich, John Leguizamo, Julie Ann Robinson, Katherine Heigl, Men in Black III, Movies & CineMás, One For The Money, Theatre, Tr3s Exclusives

By Michael Lopez

Could 2012 be the year that Ivy Queen launches her acting career? It certainly looks that way. The reggaeton songstress is set to take the stage next month for a special production of The Vagina Monologues.

Several famous Latinas have already made their mark reciting the Monologues. Adamari Lopez, Michelle Rodriguez, and Roselyn Sanchez are just a few of the ladies who've gotten rave reviews for their performances. And for Ivy, the experience will be extra special.

This play will actually mark the first time she's ever tested her acting chops. And Ivy's already told the press that she's "very honored" to be a part of the production.

Her big debut will happen on February 26 and feature a special adaptation that's entirely in Spanish. Though Ivy's current run will only be in Florida, we're hopeful that she'll expand her stage presence to even more Vagina venues across the country.

Would you like to see Ivy Queen transition into acting? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Ivy Queen, The Vagina Monologues, Theatre, Vagina Monologues

By Larry Yepez Jr.

In a recent interview with MovieHole, Robin Williams straightened out some rumors on possible sequels to his hit films. While it would seem that there's no hope for Mrs. Doubtfire 2 or Good Morning, Chicago (a follow-up to Good Morning, Vietnam), apparently there is still hope for a Birdcage 2.

Robin spilled the beans on his second Birdcage film and said that work is being done to bring back the characters. Williams said:

"We will see what happens. They're trying to figure out which [story] to write for that".

The 1996 film, based on the play La Cage Aux Folles by Jean Poiret, is about a gay couple pretending to be straight around the conservative parents of their soon-to-be daughter-in-law.The film also starred Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest, Dan Futterman, Calista Flockart and Hank Azaria.

The Birdcage, is definitely one of Williams' best performances, and now many will be pleased to know that the 1996 film may not be the last we see of the fabulous South Beach Drag club owner Armand Goldman.

Would you like to see a Birdcage sequel?

Tags Armand Goldman, Blogger: Larry Yepez Jr, Calista Flockart, Dan Futterman, Dianne Wiest, Gene Hackman, Good Morning Chicago, Good Morning Vietnam, Hank Azaria, Jean Poiret, La Cage Aux Folles, MovieHole, Mrs. Doubtfire, Nathan Lane, Robin Williams, The Birdcage 2

By Michael Lopez

She's tackled comedic TV roles, she's done heavy dramas, but can America Ferrera sing and dance? Theater fans will have the chance to find out when the Ugly Betty star joins the Broadway cast of Chicago next month!

Ferrera is set to take over the part of Roxie, which Rene Zellweger made famous in the 2002 film. Fans of the play know that Roxie is no easy role to play. America will be required to perform some pretty extravagant dance numbers and belt out classics like "Me and My Baby" and "Hot Honey Rag."

Ferrera will make her Chicago debut on November 7 in New York and then move on to an even more high-profile theatrical project. Starting next spring, she'll be headlining the 1984 classic The Miss Firecracker Contest.

From what she's shown us on the small screen, it's clear that America has limitless talent. Perhaps, by this time next year, she'll be able to stick a Tony Award alongside the Emmys and Golden Globes she won for Ugly Betty.

What's your favorite Broadway show? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags America Ferrera, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Broadway, Chicago, Theatre

By Larry Yepez Jr.

Michael Jackson's second posthumous album "Immortal" will be released in November and is full of newly remastered outtakes and alternate versions of old hits, Epic Records announced.

"Immortal" is the soundtrack for the new Cirque du Soleil show, "The Immortal World Tour" which debuted on Sunday. The album features an alternative version of the Jackson 5 hit, "ABC," as well as a series of mashups and remixes.

The new Cirque show is Michael Jackson's music and visuals on steroids and we can expect the sountrack to be the same!  The new world tour show has over 60 songs from Jackson's catalog. MJ had a hidden treasure, full of unreleased material, upon his death in 2009. "Immortal" has the full backing of his estate. So we will have some new songs, mixed with classic MJ tunes for our iPod!

The album release will be available as a 15-track or a deluxe 22-track that will go on sale Nov. 21.  Hopefully the full 60+ tracks are released in the future!

So for all of us MJ fans.. This sounds like a definite must have!  Have you seen the "Immortal World Tour" Preview? Are you going to get this MJ soundrack when it comes out?

Tags ABC, blogger: By Larry Yepez Jr., Blogger: Larry Yepez Jr, Cirque du Soleil, Epic Records, immortal, immortal world tour, Jackson 5, michael jackson, popnews

By Michael Lopez

If you're curious about where Carlos Mencia has been hiding out the past few years, you may want to check the gym. The Latino comic recently shed more than 70 pounds and is now embarking on an "upbeat" comedy tour.

Known for his brash and edgy standup style, Carlos spent four years on Comedy Central with his hit show Mind of Mencia. Once that wrapped, he ventured out into film work, cartoon voice overs, and even a side restaurant business.

But now he's back on the live circuit doing what he loves. And Mencia's even taken a new approach to the way he tells jokes.

"You can't be happy if you're being negative," he recently said. "It's my new philosophy, and if I'm out there being angry, I don't have a chance to enjoy this day I've got."

And judging by the way he's been selling out his venues, Mencia has quite a lot to be positive about. You can check out his latest tour dates by visiting his official site.

Do you like Carlos Mencia's style of comedy? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Carlos Mencia, Standup Comedy, Theatre, weight loss

By Michael Lopez

Don't cry for Ricky Martin, Argentina, he's about to kick off a major revival of Evita! The Puerto Rican crooner sent out some very exciting tweets this week about his involvement in a new Broadway production of the show.

"Buen día mi gente. Hoy será un día intenso! Empiezo con Evita frente al piano y lo termino en un avión a Italia,"he posted.

It has been reported that Ricky will be taking on the role of Che, who was played by Antonio Banderas in the 1996 Madonna film. The stage version of Evita is much more intricate and originally launched back in 1978. Since its inception, the Eva Perón musical has nabbed numerous Tony Awards and played all over the world.

Ricky's version would arrive in 2012 and include choreography by the legendary Rob Ashford. Martin certainly isn't a stranger to the Broadway stage. He famously took on the role of Marius Pontmercy in the 1996 production of Les Misérables.

Would you like to see Ricky Martin on Broadway? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Broadway, Eva Perón, Evita, Música, Ricky Martin, Theatre

By Simone Hilliard

Reality star, TV host, actress, basketball wife and mother: LaLa Vazquez couldn't have more any more on her plate, until now. Our favorite fomer MTV VJ has joined the cast of "Love, Lost and What I Wore" and will be taking her talents to the great white way this Fall.

The play, which opened at the Westside Theater back in 2009, is based on a book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman. The stage version, written by Nora and Delia Ephron, takes on the book's concept of telling women's stories of love and loss by building those stories around their closets, clothes and accessories.

"Love, Loss and What I Wore" is performed by a rotating cast of five all-star actors, who perform in five-week cycles. Members of the rotating cast have included Fran Drescher, Stacy London, Jane Lynch, Tracee Ellis Ross, Sherri Shepherd, Brooke Shields, and Jamie-Lynn Sigler. LaLa's run will last from October 5th-30th.

Before her Broadway run, you can catch LaLa and her husband Carmelo Anthony chronicling their lives as newlyweds in LaLa's Full Court Life which premieres on VH1 August 22nd.

Will you see LaLa on Broadway? Let us know below, or @MTV3.

Tags Broadway, Carmelo Anthony, LaLa, LaLa's Full Court Life, Loss and What I Wore, Love

By Simone Hilliard

Not only is Alicia Keys giving a surprise performance at New York City's Joe's Pub Tuesday (June 28) to celebrate the re-release of her multi-platinum five-time Grammy award winning debut album Songs In A Minor, but the talented mami is also adding a new title to her ever-growing repertoire, Broadway Producer.

Keys joins the likes of Jay-Z and Bono who have also taken their talents to the great white way; Hov co-producing 2009's "Fela!" and Bono producing the score for the often plagued production of 2011's "Spiderman."

Alicia will co-produce "Stick Fly," Lydia R. Diamond's account of an affluent African-American family's weekend at their Martha's Vineyard home. The premise of the play reads,

"The adult sons, aspiring novelist Kent and golden boy plastic surgeon Flip, have each brought their respective ladies (one black and one white) to meet the parents. Food, drink and Trivial Pursuit tangle with class, race and identity politics in this contemporary comedy of manners."

On why she chose to get involved with Broadway production, Keys admitted that she is passionate about "Stick Fly" because it "portrays black America in a way that we don't often get to see in entertainment".

The 30-year-old singer/ songwriter continued in a statement:

"This is a story that everybody can relate to. I know it will touch all audiences who will find a piece of themselves somewhere inside this house."

"Stick Fly," which has already played and received critical acclaim in Chicago, Boston and D.C., will open on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre in December, with previews beginning on November 18.

Will you attend? Sound off in the comments, or @MTV3.

Tags Alicia Keys, Bono, Broadway, Fela!, Grammy, Jay Z, Songs in a Minor, Spiderman, Stick Fly

By Michael Lopez

Anyone tuning in to last night's Tony Awards knew they were in for a high-energy show. Honoring Broadway's hottest musicals, the event always brings out intricate dance numbers, over-the-top glitz, and unpredictable comedy from the theatre world's greatest entertainers. And this year's event delivered the goods exactly as promised.

Neil Patrick Harris earned major praise for his high-powered hosting skills. The How I Met Your Mother star kicked off the night with a wild dance number that declared the event as "not just for gays anymore." He also partook in a very memorable singalong with former Tonys MC Hugh Jackman.

Comedian Chris Rock also got quite a bit of laughs when he presented the award for Best Musical. Joking about missing the NBA Finals game, he said to the crowd,

"If you had told me two years ago I'd miss the best basketball game ever to hang out with Nathan Lane, I would have said that you're crazy. But that's what happened. I remember my first musical like it was yesterday, because it was yesterday."

The Best Musical Award happened to be handed out to a Latino. Composer Robert Lopez won the night’s top honors (along with South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone) for the comedy The Book Of Mormon. A huge winner last night, Mormon also took home honors for orchestration, lighting design, sound design, and scenic design.

Lopez is no stranger to the Tonys, he had previously won an award for his work on the musical Avenue Q. And proving he’s not just limited to the theatre world, Robert’s songs will soon be hitting the big screen in Disney’s newest adaptation of Winnie the Pooh.

Other big winners of the night included Ellen Barkin, who took home Best Actress for The Normal Heart, and John Larroquette, who won Best Actor for How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. But interestingly, it was the presenters who grabbed the most attention.

Brooke Shields created quite a bit of chisme when she dropped the "f-bomb" on stage and Tr3s fave John Leguizamo had the crowd roaring with some rapid-fire jokes from the podium. Add to that strong dance numbers from the plays Catch Me If You Can and How To Succeed… and you've got yourself one heck of an entertaining night. Let's see the stuffy Academy Awards try to top that!

Did you watch last night’s Tony Awards? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Book Of Mormon, Broadway, Chris Rock, Hugh Jackman, John Leguizamo, Neil Patrick Harris, Robert Lopez, Theatre, Tony Awards