Tom Hardy Gets His Motor Runnin'

For a new biker movieWarner Bros. clearly realised that after Inception and his upcoming role in The Dark Knight as Bane, Tom Hardy was a talent they should keep in close contact with. It wasn't a shock, then, to learn this week that he had signed a first-look deal with the studio. With the ink barely dry on the documents, he's announced his first project: starring in an outlaw biker drama. John Linson, who knows a thing or two about two-wheeled terrors thanks to his producing duties on Sons Of Anarchy, came up with the original idea and handed it to Vacancy's Mark L. Smith to bash out a script.Hardy will play a wounded Vietnam vet who comes home to San Francisco in the middle of the culture clash melee in 1969. He decides to make war rather than love, and rises to become the leader of California's most violent outlaw biker club. Heck, it could even be a prequel to Clay, Jax and the rest over at SOA...While he may want to forget he was ever in This Means War (even if he was entertaining in it), Hardy has The Dark Knight Rises next, and we'll all find out if we can understand what Bane is saying on July 20.

Jake Gyllenhaal Speeds Towards 'Motor City'

Just as "Motor City" is gearing up to start production, new reports say that Jake Gyllenhaal has replaced former leading man Dominic Cooper. In other film news, Bryan Cranston, Anna Kendrick, Alison Brie and a whole bunch more have joined the cast of "Get a Job," the main teens in "The Evil Dead" remake have been cast and Woody Allen gets confirmed for a role in John Turturro's new movie. It's March 8, and you're tuning in for today's casting call. Jake Gyllenhaal Replaces Dominic Cooper In "Motor City" Turns out that Dominic Cooper won't be starring in Albert Hughes's "Motor City" after all. Variety is reporting that Jake Gyllenhaal will replace him and join Amber Heard and Gary Oldman in the cast. "Motor City" follows an ex-convict tracking down and getting revenge on the people who framed him. Production is set to start soon. Bryan Cranston, Anna Kendrick And Many More Join "Get A Job" Suddenly CBS Films' "Get a Job" is a movie that we desperately want to see. The studio sent out a press release saying that Bryan Cranston, Anna Kendrick and "Project X's" Miles Teller will star in the upcoming flick. A supporting cast of Alison Brie, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Nick Braun, Brandon T. Jackson and Jay Pharoah rounds out the project. "Children's Hospital's" Dylan Kidd will direct the "multi-generational comedy." Jessica Lucas And Elizabeth Blackmore To Battle "The Evil Dead" The casting of the major players in Fede Alvarez's remake of "The Evil Dead" seems to finally be finished. The Hollywood Reporter is saying that Elizabeth Blackmore will play the fianc of main character Mia's brother, while Jessica Lucas is in talks to play Mia's best friend. They'll join the previously announced cast of Mia (Jane Levy), her brother (Shiloh Fernandez) and their friend Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci). The film is set to hit theaters on April 12, 2013. Woody Allen Confirmed, Sofia Vergara In Talks For "Fading Gigolo" John Turturro's project "Fading Gigolo" just got two more big talents. Variety has learned that Woody Allen and Sharon Stone are confirmed to star in the project. In addition, Sofia Vergara is in talks for a supporting role. "Fading Gigolo" follows Turturro and Allen as two best friends who decide to go into the gigolo business together, and end up attracting the unwanted attention of the Hasidic Jewish community that they live in. Genesis Rodriguez To Join "Hours" Deadline is reporting that "Man on a Ledge" star Genesis Rodriguez has joined the cast of "Hours." The film, directed by Eric Heisserer, already stars Paul Walker as its central character. "Hours" tells the story of a man attempting to keep his newborn baby girl safe in a hospital in New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina rages all around them. In Casting Call, the MTV Movies team rounds up the day's biggest casting news and offers it up to you on a silver platter. If you're looking to see which movie your favorite actor has booked next, look no further. Tell us what you think in the comments section and on Twitter!

The Pearl Theatre Company Secures a New Home

The Pearl Theatre Company has signed a 20-year lease on 555 W. 42nd Street in Manhattan, the venue recently vacated by Signature Theatre Company, J.R. Sullivan, the Pearl's artistic director, announced on Wednesday. The Pearl will inaugurate its permanent home with its 29th season, beginning this fall."This move to 42nd Street marks a tremendous opportunity for the Pearl and its audiences," said Sullivan. "The former home of the Signature Theatre Company is justly renowned as a great space for great plays. It is convenient, comfortable, and offers audiences an intimate relationship to an especially fine space. It will prove a perfect fit for the classics to come from the Pearl."Since its founding in 1984, the Pearl is the only resident classical company in NY. The company has performed at NY City Center Stage II since 2009, when it left Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place, its East Village location, which it had occupied since 1994.Allison Cooke Kellogg, chair of The Pearl's board of trustees, said, "Our move to a permanent home marks the beginning of a new era for the Pearl Theatre Company. Our new location will enable the Pearl to expand its programming. It opens new vistas for our productions and provides the opportunity to introduce innovative learning programs, both of which will make classical theater even more relevant and compelling to contemporary audiences."The Pearl will launch a $3 million capital campaign to fund facility renovations and new equipment and foster institutional growth and sustainability.James Houghton, founding artistic director of Signature Theatre Company, said, "I am thrilled that the Pearl Theatre Company will be making the Peter Norton Space their new home. The intimate space beautifully suits their strong classical work and they will be a valuable addition to our vibrant theater community on 42nd Street."The Signature Theatre Company's new home is at the Pershing Square Signature Center at 480 W. 42nd Street. The Pearl's final production at City Center will be Eugene O'Neill's "A Moon for the Misbegotten" which begins previews March 6 in advance of a March 18 opening for a limited run through April 15.

AFTRA People Approve Network TV Code

La (February. 22, 2012)– The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO a national union in excess of 70,000 entertainers, recording artists and broadcast professionals today introduced that AFTRA people have approved a contract using the four major television broadcast systems (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) along with other producers on terms for any successor agreement towards the AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting, also known as, the leading from the Book. AFTRA People passed the agreement 96% for, achieving their primary objective within this settlement: singlePercent rise in employer contributions towards the AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds upon ratification, that will bring the entire H&R contribution rate to 16.5%. The 3-year agreement will run retroactivelyfrom November. 16, 2011 through November. 15, 2014. Other highlights include: Increase wages by 6% within the term from the agreement (2% every year) for many groups Increase minimum hazard purchase ballroom dancers from $80 to $100 daily, and from $100 to $125 per program The $37.50 overtime rate for performers is going to be compensated beginning in the seventh rather than the ninth hour Boost the minimum workday for stand-inches who focus on primetime variety and award shows, which will raise the minimum daily rate by 20% to 67% Enhanced contract language to improve equal employment possibilities for union entertainers, including a contract to stop discrimination with different member’s gender identity. I'm proud our people extremely chosen in support of this difficult-fought against contract. Our settling committee of testing and background stars, promo announcers, freelance newspersons, stunt entertainers, performers, ballroom dancers and, obviously, stars, labored relentlessly to secure elevated wages, enhanced working conditions, and more powerful protections for AFTRA people in most groups and across all program formats who work under our biggest contract, stated AFTRA National Leader Roberta Reardon. Discussions beganon November. 7, and were held in the offices from the Alliance of movement Picture and tv Producers in Sherman Trees, Calif. A tentative agreement was arrived at on 12 ,. 9, 2011. The AFTRA National Board all approved the agreement on Jan. 28, 2012 and sent it to the membership for ratification. Ballots were mailed to people on Jan. 30 and were came back February. 22. AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth offered as Chief Negotiator for that Union, and was aided by co-arbitrators Joan Halpern Weise, AFTRA Assistant National Executive Director of Entertainment Programming, and Stephen Burrow, AFTRA NY Local Executive Director. The Network Code Front from the Book may be the Unions biggest national collective negotiating agreement and creates a lot more than $250 million annually in member earnings. The Code covers programming in most television day parts (aside from scripted primetime programs around the systems and also the CW that are covered underneath the AFTRA Exhibit An agreement) and programming created for digital media. Covered programs include dramas in first-run distribution, morning news shows, talk shows, serials (cleaning soap operas), variety, reality, sports, contest programs, award shows and marketing bulletins. Current programs included in this contract include: Hello America, The Vista, The Cost is appropriate, The Youthful and also the Restless, Saturday Evening Live, Risk, Dwts, Late Show with David Letterman, The Voice, Amazing Race, Deal or No Deal, The Tonight Show and The American Idol Show, among many more.

Heroes Alum Milo Ventimiglia To Star In Frank Darabonts TNT Pilot L.A. Noir

EXCLUSIVE: In his first cable series gig, former Heroes star Milo Ventimiglia is set to star in Frank Darabont’s TNT drama pilot L.A. Noir, a fast-paced crime drama set in Los Angeles during the 1940s and 50s. He is expected to join The Walking Dead alum Jon Bernthal, who has been in negotiations for another lead. Based on John Buntins book L.A. Noir: The Struggle For The Soul Of Americas Most Seductive City, the show tells the true story of a decades-long conflict between the LAPD, under the determined leadership of Police Chief William Parker, and ruthless criminal elements led by mobster Mickey Cohen, a one-time boxer who rose to the top of LAs criminal world. Ventimiglia will play Ned Stax, a former marine who served with Joe Teague (Bernthal) during WWII, now a budding lawyer groomed to be a master “fixer” for the mob. In addition to writing, former Walking Dead showrunner Darabont is directing the pilot and will executive produce with Michael De Luca and Elliot Webb for TNT Original Prods. Ventimiglia, repped by CAA and Management 360, fielded interest from broadcast pilots this season before opting to go with L.A. Noir. His series credits also include a stint on Gilmore Girls.

Matthew Perry Joins the Cast of The Good Wife

The Warblers vs. New Directions: Who will win Glee's next Regionals competition? The two glee clubs go head-to-head at Regionals in Tuesday's episode (8/7c, Fox), in which the Warblers sing The Wanted's "Glad You Came," while New Directions takes on Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger." Check out their performances below, along with a sneak peek at Sebastian's scheming ways and a behind-the-scenes look at the big Regionals episode, which made Chris Colfer cry: Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com GleeChris Colfer

Press

Preem evening around the Smart Tucker Tooley, Scott Waugh, Mike "Mouse" McCoy and Happy Walters open "Valor." Navy Closes Sonny, Dork, Michael, Duncan, Van O, Ray, Ajay and Rorke topline Relativity Media's new actioner. Things to put on for your initial film premiere? The eight active-duty Navy Closes that topline Relativity's "Act of Valor" elected for heavily decorated uniforms around the red-colored carpet at Thursday's Gotham preem, held onboard the floating Smart museum. Actually, there's little chance the soldiers are intending to parlay their starring roles within the terrorism-designed actioner into Hollywood careers. The males bristled thinking of talent agents or SAG membership, insisting these were basically playing themselves and therefore are not stars (even though they shipped scripted dialogue in moments with professional thesps)."Virtually everything that's within the movie is real," described Scott Waugh, who directed what he known as a hybrid documentary/narrative feature with Mike "Mouse" McCoy. "We did attempt to cast real terrorists, however the fuckers wouldn't come have fun with us."Still, there's one factor the Closes tell red-colored-carpet fittings like Madonna and Cher: single-word monikers. Because of safety, the super-secret special operations used first names only, in the film's credits with press. Nonetheless, their cover might happen to be blown with a Super Bowl ad that featured multiple close-ups from the males.

VIDEO: Gisele Bundchen Defends Husband Tom Brady After Super Bowl Loss

Gisele Bundchen No one felt worse than the NFL's leading receiver, Wes Welker, after he failed to catch a key pass late in Super Bowl XLVI. And no one sounded more irked about it than Gisele Bundchen, particularly after taunting Giants fans yelled at her: "Eli rules. Eli owns your husband." "You [have] to catch the ball when you're supposed to catch the ball," she says in the video below. "My husband cannot f------ throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time. I can't believe they dropped the ball so many times." Super Bowl Commercials: X Factor winner demands respect! Plus: Howard Stern, Clint Eastwood Tom Brady made a couple mistakes himself, however, as some fans argued that the ball was thrown behind Welker. Bundchen was making her way to an elevator after watching the New England Patriots lose the Super Bowl when she encountered the exuberant if not classy NY Giants fans. What do you think of the supermodel sticking up for her husband? Was she wrong blaming his teammates?

Oscar oddities

Silver Eiffel Tower model, against white background, close-up The Invention Of Hugo CabretEvery year, Oscar nominations feature some oddities and notable achievements. In some ways, it's a quiet acting race: Berenice Bejo, Jean Dujardin and Max von Sydow utter only two words among their three performances. Michelle Williams was nominated for playing an actress (Marilyn Monroe) who never earned an Oscar nom. Alexander Payne is a triple nominee for "The Descendants." Lead actor contenders George Clooney and Brad Pitt also were given an adapted screenplay nom for "Ides of March," and a producer bid for "Moneyball," respectively. Cited in two races were Woody Allen, Michel Hazanavicius and Martin Scorsese. Allen's noms for "Midnight in Paris" broke Billy Wilder's record by making him a seven-time double nominee on the same film in the directing and writing categories. For their sound work, Gary Rydstrom scored two noms, after 14 previous bids; Greg P. Russell earned his 15th career nomination; Ren Klyce earned his fourth and fifth noms this year. "A Separation," written and directed by Asghar Farhadi, is the first Farsi-language screenplay to earn a writing nom. John Williams' twin noms bring his total to 47, making him second in Oscar history to Walt Disney, who earned 59 during his lifetime. Meryl Streep continues her record-breaking run, with a 17th overall nom for "The Iron Lady." Supporting actor nominee Kenneth Branagh has now been nominated five times in five different categories; others are for lead actor and directing in 1989 for "Henry V," live-action short in 1992 for "Swan Song" and adapted screenplay in 1996 for "Hamlet." All five films in the animated feature category earned first-time noms for their directors. Since the animation category started in 2001, the only times Pixar has missed out on a nom were in 2002, 2005 and this year. Wim Wenders' "Pina" is the first 3-D film to be nominated in the documentary category. Scott Rudin ("Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close") and Michael DeLuca ("Moneyball") received best picture noms last year for "The Social Network." There is a French accent this year: Paris serves as the backdrop for "Hugo," "Midnight in Paris" and the animated "A Cat in Paris," while Parisians produced, directed and starred in L.A.-set "The Artist." Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Sundance Today: Swag Beats (Boots?) Snow

The Sundance Film Festival is about, as the name implies, films. But there's another secret agenda at the heart of the Park City weeks-long event: swaaaag, man! If you've been keeping up with the MTV Movies team's escapades in our Sundance Today blogs, then you know that yours truly has been having some difficult time walking bootless through the snowy slush of Utah. That is no longer the case. I've got my Sorel-branded boots tied tight, some sunglasses from the lovely folks at Solstice Sunglass Boutique shielding my eyes, and a big dopey grin on my face. You see movies at Sundance, and that is awesome. But when you get free high-end swag at Sundance, you know you've arrived. And folks, let me tell you: I have arrived. Anyway, enough bragging about swag, at least. There's more movies, more actors, more filmmakers in our immediate future. Today, we're going one-on-one with "John Dies at the End" actors Clancy Brown and Paul Giamatti, "Luv" actors Common, Charles S. Dutton and Michael K. Williams, "Parks & Rec" favorite (and "Safety Not Guaranteed" actress) Aubrey Plaza, "Red Hook Summer" director Spike Lee, and many more. If you've got questions for any of those guys, we want to hear 'em. Tweet them our way at @mtvmoviesblog and we'll do our best to get you the scoops you crave. In the mean time, if you need me, you can find me stomping all over Park City in my new Sorels. No. Big. Deal. The 2012 Sundance Film Festival is officially under way, and the MTV Movies team is on the ground reporting on the hottest stars and the movies everyone will be talking about in the year to come. Keep it locked with MTV Movies for everything there is to know about Sundance.

The brand new the new sony, Televisa in co-production pact

The brand new the new sony Pictures Television and Mexican media giant Televisa have inked a preliminary-look co-production pact for scripted and telenovela formats. SPT could possibly get a distinctive start searching whatsoever Televisa's formats for co-production worldwide, excluding the U.S. and South Usa. Televisa could possibly get first choice on SPT scripted formats for co-production in the united states. Both companies creates any program selected beneath the the pact. "We expect this to become extended and fruitful partnership," mentioned Andrea Wong, SPT prexy of worldwide production, who mentioned the sale did not have enough time period which she expected it could expand afterwards. "We are for sale to proper partners together with other players, but we're focusing about this new deal with Televisa for the moment," she added. "The effective scripts, diverse library and writing capabilities that Televisa proposes to this alliance match perfectly with Sony's connection with creating quality content for local areas," mentioned Jose Antonio Baston, Televisa's prexy of TV and content. SPT has headed local-language adaptations for scripted series based on U.S. formats, including "Everybody Loves Raymond" within the center East, Russia, Belgium and Israel "MarriedWith Children" in Israel, Russia and Bulgaria and "King of Queens" in Russia. Televisa features a 14.5% stake in Spain's Imagina, a partnership between Globomedia, Spain's greatest producer of TV Fiction, and Mediapro, a built-being produced service and sports rights brokering company in the united states. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Watercooler: When Idol Attacks

Amy Brunfield Therefore The The American Idol Show Show has came back. Yay.It may be the rest of the X Factor hangover, or the fact The Voice does the very first models better by restricting the tryouts to worthy talent, but Idol's overwrought and too-extended auditions are merely carried out. Seriously, for every crazy aspirant or über-confident ear-screecher throughout last night's opener, we have got barely a passable possibility for your finals and lots of top reasons to just wait for performance shows.Sure, the idol idol judges continue being fun and there is a specific pleasure in thinking (wanting) the rejected contestant goes full-blown freak on Seacrest within the hall, yet that's still inadequate to exchange with two-to-four several hours each week of clearly staged situations such as this "pleasure hopping" 28-year-old sales representative or perhaps the 15-year-old who just happened to experience a former Major League pitcher for just about any father. And don't even get us started round the Tennessee "hippsie." Like we would never know she was coping with to Hollywood after being uncovered with a fully produced backstory about her tent-dwelling existence which came out being the audience of Deliverance. Please. Already been through it, done the whole destitute sob story...plus it was referred to as Season 7's Josiah.Still, the show can do killer ratings and we'll all watch with sick fascination and quiet shame while you to a different prepackaged cliché parades past the idol idol judges table, finally falling into an exhausted heap come Hollywood Week. Idol has us which we must accept it. Should you excuse us, we should go warm-up our texting thumbs, because people elimination episodes may be used faster than Steven Tyler have some understanding lascivious to have an under-aged hopeful.Perhaps you have watch Idol last evening, or are you currently presently finished with that certain?Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Mekhi Phifer Tries to Get Used to Broadway Screams

NY (AP) Mekhi Phifer is not used to being shouted at, but it's part of his Broadway debut.The 37-year-old actor, best known for the TV series "ER" and the film "8 Mile," is discovering that audiences aren't silent while watching him in "Stick Fly," Lydia R. Diamond's complex drama about a black family."People are spirited when they see this play," he says, laughing.Both white and black audience members in the Cort Theatre are known to burst out with spontaneous advice for the actors or to otherwise clearly telegraph their reaction to dramatic situations. "I had to get used to that," he says. "It's not very typical for Broadway at least the Broadway plays that I've seen."Phifer plays Flip LeVay, a successful plastic surgeon and ladies' man who attended Exeter and Harvard. Sparks fly when he and his younger brother bring their respective girlfriends one black, one white to meet their parents at their lavish summer getaway on Martha's Vineyard.Phifer, whose acting career began when he won the lead in director Spike Lee's "Clockers," is not what you'd call a stage veteran. In fact, "Stick Fly" marks his professional stage debut. But Phifer is hardly intimidated."Just being there live in front of an audience has been a very exhilarating feeling," he says. "It's definitely a different machine but I'm having a lot of fun because there are new things I learn every night."Produced by musician Alicia Keys, the play offers the New York-raised Phifer a great way to get his theater feet wet. He's close to his roots, can learn from the ensemble and doesn't have to dance. "This was actually the perfect piece. It just had the right amount of energy, the right amount of intrigue, the right amount of edginess," he says. "It didn't feel like a typical Broadway play."That's because Phifer, who has played his share of streetwise tough guys, gets to play an educated rich man whose secrets unspool slowly over the course of the performance. He says he likes the opportunity to move past race and explore humanity."There's no question that I'm African-American. OK? I'm a black man. We're not going to escape that. But I love being able to get past that and, as the play goes on, you're just watching people," he says. "That's one of the main things that drew me towards this role and this play it could be anyone."Phifer is the theater newbie in an accomplished cast that includes Emmy Award nominee Dule Hill ("Psych," ''The West Wing"), Tracie Thoms ("Rent"), Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson ("Lackawanna Blues"), Rosie Benton ("Les Liaisons Dangereuses") and Condola Rashad ("Ruined").So tight is the cast that they've come up with their own lyrics to the original music Keys has written for spots between the play's scenes. The rest of the time, they warm up together, eat communally and go out for drinks as a group afterward."It's always a pleasure when you get to work with people that you actually really like," Phifer says. "We hang out when we're at the theater. We sit in the hallways or sit on the steps and yap it up."He hopes the good feeling bleeds into the audience, which has been known to become so boisterous that lines get drowned out. (His advice if that happens: "You might have to see it twice.") He wants the audience to be intrigued, provoked and later discuss all of it."When you leave the play, you feel good. You want to go out and have a drink. You want to talk about it. You want to get something to eat. You don't want the night to be over. And I think that's what the Broadway experience should be about," he says. "Our play lends itself to that energy and that attitude."Director Kenny Leon has been hoping to help Phifer make his Broadway debut ever since the two were slated to work together on an ill-fated attempt a few years ago to mount a production of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.""In the back of my mind, I've always wanted to work with Mekhi," Leon says. "He has presence. He has charisma. He has everything that all great actors have, except he had never done a play before."When that time finally happened, Leon was impressed by how humble the young actor was when he walked into the rehearsal room. "I can't believe how much he's learned in such a short amount of time," Leon says. "The ease in terms of the transition from film to stage I don't think I've ever seen it happen like this. I couldn't be more pleased with what he's doing on that stage."Phifer was born in Harlem and raised by his mother, Rhoda, a choreographer and schoolteacher who always encouraged her son to be creative. After beating out hundreds for a spot in "Clockers" on a whim he got his headshot at a Woolworths near the audition site Phifer has had a varied career, one that has taken him from "Honey" with Jessica Alba and "Soul Food" with Vanessa Williams to "Dawn of the Dead," music videos like Brandy and Monica's "This Boy Is Mine" and the 2007 romantic comedy "This Christmas.""I do love being onstage. Even as a kid, I was (a) performer. Local talent shows, local this and that. When break dancing was out, I break danced. When rapping was the thing, I freestyled rap on the street and battled and all that kind of stuff," he says. "I'm a student of the game. I'm never not learning."His TV appearances include "NY Undercover," Fox's "Lie to Me," HBO's "A Lesson Before Dying" and "The Tuskegee Airmen," and the ABC television special "Brian's Song." He is particularly proud that he landed a part in the Starz series "Torchwood: Miracle Day" as a CIA agent after producers were unable to find a white actor. So hitting the stage for the first time is just a logical extension of a man wanting to learn."I've got to be quite honest: I caught the theater bug and I'm all about Broadway right now," he says. "It can be scary but you have to have a certain strength and fortitude about yourself."have gifts."Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Mark Kennedy January 9, 2012 PHOTO CREDIT AP Photo/Charles Sykes NY (AP) Mekhi Phifer is not used to being shouted at, but it's part of his Broadway debut.The 37-year-old actor, best known for the TV series "ER" and the film "8 Mile," is discovering that audiences aren't silent while watching him in "Stick Fly," Lydia R. Diamond's complex drama about a black family."People are spirited when they see this play," he says, laughing.Both white and black audience members in the Cort Theatre are known to burst out with spontaneous advice for the actors or to otherwise clearly telegraph their reaction to dramatic situations. "I had to get used to that," he says. "It's not very typical for Broadway at least the Broadway plays that I've seen."Phifer plays Flip LeVay, a successful plastic surgeon and ladies' man who attended Exeter and Harvard. Sparks fly when he and his younger brother bring their respective girlfriends one black, one white to meet their parents at their lavish summer getaway on Martha's Vineyard.Phifer, whose acting career began when he won the lead in director Spike Lee's "Clockers," is not what you'd call a stage veteran. In fact, "Stick Fly" marks his professional stage debut. But Phifer is hardly intimidated."Just being there live in front of an audience has been a very exhilarating feeling," he says. "It's definitely a different machine but I'm having a lot of fun because there are new things I learn every night."Produced by musician Alicia Keys, the play offers the NY-raised Phifer a great way to get his theater feet wet. He's close to his roots, can learn from the ensemble and doesn't have to dance. "This was actually the perfect piece. It just had the right amount of energy, the right amount of intrigue, the right amount of edginess," he says. "It didn't feel like a typical Broadway play."That's because Phifer, who has played his share of streetwise tough guys, gets to play an educated rich man whose secrets unspool slowly over the course of the performance. He says he likes the opportunity to move past race and explore humanity."There's no question that I'm African-American. OK? I'm a black man. We're not going to escape that. But I love being able to get past that and, as the play goes on, you're just watching people," he says. "That's one of the main things that drew me towards this role and this play it could be anyone."Phifer is the theater newbie in an accomplished cast that includes Emmy Award nominee Dule Hill ("Psych," ''The West Wing"), Tracie Thoms ("Rent"), Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson ("Lackawanna Blues"), Rosie Benton ("Les Liaisons Dangereuses") and Condola Rashad ("Ruined").So tight is the cast that they've come up with their own lyrics to the original music Keys has written for spots between the play's scenes. The rest of the time, they warm up together, eat communally and go out for drinks as a group afterward."It's always a pleasure when you get to work with people that you actually really like," Phifer says. "We hang out when we're at the theater. We sit in the hallways or sit on the steps and yap it up."He hopes the good feeling bleeds into the audience, which has been known to become so boisterous that lines get drowned out. (His advice if that happens: "You might have to see it twice.") He wants the audience to be intrigued, provoked and later discuss all of it."When you leave the play, you feel good. You want to go out and have a drink. You want to talk about it. You want to get something to eat. You don't want the night to be over. And I think that's what the Broadway experience should be about," he says. "Our play lends itself to that energy and that attitude."Director Kenny Leon has been hoping to help Phifer make his Broadway debut ever since the two were slated to work together on an ill-fated attempt a few years ago to mount a production of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.""In the back of my mind, I've always wanted to work with Mekhi," Leon says. "He has presence. He has charisma. He has everything that all great actors have, except he had never done a play before."When that time finally happened, Leon was impressed by how humble the young actor was when he walked into the rehearsal room. "I can't believe how much he's learned in such a short amount of time," Leon says. "The ease in terms of the transition from film to stage I don't think I've ever seen it happen like this. I couldn't be more pleased with what he's doing on that stage."Phifer was born in Harlem and raised by his mother, Rhoda, a choreographer and schoolteacher who always encouraged her son to be creative. After beating out hundreds for a spot in "Clockers" on a whim he got his headshot at a Woolworths near the audition site Phifer has had a varied career, one that has taken him from "Honey" with Jessica Alba and "Soul Food" with Vanessa Williams to "Dawn of the Dead," music videos like Brandy and Monica's "This Boy Is Mine" and the 2007 romantic comedy "This Christmas.""I do love being onstage. Even as a kid, I was (a) performer. Local talent shows, local this and that. When break dancing was out, I break danced. When rapping was the thing, I freestyled rap on the street and battled and all that kind of stuff," he says. "I'm a student of the game. I'm never not learning."His TV appearances include "NY Undercover," Fox's "Lie to Me," HBO's "A Lesson Before Dying" and "The Tuskegee Airmen," and the ABC television special "Brian's Song." He is particularly proud that he landed a part in the Starz series "Torchwood: Miracle Day" as a CIA agent after producers were unable to find a white actor. So hitting the stage for the first time is just a logical extension of a man wanting to learn."I've got to be quite honest: I caught the theater bug and I'm all about Broadway right now," he says. "It can be scary but you have to have a certain strength and fortitude about yourself."have gifts."Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.