Nov 19, 2009 from Playblog:
The New Group, which is premiering Kenneth Lonergan’s new play, The Starry Messenger, on Nov. 23 at Theatre Row, opted to have its opening-night party a week early and packed the house with assorted celebs and its own starry stock company: Bobby Cannavale, Josh Hamilton, Jennifer Westfeldt, Sam Trammell, Sam Rockwell, Natasha Lyonne, Rosie O’Donnell, Wallace Shawn, Kathryn Erbe, Joan Rivers, Leslie Bibb, Tate Donovan, Lisa Emery and Callie Thorne.

Matthew Broderick, a longtime pal of Lonergan who appeared in the writer-director’s film “You Can Count on Me,” plays a dullish, sparkle-free astronomy teacher at the Hayden Planetarium who stumbles into an extramarital affair (with Catalina Sandino Moreno, the Oscar nominee of “Maria Full of Grace”). J. Smith-Cameron — Mrs. Lonergan, ironically — plays a wife you’d want to run away from.

The tone of the play is serious and life-like, peppered with stingy zingers and measured sarcasm. For Broderick, the role is very heavy-lifting, Hamlet-sized and full of protracted speeches. Just getting through it is a major feat of memory.

One speech, he said, “is three solid pages of script — with very wide margins.”

Nov 10, 2009 from Fredericksburg.com:
While "Marching Band" opened the festival at the University of Virginia, the new independent film "Wonderful World," with Matthew Broderick, was the 85th and final film of the four-day event, screened Sunday night.

The movie, which will be released Jan. 8, focuses on a former children's musician (Broderick) who has become jaded by the way he was treated by the business side of his industry.

It's an interesting role for the actor who also screened his earlier film "Election."

Broderick, now doing the play "The Starry Messenger" off-Broadway, said he took the "Wonderful World" role because he respects director Josh Goldin and because it's a role that made him stretch to portray a person both cynical and, down deep, hopeful.

Broderick was in a playful mood when he took questions from the crowd, especially tackling a question about whether he was actively seeking roles that came with low pay.

"No, I like getting paid!" he said, adding that he could assure the audience that his off-Broadway role was paying him "at least $40 a night, almost enough to get me to the theater and back home again."

Oct 27, 2009 from Theater Mania:
The New Group's world premiere of The Starry Messenger, written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan, will now open on Monday, November 23 at 8pm. As previously announced, Merwin Goldsmith has replaced Jonathan Hadary in the production, and previews -- which began last night -- were also delayed.

Oct 22, 2009 from Playbill:
The New Group's Off-Broadway world premiere of Kenneth Lonergan's The Starry Messenger, starring Matthew Broderick and Catalina Sandino Moreno, will start later than expected.

Previews — which were originally slated for an Oct. 24 start — will now begin Oct. 26. A New Group spokesperson confirmed to Playbill.com that the delay is to allow for an ensemble cast change; Merwin Goldsmith will replace the previously announced Jonathan Hadary.

Oct 18, 2009 from Sun Sentinel:
If memorable film festivals defy expectations, then the 24th Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival has a few things going for it. Among more than 100 films from 30 countries screening from Oct. 23-Nov. 11 are two featuring stars, Michelle Monaghan and Matthew Broderick, in against-type roles that offer audiences a surprise.

Broderick didn't learn any special skills for Wonderful World (which will screen after he receives a career achievement award Nov. 1), but he can empathize with being typecast. He's best known for his boyish charm (Ferris Bueller's Day Off), even if some of his performances (Glory, Election) were anything but boyish.

In Wonderful World he plays Ben Singer, a cynic who thinks the world is against him. His nature depresses his young daughter (Jodelle Ferland), and his only friend, Ibu (Michael Kay Williams), is in the hospital. Ben's perspective gets a twist when Ibu's sister, Khadi ( Sanaa Lathan), arrives from Senegal.

"I'm older now, so things have to change," Broderick said. "I always did more of a variety of things, but some things weren't successful and weren't seen. It doesn't seem like a departure for me, but I guess it is from the types of roles I've played."

Broderick continues to balance cinema and stage.

Oct 16, 2009 from AP:
ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio – Trial dates have been set for two eastern Ohio police chiefs accused of snooping on a surrogate mother for Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.

Martins Ferry Chief Barry Carpenter and Police Chief Chad Dojack from neighboring Bridgeport are accused in an alleged scheme to take things from the Martins Ferry home of the woman who recently carried twins girls for Parker and Broderick.

On Friday, Carpenter's trial was set for Nov. 16 and Dojack's for Jan. 12 in Belmont County Common Pleas Court.

Oct 10, 2009 from Daily Press:
Funny business is the theme for the 2009 Virginia Film Festival, Nov. 5-8 in venues throughout Charlottesville.

The 22nd annual festival will offer up some 80 films and more than 100 guests during discussions.

On the festival's closing night, Matthew Broderick will premiere his new film, "Wonderful World," at 5:30 p.m. in the Culbreth Theatre.

Oct 4, 2009 from New York Daily News:
Matthew Broderick was ­voted “Least Likely to be Serious” in high school, but things have certainly changed.

“He was obsessively funny — not serious at all,” the actor’s longtime pal, director Kenneth Lonergan, confided in a discussion at the 92nd Street Y on Wednesday. “But Matthew has mellowed a bit. He has some kids. Everyone gets older and gets tired of everything.”

Sep 30, 2009 from New York Post:
According to Victoria Gotti's new book, "This Family of Mine:"

* John Gotti and Brando hung out. Matthew Broderick once approached Gotti at a restaurant to ask if the godfather would have a drink with him and Marlon Brando. Gotti declined, but sent a bottle of bubbly to the actors. When Broderick made a second plea, Gotti brought Brando to his Ravenite Social Club. "That night, the reel-life godfather came face-to-face with the real-life godfather," Victoria writes.

Sep 29, 2009 from Variety:
Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to "Wonderful World," starring Matthew Broderick. Magnolia will release the pic on VOD one month before its bow in early 2010.

Sep 25, 2009 from Playbill:
Matthew Broderick will join forces with his childhood chum Kenneth Lonergan for a production of The Starry Messenger, which will begin performances in late October. Broderick and Lonergan join host Leonard Lopate at the 92nd Street Y this Wednesday (Sep 30) to discuss the project. (8pm and 9:15pm, 92 Street Y, Lexington Ave and 92nd Street)

Sep 17, 2009 from Theater Mania:
Broadway stars Matthew Broderick, Carol Channing, Brian Stokes Mitchell, de'Adre Aziza, and Derick K. Grant have teamed with up Grammy Award winner Dan Zanes on the new Dan Zanes and Friends' children's album 76 Trombones, which will be released on November 17.

The CD will include new versions of such classic Broadway songs as "Hello, Dolly," "I Like Everybody," "I Don't Need Anything Bit You," "I Can Do That," "Before the Parade Passes By (featuring Matthew)," and "Tomorrow."