Quick Takes: DGA TV nods are out

The Directors Guild of America on Wednesday announced nominees in the television categories for its annual awards, recognizing the behind-the-scenes talent of shows including “Mad Men” and “Homeland” as well as familiar faces such as Lena Dunham, Louis C.K. and Bryan Cranston.

In the drama category, two “Homeland” directors picked up nominations: Michael Cuesta for the second-season finale and Lesli Linka Glatter for the episode “Q&A.;” Jennifer Getzinger was nominated for “Mad Men’s” fifth-season premiere, “A Little Kiss,” while Rian Johnson and Greg Mottola — both directors best known for their film work — earned nods for “Breaking Bad” and “The Newsroom,” respectively.

The comedy category was dominated by first-time nominees better known for their work in front of the cameras: Dunham for the “Girls” pilot, Louis C.K. for “Louie” (“New Year’s Eve”) and “Breaking Bad” actor Cranston for “Modern Family” (“Election Day”). A fourth first-timer, Mark Cendrowski, was nominated for “The Big Bang Theory” (“The Date Night Variable”). Beth McCarthy-Miller is the only previous nominee in the category, earning a nod for last year’s live episode of “30 Rock.”

HBO ruled the day in the miniseries or movie category, with Jay Roach picking up a nomination for “Game Change” and Philip Kaufman for “Hemingway & Gellhorn.” They will vie for the award with Greg Berlanti for “Political Animals,” Kevin Reynolds for “Hatfields & McCoys” and Michael Rymer for “American Horror Story: Asylum.”

—Meredith Blake

Fiona Shaw takes on role of Mary

Fiona Shaw, the versatile Irish actress who brought a searing “Medea” to Broadway in 2002, is set to return to the New York stage in a role that ought to raise eyebrows — Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Shaw is reteaming with director Deborah Warner for a new stage adaptation of novelist Colm Toibin’s “The Testament of Mary.” The one-woman drama, scheduled to open April 22 on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre, is being backed by über-producer Scott Rudin. The play is to have a limited run in New York through June 16.

“Mary” provides a speculative account of what happened to the woman following the crucifixion of Jesus.

—David Ng

Venice Biennale taps Koolhaas

Dutch starchitect Rem Koolhaas has been tapped to curate one of architecture’s most high-profile events — the Venice Architecture Biennale. Koolhaas will curate the 2014 edition of the Biennale, taking over from British architect David Chipperfield, who directed this year’s edition.

Koolhaas’ appointment was announced Tuesday by the Biennale’s board of directors. Koolhaas heads the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, one of the most prominent architecture firms in the world. The firm has worked on many famous structures, including Seattle’s Central Library and the CCTV building in Beijing.

Koolhaas received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Biennale in 2010. He was awarded the Pritzker Prize, the highest honor in architecture, in 2000.

—David Ng

Music fit for the inauguration

President Obama can expect some sweet serenades at his inauguration ceremony, with hit-makers Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor on tap to perform some of the country’s most patriotic songs.

From Hollywood to Music Row, celebrities have been a staple of Obama’s candidacy and presidency, so it was with little surprise that some of the biggest names in entertainment are helping him celebrate his Jan. 21 swearing-in.

Planners said Wednesday that Obama picked Beyoncé to sing the national anthem, Clarkson to perform “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and Taylor to sing “America the Beautiful.”

—Associated Press

Tierney to make Broadway debut

Tom Hanks is one lucky guy.

Maura Tierney — a.k.a. Dr. Abby Lockhart from NBC’s “ER” — will make her Broadway debut this spring in Nora Ephron’s final play, “Lucky Guy,” a drama about Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper columnist Mike McAlary. Tierney will play the wife of Hanks’ character, the play’s producers said on Monday.

Tierney, 47, may be new to Broadway, but the Emmy Award-nominated actress has logged many hours acting onstage. She appeared in the Wooster Group’s revival of the satire “North Atlantic” in 2010 (which played at Los Angeles’ REDCAT). In 2008, she appeared in Nicky Silver’s “Three Changes” at Playwrights Horizons off-Broadway.

On the small screen, Tierney — who successfully battled breast cancer in 2009 — is known for her roles in TV shows such as “Newsradio” and “The Good Wife.” She’s also appeared in a host of films including 1997’s “Liar Liar” with Jim Carrey; 2002’s “Insomnia” opposite Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank; and “Baby Mama,” starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler in 2008.

—Deborah Vankin