David Hyde Pierce News

'Oh, I get it. That one's Blanche and that one's Stella.' 'No, wait that one's Blanche and that one's... Maggie The cat? 'Hold on... I think they're both Blanche.' These are some of the random thoughts that whizzed through my head while trying to see through the clutter of Zakiyyah Alexander's 10 Things to Do Before I Die, a game effort but a frustratingly unfocused piece receiving a well-acted premiere production via Second Stage Theatre Uptown.

Additional performances for the 63rd Annual Tony Awards® Telecast were announced today. Dolly Parton along with the cast of 9 to 5: The Musical; Elton John with the cast of Billy Elliot, The Musical; Liza Minnelli; Stockard Channing; and the band Poison along with the cast of Rock of Ages, will be taking the stage, joining previously announced performances by this year's Tony-nominated Best Musicals and Best Musical Revivals, including: Billy Elliot, The Musical; Guys and Dolls; HAIR; Next to Normal; Pal Joey; Rock of Ages; Shrek the Musical; and West Side Story.

The Dramatists Guild of America has issued a stern statement regarding the presumed omission of the 'Best Book of a Musical' award from the Tony Award Ceremony this Sunday. The full statement from the D.G.A. President, noted Composer Stephen Schwartz, is as follows:

Laura Benanti and Brian Stokes Mitchell will host the Creative Arts portion of the 2009 Tony Awards. At 7pm, viewers will be able to login at TonyAwards.com to watch the Creative Arts categories immediately prior to the CBS Broadcast. It is not yet known which awards will fill this segment, however last year's categories included Best Orchestrations and the Design awards.

Additional performances for the 63rd Annual Tony Awards® Telecast were announced today. Dolly Parton along with the cast of 9 to 5: The Musical; Elton John with the cast of Billy Elliot, The Musical; Liza Minnelli; Stockard Channing; and the band Poison along with the cast of Rock of Ages, will be taking the stage, joining previously announced performances by this year's Tony-nominated Best Musicals and Best Musical Revivals, including: Billy Elliot, The Musical; Guys and Dolls; HAIR; Next to Normal; Pal Joey; Rock of Ages; Shrek the Musical; and West Side Story.

Once again, On 3 Productions will produce the official host & presenters gift lounge, backstage at the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday June 7th. Celebrity host Neil Patrick Harris and presenters Anne Hathaway, Jane Fonda, John Stamos, Edie Falco, Colin Hanks and many more will have an opportunity to choose from 'must-haves' in the official Lipton Gift Lounge. Some of the hot items include: an annual membership to New York Health & Racquet Club, Ultimate Ears custom molded headphones, luggage from Vera Bradley, the newest coffee/espresso maker from Nespresso and so much more.

Fidelity Investments®, in partnership with Billy Elliot the Musical, the Viertel/Frankel/Baruch/Routh Group, LeAp (Learning through an Expanded Arts Program) and Camp Broadway®, today announced that entertainment icon Queen Latifah will host the Fidelity FutureStage® 2009 Finale on Monday, June 15. The gala event will be held at Broadway's Imperial Theatre, home of the Tony-nominated production of Billy Elliot the Musical.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Friday, May 29, 2009.

BROADWAY BARKS announces celebrity participants for 11th Anniversary ADOPT-A-THON at Shubert Alley, Saturday, July 11 3:30 P.M - 6:30 P.M. With a special book signing by Bernadette Peters of hervNew York Times Bestseller,vBroadway Barks @v1 p.m.

Featured performances for the 63rd Annual Tony Awards were announced today. The Tony Awards telecast on Sunday, June 7th will feature performances by each of the Tony-nominated Best Musicals and Best Musical Revivals, including: Billy Elliot, The Musical; Guys and Dolls; Hair; Next to Normal; Pal Joey; Rock of Ages; Shrek the Musical; and West Side Story. Additionally, The Tony Awards will feature special performances from three touring shows - Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde The Musical and Mamma Mia!

David Hyde Pierce, who is currently appearing in Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway production of ACCENT ON YOUTH at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre will be a guest on the Thursday, May 28 episode of 'The View.' 'The View' airs locally between 11:00AM - 12:00PM on WABC, Channel 7.

Presenters for the 63rd Annual Antoinette Perry Tony Awards® were announced today. Presenters will not only introduce the evening's various performances, but will also present the Tony Awards to the winners in each of the 27 competitive categories. Lucie Arnaz, Kate Burton, Kristin Chenoweth, Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, Edie Falco, Will Ferrell, Carrie Fisher, Jane Fonda, Hallie Foote, James Gandolfini, Lauren Graham, Colin Hanks, Marcia Gay Harden, Nicole Kidman, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Lange, Frank Langella, Angela Lansbury, Audra McDonald, David Hyde Pierce, Piper Perabo, Oliver Platt, Susan Sarandon, Kevin Spacey, John Stamos, Chandra Wilson, and many others will take the stage in celebration of Broadway's biggest night.

On Sunday, May 17th, Broadway Impact will present a rally in support of love, peace, and marriage equality for all people. The event will be held from 5pm to 7pm and will take place at Sixth Avenue and 44th Street.

The 75th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon took place today Friday, May 15, 2009 in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square (1535 Broadway at 46th Street). The event was co-hosted by Jeremy Irons (Impressionism) and Cynthia Nixon (Distracted).

Elton John (Billy Elliot: The Musical) will receive the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award, Arthur Laurents (West Side Story) will be honored with the Julia Hansen Award for Excellence in Directing, and Angela Lansbury (Blithe Spirit) will receive the Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award. In addition, Broadway producer Herb Blodgett will receive The 75th Anniversary Leadership Award.

Raúl Esparza, Terrence McNally, Debra Monk, David Hyde Pierce, Chita Rivera, Tom Wopat, Karen Ziemba, among other Kander and Ebb alums, headlined Come to the Cabaret: A Celebration of Kander and Ebb. Directed by John Doyle with Mary-Mitchell Campbell lending her talents as music director, the May 4th star-studded evening was a benefit for The Acting Company and was held and The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45thSt.)

On Sunday, May 17th, Broadway Impact will present a rally in support of love, peace, and marriage equality for all people. The event will be held from 5pm to 7pm and will take place at Sixth Avenue and 44th Street.

'Forever Plaid,' one of Off-Broadway's most popular and critically acclaimed musicals, is making its first appearance on the big screen in the Forever Plaid 20th Anniversary Special event on Thursday, July 9th.