Michael Riedel News

Spotted at Cafe Edison:  Hillary Clinton and Cubby Bernstein in serious conversation huddled over bowls of motzah ball soup.  As Leo Frank sang, this is not over yet.

This week, 'Theater Talk' welcomes journalist and playwright George Packer, who discusses his critically acclaimed Iraq drama 'Betrayed.'

Nation's Theater-Lovers Can Turn to PBS Stations or the Web for Wealth of Broadway Insiders' Opinions Beginning June 11.

Tyne Daly and John Cullum join Project Shaw readings.

There's a dynamo taking over this Tony season, and No, I'm not talking about Patti Lupone's Mama Rose, I'm talking about that most influential of theatre folk, teenage Tony Campaign manager Cubby Bernstein! Every Tony season he turns his considerable might towards the show he believes he can lead to Tony victory, did I mention he has 63 wins to his name? So with Xanadu as his chosen production the tiny titan of Tony 2008 has come out of the shadows, or at least pulled himself away long enough from the Go Diego Go aisle at Toy 'R' Us to answer a few questions for us here at BroadwayWorld.com.

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jon Steingart and Jenny Wiener Steingart, Executive Producers) presents TONY TALK 2008, moderated by New York Post columnist Michael Riedel with special guests from the theatrical community. Ars Nova's TONY TALK 2008 will take place on Sunday, June 8 at 6:00 PM at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street). All tickets are $10.

ony Award winner Donna McKechnie and noted theatre columnist Michael Riedel joined two-time Tony Award winner Donna Murphy in the eagerly anticipated benefit performance of PAMELA'S FIRST MUSICAL, a new musical with music by Tony Award winner Cy Coleman, lyrics by Tony Award winner David Zippel, book by Tony & Pulitzer Award winner Wendy Wasserstein and directed by Tony Award nominee Graciela Daniele. In addition, Lila Coogan has been cast in the role of 'Pamela.' Coogan is currently appearing as 'Jane Banks' in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins. The all-star cast also includes Lynn Ahrens, Christian Borle, Carolee Carmello, Sandy Duncan, Gregg Edelman, Christine Ebersole, Stephen Flaherty, Kathie Lee Gifford, Adam Heller, Richard Kind, Robert Klein, Tommy Tune and many others. Special guest David Garrison made appearance as Producer Bernie S. Gerry. The special concert of PAMELA'S FIRST MUSICAL was held on Sunday, May 18 at 3 PM at Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street) with a reception at Sardi's immediately following. Proceeds will benefit BC/EFA and Theatre Development Fund's Open Doors Program, which Wasserstein founded. This delightful one-act musical, based on Wasserstein's 1996 children's book, tells the story of a young girl from the suburbs who spends an unforgettable birthday with her eccentric, sophisticated Aunt Louise (Murphy) attending a lavish Broadway production and meeting all the glamorous, creative people who made it possible. BROADWAY CARES/ EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund raising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American theater community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since it's founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $140 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV and other related illnesses. For more information please visit www.broadwaycares.org

Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie and noted theatre columnist Michael Riedel joined two-time Tony Award winner Donna Murphy in the eagerly anticipated benefit performance of PAMELA'S FIRST MUSICAL, a new musical with music by Tony Award winner Cy Coleman, lyrics by Tony Award winner David Zippel, book by Tony & Pulitzer Award winner Wendy Wasserstein and directed by Tony Award® nominee Graciela Daniele.

On Thursday, May 1st 2008 The Friars Club hosted their celebrity luncheon in honor of Len Cariou. Len is best known as the Tony-award winner for his performance in 'Sweeney Todd'.

'What's My Line? Live on Stage' updates panel lineups announced following extension through May 26th.

PROJECT SHAW, now in its third of four years, continues tackling every play Shaw ever wrote with its 27th presentation. This month, The Devil's Disciple, on Monday, May 19, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South. David Staller is producer and director

On April 28th the Second Annual Broadway Beauty Pageant (formerly titled Mr. Broadway) was held at New World Stages. The winner was Marty Thomas (Mr. Xanadu).

Marty Thomas, Mr. Xanadu, was crowned as winner of the 2nd Annual Broadway Beauty Pageant held Monday evening at New World Stages. Daniel Robinson (Mr. Hairspray) was named runner up.

Marty Thomas, Mr. Xanadu, was crowned as winner of the 2nd Annual Broadway Beauty Pageant held Monday evening at New World Stages.

John Waters to be the guest on April 25th 'Theater Talk' on PBS Thirteen.

BroadwayWorld is pleased to bring you this special recording of Cy Coleman and Lillias White singing 'It Started With A Dream' from 'Pamela's First Musical' which Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS will be presenting a benefit performance at Town Hall on May 18th at 3pm.

Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS is pleased to announce that Tony Awardâ winner Donna McKechnie and noted theatre columnist Michael Riedel will join the previously announced two-time Tony Awardâ winner Donna Murphy in the eagerly anticipated benefit performance of PAMELA'S FIRST MUSICAL, a new musical with music by Tony Award® winner Cy Coleman, lyrics by Tony Award® winner David Zippel, book by Tony® & Pulitzer Award winner Wendy Wasserstein and directed by Tony Award® nominee Graciela Daniele.

van Straaten Entertainment, inc. is pleased to announce the extension of What's My Line? - Live On Stage through May 26th. The show is a live, non-broadcast stage presentation of the popular game show that ran on American television for over 25 years.

This morning, April 18th, 2008 Michael Riedel reported on the resignation of Tony Phillips from the Drama Desk Committee. Phillips is a national arts correspondent for the gay-themed Edge Publications. Phillips wrote a stinging letter to the committee bashing chairwoman Barbara Siegel as an 'imminent danger to the integrity of the organization'. Riedel goes on state that Phillips claims he has 'watched with growing alarm as Siegel steered this organization away from its mission statement into some wan, doddering, second-rate mock of the Tony Awards.' William Wolf, the Drama Desk responded today with the following letter