Peter Filichia News

The Theatre World Awards has announced the roster of presenters for the 70th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony that include DeAdre Aziza, Dylan Baker, Len Cariou, Tovah Feldshuh, Trent Kowalik, Jefferson Mays, John McMartin, and Zachary Quinto, with special performances by Mr. Cariou and Rob McClure, Monday evening, June 2, 2014 beginning at 7:45 p.m. at Circle in the Square (West 50th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue), home of the current Broadway revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.

The Theatre World Awards has announced the roster of presenters for the 70th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony that include DeAdre Aziza, Dylan Baker, Len Cariou, Tovah Feldshuh, Trent Kowalik, Jefferson Mays, John McMartin, and Zachary Quinto, with special performances by Mr. Cariou and Rob McClure, Monday evening, June 2, 2014 beginning at 7:45 p.m. at Circle in the Square (West 50th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue), home of the current Broadway revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.

Horse Trade Theater Group and StrangeDog Theatre will present the New York Premiere of ENCHANTED ARMS written by Ben Clawson, Stacie Lents, Joseph Palestina, and John Wooten, today, May 15-31 at UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1st Avenue and Avenue A).

The 2014 Honorees for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance, the 6th Annual Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theater for an Outstanding Performance in a Broadway or Off-Broadway Production, and the John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, were announced today by the Theatre World. The winners will be celebrated at the 70th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony set Monday evening, June 2, 2014 beginning at 6:45 p.m. at Circle in the Square (West 50th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue), home of the current Broadway revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.

Earlier this year, they invited audiences to travel down memory lane with the charming release of two television soundtracks featuring Robert Goulet, KISS ME, KATE (1968) and BRIGADOON (1966). With this special release, these delightful but rare albums are now getting a chance to be heard and appreciated by a new and wider audience.

Is network news appointment television for you? I didn't think so. Are you constantly angered that ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT only talks about theatre when a Hollywood star joins a cast or someone falls 30 feet to the stage floor? Me too. Well, I have an alternative that just might satisfy your news and theatre cravings; podcasting. Isn't that just what hipsters do between their shift at Starbucks and another trip to the thrift shop? Well, yes and no. I'm sure there is a barista in Portland who is currently recording a missive bemoaning mass media's attempt to co-opt the indie subculture, but most people who do podcasts well are incredibly informed and passionate about their specific topics.

Creating Musical Theatre features interviews with the directors and choreographers that make up today's Broadway elite. From Susan Stroman and Kathleen Marshall to Andy Blankenbuehler and Christopher Gattelli, this book features twelve creative artists, mostly director/choreographers, many of whom have also crossed over into film and television, opera and ballet. Here's what Broadway veterans are saying:

Horse Trade Theater Group and StrangeDog Theatre will present the New York Premiere of ENCHANTED ARMS written by Ben Clawson, Stacie Lents, Joseph Palestina, and John Wooten, May 15-31 at UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1st Avenue and Avenue A). This evening of new plays is conceived by Ben Clawson (The High Water Mark, Luna Stage) and directed by Artem Yatsuov (Basic Help, Sell Out Award Winner, FRIGID NYC 2014) with choreography by Annalisa Ledson (NACHMO 4 NYC). Featuring: Tony K Knotts (Master Harold…and the Boys!, Luna Stage), Michelle Lupo, Tracy Shar, Annalisa Ledson, Gary Martins, Shannon Sullivan, Seth Michael, Lee Ann Hoover, and David Hoffman. The creative team will include Lighting and Sound Design by Harrison J. Adams, Original Art Work by Sara Sciarrabbarasi, and Press Photography by Anthony Gusevich. The production will be Stage Managed by Rachael Tucker.

Urban Stages Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director and producer Peter Napolitano, announced the final week of the World Premiere engagement of Character Man. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street). This limited run will continue through April 6th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan. The Final Post-Show Talk will take place on Wednesday, April 2nd with Special Guest Karen Mason (Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard, Hairspray), moderated by Peter Filichia.

The Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) The Rosetta LeNoire Musical Theatre Academy will present 9 to 5: The Musical, based on the 1980 20th Century Fox film and originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt. Directed by Christopher Scott with choreography by Monica Johnson and musical direction by Trevor Bachman, the production will feature 26 members of "The Teen Academy." Performances will begin on Friday, May 2, 2014 (and continue through May 11) at The Theatre at the 14th Street Y (344 East 14th Street - between 1st & 2nd Aves). Tickets are $20 (adults) and $17 (students & seniors) and can be purchased by calling Ovation Tix at (212) 352-3101 or by visiting https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/932779. For more information please call (212) 563-2565 or visit amasmusical.org.

Urban Stages Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director and producer Peter Napolitano present the World Premiere of Character Man. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir now at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street), with opening night set for Today March 5th. This limited run will continue through March 30th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan.

Urban Stages Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director and producer Peter Napolitano present the World Premiere of Character Man. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir now at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street), with opening night set for Wednesday March 5th. This limited run will continue through March 30th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan.

Theater publicist Leslie Bader Papa has been added to the Drama Desk panel discussion, 'You Gotta Have A Gimmick ...•Or A Star!' on Monday, Feb. 10, at 6 PM at Stage 72/Triad, 158 W . 72nd St., in Manhattan, it was announced by Randie Levine-Miller, who will moderate the lively discussion focusing on the effort and skills it takes to promote a show, both Broadway and Off-Broadway.

The 'MIZ Kids' have been announced for Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed new production of Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schonberg's Tony Award-winning musical masterpiece LES MISERABLES, which returns to Broadway beginning Saturday, March 1 at the Imperial Theatre. The official opening night isSunday, March 23.

Peter Filichia, theater critic emeritus for the Star-Ledger newspaper in Newark and "News 12 New Jersey" will join theater publicists Joshua Ellis and Susan Schulman as panelists at the Drama Desk's first Panel Discussion of 2014 -- entitled "You Gotta Have A Gimmick….Or A Star!" - on Monday, Feb. 10, at 6 PM at Stage 72/Triad, 158 W. 72nd St., in Manhattan. Recommended arrival for the panel is at 5:30 PM ; the discussion will be held from 6-7:15 PM. A cash bar will be available. Tickets may be ordered online at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/931127 or by calling (212) 352-3101. Tickets are $20 online and at the door. Randie Levine-Miller will moderate the panel discussion about the effort and skills it takes to promote a show, both Broadway and Off-Broadway.

Actor Dan Lauria, in conversation with Peter Filichia, theater critic emeritus at the Star-Ledger, will discuss his career and The Godfather Tales, a collection of children's stories he created for his godson, Julian, at a special event tonight, Dec. 16, 2013 at Society of Illustrators, 128 East 63rd St.

Additional casting was announced today for Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed new production of Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schonberg's Tony Award-winning musical masterpiece LES MISERABLES, which returns to Broadway beginning Saturday, March 1 at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). The official opening night for LES MISERABLES is Sunday, March 23.

You loved him as the father on TV's "The Wonder Years." Now meet him in a new role: The Godfather.

It has been 20 years since Andew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton's SUNSET BOULEVARD made its West End premiere. Fast forward to 2013, and South Africa finally has a production of SUNSET BOULEVARD to call its own.