Peter LeDonne News

Paradise Square: An American Musical at Berkeley Rep opened this week. The world premiere is helmed by acclaimed director Moises Kaufman, with choreography by the legendary Bill T. Jones and a book by Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan. Music by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan, with lyrics by Nathan Tysen, and based on the songs of Stephen Foster.

Due to an overwhelming demand and two weeks of sold-out previews, Berkeley Rep has announced that the world premiere of Paradise Square: A New Musical will extend for an additional week. Originally scheduled to close on February 17, the popular show will now run through Sunday, February 24.

See new photos from Paradise Square: An American Musical. The world premiere is helmed by acclaimed director Moises Kaufman, with choreography by the legendary Bill T. Jones and a book by Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan. Music by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan, with lyrics by Nathan Tysen, and based on the songs of Stephen Foster.

In the video below go inside rehearsals for Paradise Square: An American Musical. The world premiere is helmed by acclaimed director Moises Kaufman, with choreography by the legendary Bill T. Jones and a book by Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan. Music by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan, with lyrics by Nathan Tysen, and based on the songs of Stephen Foster.

In the video below go inside rehearsals for Paradise Square: An American Musical. The world premiere is helmed by acclaimed director Moises Kaufman, with choreography by the legendary Bill T. Jones and a book by Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan. Music by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan, with lyrics by Nathan Tysen, and based on the songs of Stephen Foster.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast and creative team for Paradise Square: An American Musical. The world premiere is helmed by acclaimed director Moises Kaufman, with choreography by the legendary Bill T. Jones and a book by Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan. Music by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan, with lyrics by Nathan Tysen, and based on the songs of Stephen Foster. Paradise Square is produced by special arrangement with Garth H. Drabinsky in association with Peter LeDonne and Teatro Proscenium Limited Partnership.

Deana Martin performs this tribute show to her father Dean Martin all over the country, but last night it was something special at The Ciconne Theatre in New Jersey. The evening also honored the Scognamillo family's world famous Patsy's Italian Restaurant, the place that Frank, Dean, and families called their New York City home.

A successful advertising and marketing executive Peter LeDonne was the owner and partner of Ash/LeDonne, Inc. one of the most prominent entertainment marketing firms in the Industry. With offices in New York, Los Angeles, Boston and London, the agency represented theatre, films, personalities, record companies and major entertainment venues.

???????On Saturday evening, April 29 Steve Kalafer and Peter LeDonne, Director of Community and Cultural Affairs at Bergen Community College, will present Patsy's (If These Walls Could Sing) at the Ciccone Theatre (400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ) for one historic, and glittering night only.

???????On Thursday, March 30 at 7:30pm, Peter LeDonne, the Director of Community and Cultural Affairs at Bergen Community College (400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ) , will present, as part of the Ciccone Theatre's Distinguished Artist Series, the World Premiere of music legend LARRY KIRWAN'S highly anticipated musical voyage and masterful tribute to Ireland and its centuries of musical genius, IRELAND-A History In Song.

Margot Astrachan and The Peccadillo Theater Company will present a developmental lab presentation of FANCY, a new musical, on Thursday, March 16 at 4PM and Friday March 17 at 11AM and 3PM at The Westside Theatre, downstairs (407 West 43rd Street).

On Thursday, March 30 at 7:30pm, Peter LeDonne, the Director of Community and Cultural Affairs at Bergen Community College (400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ), will present as part of the Ciccone Theatre's Distinguished Artist Series the World Premiere of music legend Larry Kirwan's highly anticipated musical voyage and masterful tribute to Ireland and its centuries of musical genius, IRELAND-A History In Song.

Barry Kleinbort, director, composer, lyricist, and librettist shared his vast theatre knowledge with the 970am radio audience this past Sunday. Barry paid a visit to his longtime friend Jamie deRoy at Backstage with Peter LeDonne. This informative hour is available on Podcast at http://am970theanswer.com. Mr. Kleinbort is one of the select of creative people who are called upon to write special material for many cabaret and theatre performers.

This Sunday's fascinating guests on Backstage with Peter LeDonne are author Andy Prospt and producer Ken Bloom. Mr. Probst has written the recent biography of Cy Coleman titled You Fascinate Me. Ken Bloom produced the companion CD of Cy's demos for the book.  Jamie DeRoy and Peter LeDonne can be heard on 970 am Sundays and on podcast.

Frank DiLella, who usually is interviewing celebrities on NY1 joined Jamie deRoy and Peter LeDonne on radio station 970 AM this week. For a while I was wondering who was going to be interviewing whom, but  the conversation created a great radio show. Having these three theatre authorities in the same studio made for a enlivened and informative hour of talk radio as they discussed the upcoming Tony Awards. You can hear Backstage with Peter LeDonne every Sunday or on podcast.

This Sunday's guest on Backstage with Peter LeDonne was Broadway star Ben Vereen.  Talking is something Ben Vereen does a lot since the lecture circuit has become an integral part of Ben's career. He has become one of the Nation's most requested speakers among audiences of all ages. His strong sense of social consciousness has enabled him to reach out to his audiences and convey to them a deep feeling of understanding. His topics range from overcoming adversity, arts in education, Black history, motivational topics, recovery through physical and occupational therapy and the importance of continuing education - to name a few.

William Ivey Long the Tony Award winning costume designer visited the 970 AM radio studios dressed handsomely in a very traditional sport jacket shirt and tie.  He then had a spirited conversation with Peter LeDonne and Jamie deRoy about costumes, Broadway, movies, plus of all things, the spirits he serves up in his two establishments on 2nd Avenue in New York City.  In addition to his life in the theatre and his 14 Tony nominations, William is also the proprietor of Ninth Ward and Shoolbred's, both on 2nd Avenue. Besides being a genius with clothes William was an excellent conversationalist, and it was suggested that it was his other life as a saloonkeeper that made him such a great guest on Backstage with Peter LeDonne.

Charlotte St. Martin was the guest on Backstage with Peter LeDonne which is recorded live at Patsy's restaurant and broadcast Sundays on 970AM. The Broadway League is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. It has 700-plus members, which include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, general managers, and suppliers of goods and services to the commercial theatre industry in North American cities. The Broadway League, with The American Theatre Wing present the annual Tony Awards. Since her appointment, Charlotte has successfully managed various challenges affecting the industry including Labor Strikes, Economic Downturns, and Government issues. She has guided the creation of Audience Development, Educational programs and initiatives.

Essential Voices USA (EVUSA) just presented BEYOND BROADWAY: COMPOSERS GO CHORAL at the DiMenna Space for Classical Music, 450 West 37 Street (between 9th & 10th Avenues), New York City. The evening featured ensemble music and conversation with composer/lyricists who have worked closely with conductor and music director Judith Clurmanand her Essential Voices USA. Guests attending included Sheldon Harnick, Larry Hochman, Andrew Lippa, Richard Maltby, Joshua Schmidt, Stephen Schwartz, David Shire, Georgia Stitt, Jonathan Tunick, and Maury Yeston.

The growing numbers of listeners of "Backstage with Peter LeDonne" will swell because I've told my family, FB friends, and anyone I've ever met since first grade that I'll be heard on one of the segments of Peter's program this Sunday at 3pm on 970 AM. Yes, the dulcet voiced and knowledgeable Mr. LeDonne will be interviewing the Owner and Publisher of Times Square Chronicles, Suzanna Bowling and her Music/Cabaret Editor Stephen Sorokoff. I can report that the censors button came close, but not pressed during my air time. Also on the program was Broadway producer Kevin McCollum who spoke about his new musical Something Rotten and Martin I Kagan the Executive Director of Cultural Affairs at Pace University. Mr. Kagan informed the listeners about events scheduled at the school's Schimmel Center for the Performing Arts. As usual, Jamie deRoy came with her suggestions for entertainment activities in the Big Apple.