Peter LeDonne News

There are some singers that like to conserve their voices. Johnny Mathis was one of them. He would edit his social conversations to incorporate just the smallest amount of words needed to have an exchange with someone. In fact he rarely answered the phone. I don't know if that's the reason his voice is still great, but I do know that talking a lot has not impaired the vocal chords of Marilyn Maye.

Stewart F. Lane a six-time Tony award, winning producer with, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder currently running on Broadway sat down with Peter LeDonne and Jamie deRoy at Patsy's Italian Restaurant to discuss his new book "Black Broadway: African Americans on The Great White Way". Black Broadway chronicles the journey of black theatre in America, alongside a running timeline of African-American history.

Bill Boggs, who has interviewed many of the most notable personalities of our time, had to sit at the other end of the table and be interviewed by Peter LeDonne, whose 970 AM radio program is recorded at Patsy's Italian Restaurant. Boggs, a four time Emmy Award winning TV Host has interviewed cultural icons, presidents, international leaders, business tycoons, writers, athletes,movie stars and celebrity chefs. However, out of those thousands of interviews the interviewee Boggs would probably rate as one of the most interesting. Bill who is also an author an a much in demand speaker, had many tales to share with the radio audience during this lunch time interview, which could well have lasted until dinner time at Patsy's.

This week Danny Aiello will talk to Peter LeDonne about his book "I Only Know Who I Am When I Am Somebody Else". It's a memoir in which Danny details his life going from being an announcer of buses on the PA system to becoming an Oscar nominated actor.

This week Barry Weissler, who with wife Fran are one of Broadway's most successful producer teams, will be on Backstage with Peter Ledonne. Backstage is recorded in Patsy's Restaurant every Wednesday and broadcast on 970 AM Sunday from 12-1 PM.

Daryl Roth one of the most distinguished names in theatre, and who was named a Living Landmark by The New York Landmarks Conservancy a few weeks ago visited Backstage with Peter LeDonne which broadcasts from the legendary Patsy's Restaurant.

Peter LeDonne and Jamie deRoy were again broadcasting from Patsy's Restaurant and this weeks guests included Collin Kelly- Sordelet the 19 year old Montclair, NJ resident who plays Tom & Young Gideon in Sting's new Broadway musical THE LAST SHIP. Also on the program was Manny Kladitis, the founder and president of Niko Companies LTD, a group of theatrical and management Companies. After Jamie deRoy gave her run down of upcoming night life in NYC there was some serious "pillow talk" with the famous Mike Lindell the inventor of "My Pillow". Peter & Jamie were wide awake for his interview having noted they slept on a "My Pillow" the night before and were very well rested.

Joy Behar visited Backstage with Peter LeDonne to talk about the upcoming opening of her new solo play, "Me, My, Mouth and I" which is written and performed by Joy. It will have its world-premiere at the Cherry Lane Theatre. Previews begin Thursday Nov. 6 prior to an official opening which is set for Sunday, Nov. 23. The production will play a limited 7- week engagement through Dec. 21.

Backstage with Peter LeDonne broadcasts every week from the legendary Patsy's Italian Restaurant on 56th street, so why not interview the Jewish waiter Brad Zimmerman. Brad is appearing in his one man show at Stage 72 Triad Theatre and kept host Peter LeDonne and night life correspondent Jamie deRoy laughing with his steady stream of funny remarks.

Backstage with Peter LeDonne, which is now broadcasting from the legendary Patsy's Restaurant on 56th street, had Tony Award Winner lyricist and director Martin Charnin and his wife actress/singer Shelly Burch as guests on the show. Jamie deRoy was also on hand to give her suggestions for upcoming theater and cabaret events, one of which was Shelly Burch's appearing at the Metropolitan Room on Oct. 30, 31 and Dec. 4th A special treat was the appearance of owner/chef Sal Scognamillo on the program who presented the cast and crew of 970AM with loot bags containing some great Patsy's sauces. Check out the photos below!

Sheldon HarnickSheldon Harnick was in the studio with Peter LeDonne sharing many interesting stories about Fiddler On The Roof in this 50th anniversary year of the musical. Nightlife correspondent Jamie deRoy was also on had to give the listeners a heads up on all things Cabaret & Theater coming up in the next few weeks in New York City. Backstage with Peter LeDonne can be heard every Sunday on 970 AM from 12 - 1 PM. and is available on podcast.

This weeks' addition of Backstage with Peter LeDonne featured a discussion with Director Kira Simering and writer Seamus Scanlon.

Ciaran O'Reilly (Port Authority) and Charlotte Moore (A Christmas Story) two directors from the Irish Repertory Theatre were interviewed by Peter LeDonne and Jamie deRoy on Backstage with Peter LeDonne. The AM970 The Answer radio program broadcasts from Lillie's Victorian Establishment at 249 West 49th Street every Wednesday from 12-1 PM. Jamie deRoy night life correspondent once again filled in the lunch time crowd on upcoming cabaret and theatre events. Her own variety show, now in it's 23rd season will take place at Birdland on Monday September 22nd at 7 PM. This years show is an Actors Fund Benefit and features Joy Behar, Stephanie J. Block, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Chad Kimball, Byrce Pinkham and Haley Swindal.

Joe Piscopo took the stage at The Ciccone Theatre recently, and BroadwayWorld was on hand to snap some photos! As Joe Piscopo tells it, NBC in a moment of insanity replaced the original cast of Saturday Night Live (Dan Aykroyn, John Belushi, Gilda Radner etc) with Joe Piscopo and a new cast which included Eddie Murphy. After seeing Joe's act at a great venue in Paramus New Jersey named The Ciccone Theatre, I witnessed first hand the brilliance of the network's decision to put Joe in SNL in 1980.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include Keke Palmer's debut in CINDERELLA, opening night of THIS IS OUR YOUTH, 'While We're Young' at the Toronto International Film Festival, and more!

The Shapiro Sisters joined host Peter LeDonne and Jamie deRoy for Backstage with Peter Ledonne, which broadcasts live from Lillie's restaurant every Wednesday during lunch hour. Also joining Peter & Jamie on this weeks show was freelance writer Kathleen Squires. Check out a look back below!

Broadway luminaries once again enjoyed lunch and conversation with Peter LeDonne broadcasting live from Lillie's Victorian Establishment in the Theater district . This weeks guests joining Peter and Jamie deRoy were composers Marvin Laird and Joel Paley. Danny Whitman, BCEFA director of Communications & Development and Angelina Fiordellisi, Artistic Director of the Cherry Lane Theater were also joined Peter & Jamie. Laird and Paley are the creators of the hit musical 'Ruthless' which will be remounted as a benefit for Broadway Cares on September 5-22 at the Triad Theatre.

Host Peter LeDonne has taken his AM 970 radio program "Backstage With Peter LeDonne" out of the studio and into the theater district. Peter and night life correspondent Jamie deRoy are now broadcasting from Lillie's Victorian Establishment Wednesday's at 12 PM.

Paige Faure and Nancy Opel, new cast members of the Broadway show Cinderella, will visit Backstage with Peter Ledonne this Sunday on AM 970 The Answer. Long time theatrical Ad Man Peter LeDonne is now a New York radio host. Jamie deRoy, the programs night life correspondent will provide listeners with all the information they need to know about what's going on in New York City's live entertainment scene. Backstage airs every Sunday from 12 noon to 1 PM.