Barbara Zinn News

Making Books Sing (MBS), the critically acclaimed New York-based nonprofit that promotes children's literacy and social development through professional Theater Productions and arts-in-education programs, presents its second and final production of the 2012-2013 season WANDA'S MONSTER The Musical, with music & lyrics by kindie rock sensation Laurie Berkner ('The Laurie Berkner Band') and book by Barbara Zinn Krieger (THE BUTTERFLY), based on Eileen Spinelli's book 'Wanda's Monster,' from today, April 19 through May 12 at the company's new Off-Broadway home - Theater 3 (311 West 43rd Street) in Manhattan.

Making Books Sing (MBS), the critically acclaimed New York-based nonprofit that promotes children's literacy and social development through professional theater productions and arts-in-education programs, presents its second and final production of the 2012-2013 season WANDA'S MONSTER The Musical, with music & lyrics by kindie rock sensation Laurie Berkner ('The Laurie Berkner Band') and book by Barbara Zinn Krieger (THE BUTTERFLY), based on Eileen Spinelli's book 'Wanda's Monster,' from April 19 through May 12 at the company's new Off-Broadway home - Theater 3 (311 West 43rd Street) in Manhattan. Official press opening for WANDA'S MONSTER The Musical is set for April 21st.

The worlds of art and entertainment join forces to celebrate the third Making Books Sing Gala - Salute to Song.

The worlds of art and entertainment join forces to celebrate the third Making Books Sing Gala - Salute to Song.

Making Books Sing (MBS), the critically acclaimed New York-based non-profit that promotes children's literacy and social development through professional Theater Productions and arts-in-education programs will, in conjunction with The Louis Armstrong House Museum and the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College presents the world-premiere, Off-Broadway musical Louis Armstrong: JAZZ AMBASSADOR with book by Myla Churchill (MBS's "A Band of Angels") and featuring music made famous by Louis Armstong. The show is now playing Theater 3 (311 West 43rd Street) in Manhattan. Get a first look at Jeremy Giraud Abram as Louis Armstrong in the photos below!

Due to Hurricane Sandy, the preview performances (Saturday, November 3 at 3:00pm and 7:00pm and Sunday, November 4 at 3:00pm) of the new musical LOUIS ARMSTRONG: JAZZ AMBASSADOR have been canceled. The World-Premiere new musical with book by Myla Churchill (Making Books Sing's "A Band of Angels") and featuring music made famous by Louis Armstong will continue to open on schedule on Sunday, November 4 at 6:00pm at Theater 3 (311 West 43rd Street) in Manhattan, it has been announced by Making Books Sing Artistic Director, Barbara Zinn-Krieger.

Making Books Sing (MBS), the critically acclaimed New York-based non-profit that promotes children's literacy and social development through professional theater productions and arts-in-education programs will, in conjunction with The Louis Armstrong House Museum and the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College will present the world-premiere Off-Broadway musical LOUIS ARMSTRONG: JAZZ AMBASSADOR with book by Myla Churchill (MBS's "A Band of Angels") and featuring music made famous by Louis Armstong. Preview performances of LOUIS ARMSTRONG: JAZZ AMBASSADOR begin November 3rd prior to an official opening date of November 4th at Theater 3 (311 West 43rd Street) in Manhattan.

Making Books Sing (MBS), the New York-based non-profit that promotes children's literacy and social development through arts-in-education programs and professional theatre productions, will present the Off-Broadway premiere of the family musical THE BUTTERFLY - with book and lyrics by Barbara Zinn Krieger and music by Charles Greenberg - with previews beginning April 14 prior to an official press opening of April 15 at Theater 3 (311 West 43rd Street) in Manhattan. Brad Malow will direct and music direction is by Tim Rosser.

THE RAILROAD PLAYHOUSE today announced its upcoming season. After celebrating their First Anniversary in December, the RR Playhouse continues to bring high-quality productions to Newburgh, fostering new playwrights and seasoned artists. The announcement will be made at the donor appreciation party at the playhouse Saturday, February 18

This Spring, in addition to performances, the Railroad Playhouse will launch an After-School program focusing on teaching interested students character and scene study. There will also be adult scene study classes and more GLEE Summer Camp!

Making Books Sing (MBS), the New York-based non-profit dedicated to advancing children's literacy and social development through professional theatre productions and arts-in-education programs, marks its 15th season with the world premiere of the family musical SKY BOYS: The Building of the Empire State Building.

Making Books Sing (MBS), the New York-based non-profit dedicated to advancing children's literacy and social development through professional theatre productions and arts-in-education programs, marks its 15th season with the world premiere of the family musical SKY BOYS: The Building of the Empire State Building.

Making Books Sing (MBS), the New York-based non-profit dedicated to advancing children's literacy and social development through professional theatre productions and arts-in-education programs, marks its 15th season with the world premiere of the family musical SKY BOYS: The Building of the Empire State Building.

Making Books Sing (MBS), the New York-based non-profit dedicated to advancing children's literacy and social development through professional theatre productions and arts-in-education programs, marks its 15th season with the world premiere of the family musical SKY BOYS: The Building of the Empire State Building.

Now in it's 14th season - Making Books Sing, the New York-based company dedicated to turning books for young readers into musical works for the stage, will present the world premiere of the new family musical TEA WITH CHACHAJI - with Book & Lyrics by Gwynne Watkins and Music by Denver Casado, with performances set for the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College in The Bronx; BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center in Manhattan; the Goldstein Theatre at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn; and Stanford Lively Arts in Stanford, CA.

Now in it's 14th season - Making Books Sing, the New York-based company dedicated to turning books for young readers into musical works for the stage, will present the world premiere of the new family musical TEA WITH CHACHAJI - with Book & Lyrics by Gwynne Watkins and Music by Denver Casado, with performances set for the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College in The Bronx; BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center in Manhattan; the Goldstein Theatre at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn; and Stanford Lively Arts in Stanford, CA.

Now in it's 14th season - Making Books Sing, the New York-based company dedicated to turning books for young readers into musical works for the stage, will present the world premiere of the new family musical TEA WITH CHACHAJI - with Book & Lyrics by Gwynne Watkins and Music by Denver Casado, with performances set for the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College in The Bronx; BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center in Manhattan; the Goldstein Theatre at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn; and Stanford Lively Arts in Stanford, CA.

Mark Indelicato - best known as 'Justin Suarez' on ABC-TV's UGLY BETTY - will read Susanna Reich's book - Jose! Born to Dance, on Saturday, January 24th at 2:00pm as part of Making Books Sing Day at the Barnes & Noble in Greenwich Village (396 6th Avenue - at 8th Street). Additionally, following the reading, there will be a 'sneak peek' of Making Books Sing's new musical - the World-Premiere family musical JOS? LIM?N: THE MAKING OF AN ARTIST, with star Diego Rodriguez. JOS? LIM?N: THE MAKING OF AN ARTIST has Book & Lyrics by Barbara Zinn Krieger and Music by Charles Greenberg, with performances set for the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College in The Bronx; Symphony Space in Manhattan; the Goldstein Theatre at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn; and Stanford Lively Arts in Stanford, CA. Brad Malow directs, with choreography by Eric Jackson Bradley. Based on an unfinished memoir by the famed dancer and choreographer Jose Limon - JOS? LIM?N: THE MAKING OF AN ARTIST tells his story of struggle and survival through a combination of music, dance and theatre. It examines his life from his exodus with his family to the United States at age 5 during the Mexican Civil War, through his struggle to find an artistic outlet and finally to his triumph as one of the greatest male dancers/choreographers of all time. The cast for JOS? LIM?N: THE MAKING OF AN ARTIST is Diego Rodriguez in the title role, Talia Barzilay, Henry Gainza, Matt Leddy, and Angela Stellute.

Victor Garber, Kate Mulgrew, Charles Grodin, Bill Irwin, Annie Parisse, Veanne Cox and Nathan Lee Graham have joined the previously announced list of celebrity participants who will be on hand to salute the beloved actress Marian Seldes, when Ms. Seldes and the Union Square Partnership are honored at the annual Vineyard Theatre Gala on Monday, February 9 at 6 p.m. at the Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th floor).

Tony Award-winners Nathan Lane and Anika Noni Rose are set to participant in The Vineyard Theatre's star-studded tribute to Tony Award-winning actress Marian Seldes and The Union Square Partnership at the theatre's annual gala on Monday, February 9th at 6 PM at The Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th floor) in Manhattan. The Gala, which will benefit the Vineyard Theatre, one of the nation's leading theatres devoted to producing new works, will include salutations to Ms. Seldes -- who originated her role in Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play THREE TALL WOMEN in 1993 at The Vineyard -- and celebrate its theme of community spirit and neighborhood involvement by also honoring The Union Square Partnership. Nathan Lane, who will host the evening, starred opposite Ms. Seldes Off-Broadway in Terrence McNally's DEDICATION, OR THE STUFF OF DREAMS. Mr. Lane is best-known for his Tony Award-winning performances in THE PRODUCERS, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!. Anika Noni Rose, who received an Obie Award for her work in the musical ELI'S COMIN' at The Vineyard, won a Tony Award for her performance in CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, and co-starred with Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson in the film version of 'Dreamgirls,' is set to perform.