David Hyde Pierce News

In a year chock full of star-studded 80th birthday tributes to legendary Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, the March 15-16 gala evenings with the New York Philharmonic at New York's Lincoln Center stood tall.

So, dear readers, I know you're used to me writing about all things Seattle Theater related but I'm currently out on my pilgrimage to Mecca (as it were) visiting New York to see some of the new shows (both on and off Broadway) they have to offer.

A world premiere screening of the Sondheim: The Birthday Concert was held at the NYIT Auditorium on November 1, 2010 and attended by cast, crew and friends. The star-studded event, Sondheim! The Birthday Concert, celebrating the 80th birthday of the Broadway and film legend Stephen Sondheim with performances of his music and songs by some of the world's biggest talents, will make its debut on PBS stations across the country on November 24th, thanks to the Emmy Award-winning producer Ellen M. Krass and multiple Tony Award-winning co-producers Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley in association with Thirteen/WNET and Image Entertainment. The production, which is hosted by David Hyde Pierce, will air at 9PM ET (check local listings).

Today we are talking to the legendary Broadway and Hollywood composer best known for his work with estimable lyricist Fred Ebb on legendary shows such as CABARET, CHICAGO, THE RINK, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN and THE VISIT - as well as the classic, Oscar-winning film adaptations of those first two shows - who also composed the unofficial New York anthem 'New York, New York' and yesterday premiered his newest original musical on Broadway: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - none other than thoughtful and gentle genius John Kander. We discuss his fifty-year career writing with Fred Ebb, writing for Liza Minnelli and Kristin Chenoweth, working with directors like Bob Fosse, Hal Prince and Susan Stroman, plus his thoughts on GLEE, the future of his shows written before Ebb's passing - as well as some SCOTTSBORO BOYS talk - in this comprehensive conversation on all things razzle-dazzlingly resplendent as only Kander & Ebb can claim be. Plus, Kander dissects and discusses the writing process of five of his finest compositions! Start spreadin' the news...

Gavin Creel, William Swenson, Phillip Chaffin and Aaron Lazar will lend their voices to the new Sam Davis CD, 'Love on a Summer Afternoon.' The album is due to be released on November 2.

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, the exhilarating new Kander & Ebb musical, opened Sunday, October 31 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) and BroadwayWorld.com was there to caption the starry red carpet arrivals!

Two more casts have added their voices to Broadway's Carols for a Cure, the annual holiday music CD benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA). Promises, Promises cast members sing 'Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel,' and Joey Curatolo, who plays Paul McCartney in RAIN - A Tribute To The Beatles On Broadway, wrote and recorded an original song 'Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas.'

Reprise Theatre Company has just announced additional casting for A Party With Marty, an evening of comedy and song with Martin Short and featuring Jason Alexander.

An article by Patrick Healy for the NY Times points out that several new shows this Broadway season, including Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and La Bete, are struggling to fill their houses after receiving mixed reviews for their productions.

Jordan Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theaters, continued his multi-evening 92nd Street Y conversation series, 'Broadway Talks,' with Tony Award-winning and Emmy Award-winning actor David Hyde Pierce yesterday, October 24. Roth and Pierce discussed his current role in La Bête, among other topics, at 92nd Street Y.

92nd Street Y has announced that Jordan Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theaters, continues his multi-evening 92nd Street Y conversation series, "Broadway Talks," with Tony Award-winning and Emmy Award-winning actor David Hyde Pierce.

BroadwayWorld.com is pleased to present illustrator Ken Fallin, who brings you original illustrations of everyone's favorite theatrical stars each week. This week's feature: David Hyde Pierce, Mark Rylance and Joanna Lumley in LA BETE!

The 2010 Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Volume 12 will be available in Broadway theaters Oct. 22nd. Lovers of Broadway talent can do some early holiday shopping as well as support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) through the purchase of this 2-disc, annual CD of original and traditional holiday music from the current 2010 Broadway line-up.

Calvin Remsberg is directing a unique production of Sondheim's Into The Woods for Lucid by Proxy's tenth anniversary. His darker take on the fairy tale mash-up is being staged in a unique performance space and opens October 22, 2010.

The 2010 Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Volume 12 will be available in Broadway theaters Oct. 22nd. Lovers of Broadway talent can do some early holiday shopping as well as support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) through the purchase of this 2-disc, annual CD of original and traditional holiday music from the current 2010 Broadway line-up.

The Stella Adler Studio of Acting announced today that Tony® Award Winner Mark Rylance will perform a special benefit show, "OFF THE GRID IN MANHATTAN," on Monday, November 8th, 2010 at 7:00pm.

The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley began previews at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) on September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), opened on Broadway, October 14. This immediately follows a limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010 with opening night of July 7. Broadway Beat was on hand for the opening night party and spoke with show's stars and creative team. Click below to go inside LA Bete's opening night.

The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley began previews at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) on September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), opened last night, October 14. This immediately follows a limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010 with opening night of July 7. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening night arrivals and brings you photo coverage below.

The first major revival of David Hirson's Olivier Award-winning comedy LA BÊTE starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, and BAFTA Award winner (and star of 'Absolutely Fabulous') Joanna Lumley began previews at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) on September 23, 2010. This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage, Boeing-Boeing, The Norman Conquests), opened last night, October 14. This immediately follows a limited summer engagement at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End from June 26-September 4, 2010 with opening night of July 7.

This week I had the honor and privilege of conducting a comprehensive InDepth InterView with legendary star of stages and screens worldwide, both large and small - and winner of an Oscar and a Tony award along the way - who will be co-starring with Glenn Close in a special benefit reading of Larry Kramer's Pulitzer-prize winning AIDS crisis drama THE NORMAL HEART on Monday night, unquestionably one of the greatest dancers and performers of all time: Mr. Joel Grey! In this extensive interview we discuss his daughter Jennifer Grey and his feelings and advice to the DIRTY DANCING star on her participation in DANCING WITH THE STARS and teaching her some tricks of the trade, in addition to the first word of the upcoming Kathleen Marshall-helmed revival of ANYTHING GOES co-starring Sutton Foster coming to the Roundabout early next year as well as his thoughts on co-stars Liza Minnelli, Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel and Sutton Foster as well as working with directors like Bob Fosse, Hal Prince, Joe Mantello and Kathleen Marshall! We also discuss much, much more! It may be gray outside these Fall days but it's all Grey at BWW!