Frank DiLella News

Gingold Theatrical Group's PROJECT SHAW presents THE SHEWING-UP OF BLANCO POSNET - a cowboy comedy by George Bernard Shaw - on Monday, December 19 at 7pm at The Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South) in Manhattan.

On Friday, November 4th, The American Songbook Project held its annual signature event, their 'Name That Tune' benefit at the historic Hudson Theater in New York. Their mission is to preserve the American Songbook by bringing professional singers in the NYC schools. This year they honored Broadway composer Jerry Herman and Guild Hall (East Hampton), both of whom celebrated their 80th birthdays this year. Liz Smith emceed the Jerry Herman tribute and her passionate, loving remarks about her friend included 'It is said by show biz insiders that Jerry is so universal the you just hear a song of his once and you can hum it or sing it. And you probably can't stop. That is pretty damned great. He is universal in the musical theater, the songsmith of modern American life.' Mr. Herman's tribute included performances by James Darrah recreating his role of Ambrose Kemper from the last Carol Channing revival of Hello Dolly singing 'It Only Takes a Moment;' Meredith Patterson and Jeffry Denman performing 'Tap Your Troubles Away' from Mack and Mabel; and Andrea McArdle singing 'If He Walked into My Life Today' from Mame accompanied movingly by nine-year old Kyrian Friedenberg on trumpet.

The stars of SILENCE! The Musical, Brent Barrett and Jenn Harris, along with bookwriter Hunter Bell, will be featured on this week's NY1 'On Stage' airing Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17 at 9:30 AM & 7:30 PM; Monday, July 18 at 9:30 PM and Tuesday, July 19 at 12:30 AM. NY1's Frank DiLella filmed the interviews earlier this week on the stage at Theatre 80.

Variety is reporting that due to a logistical decision to move the Tony Awards red carpet across the street from the Beacon theatre, and the hiring of a non-union crew to do so, the Local One union (who will work on the rest of the Awards) is threatening to protest and picket the red carpet. It's being speculated on by the trade paper that a Local One picket could result in Actors Equity members not walking the red carpet for the awards show.

The 65th Annual Tony Awards will be simulcast live to Times Square on Sunday, June 12th. The Tony Awards, in partnership with the Times Square Alliance and Clear Channel Spectacolor, in addition to simulcast co-sponsors, Daktronics Inc., Cohen & Perfetto LLP and the Broadway Association, will air the Tony Awards Red Carpet courtesy of NY1 and the entirety of the Tony Awards show, including the Creative Arts Awards, on Clear Channel's SpectacolorHD screen in Times Square on Sunday, June 12th, from 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Last night, Broadway's brightest came together for an evening of cabaret in celebration of Rosie's Theater Kids at the Maravel Arts Center (also known as the RTKids facility), hosted by NY1's Theater Reporter: Frank DiLella

Broadway favorite Tituss Burgess becomes a fan favorite not just for his uniquely high tenor notes but now for his comic chops on NBC's 30 Rock. Having previously wowed Broadway audiences with his vocal prowess in Jersey Boys, The Little Mermaid, and Guys and Dolls, Burgess makes his TV role debut as recurring character D'Fwan, a member of Angie Jordan's (played by Sherri Shepherd) reality show.

Rosie's Theater Kids will feature an evening with Broadway's brightest, including: Stephanie Gibson Chase (Addams Family), Katie Rose-Clarke (Wicked), Jeffry & Erin Denman (Yank! & 42nd Street), Victoria Matlock (Million Dollar Quartet), Aleks Pevec (Catch Me If You Can), Jason Michael Snow (The Book of Mormon), and Willis White (In The Heights) and more.

The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps (LGBAC) Symphonic Band will welcome New York Pops Music Director Steven Reineke to the podium during its Spring 2011 concert, Once Upon a Musical Time, to conduct the world premiere of his new piece for concert band. The band will perform this concert, the second in its 31st concert season, on Sat., April 30, 2011 at 8 p.m. in Peter Norton Symphony Space, located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street.

Gingold Theatrical Group -- which made history as the first company ever to present every play (including full-length works, one-acts and sketches) written by George Bernard Shaw -- continuedits fifth year of PROJECT SHAW with George Bernard Shaw's beloved classic ANDROCLES AND THE LION, starring a cast of New York theater journalists -- on January 24 at The Players Club. David Staller produced and directed. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you photo coverage below.

For the first time since Christopher Tierney was inured, Julie Taymor, Director of SPIDER-MAN : TURN OFF THE DARK gave an interview to NY1's Frank DiLella. In an attempt to clear her name from any fault, Taymor said, 'It's physical theater. Someone said it was action theater. And it's a terrible thing to happen but I don't think you can point to someone who actually didn't do the thing and say that they're at fault. We all know what we're doing in here and all of the safety issues have been covered -- and that one there was a mistake on -- and hopefully it could never happen again.' Taymor claims that Tierney will do 'something on stage on opening night.' The opening date for the musical has been delayed once again to March 15.

Daniel Reichard, original star of Broadway's "Jersey Boys" and the recent New York City Opera revival of "Candide", returned to the New York stage on December 10th at 9 P.M. at the Triad Theater for his annual Christmas concert.

Brooke Shields and John McDaniel have just agreed to support the American Songbook Project's "Name That Tune" Costume party gala at the Edison Ballroom next Saturday November 6.

The Time Out New York Lounge, in association with New World Stages and 21st Century Life, moves on to Week Three of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DRAG! This sassy elimination competition spanning six Wednesdays will feature themed performances, ruthlessly scrutinized by a rotating panel of celebrity judges, at the Time Out New York Lounge at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street (between Eighth & Ninth Avenues).

Brooke Shields and John McDaniel have just agreed to support the American Songbook Project's "Name That Tune" Costume party gala at the Edison Ballroom next Saturday November 6.

The Time Out New York Lounge, in association with New World Stages and 21st Century Life, moves on to Week Two of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DRAG!

The Time Out New York Lounge, in association with New World Stages and 21st Century Life, moves on to Week Two of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DRAG!

Tony Award(r) winning director and choreographer Matthew Bourne will be featured on the NY-1 News weekly television entertainment program 'On Stage' throughout the weekend.