Frank Rich News

In a career that has consisted of everything from voicing Howard the Duck to originating the roles of The Baker in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical INTO THE WOODS and Marvin (and Dr. Mendel) in the FALSETTOS trilogy by William Finn, as well as some DePalma and numerous stage roles in between, Chip Zien is a character actor extraordinaire who now is trying out a new role - that of book writer - in the New York Musical Theater Festival's new musical THE HISTORY OF WAR. Last week we spoke to one of the stars of the show, Max Von Essen, and today we shine some light on the process of bringing the show to the stage as well as a look back at many of the notable film and theatre appearances that Zien has made over his nearly four decades in show business. Working with Stephen Sondheim, William Finn, Dustin Hoffman and Nicolas Cage is just the tip of the iceberg, as Zien also opens up about his unusual career and the many friendships he has built along the way. All that, and what it was like to be at the birth of a brand new Sondheim song written just for him in the form of 'No More' from INTO THE WOODS. Marvin to Mendel, Baker to book writer, Chip Zien is an authority of all the glitters and the gold of having a true collaborative breakthrough as he has had on FALSETTOS, INTO THE WOODS and, now, THE HISTORY OF WAR. Tickets are on sale at the link below! Only three performances left, tonight and tomorrow only!

Producer Daryl Roth announced today that Glenn Close will play the role of 'Dr. Emma Brookner' in the upcoming, Joel Grey-directed, 25th anniversary staged reading of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play, The Normal Heart. She joins previously announced cast members Victor Garber, Jason Butler Harner, John Benjamin Hickey, Joe Mantello, Jack McBrayer, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Patrick Wilson in the one-night-only event that will benefit The Actors Fund and Friends in Deed. The historic reading will take place at Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) on Monday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Ron Hutchinson's searing drama 'Rat in the Skull,' a mind-bending dissection of the psychology of enemies locked in an unending cycle of aggression and retribution, is being staged by Wallfly Theater Company as part of 1st Irish 2010, New York's only all-Irish theatre festival.

Theatre and TV stars are coming out to support Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS at the 24TH ANNUAL Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction to be held on Sunday, September 26 from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM in Shubert Alley (Shubert Alley & West 44th Street). BroadwayWorld.com will be there as always streaming live video throughout the day including the grand auction and more! Come say hi if you're in the area and check back here for the video!

30 Rock's Jack McBrayer, who plays Kenneth the page on the hit NBC TV show has just been cast to make his Broadway debut in the staged reading of The Normal Heart on October 18th, reports the New York Times.

Ron Hutchinson's searing drama 'Rat in the Skull,' a mind-bending dissection of the psychology of enemies locked in an unending cycle of aggression and retribution, is being staged by Wallfly Theater Company as part of 1st Irish 2010, New York's only all-Irish theatre festival.

Ron Hutchinson's searing drama 'Rat in the Skull,' a mind-bending dissection of the psychology of enemies locked in an unending cycle of aggression and retribution, is being staged by Wallfly Theater Company as part of 1st Irish 2010, New York's only all-Irish theatre festival.

This fall, some of the brightest names in film, television, theater, books, popular music, technology and culinary arts are sitting down with New York Times journalists for TimesTalks events at TheTimesCenter. Yesterday evening, September 20, TimesTalks hosted James Earl Jones, the award-winning actor in conversation with the New York Time's Patrick Healy. Jones is returning to Broadway in October in 'Driving Miss Daisy' alongside Vanessa Redgrave, and discussed his work in theater, film and TV. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the photo op and brings you coverage below!

Producer Daryl Roth announced today that the first cast members are in place for the Joel Grey-directed, 25th anniversary staged reading of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play, The Normal Heart, at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) on Monday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. Victor Garber, Jason Butler Harner, John Benjamin Hickey, Joe Mantello, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Patrick Wilson are set to star in the one-night-only event on Broadway that will benefit The Actors Fund and Friends In Deed. Additional casting news will be announced shortly. This reading comes on the heels of the sold-out, acclaimed reading of The Normal Heart at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse in September, which was also directed by Mr. Grey.

This fall, some of the brightest names in film, television, theater, books, popular music, technology and culinary arts will sit down with New York Times journalists for TimesTalks events at TheTimesCenter, 242 West 41st Street in New York City.

Ron Hutchinson's searing drama 'Rat in the Skull,' a mind-bending dissection of the psychology of enemies locked in an unending cycle of aggression and retribution, is being staged by Wallfly Theater Company as part of 1st Irish 2010, New York's only all-Irish theatre festival.

The Paper Mill Playhouse Board of Trustees (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director) is proud to announce the appointment of Todd Schmidt as Paper Mill Playhouse's Managing Director. 'Paper Mill Playhouse has truly turned a corner,' says Ken Wenger, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Signature Theatre Company will present the first New York revival of Tony Kushner's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning epic work, ANGELS IN AMERICA: A GAY FANTASIA ON NATIONAL THEMES this fall. The production will be directed by Michael Greif. New rehearsal photos have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below.

Ron Hutchinson's searing drama 'Rat in the Skull,' a mind-bending dissection of the psychology of enemies locked in an unending cycle of aggression and retribution, is being staged by Wallfly Theater Company as part of 1st Irish 2010, New York's only all-Irish theatre festival.

Today, we are reveling in last night's simply sensational presentation of the multi-Tony Award-winning Lincoln Center revival of SOUTH PACIFIC as it was broadcast on PBS stations across the country in a special LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER simulcast commemorating the final performance of the lauded revival of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical. Starring returning revival role originators Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, this stunning capture of Bartlett Sher's exquisite production is something to truly treasure and devour. I hope you set your DVRs, this was a one-shot deal - but thank Aristophanes for YouTube! You certainly do not want to miss this if you didn't catch it last night. It's a tropical Hawaiian sunset on an overcast grey, New York day. See why here. And there, soon thereafter.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director) announced today that it has been awarded the 2010 American Council of the Blind / Audio Description Project Award for Achievement in Performing Arts for their audio-description program and unwavering commitment to the blind and those with vision loss.

The New York Times has announced that theater legends Stephen Sondheim and James Earl Jones, who will be heading back to Broadway this fall in Driving Miss Daisy will be featured guests at this year's TimesTalks series.

Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) is pleased to announce casting for the first New York revival of Tony Kushner's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning epic work, ANGELS IN AMERICA: A GAY FANTASIA ON NATIONAL THEMES.

Joel Grey will direct an all-star cast in an historic, 25th anniversary staged reading of Larry Kramer's seminal drama, The Normal Heart, on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street), producer Daryl Roth announced today.

MTV.com reports that Mark Ruffalo ('The Kids Are All Right,' AWAKE AND SING!) has signed on to play 'Ned Weeks' in Larry Kramer's film adaptation of his play THE NORMAL HEART. 'Glee' creator Ryan Murphy is reported to be involved, though it is unclear whether he is producing or directing. A production schedule and release date have not yet been announced.