Karen Ziemba News

Penguin Rep Theatre (Joe Brancato, Artistic Director, and Andrew M. Horn, Executive Director) and Edmund Gaynes, in association with Don and Lizanne Mitchell, will present The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, a musical by Angelo Parra, conceived and directed by Joe Brancato.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's new feature, '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!

Penguin Rep Theatre (Joe Brancato, Artistic Director, and Andrew M. Horn, Executive Director) and Edmund Gaynes, in association with Don and Lizanne Mitchell, will present The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, a musical by Angelo Parra, conceived and directed by Joe Brancato.

The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, hosted by Bebe Neuwirth and Lee Roy Reams at the magnificent Skirball Center for The Performing Arts at NYU once again honored excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. Susan Stroman took top honors for Best Choreographer on Broadway in a field of nine nominees for her stunning work in 'The Scottsboro Boys'. It was a record breaking 5th Astaire Award for the 5 time Tony Award and 5 time Drama Desk winner. Two time Tony Award Winner Bebe Neuwirth presented the award to Ms. Stroman. Sutton Foster star of 'Anything Goes' took home her second Astaire for Best Female Dancer on Broadway for her rousing performance as 'Reno Sweeney'. Her first Astaire was for 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'. Desmond Richardson, Tony nominee for 'Fosse' and co-founder and co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet presented the award to Ms. Sutton. First timer Norbert Leo Butz star of 'Catch Me if You Can' took the prize for Best Male Dancer on Broadway presented by Tony and Drama Desk winner Karen Ziemba . Australia's Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon won the Astaire for Excellence in Choreography in Film for their breathtaking dances in 'Mao's Last Dancer' presented by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin. Legendary dancer, choreographer, teacher and founder of the National Dance Institute Jacques d'Amboise received the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award named for the late drama critic and co-founder of the Award with Fred Astaire. Following a major tribute in dance including a brilliant performance by NYCB's Russell Janzen of a piece from the ballet 'Who Cares' created by George Balanchine and first danced by d'Amboise; an exuberant performance of 'Shall We Dance' by d'Amboise's students at the National Dance Institute and praiseful introductions by Len Cariou, Charlotte & Christopher d'Amboise, Brian Stokes Mitchell presented the award to Mr. d'Amboise.

Yesterday, May 15, the 2011 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards were held at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU. The Fred & Adele Astaire Awards afe the only awards to recognize excellence in dance & choreography on Broadway and in film. On hand to celebrate were some of Broadway and film's greatest talents including Daniel Radcliffe, Benjamin Millepied, Sutton Foster, Christie Brinkley, Bebe Neuwirth, Lee Roy Reams, Ava Astaire, Norbert Leo Butz, Aaron Tveit, Len Cariou, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Bill Irwin, Maurice Hines, Christine Andreas, Karen Ziemba, Nick Adams, Kathleen Marshall, Desmond Richardson, Young Dancers from the National Dance Institute, Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Jacques d'Amboise and more.

Oh April 10, MSG Productions presented the Manhattan mainstay, "Jim Caruso's Cast Party" at the Mayne Stage in Chicago.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, May 8, 2011 - Sunday, May 8, 2011.

Patricia Watt, Executive Producer of the 2011 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, has announced the first group of Presenters for the 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, In addition to Len Cariou and Brian Stokes Mitchell who will co-present the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary, dancer, choreographer, teacher and star of stage, film and television Jacques D'Amboise, additional presenters include Bill Irwin, Maurice Hines, Christine Andreas, Charlotte D'amboise, Christopher D'amboise and Karen Ziemba.

Renowned investigative theatre company The Civilians celebrates its 10th season of creating new work with BENEFIT X - an evening of stage and screen stars performing the songs of Michael Friedman (BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON) - set for Monday, May 2, beginning at 7:00pm at one of New York City's hottest new cultural venues, Le Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker Street). Steven Cosson, Artistic Director of The Civilians, directs.

Once upon a time, right here in New York City, storied clubs - swanky hotel supper clubs, zebra-striped celebrity showcases, smoky after-hour boîtes - ruled the night. Places like The Stork Club, Copacabana, Persian Room and Latin Quarter (run by Lou Walters, father of Barbara ) were meccas where songwriters, singers and society mingled and fueled American popular music. Author and Lyrics & LyricistsTM series artistic director Deborah Grace Winer takes the helm as artistic director/writer/host for The Crowd's at El Morocco: The Heyday of the New York Nightclubs, on April 30 and May 1, 2. Joining her are vocalists Debby Boone, La Tanya Hall, James Naughton, Billy Stritch and Karen Ziemba.

The Fred and Adele Astaire Awards will once again recognize excellence in dance on both stage and film. This year's Awards gala will take place May 15,2011 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at New York University, 566 LaGuardia Place) New York City 10019.

Once upon a time, right here in New York City, storied clubs - swanky hotel supper clubs, zebra-striped celebrity showcases, smoky after-hour boîtes - ruled the night. Places like The Stork Club, Copacabana, Persian Room and Latin Quarter (run by Lou Walters, father of Barbara ) were meccas where songwriters, singers and society mingled and fueled American popular music. Author and Lyrics & LyricistsTM series artistic director Deborah Grace Winer takes the helm as artistic director/writer/host for The Crowd's at El Morocco: The Heyday of the New York Nightclubs, on April 30 and May 1, 2. Joining her are vocalists Debby Boone, La Tanya Hall, James Naughton, Billy Stritch and Karen Ziemba.

Renowned investigative theatre company The Civilians celebrates its 10th season of creating new work with BENEFIT X - an evening of stage and screen stars performing the songs of Michael Friedman (BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON) - set for Monday, May 2, beginning at 7:00pm at one of New York City's hottest new cultural venues, Le Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker Street). Steven Cosson, Artistic Director of The Civilians, directs.

This was a busy weekend for award-winnig composer/lyricist/playwright/pianist/author Andrew Gerle as he celebrated not one, but two new books.

Ava Astaire and Patricia Watt have announced the nominating committee for the 2011 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, the only awards that recognize excellence in dance on Broadway and in film.

Atlantic Theater Company presented Can You Spare a Dime?, a Gala Celebration last night Monday, March 7, 2011 at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you photo coverage below.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents its annual 2011 Spring Gala honoring Emmy Award winner Alec Baldwin.

The Tony Award-winning stars Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane were joined by a host of special guests when they served as Masters of Ceremonies for the Vineyard Theatre Gala honoring the five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman at the company's annual benefit last night, February 28 at 6:00pm at the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the evening!

The Tony Award-winning stars Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane were joined by a host of special guests when they served as Masters of Ceremonies for the Vineyard Theatre Gala honoring the five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman at the company's annual benefit last night, February 28 at 6:00pm at the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the evening!

The Tony Award-winning stars Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane were joined by a host of special guests when they served as Masters of Ceremonies for the Vineyard Theatre Gala honoring the five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman at the company's annual benefit last night, February 28 at 6:00pm at the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel. Broadwayworld was on hand for the evening and brings you photo coverage of the starry arrivals below.