Peter James Zielinski News

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!

Talk Show Listings For Today, October 29

Haven't you ever wished that you could go back in time and tell yourself something? You could just avoid disaster by saying to yourself "Don't forget your wallet on the store counter" or something less serious, like "Check your teeth for broccoli before the blind date." What if you could even visit your past self and reflect on a weird, crazy time in your life? Well, this is real life, you idiot. You can't. But in The Other Josh Cohen, Josh can and does just that in this new musical adventure by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen at the SoHo Playhouse.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) (Jed Bernstein, Producing Director) has announced a Halloween Festival today, October 27th beginning at 1:30 p.m. in front of the Bucks County Playhouse (70 South Main Street) followed immediately by a screening of the classic MGM movie: The Wizard of Oz, with an audience Sing-A-Long at 3:00 p.m.

Talk Show Listings For Monday, October 29

For one night only, twenty of New York's most fabulous musicians and singers will join together to present I'm Your Man, a concert event celebrating the music of George Michael. Join Tony Award-­?nominated Broadway veteran Sherie Rene Scott (Everyday Rapture, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Little Mermaid) and Tyley Ross & AnnMarie Milazzo (GRAMMY Award-­? nominated East Village Opera Company) as they perform the iconic music of George Michael as you've never heard it before.

New York Theatre Barn will host An Intimate Musical Evening with NYTB, a benefit celebration of its first 5 years incubating the next generation of musical theatre writers and a launch party for its future, on Thursday, October 25, 2012.

Talk Show Listings For Tuesday, October 23

Blackfilm.com reports that two-time Emmy winner and Broadway actor Kevin Mambo (‘Fela!) has joined the cast of the upcoming Nina Simone biopic, NINA.

Talk Show Listings For Tuesday, October 23

Ford's Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault and Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer today announced that Tony-nominated actress Nancy Opel (Broadway's "Memphis," "Urinetown," "Teddy & Alice," "Sunday in the Park with George," "Anything Goes," others) and Edward Gero ("King Lear" with Stacey Keach for Goodman and Shakespeare Theatre Company; Ford's "A Christmas Carol"; Goodman and Arena Stage's "Red") will star in the spring production of "Hello, Dolly!" at Ford's Theatre (511 10th Street NW). The production will be directed by Schaeffer and co-produced by Ford's Theatre and Virginia's Tony-winning Signature Theatre. The production will play from March 15 through May 18, 2013. Additional casting will be announced in early 2013.

Neil Diamond is set to receive the 'Legend of Live' Award at the 2012 Billboard Touring Awards on Nov. 8, Billboard Announced today.

Called 'the season's most dazzling talent show,' Gypsy of the Year is easily the biggest party in town with appearances by dozens of Broadway and Off-Broadway's most popular shows and performers. According to BC/EFA's website, the 2012 competition will take place Monday, December 3 (4:30 pm) and Tuesday, December 4 (2 pm) at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street).

Ted Seifman Productions will present the industry reading of Damage Control, a new comedy by Douglas Braverman (author of Dalliance in Vienna and Snowman) and starring Jackie Hoffman, Nancy Opel, Stephen Buntrock, and Jeffrey Schecter, today, October 15th, 1:30pm, at The Theatre at Sofia's, 221 West 46th Street, New York City. The production will be directed by Mark Waldrop.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today that Tony nominee Nancy Opel and Tony winner and NAMT alum Joe DiPietro (O. Henry's Lovers '98) will host the NAMT Songwriters Showcase as part of the 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Friday, October 12 from 1:20-2:30pm at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) announced complete casting today for the world premiere of THE TWENTY-SEVENTH MAN by Nathan Englander. Directed by Barry Edelstein, THE TWENTY-SEVENTH MAN begins previews on Wednesday, November 7 in The Public's Martinson Theater and will run through Sunday, December 9. The official press opening, originally scheduled for Monday, November 19, will now take place on Sunday, November 18. Single tickets, beginning at $75, are on sale now. The complete cast of THE TWENTY-SEVENTH MAN features Happy Anderson (Guard), Byron Jennings (The Agent in Charge), Daniel Oreskes (Moishe Bretzky), Ron Rifkin (Yevgeny Zunser), Noah Robbins (Pinchas Pelovits), and Chip Zien (Vasily Korinsky).

Deadline reports that stage vet Marcy Harriell has joined the cast of the Showtime comedy series NURSE JACKIE in a recurring story arc. She will join recently announced new cast member Morris Chestnut on the series.

THE NEW BLACK FEST, a festival of theater, music and discussion from the African Diaspora will launch its 3rd season in October at various locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. With support from TimeWarner and a partnership with 651 ARTS, the Festival will take place today, October 8 - 13 at various locations, including the National Black Theatre, Mark Morris Dance Center, the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center. All of the events are Free and open to the public.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) (Jed Bernstein, Producing Director) has announced a Halloween Festival on Saturday, October 27th beginning at 1:30 p.m. in front of the Bucks County Playhouse (70 South Main Street) followed immediately by a screening of the classic MGM movie: The Wizard of Oz, with an audience Sing-A-Long at 3:00 p.m.

Ted Seifman Productions will present the industry reading of Damage Control, a new comedy by Douglas Braverman (author of Dalliance in Vienna and Snowman) and starring Jackie Hoffman, Nancy Opel, Stephen Buntrock, and Jeffrey Schecter, on Monday, October 15th, 1:30pm, at The Theatre at Sofia's, 221 West 46th Street, New York City. The production will be directed by Mark Waldrop.