Peter James Zielinski News

The Obie and Drama Desk award-winning theater company Transport Group held its annual gala this year on Monday December 8th, honoring Tony Award-winning director John Doyle and Shubert Organizaion legend Betty Jacobs. BroadwayWorld.com sent our cameras to join in on the eventful night of starry celebration.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Tuesday, December 9, 2008.

On Saturday, December 13, 2008, from 9:15am till 11:45am, StudentsLive and In The Heights will co-produce a pre-show educational and entertaining workshop involving 400 audience members at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Marc Shaiman's PROP 8-THE MUSICAL,a new music video satirizing the controversial ballot proposition that amended the California state Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman has hit the internet! The video has been all the rage on the internet, now take a look behind the scenes with the 'making of...' on FunnyOrDie.com.

The Olivier Award-winning SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW On Broadway officially began its Broadway run last night, Sunday December 7th at the Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44th Street). BroadwayWorld sent in our cameras to catch the 'snowy' celebration!

The Broadway company of the Tony Award-winning musical Hairspray, and its star, Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, have passed the $2,000,000 mark in total dollars they have raised for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization.

According to her official website, Idina Menzel will be performing at the Tilles Center in Greenvale, NY (Long Island) on March 28, 2009.

Dust, a new thriller starring Emmy Award nominee Richard Masur (Democracy, 'All My Children') and Tony Award nominee Hunter Foster (Urinetown, Little Shop of Horrors), began performances at The Westside Theatre (downstairs) on November 18th. Written by Billy Goda and directed by Scott Zigler, Dust also features Laura E. Campbell, Curtis McClarin and John Schiappa. The production celebrated opening night on Thursday, December 4th. BroadwayWorld.com's camera's caught all the fun from the curtain call to the after party of the new Off-Broadway drama.

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell S. Bernard, Trustee) in association with the Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) have awarded Adam Gwon the fourth annual Fred Ebb Award. The invitation only award presentation and cocktail reception took place on Monday, December 1, 2008 at The American Airlines Theatre's Penthouse Lobby (227 West 42nd Street).

Theatre Under The Stars announced today that LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL begins performances at The Hobby Center for Performing Arts in downtown Houston, February 10 - 22, 2009!

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts selected the individuals who will receive the Kennedy Center Honors of 2008. Recipients to be honored at the 31st annual national celebration of the arts are: actor Morgan Freeman, singer George Jones, actress and singer Barbra Streisand, choreographer Twyla Tharp, and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who. They were given personal kudos by some of their talented peers in Variety.

Tony Award nominated actor Keith Carradine (The Will Rogers Follies, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, 'Nashville,' 'Dexter') returns to the New York stage in the New York premiere of Anthony Horowitz's acclaimed thriller, MINDGAME.

Legendary Broadway composer Charles Strouse (Annie, Bye Bye Birdie, Applause); Tony nominee Andrea McArdle (Annie, Les Miserables) and Chairman and CEO of Music Theatre International, Freddie Gershon (Licensing Agent of Annie) all joined together for an interview and performance with 'Sirius Live on Broadway' host Seth Rudetsky on Wednesday, December 3rd. live from the Broadway Concierge and Ticket Center (1560 Broadway between 46th & 47th streets) in Times Square.

The first guest on 'Awkward 10 Minutes...' was beloved Broadway legend and Sleepwalk With Me co-producer Nathan Lane who appeared Wednesday, December 3rd.

Composer-lyricist Scott Alan's held a very special evening of songs and discussion in celebration of the release of his new CD, Keys: The Music of Scott Alan on Monday, December 1st at the Barnes & Nobleat Lincoln Triangle, 1972 Broadway at 66th Street.

Variety reports that Jeff Marx, the Tony and Grammy winning co-creator of Avenue Q has joined forces with 'Samantha Who?'writer Marco Pennette on two new musical projects including a new series for ABC titled, 'The Romeos'.

Marc Shaiman's PROP 8-THE MUSICAL,a new music video satirizing the controversial ballot proposition that amended the California state Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman has hit the internet!

Rosie's Gala: Building Dreams for Kids took place on November 24, 2008 at Marriott Marquis, Times Square. But the fun didn't stop when the 'curtain' came down, there is a theater lovers treasure trove waiting for you over at CharityBuzz.com! Be the star of your own 'Broadway' happening, some of the exciting lots feature all your theater favorites such as two tickets to the 2009 Tony Award Dress Rehearsals, lunch with vocal wonder Gavin Creel at Joe Allen, a Spring Awakening 'meet & greet' with star Hunter Parrish and four house seats to '13, A New Musical' just to name a few of the charity auctions waiting for you!

Kerry Ellis will be returning to WICKED London on Monday 1 December after leaving the Broadway production of the show.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party presented orchestrator, musical director and composer Jonathan Tunick in concert, as part of the Nightlife Award-winning series Broadway at Birdland on Monday, November 24th. Winner of the Oscar, Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Awards, Jonathan Tunick brought back the sound of the big bands with the debut performance of The Broadway Moonlighters, featuring New York's finest musicians. Broadway legend Barbara Cook joined the evening as Tunick's very special guest.