Peter James Zielinski News

SPARE SOME CHANGE: NYC ARTISTS FOR BARACK OBAMA will be held on the campus of New York University on Monday, August 11th at 8 p.m. In keeping with the inclusionary spirit of Senator Obama's revolutionary campaign, artists from all walks of life will take part in the call for change - from subway musicians and soap opera stars to Broadway luminaries.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that Tony Award-winner Norbert Leo Butz has been signed to star opposite Elizabeth Marvel in the World Premiere Production of Michael Weller's Fifty Words, under the direction of Austin Pendleton. The two-character play begins performances at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on September 10 and continues through October 25, with an opening night set for Sunday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb of the Today show visited Whoopi Goldberg and the rest of the Xanadu cast yesterday afternoon, August 6th, 2008.

Reagle Players located in Waltham, MA announces its 40th anniversary summer season and the guest artists making appearances.

Tony Award winner Lillias White will present her concert 'Hot and Sassy August Night' at the Highline Ballroom in Manhattan Aug. 9 at 8pm.

Lin-Manuel Miranda will visit the SIRIUS' Rumbon channel to talk about his hit Tony Award winning show, In The Heights, and discuss his inspiration for his Broadway debut.

CIRQUE DREAMS Jungle Fantasy, a theatrical, acrobatic and musical adventure that has become a big hit with family audiences this summer at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway), will wrap up its limited engagement at the Broadway Theatre on Sunday, August 24, prior to hitting the road this fall with a tour schedule that will take the theatrical circus sensation to 45 more cities.

The Tony Award winning musical AVENUE Q celebrated its 5th birthday on Broadway on July 31, 2008. Broadway World's cameras were on hand as the cast and crew celebrated in style.

Second Stage Theatre's already announced production of Richard Nelson's comedy, SOME AMERICANS ABROAD, directed by Gordon Edelstein, will officially open on Tuesday, July 15 at 6:30pm at Second Stage Theatre (307 West 43rd Street, just west of Eighth Avenue.

Cast members of [title of show] sang, discussed and signed copies of their Original Cast Recording during a Thursday, July 31st, 5:30pm in-store performance Borders at Time Warner Center.

The seventh episode of the showbiz-themed web series 'The Battery's Down,' which chronicles the life of a young performer in New York City, will feature two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens, 42nd Street), and Tony Award nominees Carolee Carmello (Mamma Mia!, Parade), Daphne Rubin-Vega (RENT, Les Miserables), and Andrea McArdle (Annie, State Fair). Also appearing in the episode are Broadway's Tyler Maynard (The Little Mermaid, Altar Boyz), Celisse Henderson (Godspell), and Haviland Stillwell (Les Miserables, Fiddler on the Roof). Additionally, expect an appearance by R Family Cruise team member Colin Sheehan.

Casting is complete for the revival of John Guare's modern American classic comedy, 'The House of Blue Leaves,' which will open the new Mark Taper Forum after its year-long renovation. Directed by Nicholas Martin, 'The House of Blue Leaves' begins previews August 30, opens September 14 and continues through October 19, 2008.

Reprise Theatre Company presents Ben Vereen on stage in a rare evening of conversation and music. This unique evening is presented in Los Angeles by Reprise Theatre Company for one night only on Monday, September 8, 8pm, at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

Cast members of [title of show] will sing, discuss and sign copies of their Original Cast Recording during a Thursday, July 31st, 5:30pm in-store performance Borders at Time Warner Center.

On Thursday, July 24th 2008 Peter Gallagher came to see the new Broadway musical (about making a musical) [title of show].

Actress/singer/songwriter Alicia Witt sang and performed a set of her original songs with piano and full band at the Public Theater's JOE's PUB on Monday, July 28th at 9:30 PM. Alicia is an award-winning classical pianist. Special guests included Josiah Early, Jeff Fiorello and Lady Rizo of Lady Rizo and the Assettes.

The Town Hall presents the Fourth Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival! All Broadway Music! All Broadway Stars! All Weekend Long! October 17- 19, 2008.

On July 26th, 2008, Hunter Bell, co-creator and co-star of Broadway's [title of show] was a featured special guest for Off Broadway's Happy Sunshine Kung Fu Flower. Also appearing was author, pundit, and Iraq veteran, First Lt. Paul Rieckhoff who's book critically acclaimed book Chasing Ghosts details his tour in the region. He has appeared on Bill Maher, Colbert Report, and Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann, in addition to contributing writing to many publications including the New York Times and Huffington Post.

The seventh episode of the showbiz-themed web series 'The Battery's Down,' which chronicles the life of a young performer in New York City, will feature two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens, 42nd Street), and Tony Award nominees Carolee Carmello (Mamma Mia!, Parade), Daphne Rubin-Vega (RENT, Les Miserables), and Andrea McArdle (Annie, State Fair). Also appearing in the episode are Broadway's Tyler Maynard (The Little Mermaid, Altar Boyz), Celisse Henderson (Godspell), and Haviland Stillwell (Les Miserables, Fiddler on the Roof). Additionally, expect an appearance by R Family Cruise team member Colin Sheehan.

America's longest running professional summer theatre, The Cape Playhouse, will proudly present the 1940's comedy Born Yesterday as their fifth summer offering. The production will star Leslie Kritzer as the dim-witted showgirl, Billie Dawn, along side Michael McGrath as the shrewd tycoon, Harry Brock. Born Yesterday opens on Monday, August 18th.