Peter James Zielinski News

The Public Theater continues its spring season with the U.S. premiere of Drunk Enough to Say I Love You?, a new play by Caryl Churchill presented in association with the Royal Court Theatre. This two-character play, directed by James Macdonald and featuring Scott Cohen and Samuel West, comes to The Public after an acclaimed run at the Royal Court in London last year. Drunk Enough to Say I Love You? will begin previews on Wednesday, March 5 and run through Sunday, April 6 with an official press opening on Sunday, March 16 at 7PM. Drunk Enough to Say I Love You? will begin previews on Wednesday, March 5 and run through Sunday, April 6 with an official press opening on Sunday, March 16 at 7 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesdays at 7 PM; Wednesdays thru Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 2 PM and 8 PM; and Sundays at 3 PM and 7 PM. The Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street. Tickets are $50 with student tickets available in advance, at the box office only, for $25 (1 per ID). There are a limited number of Rush Tickets sold an hour before curtain at every performance available to the general public (Two per person, $20 each, cash only). To purchase tickets, please call (212) 967-7555 or visit www.publictheater.org.

The Zipper Factory (336 West 37th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues) presents Broadway diva Daphne Rubin-Vega (two-time Tony nominee for originating the role of 'Mimi' in Rent, as well as for her role in Nilo Cruz' Anna in the Tropics) in concert on Friday, March 14 at 8:00 and 10:30 pm. Tickets are $25. For tickets please call OvationTix at 212-352-3101 or buy online at www.thezipperfactory.com.

On Wednesday, March 12 2008 Roger Bart and the cast of 'Young Frankenstein welcomed 75 Fidelity FutureStage students from Long Island City High School (in Queens)to a performance of the hit musical 'Young Frankenstein' and to a post-show talk back immediately following the matinee performance, which the students will have seen for free.

To celebrate the official release of FIRST HARVEST, Elizabeth Ward Land performed and signed copies of the CD on March 12 at 6 PM at Barnes and Noble, Lincoln Triangle atNew York, NY as part of the Any Wednesday Series. Joining Liz on stage was John Boswell, piano, and Catherine Porter, additional vocals.

In The Heights officially opened on Sunday, March 9, 2008 on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theater. With music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, and conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda, In The Heights is directed by Thomas Kail and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler.

In celebration of the Broadway production of Sunday in the Park with George, Olivier Award winners Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell appeared at Barnes & Noble (Broadway and 66th Street) on Tuesday, March 11th for a special performance and CD signing beginning at 5:30pm.

This Monday evening, March 10th, Matthew Broderick, Sherri Shepard, Rick Holmes, and others joined a long list of stars performing in 'Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words' at the Triad Theater (158 W 72nd Street). Produced by Angelo Fraboni, Eugene Pack, Dayle Reyfel and Peter Martin, the show continues to draw top talent to its rotating cast and bold -faced names to its sold-out audiences.

MCC Theater annual gala, Miscast, was held Monday, March 10, 2008 at The Hammerstein Ballroom (311 West 34th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues). Miscast 2008 brought together the best and brightest Broadway talent as they performed songs from roles in which they would never be cast. Lynn Redgrave, currently in MCC's production of Grace, will served as the evening's Honorary Chair. Broadway's Phil Reno provided musical direction.

Ashley Brown, who stars in the title role of Broadway's classic musical, Mary Poppins and author Michael Lassell who wrote the new book 'Mary Poppins: Anything Can Happen If You Let It,' appeared at the Barnes & Noble Lincoln Center store at 1972 Broadway (at 66th Street) as part of Barnes & Noble's 'Live at Lincoln' series on Friday, March 7 from 4-6PM to celebrate the release of Lassell's new book

Thomas Schumacher, producer of the Tony Award winning musical The Lion King was honored with his caricature unveiling at the world famous Broadway eatery, Sardi's Restaurant (234 West 44th Street) on Thursday, March 6th. Schumacher joins the ranks of Broadway royalty whom have been honored with a caricature on the famous walls of Sardi's Restaurant.

On Wednesday, March 5, 2008, the 'students' at Rydell High from Broadway's Grease met 60 students from Hillcrest High (Queens) in a post-show talk-back hosted by Fidelity FutureStage, following their free-admittance matinee performance at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre

Broadway diva Bernadette Peters and multiple Tony Award-winning legendary composer Stephen Sondheim visited the cast of Sunday in the Park with George on Wednesday, March 5 at Studio 54. Bernadette Peters created the role of Dot/Marie in the original Broadway production, penned by Sondheim. Current stars, Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell met the dynamic duo backstage.

Secrets of a Soccer Mom, written by Kathleen Clark and directed by Judith Ivey, officially opened on Wednesday, March 5 at The Snapple Theater Center

Signature Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Paradise Park by 2007-2008 Playwright-in-Residence Charles Mee, which officially opened on Sunday, March 2.

Molly Shannon, film comedienne and 'Saturday Night Live' alumni, recently brought her family to a performance of Broadway's The Little Mermaid, where she and her children met the stars back-stage!

Kerry Butler, star of Broadway's Xanadu, recorded the first several tracks of her upcoming solo debut CD entitled, 'Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust' due out on PS Classics on May 13th. BroadwayWorld was there to capture the excitement for our readers!

On Tuesday, February 26, Walt Disney Records released the original Broadway cast recording of Disney's 'The Little Mermaid.' In celebration, there was a cast performance and CD signing at World of Disney on Tuesday, February 26 from 4-6PM.

Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words, the acclaimed, long-running L.A-based comedy sensation returned to New York City at The Triad Theater. In appearance on Monday, February 25 were Broadway and screen-stars Michael McKean, Claudia Shear, Rachel Dratch, Kristen Johnston, Eugene Pack, Dayle Reyfel, Fred Armisen and Sherri Shepherd.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts delves into its renowned collections for Writing to Character: Songwriters & the Tony Awards, the first exhibition to explore the over 70 Broadway shows that have won Tonys for either Best Musical or Best Score.