Peter James Zielinski News

John Schneider (TV's 'The Dukes of Hazzard') returned to Broadway on January 14 in the long-running revival of Chicago as the slick-talking lawyer, Billy Flynn.

Tony Award-winning Broadway actress and recording-artist Idina Menzel performed a VIP private concert on Monday, January 15 at The Canal Room. Menzel performed music from her highly-anticipated up-coming solo album 'I Stand,' produced by Glen Ballard, to be released in-stores January 29.

The cast and creatives of Passing Strange, the Broadway-bound original narrative musical, held a press meet and greet during their first rehearsal on Monday, January 7 at New 42nd Street Studios.

Former 'Sopranos' cast members Aida Turturro and Vincent Pastore, who are currently starring in Chicago, welcomed fellow 'Sopranos' co-stars - Dominick Chianese, Frank Pellingrino, Tony Darrow, Anthony Rubestello, and Vince Curratolla - to their Sunday, January 6 performance. In addition, Vincent Pastore arranged for 17 veterans from the Bronx VA Hospital, where he volunteers, to enjoy the matinee

Daniel Reichard appeared in his own concert entitled 'Daniel Reichard: Christmas in Black and White' at The Metropolitan Room on Monday, December 17 at 9:30 PM.

On Monday, December 17 the cast of the musical Curtains celebrated the holidays in a private party at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone Restaurant (49th & 7th) hosted by Dennis Riese (restaurant owner) and Boulevard Magazine.

'August: Osage County' officially opened on Tuesday, December 4 at Imperial Theatre (249 W. 45th St). Steppenwolf Theatre extended the play's run by three weeks to help recover lost dates from the strike. The added performances will extend August's Broadway run through March 9, 2008.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents A Christmas Carol now through December 23. This musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens' classic features a book, music and lyrics by George Puello.

'Don't Quit Your Night Job,' the critically acclaimed comedy variety show featuring a revolving cast of Broadway's brightest performing without a net, proudly returned with a special performance at The Zipper Factory (336 West 37th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues) on Thursday, November 15 at 11:30PM.

The New Group's world premiere of Things We Want by Jonathan Marc Sherman officially opened Wednesday, November 7 at 7PM, directed by Ethan Hawke. Kicking off The New Group's 2007-2008 season, the production features Paul Dano, Peter Dinklage, Josh Hamilton and Zoe Kazan. This limited Off-Broadway engagement plays through December 15 at The New Group at Theatre Row

Who Knows Productions presents Greetings from Yorkville with music and lyrics by Robert Grusecki, lyrics and book by Anya Turner. Turner and Grusecki will both perform. The production, directed by Thommie Walsh, will run Off-Broadway at the SoHo Playhouse with previews beginning Tuesday, September 25. The official opening is Thursday, October 4 at 7PM.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival presents a new musical comedy, Bernice Bobs Her Mullet. A redneck teenager learns city life isn't all it's cracked up to be. With Book, Lyrics and Music by Joe Major.

The Full Monty will return to Westchester Broadway Theatre from December 28th through January 20th, 2007

Be one of the first to see a show at a brand-new Chicago theatre by attending an Opening Night VIP Gala at the newly built, state-of-the-art, 549-seat intimate space called Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place at the top of Chicago's Miracle Mile.