Peter James Zielinski News

Today, Isango Ensemble announced Sir Ian McKellen as its new patron.

The longest-running show in Broadway history, the Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, directed by Harold Prince, reaches an unprecedented milestone today, Wednesday, January 26, 2011, when it celebrated its Twenty-Third Anniversary on Broadway. Playing its 9,566th & 9,567th performances at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street), it becomes the first Broadway production ever to have run 23 years.

Michael Reidel reports in the NY Post today that the Shubert Organization is considering renaming one of its theaters after legendary producer/director Hal Prince in the near future. As Riedel quotes, Prince collaborator Stephen Sondheim has said of the honor: 'I find it astonishing, especially now that directors play so central a role in the success -- or failure of -- Broadway shows. Harold Prince is very much alive and well, and seeing as how he has won more Tony Awards than any other individual, I'd say . . . he deserves the nod.'

Broadway cast members will perform at a benefit for the children of PS 166 - The Richard Rodgers School - on Monday, February 7th, at 7pm in the school's auditorium.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook, which explores the best of the golden age of musical standards through to today's most dynamic songwriting, will bring to the stage some of today's most gifted interpreters of song. Week Two starts on January 26th with a tribute to arguably the greatest songwriting team in American Songbook history: the brothers George and Ira Gershwin. Conductor, arranger and pianist (as well as Artistic Director of the Gershwin centenary) Rob Fisher will lead Victoria Clark (Tony winner for Light in the Piazza) and Norm Lewis (Les Miserables, The Little Mermaid) in a night of gorgeous Gershwin. On January 27th singer/songwriter Shara Worden (from the group My Brightest Diamond) performs her unique blend of vocal music that has her pegged as a star to watch. Week Two closes out with gritty veteran John Doe singing 'real' country, with all its understated empathy and rough poetry. Pfizer is a proud sponsor of Lincoln Center's American Songbook 2011.

Few comics today can say they have worked with the likes of George Burns, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Bobby Darin.

The Kennedy Center production of Barrio Grrrl! begins a national tour on Saturday, January 22, 2011 as part of the Center's 18th Theater for Young Audiences on Tour series for young people and their families. The three-month tour of school and public performances will travel to 17 cities in 13 states from January 22, 2011 to April 16, 2011.

In need of new headshots? New York City photographer Peter James Zielinski is offering a $100 discount on headshots through January 31, 2011. Clients will be taken on a first come/first serve basis with the price of $350 per session locked in. Beginning February 1, 2011, headshot sessions will cost $450. Clients wanting to shoot in 'buddy sessions' (sharing a session with a friend) will be charged an additional $25 each. Check out Peter's work at http://www.pjzstudios.com/ and email peter.zielinski@gmail.com to book now and save while availability lasts!

Talk Show Listings for Friday, January 21, 2011

Southern-born Broadway veterans Tad Wilson and Jessica Phillips come together to explore their Tennessee roots in a concert of Today's Country Music on February 13 at 9:30 PM at The Triad Theatre on 158 West 72nd Street.

The Broadway community mourns the loss of Romulus Linney and Ellen Stewart, who both recently died at the ages of 80 and 91 respectively. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in their memory on Wednesday, January 19th, at exactly 8:00pm for one minute.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced complete casting today for TIMON OF ATHENS, the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE featuring Richard Thomas in the title role. Directed by Shakespeare Initiative Director Barry Edelstein, TIMON OF ATHENS runs February 15 through March 6 at The Public Theater, with an official press opening on Tuesday, March 1. Single tickets go on sale on Tuesday, January 18; all tickets for Public LAB productions are $15.

Talk Show Listings for Friday, January 21, 2011

Playwright Romulus Linney died Saturday of lung cancer at home in Germantown, N.Y. He was 80 years old and also had a home in Manhattan, according to The New York Times.

On Thursday's episode of 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon', Donald Trump officially announced the 16 celebrities who will be participating in the 11th season of 'The Apprentice', his NBC show which puts contestants in various business situations to determine who would be most worthy of being Trump's apprentice.

The Kennedy Center production of Barrio Grrrl! begins a national tour on Saturday, January 22, 2011 as part of the Center's 18th Theater for Young Audiences on Tour series for young people and their families. The three-month tour of school and public performances will travel to 17 cities in 13 states from January 22, 2011 to April 16, 2011.

Sirius XM Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) announced today that in celebration of Neil Diamond's forthcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it will re- launch 'Neil Diamond Radio,' a music channel showcasing the music of Neil Diamond.

Image Entertainment is releasing EVERY DAY in exclusive engagements in New York (Village East Theaters) and Los Angeles on January 14, 2011.

The beloved, Tony Award-winning actress Marian Seldes will be honored at the 2011 LOVE 'N' COURAGE Gala - a benefit for the award-winning Theater for the New City's Emerging Playwrights Program - on Monday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South in Manhattan), it has been announced by Crystal Field, co-founder and artistic director of Theater for the New City.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed "Best of New York" by New York Magazine, and "an invaluable New York institution" by The New York Post, continues its 2011 season with the debut of actor and writer, BRUCE VILANCH.