Peter James Zielinski News

An array of emerging songwriters will perform music from their own catalogues at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on August 9.

NPR's Michael Portantiere interviewed Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who is currently performing in Shakespeare in the Park's THE WINTER'S TALE and THE MERCHANT OF VENICE and who was recently nominated for an Emmy Award for his performance on 'Modern Family.' Ferguson talked about performing in Central Park ('it's honestly my favorite place to work'), the multiple Emmy nominations for actors playing gay characters ('I think we're all being recognized because the characters are well developed'), and which fellow Emmy nominee he would switch roles with ('Probably Jane Lynch on GLEE. That would be fun!'). To read the full interview, click here.

Producer Daryl Roth today announced that she will present Through the Night, the acclaimed solo show written and performed by Daniel Beaty, in an extended run Off Broadway, beginning performances September 10 at The Union Square Theatre.

Bay Street Theatre has announced its scheduled performers for its summer Comedy Club series. Among others, David Alan Grier is set to appear on July 19.

Essence.com recently interviewed Tony Award-nominee Montego Glover on her two roles -- as 'Felicia' in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical MEMPHIS, and as a role model for African-American performers and theatergoers.

Former Nashville residents announce the 'NYC Loves Nashville' Benefit Concert at Le Poisson Rouge on July 27th. Doors open at 7:30pm with the show beginning at 8:00pm and tickets are $20 at Le Poisson Rouge's website (www.lprnyc.com). The concert will feature a diverse group of artists coming together to raise funds and awareness for the relief efforts in Nashville, Tennessee after unrelenting rainstorms in early May caused severe flood damage all across Music City. Participants include Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris, Nashville's own Laura Cantrell, Stuedabakerbrown, Caleb Hawley, Jennings and Milton. These artists have also generously donated tracks - some unreleased - that can be downloaded for free for a limited time with the purchase of a ticket online. Be sure to visit www.nyclovesnashville.com for the most up to date information or to make a donation at any time.

A.R. Gurney's play THE GRAND MANNER is filled with memorable scenes. The fictional account of the playwright's youthful encounter with legendary actress Katharine Cornell brims with nostalgic references, brilliant characterizations, witty aphorisms and touchingly human scenes. However, the June 6th matinee featured an extra, unscripted, delight.

American playwright Katori Hall's The Mountaintop was named Best Play at the 2010 Olivier Awards in London. Marking the first time a female African American playwright has received the honor in the Olivier Awards' 34-year history, Ms. Hall's play was nominated alongside such new works as Jerusalem, Enron and Red.

Following a developmental workshop at the Vineyard in the fall of 2009 and a series of concert readings this summer by New York Stage and Film Company and the Powerhouse Program at Vassar, the musical ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER - with lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, music by Burton Lane, a new book by Peter Parnell based on the original book by Alan Jay Lerner, and reconceived and directed by Michael Mayer - will receive a full production at the Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) with performances beginning January 2011, it has been announced by Vineyard Theatre Artistic Director Douglas Aibel.

Some of the greatest rock anthems of the 70's, 80's and 90's take center stage in the new rock cabaret musical POWER BALLADZ, debuting Off-Broadway at the Midtown Theatre (163 W. 46 St.) in Manhattan, with previews starting August 5th prior to an official press opening on August 19th. Not your typical theater experience, POWER BALLADZ is a 90-minute rock tribute that gives audiences the chance to unleash their inner rock star: part comedy, part interactive game show, and a genuine joy ride through the music and legend of rock songs by powerhouse bands such as Guns 'N' Roses, Journey, Heart, Queen, Bon Jovi, Styx and more. POWER BALLADZ is created by Mike Todaro and Dan Nycklemoe with Peter Rothstein and written by Mr. Todaro and Mr. Nycklemoe. Today, the company met the press!

This week, composer Jason Robert Brown wrote an article for the New York Time's 'Theater Talkback' section, in which he asked the question: 'Who owns sheet music?'

Michael Riedel reports in today's New York Post that Brian Yorkey, who just won the Pulitzer Prize for NEXT TO NORMAL has joined the creative team of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, working on Terrence McNally's book. His work is said to have been very well received and the show is said to be fully on track for a Spring opening on Broadway.

Jamie deRoy brings her show back to the Metropolitan Room July 14 at 7pm with special guests Natalia Zuckerman, Alexandra silber, Martin Vidnovic, Pamela Myers and Benjamin Levy. Barry Kleinbort will direct the concert, with musical direction by Christopher Danny.

Celebrated cabaret performer Jamie deRoy presents a special evening of her Multi MAC Award-winning variety show, Jamie deRoy & friends on Wednesday, July 14th (7PM) at the New York hotspot Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street ~between 5th & 6th Avenues).

NATALIE TORO sings about The Broken Road at CABARET AT THE CASTLE Monday, July 12 and Tuesday, July 13 - Doors open at 6:30 with show at 8:00pm. The Inner Circle at the Magic Castle® - 7001 Franklin Ave., Hollywood, CA 90028

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, Alec Baldwin is starring as the psychiatrist Martin Dysart in Peter Shaffer's Equus this summer at Guild Hall in East Hampton, N.Y. The production, which co-stars Sam Underwood and is directed by Tony Walton will run from June 8 - July 13 at the John Drew Theater at Guild Hall. This will be Baldwin's first production at Guild Hall, of which he is a board member.

Whatsonstage.com is furthing speculation first reported by BroadwayWorld on May 4 that Sting may be bringing an autobiographical musical to Broadway in the near future. It was reported then that the singer/songwriter is collaborating with Next to Normal's Brian Yorkey on the project, which is believed that it is inspired by Sting's memoir, Broken Music. No word on whether or not the score would be original.

Producer Daryl Roth announced today the full August and September casts of Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron's Love, Loss, and What I Wore.

Bay Street Theatre has announced its scheduled performers for its summer Comedy Club series. Among others, David Alan Grier is set to appear on July 19.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine continues its all-star Summer 2010 season by presenting award-winning film/television/theatre personality JANET CARROLL in WHERE HAVE I BEEN ALL YOUR LIFE, under the musical direction of Jason Howland.