Peter May News

Laura Benanti, Matt Cavenaugh, Jenn Colella, Joanna Gleason, John McMartin, Laura Osnes, David Hyde Pierce, Bobby Steggert, Elaine Stritch, Jim Walton, and Chip Zien have joined the New York Philharmonic's presentation of SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert, Monday, March 15, and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.

2009 provided me with the opportunity to review 126 of the more than 200 shows that were available in the St. Louis region, and it began in terrific fashion with New Line Theatre's NIGHT OF THE LIVING SHOW TUNES. This was a wonderful sampling of contemporary show tunes performed by a cast of talented locals, and featuring artistic director Scott Miller's fine accompaniment on piano. In the acoustically perfect confines of the Sheldon Concert Hall, these unique melodies made a glorious noise. And, as I continued on my quest to expose my young son to the world of musical theatre, I ended the year with the Imaginary Theatre Company's splendid presentation of BAH! HUMBUG!. I was lucky enough to catch quite a few gems in between, and I've decided to compile a list of the ten most intriguing and engaging productions I saw in 2009.

As the New Jewish Theatre continues its Bat Mitzvah Season, we take another look at Father-Son relationships with Donald Margulies' brilliant BROOKLYN BOY which opens with a preview performance on Wednesday, December 2 and runs through December 20. For this production, we will once again return to Clayton High School's more intimate Little Theatre.

Over the course of six scenes, BROOKLYN BOY'S protagonist, Eric Weiss, is taken on a journey of discovery that will leave him with a stronger appreciation of his family and friends, as well as a deeper understanding of himself. Weiss is a writer who's finally enjoying success on the bestseller list after penning an autobiographical novel about his life growing up in Brooklyn. But, he's become extremely sensitive to accusations and intimations that his account is just a thinly veiled version of the truth. His encounters act to illuminate the feelings that he's kept buried within, and by the end of the play, he finally seems to be coming to terms with his own legacy.

As the New Jewish Theatre continues its Bat Mitzvah Season, we take another look at Father-Son relationships with Donald Margulies' brilliant BROOKLYN BOY which opens with a preview performance on Wednesday, December 2 and runs through December 20. For this production, we will once again return to Clayton High School's more intimate Little Theatre.

As the New Jewish Theatre continues its Bat Mitzvah Season, we take another look at Father-Son relationships with Donald Margulies' brilliant BROOKLYN BOY which opens with a preview performance on Wednesday, December 2 and runs through December 20. For this production, we will once again return to Clayton High School's more intimate Little Theatre.

The New York Philharmonic will present SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert on March 15 and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. This celebration of the 80th birthday of the great Broadway and film composer/lyricist will include his most enduring orchestral music and songs - performed, in some cases, by the stars of the original Broadway cast productions - in addition to rarely-heard material. Joining the celebration will be (in alphabetical order) Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, and others to be announced, including surprise guests. Paul Gemignani, Mr. Sondheim's longtime collaborator, will conduct the New York Philharmonic; Lonny Price is the director; and Mr. Price and Matt Cowart are the producers.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Webster University will co-host the St. Louis premiere reading of the epilogue to the acclaimed play The Laramie Project which, since its debut in 2000, has been one of the most performed plays in America.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Webster University will co-host the St. Louis premiere reading of the epilogue to the acclaimed play The Laramie Project which, since its debut in 2000, has been one of the most performed plays in America.

CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FATHER is kind of a misnomer. The character of Eddie Ross (nee Goldberg) doesn't converse as much as harangue the people around him. But, don't take this as a knock on Herb Gardner's play; it's more of a clarification than anything. This isn't just the ramblings of a bitter old man, but an exploration of his particular experience immigrating to America, and trying to fit in by rejecting his Jewish heritage.

The New Jewish Theatre opens its 'Bat Mitzvah Season' on Wednesday, September 30 with Herb Gardner's 1994 quasi-autobiographical classic about three generations of a Jewish family living on the lower East Side, CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FATHER. Gardner's play, a beautiful paean to the Jewish immigrant experience and father-son relationships explores the story of Eddie Ross (nee Itzhak Goldberg), a Russian immigrant who with his family, runs a Canal Street saloon.

The New Jewish Theatre opens its 'Bat Mitzvah Season' on Wednesday, September 30 with Herb Gardner's 1994 quasi-autobiographical classic about three generations of a Jewish family living on the lower East Side, CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FATHER. Gardner's play, a beautiful paean to the Jewish immigrant experience and father-son relationships explores the story of Eddie Ross (nee Itzhak Goldberg), a Russian immigrant who with his family, runs a Canal Street saloon.

It is difficult to imagine a greater fan of the recent Tony Award-winning Passing Strange than Spike Lee. After seeing the show twice in the same weekend during its stint at The Public Theater, Lee's 'nightmare,' he tells Blackbook.com was that 'at some point it was going to close and that it was just all going to all go away.' Hence the inspiration for his new documentary, 'Passing Strange,' which documents the stage show he filmed in July just prior to the show's closing. After winning several awards at Sundance, 'Passing Strange' is now playing at the IFC in New York, on the IFC channel and will soon be broadcast on PBS. Lee sat down this week with original creators Stew and Heidi Rodewald and Blackbook.com to discuss of 'Strange.'

PASSING STRANGE is coming to the big screen in Spike Lee's new film adaptation. The official trailer has been released and we are excited to show it to BroadwayWorld.com Visitors!

The Peter Mayer Group, will take the stage at New Hope Foundation's Second Annual Trop Rock Festival on Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands. Other featured musicians include: John Frinzi; Doyle Grisham;Sunny Jim White; Charlie DeCosa; and Gary Philips.

PBS will air Spike Lee's film adaptation of PASSING STRANGE in 2010. The film recently had its New York premiere when it played the Tribeca Film festival. Passing Strange will air as part of PBS' 'Great Performances'.

EQUUS concluded its 22-week engagement as scheduled on Broadway on February 8th, 2009. The play opened in September 2008 at the Broadhurst Theatre, marking the Broadway debut of Daniel Radcliffe. Mr. Radcliffe starred in the revival of Peter Shaffer's play opposite Tony Award winner Richard Griffiths ('The History Boys'). The big question was always 'who'll replace Daniel on Broadway?'

EQUUS will conclude its 22-week engagement as scheduled on Broadway today, February 8th, 2009. The play opened in September 2008 at the Broadhurst Theatre, marking the Broadway debut of Daniel Radcliffe. Mr. Radcliffe stars in the revival of Peter Shaffer's play opposite Tony Award winner Richard Griffiths ('The History Boys').

The hit Broadway production of EQUUS has added a special holiday matinee this Friday, November 28 at 2 p.m. at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th St.) Richard Griffiths and Daniel Radcliffe star in Peter Shaffer's EQUUS, which opened on September 25 for a strictly limited engagement through February 8, 2009.

The hit Broadway production of EQUUS is now offering $31.50 student rush tickets for all performances (except Saturday evenings) at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street). Peter Shaffer's EQUUS stars Richard Griffiths and Daniel Radcliffe and is directed by Thea Sharrock. The production is playing a strictly limited engagement through February 8, 2009.