Warren Leight News

Broadway stars might boast the biggest fan-bases, but without their directors, the vehicle driving their talents could easily swerve off the tracks. Keeping the runaway train at bay are season's bold Broadway 'conductors'. Scroll down to learn more about this season's intrepid and imaginative leaders!

It was announced today that this year's Daryl Roth Creative Spirit Award will be presented to Playing on Air, which produces short plays by prominent, contemporary American playwrights for a national audience via public radio and the Internet. Dedicated to nurturing and supporting theatre artists, The Daryl Roth Creative Spirit Award, named for the multi-Award-winning producer, is a financial grant given annually to a theatre artist or organization who has demonstrated exceptional promise in their field.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside announces the American Blues Theater's Season 29 'Lost & Sound' at the 'Blue Bash,' their annual fundraiser, Thursday, Feb. 27 from 5:30 - 9 p.m., at the office of Seyfarth Shaw, Suite 2400, 131 S. Dearborn. Complete performance schedules, venues, casting and ticket information will be announced at a later date. Flex passes for Season 29 'Lost & Sound' are available now. Details on each production are included in this release. For more information on the current and next season's productions visit americanbluestheater.com. Season 29 includes:

Playing on Air, which presents readings of short plays by prominent, contemporary American playwrights for a national audience via public radio and the Internet, inaugurates a new initiative next month. On consecutive Mondays in March, Playing on Air presents its first plays for radio broadcast taped in front of live audiences.

Variety writes that Alec Baldwin will guest star on NBC's LAW & ORDER: SVU this spring in his first TV acting appearance since 30 ROCK.

A young painter must reconcile his remarkable artistic gifts with the austerity and singular devotion required by his faith. Stephen Sachs directs the Los Angeles premiere of Aaron Posner's award-winning stage adaptation of Chaim Potok's acclaimed novel, My Name is Asher Lev, opening Feb. 22 at the Fountain Theatre.

Dann Florek, who has been with NBC's long-running crime procedural since its inception in 1999, has confirmed he'll be leaving the series at the end of this season.

Since its founding in 1961, La MaMa Experimental Arts Club has been a hub for risk-taking theater artists from around the globe. La MaMa will celebrate their 2013 season of performances with a gala honoring two pillars of arts journalism: former Village Voice critic Michael Feingold, and publisher Patsy Tarr of 2wice. Throughout their long careers, these two individuals have carved out a voice for the arts, championing countless artists working across platforms.

Since its founding in 1961, La MaMa Experimental Arts Club has been a hub for risk-taking theater artists from around the globe. La MaMa will celebrate their 2013 season of performances with a gala honoring two pillars of arts journalism: former Village Voice critic Michael Feingold, and publisher Patsy Tarr of 2wice. Throughout their long careers, these two individuals have carved out a voice for the arts, championing countless artists working across platforms.

Tonight, November 4, The New School for Drama and Naked Angels present Angels Ajar, an exclusive preview of new full-length works-in-progress, by award winning Jon Robin Baitz (New School for Drama Faculty and Naked Angels Founding Member), Janine Nabers (New School for Drama MFA '08); and Kirit Limperis, a gifted participant from 3Thursdays, Naked Angels' public high school outreach program.

On November 4, The New School for Drama and Naked Angelspresent Angels Ajar, an exclusive preview of new full-length works-in-progress, by award winning Jon Robin Baitz (New School for Drama Faculty and Naked Angels Founding Member),Janine Nabers (New School for Drama MFA '08); and Kirit Limperis, a gifted participant from 3Thursdays, Naked Angels' public high school outreach program.

On November 4, The New School for Drama and Naked Angelspresent Angels Ajar, an exclusive preview of new full-length works-in-progress, by award winning Jon Robin Baitz (New School for Drama Faculty and Naked Angels Founding Member),Janine Nabers (New School for Drama MFA '08); and Kirit Limperis, a gifted participant from 3Thursdays, Naked Angels' public high school outreach program.

Piedmont Players Theatre (PPT) introduces the cast of the Tony Nominated Musical LEAP OF FAITH, with Book by Janus Cercone & Warren Leight, Music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Glenn Slater (Producing Partner: Novant Health).

Piedmont Players Theatre (PPT) presents LEAP OF FAITH, with Book by Janus Cercone & Warren Leight, Music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Glenn Slater.

NBC has released the promotional cast shots for the upcoming fifteenth season of LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT, featuring series lead Mariska Hargitay. Check them out below!

Piedmont Players Theatre (PPT) introduces the cast of the Tony Nominated Musical LEAP OF FAITH, with Book by Janus Cercone & Warren Leight, Music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Glenn Slater (Producing Partner: Novant Health).

The New York Post reports that the new season of NBC's LAW & ORDER: SVU will feature a storyline which combines two of the biggest headlines of the summer, the firing of celebrity Chef Paula Deen from Food Network and the trial of George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin murder case.

The Tony-nominated LEAP OF FAITH, which played a short run of 24 previews and 20 performances on Broadway in Spring of 2012, will open at the Piedmont Players Theatre in Salisbury, North Carolina this Fall. The regional premiere will run October 17-19 & 23-26 at 7:30pm and October 20 at 2:30pm.

Mile Square Theatre (MST), Hudson County's premiere professional theatre company, presents a one-of-a-kind production of Yasmina Reza`s Tony-winning comedy 'Art.'

Mile Square Theatre (MST), Hudson County's premiere professional theatre company, presents a one-of-a-kind production of Yasmina Reza`s Tony-winning comedy 'Art.'