NEWS FROM A BRONX TALE

A BRONX TALE'S CHAZZ PALMINTERI FEATURED ON WNBC-TV'S "1st/LOOK NY" SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29 AT 7:30 PM

Chazz Palminteri, star and writer of Broadway's A BRONX TALE will be featured on WNBC-TV’s “1st Look/NY” on Saturday, December 29th at 7:30pm. The segment will feature Palminteri taking “1st Look/NY” host Mo Rocca on a tour of the Bronx. The show airs on WNBC Channel 4.A BRONX TALE has extended its Broadway engagement at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) through February 24, 2008 due to popular demand. The show, directed by Tony Award-winner Jerry Zaks, opened on Broadway Thursday, October 25. A BRONX TALE was first mounted off Broadway in 1989 and helped establish Palminteri as a writer and actor with a distinct voice. In A BRONX TALE, Palminteri brings 18 characters to vivid life, depicting a rough childhood on Bronx streets populated by a cast of friends and enemies. Performing the show in Los Angeles and New York, Palminteri caught the attention of studios, producers and directors – all of whom wanted to make the film version – without him. Palminteri turned down a million dollar offer for the film rights, despite having $200 in his bank account at the time. Robert DeNiro came to see the show, and brought both it and Palminteri to the screen, making his directorial debut in the process. A BRONX TALE produced on Broadway by Go Productions in association with Jujamcyn Theaters. Set design is by James Noone, lighting design by Paul Gallo, and original music and sound design by John Gromada. Mr. Palminteri's wardrobe is supplied by Italian menswear designer ISAIA. Playing schedule: Tue-Sat at 8 PM, Sat at 2 PM, and Sun at 3 PM. Tickets are $96.50, 76.50 and 26.50 and are available through www.telecharge.com, 212 239 6200. Premium tickets and Group Sales are also available through www.telecharge.com.
Online visit, www.abronxtaleonbroadway.com
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NEWS FROM THE SEAFARER

THE SEAFARER
TO BE FEATURED THIS WEEKEND ON
NY1’s “ON STAGE”

THE SEAFARER’s Ciarán Hinds will be a featured guest on this weekend’s edition of NY1’s “On Stage.”

Hinds recently sat down with NY1 correspondent Patrick Pacheco to talk about the critically lauded production of Conor McPherson’s THE SEAFARER and his role as Mr. Lockhart. THE SEAFARER is currently playing at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45th Street).

“On Stage” airs Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30AM – 10:00AM, and again from 7:30PM – 8:00PM. It also airs Mondays from 9:30PM – 10:00PM, and that same night from 12:30AM– 1:00AM.

The production recently opened on Broadway to rave reviews from critics. Ben Brantley of The New York Times said, “THE SEAFARER is the pick me up play of the season. Conor McPherson is quite possibly the greatest playwright of his generation.” Elysa Gardner of USA Today gave the production four stars (highest rating) and said, “The cast is flawless. Ciarán Hinds is magnificent. David Morse plays the role of Sharky brilliantly. Jim Norton is hilarious and moving and Conleth Hill and Sean Mahon are spot-on.”
From Conor McPherson, the author of the Olivier Award-winning The Weir and the Tony-nominated Shining City, comes a chilling new play about the sea, Ireland, and the power of myth. It's Christmas Eve and Sharky (Morse) has returned to Dublin to look after his irascible, aging brother (Norton) who's recently gone blind. Old drinking buddies Ivan (Hill) and Nicky (Mahon) are holed up at the house too, hoping to play some cards. But with the arrival of a stranger (Hinds) from the distant past, the stakes are raised ever higher. In fact, Sharky may be playing for his very soul.

Two-time Olivier Award winner Conleth Hill (Stones in His Pockets, The Producers) is reprising his role as ‘Ivan Curry,’ which he originated at The National Theatre in London. Ciarán Hinds is best known to audiences as ‘Gaius Julius Caesar’ in HBO’s epic drama “Rome,” and Closer in the West End and on Broadway. Sean Mahon is making his Broadway debut as ‘Nicky Giblin.’ Drama Desk Award winner David Morse (How I Learned to Drive) is returning to New York theatre after receiving an Emmy nomination for his guest starring role in “House, M.D.” Jim Norton is reprising his role as ‘Richard Harkin’ for which he received the 2007 Olivier Award.
Conleth Hill and Ciarán Hinds are appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association. The producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association for its assistance of this production.
The Broadway production of THE SEAFARER opened on Thursday, December 6 and began previews on Tuesday, October 30.

THE SEAFARER received its world premiere in 2006 at the National’s Cottesloe Theatre, opening to critical acclaim. THE SEAFARER received two Olivier Award nominations including Best New Play for McPherson. Jim Norton received the Olivier for Best Performance in a Supporting Role.

The creative team for THE SEAFARER includes: Rae Smith (set and costume design), Neil Austin (lighting design), and Mathew Smethurst-Evans (sound design).

THE SEAFARER is the latest National Theatre production to be produced on Broadway by Boyett Ostar Productions. Previous productions include Alan Bennett’s Tony Award-winning The History Boys directed by NT director, Nicholas Hytner, as well as the recent productions of Coram Boy, Jumpers, Democracy, and The Pillowman.

In its three theatres on the south bank of the Thames in London, the National Theatre of Great Britain presents an eclectic mix of new plays and classics, with seven or eight productions in repertory at any one time. It aims constantly to re-energize the great traditions of British stage and to expand the horizons of audiences and artists alike.

For more information on THE SEAFARER, please visit www.SeafarerThePlay.com

LISTINGS INFORMATION:
THE SEAFARER ticket info: Ticket range from $98.50 - $76.50. Telecharge 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com.
Performance Schedule:
Tuesday – Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.


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www.SeafarerThePlay.com

NEWS FROM ROCK'N'ROLL

ROCK ’n’ ROLL STARS
BRIAN COX, SINEAD CUSACK & RUFUS SEWELL
FEATURED ON ‘THE LEONARD LOPATE SHOW’
ON WNYC RADIO TODAY AT NOON

Brian Cox, Sinead Cusack and Rufus Sewell, the stars of Tom Stoppard’s critically acclaimed new play ROCK ’n’ ROLL will be featured live on “The Leonard Lopate Show” today at 12:00 PM on WNYC Radio (93.9 FM, 820 AM).

ROCK ’n’ ROLL opened to rave reviews on Sunday, November 4 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th Street). The production is directed by Trevor Nunn.

Ben Brantley, New York Times, called ROCK ’n’ ROLL “arguably Tom Stoppard’s finest play. A passionately acted, decades-spanning tale of love, revolution and music. Trevor Nunn’s swift-footed staging had me hooked.” Clive Barnes, New York Post, raved, “Four stars! Funny and enthralling.” Peter Marks, Washington Post, called the play, “Exhilarating, touching and remarkable. Stoppard’s imagination is buoyant. An impassioned contemplation of rock, revolution and the end of Communism.” Jeremy McCarter, New York Magazine, wrote, “Tom Stoppard’s astounding new work is funny, wise and in the end, triumphant.”

ROCK ’n’ ROLL will play a limited engagement through Sunday, March 2, 2008.

It's August 1968, and Russian tanks are rolling in to Prague. Jan, the Czech student, lives for rock music, Max, the English professor, lives for Communism and Esme, the flower child, is high. By 1990, the tanks are rolling out, the Stones are rolling in and idealism has hit the wall. A deeply felt look at the connection between rock music and revolution, Stoppard's sweeping and witty play spans two countries, three generations and twenty-two turbulent years, at the end of which love remains - and so does rock 'n' roll.

The production stars Brian Cox (Max), Sinead Cusack (Eleanor/Esme (Older)), and Rufus Sewell (Jan), with Nicole Ansari (Lenka), Mary Bacon (Gillian/Magda), Alice Eve (Esme (Younger)/Alice), Seth Fisher (The Piper/Policeman), Stephen Kunken (Ferdinand), Quentin Maré (Interrogator/Nigel), Ken Marks (Milan/Waiter), Alexandra Neil (Candida) and Anna O’Donoghue (Pupil),

ROCK ’n’ ROLL won the Evening Standard and London Critics’ Circle Awards for Best Play. The Broadway production marks the 40th anniversary since Stoppard was first introduced to New York audiences with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Stoppard was most recently represented on Broadway with the acclaimed Lincoln Center Theater production of The Coast of Utopia, which last season won a record-breaking seven Tony Awards®, including Best Play.

Set design is by Robert Jones, costume design is by Emma Ryott, lighting design is by Howard Harrison and sound design by Ian Dickinson.

ROCK 'n' ROLL is produced on Broadway by Bob Boyett & Sonia Friedman Productions, Ostar Productions, Roger Berlind, Tulchin/Bartner, Douglas G. Smith, Dancap Productions, Jam Theatricals, and The Weinstein Company, in association with Lincoln Center Theater.

Nicole Ansari, Sinead Cusack and Rufus Sewell are appearing with the permission of Actors’ Equity Association. The producers gratefully acknowledge Actors’ Equity Association for its assistance to this production.

Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM.

Tickets may be purchased by calling TeleCharge at 212-239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com or at the Jacobs Theatre box office (242 West 45th Street).

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www.RocknRollThePlay.com

NEWS FROM THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

“THE DROWSY CHAPERONE” STAR

BOB SAGET

On NY-1’s “ON STAGE” & WNBC’s “1st LOOK/NY with Mo Rocca”

THIS WEEKEND

Actor and comedian Bob Saget (“Full House, NBC’s “1 vs. 100”), who recently made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award® winning musical THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, visits NY-1 “On Stage” host Donna Karger in a segment that first airs Saturday, December 22nd at 9:30a and then throughout the weekend. Saget will also lead fellow comedian Mo Rocca on an exclusive backstage tour of the Marquis Theatre on WNBC’s “1st LOOK/NY” airing Saturday evening at 7:30p.

NY-1’s “On Stage” airs on Channel 1 in Manhattan on Time Warner Cable on Saturday, December 22nd at 9:30a & 7:30p; Sunday, December 23rd at 9:30a & 7:30p;
and Monday, December 24th at 9:30p & 12:30a.

“1st Look/NY with Mo Rocca” airs on WNBC (Channel 4, New York Metropolitan area) every Saturday from 7:30 – 8:00p Outtakes and the full uncut interview will be available at www.1stlookny.com.

Saget returns to the New York stage following an acclaimed Off-Broadway debut in Paul Weitz’ play Privilege in 2005. He is the host of the hit NBC game show “1 vs. 100,” and known worldwide for his television roles, for which he set a precedent by simultaneously starring in two top-ten primetime series – the long-running sitcom "Full House," while also serving as the eight year host of "America's Funniest Home Videos." Saget recently guest-starred on NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU,” HBO’s “Entourage,” and was critically hailed for his appearance in the documentary The Aristocrats. His HBO special, “Bob Saget: That Ain’t Right,” is now airing and has been released on DVD.

The most celebrated musical of the 2006 season and the recipient of thirteen major awards, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE received the most Tony Awards® of any musical -five in total - including Best Book and Score, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, four Outer Critic's Circle Awards including Outstanding Score and the Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE began previews April 3, 2006 and opened on Broadway on May 1, 2006 at the Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway). The hit musical will play its final performance on Sunday evening, December 30, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. following 674 performances and 32 previews.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is directed and choreographed by Tony Award® nominee Casey Nicholaw (Spamalot), with music and lyrics by Tony Award® winners Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and a book by Tony Award® winners Bob Martin and Don McKellar.

To chase his blues away, a modern day musical theatre addict known simply as “Man in Chair” (Bob Saget) drops the needle on his favorite cast album – the 1928 musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone. From the crackle of his hi-fi, the uproariously funny musical magically bursts to life on stage. We are instantly immersed in the hilarious tale of a glamorous bride and her uproarious wedding day, complete with thrills and surprises that take both the cast (literally) and the audience (metaphorically) soaring into the heavens. Man in Chair’s infectious love of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE speaks to anyone who has ever been transported by the theater.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is produced by Kevin McCollum, Roy Miller, Boyett Ostar, Stephanie McClelland, Barbara Freitag, and Jill Furman.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE plays Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.and Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. with matinees on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE will play the following HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:
Wednesday - Saturday at 8 p.m., matinees at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday & 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and Sunday evening, December 30 at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets prices range from $26.25 - $111.25 (including $1.25 facility fee) and are available through Ticketmaster (212-307-4100), online at www.ticketmaster.com or in person at The Marquis Theatre box office (1535 Broadway).

www.DrowsyChaperone.com

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NEWS FROM THE LION KING

DISNEY’S
THE LION KING

TO BE FEATURED ON
ABC’s “THE VIEW”
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21

Disney’s THE LION KING will be featured on ABC’s “The View” this Friday, December 21. Tshidi Manye (Rafiki) and Dashaun Young (Simba) will perform “He Lives In You (Reprise)” on the program. “The View” airs locally on WABC-TV, channel 7 from 11:00 AM -12:00 PM EST. Check local listings for airtimes in your area.

Since its Broadway opening on November 13, 1997 (preview performances began October 15, 1997), THE LION KING has been seen by 45 million people worldwide. In addition to New York City where the show has remained among the top 5 selling shows on Broadway for 10 years, the curtain of THE LION KING currently rises seven more times every night all over the world in London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Paris, and two touring companies throughout the United States.

The score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from the animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice, additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer and music from an album inspired by the animated film, "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of THE LION KING score is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, embracing the Academy award-winning “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” and the haunting “Shadowlands.”

Julie Taymor, along with Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. Scenic design is by Richard Hudson; Lighting design is by Donald Holder;

Costume design is by Julie Taymor. Choreography is by Garth Fagan. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay of THE LION KING.

Other members of the creative team include: Steve Canyon Kennedy, sound design; Michael Ward, hair and makeup design; Jay Binder, casting; Joseph Church, music director; Robert Elhai, David Metzger and Bruce Fowler, orchestrators.

The pre-Broadway engagement of THE LION KING had its world premiere on July 13, 1997 in Minneapolis at the historic Orpheum Theatre. The pre-Broadway engagement ran for eight weeks, closing on August 31, 1997.

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PLEASE NOTE PLAYING SCHEDULE

THE LION KING plays Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM, matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 1 PM and 6:30 PM. Running time for the production is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Tickets for THE LION KING are available at www.DisneyOnBroadway.com, the Minskoff Theatre Box Office, and all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling Ticketmaster’s Disney on Broadway hotline at (212) 307-4747. Prices range from $51.25.-$121.25. For group sales and information please call (800)439-9000.

www.DisneyOnBroadway.com

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NEWS FROM MARY POPPINS

BROADWAY’S CLASSIC MUSICAL, MARY POPPINS
FEATURED ON ABC’s “THE VIEW”
TOMORROW
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18

Broadway’s classic musical, MARY POPPINS, will be featured on “The View” tomorrow, Tuesday, December 18 (11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon) on the ABC Television Network. On the segment, co-host Sherry Shepherd goes backstage at MARY POPPINS to fly high above the glorious orchestra of Disney’s New Amsterdam Theater. And, MARY POPPINS producer and President of Disney Theatrical Group, Thomas Schumacher, will sit down with all of “The View” co-hosts to talk about his new book, “How Does The Show Go On? An Introduction To The Theatre.”

MARY POPPINS is the biggest hit to open during the 2006-2007 season and is a must-see musical for theatergoers of all ages. MARY POPPINS received seven 2007 Tony® Award nominations, including Best Musical. The musical also won two Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Gavin Lee) and Outstanding Set Design of a Musical (Bob Crowley), as well as a Theatre World Award (for Gavin Lee).

MARY POPPINS, a co-production by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on November 16, 2006, and quickly proved to be a hit with audience members and critics alike.

The London production continues its record-setting run as it enters its third year at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End.

Based on P.L. Travers’s cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, MARY POPPINS features the Academy Awardâ-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who has written the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.
Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre leads the award-winning creative team assembled for MARY POPPINS with co-direction and choreography by Tonyâ and Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne. MARY POPPINS features set and costume design by Tony Awardâ winner Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Steve Canyon Kennedy, orchestrations by William David Brohn, music supervision by David Caddick, and music direction by Brad Haak.

Tickets for MARY POPPINS are available at www.DisneyOnBroadway.com, the New Amsterdam Theatre Box Office, and all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling Ticketmaster’s Disney on Broadway hotline at (212) 307-4747. Prices range from $25 - $120. For group sales and information please call (800) 439-9000.

www.DisneyOnBroadway.com

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NEWS FROM CURTAINS

CURTAINS STAR
DAVID HYDE PIERCE
WILL APPEAR ON WNBC’S
“Weekend Today in New York”
Saturday, December 15th between 9am and 10am

David Hyde Pierce, Tony Award®-winning star of CURTAINS, will appear on WNBC’s “Weekend Today in New York” Saturday, December 15th for an interview with anchor Michael Gargiulo. “Weekend Today in New York” airs on Channel 4.

David Hyde Pierce recently extended his run in CURTAINS by an additional six months. He will star in the show through August 31, 2008.

CURTAINS, the Musical Comedy Whodunit from the authors of Cabaret and Chicago, stars 2007 Tony Award® winner and four-time Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce and Tony and Emmy Award® winner Debra Monk, and is currently playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street).

CURTAINS is an original musical comedy with a book by Rupert Holmes (multiple Tony Award®-winner for The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Say Goodnight Gracie), music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb (the Tony Award®-winning songwriters of Cabaret, Chicago, New York New York), original book and concept by Tony Award®-winner Peter Stone (1776, Titanic, The Will Rogers Follies), and additional lyrics by John Kander & Rupert Holmes. CURTAINS is directed by five-time Tony Award®-nominee Scott Ellis (She Loves Me, 1776, 12 Angry Men, Steel Pier). Choreography is by Tony Award®-winner Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie).

CURTAINS unfolds backstage at Boston’s Colonial Theatre in 1959, where a new musical could be a Broadway smash, were it not for the presence of its talent-free leading lady. When the hapless star dies on opening night during her curtain call, Lieutenant Frank Cioffi (David Hyde Pierce) arrives on the scene to conduct an investigation. But the lure of the theatre proves irresistible and after an unexpected romance blooms for the stage-struck detective, he finds himself just as drawn toward making the show a hit, as he is in solving the murder.

The production stars Tony and four-time Emmy Award® David Hyde Pierce as Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, Tony and Emmy Award winner Debra Monk as producer Carmen Bernstein, Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba as lyricist Georgia Hendricks, Jason Danieley as composer Aaron Fox, Jill Paice as ingénue Niki Harris and Edward Hibbert as director Christopher Belling, with John Bolton as theatre critic Daryl Grady, Michael X. Martin as stage manager Johnny Harmon, Michael McCormick as investor Oscar Shapiro, Noah Racey as choreographer Bobby Pepper, Ernie Sabella as producer Sidney Bernstein and Megan Sikora as understudy Bambi Bernét.

The 31-member cast also features Nili Bassman (Arlene Barucca), Bridget Berger (Roberta Wooster), Kevin Bernard (Roy Stetson/Detective O’Farrell), Ward Billeisen (Brick Hawvermale), Paula Leggett Chase (Marjorie Cook), Jennifer Dunne (Jan Setler), David Eggers (Swing), J. Austin Eyer (Swing), Matt Farnsworth (Harv Fremont), Patty Goble (Jessica Cranshaw/Connie Subbotin), Mary Ann Lamb (Mona Page), Lorin Lattaro (Swing), David Loud (Sasha Iljinsky), Brittany Marcin (Peg Prentice), Jim Newman (Randy Dexter), Joe Aaron Reid (Ronnie Driscoll), Christopher Spaulding (Russ Cochran), Jerome Vivona (Swing) and Stephanie Youell (Swing).

Producers are Roger Berlind, Roger Horchow, Daryl Roth, Jane Bergère, Ted Hartley and Center Theatre Group. CURTAINS had its world premiere on August 9, 2006 at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.

Performance schedule for CURTAINS is Tuesday at 7:00 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 PM, and Sunday at 3:00 PM.

Tickets are on sale at Telecharge at 212-239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com or in person at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre box office (302 West 45th Street).