Pete Townshend News

Eminent artist friends and peers of this year's six honorees converged in Washington, D.C. last night (Dec. 7) to present entertaining and heartfelt tributes at THE 31ST ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, an entertainment special to be broadcast Tuesday, Dec. 30 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, with Caroline Kennedy as host for the sixth consecutive year.

The Huffington Post reports that Barbra Streisand got an awkward kiss on the cheek from the president, and yes, she gave him a smooch back, Streisand, a vocal critic of President George W. Bush, was a guest Sunday at the White House just before one of Washington's few A-list events: the Kennedy Center Honors.

Parsons Dance presents the World Premiere of an all-new, as-yet-untitled collaboration with the lead vocalists of East Village Opera Company (EVOC), featuring the music of the acclaimed rock opera band. Program A premieres the new evening-length work with EVOC's two lead vocalists live onstage with Parsons Dance. Program B will feature Parsons Dance favorites, including Caught and Nascimento.

In a relaxed and wide-ranging interview with the Washington Post on the eve of her Kennedy Center honor, Barbra Streisand revealed that she would like to have her next directorial duty for film be 'The Normal Heart'. Streisand has long desired to bring Larry Kramer's powerful AIDS drama to the stage.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts selected the individuals who will receive the Kennedy Center Honors of 2008. Recipients to be honored at the 31st annual national celebration of the arts are: actor Morgan Freeman, singer George Jones, actress and singer Barbra Streisand, choreographer Twyla Tharp, and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who. They were given personal kudos by some of their talented peers in Variety.

Parsons Dance presents the World Premiere of an all-new, as-yet-untitled collaboration with the lead vocalists of East Village Opera Company (EVOC), featuring the music of the acclaimed rock opera band. Program A premieres the new evening-length work with EVOC's two lead vocalists live onstage with Parsons Dance. Program B will feature Parsons Dance favorites, including Caught and Nascimento.

Producer Howard Panter for Ambassador Theatre Group and co-producers Tulchin/Bartner/Jenkins, Bill Kenwright, Darren Bagert, and Tom Gregory announced today that Craig Bierko (Tony Award nominee for The Music Man; Scary Movie 4) will star as 'Sky Masterson' and Kate Jennings Grant (Proof) will also star as 'Sarah Brown' in the new Broadway production of the greatest musical comedy GUYS AND DOLLS.

The Path Fund / Rockers on Broadway proudly announces The Who's TOMMY: 15th Anniversary Benefit Concert. Directed by Donnie Kehr, this one-night-only milestone event featuring the original cast of the groundbreaking Broadway musical will take place Monday, December 15 at 8:00 PM at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street).

EOnline.com is reporting that amongst those paying tribute to Barbra Streisand on December 7 at the Kennedy Center Honors will be Queen Latifah, Ne-Yo and Beyonce Knowles.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) has announced that Tony® award winner Mary-Louise Parker (Hedda Gabler), Tony® award winner Michael Cerveris (Jorgen Tesman), Paul Sparks (Ejlert Lovborg) and Peter Stormare (Judge Brack) in a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The production features a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn and will be directed by Ian Rickson.

LAUREN GRAHAM (Golden Globe Award nominee for 'Gilmore Girls') will appear as 'Miss Adelaide' opposite Oliver Platt's 'Nathan Detroit' in the new Broadway production of GUYS AND DOLLS.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is proud to announce Tony® award winner Michael Cerveris (Jorgen Tesman) & Paul Sparks (Ejlert Lovborg) will join previously announced Tony® award winner Mary-Louise Parker (Hedda Gabler) in a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The production features a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn and will be directed by Ian Rickson. Hedda Gabler will begin previews on Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 and open officially on Sunday, January 25th, 2009 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This will be a limited engagement.

Parsons Dance presents the World Premiere of an all-new, as-yet-untitled collaboration with the lead vocalists of East Village Opera Company (EVOC), featuring the music of the acclaimed rock opera band.

B.B. King Blues Club & Grill one of the nation's most respected music venues and New York's premier home for Broadway stars and cabaret and and Lucille's Grill,a bar/restaurant located inside B.B. King Blues Club & Grill present their schedule of performances, with recently added or altered shows.

A new production of GUYS AND DOLLS, directed by Tony-winner Des McAnuff will begin previews on February 3, 2009 at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre. Opening Night is March 1.

eyeBLINK is pleased to announce 'THE WOMEN OF THE MAHABHARATA,' a world premiere adaptation by WALLACE DORIAN, directed by JONATHAN WARMAN and choreographed by DINA DENIS DANCE. The production opens Thursday, October 9th at 8 p.m., and continues Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m., through Sunday, October 26th. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling 800-838-3006 or online at www.eyeblink.org or http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/41685.

'THE WOMEN OF THE MAHABHARATA,' a world premiere adaptation by WALLACE DORIAN, directed by JONATHAN WARMAN and choreographed by DINA DENIS DANCE. The production opens Thursday, October 9th at 8 p.m., and continues Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m., through Sunday, October 26th.

The Path Fund / Rockers on Broadway proudly announces The Who's TOMMY: 15th Anniversary Benefit Concert. Directed by Donnie Kehr, this one-night-only milestone event featuring the original cast of the groundbreaking Broadway musical will take place Monday, December 15 at 8:00 PM at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street).

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced the selection of the individuals who will receive the Kennedy Center Honors of 2008. Recipients to be honored at the 31st annual national celebration of the arts are: actor Morgan Freeman, singer George Jones, actress and singer Barbra Streisand, choreographer Twyla Tharp, and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival announces its 2009 season - a playbill reflecting the Festival's commitment to producing the works of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries, along with other classical theatre repertoire and the work of living playwrights.