PJZ Update

CASTING: THE CHRISTMAS CAROL

2007-11-12T22:59:44Z

I'm happy to announce that I'll be spending another Christmas at the Westchester Broadway Theatre.

The plus is...this time I get to keep my clothes on.

I'll be performing a new adaptation of The Christmas Carol with book, music, and lyrics by George Puello. I'll be playing Bob Cratchit.

I'll post more info as it comes along.

That and I'll tell ya where I've been since May.

LAUREN MOLINA @ THE DUPLEX

2007-05-03T16:49:41Z

Unfortunately, I'm going to be in Arkansas doing a show during this time. But if you're in the city, you have to check Lauren out. She has an amazing voice and plays like 122 instruments. Not to be missed! Here's the notice:

Hi Friends,

I hope this email finds you healthy and happy.

I wanted to invite you to my upcoming solo show at the Duplex, May
20th, 9:30pm.

It will be a night of my original folk/poppy whimsical, harmony filled
music, classic musical theatre songs (gotta have Sondheim!), and
rock/pop tunes...And of course I'll be rocking the guitar, cello, and
ukelele.

Please call the Duplex at (212) 255-5438 to make a reservation.
Hope to see you soon!

All the best,
Lauren

( click to enlarge )

SAVING ANNE RECORDING

2007-04-30T16:28:32Z

So, almost 2 years ago, I did a reading for a new musical called Saving Anne. It turns out that the creators just so happen to live here and were doing a recording and I was lucky enough to be a part of it.

It was the first time I've been in a recording studio like that and I definitely had a great time. Can't say I like hearing myself on tape though :)

I'll try to post a sample when I get copies.

WHERE'S DARFUR?

2007-04-17T22:53:09Z

From my friend Lauren Lebowitz:

Hi everyone!

I would like to invite you to "Where's Darfur?" ...a benefit concert that I have co - produced to raise funds for and awareness of the genocide in Darfur on April 23rd at the Knitting Factory. My co-planners and I have been working day and night to make a very special evening that we hope will inspire people to stand up to the atrocities that are occurring before our eyes.

I hope you will all join me. .

Tax deductible tickets can be purchased at:

http://www.rocktosavedarfur.org/wheresdarfurevent.html

Thank you for your support!

:-) Lauren

click photo to enlarge

"Darfur Children" Photographs by Richard Levine

So if you live in the New York area...it's a great cause. I'll be in Chicago visiting family...but if my plane arrives on time, I will also be photographing this event. Please come out....we'd love to see you there.

Thanks!

THIRD TIMES A CHARM

2007-04-13T00:15:16Z

I know. Months in between updates. I know.

And now...tales of the Full Monty World Tour...

I'm happy to announce that I've been cast as Jerry Lukowski in Arkansas Rep's production of THE FULL MONTY. This will mark the third and final time I'll be revisiting this role and I'm very excited to get one more crack at it.

A lot of my friends in New York have worked at The Rep and have all loved it...so I'm really lookin' forward to spending my summer there.

It will run June 8th to July 1st. You can find info on their website: http://www.therep.org/

Oh, also....in case you've never seen the show...I've put a clip of the song "Man" from Westchester's production in the Media section.

PETER WHO?

2006-12-02T19:36:00Z

Remember me?

Been a long time since I posted last and a lot has been going on.

When WARSAW was over, I took a short break. Then I helped build the Apple Store on 5th Avenue from the ground up and became a certified Apple Product Specialist there.

After a few months at Apple, I was tapped to play Jerry Lukowski in THE FULL MONTY once again....this time at The Westchester Broadway Theatre in New York. It's an amazing cast and I'm having a great time revisiting the role. Currently we're on a holiday break until after Christmas. I'll post the official info soon.

In the meantime, I redesigned this site (as well as a few others), and started pursuing my photography. I also started something called Project 365 where I take a photo a day for 365 days and write the stories that go with them. Kind of an interesting way to chronicle a year...and it'll help the fact that I have very little long term memory.

Oh, speaking of this site, bare with me while I work all the bugs out. I'm sure Internet Explorer is going to ravage the hell out if it. Haven't done a lot of testing, so If you find any broken links or things get a little funky, feel free to let me know. I'd appreciate it.

So...yeah. That's what I've been up to. Hope you enjoy the site.

PRESS: WARSAW

2006-03-06T22:52:49Z

There's an article about WARSAW on Playbill today. Here's an excerpt:

"When giving in seems the only option, is there still a way to fight?" asks the creative team. "Roman, a young Jewish boy trapped in the Warsaw ghetto, manages to sustain optimism in the face of an unimaginable struggle for life. Behind a wall, and against a behemoth, he finds the strength to lead a successful Jewish revolt against Nazi troops. Based on true events during World War II, Warsaw is an intense and emotional musical play that honors the memory of this struggle — with a passionate, soaring score sung by a cast of 30."

The majority of our cast are Broadway singers including Greg Mills (The Woman in White), Susan Derry (Wonderful Town), Anne Kanengeiser (Little Women), and Kristin Carbone (Fiddler On The Roof). I can't even begin to describe how amazing this cast sounds. Makes the walls shake. And the score is ridiculous. Countless double sharps, huge groups singing in cannon, vein popping high notes. A really gorgeous sound. HUGE privilege to work on this one. Huge.

Please click here to read the full article.

OPENING: WARSAW

2006-03-06T07:03:58Z

Here are the dates, times, and ticket info for WARSAW by John Atkins and William Wade.

Two Nights Only: March 13th / 14th

48th Street Studios
353 W 48th Street, 2nd floor
New York, NY 10036
( get directions )

~~Performance Schedule:~~

~~Ticket Prices:~~

~~Box Office:~~

Unfortunately, I've just found out that this reading will be open to producers only. Apologies.

CASTING: WARSAW

2006-02-13T15:34:16Z

I have just been cast in a staged Industry Reading of WARSAW, a new musical set in the Jewish Warsaw ghetto during Nazi rule. It will be directed by Jamibeth Margolis with book and lyrics by John Atkins and music by William Wade. I will be playing the role of a German Soldier.

More information as it becomes available.

CLOSING: AIDA

2006-01-11T18:02:11Z

I am finally back in NYC and AIDA has come to a close.

As difficult as it was rewarding. But, man am I happy to be back home. The mountains were beautiful, the audiences were great, the cast was ridiculously fun to work with, and I'd go back to Denver in a second. I also got to work with Julie Reiber (Brooklyn, All Shook Up). Amazing pipes on that one. So, yeah, I really lucked out with this gig.

Special thanks go to Rod Lansberry and Gayle Seay for giving me the opportunity.

So...what's next?

I'm going to sleep.

For two weeks.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2005-12-26T01:47:08Z

Yeah, I said it.

Man...What a crazy week this has been. We just completed an arduous 11 day, 16 performance show stint without a break. My birthday came and went. And today...I had one of the best experiences of my life.

My Mother flew in last minute to see the show. So today, we went up to Breckenridge, Colorado and decided to go snowmobiling. My first time, actually.

Sweet. Hot. Damn.

We drove to about 12,000 feet above sea level and stopped at the edge of The Continental Divide. My Mom even did a few snow angels in 10 feet of snow. Seeing pure driven snow like that was pretty damn amazing.

See The Photos

REVIEWS: AIDA

2005-12-13T07:19:38Z

We're now hittin' the home stretch of AIDA and things have been going exceptionally well. Granted, I was stabbed in the leg with my own sword and had to do a number of performances the day after getting a tooth pulled.....but otherwise....smooth sailin'.

A really interesting aspect of the show has been the reviews. They're hilarious! They were generally pleased with the singing and the individual performances...but we were just an afterthought. Most of the reviewers were just beside themselves with the actuall content of the show. Many went so far as to call Disney racist, sexist, and sacrilegious. Here's a quick taste:

"Aida," based on Verdi's opera, should make for one of the most potent love stories in stage history. After all, the enslaved princess and the enemy captor who falls for her are buried alive as punishment for their love. How can you possibly mess that up?

Just add Disney. Only such an arrogant monolith could get away with a blatantly racist number in which slaves put on a glamorous fashion show. "Aida" is like taking a bubble bath in the Nile River. "

Yikes.

One paper even took the time to mention how incredibly white I am. Yes...fine. I'm really, really white. But come on man....ouch.

To each their own, ya know. To read these reviews, check out the AIDA page.

We have a really strong AIDA and Amneris and the rest of the cast is ridiculously talented. And the good news is the audiences have been really amazing. To all the people I've met and had a chance to talk to....thank you, thank you. I'm really havin' a blast in Colorado.

4 weeks down. 3 to go.

OPENING: AIDA

2005-11-29T16:19:45Z

It's been a bumpy ride and tensions have run high, and a cast member was even let go. But, AIDA has had an amazing opening. The crowds here are ridiculously responsive and it's makin' my time here just fly. Here's the show info:

Opening: November 28th
Closing: December 30th

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
6901 Wadsworth Blvd.
Arvada, Colorado 80003-9985
(driving directions)

Ticket Prices:
$20 - $44
(purchase tickets online)

*contact me about getting 25% off tickets*

Box Office Phone:
720-898-7200
Box Office Fax:
720-898-7204
TTY:
720-898-7203

*Parking Always Free*

Learn More

CASTING: AIDA

2005-11-15T07:44:24Z

I heart NYC.

I had only been in the city for a matter of weeks...but I lucked out. I'm happy to announce that I'll be playing Radames in AIDA at the Arvada Center in Colorado.

In fact, I'm a little behind with this update....last night completed our first week of rehearsal. We've got a really talented cast and Colorado is gorgeous. The weather is a little wonky though. Yesterday it was in the 70's and this morning I awoke to snow fall.

I've created a separate page for dates, times, and ticket info. You can find it here.

I'll update it as photos and reviews become available.

A FEW SMALL CHANGES

2005-11-06T18:56:45Z

I disapeared for a bit there, didn't I? Let's catch up...

This past July, I closed The Full Monty...marking 2 straight years of working in Chicago. I had some great times and some even greater opportunities. So I finally decided to take some time off. But during my vacation, someone very close to me inspired me to change a few things.

Long story short, I dropped what I was doing, packed only my clothes and a laptop, and moved to New York.

So, now I'm living in Manhattan and startin' a new phase of my career. That's where I am and that's where I'm goin'...

More to come.