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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Very excited about this...just got word I've booked my first commercial. Later this month, I'll be flown out to Film House in Tennessee to work on a military related commercial. And by some miracle, it falls in some downtime between performances of Pinocchio and Let There Be Light..!.
Again, I'm just really excited. Stories and pictures to follow.
I got this news a few days ago...and I would've posted it, but I've been thoroughly knocked on my ass by it. I'm happy to say, it's some of the best news I've had in a long time.
Drury Lane is opening a new theater at Water Tower Place in downtown Chicago. A very good thing, yes? Better than that is the fact that they'll be opening their season with THE FULL MONTY...a musical that I love to death.
The best part of this is, they've just cast me as the lead role of Jerry in this production. It will be directed and choreographed by Broadway vet Jim Corti (Ragtime, Urinetown). And I’ve gotta tell you...I'm honored. Simply honored. It's an amazing opportunity and I can't thank the production team enough.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Jim Corti, Michael Webber, Diana Van Lente and everyone else involved with the process.
I'll post more information about the show once dates and times are solidified.
Can. Not. Wait.
Thanks to Drury Lane, I'll be happily getting back to a day job. I've just been cast in the role of Lampwick in their upcoming children's production of PINOCCHIO. And the good news is...since all the rehearsals and shows are in the morning, I'll be able to do another show at night.
More information on dates and times as they become available.
I'm proud to announce I have been cast in a staged reading of the new musical Saving Anne with the book and lyrics by Owen Robertson. It will play for One Night Only at the Theatre Building Chicago and is directed by John Sparks. I will be playing the principal role of "Peter."
More information as it becomes available.
I am honestly out of adjectives to describe how elated I am to announce the following:
I have just been cast in the National Touring company of Scrooge, starring Richard Chamberlain. The following excerpt was taken from Playbill.com:
Bill Kenwright produces the American premiere of the holiday musical directed by Bob Tomson (Blood Brothers) which played previously in London.
The production will feature choreography by Lisa Kent and design by the Olivier-Award nominated designer Paul Farnsworth — from his design from the London production.
Chamberlain last starred on Broadway in the revival of The Sound of Music and the national tour. Other stage credits include Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Night of the Iguana, Blithe Spirit, My Fair Lady. The actor is also known for his turns on television in "The Thorn Birds," "The Count of Monte Cristo," "Shogun," and "Dr. Kildare."
I will be portraying the role of Topper and understudying the roles of Harry (Scrooge's Nephew) and Bob Cratchit. I'm truly speechless. By the time this tour ends, I'll have traveled to more places than I have in my entire life. And most likely, I will be asked to take my Equity card and join the union.
Not that they're reading this...but thank you so much to Bob Tomson and Ed Urban (of Urban Casting). I'm not sure if you realize how much this opportunity means to me.
I'll post dates, venues, and ticket information when they're set in stone.
Drury Lane left me with a little going away present...
I'm proud to announce that I have just been cast in Drury Lane Oakbrook's production of Fiddler on the Roof. It will be directed by Ray Frewen. I'll be portraying the role of Fyedka. Rehearsals being shortly after Joseph closes. This is yet another musical I had done when I was younger. This time, exactly 10 years ago. I can't wait to get back to Drury Lane......but in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy living out in Rockford and the New American Theater.
More information as it becomes available.
I'm proud to announce that I have just been cast in New American Theater's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I will be portraying the role of Judah and singing "The Benjamin Calypso." Also, I will be understudying the role of Joseph. It will be directed by Christy Montour-Larson. Rehearsals begin in a few weeks. I'm really excited about this one. I did this musical eight years ago, but was too young to fully enjoy it.
More info as it becomes available.
I'm not quite sure how to explain this......so I'm going to just jump right in:
I've just been cast in my first feature length film! Come December, I will fly off to Canada to film one of the lead roles in The Zoo Project. It will be directed by Chris Ruffatto and written by Mr. Ruffatto and Aaron Peck.
Not even quite sure what to say. I'm floored. "Lucky" doesn't quite cut it. Nor does "ecstatic."
I guess I'll just have to leave it at that. Expect updates soon!
Dear Beginner's Luck,
Thank you for sticking around for a while.
Sincerely,
Peter Zielinski
..........I'm extremely proud to announce that I have just been cast in Drury Lane Oakbrook's production of The Man Who Came To Dinner. I'll be portraying the role of Sandy (and other various characters). I'll also be understudying the role of Bert Jefferson. It will be directed by Ray Frewen. Rehearsals start in December and the show should open sometime in January...and I can't wait!
More information as it comes.
I've offically made my first Chicago show and I'm more than ecstatic!
Today I was cast in WNEP Theater's original production of Let There Be Light..!. Based upon the 1946 documentary by John Huston, co-writers Jen Ellison and Dave Stinton have created a documentary for the stage that follows four young veterans, just after the Allied victories overseas, as they grapple with the debilitating symptoms of battle fatigue. Rehearsals start in late July. I will be portraying the role of PFC. Jeremy Friend.
I could not have asked for more. Starting off by doing an original show and creating a role....two things I've never been fortunate enough to do?
I am truly blessed.