Peter Pan Finds New Fans at Newport Beach Library

It was closer to the beach than "first star and to the right and onto Neverland," but more than 100 children did find their way to the Newport Beach Public Library on Tuesday, November 9 to meet cast members from JM Barrie's Peter Pan. It was a combination of various arts - literature, theater and puppetry. Following a brief reading from chapter one of Barrie's classic novel, Ciaran Joyce and Beth Triffon burst forth with an actual scene from the play, as Peter enters and Wendy sews his shadow back on. A special surprise was the appearance of Nana, the Newfoundland dog who is the Darling childrens' nurse (she was accompanied by her trainer/puppeteer Christopher Keller). Peter Pan continues its run at the Center through January 2.

Hear the Szymanowski Quartet on KUSC

The Szymanowski Quartet was interviewed in-studio today by KUSC's very own Jim Svejda. The lively discussion with Jim and all four members of the ensemble covered everything from why they decided on the Szymanowski name to how reactions from American audiences differ from European ones. You can hear the interview as well as recordings by the quartet tomorrow night (Wednesday) starting at 7 p.m. on Classical KUSC 91.5 FM. The Szymanowski plays in the Center's Concert Series this Thursday evening at 8 p.m. in Samueli Theater. Click here for more information.

Photo: Jim Svejda (center) with the quartet (L to R: Vladimir Mykitka, Marcin Sieniawski, Andrej Bielow and Grzegorz Kotow)

Wicked Cast Recording Certified Double Platinum

The original Broadway cast recording of Stephen Schwartz's Wicked has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Double platinum certification means the Decca Broadway recording, which features Tony Award winners Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, has sold more than two million copies.

To celebrate the occasion, composer Stephen Schwartz will be presented with a commemorative plaque following November 10th matinee performance of the smash musical at The Gershwin Theatre.

Other Decca Broadway cast recordings to achieve double platinum status include Rent, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Cats.

Chris Colfer Makes a Trip to Neverland

Chris Colfer, one of the stars of Fox's Glee, attended a performance of Peter Pan at the Center this past Saturday night. Chris is pictured above with a friend and couple of Peter Pan's Lost Boys. The show seems to be popular with Glee cast members - a few weeks ago Josh Sussman, who plays Jacob Ben Israel, also caught a performance. Due to popular demand, threesixty° entertainment's Peter Pan has been extended until January 2, 2011.

Mary Poppins on Dancing with the Stars

In case you missed the cast of Mary Poppins performing "Step in Time" on Dancing with the Stars...we've got it for you here along with a behind-the scenes look: