New York Drama Book Shop to Host Community Theatre Discussion

It's the common perception of New York theatre people that they are some of the harshest critics of good theatre. While you'd be hard pressed to find someone in the New York theatre world without an opinion of the state of modern theatre today or who swilled with news of the latest Disney offering or the return of such long retired classics as Les Mes or Cats (ugh!) there is a little known fact about the denizens of New York theatre in general and in theatre critics in particular; they actually like theatre!

It's not that the constant ribbing you read in your local papers is undeserved; it's just the fact that people who participate in, appreciate, are surprised by, enjoy, and love the theatre are the same people whose lives are surrounded by it. Count Peter Filichia among that crowd. As the critic for The Newark Star Ledger and the point man for the NJ News 12, Mr. Filichia is more than just a critic of the theatre; he's a theatre lover. Mr. Filichia has served as president and chairman on the nominating committee of the Drama Desk and has also been on the nominating committee for the Lucile Lortel Awards. He's written liner notes for Broadway cast albums, is the critic in residence for the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and is the host of the Theatre World Awards.

It's with great excitement that The Drama Book Shop announced that this coming Monday, September 17 at 6PM, Mr. Filichia will be hosting a panel of community theatre directors to commemorate the new edition of Mr. Filichia's book, "Let's Put on a Musical! How to Choose the Right Show for Your School, Community, or Professional Theatre." According to The Drama Book Shop, the panel will be discussing "the problems, pitfall, joys and excitement of putting on a musical and how to get the most professional results from non-professionals."

If you have any interest in theatre in general or if you're a theater person who has got some specific questions or concerns that you'd like addressed, then you should certainly try and make your way out to the Drama Book Shop at 250 W 40th St in New York (212-944-0595) this coming Monday. For more info you can access the Drama Book Shop's web page, myspace page, or visit TheaterMania.com and read more about Mr. Filichia and what he's got to say about a whole host of theatre matters at "Peter Filichia's Diary" to which he is the exclusive and regular contributor.