<![CDATA[David Zellnik - News]]>

<![CDATA[David Zellnik - News]]>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 03:26:09 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Vienna's Volkstheater - Performing True Stories!]]>Thu, 09 Jan 2025 22:01:37 GMThttp://www.davidzellnik.net/news/viennas-volkstheater-performing-true-stories

Exited to share these videos of my performance at the Rote Bar @The Volkstheater in Vienna! It was incredibly exciting to perform these 10-minute autobiographical stories for a packed audience in this legendary venue.

The first one is my story of an encounter with a Jewish convert last year in Vienna that went sideways... and a realization about my father's time here. "Two Jews (My Vienna Story)". The other is perhaps more comic and strange — about a work colleague years ago who believed she could communicate with whales. "Jaguar Jaguar Butterfly Jaguar".

]]><![CDATA[Shoutout in THE NATION]]>Wed, 03 Apr 2024 18:35:09 GMThttp://www.davidzellnik.net/news/shoutout-in-the-nation

Thank you THE NATION for remembering my play, Ariel Sharon Stands at the Temple Mount and Dreams of Theodor Herzl -- and for demanding (Jewish) theatre artists speak more incisively to the current moment.

The situation in Israel/Palestine gets only more calamitous and horrifying, as does American complicity. I hope this play about the birth of Zionism and its brutal implementation in Palestine can shed light. I also hope a theatre will be brave enough to allow it to do so. In 2007 and again 2010 it was deemed "too controversial" by theaters that said they loved it. Perhaps today it can find a home.

]]><![CDATA[O TIME a hit at UNITED SOLO FESTIVAL!]]>Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:34:30 GMThttp://www.davidzellnik.net/news/o-time-a-hit-at-united-solo-festival

So proud and excited to open O TIME at United Solo! Telling this deeply personal — at times funny, at times incredibly sad — story to a sold out house was thrilling... and emotional and exciting and terrifying. Working with director Danilo Gamba transported this work to an entirely new level. And knowing I have George's family's support means the world to me

Excited to perform it again on March 27th at 2PM! Please come!

]]><![CDATA[Noble Family Concert at La Mirada Theatre in Los Angeles!]]>Sun, 11 Jun 2023 23:10:02 GMThttp://www.davidzellnik.net/news/noble-family-concert-in-at-la-mirada

So excited that NOBLE FAMILY got a top notch concert at la Mirada in Los Angeles! And that we have a video that captures this sold-out performance!

And oh my, the full orchestra led by Andrew Gerle, who also did the orchestrations. Cecilia and I were very honored. And what a cast (see below)! Thank you McCoy Rigby Entertainment and La Mirada Theatre.

]]><![CDATA[Brazil News Part 2: Yank! becomes a Graphic Novel... in Portuguese!]]>Sun, 11 Jun 2023 18:50:47 GMThttp://www.davidzellnik.net/news/brazil-news-part-2-yank-becomes-a-graphic-novel-in-portuguese

After years of planning – and collaborating with 7 amazing artists for each of the comic books that together tell the story of Yank! – our graphic novel is ready to come out! It looks beautiful, sexy as hell, and super fun!

Hugo Bonemer – my friend and go-to Brazilian collaborator – has taken Joe and my musical and made it a novel. He builds off the excellent translation of the musical done by Menelick de Carvalho and Vitor Louzada back when we played in Rio in 2017/18 (and won CENYM'S Best Musical in Brazil!).

"Yank: Diario de Guerra" tells the story of Stu, an American kid who faces the two scariest things possible: war and first love. Set during World War 2, this story centers on a queer kid who discovers love and sex, camaraderie and bravery, as well as a hidden world of LGBTQ+ people he never knew existed.

The excitement (and coverage) have been immense! I can't wait for you to read it... and for one day soon, it to be translated (back) into English! There are currently a few copies printed... but in order to publish more, Hugo is holding a small fundraiser. If you want to donate click here. This is also a great way to buy the issues but warning: shipping will cost a pretty penny if you're outside of Brazil.

Love how Yank! continues to travel the globe!

]]><![CDATA[Brazil News Part1: Loveville Becomes Amorlândia!]]>Thu, 11 May 2023 18:11:23 GMThttp://www.davidzellnik.net/news/brazil-news-part1-loveville-becomes-amorlandia

Hugo Bonemer (Producer) and Estrela Blanco (Translator) help bring Loveville High to Brazil. Helming this ship — and performing in the company too!— they have transposed Loveville, Ohio to the state of Rio de Janeiro, into a small go-nowhere town that's still so full of love and promise... called Amorlândia!

I was lucky enough to be a part of this creation, staying with Hugo in Rio as we recorded with a stellar cast. Then came back to NYC and with Eric Svejcar (composer/production engineer) mixed down the 10 episodes.

10 episodes you ask? Yes! "Episode 0" – penned by Hugo himself – introduces Brazil to this world through the eyes of Noah and Caio, the two bros we will come to know from Episode 5 in the locker room! It's super fun and really helps launch this new Brazilian version.

Debuting on all major platforms in July!

]]><![CDATA[In the Spirit of Returning...]]>Wed, 30 Dec 2020 20:50:42 GMThttp://www.davidzellnik.net/news/in-the-spirit-of-returning...to some new sort of normal (one with less sickness and suffering, more justice, more theatre, more Biden) I thought I'd fill you in on my past few months...you know, like people used to do! There's more exciting news coming, but meanwhile, wishing you all health and happiness in 2021! - David

* * *

In March, I was thrilled to be asked to write lyrics for a new musical called "The Noble Family" (Music by Cecilia Lin, Book by Susan DiLallo). It's a beautiful love story that takes place in 1920s China, set to open in Beijing and Shanghai a year from now, with plans to then bring it to New York! My lyrics are in English (of course) but they will be directly translated into Chinese. We had a reading last August (directed by Liz Piccoli, produced by Jim Kierstead) and with an amazing cast, led by Telly Leung and Catherine Ricafort. Can't wait to be in a room with all these supremely talented people!

* * *

This year we had the Yank! 10th Anniversary Concert at 54 Below (something we remain immensely grateful the universe allowed to happen!) And over 4K people have watched the video of it on YouTube! Now Broadway World has nominated it for three 2020 Cabaret Awards: Best Special Event, Best Filmed Show, and Best Solo Performer for Hugo Bonemer (our Stu in Rio). In other Yank! News, look for a comic book version in Portuguese to be released worldwide this coming June! (We told you were were a hit in Brazil!) In 9 issues, with text adapted by Hugo, drawn by different artists representing the diversity of LGBTQ life in Brazil, the story of Stu, Mitch, Artie, the Squad, and Louise comes to life! Here's a peek!

* * *

In Loveville High News almost two years ago Episode 1 debuted. Now, 40K(!) downloads later, we are set to have the first staged version premiere on the stages of Colorado University...

Well, until that which will not be named meant that all live performances were off. Ever-resilient, CU has postponed the stage version for a year, but will do an online hour of songs/scenes/stories celebrating their students work. It will stream to all so I'll send out more info the closer we get!

* * *

Finally, this song meant the world to me and Joe to write during the darkest days of the epidemic. Please give a listen - Santino Fontana sounds amazing! And if so moved, buy the album Artists in Residence for which we wrote this song! All funds raised help out-of-work artists!

]]><![CDATA[More Playbill Love! Thanks, Chase for letting write... a ballet!]]>Tue, 22 Oct 2019 14:47:59 GMThttp://www.davidzellnik.net/news/more-playbill-love-thanks-chase-for-letting-write-a-ballet

]]><![CDATA[Playbill Exclusive: Concert Video of Loveville's "Sparkle Like Bowie"]]>Tue, 22 Oct 2019 14:31:09 GMThttp://www.davidzellnik.net/news/playbill-exclusive-concert-video-of-lovevilles-sparkle-like-bowieThank you Playbill for the love! Listen to to Mason Alexander Park and Isaac C Powell sing "Sparkle Like Bowie" at the York Theatre concert of "Loveville High"

See more Cocert videos here!

]]><![CDATA[Interview on Broadway Radio!]]>Tue, 03 Sep 2019 18:42:26 GMThttp://www.davidzellnik.net/news/interview-on-broadway-radio

Thanks for the fun interview Broadway Radio! James Marino gets into all of it - Loveville High! Yank!, Career! and all of it. Give it a listen!

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