Perez Hilton launched his celebrity entertainment blog PerezHilton.com  in 2004, and has since created a media empire that includes television, radio, and music. Now, he’s making his New York stage debut in the Off-Broadway hit NEWSical the Musical at Theatre Row’s Kirk Theatre, September 8-October 7.

TheaterMania recently spoke with Hilton about his acting background, changes in the show, which celebrity friends he expects to see in the audience, why Oprah inspires him, and his career aspirations.

THEATERMANIA: You graduated from NYU with a BFA in Drama. Did you ever consider acting for a living?
PEREZ HILTON: I gave acting a shot when I graduated, but it didn’t work out.… Read the rest

THEATERMANIA: How would you describe the show?
FARAH ALVIN: It is a very broad comedy in the style ofAvenue Q. It has this equal opportunity vibe of making fun of everyone.

TM: Do you think this is a topical subject?… Read the rest

In a change of pace, Donovan is currently starring in the world premiere of Kenneth Lonergan‘s comedy Medieval Play at Off-Broadway’s Signature Theatre. TheaterMania recently chatted with Donovan about his latest role, his new NBC show, Infamous with Victor Garber, and what it’s like to work behind the scenes on Glee.… Read the rest

THEATERMANIA: How did you find out about this production?
MH: My team sent this to me.… Read the rest

THEATERMANIA: What’s it like being on stage again in a musical?
AARON CARTER: It’s great! I have been performing my whole life. When I’m not performing, I’m bored.… Read the rest

Now, Glick returns to the stage as Jacob in MCC Theater’s world premiere of Thomas Higgins’ Wild Animals You Should Know, co-starring Tony Award winner Alice Ripley, which begins previews on November 3 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. TheaterMania spoke with Glick in between rehearsals about his career.

THEATERMANIA: How does it feel to be back on stage?
GIDEON GLICK: It’s lovely. Spider-Man was a great experience.… Read the rest

Broadway veteran Mary Testa has received Tony Award nominations for her work in On the Town and 42nd Street and has appeared on Broadway in Guys and Dolls, Xanadu, Marie Christine, Chicago, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Currently, Testa is starring in the Transport Group’s world premiere production of Michael John LaChiusa’s new musical Queen of the Mist, in which she plays Anna Edson Taylor, who set out at age 63 to become the first woman to spill over Niagara Falls in a barrel. TheaterMania recently chatted with Testa about creating this iconic role.

THEATERMANIA: When did you first hear about this production?… Read the rest

Jesse Eisenberg has become one of the film world’s hottest actors, thanks to his work in such films as The Squid and the Whale, Zombieland, and The Social Network, for which he received an Academy Award nomination. However, Eisenberg is not only an actor, he’s a playwright — and he is currently co-starring with Justin Bartha and Camille Mana in his new play, Asuncion, being presented by the Rattlestick Theatre Company at the Cherry Lane. TheaterMania recently spoke to Eisenberg and Mana about this project.

THEATERMANIA: What are you looking forward to as far as audiences seeing Asuncion?
JESSE EISENBERG: The play is funny and I hope people find it funny.… Read the rest