On March 31st, government officials joined Chinatown Partnership Local Development Corporation (CPLDC) executives in kicking off a long-term program to improve sanitation in New York’s Chinatown. The first phase involves the placing of 50 state-of-the-art trash cans throughout the streets of Chinatown.

The initiative is the first undertaking in a four-year “Clean Streets” initiative, which aims to improve the physical environment of Chinatown by making it dramatically cleaner, safer and more attractive for residents and visitors. “Clean Streets” was conceived in response to surveys of both Chinatown residents and visitors identifying sanitation as one of the top concerns in the neighborhood. Other initiatives will be launched later this spring.

Produced for Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism on October 14, 2008.

20th Century Fox’s 1980 hit film “9 to 5″ has been given a Broadway musical makeover with the help of the movie’s original star, Dolly Parton, writing the music and lyrics, Patricia Resnick, adapting her own screenplay for the stage, director Joe Mantello and choreographer Andy Blankenbeuhler. Along with an all-star cast, including Megan Hilty, Stephanie J. Block, Allison Janney and Marc Kudisch, 9 to 5 will premiere at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles beginning in September before heading East to Broadway.

Parton took to the House of Blues stage in Hollywood Friday singing both “9 to 5″ and “Backwoods Barbie,” an original song written for the musical and also the title track of her latest album. 9 to 5’s cast along with Resnick and producer Robert Greenblatt joined the country singer for the promotional event.

BroadwayWorld’s own James Sims was on hand for the afternoon, getting a chance to speak with Parton and stars Hilty, Block, Janney and Kudisch about creating this musical based on the motion picture that earned Parton an Academy Award nomination and launched the classic song “9 to 5.” Resnick also added to the conversation in providing insight about adapting her screenplay for the Broadway stage.

Produced for BroadwayWorld.com on March 29, 2008.

Producer/Host James Sims talks with Hollywood writers and reporters about the 2007 Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike that brought the production to halt. Guests: Ray Richmond of The Hollywood Reporter; David Kidd, writer of Beverly Hills Chihuahua; Eric Estrin writer of Miami Vice.

Produced for California State University Northridge’s Journalism Program in 2007. Aired on Los Angeles channel 36’s “On Point.”

Santa Clarita Valley, just north of Los Angeles, scrambled as the Buckweed Fire drew near on October 21, driving residents out of their homes and sending firefighters into the nearby mountains.

Nearly 150,000 residents were evacuated while 32 structures were destroyed, according to fire officials.

Produced for California State University Northridge’s Journalism School October 21, 2007. This story aired on channel LA36 in Los Angeles.

Hollywood gave the red carpet treatment to New Line’s “Hairspray,” the latest Broadway-to-film musical adaptation from the producers of the award-winning movie “Chicago,”with the West Coast premiere taking place in Westwood on July 10, 2007. BroadwayWorld.com’s James Sims was on the scene to capture all of the star-powered fun as fans and celebrities alike cheered on the movie musical, set to open in theaters nationwide July 20.

The all-star cast of “Hairspray” came out to celebrate, including John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah as well as director Adam Shankman and producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

“Hairspray” is originally based on the 1988 John Waters comedy. The new version of the film is based on New Line’s hit Broadway adaptation of the film, which debuted in 2002, and went on to win eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book and Best Director.

Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman contributed new songs to their existing Tony Award-winning score. Shaiman also served as the film’s music supervisor and has composed the music score for the film as well as produced its songs. Wittman and Shaiman also served as executive producers on the film. The new screenplay for Hairspray was written by Leslie Dixon (“Freaky Friday,” “Outrageous Fortune”).

Produced for BroadwayWorld.com on July 19, 2007.