The program will premiere on CUNY TV Nov. 16 at 5 PM with additional broadcasts scheduled for Nov. 21 at 9 AM, 2 and 7:30 PM; and Nov. 22 at 11 AM.

The broadcast will feature interviews with composer Michael John LaChiusa and directors Diane Paulus and Stephen Wadsworth, who have all worked in both the opera and theatre worlds.

The three artists, according to press notes, will "share their thoughts about the nature of [opera and theatre], how they differ and what they share; the use of amplification and how it affects productions in both opera and theatre; the so-called 'American Idol' effect on musical performers; changes in training for opera singers; the differing scale – and manner – of pay; whether super-titles enhance or distract from opera performances; and the importance of the director's role and how it differs in theatre and opera."

Entertainment Weekly theatre editor Melissa Rose Bernardo will moderate the discussion.

Beginning Nov. 19, "Arias to Showstoppers: The Worlds of Opera and Theatre" will be available as streaming audio and podcast by visiting www.americantheatrewing.org. The American Theatre Wing is best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards. Theodore S. Chapin is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Theatre Wing, and Howard Sherman is Executive Director.