The interview about Hair, a summer hit at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park that will resurface on Broadway in early 2009, is only one component of The Times' four-day celebration of the arts, which includes "a wide range of activities, from interviews between Times journalists and celebrated guests from the arts, film, music, media and politics, to special offers at cultural institutions around the world."

For more information or to purchase advance tickets, which are $30 for each interview, call (888) NYT-1870 or visit www.ArtsAndLeisureWeekend.com.

All TimesTalk events will be held at TheTimesCenter, 242 West 41st Street in Manhattan.

This year's guests also include ABC's "The View" co-hosts Barbara Walters, Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd; Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates; FX's "Damages" creators Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler and Daniel Zelman with Emmy Award-winning star Glenn Close and co-stars Rose Byrne and Tate Donovan; MSNBC's Keith Olbermann; Grammy Award-winning vocalists Gal Costa and Cassandra Wilson; New York Times assistant managing editor Richard L. Berke with reporters covering the new administration; award-winning comedian, actor and author Lewis Black; dancers and artistic directors of Pilobolus Dance Theater; internationally acclaimed author Salman Rushdie; PBS' Tavis Smiley; punk rock legend Patti Smith; indie pop band Vampire Weekend; author and award-winning journalist Sharon Waxman; and many more.

"Arts & Leisure Weekend is a special, one-of-a kind showcase for the enormous talents of our renowned guests and our great journalists," said Yasmin Namini, senior vice president, marketing and circulation, The New York Times. "We look forward to a fantastic four-day weekend and welcome this year's sponsors to the incredible, state-of-the-art TimesCenter." *

Arts & Leisure Weekend was originally established in 2001 to mark The Times' 150th anniversary.