Hosted by The New York Times, the star-studded conversations will be held Jan. 10 and 11 at the CUNY Graduate Center, Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. The "Times Talks" discussions are all moderated by New York Times critics, reporters or editors.

The weekend kicks off Jan. 10 from 10-11:15 AM with "Singing Out". Moderated by the Times' chief music critic, Anthony Tommasini, the morning will address whether audiences are willing to accept gay performers. Panelists will include Rent's Anthony Rapp, On the Town's Lea DeLaria as well as David Daniels and Caushun.

New York Times associate editor John Darnton will moderate "Celebrating Sondheim," Jan. 10 from 6-7:15 PM. The panelists for that evening will include, appropriately, composer Stephen Sondheim and singer Barbara Cook. The latter received a Tony Award nomination for her acclaimed Lincoln Center concert, Mostly Sondheim.

Nilo Cruz, Tony Kushner, Neil LaBute and Terrence McNally will all take part in "Masters of the Stage" on Jan. 11, from noon-1:15 PM. Moderated by cultural reporter Mel Gussow, the afternoon will answer the questions, "What does it take to write a new play and get it produced? And, where does the playwright's inspiration come from?"

The final offering will be held from 8-9:15 PM on Jan. 11. Award-winning actors Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, who will soon return to the Broadway production of The Producers, will discuss their creative collaboration. Cabaret critic Stephen Holden moderates.

Tickets for the discussions are $25 each. Call (888) NYT-1870 or visit www.nytimes.com/alweekend.