Lansbury, Schreiber, Fisher, Shanley & More Scheduled for THE NEW YORK TIMES NINTH ANNUAL ARTS & LEISURE WEEKEND, 1/7-10, 2010

The 2010 New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend will take place January 7 to 10. The Times's signature event is a four-day celebration of the arts featuring TimesTalks interviews between New York Times journalists and celebrated guests from film, media, music, television and theater.

This year's guests include: the star of the new film "Crazy Heart," Jeff Bridges interviewed by Lynn Hirschberg; the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash interviewed by Jon Pareles; best-selling crime novel authors Lee Child ("Gone Tomorrow") and Carol O'Connell ("Bone by Bone") interviewed by Janet Maslin; Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming interviewed by Patrick Healy; the director and star of the award-winning new indie film "Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push' by Sapphire," Lee Daniels and Gabourey Sidibe interviewed by Lynn Hirschberg; NBC late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon interviewed by Bill Carter; the author and star of the autobiographical Broadway show "Wishful Drinking," Carrie Fisher interviewed by David Carr; Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights Beth Henley, Donald Margulies and John Patrick Shanley interviewed by Robin Pogrebin; the top talent behind Bravo's hit television reality show "Top Chef," Padma Lakshmi, Eric Ripert and Gail Simmons interviewed by Frank Bruni; Academy Award-nominated actor James McAvoy interviewed by Melina Ryzik; "All My Children" creator and head writer Agnes Nixon, actors Rebecca Budig, Susan Lucci, Cameron Mathison, Debbi Morgan and executive producer Julie Hanan Carruthers discussing the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking daytime drama with Jacques Steinberg; the star of Jim Sheridan's film "Brothers," Natalie Portman; the star of the upcoming Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's "A View From the Bridge," Liev Schreiber; the Grammy Award-winning musical director and band leader for "Late Show With David Letterman," Paul Shaffer interviewed by Jon Pareles; performers from Cirque du Soleil "Banana Shpeel" with writer-director David Shiner and choreographer Jared Grimes interviewed by Jason Zinoman; and more to be announced.

The following TimesTalk events will be of particular interest to theater enthusiasts:

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 AT 10 - 11:15 A.M.
Liev Schreiber

Award-winning actor of stage and screen on acting and directing for film and TV, and on his upcoming starring role on Broadway in the revival of Arthur Miller's "A View from the Bridge."

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 AT 6 - 7:15 P.M.
Alan Cumming

The Scots-American Tony Award-winning actor, performer and writer coming to Broadway in "Spiderman the Musical" and to film in "The Tempest." Conversation with performance. Interviewed by Patrick Healy.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10 AT 11:15 A.M.
Angela Lansbury

The legendary stage, screen and television actress - winner of a record five Tony Awards and now starring in "A Little Night Music" on Broadway- discusses her musical training and influences. Interviewed by Anthony Tommasini.Interviewed by Anthony Tommasini.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10 AT 2 - 3:15 P.M.
Pulitzer Playwrights Donald Margulies, John Patrick Shanley & Beth Henley

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights produced at Manhattan Theater Club - on their experiences in the theater, with readings from the new American Theater Wing book "The Play That Changed My Life."

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10 AT 6 - 7:15 P.M.
Carrie Fisher

The author and star of the autobiographical Broadway show now at Studio 54, "Wishful Drinking," based on her memoir of the same name, talks about the ups and downs of her life in Hollywood.

For additional information or to purchase advance tickets, which are $30 for each interview plus a service fee, please call: 1.888.NYT.1870 or visit www.ArtsAndLeisureWeekend.com. All TimesTalks are held at The TimesCenter, 242 West 41st Street, New York City.