PBS is conducting their Summer 2010 Television Critics Association Press Tour this evening, and Idina was asked to be a panelist to discuss her experience performing for the Obamas at the White House in July as part of In Performance at the White House: A Broadway Celebration. There’s a chance that PBS may upload the session to their YouTube, but if not, at least attendees were nice enough to Tweet some quotes from her:

On getting the call to perform at the White House: “What a milestone in my life. gave myself a little pat on the back.”

On her Wicked audition: “When I left the audition I went hysterical crying because the role makes you open yourself up so much.”

On Glee: “Somehow, roundabout, Glee is helping people gain a respect for the theater and I’m fortunate to be part of both.”

About performing for President Obama: “I had cotton mouth. I perhaps spit on the President.”

And, of course, HQ photos!

In Performance at the White House: A Broadway Celebration will air on PBS affiliates October 20th. Check your local listings to confirm time and date when it nears.

Idina performed last night at Bethel, NY’s Center for the Arts (site of the legendary Woodstock Festival!). Several photos from her performance have been added to the gallery, thanks to a couple great fans. Simply click the thumbnails below to view them, and remember, if you ever have photos you’d like to share with us, just use the contact form to send me a link with them!

You can also read a new interview she did with the local newspaper about her summers at camp in the Catskills (and more!) by clicking here.

Check back tonight/tomorrow for photos from her concert this evening with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra in Hyannis, MA. 15,000 people are expected to be in attendance. Yowza!

Last night, Idina performed at Vienna, VA’s Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. She was accompanied by America’s Symphony, the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony)-winner Marvin Hamlisch. I’m proud to say that Wolf Trap’s official Twitter announced that more than 7,000 people were in attendance, smashing her previous record for ticket sales to a solo performance. Way to go, Idina!

Fans have sent in tons of beautiful photographs, so head over to our newly redesigned Photo Gallery (courtesy of Flor) and enjoy them!

Just a quick reminder that tonight’s your last chance to enter to win tickets to Idina’s October 12th performance in Red Bank, NJ. Read about the contest here. The winner will be announced tomorrow!

Finally, don’t forget to log on to BroadwayWorld.com on Monday at 7:00 pm ET to watch Idina perform for President Obama at the White House! We’ll have all kinds of photos and videos following the event, so make sure you check in later that evening.

Idina performed with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra on June 17. She debuted three new (as in, she’s never performed them live before) songs at this show! I won’t list them here, so as to not spoil the surprise for anyone, but they are discussed in the reviews. Here is a collection of media for your viewing and reading pleasure:

– WFAA-Dallas coverage (with video of performance!): WFAA.com

– Dallas Morning News review: DallasNews.com

– Dallas-Fort Worth review: DFW.com

– My own review: BroadwayWorld.com

Tickets to Idina’s remaining shows are selling fast, so if you’re considering attending (and I recommend you do if it’s at all possible!), make sure you purchase ASAP. Links to purchase tickets are in the sidebar for quick and easy access.

The 64th Annual American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards were earlier tonight, and Idina was in attendance as a presenter. She introduced the performance for nominated musical Ragtime, and brought her mother Helene as her guest as Taye is currently out of the country. You can download her red carpet interview with NY1, her on-air presentation, and view numerous photos of her in her amazing Carolina Herrera gown below.

NY1 – June 13, 2010
Description: Interview on the red carpet.
Time: TBD | Size: TBD
© NY1 | site exclusive
Format: .m4v
[ DOWNLOAD ]

Tony Awards 2010 – June 13, 2010
Description: Televised presentation of Idina’s introduction of Ragtime.
Time: 0:50 | Size: 12.8 MB
© CBS | site exclusive
Format: .m4v
[ DOWNLOAD ]