Don't have a date for Valentine's Day? This could be a fun way to meet someone.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
New Year's Resolutions.
Hey, guys!
I wanted to thank you for reading my site and blog and to let you know that having this site has meant the World to me. As many of you might know this year was the worst year ever for me.
I lost a great job. Then I lost my health and had three surgeries because of a broken ankle mishap and a terrible Doctor who left a drain in my ankle. I am getting better thanks to a wonderful new Doctor and wonderful Physical Therapist. I walk now and am getting better each day.
It was traumatic for me as I learned that health and life is a precious thing. I also learned to appreciate things. Simple things like showers, walking to a store by yourself and getting around the City without pain. Life has been painful this year so here are my resolutions.
1. I will appreciate life. Breathing, walks without pain and walks with pain.
2. I will no longer post on Broadwayworld.com as it has been nothing but negative and nasty. I will stop going there and use that wasted time on my site.
3. I will lose 20 pounds this year. I have lost 21 since the accident and I need to lose 20 more.
4. I will do everything in my power to find a good job this year.
I wish you all a very healthy and happy New Year.
Corine Cohen
I wanted to thank you for reading my site and blog and to let you know that having this site has meant the World to me. As many of you might know this year was the worst year ever for me.
I lost a great job. Then I lost my health and had three surgeries because of a broken ankle mishap and a terrible Doctor who left a drain in my ankle. I am getting better thanks to a wonderful new Doctor and wonderful Physical Therapist. I walk now and am getting better each day.
It was traumatic for me as I learned that health and life is a precious thing. I also learned to appreciate things. Simple things like showers, walking to a store by yourself and getting around the City without pain. Life has been painful this year so here are my resolutions.
1. I will appreciate life. Breathing, walks without pain and walks with pain.
2. I will no longer post on Broadwayworld.com as it has been nothing but negative and nasty. I will stop going there and use that wasted time on my site.
3. I will lose 20 pounds this year. I have lost 21 since the accident and I need to lose 20 more.
4. I will do everything in my power to find a good job this year.
I wish you all a very healthy and happy New Year.
Corine Cohen
Monday, December 29, 2008
HAIRSPRAY FILM-
Just watching the HAIRSPRAY film again on HBO and I just saw John Waters as the flasher in the opening. I never saw that because I was late to the start of the film. It is hysterical.
On this the last ten days of the Broadway run I am very sad. Five wonderful years on Broadway.
It will be missed.
There is something wrong with this picture. I must be thinking about it a lot I had Marc Shaiman in a recent dream.
Watch the Hairspray film now on HBO. See it on Broadway till January 4th.
Harvey Fierstein is DIVINE.
Toodles.
On this the last ten days of the Broadway run I am very sad. Five wonderful years on Broadway.
It will be missed.
There is something wrong with this picture. I must be thinking about it a lot I had Marc Shaiman in a recent dream.
Watch the Hairspray film now on HBO. See it on Broadway till January 4th.
Harvey Fierstein is DIVINE.
Toodles.
To see Hairspray on Broadway call 212-239-6200.
Corine Cohen- The nicest kid in town.
Joe Bachana Holiday Concert At The Metropolitan Room.
The Metropolitan Rooms signature drink:
A Corine's Corner favorite
The White Chocolate Martini- 4 stars.
Joe Bachana
Jamie deRoy- Sang a funny Christmas song by Barry Kleinbort.
Joe Bachana
Cece and Roxy Bachana- They are so cute!
Roxy Bachana
It was a great Holiday comedy with the Bachana family and his special guests.
Photos by Maryann Lopinto.
.
Friday, December 26, 2008
HAPPY HOLIDAYS HO DOWN. AVENUE Q STYLE!
Copy and paste this into your browser for a Holiday card from me.
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/f896FVJQOvkbVX6U
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/f896FVJQOvkbVX6U
Eartha Kitt- A Legend.
I was very sad to hear of the death of Eartha Kitt. As a child, she was the sexy, feline, catwoman on the BATMAN series. Later in life, she was the cabaret performer and singer that gave one of the greatest shows ever.
She is famous for her "Santa Baby" her Purrr and her incredible stage presence. I have always been a fan. A few years ago, my friend Jacki Floren Produced " ALL ABOUT US" at Westport. Jacki invited me to a special dress rehearsal with Eartha and I was very excited to be one of the few people there. Eartha performed one song to an audience member in the show and for this performance she decided it would be me. I have never been more moved by a performance in my entire life. After the show she came over to me. I told her I was a huge fan. She said thank you, darrrrrling. Who are you? I said I am no one. "DARRRRRLING, she said. Don't ever say you are a noooooo one. You are a someone!" We chatted for a few minutes and I found out that Eartha was not only an outstanding performer, she was also a very nice person.
Eartha will always be a someone.
Corine Cohen
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Happy Holidays!
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/t2eURte4yCdTep11
Hope you have a very Happy Holiday!
Corine
Hope you have a very Happy Holiday!
Corine
JOE BACHANA AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM!
Producer/Emcee Joe Bachana is bringing together some of Cabaret’s finest talents for a night of holiday parody music written by the performers themselves. Performers for the evening will include: Bernie Bierman, Sammy Buck, Jamie DeRoy, John DiPinto, Mardie Millet, and Michael Garin, Marty Silver, Mary Liz McNamara, Miles Phillips, Rena Strober, Rick Younger, Ritt Henn, plus a special guest appearance of The Bachana Sisters.
Live at the Metropolitan Room:
212-206-0440.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
TOXIC AVENGER COMING TO OFF BROADWAY!
“ T H E T O X I C A V E N G E R ”
NEW MUSICAL BASED ON CLASSIC CULT FILM
BEGINS PERFORMANCES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2009
AT NEW WORLD STAGES
OPENING NIGHT IS SET FOR MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2009
BOOK & LYRICS BY JOE DI PIETRO
MUSIC & LYRICS BY DAVID BRYAN (BON JOVI)
JOHN RANDO (“URINETOWN”) DIRECTS
New York, NY – Soon there’ll be another ‘Jersey Boy’ in town! The Toxic Avenger, a
new musical by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) & David Bryan (Bon Jovi), with direction by John Rand0 (Urinetown), will begin performances on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street), it was announced today by the show’s producers Jean Cheever and Tom Polum. Opening Night is set for Monday, April 6th.
Based on the classic 1985 cult film by Lloyd Kaufman, The Toxic Avenger premiered this fall at The George Street Playhouse, where the show became the biggest grossing musical in the theatre’s 34 year history. Wrote Peter Filichia, critic for the New Jersey Star-Ledger, “Considering the response that The Toxic Avenger received on Friday night, the building must now have many cracked walls from all the explosive applause and laughter the New Brunswick audience gave it.”
The Toxic Avenger is set in the mythical town of Tromaville, Exit 13B off the New Jersey Turnpike. An aspiring earth scientist, Melvin Ferd the Third, is determined to clean up the town’s burgeoning toxic waste, until he is tossed into a vat of radioactive goo and emerges as a seven-foot mutant freak and New Jersey’s first superhero. Armed with superhuman strength and a heart as big as Newark, he’s out to save New Jersey, end global warming and woo Sarah, the prettiest, blindest librarian in town.
The team of David Bryan (keyboardist and co-founder of the legendary band Bon Jovi) and Joe DiPietro (creator of the mega-long-running international hit I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) have also written Memphis, which recently opened to critical raves at La Jolla Playhouse, and will next be seen in January at Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre. The Toxic Avenger marks Bryan and DiPietro’s second collaboration.
Casting and Design team will be announced shortly.
For more information and to hear songs from the production (and for other fun stuff),
visit www.TheToxicAvengerMusical.com.
Bios___________________________________________________________
Joe DiPietro (Book & Lyrics) is the author of the musical comedy hit I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, the longest running musical revue in off-Broadway history, with productions staged in over 400 cities around the world (including a Mandarin Chinese version which debuted in Beijing in June 2007). Other credits include: the Broadway musical comedy All Shook Up; the award-winning off-Broadway musical The Thing About Men; and the international comedy hit, Over the River and Through the Woods. His play, “F**king Men,” is transferring to London’s King’s Head Theatre in January, and his play “The Last Romance,” recently premiered in Kansas City. Joe was born and raised off Exit 166 of the Parkway in New Jersey and thus has been a Toxic Avenger fan for the last twenty years.
David Bryan (Music & Lyrics) is the keyboardist and a founding member of Bon Jovi. The band has sold 120+ million albums to date and performed more than 3,000 shows in 42 countries. He has won a Grammy and several American Music Awards for his work with the band. David co-wrote the Bon Jovi hit “In These Arms” with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora and continues to write with them and for other artists, including Curtis Steiger's rendition of “This Time,” a major international hit. David is a board member for Only Make Believe, a non-profit organization that provides theatrical workshops free-of-charge to children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities, and Music For All which secures funding for school music programs across the country. He is a national spokesperson for VH1's Save The Music Program, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education in America's public schools by restoring music education programs in cities across the U.S. and raising awareness of the importance of music participation for our nation's youth. A proud lifelong resident of New Jersey, David grew up off Exit 11 of the Turnpike.
Joe and David co-wrote the rock and roll musical Memphis, which was presented this season at the LaJolla Playhouse and will play next month at Seattle’s Fifth Avenue, prior to its Broadway debut.
John Rando (Director) made his Broadway debut directing Neil Simon's The Dinner Party, starring Henry Winkler and John Ritter. Other Broadway credits include Urinetown: The Musical (2002 Tony Award, Best Director and Outer Critics Circle Award), the 2006 Tony nominated musical The Wedding Singer, the revival of Herb Gardner's A Thousand Clowns starring Tom Selleck, and Dance of the Vampires, starring Michael Crawford. Rando achieved prominence in New York as director of the David Ives' comedies: Mere Mortals (Primary Stages, John Houseman Theatre), Polish Joke (Manhattan Theatre Club) and Ancient History/English Made Simple (Primary Stages), as well as Lives of the Saints (Philadelphia Theatre Company and Berkshire Theatre Festival). For City Center's Encores! series, John recently directed the highly-acclaimed concert version of Irving Berlin and Moss Hart's Face The Music. Also for Encores! he directed Of Thee I Sing, The Pajama Game, Do Re Mi and Strike up the Band. Additional off-Broadway credits include Pig Farm (The Roundabout Theatre), Bright Ideas (Manhattan Class Company) Peter Ackerman's Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight (Promenade Theatre) and Comedy of Errors (The Acting Company). John has worked extensively in the regional theatre, including productions at The Old Globe Theatre, The Geffen Playhouse, and The Alley Theatre, among many others.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
GREY GARDEN'S DOCUMENTARY ON 13 NOW.
Watch it. It is brilliant. And read my interview with Chris Beale.
http://www.corinescorner.com/interview/ChrisBeale.htm
http://www.corinescorner.com/interview/ChrisBeale.htm
CAROL HALL SONGS FEATURED IN JOHNNY RODGERS CONCERT!
MONDAY NIGHT – DECEMBER 29th
Nationally acclaimed award-winning singer/songwriter/pianist,
Johnny Rodgers will open his highly anticipated special performance
at JIM CARUSO’S CAST PARTY at BIRDLAND
(315 West 44th Street) on MONDAY, DECEMBER 29th
with
composer/lyricist CAROL HALL’S ‘Big City Boogie’
which he will then follow with her ‘Change In Me.”
Mr. Rodgers sang ‘Change In Me’ on Carol’s highly praised CD
“HALLWAYS, The Songs of Carol Hall” which is now in its third printing for LML MUSIC.
Johnny’s performance at BIRDLAND has been booked to celebrate the release
of his two new CD/EP’s “BOUND TOGETHER” and “LET’S MAKE A DATE”.
ABOUT CAROL HALL
composer / lyricist / playwright
The first person ever to record one of Carol Hall’s songs was the young Barbra Streisand. Subsequently, her songs were
performed by such extraordinary singers as Tony Bennett, Barbara Cook, Margaret Whiting, Julie Wilson, Chita Rivera,
Michael Feinstein, Mabel Mercer, Amanda McBroom, Lari White, Olivia Newton-John, Maureen McGovern, Miriam Makeba,
RuPaul, David Campbell, Frederica von Stade, Kermit the Frog and Big Bird. Among others.
She’s also one of the few songwriters to have a hit Broadway show.
Her classic musical THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS
entertained Broadway audiences for almost five years, received a Grammy nomination
for its cast album, and became a popular film starring Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton.
CHRISTINE EBERSOLE AT THE CAFE CARLYLE! NO RED SHOES REQUIRED!
TWO-TIME TONY AWARD-WINNER
JOHN ODDO, MUSICAL DIRECTOR,
DIRECTED BY SCOTT WITTMAN
EXCLUSIVE TWO-WEEK ENGAGEMENT
BEGINS JANUARY 20, 2009
New York, NY (December 23, 2008) РTwo-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole returns to the legendary Caf̩ Carlyle for the first time since her critically acclaimed 2002 debut in an exclusive two-week engagement. Beginning Tuesday, January 20, 2009 (and playing through Saturday, January 31st), Ms. Ebersole will present an all new program of classics, new classics and songs from the stage. The evening will include songs by Rodgers & Hart, Irving Berlin, Billy Joel and Fleetwood Mac - and even a little bit of opera. John Oddo (Musical Director) will lead a quintet. Tony Award-winner Scott Wittman will direct.
The Caf̩ Carlyle is located in The Carlyle Hotel Р35 East 76th Street at Madison Avenue. The performance schedule is: Tuesday-Saturday at 8:45 PM with additional shows at 10:45 PM on Saturday, January 23rd, Friday, January 30th & Saturday January 31st. There will no performance on Tuesday, January 27th. There is a $50 music charge for the Tuesday-Thursday performances and a $65 music charge for the Friday and Saturday performances. Dinner is served from 6:30PM. For reservations please call 212-744-1600. For additional information please visit www.thecarlyle.com.
Biography
Christine Ebersole has enchanted audiences throughout her performing career, from the Broadway stage to television series and specials, films, concert appearances, and recordings. Ms. Ebersole received virtually every Off-Broadway award and her second Tony Award for Leading Actress in a Musical for her “dual role of a lifetime” as Edie Beale and Little Edie Beale in Grey Gardens. Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, the show was nominated for ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and its CD was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Beginning next month, Christine will begin staring in the Broadway revival of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit as Elvira. Other memorable New York stage performances include her Tony Award-winning performance as Dorothy Brock in the smash hit revival 42nd Street, Steel Magnolias, On the Twentieth Century, Oklahoma, Dinner at Eight (Tony and Outer Critics Circle nominations), and The Best Man. She has starred in five City Center Encores! Productions, most recently receiving unanimous praise for her starring role as Margo Channing in Applause.
Ms. Ebersole has appeared in many hit movies, including Tootsie, Richie Rich, Black Sheep, Amadeus, Dead Again, Folks!, Ghost Dad, True Crime, My Girl 2, Mac and Me, and the recently released Confessions of a Shopaholic. On television, she was seen as the stripper Tessie Tura in Bette Midler’s Gypsy, co-starred in the reunion film Mary and Rhoda, with Diana Ross in Double Platinum, and with Jane Fonda in the critically acclaimed The Dollmaker. She starred in the television series The Cavanaughs, Valerie, Ryan’s Hope, Related, and Rachael Gunn, RN., along with appearing in guest starring roles in such hit shows as Will and Grace, Murphy Brown, Cashmere Mafia, Boston Legal, Law and Order SVU, Lipstick Jungle, and Samantha Who. In addition, Ms. Ebersole was a series regular on Saturday Night Live during the 1981-82 season.
In concert, Ms. Ebersole has appeared in numerous halls throughout the country. This fall, she delighted audiences by participating in the Opening Night Gala of Carnegie Hall’s 118th Season. She appeared with the San Francisco Symphony in their tribute to Leonard Bernstein. After making her debut with the Boston Pops two years ago, she returned to Boston’s Symphony Hall and Tanglewood last season to star as Desiree Armfeldt in a concert version of A Little Night Music with the Boston Pops. In televised concerts, she has often appeared on PBS, including her star turns in Ira Gershwin at 100: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall and The Rodgers & Hart Story: Thou Swell, Thou Witty. In December 2006 she performed on the Kennedy Center Honors on CBS.
A recording artist as well, Ms. Ebersole has released such albums as: Christine Ebersole: Live at the Cinegrill, In Your Dreams, and Sunday in New York. For more information, please visit her website at: www.christineebersole.com.
www.thecarlyle.com
BROADWAY TO DIM ITS LIGHTS.
BROADWAY TO DIM ITS LIGHTS
ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2008 AT 7 PM IN HONOR OF
IRVING CHESKIN
(New York, NY – December 23, 2008) The Broadway League notes with sadness the passing of Irving Cheskin, who for nearly fifty years worked tirelessly on behalf of the Broadway industry’s retirement and health benefits funds. He was loved and respected by all on both sides of the collective bargaining tables, and especially by his friends at the League.
The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in his memory on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at exactly 7:00pm for one minute.
Mr. Cheskin was Executive Director of The Broadway League (then known as The League of New York Theatres) from 1961 to 1982, during a time of significant expansion at the League. During his tenure, the League began to jointly present and administer the Tony Awards with the American Theatre Wing, bringing the annual awards ceremony to national television for the first time. The League also broadened its focus to embrace the touring Broadway industry, changing its name to the League of American Theatres and Producers in 1973. In 1982, Mr. Cheskin became the League’s Director of Pension & Welfare, now called Employee Benefit Funds. He most recently stepped down as Co-Director at age 94 but continued to work for the League as a consultant.
Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League, said, “Irving Cheskin, our "Chief," has been a fixture in this League and our community for as long as most can remember. The vital changes he implemented for our industry will be remembered as we continue to grow and evolve.”
Rory Judd Albert, a Senior Partner in the international law firm of Proskauer Rose who worked closely with Irving Cheskin for the past three decades on League matters, said, “As we all know, during the half-century that he served The Broadway League, both as Executive Director and later as the Pension and Welfare Director, Irv was considered the virtual "father" of every Pension, Health, 401k, and other employee benefit plan in the theatrical and music industry --spanning from the East to West coasts, and various places in between--without whom none of the more than 100,000 individuals working on Broadway (and other venues) today would be enjoying the full gamut of retirement and health benefits that they now benefit from. Not only did Irv share an incredibly special bond with the many employers and unions with whom he worked on a daily basis; but he was loved and respected immensely by all on both sides of the Board of Trustees and collective bargaining tables, as well as by the many generations of Proskauer lawyers who were privileged to stand by his side throughout his professional, and personal, life.”
Chris Brockmeyer, Director of Employee Benefit Funds, said, "Irving left behind a legacy of Pension and Health Funds strong enough to weather our current financial storms. It was a pleasure working with him for the past seven years, and it's a great honor for me to carry forward his work."
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mildred.
ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2008 AT 7 PM IN HONOR OF
IRVING CHESKIN
(New York, NY – December 23, 2008) The Broadway League notes with sadness the passing of Irving Cheskin, who for nearly fifty years worked tirelessly on behalf of the Broadway industry’s retirement and health benefits funds. He was loved and respected by all on both sides of the collective bargaining tables, and especially by his friends at the League.
The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in his memory on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at exactly 7:00pm for one minute.
Mr. Cheskin was Executive Director of The Broadway League (then known as The League of New York Theatres) from 1961 to 1982, during a time of significant expansion at the League. During his tenure, the League began to jointly present and administer the Tony Awards with the American Theatre Wing, bringing the annual awards ceremony to national television for the first time. The League also broadened its focus to embrace the touring Broadway industry, changing its name to the League of American Theatres and Producers in 1973. In 1982, Mr. Cheskin became the League’s Director of Pension & Welfare, now called Employee Benefit Funds. He most recently stepped down as Co-Director at age 94 but continued to work for the League as a consultant.
Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League, said, “Irving Cheskin, our "Chief," has been a fixture in this League and our community for as long as most can remember. The vital changes he implemented for our industry will be remembered as we continue to grow and evolve.”
Rory Judd Albert, a Senior Partner in the international law firm of Proskauer Rose who worked closely with Irving Cheskin for the past three decades on League matters, said, “As we all know, during the half-century that he served The Broadway League, both as Executive Director and later as the Pension and Welfare Director, Irv was considered the virtual "father" of every Pension, Health, 401k, and other employee benefit plan in the theatrical and music industry --spanning from the East to West coasts, and various places in between--without whom none of the more than 100,000 individuals working on Broadway (and other venues) today would be enjoying the full gamut of retirement and health benefits that they now benefit from. Not only did Irv share an incredibly special bond with the many employers and unions with whom he worked on a daily basis; but he was loved and respected immensely by all on both sides of the Board of Trustees and collective bargaining tables, as well as by the many generations of Proskauer lawyers who were privileged to stand by his side throughout his professional, and personal, life.”
Chris Brockmeyer, Director of Employee Benefit Funds, said, "Irving left behind a legacy of Pension and Health Funds strong enough to weather our current financial storms. It was a pleasure working with him for the past seven years, and it's a great honor for me to carry forward his work."
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mildred.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
HELENE FELDMAN.
Helene Feldman in
“CONSTANT CRAVING”
Helene Feldman returns to the cabaret stage with
her intriguing new show “Constant Craving”.
The show is a diverse blend of songs from
popular music, jazz, blues, contemporary music
and The Great American Songbook.
She is accompanied by musical director and arranger
Gerry Dieffenbach.
Wednesday ~ January 14, 2009 ~ 7:00 PM
Saturday ~ January 24, 2009 ~ 4:30 PM
Wednesday ~ February 11, 2009 ~ 7:00PM
Sunday ~ February 22, 2009 ~ 6:00 PM
THE LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATRE Located within The West Bank Café 407 West 42nd St. @ 9th Ave.
NYC
Reservations: 212-695-6909
www.westbankcafe.com
$12.00 music charge plus $15.00 food/drink minimum
{$6.00 MAC/Cabaret Hotline}
DARYL GLENN SINGS NASHVILLE!
Went to see my friend Daryl at the Metropolitan Room yesterday afternoon. I am not a Country music fan but Daryl made me love it.
www.metropolitanroom.com
212-206-0440.
Here are some photos of the show by Maryann Lopinto.
Friday, December 19, 2008
INTERVIEW WITH DONNA MOORE- COUGAR AND ZOOM!
Interview with Donna Moore (COUGAR, ZOOM!)
Donna was at a party at Tony's and we got to do a quick interview.
Thanks to Bob Johnson and Donna Moore for making this video happen.
You must have windows media player downloaded to watch these videos.
Download it or go to youtube.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
NORBERT LEO BUTZ AND WILLIAM H. MACY GO INTO SPEED THE PLOW.
WILLIAM H. MACY
and
NORBERT LEO BUTZ
COME TO THE RESCUE IN DAVID MAMET’s
SPEED-THE-PLOW
Tony Award winner NORBERT LEO BUTZ and Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee WILLIAM H. MACY have come to the rescue of the acclaimed production of DAVID MAMET’s SPEED-THE-PLOW, in the wake of the unexpected departure of Jeremy Piven.
“We have been advised by Jeremy Piven’s medical representatives that he is seriously ill and is unable to fulfill his contractual obligation to Speed-the-Plow. Consequently, he has left the production ten weeks early,” stated the play’s producers.
Both portraying the role of “Bobby Gould,” NORBERT LEO BUTZ will assume the role beginning next TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23rd through SUNDAY, JANUARY 11th, and WILLIAM H. MACY will assume the role beginning TUESDAY, JANUARY 13th through SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd.
“We are thrilled that NORBERT LEO BUTZ and WILLIAM H. MACY have joined the production, which stars the outstanding RAÚL ESPARZA and the luminous ELISABETH MOSS who, under the brilliant direction of NEIL PEPE, have received universal critical acclaim for their performances,” said the show’s producers.
Drama Desk Award winning actor JORDAN LAGE, who previously took over for LIEV SCHREIBER during his illness in Glengarry Glen Ross in 2005, will play the role through this Sunday, DECEMBER 21st.
NORBERT LEO BUTZ, recently hailed as “one of the finest American stage stars of (his) generation” by Ben Brantley of the New York Times, has starred on Broadway in Is He Dead?, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Drama League award winner, Best Actor, Musical), Wicked (original cast, Fiyero), Thou Shalt Not (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics nominations) and Rent (original cast, Broadway debut). He most recently appeared Off-Broadway in the acclaimed production of Fifty Words (Manhattan Class Company)
WILLIAM H. MACY has a long association with playwright David Mamet, having starred in New York in productions including “Oleanna” and “American Buffalo.” He received an Academy Award nomination for his work in the film “Fargo.” He also appeared in “Benny & Joon”, “Mr. Holland’s Opus”, “Seabiscuit”, “Magnolia”, “Pleasantville”, “Boogie Nights” and “Air Force One”. In 2002, he won Emmy Awards for both Lead Actor in a Miniseries and Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries with the TV film Door to Door.
Speed-The-Plow holiday schedule:
Tuesday, December 23 at 7 pm; Wednesday, December 24 at 2 pm and 8 pm; Friday, December 26 at 8 pm; Saturday, December 27 at 2 and 8 pm; Sunday, December 28 at 3 and 7 pm; Monday, December 29 at 8 pm; Tuesday, December 30 at 7 pm; Wednesday, December 31 at 2 pm; Friday, January 2 at 2 pm and 8 pm; Sunday, January 3 at 2 pm and 8 pm; Sunday January 4 at 3 pm. There is also an added performance on Monday, January 5 at 8 pm and no performance on Sunday, January 11, 2008.
Speed-the-Plow performs at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th St). Performances are Tuesdays at 7 pm, Wednesday–Saturday at 8 pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2 pm and Sunday at 3 pm. Tickets are sold through Telecharge.com or 212-239-6200.
and
NORBERT LEO BUTZ
COME TO THE RESCUE IN DAVID MAMET’s
SPEED-THE-PLOW
Tony Award winner NORBERT LEO BUTZ and Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee WILLIAM H. MACY have come to the rescue of the acclaimed production of DAVID MAMET’s SPEED-THE-PLOW, in the wake of the unexpected departure of Jeremy Piven.
“We have been advised by Jeremy Piven’s medical representatives that he is seriously ill and is unable to fulfill his contractual obligation to Speed-the-Plow. Consequently, he has left the production ten weeks early,” stated the play’s producers.
Both portraying the role of “Bobby Gould,” NORBERT LEO BUTZ will assume the role beginning next TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23rd through SUNDAY, JANUARY 11th, and WILLIAM H. MACY will assume the role beginning TUESDAY, JANUARY 13th through SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd.
“We are thrilled that NORBERT LEO BUTZ and WILLIAM H. MACY have joined the production, which stars the outstanding RAÚL ESPARZA and the luminous ELISABETH MOSS who, under the brilliant direction of NEIL PEPE, have received universal critical acclaim for their performances,” said the show’s producers.
Drama Desk Award winning actor JORDAN LAGE, who previously took over for LIEV SCHREIBER during his illness in Glengarry Glen Ross in 2005, will play the role through this Sunday, DECEMBER 21st.
NORBERT LEO BUTZ, recently hailed as “one of the finest American stage stars of (his) generation” by Ben Brantley of the New York Times, has starred on Broadway in Is He Dead?, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Drama League award winner, Best Actor, Musical), Wicked (original cast, Fiyero), Thou Shalt Not (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics nominations) and Rent (original cast, Broadway debut). He most recently appeared Off-Broadway in the acclaimed production of Fifty Words (Manhattan Class Company)
WILLIAM H. MACY has a long association with playwright David Mamet, having starred in New York in productions including “Oleanna” and “American Buffalo.” He received an Academy Award nomination for his work in the film “Fargo.” He also appeared in “Benny & Joon”, “Mr. Holland’s Opus”, “Seabiscuit”, “Magnolia”, “Pleasantville”, “Boogie Nights” and “Air Force One”. In 2002, he won Emmy Awards for both Lead Actor in a Miniseries and Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries with the TV film Door to Door.
Speed-The-Plow holiday schedule:
Tuesday, December 23 at 7 pm; Wednesday, December 24 at 2 pm and 8 pm; Friday, December 26 at 8 pm; Saturday, December 27 at 2 and 8 pm; Sunday, December 28 at 3 and 7 pm; Monday, December 29 at 8 pm; Tuesday, December 30 at 7 pm; Wednesday, December 31 at 2 pm; Friday, January 2 at 2 pm and 8 pm; Sunday, January 3 at 2 pm and 8 pm; Sunday January 4 at 3 pm. There is also an added performance on Monday, January 5 at 8 pm and no performance on Sunday, January 11, 2008.
Speed-the-Plow performs at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th St). Performances are Tuesdays at 7 pm, Wednesday–Saturday at 8 pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2 pm and Sunday at 3 pm. Tickets are sold through Telecharge.com or 212-239-6200.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY TO BE ON THE VIEW DECEMBER 22!
CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY: IN THEIR OWN WORDS
TO BE FEATURED ON ABC’S “THE VIEW”
MONDAY, DECEMBER 22
Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words, the critically-acclaimed, sell-out show called “big-yuks entertainment” by Charles Isherwood of The New York Times, will be featured on ABC’s “The View” on Monday, December 22, at 11am on the ABC television network. Kristen Johnston, who appears regularly in Celebrity Autobiography, makes a guest appearance on the show, and is joined by “View” co-hosts Joy Behar and Sherri Shepherd, reading excerpts from the hit comedy sensation. Ms. Shepherd appears regularly in Celebrity Autobiography and Ms. Behar has made a number of appearances in the show as well.
Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words features a line-up of rotating performers who interpret the actual words and stories written by the famous and the infamous, in both solo and ensemble “chamber” pieces. Some of the “authors” that are featured include Ivana Trump, Vanna White, Mr. T, Star Jones, Kenny Loggins, Tommy Lee, Sylvester Stallone, 'N Sync, Zsa Zsa Gabor, David Cassidy, Neil Sedaka, Britney Spears, Madonna, Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson, as well as the infamous memoirs of Elizabeth Taylor, Eddie Fisher, and Debbie Reynolds, which are edited together to create a Rashomon-esque playlet in the participants’ own words.
Celebrity Autobiography is playing to sell-out audiences and rave reviews. Charles Isherwood of The New York Times called the show a “merry compendium of the witlessness and wisdom of the rich and famous.” Joe Dziemianowicz of the Daily News called it a “potent comic cocktail…you weep with laughter.” The New Yorker called it “inspired.” And Sam Thielman of Variety wrote, “Audience members hyperventilate. It should lead a long and happy life.”
The line-up of rotating performers includes Joy Behar, Bob Balaban, Matthew Broderick, Keith Carradine, Rachel Dratch, Susie Essman, Will Forte, Jackie Hoffman, Cheyenne Jackson, Kristen Johnston, Richard Kind, Carson Kressley, Justin Long, Andrea Martin, Dayle Reyfel, Tony Roberts, Seth Rudetsky, Paul Rudd, Claudia Shear, Sherri Shepherd, Michael Urie, Bruce Vilanch, Kristen Wiig, BD Wong, Karen Ziemba, Alan Zweibel, and creator Eugene Pack.
Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words plays Mondays at 7:30 pm at the Triad Theater, 158 West 72 Street. Tickets are $35 - $45 and may be purchased by contacting Smarttix at 212 868-4444 or www. smarttix.com, or by visiting www.celebrityautobiography.com. For group sales phone 718 631-0438. Please note that the Triad Theater has a two-drink minimum and is a cash-only venue.
TO BE FEATURED ON ABC’S “THE VIEW”
MONDAY, DECEMBER 22
Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words, the critically-acclaimed, sell-out show called “big-yuks entertainment” by Charles Isherwood of The New York Times, will be featured on ABC’s “The View” on Monday, December 22, at 11am on the ABC television network. Kristen Johnston, who appears regularly in Celebrity Autobiography, makes a guest appearance on the show, and is joined by “View” co-hosts Joy Behar and Sherri Shepherd, reading excerpts from the hit comedy sensation. Ms. Shepherd appears regularly in Celebrity Autobiography and Ms. Behar has made a number of appearances in the show as well.
Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words features a line-up of rotating performers who interpret the actual words and stories written by the famous and the infamous, in both solo and ensemble “chamber” pieces. Some of the “authors” that are featured include Ivana Trump, Vanna White, Mr. T, Star Jones, Kenny Loggins, Tommy Lee, Sylvester Stallone, 'N Sync, Zsa Zsa Gabor, David Cassidy, Neil Sedaka, Britney Spears, Madonna, Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson, as well as the infamous memoirs of Elizabeth Taylor, Eddie Fisher, and Debbie Reynolds, which are edited together to create a Rashomon-esque playlet in the participants’ own words.
Celebrity Autobiography is playing to sell-out audiences and rave reviews. Charles Isherwood of The New York Times called the show a “merry compendium of the witlessness and wisdom of the rich and famous.” Joe Dziemianowicz of the Daily News called it a “potent comic cocktail…you weep with laughter.” The New Yorker called it “inspired.” And Sam Thielman of Variety wrote, “Audience members hyperventilate. It should lead a long and happy life.”
The line-up of rotating performers includes Joy Behar, Bob Balaban, Matthew Broderick, Keith Carradine, Rachel Dratch, Susie Essman, Will Forte, Jackie Hoffman, Cheyenne Jackson, Kristen Johnston, Richard Kind, Carson Kressley, Justin Long, Andrea Martin, Dayle Reyfel, Tony Roberts, Seth Rudetsky, Paul Rudd, Claudia Shear, Sherri Shepherd, Michael Urie, Bruce Vilanch, Kristen Wiig, BD Wong, Karen Ziemba, Alan Zweibel, and creator Eugene Pack.
Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words plays Mondays at 7:30 pm at the Triad Theater, 158 West 72 Street. Tickets are $35 - $45 and may be purchased by contacting Smarttix at 212 868-4444 or www. smarttix.com, or by visiting www.celebrityautobiography.com. For group sales phone 718 631-0438. Please note that the Triad Theater has a two-drink minimum and is a cash-only venue.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
WEST SIDE STORY IS ON CHANNEL 13 IN NEW YORK!
One of the greatest musicals of all time is on right now.
Turn on 13. Be back later to write about it.
Corine Cohen
WHY IT SUCKS TO BE ME- MY NEW YORK!
Note to Avenue Q Lotto- Corine Cohen
Photo by Bob Johnson.
Carey Anderson and Kate Monster. Photo by Corine Cohen this past summer.
Carey Anderson- I saw her for the first time last night and she was excellent.
(Interviewing Carey on video still did not help proving will the real Corine Cohen
please stand up even with a cane!) Photo by Corine Cohen at Bryant Park this Summer when I interviewed her on video. (Check my homepage for the video interview)
Rick Lyon with Jen Barnhart-
This weekend has been a very exciting time for me. An old friend from College looked me up and visited me this Weekend. I wanted to show him my New York and that is what he saw. It is pretty funny how things never change.
On Saturday, we tried to win the Avenue Q lotto. We lost the first show and then went back to try for the second show. What was most hysterical was I won. The sad news however is I got a new wallet for Christmas and I never put all of my cards in the new wallet. I had credit cards and business cards but the lotto nazi refused to let me win the tickets as I did not have a drivers lic. Now do you believe it "SUCKS TO BE ME!" I forgot that you needed ID to win the lotto. (I have not tried in a year and knew the other lotto guy. I mean I thought everyone at AVENUE Q knew me. How many times have I interviewed the cast? I mean it is crazy.
IT SUCKS BIG TIME. Why do you need id to win the Q lotto? Do they want to make sure that terrorist forces are not buying tickets? It kills me that I was the first name drawn and he refused to let us go and sit in my favorite seats. Was it the BAD IDEA BEARS talking to him? Let's see. I have interviewed Carey Anderson, Rick Lyon, Stephanie, Barrett Foa, Amyee, Ann Harada, David Benoit, Jeff Marx, etc. It kind of made me sad and angry. I wonder if Roma Torre tried to win the lotto and she didn't have id would they not let her in. (Ponders that!)
My friend heard all the wonderful things I said about the show and bought us Orchestra tickets and we had a great time but it just proves my point. (IT SUCKS TO BE ME SOMETIMES!)
This weekend was incredible. I saw three of my favorite shows:
SPRING AWAKENING on Friday and Forbidden Broadway and Avenue Q on Saturday.
Life can be good even if I am not a very lucky person.
Note to AVENUE Q lotto people. Carry an id if you want to win the show. The lotto guy at Q is into following by the rules even if it is the dumbest rule ever.
My friend heard all the wonderful things I said about the show and bought us Orchestra tickets and we had a great time but it just proves my point. (IT SUCKS TO BE ME SOMETIMES!)
This weekend was incredible. I saw three of my favorite shows:
SPRING AWAKENING on Friday and Forbidden Broadway and Avenue Q on Saturday.
Life can be good even if I am not a very lucky person.
Note to AVENUE Q lotto people. Carry an id if you want to win the show. The lotto guy at Q is into following by the rules even if it is the dumbest rule ever.
I thought I was known in NEW YORK, guess I am not.
How many interviews does one have to do to be known in this Town. Sheesh!
PS I did see Carey perform in Avenue Q in Bryant Park this Summer and after she went on the tour. I loved her Kate Monster! She is special as is the entire cast. Christian Anderson is fantastic and I also interviewed him and Nicky this summer. I am glad to be invisible.
Corine Dana Cohen- The invisible interviewer.
PS I did get a shout out at my favorite Off Broadway show. ;-)
Friday, December 12, 2008
Don't Miss Spring Awakening!
Matt Doyle- A legend in the making. (Melchoir understudy)There is a legend in the making by the name of MATT DOYLE. Matt started out in SPRING AWAKENING by singing on the onstage seats. Tonight, I saw him in the lead and was blown away. I dare say he is the best Melchoir I have ever seen and I loved Groff.
Go and see him! (If they are smart enough to keep him in the role. )
Go and see him! (If they are smart enough to keep him in the role. )
I was blown away by his acting and singing. In addition he seemed to have perfect chemistry with Alexandra Socha who has greatly improved since the last time I saw her. The last time she must have been sick and did not project. I wanted to cry out, "SING OUT LOUISE" but she was great tonight.
In addition to the show being as good as ever, the ushers were very helpful and went out of their way to make sure we got out of the theater safely.(If only they had a bathroom on the first floor!) I also wanted to point out how nice the box office manager was. He was very nice to us and made sure my friend had an aisle seat as she is in a wheelchair.
If you don't see SPRING AWAKENING YOU ARE TOTALLY FUCKED.
It is still one of my favorite shows of all time.
Corine Cohen
Hurry! Tickets are only available till January 18th.
Get tickets or be the bitch of living. (The show is for adults as there is explicit content and some nudity.
It is a Corine's pick for open minded individuals who love Duncan Sheik!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
JULIE HALSTON HAS A ONE WOMAN SHOW AT BIRDLAND- JAN 5!
JULIE HALSTON
Monday, January 5 @ 7pm Music Charge: $25 General Admission; $50 Orchestra
Julie Halston has decided, for one night only, to throw caution to the wind and just go CRAZY with new material, old material and of course new clothes! Don't miss the fabulous comedienne in this one night only post holiday bash called HOLIDAY MUFFALETTA? it's crammed with goodies!
Monday, January 5 @ 7pm Music Charge: $25 General Admission; $50 Orchestra
Julie Halston has decided, for one night only, to throw caution to the wind and just go CRAZY with new material, old material and of course new clothes! Don't miss the fabulous comedienne in this one night only post holiday bash called HOLIDAY MUFFALETTA? it's crammed with goodies!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
27 Years More, We Can Hope! FORBIDDEN BROADWAY TO EXTEND TILL MARCH 1ST 2009!
Photos by Carol Rosegg
Christina Bianco proves to be POP-U-LAR in Glitter and Be Glib. The greatest new number in Rehab.
Jared Bradshaw, Val Fagan and Michael West - There's a moment you know you're fucked. This is not the Drowsy Chaperone!
Gina does the best Patti LuPone I have ever seen.
Putting up with shit. Jared Bradshaw and Michael West!
Liza with a G. Can't get a ticket to Liza at the Palace? I couldn't and would rather see Gina. She's terrific!
Michael West gets into Lin Manuel Miranda and goes IN THE HEIGHTS. YO!
Some Enchanted Evening (Christina Bianco and Jared Bradshaw)
Due to popular demand, Gerard Alessandrini and the producers of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY have extended the run of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY GOES TO REHAB at the 47th Street Theatre (304 West 47th Street) through March 1, 2009. This latest edition opened to rave reviews on September 18, 2008.
Producer John Freedson said, “The response to our latest edition has been terrific, and there has been great demand for us to extend. Our theatre lease ends March 1, so we must end performances at that time. But I’m thrilled to be able to tack a few final weeks on to the run and give everyone more time to see the show ”.
Corine Cohen- I have seen every version but one and Forbidden Broadway is my favorite Off Broadway show of all time. If I could be an Associate Producer and raise money to keep it running I would. There is no Broadway as funny as Forbidden Broadway. It makes me laugh so hard I cry. It will be a sad day on March 1st, but if you are smart you will see it now! I thank Forbidden Broadway for 27 years of laughter!
Ben Brantley of The New York Times calls the show “The liveliest and sauciest ‘Forbidden Broadway’ in over a decade. It’s clearly the place to send anyone and anything in need of rejuvenation.” The Today Show exclaims: ‘Forbidden Broadway’ is a fabulous show. It’s the Saturday Night Live of Broadway. So brilliant! Go see this one!” The Daily News raves “Intoxicatingly funny. You don’t have to be a theater addict to revel in this show.” The New York Post says “Fresh and hilarious. The theatrical equivalent of a week-long spa.” The New York Observer champions “Side splittingly-funny. No show has given me more pleasure over the years. It’s my favorite show on earth.” “It’s a hoot! ‘Forbidden Broadway’ is flying high, and taking everyone along for the trip. I am still chuckling days later.” cheers Time Out.
Newsday applauds it as “A treasure! As inspired, as plugged-in, as cruel-to-be-kind and as cruel-to-be-fun as the best of the 18 versions since 1982” and WOR Radio heralds “You can’t miss it! If you love Broadway, if you love musicals, see ‘Forbidden Broadway’- Definitely!” “Superb! There are so many hilarious bits in the new edition of ‘Forbidden Broadway,’ it’s hard to single any one out! It’s fresh and smart, and it pulses with comic energy” says The Bergen Record and New York 1 raves: “Forbidden Broadway is always the highlight of the season for me. It’s the Energizer Bunny of Off-Broadway.”
FORBIDDEN BROADWAY GOES TO REHAB features spoofs of Liza Minnelli at the Palace, Patti LuPone in Gypsy, South Pacific, In the Heights, Young Frankenstein, August Osage County, and Sunday in the Park with George, among others. Bernadette Peters, Cheyenne Jackson and Kristin Chenoweth come under fire as well.
Created and written by Gerard Alessandrini. FORBIDDEN BROADWAY GOES TO REHAB is directed by Mr. Alessandrini and Phillip George. Featured in the cast are: Christina Bianco, James Donegan, Gina Kreiezmar and Michael West, with David Caldwell on piano. Costumes are by the late Alvin Colt, with additional costumes by David Moyer. Sets are by Megan Halpern and lighting is by Mark T. Simpson. This edition is dedicated to the memory of the legendary Alvin Colt, who designed the show’s costumes for 15 years.
After a record-breaking run of 27 years, including 18 separate editions and more than 9,000 performances, the show will play its final performance on March 1, 2009. In deciding to end the run, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY creator Gerard Alessandrini said: “With the changing of the artistic climate on Broadway, I felt that the next couple of seasons might be a perfect time to take a break. I put together a new edition that I feel succinctly encapsulates the last couple of years on Broadway, and I thought that would be a positive and fun way to end our 27 year run. However, I do hope we might bring Forbidden Broadway back to New York at some point down the road when there will be plenty of new shows and stars to spoof.”
Forbidden Broadway will continue to tour around the country, as well as perform concert dates with symphony orchestras. Mr. Alessandrini will be working on new projects on the West Coast and in New York.
FORBIDDEN BROADWAY has been an unstoppable force in New York theatre since 1982 when Gerard Alessandrini created the first parody lampooning the Broadway shows and stars of the day. It is a favorite among theatre lovers as well as Broadway stars (Kathleen Turner, Raul Esparza, Christine Ebersole, Patti LuPone, the cast of Spring Awakening, Cheyenne Jackson, Bernadette Peters, Carol Channing, Stephen Sondheim, Cameron Mackintosh, and Hal Prince among others), who often stop by to laugh at themselves. FORBIDDEN BROADWAY has won numerous awards in its history including the 2008 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical Revue, the 2006 Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, six additional Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, Obie, and Lucille Lortel Awards. A theatrical institution, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY has received national and international notoriety, racking up over 9,000 performances in more than 200 US cities as well as engagements in London, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney.
The playing schedule for FORBIDDEN BROADWAY GOES TO REHAB is as follows: Now through March 1st - Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Wednesdays at 2:00 pm, Saturdays at 4:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $65 Saturday, Sunday and Monday evenings - and $60 all other performances. For tickets call (212) 239-6200. For Group Sales call (212) 840-5564.
http://www.forbiddenbroadway.com/
PS A note to John Freedson, now that all the other great shows are closing in January, you might want to look for a new space. Also, look for one with a wheel chair bathroom.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
20TH ANNIVERSARY GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION.
GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION
RAISES $3,061,148
SINCE 1989, GYPSY OF THE YEAR’S 20 EDITIONS HAVE RAISED
A CUMULATIVE $35,730,000 TO BENEFIT BC/EFA
The 20th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION announced a total of $3,061,000 had been raised by the 63 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Since 1989, the 20 editions of GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION have raised a combined total of $35,730,000 to benefit BC/EFA.
This year the JERSEY BOYS – Chicago raised the most money of any show this period with $220,000.
THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is the culmination of a period of intensive fundraising where New York’s most talented “gypsies,” chorus members from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, join in a competition/variety show as six weeks of intensive fundraising by the community come to a close.
This year’s competition ended with the following top-dollar raising shows:
Broadway:
Third Runner-up Hairspray $125,291
Second Runner-up South Pacific $140,552
First Runner-up Wicked $172,301
Top Fundraiser Equus $203,746
The $203,746 raised by the cast of Equus, enthusiastically lead by stars Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffths, is the most raised by a Broadway play in the history of BC/EFA fundraising.
National Touring Shows:
Second Runner-up Wicked – Los Angeles $161,868
First Runner-up Wicked – Chicago “The Shiz Company” $178,500
Top Fundraiser Jersey Boys - Chicago $220,000
17 National Touring Shows raised $1,210,868 of the events grand total.
The cast of Jersey Boys – Chicago was awarded both the top fundraising National Touring show and the overall Top Fundraising Award.
A special award was given for the top fundraising Off-Broadway company. This year it was The Marvelous Wondrettes with $17,824.
The results of this year’s presentation awards were:
First Runner Up: Equus
Winner: The Lion King
Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky (The Ritz, host of Sirius Satellite Radio’s “Seth’s Big Fat Broadway”) served as this year’s host. He was joined by Tyne Daly and Jonathan Hadary, the hosts of the first GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION that took place at the St. James Theatre on November 28, 1989.
Rudetsky, Daly, and Hadary were joined by Christine Baranski (Boeing, Boeing), Harvey Fierstein (Hairspray), and John Lithgow (All My Sons) and for the presentation of the afternoon’s awards.
This year’s celebrity judges included: Elizabeth Ashley (Dividing the Estate), Paige Davis (Boeing, Boeing) and her husband Patrick Page (A Man For All Seasons), Howard McGillin (The Phantom of the Opera), Kate Mulgrew (Equus), Peter Sarsgaard (The Seagull), and BC/EFA major donors Dr. Harold Brody, Marion Duckworth Smith and Kendall D. Ward.
Other highlights from this year’s presentations included:
· The show’s opening number “The Gypsy Robe” – featuring 5 of the legendary Gypsy Robes - was directed and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse, created by musical director Ben Cohn and lyricist Nathan Tysen and featured 24 Broadway’s gypsies as they parodied “La Vie Boheme” from Rent and “Brand New Day” from The Wiz.
· Two of Broadway’s current musical revivals used their respective presentations to imagine what if the family of Sarah Palin decided to come to Broadway. The cast of Gypsy wondering what if Sarah Palin herself decided to take over the role of Rose, while Grease featured Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol as the possibly pregnant teen Rizzo singing “There Are Worst Things I Could Do”.
· The cast of Broadway’s Mamma Mia! developed their own plan to dominate Broadway with a presentation called “Mamma Mia Presents: Mamma Mia Presents” where several major Broadway shows were allowed to use the classic ABBA song catalog in their shows to hilarious effect.
· Ensemble members from The Lion King continuing their GYPSY OF THE YEAR tradition by presenting a stunning dance piece entitled “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” that featured six dancers performing breathtaking feats around an over-sized dinner table.
· The cast of Equus featured star Daniel Radcliffe performing an original song, written by Mr. Radcliffe, entitled “The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Neigh” that included the show’s “horses” dancing and cavorting with their young star.
· For their last appearance at a BC/EFA event, Tony Award winning composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman welcomed Hairspray cast members past and present including Matthew Morrison and Marissa Jaret Winokur in the anthem “I Know Where I’ve Been” lead by four actresses who played Motormouth Maybelle on Broadway: Charlotte Crossley, original cast member Mary Bond Davis, Jennifer Lewis and Darlene Love.
· Monty Python’s Spamalot also welcomed cast members past and present for their farewell appearance for a medley of “Forget Your Troubles Come On Get Happy and featured the show’s ensemble leading a thrilling tap break and culminated in many former Spamalot cast members including Jonathan Hadary, Martin Moran, David Hyde Pierce, and Christopher Sieber joining them for the show’s iconic “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”.
· The show closed with the cast of the recent Broadway musical [title of show] – Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jeff Bowen and Larry Pressgrove presenting an original number entitled “My First Time” which featured the cast discussing their first time seeing a Broadway show. Hunter Bell sang sections from the first show he saw: Annie, while Susan Blackwell delivered portions of the closing monologue from Angels in America, the first show she saw on Broadway.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grants making organization. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes and other critical illnesses across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $150 million dollars for critically needed services for people with AIDS and other serious illnesses.
BC/EFA is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors’ Fund – including The AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic at The Aurora in NYC, The Dancers’ Resource and two supportive housing residences. BC/EFA also awards grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations yearly.
THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is sponsored by:
Continental Airlines, the official airline of BC/EFA,
The M•A•C AIDS Fund, and The New York Times
For more information, visit: www.BroadwayCares.org
RAISES $3,061,148
SINCE 1989, GYPSY OF THE YEAR’S 20 EDITIONS HAVE RAISED
A CUMULATIVE $35,730,000 TO BENEFIT BC/EFA
The 20th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION announced a total of $3,061,000 had been raised by the 63 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Since 1989, the 20 editions of GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION have raised a combined total of $35,730,000 to benefit BC/EFA.
This year the JERSEY BOYS – Chicago raised the most money of any show this period with $220,000.
THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is the culmination of a period of intensive fundraising where New York’s most talented “gypsies,” chorus members from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, join in a competition/variety show as six weeks of intensive fundraising by the community come to a close.
This year’s competition ended with the following top-dollar raising shows:
Broadway:
Third Runner-up Hairspray $125,291
Second Runner-up South Pacific $140,552
First Runner-up Wicked $172,301
Top Fundraiser Equus $203,746
The $203,746 raised by the cast of Equus, enthusiastically lead by stars Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffths, is the most raised by a Broadway play in the history of BC/EFA fundraising.
National Touring Shows:
Second Runner-up Wicked – Los Angeles $161,868
First Runner-up Wicked – Chicago “The Shiz Company” $178,500
Top Fundraiser Jersey Boys - Chicago $220,000
17 National Touring Shows raised $1,210,868 of the events grand total.
The cast of Jersey Boys – Chicago was awarded both the top fundraising National Touring show and the overall Top Fundraising Award.
A special award was given for the top fundraising Off-Broadway company. This year it was The Marvelous Wondrettes with $17,824.
The results of this year’s presentation awards were:
First Runner Up: Equus
Winner: The Lion King
Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky (The Ritz, host of Sirius Satellite Radio’s “Seth’s Big Fat Broadway”) served as this year’s host. He was joined by Tyne Daly and Jonathan Hadary, the hosts of the first GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION that took place at the St. James Theatre on November 28, 1989.
Rudetsky, Daly, and Hadary were joined by Christine Baranski (Boeing, Boeing), Harvey Fierstein (Hairspray), and John Lithgow (All My Sons) and for the presentation of the afternoon’s awards.
This year’s celebrity judges included: Elizabeth Ashley (Dividing the Estate), Paige Davis (Boeing, Boeing) and her husband Patrick Page (A Man For All Seasons), Howard McGillin (The Phantom of the Opera), Kate Mulgrew (Equus), Peter Sarsgaard (The Seagull), and BC/EFA major donors Dr. Harold Brody, Marion Duckworth Smith and Kendall D. Ward.
Other highlights from this year’s presentations included:
· The show’s opening number “The Gypsy Robe” – featuring 5 of the legendary Gypsy Robes - was directed and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse, created by musical director Ben Cohn and lyricist Nathan Tysen and featured 24 Broadway’s gypsies as they parodied “La Vie Boheme” from Rent and “Brand New Day” from The Wiz.
· Two of Broadway’s current musical revivals used their respective presentations to imagine what if the family of Sarah Palin decided to come to Broadway. The cast of Gypsy wondering what if Sarah Palin herself decided to take over the role of Rose, while Grease featured Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol as the possibly pregnant teen Rizzo singing “There Are Worst Things I Could Do”.
· The cast of Broadway’s Mamma Mia! developed their own plan to dominate Broadway with a presentation called “Mamma Mia Presents: Mamma Mia Presents” where several major Broadway shows were allowed to use the classic ABBA song catalog in their shows to hilarious effect.
· Ensemble members from The Lion King continuing their GYPSY OF THE YEAR tradition by presenting a stunning dance piece entitled “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” that featured six dancers performing breathtaking feats around an over-sized dinner table.
· The cast of Equus featured star Daniel Radcliffe performing an original song, written by Mr. Radcliffe, entitled “The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Neigh” that included the show’s “horses” dancing and cavorting with their young star.
· For their last appearance at a BC/EFA event, Tony Award winning composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman welcomed Hairspray cast members past and present including Matthew Morrison and Marissa Jaret Winokur in the anthem “I Know Where I’ve Been” lead by four actresses who played Motormouth Maybelle on Broadway: Charlotte Crossley, original cast member Mary Bond Davis, Jennifer Lewis and Darlene Love.
· Monty Python’s Spamalot also welcomed cast members past and present for their farewell appearance for a medley of “Forget Your Troubles Come On Get Happy and featured the show’s ensemble leading a thrilling tap break and culminated in many former Spamalot cast members including Jonathan Hadary, Martin Moran, David Hyde Pierce, and Christopher Sieber joining them for the show’s iconic “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”.
· The show closed with the cast of the recent Broadway musical [title of show] – Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jeff Bowen and Larry Pressgrove presenting an original number entitled “My First Time” which featured the cast discussing their first time seeing a Broadway show. Hunter Bell sang sections from the first show he saw: Annie, while Susan Blackwell delivered portions of the closing monologue from Angels in America, the first show she saw on Broadway.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grants making organization. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes and other critical illnesses across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $150 million dollars for critically needed services for people with AIDS and other serious illnesses.
BC/EFA is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors’ Fund – including The AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic at The Aurora in NYC, The Dancers’ Resource and two supportive housing residences. BC/EFA also awards grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations yearly.
THE GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION is sponsored by:
Continental Airlines, the official airline of BC/EFA,
The M•A•C AIDS Fund, and The New York Times
For more information, visit: www.BroadwayCares.org
Interviews With Cast Members Of MINDGAME.
We went to Tony's Di Napoli and interviewed some of the cast members of MINDGAME.
Coming soon are interviews with Cougar's and Zoom's Donna Moore and sound man Bernard Fox.
Corine Cohen
Video by Bob Johnson.
http://www.bittenbyazebra.com
Monday, December 8, 2008
My Favorite Frozen Crab Cakes!
Have you ever tried Yankee Trader Seafood Crab Cakes? I am obsessed with them.
I made them tonight and they were better than some fancy restaurants. I made them with stringbeans and melted cheese on top. It was delish.
You can find them in your local grocery store or you can buy them online.
Here is a link.
They are a Corine's favorite pick.
MUSTO MANIA.
Congratulations are in order for Marvelous, Michael Musto.
Get tickets now, Musto sells out.
BCEFA FUNDRAISER 12/8 & 12/9
Cited as "possibly the season's most dazzling talent show," the GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION features New York's most talented "gypsies" (chorus members from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows) in a competitive variety show.
The event is the culmination of six weeks of fund-raising when shows on and Off-Broadway engage in a friendly competition to see which show can raise the most money for BC/EFA. Awards are presented to the shows raising the most money and to the winning presentation.
Tickets are no longer available for this event online. A limited amount of tickets will be available at the “Will Call” reception table located in the lobby of the New Amsterdam Theater beginning Monday 12/8 at 3:00 PM and Tuesday 12/9 at 12:30 PM
ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE.
Hey kids,
Just wanted to try and be positive. I have been a bit down about the closing of some of my favorite shows. The sky is not falling and I will live if these shows close but it is upsetting.
Please go and see the following shows before they close. And, ALWAYS LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE.
Tip of the day.
Shows to see:
Spamalot 12 and up.
Spring Awakening 14 and up. (Some explicit and adult content.)
Hairspray 11 and up.
Forbidden Broadway (All ages)
Gypsy (All ages)
And my favorite: Avenue Q (No announcement of a closing yet and I would like to keep it that way!) (14 and up. Full puppet nudity)
Young Frankenstein (13 and up. Adult situations)
Others that are closing:
Grease
Mindgame
See you later when I will have a new video to post from Tony's.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
LETTER TO TELSEY CASTING....
Christina Bianco- Doing Glitter and Be Glib.Dear Telsey Casting,
After Jan 18th, Christina Bianco will be free to play the part of Glinda and after seeing her in Forbidden Broadway goes to Rehab, I feel you must see her. She is the perfect choice for Glinda. Go and see her do Glitter and be Glib.
Christina Bianco is a new talent that needs to be seen. Go and see her brilliant performance in Forbidden Broadway Goes To Rehab. She is the next big star and go and discover her for yourself. She's POP-U-LAR!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
FORBIDDEN BROADWAY TO CLOSE ON JAN 15TH
My favorite show will take it's final bow off Broadway in mid January.
I am still hoping for a miracle- for someone to save my favorite Off Broadway show.
If someone can make it happen I will be very grateful. If not, thanks for the memories, the love and the laughs, Forbidden Broadway.
Thanks to all of the great casts over the past 27 years. I am especially thankful for: Jennifer Simard, Valerie Fagan, Jared Bradshaw, Michael West, Christina Bianco, Glenna, Neil, David Benoit, Michael West and Merri Krasner, James Donegan and Adam Levi. You guys kept me sane for 27 years and now thanks to the closing I will need Rehab. ;-)
I will miss you, terribly!
I am still hoping for a miracle- for someone to save my favorite Off Broadway show.
If someone can make it happen I will be very grateful. If not, thanks for the memories, the love and the laughs, Forbidden Broadway.
Thanks to all of the great casts over the past 27 years. I am especially thankful for: Jennifer Simard, Valerie Fagan, Jared Bradshaw, Michael West, Christina Bianco, Glenna, Neil, David Benoit, Michael West and Merri Krasner, James Donegan and Adam Levi. You guys kept me sane for 27 years and now thanks to the closing I will need Rehab. ;-)
I will miss you, terribly!
PROBLEMS AT THE THEATER FOR THE DISABLED.
Since breaking my ankle I have been amazed at how the disabled, both in wheelchairs and walkers are treated when going to the theater. There are a lot of problems with this and I have experienced it first hand. Here are the good, the bad and the ugly.
1. At Speed the Plow this week. I asked to use the handicapped bathroom and was yelled at by the company manager who gave me tone and attitude when I asked to use the bathroom. I was sort of shocked at his tone and the tone of the ushers at that theater. My guest is in a wheel chair and when asked if we could move to an aisle so she does not have to push herself three chairs they basically were very unhelpful when six open aisle seats were available.
When I asked to use the bathroom they let me in when another woman was using it. Pretty embarrassing. Theaters need to be better about this. There were open aisle seats and they could have given my wheelchair friend a better time at the show. I also have a broken ankle and was wearing a boot and the usher refused to help me so I had to take my friends wheelchair and put it away which was difficult for me with a broken ankle.
Three weeks ago I went to see The Marvelous Wonderettes and was told there was no elevator to take me up three flights of steps. I almost killed myself pushing myself up the stairs. Yesterday, at Dust, I found out the theater has a lift for wheelchairs. Why is a walker different.
I needed that lift and they refused to make the effort to help me get upstairs. These are upsetting things that I experienced first hand.
At HAIRSPRAY the ushers were very outgoing and helpful. They were not as helpful at SPRING AWAKENING where they explained that there was no wheel chair bathroom and I could go to the EDISON diner.
Many theater goers use walkers, wheelchairs and canes and should be treated better.
Corine Cohen
The best experience was at the Marriott Marquis. They took my walker and brought it to me after the show. They gave me an aisle seat and made it easier for me. Other theatres need to get lessions on how to help the disabled if they want to continue getting an audience.
1. At Speed the Plow this week. I asked to use the handicapped bathroom and was yelled at by the company manager who gave me tone and attitude when I asked to use the bathroom. I was sort of shocked at his tone and the tone of the ushers at that theater. My guest is in a wheel chair and when asked if we could move to an aisle so she does not have to push herself three chairs they basically were very unhelpful when six open aisle seats were available.
When I asked to use the bathroom they let me in when another woman was using it. Pretty embarrassing. Theaters need to be better about this. There were open aisle seats and they could have given my wheelchair friend a better time at the show. I also have a broken ankle and was wearing a boot and the usher refused to help me so I had to take my friends wheelchair and put it away which was difficult for me with a broken ankle.
Three weeks ago I went to see The Marvelous Wonderettes and was told there was no elevator to take me up three flights of steps. I almost killed myself pushing myself up the stairs. Yesterday, at Dust, I found out the theater has a lift for wheelchairs. Why is a walker different.
I needed that lift and they refused to make the effort to help me get upstairs. These are upsetting things that I experienced first hand.
At HAIRSPRAY the ushers were very outgoing and helpful. They were not as helpful at SPRING AWAKENING where they explained that there was no wheel chair bathroom and I could go to the EDISON diner.
Many theater goers use walkers, wheelchairs and canes and should be treated better.
Corine Cohen
The best experience was at the Marriott Marquis. They took my walker and brought it to me after the show. They gave me an aisle seat and made it easier for me. Other theatres need to get lessions on how to help the disabled if they want to continue getting an audience.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
TONY'S WALL OF FAME SALUTES KEITH CARRADINE.
The portrait is unveiled. Scary!
GYPSY'S Boyd Gaines AND Keith Carradine having fun!
The portrait.
Keith and his daughter Martha Plimpton.
Gypsy's Boyd Gaines, Keith and Richard Kind strike a pose for our camera!
The cast and creative team of MINDGAME.
Valerie Smaldone, Keith and Bruce Dimpflmiaer from Tony's.
Bruce knows how to throw an amazing party and the food was great!
Corine is happy to be at Tony's! It has been so long. She loved the chicken francese!
Keith Carradine the life of the party!
Richard Kind enjoys some food.
On December 2, 2008 Tony's Di Napoli had the newest star from Mindgame Off Broadway get honored on it's WALL OF FAME. It is the first Off Broadway show to have that honor. We were there to do some interviews and take some photos. The video is coming in the next few days. We hope you enjoy the photo coverage as much as we loved the party. It was a blast to be back and I even walked up the stairs to catch my access a ride home at 12:30 AM. Sleep? Who needs sleep.
Photos and video by Bob Johnson. To view more of his work go here: http://www.bittenbyazebraphotography.com/
Video interviews and taping of the event coming soon. Interviews with sound designer Bernard Fox, Lee Godart (Mindgame) and Kathleen McNenny of Mindgame. We also had the pleasure of interviewing Donna Moore from ZOOM and Cougar. Can't wait for the video!
Corine Dana Cohen
Mindgame is playing at Soho playhouse.
http://www.sohoplayhouse.com/
for tickets: 212-691-1555
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