EASTER BONNET PHOTO FLASH BY MARK RUPP!

Harvey Fierstein, Faith Prince and David Hyde Pierce


Megan Mullally and Roger Bart

Lockstock and Little Sally (A favorite at the Easter Bonnet)


Adam Rapp.


The winners of the talent portion. Kelsey Fowler and Alison Horowitz.

The Easter Bonnet raised almost 4 million dollars for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. To help this great cause go to the site.

http://www.broadwaycares.org

I attended the show and was blown away by the incredible talent. My favorite numbers:

1. Sunday In The Park With George (It won)
2. Mamma Mia- Very funny number.
3. Legally black.(Lion King)
4. Passing Strange


Donate as much as you can.
Corine Cohen

CAUCASIAN CALK.

Hey everyone!



I just had to share this great mention in Backstage’s review of The Caucasian Chalk Circle. We’re playing through Mother’s Day (May 11th) and you can check our dates at www.hipgnosistheatre.org



Here is some money saving information too!



$12 tickets for our friends for the first half of our run (from Sat. April 26 through Sun. May 4, except for Sat. May 3)
Online or over the phone: http://broadwayoffers.com or 212-947-8844, with the promotional code CCHALF9
In person at the 45 Bleecker theatre box office, mentioning the CCHALF9 code
$14 Friend tickets for any other performance. The process is the same as for the $12 tickets. The code is CCFRND37.

"GET BRUCE!"

Dear theater junkies,
If you see one movie this year you need to rent "GET BRUCE!"
It is the funniest documentary about the hyserical writer, comedian, who Donny Osmond called the worlds funniest muppet"

I finally saw the film and it has Marc Shaiman on the piano, the fabulous Robin Williams, Bette Midler and my favorite Whoopi Goldberg. It is a MUST SEE for anyone who admires the man or as Donny Osmond calls him "MUPPET."

I spent the afternoon laughing so hard I had to reapply my mascara.
Also in this film is Nathan Lane, Rachel Welch and more.

The movie is available for rent on Netflix. I have decided to buy mine.

Bruce Vilanch is my hero.

Corine Cohen

INSIDE BROADWAY TO PRESENT "CREATING THE MAGIC" ON BROADWAY MAY 29TH!

INSIDE BROADWAY TO PRESENT FREE “CREATING THE MAGIC” ON BROADWAY, WITH “HAIRSPRAY” COMPANY
THURSDAY, MAY 29 10:30 AM AT NEIL SIMON THEATRE

Inside Broadway, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, and has introduced over 750 thousand New York City children to musical theatre, will present Creating The Magic, its unique annual free Broadway educational event, on Thursday May 29 at 10:30 AM. The event will demonstrate the process of creating a Broadway production, with the cast and company of the Tony Award-winning musical Hairspray at the Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52nd Street (between 7th-8th Avenue), New York, NY.

Open to school and senior groups, and to the public, Creating the Magic will feature performances by and interviews with cast members and a display of technical stage effects. Last season’s Creating the Magic, at the Winter Garden Theatre, featured the casts of The Lion King, Mamma Mia and Wicked.

Michael Presser, the group’s founder, executive director and moderator of the Creating the Magic series, said: “Everyone would like to go behind the scenes on Broadway. We give them an insider’s look at how the magic of theatre is created and introduce some of the important people who create that magic. It’s entertaining as well as educational, a perfect combination.”

Founded and directed by Michael Presser, Inside Broadway currently has several major New York City-wide arts education programs in process, including:

1) The Magic Of Broadway, 18 four-month free senior arts programs in senior
centers around New York, part of the new New York City-funded “Seniors Meet the Arts” initiative. Members of senior programs are working with professional theatre teaching artists to jointly create their own mini-musicals. The program is funded by the New York City Department For the Aging, the Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York City Council.

2) The 2008 schools tour of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, which Inside Broadway presented Off-Broadway five seasons ago at the Lucile Lortel Theatre. The tour is covering over 30 schools throughout the city.

3) Build A Musical: Teaching artists are working with children in more than 70 schools in the city to help them create their own musicals and develop their creativity.

Inside Broadway, which created the first Broadway student theatre ticket program in New York, in 1982 for Cats, presents professional 50-minute versions of Broadway musicals, directed for children. Its Richard Rodgers’ Broadway caused the New York Times to say “Rodgers continues to enchant and entertain, and he couldn’t ask for better cheerleaders, in all senses of the word”. Other productions of Inside Broadway have included the 50th anniversary production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Bye Bye Birdie, On the Town, The Pirates of Penzance, Kiss Me, Kate, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Sophisticated Ladies, Irving Berlin’s Land That I Love and Free to Be You and Me. All shows provide student study guides and teacher lesson plans

Inside Broadway receives substantial and ongoing funding from several government agencies including the New York City Department of Education; New York State Office of Children and Family Services; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; New York City Department For the Aging: New York City Department of Youth and Community Development; New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and New York State Department of Education; New York City Council: Christine Quinn, Speaker, Domenic Recchia, Chair Cultural Affairs Committee and Council Members Joseph Addabbo, Jr., Tony Avella, Erik Martin Dilan, Lew Fidler, Dan Garodnick, Eric Gioia, Vincent Gentile, Sara Gonzalez, Vincent Ignizio, Melinda Katz, Darlene Mealy, Michael McMahon, Annabel Palma, Joel Rivera, Larry Seabrook, Helen Sears, James Vacca and Thomas White, Jr. New York State Assembly Members Peter Abbate, Michael Benedetto, Adriano Espaillat, Michael Gianaris, Richard Gottfried, Brian Kavanagh, Linda Rosenthal, Michele Titus, Mark Weprin and Ellen Young; New York State Senators Andrew Lanza, John Flanagan, George Onorato, Tom Duane and Martin Golden.

3,734,129 REASONS TO LOVE BROADWAY CARES/ EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS!

22nd ANNUAL

EASTER BONNET COMPETITION

RAISES A RECORD BREAKING

$3,734,129



TO BENEFIT

BROADWAY CARES/ EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS



The 22nd ANNUAL EASTER BONNET COMPETITION was a great success with a record-breaking, $3,734,129 being raised this year by the 53 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Since it began in 1987, 22 editions of the Annual Easter Bonnet Competition have raised over $35 million for BC/EFA.



Harvey Fierstein and Faith Prince (A Catered Affair) and David Hyde Pierce (Curtains) were on hand to present the awards for top fund raising companies and the outstanding bonnet presentation. The winner for bonnet presentation was Sunday in the Park with George’s Kelsey Fowler and Alison Horowitz, who share the role of the young girl, ‘Louise,’ performing Stephen Sondheim’s "We Do Not Belong Together" as ‘George’ and a very pregnant ‘Dot’..



Leading the highlights from this year’s competition was BC/EFA's favorite Ziegfeld girl, Doris Eaton Travis, at 104 years young, made her 10th appearance at the Easter Bonnet Competition dancing to “Singin’ in the Rain,” sung by Curtains star John Bolton and choreographed by Curtains ensemble member Ward Billeisen and introduced by Phylicia Rashad (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof).



After 12 years on Broadway, raising over $3 million for BC/EFA, the cast of Rent appeared for the last time at the Easter Bonnet Competition, singing a medley of “Seasons of Love” and “Love Heals,” filling the stage with the current and past cast members of the hit show. Other highlights included the cast of Passing Strange performing a parody of Michael Jackson's “Thriller,” which was entitled “Passing Strangest.” In the Heights did their own interpretation of the song “One Day More,” the first act finale of Les Miserables, with a parody entitled “Un Dia Mas!!” The cast of Spring Awakening was also on hand to perform a hilarious parody of the entire score of Grease. Easter Bonnet “favorites” Officer Lockstock and Little Sally, better known as Don Richard and Jen Cody made a return appearance perhaps best characterized as a humorous version of “shock and awe”.



This year’s fundraising award winners were:



Top Fundraising Award : Rent - $277,739



Broadway Companies:

1st Runner-up: Spamalot - $264,900

2nd Runner-up:Wicked - $197,889

3rd Runner-up: The Phantom of the Opera - $151,267

4th Runner-up: The Lion King - $147,283



Special awards were also given to the top fundraising Broadway play, Off-Broadway company, and touring company. This year, the top fundraising Broadway play was August: Osage County ($64,500); and the top fundraising Off-Broadway company was Altar Boyz ($19,632).



Touring Companies:

Top National Tour Fundraiser: Jersey Boys / Chicago - $255,000

1st Runner-up: Jersey Boys / National Tour - $184,781

2nd Runner-up: Wicked / Los Angeles - $160,023



The 16 National Touring shows participating raised a grand total of $1,123,387.



The results of this year’s bonnet presentation were:

Winner: Sunday in the Park with George

First Runner Up: Naked Boys Singing - “Off-Broadway Lament” and The Lion King - “True Colors” (tie)

Second Runner Up: In The Heights



The special award for bonnet design was given to Passing Strange. The winning bonnet was designed by Susan Goulet and Rebecca Naomi Jones, inspired by lighting designer Kevin Adams.



This year’s hosts included: include Roger Bart and Megan Mullally (Young Frankenstein), Sierra Boggess and Tituss Burgess (The Little Mermaid), Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell (Sunday in the Park with George), Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele (Spring Awakening), Ron Kunene and Tshidi Manye (The Lion King), Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde) and Tom Wopat (A Catered Affair).



This year’s judges included: Sebastian Arcelus (Jersey Boys), Stephanie J. Block (Wicked), Dylan Baker (November), Norm Lewis (The Little Mermaid), Chris March (Project Runway), S. Epatha Merkerson (Come Back, Little Sheba), Matthew Morrison (South Pacific), general manager Albert Poland and casting director Bernie Telsey who were hilariously introduced by Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf (November).



This year’s opening number was called “Project Broadway,” and featured “Project Runway” designers Malan Breton; Kayne Gillaspie; Angela Keslar and Chris March. The number was written by Michael Lee Scott, directed and choreographed by Connor Gallagher with musical direction by Brad Haak.



Anika Noni Rose (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) sang David Friedman’s “Help is on the Way,” the official anthem of The Easter Bonnet Competition.



The Easter Bonnet Competition is the culmination of six intensive weeks of fundraising efforts by Broadway and Off-Broadway company members as well as numerous productions currently on national tour. Curtain speeches, autographed poster and program sales, auctions, and cabaret performances bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars from audiences prior to the competition. The winner of the competition will be the company that raises the largest amount of money for BC/EFA. A second award is granted to the company with the best bonnet design and presentation. Awards are also presented to the Broadway Play, National Tour and Off-Broadway production raising the most money for BC/EFA.



BROADWAY CARES/ EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund raising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American theater community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since it’s founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $140 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV and other related illnesses.






The 22nd Annual Easter Bonnet Competition is sponsored by:

The New York Times and Continental Airlines, the official airline of BC/EFA,



For more information, please visit the BC/EFA website at www.broadwaycares.org.

COLMAN DOMINGO OF PASSING STRANGE!!!!

Hello,

When I was invited to the open dress of PASSING STRANGE I was in horrible seats in the back of the mezz and was underwhelmed. Several months later I sat in the back of the Orchestra and saw the show in a whole new light.

I WAS HYSTERICAL WITH LAUGHTER BY COLMAN DOMINGO. If you don't know who he is go and see his scary and hysterical performace as a German in Berlin. He made the show for me. He sings:

"WHAT'S INSIDE IS JUST A LIE
WHAT'S INSIDE IS JUST A LIE"

He made me adore this production and Stew's music.

I am sad that Colman did not recieve a Drama Desk nomination and hope he is not over looked at this years TONYS.

WHAT'S INSIDE COLMAN DOMINGO IS REAL!

Corine Cohen

OPENING OF BACK IN PICTURES TONIGHT!

Aida’s Gaynor and Annie’s Neuland star in new musical revue
BACK IN PICTURES
PREVIEWS BEGIN MONDAY, APRIL 7th
OPENING TUESDAY, APRIL 29TH!
MONDAYS & TUESDAYS at 8PM
THE REPRISE ROOM: 245 W 54th St
TICKETCENTRAL.COM or 212-279-4200

Back in Pictures is the exciting new musical revue celebrating the music from the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema. These unforgettable stories and classic songs have infused themselves into our lives generation after generation. From Academy Award winning songs to legendary standards, audiences will delight to the music from Casablanca, Easter Parade, Pennies From Heaven, The Wizard of Oz, and many more!
Bob Gaynor (Broadway’s Aida, Taboo, and Sweet Charity) and Jennifer Neuland (Annie 20th Anniversary Production) lead a cast that includes Dennis Moench (Altar Boyz, Fame on 42nd St), Nicole Johndrow (Cats), and Noel Cody (Divas I’ve Done). Jonathan Larson Award Winner Lance Horne (Broadway’s Little Women) provides the music direction as well as the on-stage accompaniment while Tiger Martina (Movin’ Out, current dance captain for Liza Minnelli) choreographs.

The show is produced and directed by Tom D’Angora and Michael Duling, the duo behind A Broadway Diva Christmas and Ellen Greene’s album In His Eyes. D’Angora is also known for his Bistro Award winning show Divas I’ve Done which played sold-out runs Upstairs at Studio54, LA, and engagements in Boston, and Provincetown.
Back in Pictures begins previews April 7th with an official opening of April 29th for an open-ended run. The show plays Monday and Tuesday nights at 8:00 pm at The Reprise Room (formerly Dillons) located at 245 W 54th St. Tickets can be purchased for $55 through TicketCentral.com or by calling 212-279-4200.

WWW.BACKINPICTURES.COM

MAC AWARDS NEXT WEEK!!!!

Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of MAC

22nd Annual MAC Awards
Tuesday, May 6, 2008


Hosted by
Klea Blackhurst
With

Maureen McGovern Lewis Black
Danny Aiello Andrea McArdle Tom Wopat John McDaniel
Faith Prince Ron Corning Joyce Randolph Julie Wilson
Steven Lutvak Baby Jane Dexter Leon Hall Lina Koutrakos
Steven Brinberg Patrick DeGennaro Luba Mason KT Sullivan
Terese Genecco Uptown Express Kristine Zbornik ...and more…

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs will celebrate its 25th Anniversary & the 22nd Annual MAC Awards, on May 6, 2008, at B.B. King Blues Club, in New York City. The announcement came from the Board of Directors of MAC; Ricky Ritzel, President. Lennie Watts will be directing the Awards Ceremony.

The MAC Awards celebrate the best of live entertainment in Cabaret, Jazz & Comedy in New York. MAC Board of Directors Awards will honor Linda Amiel Burns, Bart Greenberg’s Any Wednesday Series, Lewis Black for “Outstanding Achievement in Comedy” & Gloria Lynn for “Outstanding Achievement in Jazz.” The “Lifetime Achievement Award” will go to singer & actress Maureen McGovern. Time Out New York will present their “Special Achievement MAC Award” to Kenny Mellman & Bridget Everett for their show At Least It's Pink at Ars Nova.


DATE: Tuesday, May 6, 2008 @ 7:30pm, doors open @ 6pm
PLACE: B.B. King Blues Club & Grill

237 West 42nd Street (bet. 7th & 8th Ave.)
PRICE: $125, $75 & $45 – plus a 2 drink min (full dinner menu available)
TICKETS: Box Office (10:30am-midnight), Ticketmaster (212)307-7171 or www.ticketmaster.com
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (212)465-2662 www.MACnyc.com

Drama Desk Nominations.

53rd ANNUAL DRAMA DESK AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED
A CATERED AFFAIR LEADS LIST WITH 12 NOMINATIONS;
THEATER LUMINARIES BEBE NEUWIRTH AND LEN CARIOU
ANNOUNCE NOMINATIONS AT FRIARS CLUB;
AWARDS TO BE PRESENTED ON MAY 18 AT GALA CEREMONY

New York, April 28, 2008—Nominations for the 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced this morning at the New York Friars Club by Bebe Neuwirth and Len Cariou, multi-award winning stage, screen and television stars. They were joined for the announcement by William Wolf, Drama Desk President, Barbara Siegel, Chairperson of the Drama Desk Nominating Committee, Robert Blume, Executive Producer of the Drama Desk Awards, and Randie Levine-Miller, Director of Special Events for the Drama Desk.

In keeping with the Drama Desk's unique mission, the nominators considered shows that opened on Broadway, off Broadway and off-off Broadway during the 2007/2008 season in the same competitive categories. Final deliberations took place at the Travel Inn, New York City.

The 2007/2008 Nominating Committee for the Drama Desk Awards is composed of: Barbara Siegel (TalkinBroadway.com and TheaterMania.com), Chairperson; Dan Bacalzo (TheaterMania.com); Robert Cashill (New York Theater News and Live Design); Celia Ipiotis (Eye on the Arts); Gerard Raymond (Back Stage and The Advocate), and Richard Ridge (Broadwaybeat.com).

Leading the slate of distinguished nominees is A Catered Affair with twelve nominations, followed by Adding Machine with nine, South Pacific and Young Frankenstein, each with eight, August: Osage County, Passing Strange, Sunday in the Park with George and The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island, tied at seven, and Xanadu with six. (See complete list.)

The 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards will be held Sunday, May 18, 2008, in the LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. The awards show will be webcast for the sixth year in a row by TheaterMania.com. It will also be broadcast live on satellite radio’s XM – 28 On Broadway for the second consecutive year.





53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards Nominees/Page 2

Drama Desk nominees will receive their official nomination certificates at a cocktail reception on Thursday, May 1, 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Arte Café, 106 West 73rd Street, between Broadway and Columbus Avenue.

In the Heights, which was distinguished with multiple nominations and awards last season, was considered only for new elements in the current Broadway production. Glory Days did not commence performances before the Drama Desk cut-off date and it will therefore be eligible next season.

This year the nominators chose to bestow special ensemble awards for acting to the casts of two shows –The Dining Room off-Broadway and The Homecoming on Broadway. Therefore individual cast members for these shows were not eligible for acting awards in the competitive categories. The Drama Desk maintains its tradition of acknowledging excellence in the theater by announcing special awards to: Edward Albee, James Earl Jones, 59E59 Theaters and Playwrights Horizons.

This year the Nominating Committee recognized the creative use of digital technology and its integral part of theater artistry with a category for Outstanding Projection and Video Design.


ABOUT THE DRAMA DESK

The Drama Desk was founded in 1949 to explore key issues in the theater and to bring together critics and writers in an organization to support the ongoing development of theater in New York. The organization began presenting its awards in 1955, and it is the only organization to honor achievement in the theater with competition between Broadway, off Broadway and off-off Broadway productions in the same categories.

The organization hosts panels throughout the year, to which the public is invited, to promote understanding and appreciation of the professional theater. In addition to honoring creative artists and stage productions in multiple categories, the Drama Desk annually presents scholarships to two worthy seniors in the Drama Department of the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts who are planning careers in the theater.

The Drama Desk Awards invites personal sketches from this year’s nominated performers and creative talent for its Art*Kive program, started eight years ago by Art*Kive creator Sarah Galvin. This annual program—unique to the Drama Desk Awards—invites the nominees to render a sketch that is relevant to the role or stage production that helped them achieve their nomination. The sketches will be displayed at the awards ceremony.
To find out more about the organization and this year’s awards show, visit http://www.dramadesk.com.




53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards Nominees
PRODUCTION CREDITS & SPONSORSHIP FOR THE 2007/2008 DRAMA DESK AWARDS
Robert R. Blume is Executive Producer of the 53d Annual Drama Desk Awards and Blume Media Group is the producing company. Lauren Class Schneider is Producer and Jeff Kalpak is Director. Roy A. Somlyo is Consulting Producer.

The Awards production team also includes: Associate Producers (in alphabetical order) Margot Astrachan, Corine Dana Cohen, Matthew P. Donoghue, Jacki Barlia Florin, Steve Garrin and Les Schecter, who is also Director of Publicity and Promotions; Elias EL-Hage, General Manager; and Felicia M. Lopes, National Development Director.

For the Drama Desk organization, Randie Levine-Miller is Special Events Director and Producer of the Drama Desk nominations at the NY Friars Club, and Ellis Nassour is Media Liaison.

The Board of Directors of the Drama Desk is composed of: William Wolf, President; Leslie (Hoban) Blake, Vice President; Charles Wright, Treasurer and 2nd Vice President; Joyce Hauser, Secretary; Ellis Nassour; Michael Bracken; David Kaufman; Sam Norkin; Barbara Siegel, and Elyse Sommer.

David S. Stone and The Smart Family Foundation, Richard I. Kandel, Ted Snowdon, TheaterMania.com, Jacki Barlia Florin and Jamie deRoy & friends have provided major financial assistance to the Drama Desk Awards show. In-kind sponsors include The New York Times, Variety, Manhattan Bride Magazine, Gray Line/NY Sightseeing, VideoActive Productions, Production Resource Group, Sound Associates, Abrams Gentile Entertainment, Hit Show Club, Software Pronto Inc, podcastnowstudio.com and Federico Hair Salon. Food and beverage sponsors include The Hawaiian Tropic Zone, John’s Pizzeria of Times Square, Arté Cafe, NY Friars Club, Tony’s Di Napoli, Grey Goose Vodka, Wine Cellar Sorbet and Lubov Galleries. Additional financial contributors to the Drama Desk Awards are The Nat R. and Martha M. Knaster Charitable Trust/Shapiro Lobell LLP; Dorothy Loudon Foundation/Lionel Larner; Randall Stempler; The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation/Enid Nemy and Wendy Federman.









The following awards were voted by the nominating committee and will be presented by the Drama Desk at its awards ceremony:

Outstanding Ensemble Performances:

The Dining Room
The Homecoming

Special Awards:

Each year, the Drama Desk votes special awards to recognize excellence and significant contributions to the theater. For 2007/2008, these awards are:

• To Edward Albee in his 80th year, whose provocative plays, including this season's Peter and Jerry, enrich the American theater.

• To James Earl Jones, a commanding force on the stage for nearly half a century.

• To 59E59 Theaters whose imaginative curatorial vision has created a stimulating environment to nurture a diverse range of artists.

• To Playwrights Horizons for ongoing support to generations of theater artists and undiminished commitment to producing new work.


Following are the nominations for the competitive categories. Winners will be selected by the voting membership of the Drama Desk:
Outstanding Play:

Alan Ayckbourn, Intimate Exchanges
Rinde Eckert, Horizon
Liz Flahive, From Up Here
Horton Foote, Dividing the Estate
Tracy Letts, August: Osage County
Tom Stoppard, Rock ’n’ Roll


Outstanding Musical:

A Catered Affair
Adding Machine
Passing Strange
The Glorious Ones
The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Xanadu
(more)
53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards Nominees/Page 5

Outstanding Revival of a Play:

Boeing-Boeing
Happy Days
Macbeth
The Country Girl
The Dining Room
The Return of the Prodigal


Outstanding Revival of a Musical:

Black Nativity
Gypsy
South Pacific
Sunday in the Park with George
Take Me Along

Outstanding Revue:

Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening
Fugitive Songs
Make Me a Song


Outstanding Actor in a Play:

Bill Champion, Intimate Exchanges
Kevin Kline, Cyrano de Bergerac
Bill Pullman, Peter and Jerry
Mark Rylance, Boeing-Boeing
Tobias Segal, From Up Here
Rufus Sewell, Rock ’n’ Roll

Outstanding Actress in a Play:

Sinead Cusack, Rock ’n’ Roll
Deanna Dunagan, August: Osage County
Frances McDormand, The Country Girl
Amy Morton, August: Osage County
Fiona Shaw, Happy Days
Julie White, From Up Here


Outstanding Actor in a Musical:

Daniel Breaker, Passing Strange
André De Shields, Black Nativity
Daniel Evans, Sunday in the Park with George
Cheyenne Jackson, Xanadu
Matthew Morrison, 10 Million Miles
Paulo Szot, South Pacific



53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards Nominees
Outstanding Actress in a Musical:

Sierra Boggess, The Little Mermaid
Patti LuPone, Gypsy
Kelli O’Hara, South Pacific
Faith Prince, A Catered Affair
Alice Ripley, Next to Normal
Jenna Russell, Sunday in the Park with George

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play:

John Cullum, The Conscientious Objector
Conleth Hill, The Seafarer
Francis Jue, Yellow Face
Arian Moayed, Masked
Jeff Perry, August: Osage County
Michael T. Weiss, Scarcity


Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play:

Elizabeth Ashley, Dividing the Estate
Johanna Day, Peter and Jerry
Zoe Kazan, 100 Saints You Should Know
Linda Lavin, The New Century
Rondi Reed, August: Osage County
Marisa Tomei, Top Girls


Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical:

Danny Burstein, South Pacific
Christopher Fitzgerald, Young Frankenstein
Boyd Gaines, Gypsy
Shuler Hensley, Young Frankenstein
Bobby Steggert, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Tom Wopat, A Catered Affair

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical:

Laura Benanti, Gypsy
Leslie Kritzer, A Catered Affair
Andrea Martin, Young Frankenstein
Mary Testa, Xanadu
Amy Warren, Adding Machine
Mare Winningham, 10 Million Miles


Outstanding Director of a Play:

David Schweizer, Horizon
Anna D. Shapiro, August: Osage County
Leigh Silverman, From Up Here
Jonathan Silverstein, The Dining Room
Matthew Warchus, Boeing-Boeing
Deborah Warner, Happy Days

Outstanding Director of a Musical:

Christopher Ashley, Xanadu
Sam Buntrock, Sunday in the Park with George
David Cromer, Adding Machine
John Doyle, A Catered Affair
Bob McGrath, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Bartlett Sher, South Pacific

Outstanding Choreography:

Karole Armitage, Passing Strange
Rob Ashford, Cry-Baby The Musical
Shana Carroll and Gypsy Snider, Traces
Dan Knechtges, Xanadu
Peter Pucci, Queens Boulevard (the musical)
Susan Stroman, Young Frankenstein

Outstanding Music:

John Bucchino, A Catered Affair
Stephen Flaherty, The Glorious Ones
Tom Kitt, Next to Normal
Mark Mulcahy, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Joshua Schmidt, Adding Machine
Stew and Heidi Rodewald, Passing Strange

Outstanding Lyrics:

Lynn Ahrens, The Glorious Ones
Mel Brooks, Young Frankenstein
John Bucchino, A Catered Affair
Ben Katchor, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Jason Loewith and Joshua Schmidt, Adding Machine
Stew, Passing Strange

Outstanding Book of a Musical:

Douglas Carter Beane, Xanadu
Harvey Fierstein, A Catered Affair
Ben Katchor, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Jason Loewith and Joshua Schmidt, Adding Machine
Stew, Passing Strange
Eric H. Weinberger, Wanda's World


Outstanding Orchestrations:

Doug Besterman, Young Frankenstein
Jason Carr, Sunday in the Park with George
Michael Starobin, The Glorious Ones
Stew and Heidi Rodewald, Passing Strange
Jonathan Tunick, A Catered Affair
Tim Weil, 10 Million Miles

Outstanding Set Design of a Play:

Beowulf Boritt, Spain
Scott Bradley, Eurydice
David Korins, Hunting and Gathering
Santo Loquasto, Trumpery
Scott Pask, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Clint Ramos, The Return of the Prodigal

Outstanding Set Design of a Musical:

David Gallo, A Catered Affair
Takeshi Kata, Adding Machine
Derek McLane, 10 Million Miles
George Tsypin, The Little Mermaid
Robin Wagner, Young Frankenstein
Michael Yeargan, South Pacific

Outstanding Costume Design:

Mara Blumenfeld, The Glorious Ones
Michael Bottari and Ronald Case, Jessica Jahn, Die Mommie Die!
Ann Hould-Ward, A Catered Affair
Ana Kuzmanic, August: Osage County
Katrina Lindsay, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
William Ivey Long, Young Frankenstein

Outstanding Lighting Design:

Kevin Adams, The 39 Steps
Ken Billington, Sunday in the Park with George
Maruti Evans, Slaughterhouse-Five
Donald Holder, South Pacific
Natasha Katz, The Little Mermaid
Keith Parham, Adding Machine

Outstanding Sound Design:

Adam Cork, Macbeth
Jorge Cousineau, Opus
Joseph Fosco, The Conversation
Scott Lehrer, South Pacific
Mic Pool, The 39 Steps
Tony Smolenski IV, Adding Machine
(more)
53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards Nominees/Page 9

Outstanding Solo Performance:

Kris Andersson, Dixie's Tupperware Party
Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood
Stephen Lang, Beyond Glory
April Yvette Thompson, Liberty City

Outstanding Projection and Video Design:

Paul Barritt, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Timothy Bird and The Knifedge Creative Network, Sunday in the Park with George
Zachary Borovay, A Catered Affair
Jim Findlay and Jeff Sugg, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Lorna Heavey, Macbeth
Tal Yarden, The Misanthrope

Unique Theatrical Experience:

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Cut to the Chase
Fabrik
The 39 Steps
Traces

DRAMA DESK AWARD NOMINATIONS WEBCAST ON THEATERMANIA!

Hello,
Sadly, I am home with a cold and wont be able to attend the Drama Desk Nominations at the Friars Club. This is my sixth year involved as an Associate Producer and the first year that I have missed the event at the Friars.

GOOD NEWS. We can all watch the webcast. Go to http://www.theatermania.com and watch the nominations. Start watching at 9:45 AM.

All my best,
Corine

INTERVIEW WITH PAMELA LUSS!

Corine Cohen: When did you realize you wanted to be a singer?


Pamela Luss: I always loved to sing and have been singing since I was very young. When I was a toddler my mom heard me singing along with the busy signal and the blow dryer. My mom knew there must be something musical happening with my ear. I come from a musical family as well. I have been singing since I was in elementary school.

Corine Cohen: Who inspired you to pursue a singing career?

Pamela Luss: My dad exposed me to music at a young age. He is a talented, amateur piano player, who is involved in my career. He is very musical and has a terrific ear. I personally had to reach a certain point in my life in terms of maturity to feel comfortable with the lack of stability in the music business.

Corine Cohen: Do you aspire to be an actress?

Pamela Luss: Singing is my first love, that’s my primary focus. Of course, if someone offered me a part on Grey’s Anatomy, I would take it!


Corine Cohen: If you had 3 wishes what would they be and why?

Pamela Luss:
1- I loved performing on live television on The Jerry Lewis Telethon. It was a total thrill. I would love to have the opportunity to perform on television more frequently.
2- To win a Grammy!
3- To live a happy and healthy life with family and friends.


Corine Cohen: Do you have a favorite cabaret performer?


Pamela Luss: There are too many to mention. There are so many talented performers out there that I respect enormously. If I had to pick one favorite, it would be Michael Feinstein.

Corine Cohen: Tell me about the show at Birdland.


Pamela Luss: It is on Monday, May 12th at 7pm. I will be performing selections from my upcoming 3rd album on Savant/Highnote Records, “Magnet”. I will be singing a diverse group of songs ranging from Show Tunes to the Blues, all with different types of modern arrangements that will make them unique interpretations. The musicians are all top notch. My accompanist is the fabulous Tedd Firth. I will also have a wonderful saxophone player, Joel Frahm and a great rhythm section.






Corine Cohen: If you did not become a singer what would you pursue and why?

Pamela Luss: Right now, singing is my life and I can’t imagine doing anything else. If anything ever changes, I will let you know!

Thanks for taking the time to do an interview, Pamela! Catch Pamela Luss at Birdland on May 12th. Go to http://www.pamelaluss.com for more information.

Upcoming Performances

Monday, May 12th, 2008 7:00 PM

Pamela at Birdland
Birdland
315 W 44th between 8th/9th Aves
New York, NY
call for reserv: 212-581-3030 or
http://www.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/511/1209682800000
Price: $25
**Reserve by calling Birdland at 212-581-3030**

Interview With Ann Harada!

Corine Cohen: You originated the role of Christmas Eve in the hit Broadway musical Avenue Q. Can you tell me how you were chosen for Q and what was the process for landing that gig.

Ann Harada: I was never chosen for Q. Amanda Green recommended me when Bobby Lopez and Jeff Marx were asking their BMI classmates if anyone knew an Asian actress who could sing. They needed someone to sing a few lines in “Racist” for a presentation. They called, I said yes, I was Christmas Eve from then on in.

Corine Cohen: How wonderful! You never had to audition!I miss seeing you in Avenue Q. You are fabulous as Christmas Eve. If you could be in any Broadway show currently running this year what would you pick and why?

Ann Harada: Well, I’d really like to play Rose in Gypsy, because every belting character woman in the world would like to play Rose, but I don’t think Patti is going anywhere!

Corine Cohen: No, she has found her "Purpose" (Sorry, I could not resist!)Although I could see you in South Pacific as Bloody Mary. I think you would make the role hysterical. Did you try out for that part? Or would you want to try out for that part?

Ann Harada: Yes, I tried out. I thought I did well, but obviously they decided to go another way. I’ve played it regionally twice and enjoyed it. But it’s funny – I remember in high school being devastated when I didn’t get to play Bloody Mary in our production, they cast someone who “really looked the part”. I mean, if I wasn’t the best candidate in my high school, what were the chances of being the best candidate in NYC?

Corine Cohen: I just think you would make the role hysterical. Add the Harada touch.
I bet you were great!What are 10 things people should know about Ann Harada?

Ann Harada:
10.Born and raised in Hawaii, went to high school with Barack Obama! He was a couple of years ahead of me.
9. I can get drunk on half a drink.
8. Graduate of Brown University, and I don’t think any of my professors would have thought I’d become an actor.
7. I collect cookbooks and children’s books.
6. I’m the annoying person in the cast that carries their camera around.
5. I’m completely devoted to the works of William Finn.
4. I won my 8th grade spelling bee.
3. My favorite flowers are purple.
2. I am a huge musical theatre geek.
1. I am currently nursing several talent crushes. No, I am not
telling. Except for Norm…everybody loves Norm!

Corine Cohen: I understand about Norm, everyone loves Norm. If you won the lotto what would you do with the money and would you still perform?

Ann Harada: Do with the money???? Set Elvis up for school. Provide health care for my family. Hire somebody to organize my life. Travel. Then if there’s anything left, produce shows. Of course I’d still perform…because money wouldn’t be an issue!

Corine Cohen: Would you ever consider doing a one woman show? I would love to see one all about Ann!

Ann Harada: I did a Broadway Spotlight at Ars Nova (my back up guys were Michael Heitzman, Everett Bradley and Alex Gemignani…I’ll never get that team again!) and did my own act way back when I first moved here. I like solo work but I like singing with other people more…so my one person shows always involve guest stars! I need harmony…and collaborators!

Corine Cohen: Shoot, I never heard about that event and I would have loved to have seen that! What a cast and such an intimate space. I love that theater. It is very cosy and inviting. I hope you will consider bringing it back. (Maybe, A Producer out there will read this and bring it back, big loud hint!)John Tags got a TV show, Stephanie D'Abruzzo was on a few shows and I have seen you in a few commercials. What would be a dream role on TV? I want my Harada TV!

Ann Harada: It’s my dream right now to get a TV show that films in NYC. I would like to be somebody’s quirky co-worker or neighbor. I’m more of a Rhoda than a Mary. Actually, I’m afraid I’m more of a Sue Anne.

Corine Cohen: Tell me what it is like to be a Mommy!

Ann Harada: More exhausting than you can imagine, and the most important thing I have ever done. We like to say it’s like having a very interesting puppy.

Corine Cohen: Ahh. I love puppies and babies.If you could change five things what would they be?

Ann Harada: I wouldn’t have allergies. 4-1. I’d be taller, skinnier, prettier, and dance better. But would I be Ann then? Probably not….but I still dream about it.

Corine Cohen: Earlier you said you went to school with OBAMA. What is he like and who will you be voting for?

Ann Harada: Also, to respond to your other question: He was older and not involved
with anything I did so I didn't really know him. His grandmother and my mother worked at the Bank of Hawaii together, though, so I knew who he was. I will be voting for whoever is the Dem. Nominee.


Corine Cohen: Thank you for doing this interview, Ann. I hope all of the other dreams come true. Ann Harada is a very talented actress and I hope to eventually see her in her own TV show as well as being back on Broadway where she belongs. She is incredibly talented and a great person. I thank her for doing an interview for this site. All you Producers out there need to hire her!



Interview conducted by Corine Cohen.

A Catered Affair. Passing The Platter When They Tell You You Don't Matter.

© Jim Cox IMMEDIATE FAMILY: (l-r) Matt Cavenaugh, Leslie Kritzer, Lori Wilner, Harvey Fierstein, Philip Hoffman, Tom Wopat and Faith Prince in a scene from A Catered Affair.



A Catered Affair portrays a lower income family in a very realistic way. This is not a fairytale. We are not watching a Disney fairytale. Harvey Fierstein plays a gay uncle who wants to be included in his favorite Niece's wedding. Fierstein, uses his wit and comic mind to make a very touching and sad odd man out. He is gay in the fifties when very few gay men were allowed to be out of the closet. I applaud Fierstein for adding this dimension to the musical.

Fierstein has written a book which is REAL. It grabs you by the heart and is very moving theater. I loved A CATERED AFFAIR. The story and actors work well together.
My only problem with the show was the fact that they under used some of this very talented cast.

Faith Prince and Harvey Fierstein shine. Harvey adds some comic relief to the writing:

"Why are you so out of breath? Harvey's character " Because i'm fat and old"

A Catered Affair is about loss, despair, love and family dysfunction. It might not appeal to the average tourist who is looking for a feel good fairytale. If you want that go and see The Little Mermaid. If you want to see a good play go and see A CATERED AFFAIR.


PS I also loved THE LITTLE MERMAID. (Just pointing out there are different kinds of entertainment and I happen to enjoy both)(Mermaid is fantastic for the child that lives inside all of us)
Corine Cohen

INTERVIEW WITH ROB CARLSON OF MODERN MAN!

Corine Hi Rob! When is the next gig in MANHATTAN?

Rob: Nothing right now, but we're working on it. Maybe back at Metropolitan Room. I'll put you on the mailing list.



Corine: Thank you. I adore you're tunes! Modern Man is so hysterical. What makes you funny?

Rob: Desperation with a generous dash of plagiarism. Actually there's three different answers to that question. David is funny different from
George who is different from me. David is a very witty writer who is the closest thing we have to a straight man on stage. George is a deadpan clown with his own special quality of deranged innocence. (He's also a hell of a piano player). I'm the closest thing we have to a standup comedian. I talk the most. Our particular chemistry together makes Modern Man whatever it is.



Corine: Please explain the rap song that you performed in the Nightlife Awards ceremony.

Rob: That's David's writing and I thought explains itself. It's geriatric hip hop.




Corine: I love David and he is a straight male! Interesting! He is fun! What is next of Modern Man?

Rob: Retiring to Florida? Naw, none of us plays golf. Actually I'm about halfway through a solo album of straight songs. David and I are performing live under the name "Post Modern Man" doing the new tunes and some of Buskin's classics. For years people have been asking why we don't do some intentionally non-funny songs. So we're gradually working in some straight tunes as well.




Corine: Give me David's number. Just kidding! People would describe you as a cross between Crosby Stills and Nash and the Marx Brothers.

Rob: Yeah. Unfortunately I got Harpo's voice and David Crosby's liver.

Corine: So explain the rap song. It cracked me up.

Rob: Again, David's idea. We like to send up various styles of music and we'd never done a hip hop thing. So why not? It helps us stay down with our homies. Street cred, you know. Word up, beeeyatch. Whatever that means.


Corine: If you had 5 wishes what would they be?

Rob: World peace. Clean, renewable energy. Cures for AIDS and Cancer. Enough money to tell Donald Trump to go fuck himself. Oral sex with Scarlet Johansson. Not necessarily in that order.





Corine: When will you be back in NYC. I need to laugh.Oral sex with Scarlet Johansson? Maybe you are straight, too!

Rob: Keep watching the website, http://www.modernman3.com.






Corine: Any new music coming out?

Rob: Yup. My new solo album, which I may release in two six song EP's. Six tunes are ready to go. You can hear a couple, including one cowritten with David ("Feed the Cockatoo") on the new Rob Carlson MySpace page.


Thanks for your interest! Stay in touch! Best... Rob


Corine:Thanks, Rob. I am interested. Please stay in touch. Modern Man is very funny stuff!


WORD UP TO THE FUNNY HIP HOP HOMIES.

Interview conducted by Corine Cohen.











.

THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG- INTERVIEW WITH DONNA MOORE ABOUT COUGAR!

Corine Cohen: Hi, Donna. I really enjoyed seeing COUGAR at the Westbank Theater. It is hilarious, touching and an inspiring show for women. Tell me how you came up with the concept of the show.



Donna Moore: Thanks, Corine. The goal for Cougar! has always been to uplift and inspire everyone to say YES to their power and beauty no matter what age they are. It all started 21/2 years ago when I was performing my one woman show, “The unbalancing Act” which was a show about my divorce and my philosophy of turning lemons into lemonade. While writing that show, I had been doing a lot of standup comedy and the term “cougar” came to my attention- which I just thought was the funniest term and started riffing about it in my sets. I kept seeing the lyrics, “Inside this peri-menapausal body I do find, a very sexy hottie who’s just waiting to unwind.” A week later, I found myself in a “cougar” situation with the manager of a very popular band. He was 20 years younger and definitely had the hots for me. Although, I never did succumb to his desires, (awwww!) I got the greatest material for the song “Cougar” which was featured in “The unBalancing Act”. There was a producer in the audience who came up to me one night and offered to help me develop a show if I wrote it around the cougar theme. And voila!- we now have “Cougar!, the musical.”

Corine Cohen: That's wonderful! "Grandma was a COUGAR" is my favorite number. Can you tell me how you and Mark wrote that, and is all of it true? Dish the dirt.

Donna Moore: So far, I have collaborated with a composer on every song except two (which I wrote music and lyrics to; “I’m Easy” and “I am Young Again”) so how it seems to work is (and “Grandma was a Cougar” is no exception)- I wrote the lyrics of Grandma and then sent it to Mark Barkan. He wrote the music, I take it back to my musical director and we mix it musically together and come up with a song that is steeped in thematic reality for character and circumstance. In the case of “Grandma” we added a musical riff from the twenties to bridge the verses and lyrics and evoke the sense of being a flapper in the twenties.

The dish on my Grandma is that she was a child in Vaudeville and became a charter Equity member. Her name is Adele Vaughan. She hung with the likes of Lucille Ball and other artists BUT I did stretch the truth because although she was a Bohemian, she married two men who were not younger than she.

“Grandma was a Cougar” really came to life with Leasen Almquist’s choreography. Gives meaning to the old saying, “it’s not the ocean, it’s the motion!”







Corine Cohen: I also loved "Swagger." It is very funny. How did that number get put together.

Donna Moore: I wrote the lyrics for that song one day last summer. I wanted to come up with a song that epitomized what it is like for a young male to make his way in life. I had interviewed a very talented and generous young man by the name of Jimmi Kilduff who sat with me in a Starbucks for five hours and bared his soul. I took notes like I was drinking it in. I asked Jimmi, “if you could encapsulate in one word what a young man needs to derive the confidence to get through life, what would it be?” Jimmi thought a moment and said “swagger” and from there, the divine writing gods started putting it together in my brain so that when I finally sat down to write, it was written in two hours. I had started collaborating with a wonderful female composer named Meryl Leppard, who is an amazing singer/songwriter in her own right. Meryl fiddled with my lyrics, adding 10-15% of her own lyric poetry to fit the music, and “SWAGGER” was born!

What I love about that song is the guys laugh harder than the girls. What we are trying to do with this piece is humanize and love everyone because we are all in this world together. I believe strongly that in order to ‘raise up’ our women , we need to “raise up’ our men. The Swagger song is a funny and compassionate look at the challenges our beautiful men (young and old) have to go through to feel safe. I’m just thrilled it’s so funny because that’s the most effective way to speak truth.

Corine Cohen: It is hysterical and the audiences love it! I know that you are planning to bring the show to Off Broadway and Broadway can you tell me about that?

Donna Moore: Our goal is to open in an off Broadway house later this year with our eye on moving it to Broadway. We are doing a staged reading on May 12 for investors. In this new script,(working title, “Cougar Paws”, for differentiation) I’ve added two more Cougar actresses (Louisa Bradshaw and Mary VanArsdel) and one more young buck. We were encouraged by a Broadway producer to expand my original, 2 person piece, with more production value, ie; more people. This new script delves a little deeper into female cougar bonding (behind every cougar is another cougar, lol), online dating, the young man’s perspective, and because there are more actors’, you’ll see that love and empowerment come in all types of packages. My intention is to retain the inspiration, and uplifting joy and affirmation of life that we have achieved in Cougar! I believe I have!

(On a funny note, I had a session with a psychic (yeah, I admit it!) last Saturday morning and she told me all these great things about my creative future. Six hours later, she called me back and said that she and her husband wanted to invest in my show! Isn’t that hysterical? When I’m rich and famous I can say, “I knew my show was going to be a hit, when my psychic wanted to invest!”) You can’t make this stuff up.



Thank you so much for your support of Cougar! it’s about love, light and Joy!

To get tickets to this hysterical cabaret show:

This show is a Corine's Pick!


Fri, May 23 at 9pm at Don’t Tell Mama 212 757 0788 for reservations

INTERVIEW WITH THE FABULOUS KEVIN JONES!

Corine Cohen: Hi, Kevin! Congratulations on your new role as the Judge can you tell me about the play and about the role?

Kevin Jones: Caucasian Chalk Circle is by Bertolt Brecht and as with most of his work it asks the audience how we can be good people in a bad world. I think that people sometimes think his plays will be preachy – but as anyone who saw Mother Courage in the Park in 2006 or Three Penny at the Roundabout knows, Brecht is an entertainer first and foremost. And that goes with Chalk Circle too – As the judge, Azdak, I have a couple of great numbers and I get to turn justice upside down. It’s a wild ride – I think it’s funny, I think our audiences will think so too.



Corine Cohen: You are always funny! What was your favorite role so far?

Kevin Jones: The first one that comes to mind is Prior in Angels in America which I did in the south – that was an interesting experience just being there and doing that show as well as an amazing character to play. If I had to pick – that would be first choice.





Corine Cohen: Ah. Tony Kushner! I love that play! If you could star in one production currently on Broadway what role would you pick and what show?

Kevin Jones: I would have loved to cover the amazing David Pittu’s roles in IS HE DEAD? Playing multiple characters is my favorite thing to do…but currently on Broadway – I think I’d like to play the slimy boyfriend in August Osage County. Roles like that are always guaranteed to provoke the audience! What could be more fun?



Corine Cohen: IS HE DEAD? Was very funny! I was surprised it did not get more nominations by the Outer Critic Circle. If you could have 9 wishes what would they be and why?

Kevin Jones:

1.An apartment with 1500 square feet or more! It would cost the same as what I pay for my current 650 square feet.
2.To be able to choose the work I do (wouldn’t we all love that!)
3.A Democrat in the White House. And she would be gay. Hail to the chief!
4.More funding for medical research of all kinds – hey these are wishes right?
5. Let’s just cure all the diseases!
6.The end to this war.
7.That everyone could face their own mortality without real consequences.
8.A break….of any kind!
9.And lastly for my partner’s nephew, that New York could be everywhere!


Corine Cohen: What about WORLD PEACE!(LAUGHS) What are 5 things people should know about Kevin Jones?

1. I’m the voice of Boneau/Bryan-Brown.

2.I’m the biggest fan of the Biggest Loser (go Ali!!)
3.I have two adorable tabby cats, Schuler & Douglass Anne.
4.I’m originally from Oklahoma but I grew up in New Jersey (I’m so conflicted!)
5.My name is Kevin, and I am a coffee-holic.




Corine Cohen: Hi,Kevin so am I but I hate Starbucks! What was the most exciting role you have ever played?

Kevin Jones: I played the swing roles in Sylvia and I loved playing Phyllis – every night the audience would go wild when Sylvia would stick her hand up my skirt and then jump on top of me. I looked forward to those wild howls of laughter every night! When we closed, it was the saddest I’ve ever been to take off a pair of heels.





Corine Cohen: (Hysterical laughter. Takes a breath) What are your favorite Broadway musicals?

Kevin Jones: Passing Strange! Spring Awakening! XANADU!!!

Corine Cohen: What are your favorite Off Broadway musicals.

Kevin Jones: Stomp! Altar Boyz!

Corine Cohen: If you won a million dollars what would you do with your life?

Kevin Jones: After investing the lion’s share of it, I think I’d still be pursuing performance in theatre - acting, directing and writing – I’d just be doing it all the time and probably not be sitting at my day job. This sounds great – where do I sign!



Corine Cohen: If you could be any person except yourself for a day who would it be and why?

Kevin Jones: I’d be Donald Trump and walk through New York giving his cash away and get a decent hair cut so the world wouldn’t have to look at that awful comb-over anymore. Of course, I’d have to move in with Rosie O’Donnell the next day or be put in the witness protection program. I think he’d fire me in a big way.

Corine Cohen: Thanks for the funny interview Kevin. I love talking to you daily at Boneau. They are lucky to have you and the World is a better place with you in it.

Interview conducted by Corine Dana Cohen

GO SEE THIS PLAY!

Dear friends,

You heard right, I’ll be singing in Bertolt Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle, which features an original musical score! I’m very excited to be playing Azdak, the judge – an amazing and humbling role and I’m honored to be playing it with the truly gifted Hipgnosis troupe (my third show with them!).


When: Saturday, April 26 - Sunday, May 11: Wednesdays - Sundays, 7pm. Special performances: Tuesday, April 29, 7pm; and Saturday, May 10, 2pm.

Where: The Green Room, at 45 Bleecker St (just East of Lafayette). Transportation by Subway: take the #6 train to Bleecker St; OR the B, D, F or V to Broadway/Lafayette; OR the R or W to Prince St.

Tickets: Regular price = $19. Tickets can be purchased at www.telecharge.com (800-432-7250) or in person at the 45 Bleecker Box Office (Mon - Sat, noon - 8pm; Sun, non - 7pm).

Friend discount: $14, redeemable at the 45 Bleecker Box Office or at http://broadwayoffers.com with the promotional code CCFRND37.

OUTER CRITIC CIRCLE NOMINATIONS!

Karen Ziemba and Sandy Duncan read the nominations.


Outer Critics Circle Announce 2007-08 Season Nominees



“Young Frankenstein” Heads the List with 10 Nominations

followed by

“Les Liaisons Dangereuses” with 9 Nominations

and

“South Pacific” with 8 Nominations






Outer Critics Circle, the organization of writers and commentators covering New York theater for out-of-town newspapers, national publications and other media beyond Broadway, announced today (April 21, 2008) its nominees for the 2007-08 season in 23 categories. Broadway stars and former Outer Critics Circle Award winners Sandy Duncan and Karen Ziemba presided over the (11AM) announcement ceremony at Manhattan’s historic Algonquin Hotel.



Celebrating its 58th season of bestowing awards of excellence in the field of theater, the Outer Critics Circle, is an association with members affiliated with more than ninety newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, and theatre publications in America and abroad. The winners of the following categories will be announced on Monday, May 12th and the annual awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 22th (4PM) at the legendary Sardi’s Restaurant.



Outer Critics Circle

2007-2008 Award Nominations



OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY

August: Osage County

Rock ‘N’ Roll

The Seafarer

The 39 Steps



OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL

A Catered Affair

Cry-Baby The Musical

Xanadu

Young Frankenstein



OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY

Dividing the Estate

The Drunken City

From Up Here

The Receptionist



OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL

Adding Machine

The Glorious Ones

Make Me a Song – The Music of William Finn

Next to Normal



OUTSTANDING NEW SCORE

Adding Machine

Next to Normal

Passing Strange

Young Frankenstein



OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A PLAY

(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Come Back, Little Sheba

Cyrano de Bergerac

The Homecoming

Les Liaisons Dangereuses



OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL

(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Gypsy

South Pacific

Sunday in the Park With George

Take Me Along



OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A PLAY

Maria Aitken The 39 Steps

Rupert Goold Macbeth

Rufus Norris Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Anna D. Shapiro August: Osage County



OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL

David Cromer Adding Machine

Arthur Laurents Gypsy

Bartlett Sher South Pacific

Susan Stroman Young Frankenstein







OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER

Rob Ashford Cry-Baby The Musical

Graciela Daniele The Glorious Ones

Christopher Gattelli South Pacific

Susan Stroman Young Frankenstein



OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN

(Play or Musical)

David Farley / Timothy Bird Sunday in the Park With George

Scott Pask Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Robin Wagner Young Frankenstein

Michael Yeargan South Pacific



OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN

(Play or Musical)

David Farley Sunday in the Park With George

Katrina Lindsay Les Liaisons Dangereuses

William Ivey Long Young Frankenstein

Jessica Jahn, Michael Bottari & Ronald Case Die Mommie Die!

Catherine Zuber South Pacific



OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN

(Play or Musical)
Kevin Adams The 39 Steps

Ken Billington Sunday in the Park With George

Donald Holder Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Peter Kaczorowski Young Frankenstein



OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A PLAY

Kevin Anderson Come Back, Little Sheba

Ben Daniels Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Kevin Kline Cyrano de Bergerac

Patrick Stewart Macbeth



OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Eve Best The Homecoming

Deanna Dunagan August: Osage County

Laura Linney Les Liaisons Dangereuses

S. Epatha Merkerson Come Back, Little Sheba



OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Roger Bart Young Frankenstein

Daniel Evans Sunday in the Park With George

Boyd Gaines Gypsy

Paulo Szot South Pacific



OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Patti LuPone Gypsy

Kelli O’Hara South Pacific

Faith Prince A Catered Affair

Alice Ripley Next to Normal



OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY

Raúl Esparza The Homecoming

James Earl Jones Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Jim Norton The Seafarer

David Pittu Is He Dead?





OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Jessica Collins Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Jayne Houdyshell The New Century

Laurie Metcalf November

Siân Phillips Les Liaisons Dangereuses



OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Danny Burstein South Pacific

Christopher Fitzgerald Young Frankenstein

Shuler Hensley Young Frankenstein

Tony Yazbeck Gypsy



OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Laura Benanti Gypsy

Harriet Harris Cry-Baby The Musical

Sherie Rene Scott The Little Mermaid

Amy Warren Adding Machine



OUTSTANDING SOLO PERFORMANCE

Laurence Fishburne Thurgood

Stephen Lang Beyond Glory

Chazz Palminiteri A Bronx Tale

April Yvette Thompson Liberty City



JOHN GASSNER AWARD

(Presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright)

Bob Clyman Secret Order

Liz Flahive From Up Here

Michael Hollinger Opus

George Packer Betrayed





2007-2008 Outer Critics Circle Executive / Nominating Committee

Simon Saltzman (President)

Marjorie Gunner (President Emerita)

Mario Fratti (Vice-President) Patrick Hoffman (Corresponding Secretary)

Louis A. Rachow (Treasurer) Glenn Loney (Historian & Member-at-Large)

Rosalind Friedman (Recording Secretary) and Aubrey Reuben & Thomas Gentile (Members-at-Large)





NOTE: The new musical “Glory Days” was the only Broadway production the Nominating Committee did not get to see prior to the OCC Award cut-off date and therefore will consider the production for next season’s awards. “Into the Heights” was considered last year and won the OCC Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical.



Nominations Talley for 3 or more:



Young Frankenstein (10); Les Liaisons Dangereuses (9); South Pacific (8); Gypsy (6); Sunday in the Park With George (5);Adding Machine (4) ; August: Osage County (3); The 39 Steps (3) Cry-Baby The Musical (3); Next to Normal (3) Come Back, Little Sheba (3); The Homecoming (3)

BROADWAY CAST RECORDINGS I LOVE!

Hi,

This past weekend with nothing to watch on the tube but the POPE I ruffled through my Broadway Cast Recordings. It has been awhile since I listened to one of my favorite cast recordings AVENUE Q by Bobby Lopez and Jeff Marx.

The show makes me laugh. Makes me cry and makes me smile.

Avenue Q is a must see show and I can listen to the cast recording for eternity. Some things in life are not ONLY FOR NOW.

Corine Cohen

SEX AND THE CITY! PSST. GOSSIP.

Hi, there!
Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. With Passover upon us and the Pope in the big, bad, City I was wondering if one of my wishes could come true. This is going to sound sad but, I feel it.

Will the SEX AND THE CITY film bring the girls back into doing a new version of the Fabulous TV SHOW? If they did, I would get HBO again. I don't know about you, but I miss the show. I miss seeing my friend Lynn Cohen play Magda. The best episode was when she found a vibrator in Cynthia Nixon's night stand. (PRICELESS)

Bring back SEX AND THE CITY. I MISS GOOD TV.

PS: Did you also hear a rumor that Cynthia Nixon leaked that one of the characters on SEX AND THE CITY dies. I really hope that rumor is gossip. Can't wait for the film.

Toodles.
Corine

INTERVIEW WITH DANI KLEIN.

Corine Cohen:Please tell me what "After Birth" is about?


Dani Klein: "Afterbirth" is a live reading series where well known actors/writers/performers read original stories they write about the moment they knew their life changed forever becoming a parent. And it's funny.


Corine Cohen: Funny is always a plus! How did you come up with this play?

Dani Klein: I was sitting home nursing, or trying to, my first child and I was lonely and anxious and wanted someone to make me laugh about how much harder and life altering becoming a parent is than I anticipated. And I live in Hollywood where all the funny people eventually end up to launch their stand up careers or write television. I'd been a comic for about 7 years at the time so I contacted friends and friends contacted friends and we put the show together. That was 4 and a half years ago.




Corine Cohen: Sounds impressive! When did you realize writing plays was your purpose?

Dani Klein: I wrote a solo show called "The Move" that first appeared at HERE downtown about giving up my NYC apartment and moving to LA to get married. It was invited to be part of the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival. I just told the truth about how I felt and it made people laugh and feel less alone and I knew that's what I wanted to do from then on.

Corine Cohen: If you had ten wishes what would they be and why?


Dani Klein: 1.To earn a living from my writing so I could pay for my children's private school education (an LA imperative) and still have a flexible enough schedule to be with them.

2.To keep making people laugh by telling the truth about the human condition which is a pretentious way of saying continuing to be able to put groups of all different kinds of people together and have them share a laugh.

3.To stay healthy enough to be at my kids' weddings. I'm an older Mommy.

4.To keep loving my husband. I have seen divorce and it's not pretty.

5.To keep loving my mother. She's old and we don't have that much time left together. Would hate to get in a fight and not speak for a few years.

6.To always have my own cappuccino maker. I have very specific ratios of soy milk to low fat milk in my foam.

7.To dance until they put me under ground.

8.That my boys stay healthy.

9.To be thin, really thin, frighteningly skinny and then eat my way back to normal size. I love to eat, I love cookies. I don't eat them because I am not anywhere near this wish.

10.To keep helping people write/perform the truth. I teach at UCLA, I direct and produce these shows, this is my thing in life.


Corine Cohen: What don't people know about you?

Dani Klein:I like to pack in the nude and I always have. Ask my mother and my husband:)


Thanks for taking the time to do this interview, Dani! You can see Dani's play at the Triad theater next Monday and Tuesday.

Where: The Triad, 158 W. 72nd St.

When: April 21 & 22

Doors open 7, show starts 7:30

How much: $20, plus two drinks (all cash)



For reservations go to www.triadnyc.com . To learn more about the history of “Afterbirth…,"


Interview by Corine Cohen for http://www.corinescorner.com
For more information on Dani you can go to her site. http://www.daniklein.com

Drunken City

I can't wait to attend Drunken City!

For info: http://www.playwrightshorizons.org/sharp.asp

The 14th Annual Fifteen- Minute Play Festival!

Turnip Theatre Company and American Globe Theatre Present
The 14th Annual Fifteen-Minute Play Festival



Two Strangers. One Legend. A Dying Wish.
EIGHTH
WONDER by Jon Spano
Directed by Stephen Field

Featuring Valerie David & Jon Spano



A malodorous occurrence forges an unlikely bond between Barry and Melissa, two strangers who meet at the Lyceum Theatre for a memorial tribute to the late, great stage actress Lydia North. As Barry and Melissa discover the deeper meanings of human frailty, secrets are revealed and illusions shattered.


Friday, April 18, 2008
8PM
American Globe Theatre
145 West 46th Street


Four additional short plays are presented with the evening’s program.

It is required to see all five plays in order to support our play with your vote.

Tickets $18
Call 212-352-3101
Or log on to www.theatremania.com
Turnip Theatre Company and American Globe Theatre Present
The 14th Annual Fifteen-Minute Play Festival

Two Strangers. One Legend. A Dying Wish.
EIGHTH
WONDER by Jon Spano
Directed by Stephen Field

Starring Valerie David & Jon Spano
A malodorous occurrence forges an unlikely bond between Barry and Melissa, two strangers who meet at the Lyceum Theatre for a memorial tribute to the late, great stage actress Lydia North. As Barry and Melissa discover the deeper meanings of human frailty, secrets are revealed and illusions shattered.
Friday, April 18, 2008
8PM
American Globe Theatre
145 West 46th Street
Four additional short plays are presented with the evening’s program. Eight Wonder is the 3rd
in the lineup.

It is required to see all five plays in order to support our play with your vote.

Tickets $18
Call 212-352-3101
Or log on to www.theatremania.com

AFTERBIRTH!

“Afterbirth…stories you won’t read in Parents magazine”
is coming to NYC April 21 & 22



with appearances by:

Andrew McCarthy

“Lipstick Jungle”



Judy Gold

“25 Questions For a Jewish Mother”



Kell Cahoon

Exec producer, “ Method & Red”



Eric Weinberg

Writer/producer “Scrubs,” “Californication”



Caroline Aaron

“Beyond the Sea,” “Crimes and Misdemeanors”



Dan Bucatinsky

Exec producer, “The Comeback”, consulting producer “Lipstick Jungle”



Cindy Chupack

Exec producer, “Sex and The City”



Dani Klein

“Law & Order,” “Las Vegas”



Jane Green

Author, “The Beach House,” “Swapping Lives”



Dani Shapiro

Author “Black & White,” “Slow Motion: A True Story”



Where: The Triad, 158 W. 72nd St.

When: April 21 & 22

Doors open 7, show starts 7:30

How much: $20, plus two drinks (all cash)



For reservations go to www.triadnyc.com . To learn more about the history of “Afterbirth…,"
read a recent LA Times review, and listen to an NPR segment on it, go to www.daniklein.com .

FUN FACTS ABOUT CORINE'S CORNER!

Corine's Corner will be online for three years starting in May. The first editorial was put online on July 4th three years ago but my url names were purchased in May three years ago.
I currently get on average 500 visitors a day on the blog and almost 1000 visitors a day on my homepage and site. If you are looking to target upscale, affluent passionate theater goers, Corine's Corner is an affordable way to reach them.

I am currently averaging 200,000 plus hits a month and that number is rising.



Starting in a few weeks audio ads will be available.

To reach this affluent audience you may contact me:
Corine@corinescorner.com

Thank you,

Corine Dana Cohen

PURE COUNTRY A BRAND NEW ORIGINAL MUSICAL!

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT OF A NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL!



PURE COUNTRY
A BRAND-NEW ORIGINAL MUSICAL

TO PREMIERE ON BROADWAY
IN THE 2008-2009 SEASON


(New York) – Producers Randall L. Wreghitt, Chris Presley and Ellen Rusconi announced today that PURE COUNTRY, a brand-new original musical, will have its World Premiere as part of the 2008-2009 Broadway Season. The production will begin previews in Spring 2009, with exact dates and a theater to be announced.



A book musical based on the 1992 film of the same name, PURE COUNTRY will feature an eclectic, original score drawing on the sounds of New and Classic Country, as well as Broadway and Adult Contemporary. The musical boasts a powerhouse Creative Team from the worlds of Theater, Film and Country and Pop Music:



· Film and Theater writer and director Peter Masterson, best known as the co-writer and co-director of the hit Broadway musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (and co-author of the hit film), will direct and co-author the Book.



· 3-time Grammy nominee and 6-time Emmy nominee Steve Dorff, who has written nine #1 songs and 15 Top Ten hits (including such classics as Kenny Rogers’ “Through the Years,” Celine Dion’s “Miracle” and the Country staple and hit movie theme “Every Which Way But Loose” by Eddie Rabbit) will compose the Music.



· 2-time Emmy nominee, 3-time Grammy nominee and Golden Globe and Oscar nominee John Bettis, whose songs have sold over 250 million records worldwide (writing everything from George Strait’s “Heartland” to Madonna’s “Crazy for You”) is writing the Lyrics.



· Rex McGee, a protégé of the legendary filmmaker Billy Wilder, wrote the original Warner Brothers film Pure Country, on which the new musical is based, and co-wrote the musical’s Book with Masterson.



Sometimes fame and fortune aren't enough. In the new Broadway musical PURE COUNTRY, Rusty is a Country music superstar at the height of his career with all the high stakes pressures that come with it. When they start to take their toll and he walks out of an overblown concert tour, his search begins to find himself -- and the love he left behind. PURE COUNTRY is about the price of fame and one man's journey home.



Complementing the musical’s Creative Team is an A-list Design Team, including Tony-nominated scenic designer Derek McLane (The Pajama Game), three-time Tony-nominated costume designer Ann Roth (a staggering 77 Broadway shows including the original The House of Blue Leaves, Singing’ in the Rain and The Odd Couple), Tony-winning lighting designer Kevin Adams (Spring Awakening, Passing Strange) and the Drama Desk Award-winning sound designers Acme Sound Partners (for La Bohéme, plus Spamalot, In the Heights) In addition, choreography will be by internationally-renown choreographer Seán Curran (James Joyce’s The Dead and Lincoln Center’s Cymbeline on Broadway, founder and Artistic Director of the Seán Curran Company). Music Director will be Eugene Gwozdz.



PURE COUNTRY is based on the 1992 Warner Brothers’ film of the same name, written by Rex McGee and directed by Christopher Cain. It starred George Strait (in his film debut), Lesley Ann Warren, Kyle Chandler and Rory Calhoun (in his final film appearance). The soundtrack went to #1 on the U.S. Country Album Chart and spawned two #1 Country singles, “Heartland” and “I Cross My Heart.” Both songs were written and co-produced by Steven Dorff, the composer of the musical, and have been added to Dorff’s otherwise new and original score for the musical PURE COUNTRY.



Casting and dates for PURE COUNTRY will be announced in the coming months.



www.PureCountryOnBroadway.com



BIOGRAPHIES


PETER MASTERSON (Co-Book Writer and Director), originally from Houston, began his career as a New York and Broadway stage actor in Call Me By My Rightful Name in 1961 and subsequently worked in films, theater and TV. His notable films from this period include Norman Jewison’s In the Heat of the Night and a starring role in The Stepford Wives (1974) in addition to earning praise in the leading role of the stage production The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald and in the TV-movie “A Question of Guilt.” In 1978, Masterson co-wrote (with Larry L. King and music and lyrics by Carol Hall) and co-directed (with Tommy Tune) the Broadway musical and worldwide hit The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, which brought Masterson’s wife, Carlin Glynn, a Tony Award for her performance. He and King also wrote the extremely successful 1982 feature film adaptation of the musical. Mr. Masterson directed the feature version of Horton Foote’s The Trip to Bountiful for which the actress Geraldine Page won the Academy Award for Best Actress. He also helmed the TV-movie version of Foote’s “Lily Dale” (Showtime, 1996) starring his daughter, Mary Stuart Masterson. He’s on the board of The Actors Studio in New York and a creative advisor to Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute.

REX McGEE (Book) wrote the Warner Brothers film Pure Country, on which this new musical is based. A protégé of Oscar-winning filmmaker Billy Wilder, his screenplays include Tiny Revolution and Whistling Dixie and the recent Hallmark Mother’s Day television movie, Where There’s a Will, starring Marion Ross and Keith Carradine. He is currently working on a new original screenplay about Texas debutantes, Nose to the Toes. As a journalist, McGee has written for Playboy.



STEVE DORFF (Music) is a 3-time Grammy nominee and 6-time Emmy nominee. He has written nine #1 songs and 15 Top Ten hits including Kenny Rogers’ classic “Through the Years” and Anne Murray’s “I Just Fall in Love Again.” His songs have been sung by some of the greatest recording artists of our time, including Celine Dion (“Miracle”), Barbra Streisand (“Higher Ground”), George Strait (“I Cross My Heart”), Clay Walker (“Hypnotize the Moon”), Whitney Houston (“Take Good Care of My Heart”) and Eddie Rabbit (“Every Which Way But Loose”).



JOHN BETTIS (Lyrics) has been nominated for two Emmys, three Grammys, a Golden Globe and an Oscar. He has written songs that have sold more than 250 million records for artists as diverse as George Strait (“Heartland”), Whitney Houston (“One Moment in Time”), Conway Twitty (“Slow Hand”), Celine Dion (“If You Could See Me Now”), Madonna (“Crazy For You”) and Michael Jackson (“Human Nature”). In 1969, he and friends Richard and Karen started the band The Carpenters, for which John wrote “Top of the World,” “Yesterday Once More,” “Goodbye to Love,” and many others. This is his third theatrical stage collaboration with Steve Dorff.



SEÁN CURRAN (Choreography) is Artistic Director of the Sean Curran Company, the internationally-renown dance company he founded in 1997. Broadway: James Joyce’s The Dead, the Lincoln Center productions of Cymbeline and The Rivals. Off-Broadway: My Life With Albertine, Stomp (original cast member). Metropolitan Opera: Roméo et Juliette. New York City Opera: L’Etoile, Turandot, Capriccio, Haroun and the Sea of Stories, Alcina, Acis and Galatea. Opera Theatre of St. Louis: Nixon in China, Street Scene, The Mikado, La Traviata. Santa Fe Opera: Daphne. Shakespeare Theatre: Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Taming of the Shrew. Yale Rep: Lulu. Sean is a member of Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, where he first made his mark in the dance world as a leading dancer, winning New York Dance and Performance Bessie awards for his performance in Secret Pastures.



DEREK McLANE (Scenic Design). Broadway: The Pajama Game (2006 Tony nomination), Grease, The Threepenny Opera, Little Women, I Am My Own Wife (Lortel and Obie awards), Barefoot in the Park, Lestat, The Women, Present Laughter, London Assurance, Holiday and others. Off-Broadway: The Voysey Inheritance (Lortel Award, Outer Critics nomination), Two Trains Running, The Scene, Macbeth (Shakespeare in the Park), Hurlyburly, Abigail’s Party, Modern Orthodox, Aunt Dan and Lemon, East Is East, subUrbia, Saturday Night. He designed the entire Sondheim Celebration at The Kennedy Center and has designed productions at most of the major resident theatres and opera companies across the U.S. Additional awards: two Obie Awards for Sustained Excellence in Scenic Design, Drama-Logue Award, Michael Merritt Award (Chicago), seven Drama Desk nominations, three Lortel Awards.



ANN ROTH (Costume Design). Theatre credits include Hurlyburly, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Singin’ in the Rain, Purlie, The Odd Couple, Butley, Waiting for Godot, The House of Blue Leaves and the recent The Year of Magical Thinking and The Vertical Hour. She received Tony nominations for The Crucifer of Blood, The Royal Family and Present Laughter. Among her many films are Midnight Cowboy, Klute, The Day of the Locust (BAFTA Award), The Goodbye Girl, Coming Home, Hair, The World According to Garp, Sweet Dreams, Working Girl, Sabrina, Silkwood, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Mambo Kings, The Bird Cage, Primary Colors, The English Patient (Academy Award), The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Hours, Cold Mountain, “Angels in America,” The Stepford Wives, The Village and Closer. In 2000, she received the Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award.



KEVIN ADAMS (Lighting Design) Broadway: Spring Awakening (Tony Award, Hewes Award), The 39 Steps, Passing Strange, Take Me Out, The Good Body, Sexaholix, Hedda Gabler. Off-Broadway: Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Spring Awakening, Next to Normal, Betty Rules and new work by Edward Albee, Terrence McNally, Neil Simon, Paula Vogel, Christopher Durang, Anna Deavere Smith, Eric Bogosian and Charles Mee, Jr. Other: Steppenwolf, Donmar Warehouse, P.S. 122, Joe’s Pub, Encores!, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, New York City Opera, Glimmerglass Opera. Additional awards: 1999 and 2007 Lucille Lortel; 2002 Obie for Sustained Excellence.



ACME SOUND PARTNERS (Sound Design). Since 2000, Acme has provided sound design services for over 20 Broadway shows including In the Heights, Legally Blonde, A Chorus Line (2006), Monty Python’s Spamalot and Avenue Q. They received a Drama Desk Award for their work on Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohéme. The partners are: Tom Clark, Mark Menard and Nevin Steinberg.



EUGENE GWOZDZ (Musical Director). Recent credits as musical director/pianist include It’s a Hit (Fringe Fest), Thrill Me (York) and the 20th Anniversary production of Baby (Paper Mill). Broadway: The Full Monty, Oklahoma!. Tours: Sunset Boulevard, The Flower Drum Song, Swing!, The Phantom of the Opera, The Will Rogers Follies, West Side Story (conducted and played keyboards). Off-Broadway: Tim & Scrooge; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; Time and Again; The Prince and the Pauper. He’s worked with many Broadway stars including Chita Rivera, Leslie Uggams, Will Chase, Betty Buckley, Anika Noni Rose, Victoria Clark, Michael Rupert, Carolee Carmello, LaChanze, Norm Lewis, Hunter Foster, Kristin Chenoweth, John Tartaglia, Karen Ziemba and Rachel York. He music directs for Donna McKechnie and for Casa Manana Theatre at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.



RANDALL L. WREGHITT (Producer). Broadway: Grey Gardens, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Little Women, Golda’s Balcony, Metamorphoses, Hedda Gabler, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Electra, The Lonesome West, Band in Berlin, The Beauty Queen of Leenane and The Real Thing (associate producer). His productions have been nominated for 41 Tony Awards with 12 wins. Off-Broadway: The Waverly Gallery, As Bees in Honey Drown, The Springhill Singing Disaster, The Boys in the Band, The Food Chain, Camping with Henry and Tom, Zombie Prom and Three Tall Women (associate producer). London: The Boys in the Band, Lobby Hero. Tour: Little Women. Edinburgh: Velocity. Regionally: Crush…. Film: A Tale of Two Pizzas. Television: the upcoming “Broadway Bullpen.” Robert Whitehead Award for “Outstanding achievement in commercial theatrical producing.” Randall established Pro-Marketing, a marketing and promotions company and serves on the board of Early Stages. Upcoming Theater: The Great Game, Camille, the 30th Anniversary production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and the new musicals As Seen on TV, Eddie and the Cruisers and Pepita: Senorita Matador.



CHRIS PRESLEY (Producer) began his career in New York as the SSDC Observer to Michael Mayer on A View from the Bridge on Broadway, afterward traveling to London to work on Miss Saigon then returning to Broadway as an assistant to Ed Sherrin. Other projects include the Broadway revival of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the American premiere of the international phenomenon Starmania and a new theatrical concert featuring the music of Charles Aznavour. Additionally, Chris provides marketing and audience development for shows such as the Tony-Honored Forbidden Broadway and the long-running hit I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. As a director, his extensive work includes productions for The Actors Studio, Primary Stages and EST, among many others, as well as serving as the Producing Artistic Director of Deep Ellum Opera Theatre. Through his company, Basic Stages, Chris serves as a creative consultant to corporate clients such as State Farm, Bank of America and AT&T. He holds an MFA from The New School, a BS from The University of Texas and is on faculty at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Chris is a member of The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and a lifetime member of The Actors Studio.



ELLEN RUSCONI (Producer) started her career as a C.P.A. for Price Waterhouse in New York, where she was assigned to clients ranging from the New York Stock Exchange to Con Edison. Since 1992, she has worked in commercial and not-for-profit theatre on Broadway, Off-Broadway, sit-down productions around the country, European tours and corporate industrials. She general manages New York’s Forbidden Broadway, which was recently chosen to receive the Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre. Other current management projects include Irma Vep, Toxic Avenger (a new musical) and Forbidden Broadway in Miami. She is the Business Manager of the Stage Director and Choreographer’s Foundation and recently served as the Honorary Co-Chair of the City Lights Youth Theatre Benefit in 2008. She is a graduate of The University of Virginia.