The SECOND ANNUAL SUMMER BROADWAY FESTIVAL!

HOT TIME AT TOWN HALL’S
2ND ANNUAL SUMMER BROADWAY FESTIVAL

CHRISTINE ANDREAS, MICHAL ARDEN,
ALEXANDER GEMIGNANI, KENDRICK JONES, MARC KUDISCH,
ALLI MAUZEY, CAROL WOODS
HEADLINE THREE UNIQUE JULY CONCERT EVENTS!

July 14, 21, & 28th at The Town Hall


The Town Hall continues to present acclaimed Broadway concerts this July with its 2nd ANNUAL SUMMER BROADWAY FESTIVAL created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for the Town Hall. Presented on three Monday nights at 8PM are A NIGHT AT THE OPERETTA on July 14th, BROADWAY’S RISING STARS on July 21st and ALL SINGIN’ ALL DANCIN’ on July 28th. The evenings will feature music and dance coupled with witty insider tidbits, all performed by Broadway’s finest. Tickets are $25 - $50, and are available from TicketMaster, (212) 307-4100, or in person at The Town Hall Box Office, 123 West 43rd Street, New York, NY, (212) 840-2824, http://www.the-townhall-nyc.org/.

A NIGHT AT THE OPERETTA on July 14th features the sounds of Broadway music one rarely gets to hear anymore – Operetta - including music by Sigmund Romberg, Rudolph Friml and Victor Herbert. A NIGHT AT THE OPERETTA stars two-time Tony nominee Christine Andreas (On Your Toes, Oklahoma!); Metropolitan Opera Star John Easterlin; Alexander Gemignani (Sunday in The Park With George, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables); Jason Graae (2007 LA Drama Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre); Lisa Howard (Drama Desk Nominee for...Spelling Bee); award-winning vocalist Milla Ilieva (Hidden Voices); two-time Tony nominee Marc Kudisch (Assassins, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Drama Desk nominee Ray Jaramillo McLeod (Wonderful Town); William Michals (Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables and understudy for Emile de Becque in South Pacific); Karen Murphy (The Visit, All Shook Up) and Jennifer Hope Wills (Christine in The Phantom of the Opera), and more! The show is under the direction of Dan Foster with musical direction by Fred Barton.

BROADWAY’S RISING STARS on July 21st is directed by Tony Nominee Emily Skinner and Nightlife Award winner Scott Coulter. Designed to launch the careers of the next generation of Broadway stars, the show features the most outstanding young talents from performing arts schools in New York and across the country. The future stars of the great White Way were chosen during auditions throughout the spring.

The third concert on July 28th marks the return of ALL SINGIN’ ALL DANCIN’, an exciting evening of song and dance. The show features Broadway show tunes sporting brand new choreography exclusively created by Joshua Rhodes and danced by today’s great Broadway hoofers, including Kendrick Jones, Megan Sikora, Melinda Sullivan, Lisa Gadja, Lorin Latarro, and more! Directed by Scott Siegel, they will be joined by some of today’s great Broadway singers (some also dance!) performing great Broadway classics. They include Michael Arden (The Times They Are A Changin’, bare); Allie Mauzey (Cry Baby) ; Liz McCartney (South Pacific, Taboo); Carol Woods (Chicago, One Mo’ Time) and more!

Siegel, who also created Broadway by the Year and the Broadway Cabaret Festival for Town Hall, said, “The level of talent that has signed on for these three summer concerts is a testament to Town Hall’s top notch Broadway level entertainment. Some of the stars that have signed on are Broadway by the Year stalwarts like Marc Kudisch, Alexander Gemignani, and Jason Graae. Others are brand new to our shows, such as Michael Arden Alli Mauzey, Jennifer Hope Wills, and Carol Woods. We are thrilled to have them, just as our audiences will be thrilled to see them on The Town Hall stage.”

SHALL WE DANCE ALL NIGHT? SOME ENCHANTED EVENING!

Gina Kreiezmar, Michael West, Jared Bradshaw, David Caldwell and Christina Bianco. (Thanks to Kayla Greeley and Jared for this photo.)

As many of you know, I am one of the shows greatest fans. I have seen every version except one (2001, ASO) So, I know most of the words, the lyrics and the dance numbers. "Dances With The Stars" is by far the strongest version since "Rude Awakening" which is one of my favorite editions.

I must say that I have loved every cast of " Forbidden Broadway" but tonights cast was exceptional. There is a new girl in town and she is going to be "POP-U-LAR"

She is a tiny, adorable sensation that can give Chenoweth a run for her money. There is a new Chenoweth number, so listen up Chenoweth fans. When you see Christina Bianco you will be amazed. Was it live or was it Memorex? Christina Bianco will be Broadway's next big star or should I say little star. All great things and performers come in tiny packages and Christina Bianco is one tiny star package! She is outstanding!

When I was waiting to see the show I met the newest stars family and they were very happy for FB'S newest edition. Tonight was her first performance and she blew the house down with her incredible vocal chops and talent. The new kid reminds me of Jennifer Simard which is a very good role model. She has a gorgeous voice and can do anything! I can't wait to see what she does next. She is a triple threat and it is only night one.

Congratulations are also in order for Gina. Gina, who has been the understudy for many years blew me away with her brilliant impersonation of Patti LuPone. It was so on the money that people including myself screamed for her. She has always been one of my favorite performers in the show and she shined tonight. I also was blown away by her Liza impersonation. (It is my favorite Liza of all time!!!!!) (And my favorite Patti. Wonder if LuPone has an understudy?) Gina is brilliant!!!

Jared and Michael never disappoint but seeing West as Elaine Stritch was a real treat. (I'LL DRINK TO THAT!)

Don't miss this fabulous version. It was an enchanting evening. PS Christina's Kelli O'Hara was so on the money and Jared's Paulo was a real treat. This production was perfection on night one which is a very good sign.

It is a must see! Some other great new numbers:

Michael West does an incredible impersonation of Lin Manuel Miranda and gets down "In The Height's " style! (His Elaine Stritch was hysterical and he has her great legs! Although, he really looks great in the Les Miz number) His Harvey just kills me every time I see it. Especially his funny looks at Laura Bell Bundy. He is so funny!!

Jared never stops entertaining. I loved him as THE MONSTER! (Sorry for the spoiler but it was really clever and campy!(Just not crappy!) They can't stop the camp and it is so much fun.

There is no Broadway like Gerard's Broadway!

Corine Dana Cohen

Call 212-239-6200 for tickets.

http://www.forbiddenbroadway.com/

Side note: There are a few things that could have been better:

My thoughts:

1. Wish they would kill off Annie already. In the last version they did kill her and it kind of made me happy. (I have seen this number 61 times, enough!!!)

2. Why did they take out "Curtains" it is Jared's funniest number and it was missed.

3. They did a shorter version of "Spring Awakening" and took out a very funny part that should still remain. Annie should be killed if it is about time but the Spring number is one of the greatest bits and should not be shortened,

4. The Merman number just isn't the same without Val Fagan. (But Gina is amazing in everything else) This number should only be done by Val Fagan.

For a first preview this edition was very strong. In fact, it was the best first preview I have seen. I do think it is time to put Annie under. I love that number but it is so old now and needs to be buried. It is Gerard's signature but it really is stale and does not belong. And hipper, newer bits should take its place (Curtains!) And even though the Phantom Merman number is hysterical it is missing something and could be cut. The number was written for VAL. (Or it seems like it!) (The LuPone number was written for Gina and it is perfection!)

This production is hysterical and I can't wait to see the improvements. Can you smell another TONY? This year, I can.

Avenue Q!

Hello,

Hope everyone is staying cool today. It is as humid and hot as an oven.

I don't do well in the heat. Anyway, I hope all is well and I plan to see AVENUE Q next week. It has been sooooo long since I have seen my favorite musical. Yeah, it is my favorite musical of all time.

Have a nice day and go and see Avenue Q. Just leave a lottery ticket for me. ;-)

Corine

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY DANCES WITH THE STARS!

Begins Performances June 28th
At The 47th Street Theatre

Gerard Alessandrini’s FORBIDDEN BROADWAY will return from its annual spring hiatus on June 28 at 8pm with a summer edition entitled FORBIDDEN BROADWAY DANCES WITH THE STARS!, at the 47th Street Theatre (304 West 47th Street). The summer edition will feature past favorites in addition to new spoofs including South Pacific, Patti LuPone in Gypsy and Grease - You're the One That I Hate! (During hiatus FORBIDDEN BROADWAY played a sold-out engagement at The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts Center in Miami).

Featured in the cast are: Christina Bianco, Jared Bradshaw, Gina Kreiezmar and Michael West, with musical direction by David Caldwell. FORBIDDEN BROADWAY DANCES WITH THE STARS! is created, written and directed by Gerard Alessandrini and co-directed by Phillip George. Costumes are by Alvin Colt with additional costumes by David Moyer. Sets are by Megan K. Halpern and lighting is by Mark T. Simpson.

The show won the 2008 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue. In producer John Freedson’s acceptance speech he said: “We accept this award in memory of the great costume designer Alvin Colt, who elevated our show and our lives for 15 years” FORBIDDEN BROADWAY has won a total of six Drama Desk Awards over the years, and is also a recipient of the Tony© Honor for Excellence in the Theatre.

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 2006 Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, six 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 15,000 performances in more than 200 US cities as well as engagements in London, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney.

The playing schedule will be as follows: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm 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.

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY STARTS THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE DONATE TO THIS IF YOU CAN!

Hi Everyone

I hope that you are all enjoying your summer so far. Things have started out really great for us at Help Is On The Way Today. This past Monday DIVAPALOOZA 10 was a huge success with a great show and full house we raised enough money to send a child with HIV to camp this summer.

So now we move on to our next two drives. In July we kick off Project Backpack that's our annual drive where we collect new backpacks and school supplies for the kids living with HIV and AIDS and send them back to school with everything they need. In 2006 we collected 22 backpacks for all the children living at a group home we work with in Washington Heights. Last year we had a huge success collecting over 250 backpacks letting us help some many more children in New York. You can help in several ways,one by going out and buying a new backpack and supplies. We are not looking for expensive backpacks you will find that most dollar stores sell backpacks for less then $10. Or if you do not have time to shop you can mail us a check and we will be glad to do the shopping for you. Finally if you work in an office or business that might be interested in helping we can also set you up with a collection box which we will drop off and then come and pick up. The Drive ends the third week of August.

Our other drive is our 40 Angels Drive,we are looking for 40 people who are willing to donate $100.00. We need to raise over $4000.00 to buy a wheelchair for a very special boy named David. Many of you have heard of David's story. David is the reason Help Is On The Way Today exsists. I met David three years ago when I was visiting the Children's Incarnation Center. I was touring the facility and saw David laying in a hospital bed with mesh netting over it. I was told David was living with HIV as well as Cerebral Palsy. David was in need of a new motorized wheelchair. The home had submitted the paperwork twice and Medicaid lost it both times finally on the third time they refused David his chair. So me and the Diva's put on a show and in one night we raised enough money to buy David the chair. Well three years have gone by and David is doing very well and growing as little boys do. And once again David is in need of a chair and once again the system is letting him down. If I had $4000 I would never even be writing this email to you because David is very special to me and I would buy him the chair if I could. I founded this organization so that no child living with HIV in New York would fall through the cracks or be forgotten and I will not let that happen. Meeting David changed my life I hope you will consider helping change his.

Thanks
Joseph

Thank you for your time. If you decide to mail us a donation you can make the check out to Help Is On The Way Today
52-30 65th Place
Maspeth NY 11378
Apt 2c
C/O Joseph Macchia mark in the memo area which drive you are donating too.

Do You Have Experience Selling Advertising?

Corine's Corner is looking for a part time sales person to sell advertising for the site.
To apply: Email: Corine@corinescorner.com.

Commission sales position.

Do You Love Theater, Food and Cultural Events?

Looking for videographers, photographers and editors to edit video. If you're interested please email me here: Corine@corinescorner.com.

Corine's Corner is expanding:

Need people to cover the following:

1. Photographers who love to cover food events and to take photos of food.

2. Videographers who take videos and can edit video for the site: Cover wine and food events.

3. Videographers who can cover NYC tourism events.

Perks. Incentives and more. Also seeking Interns.

MADAME IS BACK!

I am so excited I get to see my favorite hussy on Thursday. Madame's back. Last year when I saw Madame at her show she gave a shout out to me. It was hysterical and I can't wait to see her on Thursday.

Why don't you join us!

BROADWAY IN BRYANT PARK SCHEDULE: STARTS JULY 10TH!

Enjoy free lunchtime Broadway performances in Bryant Park

Bryant Park is located behind the New York Public Library from 40th to 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. The closest subway to Broadway in Bryant Park is the 7 or B/D/F/V to 42nd Street/Bryant Park. The concerts are mostly on Thursday afternoons beginning at 12:30 p.m. and last approximately 1 hour. Admission is free.

Performers from each Broadway show perform 2-3 songs during these hour-long lunchtime concerts. There are plenty of chairs and tables throughout Bryant Park, though you may want to bring a blanket if you want to sit on the grass.

2008 Broadway in Bryant Park Schedule
Thursday, July 10 Chicago Monty Python’s Spamalot Cry Baby [title of show] Stomp
Thursday, July 17 Avenue Q The Phantom of the Opera Mamma Mia! In the Heights Pure Country
Thursday, July 24 The Lion King Passing Strange Hairspray Godspell A Catered Affair
Thursday, July 31 The Little Mermaid Altar Boyz Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy Jump A Tale of Two Cities
Thursday, August 7 Spring Awakening Gypsy Xanadu Mary Poppins Wicked
Friday, August 14 Grease Young Frankenstein Rent Legally Blonde The Musical 13

CORINE'S CORNER CELEBRATES THREE YEARS!

Interviewing Paulo Szot was enchanting.

Matt and Kelli from South Pacific. (They are so attractive and nice)
My favorite bear- The Charles Busch bear. (Isn't it fabulous!)

The day I interviewed Kathy Brier. It was an honor!
The Bad Idea Bears. (It was a bad idea!)

One of my favorite events (FB!)

Dear reader,

Thank you very much for coming to my little site. I would love to meet you.
If you are over 21 with valid id, please come to a happy hour which will celebrate my little corner in the internet sky. Come introduce yourself to me.

Half Priced drinks:5:45-9 pm.
Dessert supplied by me.

Hope you can make it.
RSVP: Corine@corinescorner.com

Thanks for visiting.
Bamboo 52
52nd between 8th and 9th. July 2 from 5-9.

INTERVIEW WITH CYNTHIA NIXON- MIRANDA'S CORNER!

Cynthia Nixon Grows Up In Sex And The City.

Here's another interview from the press day with the "Sex And The City" cast. Cynthia Nixon's character Miranda Hobbes seems the polar opposite to Samantha Jones, the character played by Kim Catrall so it seemed like another good round table interview for ultimate "Sex AndThe City" fan Corine to run on her Corner.—Brad Balfour

Brad Balfour: What was it like to re-enter the world of "Sex and the City?"

Cynthia Nixon: I didn't lose a beat. I have to say when I dyed my hair and looked in the mirror I was like, "Oh my God [laughs]." It took me a back a little more then I thought it would. The main thing was to reallybelieve it was actually happening. Then once we were back into it, it was no problem.

Brad Balfour: What was your reaction when you saw the film for the first time?

Cynthia Nixon: A huge amount of relief [laughs]. I thought if [director] MichaelPatrick [King] is going to write it then it's going to be great. Then I read it and it was great. Then we were filming and I was like, "it's going to be great" but you never really know until you know. It's scary when there is so much anticipation, hype, and appetite [for it].

Brad Balfour: Did your theatre experience help you add depth to your character Miranda; were you mad at her for being the way she is?

Cynthia Nixon: No. I feel like it's hard not to have sympathy for Miranda. Sometimes she's so much her own worst enemy. She is such a bulldog and has so much anxiety that she reacts so quickly, because she is so afraid of being vulnerable. Now about my theatre training—I don't know. I feel that I've been acting for 30 years and I feel like everything goes into the pot; mylife experience and [all my] acting experience.

Brad Balfour: How much do you relate to your character?

Cynthia Nixon : I relate to her in some ways. I feel like it's very easy, I think a lot of woman can relate to how thinly spread she is. How she has a job, she has a home, she's got a child, she's got a husband, and all of these things are screaming for her attention, and she's spread so thin that she feels that she's failing at all of them. I feel like that's a real trap that working parents have to watch out for. You might be putting a check mark next to every item on your list, but if someone says "what time is it?" you scream at them,"you're really not [asking]…."

Brad Balfour: With regards to the movie, what are your thoughts on forgiveness and giving someone a second chance? It seems to be its main theme

Cynthia Nixon : I definitely think everyone deserves a second chance. Whether they deserve a sixth, seventh, or eighth chance is another question. I think that's one of the things [you can offer] when you get older. Sometimes when you are young, things seem very black and white—these people are the villains and these people are the heroes—but when you get older and live a bit more, you see there is a lot of nuance. You see, basically, we are all here together so how are we going to get along? In the beginning of the show we would break up with guys atthe drop of a hat. He's a little cross-eyed, I hate that shirt he wears I can't see him anymore. After a certain point you can't justkeep eliminating people. You have to be like, "these are my people for better or worse and I'm going to do what I can to work it out with them.

Brad Balfour: How do you balance being a working mom and actress?

Cynthia Nixon : You got to delegate as much as you can. You got to really understand what your priorities are, and they probably shouldn't be the laundry [laughs].

Brad Balfour: You have one of the more provocative scenes in the movie. Did you have to do any special preparation for that nude scene?

Cynthia Nixon: Well Michael Patrick talked to me about it. He and David Eigenberg[who plays Miranda's estranged husband Steve] talked about where David's hands were going to be, they really glistened me up quite a bit. They lit it very carefully and I felt pretty well taken care of.

Brad Balfour: What effect do you think the show is going to have on the youth of today?

Cynthia Nixon: I think we are a youth-oriented culture, in terms of the young market and how people chase that. Also, in terms of woman and their sexuality, I think we have greatly extended that recently. You look at those old movies and Andy Hardy's parents [Hardy is a character played by Mickey Rooney in 1930s], they look like 75. There was no sense of,like maybe the mom is 40 and hot. For women my age and older, and for younger women who are going to be that age one of these days, I think that "SATC" can have a really positive impact. I worry more about the younger women that I see around, that they have the belief that some how because we dress this way in the series and the movie, that somehow that we're real and they should be dressing this way everyday. Their hair has to be done and they have to be wearing high heels and a different dress everyday and have a thousand-dollar hand bag. I worry more about the girls who are following us like it's a blueprint [for that].

Brad Balfour: How do you feel about the film dealing with the consumption of fashion labels and brands--what are the moral implications?

Cynthia Nixon: There are people who find us an anti-feminist show, which I don't think [it is] at all, I think we are a feminist show; I think the thing that saves us from being purely propaganda is the fact that we have these indulgences and weaknesses and foibles and we do things we shouldn't do. We buy things we shouldn't buy and I think it makes the characters real. Women are so encouraged to put themselves last, to put their children first, to put their husbands first, or who ever it is, and worry constantly about someone else. Even though I don't support spending this kind of money on shoes or bags or dresses… It is a [sort] of political statement... "I value myself, I'm worth it, and I'm going to give myself a present.

Brad Balfour: New York City always seems like another character in the show. Was it always important for you that they shoot the film in New York?

Cynthia Nixon: Yes. When we started doing [the show] we had no idea it would take off like this; but when I was first sent the script I thought I had to maximize my chances of getting in this. It's really interesting. It's about women, which is so interesting, and unusual—and more important the other [reason]—is that it shoots in New York and so little [is shot] here. It's definitely one of the reasons I got teamed up with [the series] in the first place, and then, of course, it continued to shoot here and that was just an incredible thing.

Brad Balfour: It is so mind boggling how universal the show is...

Cynthia Nixon: That was our main thought when we started doing the series. These are four very specific-aged women in a very high income bracket[living on] this tiny little postage stamp that is Manhattan. I say anyone other then the 10,000 women who are these women going torelate to this? But amazingly, yeah.

Brad Balfour: Do you think there is a fantasy element that's part of the appeal to the show?

Cynthia Nixon: I think there is definitely a fantasy element to the show. When people come up to me on the street and say, "I just came from Iowa two weeks ago. Your show made me come here." I'm like, "Oh no!" [Laughs]

Brad Balfour: Was there a scene or sequence that you filmed where you felt like,"Yes, we're back"

Cynthia Nixon: I have to say that when we were walking down the street the very first day, in our high heels and our outfits, we were doing our dialogue and trying to stay in unison, I was like, and "I can't believe this we're back." It was the third day of shooting but it was the first day that Kim and I shot

Cynthia Nixon: How do you feel about the idea that Miranda's happiness is inexorably linked to Steve?

Cynthia Nixon : I feel like her happiness is inexorably linked to her relationship with Steve but I also felt that the reason her relationship with Steve blew up was that she painted herself into this corner, this angry,unhappy, stressed out, over extended corner. Basically what Steve did got her out of that corner. It's not just that she can't be happy without Steve, but it's like what she did to the two of them, more then to anyone herself, was destructive and she had to rethink and find a way to be loving again and be joyful in her relationship and every other aspect of her life.

Corine Cohen: I wanted to thank Brad Balfour for giving me these interviews. I am a very big fan of the series and the film and hope the rest of the interviews from the film will be up soon.

In the meantime, go and see The Sex And The City Film and you can watch the reruns on TV.

Cynthia Nixon is over 40 and fabulous! Thanks to Cynthia and Brad for this wonderful interview!

INTERVIEW WITH THE ONE AND ONLY VALERIE FAGAN!

Val as Mary Poppins- Practically Perfect in everyway. (Photos by Maryann Lopinto)

On her phone- Photo by Maryann Lopinto.

I have been seeing Valerie Fagan for the past several years in Forbidden Broadway, the recent Drama Desk winner for best Revue. I hope to do a video interview in the near future as Val is one of my favorite performers!

Interview with Val Fagan;


Corine Cohen: Hi, Val. It is pretty funny that they have you listed as Val Fag on Broadway world. Hopefully, they will change it when this article is published. (Not that there is anything wrong with that but your name is FAGAN! They could make a skit out of that next season! I hear that you are out this summer because you are in something else. What are you in this Summer?

Val Fagan: (I know! I hope they change it soon….it’s so wrong!) Yeah, in March I was offered two shows. The first was “The Producers” at North Shore Music Theatre (I just finished it a couple of weeks ago.) The next show this summer is called “Basement Church Ladies.” (It’s a hilarious musical where I play a 1960’s housewife who’s desperately trying to become the head cook in a small Minnesota church.) I really miss my FB family though. I just needed to take a little break this summer. ;)

Corine Cohen: I am sure they will miss you, I know I will! Tell me, you are hysterical as "Merman" in Forbidden Broadway. You are so spot on, is that your favorite character in FB?

Val Fagan: Yes, by far! You know what I love about Ethel? She was so open “What you saw was what you got.” She was so lovably real. Of course she had “star quality” and that amazing voice But, when you got right down to it, she just seemed like such a great gal, you know? I think if she were alive today, we would see her gabbing on “The View,” belting out a few numbers during the commercial break and giving Elizabeth Hasselbeck a piece of her mind when the camera came back on.

Corine Cohen: She went to school with my Grandma and I would have loved to see that VIEW Episode!![ I also love your impersonation of Lea Michele in "Spring Awakening" and you kill me in that number! If you could be in any Broadway show which would it be and why?

Valerie Fagan: I loved meeting Lea after the show. She is so cute and tiny. She came to Rude Awakening last Spring, we took pictures together after the show and seriously, I looked like I had taken human growth hormones standing next to her. My sister got a kick out of that, I was NOT amused….ok. a little amused.
If I could do any Broadway show it would definitely be “Hairspray.” I played the female authority figure (the Jackie Hoffman role) at North Shore Music Theatre last year and it was such a great fit. It’s also a show with such an inspiring message told with incredibly brilliant humor. I learned a long time ago that if you’re going to get on a soapbox, you’ve got to do it wearing a wink and a clown nose. Well, not literally a clown nose…. More like a flip-do and a fat suit.

Corine Cohen: I could see you in that role! Or should I say roles! I know you have written a musical. Can you tell me about it?

Val Fagan: It’s called “Six Women with Brain Death.” Music Theatre International calls it: “A fast-paced, take-no-prisoners satire of life and pop culture at the end of the millennium.” I call it: “a big pain in the a--.” Seriously, it taught me at a very early age that writing a show is a lot harder than it looks. My hat is definitely off to Gerard.

Corine Cohen: If Gerard ever stopped writing "Forbidden Broadway" do you think you, Michael West and Philip George would continue writing it because I asked him at the 25 Anniversary party that I hoped it would be on Broadway for 25 more years and he said he wasn't sure it would last that long. Would you take over and keep "Forbidden Broadway" alive? (If John Freedson stopped Producing it I would want to do it!) It can't stop. It needs to run longer than "Cat's"!

Val Fagan: Well, Gerard is "Forbidden Broadway". I can’t even think of the show going on without him. Do you hear that, Gerard? Keep taking your vitamins, we need you!

Corine Cohen: Yeah. I think I would die without it. It has to continue forever! I'm not kidding! Thank heavens we got LE MIZ number is hysterical and you also do a killer "ON MY PHONE" I know you were in Le Miz is that why you make it so hysterical?

Val Fagan: That is my favorite number in the show and yes, it helped immensely that I heard it sung every night for a year while I was in the real "Les Mis." I always wanted to play Eponine, but I was the wrong type. Please, I think I was even a little too “healthy” to play Fantine. (I always thought I looked like a Swedish masseuse in that blonde wig.) By the way, did you know that Elaine Paige picked “On My Phone” from our Rude Awakening cast album as one of the “Broadway Essentials?” She played it on the BBC in April. I was thrilled!

Corine Cohen: Congratulations! It is so funny! If you could take a space ship to anywhere in this world or beyond, where would you go and why?

Val Fagan: I love this question! I’ve never revealed this to anyone, but I’ve always been one step away from being a full on “Trekkie.” Let’s see…hmmmm….well, I would definitely go to the Pleiades, don’t ask me why, just a hunch….oooooeeeeeooooo.

Corine Cohen: If you had 20 wishes what would you wish for and why?

Val Fagan: Wow, 20? Ok, I’d love to say world peace 20 times…but, I’m too narcissistic so, I’ll just say A MILLION SMACKAROOS 20 times!
Seriously, I would wish for what we all would wish for…you know, boring things like: decent health care, clean tap water, affordable organic produce, healthy bees, honest boyfriends, rediscovered innocence, wishful thinking, kindness, breathable air, trusting hearts, a ban on ageism, a ban on sexism, a ban on racism, a ban on all isms, a country that values the arts, lower taxes, music in the schools, no more MTA hikes, bringing our troops home and getting those poor misguided fools out of the White House. I think that’s 20, right?

Corine Cohen: That works! Do you have a favorite restaurant in NYC? Where is it and why?

Val Fagan: I just lost my appetite after that last tirade. Seriously, I LOVE the Saigon Grill on 90th and Amsterdam. The food is amazingly addictive and affordable. (great, I’ll never get a table now)… I mean….The McDonald’s on 42nd street, yeah, they have great..uh…fillet-o-fish…yeah, that’s it…

Corine Cohen: I love Saigon Grill. When it was on 86th Street I went there once a week!I met your Dad a few years ago on Christmas and he was so proud of you. Are you very close with your Dad?

Val Fagan: I’m very lucky to have a Dad who is also one of my best friends. We watch the Sunday morning talk shows and argue about politics. I think he’s seen me in Forbidden about 50 times. Didn’t you sit together a few years ago at the show? He thought you were cute. He’s 72 and still flirtin’ with the girls.

Corine Cohen: Yes. I sat with him and he was very nice. It made me miss my Dad who died 8 years ago and he was so sweet! Who do you admire most?

Val Fagan: Single mothers. On second thought, I guess ALL mothers. Think of the daily miracles they perform…and they get no applause! How did my mother do it? Courage, spirit and strength I guess...and Zoloft.

Corine Cohen: You are always so funny! What is your biggest dream?

Val Fagan: I really love this question. I haven’t thought about my “biggest dream” since I was a teenager, lying on the hood of my best friends car on a hot summer night in Kansas. (wow…sorry I was channeling Truman Capote for a second.) Anyway, I guess my “grown up” biggest dream is to continue doing what I’m doing; working with great people, singing great music and making people laugh for a living. Oh, and going out on an occasional date. Who could ask for anything more, right?

Corine Cohen: I hope the shows work out for you and hope to see you on Broadway soon. You are so talented, Valerie! Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. Dating in NYC in theater is a miracle. Hope the dates and work continue to flow as you are a very talented and funny woman.

Interview by Corine Cohen and Valerie Fagan.

ORCHIDS!

Happy Summer!

There is nothing that is more beautiful than a gorgeous Orchid Plant. Tonight, I hit the goldmine. A man was selling many precious orchids for a mere $10.00 as it was the end of his shift. I purchased a stunning 8 flower plant which sits next to my purple plant.

They are perfect flowers and very exotic. If I was a plant I would be a rare, small orchid plant.

Happy Summer,

Corine

THE WAR OF THE ROSES!

Welcome to the mother of all cattle calls… the DIVA CALL! Liza & Barbra & Peggy & Carol are all auditioning to grab the spotlight & win the role of a lifetime! THE WAR OF THE ROSES returns for TWO SHOWS ONLY - Saturday June 21 at 8 & 10pm!
Written & directed by RICK SKYE, with Musical Direction by MICHAEL FERRERI, THE WAR OF THE ROSES is an explosion of wigs, glitter & feathers, starring the "award winning-est" group of impersonators along the Rialto…STEVEN BRINBERG ("Simply Barbra”), RICK SKYE ("A Slice O' Minnelli"), CHUCK SWEENEY ("Miss Peggy Lee") , MAGGIE GRAHAM (“Carol Channeling") & a ghost appearance by MARIAN STEINER as "Ethel Merman." Add special guest SCOTT NEVINS as the director with a dilemma & a decision to make & it becomes what Adam Feldman of Time Out New York calls “a veritable bouquet of Roses offered up in a campy valentine to Broadway at its best.”

DATES: TWO SHOWS ONLY!!! Saturday, June 21st @ 8 & 10pm
PLACE: The Reprise Room at Dillon’s ~ 245 West 54th Street
TICKETS: $40 @ 8pm/$25 @ 10pm
RESERVATIONS: (212)352-3101 or www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/143104
http://www.myspace.com/warofthemamaroses

THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS. I'M MAD AS HECK!

The slogan" The City That Never Sleeps" is a common phrase about NYC.

Lately, with all the construction in my area I can't sleep and it is driving me batty.

They are building across the street from where I live and at 7 AM, THE LOUD NOISE AND BANGING BEGINS and it does not end till at least 6 PM.

BAM BAM BAM. I'M MAD AS HELL AND I NEED MY SLEEP!!!!

TURN OFF THE NOISE.

YELLS!

Corine

Broadway By The Year 1979! A Very Good Year For Theater!

Emily Skinner

Max Von Essen and his family.

Jason Graae and Jeff McCarthy they are fabulous!

BROADWAY BY THE YEAR
THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1979
Director: Emily Skinner
Musical Director: Ross Patterson
Created, Written, Hosted: Scott Siegel

RUNNING ORDER:

Ballad of Sweeney Todd [Sweeney Todd] – Group (It was so thrilling)
They’re Playing My Song [They’re Playing Our Song] – Jason
Buenos Aires [Evita] – Terri (I could listen to her all night)
Sarava [Sarava] – Melinda [DANCE]
Fallin’ [They’re Playing Our Song] – Scott Coulter

It’s Going to be Good to be Gone [I Remember Mama] –
Jeff w/Melinda, Terri, Lorin, Sarah
Immigration Rose [Sugar Babies] – Jason w/John, Chuck, Scott
A Little Bit More [I Remember Mama] – Sarah
I’m a Woman [Carmelina] – Emily
You I Like [The Grand Tour] – Jeff & Jason
Daddy [1940s Radio Hour] – Noah & Melinda [DANCE]
Johanna [Sweeney Todd] – Max [UNPLUGGED]
Epiphany [Sweeney Todd] – Jeff [UNPLUGGED

Intermission
I’m Keepin’ Myself Available For You/Exactly Like You
[Sugar Babies] – Noah & Melinda [DANCE]
Rainbow High [Evita] – Terri w/Chuck, Jason, , Scott
High Flying Adored [Evita] – Max
Green Finch & Linnet Bird [Sweeney Todd] – Sarah
Mrs. S.L. Jacobowsky [The Grand Tour] – Jason
More and More, Less and Less [The Grand Tour] – Emily & Jeff w/Jason
On This Night of a Thousand Stars [Evita] – Scott, Noah & Lorin [DANCE]
I Could Kill Her [Carmelina] – Chuck [UNPLGGED]]
Not While I’m Around [Sweeney Todd] – Scott
Oh, What a Circus [Evita] – Max
Don’t Cry for Me Argentina [Evita] – Terri
I Belong Here [The Grand Tour] – Emily w/Company [UNPLUGGED]

Broadway By The Year 1979:

It was a fabulous year for Theater even if the economy was one of the worst since the depression. 1979 was one of my favorite years of Broadway.

Evita was my favorite show in 1979 but I also adore They're Playing Our Song with Robert Klein and Lucy Arnaz.

Photos by Maryann Lopinto.

Melinda Sullivan and Noah Racey

Noah did all of the dance numbers and it was the best part of the show.

I could watch them dance all night! Noah is a Broadway By The Year favorite.

Sarah Uriate Berry

Jason Graae is a favorite of mine. He is so perky!!!

The one and only Scott Coulter!

Scott Coulter who saved the day when John Treacy Egan had to pull out at the last minute.

Jeff McCarthy and his hot women harem!

Jeff McCarthy, Sarah Uriarte Berry, Max Von Essen and Scott Coulter.

Jeff McCarthy, Sarah Uriarte Berry, Max Von Essen and Scott Coulter.

Terri Klausner who sang songs from one of my favorite shows of 1979 EVITA!

I saw Patti LuPone. It was one of the shows that made me a theater geek for life.

The first show that did that for me was PIPPIN and before that it was the Paper Bag Players.

Max Von Essen

Photos by Maryann Lopinto.

I AM VERY UPSET!

Photo by Mark Rupp

Dear Corine's Corner readers,

Please go and see A CATERED AFFAIR the show will close on July 27th and it is such a brilliant and wonderful musical. You need to see it. It will touch you in a very special way.

I just found out and I am very sad about it. It was one of my favorite shows this season and I will be sad to see it go so soon into the run.

Call 212-239-6200. It is a musical with heart, soul and an incredible cast.

All the best to the sensational Leslie Kritzer, Tom Wopat, Faith Prince and my favorite:

Harvey Fierstein (Even if he does not know that I exist, I love his work.)