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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

BARLOW HARTMAN TO CEASE OPERATIONS ON JUNE 14.

BARLOW-HARTMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS TO CEASE OPERATIONS ON JUNE 14, 2009.

JOHN BARLOW TO START A CONSULTING GROUP MICHAEL HARTMAN TO OPEN THE HARTMAN GROUP After 10 successful years in business, Barlow-Hartman Public Relations will cease operations on June 14, 2009. The company will be exactly 10 years old on that date. John Barlow, a partner in the firm, will form an entertainment consultancy group and partner Michael Hartman will open a new company, THE HARTMAN GROUP, an entertainment media relations agency.Barlow-Hartman Public Relations was incorporated and began business on June 14, 1999 and has since represented over 100 productions, which included Broadway and off-Broadway shows as well not-for-profit theater companies, celebrities and special projects in the theater industry.

Barlow-Hartman is currently represented on Broadway by 9 to 5 The Musical, Billy Elliot The Musical, Guys and Dolls, In The Heights, Next to Normal, Rock of Ages, West Side Story and Wicked. Michael Hartman and his newly formed THE HARTMAN GROUP will continue to represent all of the firm's current projects as well as other productions to be announced at a later date.

THE HARTMAN GROUP will begin operations on Monday, June 15th at 260 West 44th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY, 10036. "I don't think it would be possible for me to love the theater any more than I do. It always has been (and I hope always will be) one of the most important and enriching parts of my life. But I think this is the moment for me to take a step back and look at all of the changes that are happening in the theater, and in entertainment as a whole, and figure out how I might best serve that which is so fundamentally a part of me. Taking this step to evaluate how I can best do this is going to facilitate that goal. To that end, I plan to open a consultancy group which will serve the theater and the arts and bring the best of what I do and what I have learned to this ever-changing landscape," said Barlow."Creating Barlow-Hartman has been more rewarding than I could have imagined, however, if we remain open and conscious, the call to evolve inevitably sounds. Not only have John and I both evolved, the theater industry and the very nature of media coverage has evolved as well. I'm very inspired to originate an agency with an emphasis on new media relations and developing projects and relationships that contribute to the vitality and relevance of this industry that I remain passionate about and devoted to," said Hartman.

THE HARTMAN GROUP is proud to announce that the firm will continue to employ the current Barlow-Hartman staff, which includes Wayne Wolfe, Leslie Baden, Tom D'Ambrosio, Juilana Hannett, Michelle Bergmann, Melissa Bixler, Matt Shea, Lexie Pregosin and Frances Connelly. Holly Kinney will join the firm as Business Manager.Past productions represented by Barlow-Hartman include The Producers, Movin' Out, The Full Monty, 700 Sundays, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Pillowman, The Woman In White, The Color Purple, A Chorus Line, Company, Legally Blonde, Radio Golf, Young Frankenstein, Gypsy, Boeing-Boeing, Noises Off, A Moon for the Misbegotten, Seussical The Musical, , King Hedley II, Sweet Smell Of Success, The Graduate, The Wild Party Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Salome, Anna In The Tropics, Little Shop of Horrors and Bombay Dreams.

SINCE I DON'T HAVE A BLOG ROLL.

Here are some other blogs of note.
Other People's Stories...
Broadway Abridged
http://adaumbellequest.com/
The Producers Prospective.
La Dolce Musto
Aisle Say

Corine Cohen

COMEDY NIGHT BENEFIT MAY 13TH WITH JUDY GOLD AND FRIENDS!

“COMEDY NIGHT WITH JUDY GOLD & FRIENDS”
AT CAROLINE’S COMEDY CLUB ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, AT 7 PM

A Benefit for West Side Crime Prevention Program’s (WCPP)
“Safe Haven” Project That Helps Keep Kids Safe on City Streets

Judy Gold to Be Joined By Seth Rudetsky, Caroline Rhea,
Greg Giraldo, Nick Griffin, Jackie Hoffman and Triumph the Insult Dog.

Comedy and children’s safety! That’s the winning program daytime Emmy Award-winning actress and stand-up comedian Judy Gold has assembled as a benefit evening for the Westside Crime Prevention Program (WCPP), an independent community based not-for-profit organization founded in 1980, that works to keep the upper west side safe for everyone who lives, works or goes to school in the neighborhood.

“Comedy Night With Judy Gold & Friends,” co-hosted by Ms. Gold and Seth Rudetsky, will be held on Wednesday, May 13, at 7 PM at Caroline’s Comedy Club, 1626 Broadway, between 49th and 50th Streets. Joining Judy and Seth on-stage that night will be Caroline Rhea, Greg Giraldo, Nick Griffin, Jackie Hoffman and Triumph, the Insult Dog!
The performance is a benefit for WCPP’s Tamar Lynn Safe Haven Project, a program that enhances the safety of children living and going to school on the Upper West Side from West 59th Street to West 125th Street. Safe Haven encourages local merchants to offer help and protection to children who are in trouble or are afraid on the streets of the Upper West Side.
Tickets are three admission prices: General admission, $50; VIP Seating, $75; and $150 for VIP Seating and a drink with Judy.

For tickets, visit: www.carolines.com/event/150/judy-gold. Important: Enter the Promo Code WCPP when ordering tickets to make sure the Westside Crime Prevention Program receives your donation!

“As a longtime resident of the Upper West Side, and the mother of two children raised there, I have long been a great supporter of the West Side Crime Prevention Program and the work it does in the Upper West Side community not only with kids but with seniors as well, Ms. Gold said. This benefit evening is a way of showing my gratitude to a group of very dedicated.

Judy Gold is probably best known as the star of her own one-woman Off Broadway show, 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, based on a series of interviews with more than 50 Jewish mothers in the U.S. She has also made numerous television appearances on The View, HBO at the Multiplex and as a commentator on truTV’s The Smoking Gun Presents: Worlds’ Dumbest…. She won two Daytime Emmy Awards for her work as a writer and producer on the Rosie O’Donnell Show.

Co-host Seth Rudetsky is a popular stand-up comedian who hosts Seth’s Broadway Chatterbox, a one-hour weekly talk show featuring sassy Broadway celebrities which originates from the stage of Don’t Tell Mama, a midtown area club. He also writes a weekly Chatterbox column for Playbill.com.

Stand-up comedian/actress Caroline Rhea, who portrays Aunt Hilda on the WB’s sitcom Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, has numerous TV credits. She hosted her own nationally syndicated TV talk program, The Caroline Rhea Show, was a regular panelist on Whoopi Goldberg’s Hollywood Squares, played Drew’s girlfriend on The Drew Carey Show, and hosted NBC’s The Biggest Loser, Comedy Central’s Pulp Comic, Comic Relief 8 and HBO’s One Night Stand 2005. She also appeared in the pilot of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm.

One of the hottest comics in the country, Greg Giraldo, socially provocative yet broadly funny, recently shot The Root of All Evil for Comedy Central. His debut comedy album, Good Day To Cross A River (Comedy Central Records) was released in October. He has performed on The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS) and guested more than a dozen times on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC).

Standup comedian Nick Griffin has made multiple appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, as well as Comedy Central’s Premium Blend. He began his career by performing in the world famous Improv and The Comedy and Magic Club in California. He now headlines America’s best comedy clubs and is a regular guest on nationally syndicated radio’s Bob and Tom Show.

Jackie Hoffman is a successful actress/singer who has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including Xanadu, The Wedding Singer, Hairspray and The actor’s Fund concert version of Hair. She recently opened at The Rattlestick Playwright’s Theater in the stage FARM’s production of The Gingerbread House by Mark Schultz.


Triumph, the Insult Dog has been entertaining – and insulting – audiences for more than 63 dog years starting with appearances on television’s The Steve Allen Show and then his controversial appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. In the 1970’s and 1980’s he made memorable appearances on The Love Boat and Donny and Marie. And wherever he goes, he is still accompanied by his loving pet, Kurt Loder.
For more information on WCPP and the Safe Haven Project, which keeps kids safe as they travel the streets of the Upper West Side, visit: http://www.wcppny.org/

Saturday, April 25, 2009

BEA ARTHUR AND MADAME TWO OF MY FAVORITE DAMES.

Bea Arthur has died and this video is a tribute to her incredible talent.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Great Salon On The UWS! Robert Stuart Salon!


Yesterday, I went to Robert Stuart Salon. I went in wanting a new look and Robert Stuart cut my hair keeping it long but adding style. I was very happy to find a hair salon that I liked within walking distance of my house.


If you live in NYC I definitely can recommend the Robert Stuart Salon and found my new stylist!


Corine Cohen
Robert Stuart Salon
510 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10024
Phone: 212.496.1530

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL MUSTO ABOUT CREATIVE BLOCK AND THE OBIES!

This is what makes NYC Unique!

Creative Block is a huge multidisciplinary arts event that will include burlesque, digital art, performance art, dance & fiber arts from New Yorks creative emerging artists & avant-garde underground.

Running in tandem w/ the 54th Annual Obies Awards ceremony, Creative Block will be held in Webster Halls rooms w/ diverse & innovative talents from across many disciplines, adding to both the fun & spirit of the Obie Awards.

Michael Musto who chronicles nightlife, society & the arts for the Village Voice where he writes the weekly column La Dolce Musto http://www.villagevoice.com/columns has been named a host & spokesperson for Creative Block.

The evening will culminate w/ a celebratory after-party featuring the well-known DJ Randy Bettis.
Randy has a theater background & has garnered a loyal following from his work @ legendary NYC nightclubs such as Sound Factory & Stereo.

* Joey Arias & Basil Twist
* Gravity Plays Favorites
* Filthy Gorgeous Burlesque w/ hosts Murray Hill & performances from Angie Pontani, Trixie Little & Evil Hate Monkey, Tigger!, Lukki Maine, Broadway Brassy, Little Miss Lixx, DJ Momotaro.

* Project Jenny & Project Jam

* Aerial performance by Una Mimnaugh w/ Skip Shirley

* The Daisy Spurs

Art exhibits by: Eyebeam & Collective Communal Consciousness *Fiber Arts*

Doors Open @ 8:30pm


Corine Cohen interviewed Michael Musto on video at Dopo Teatro.
Video shot and edited by Corine Cohen for http://www.corinescorner.com/
This video can not be used without written permission.

In order to watch this and my other videos you must have Quicktime.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

If you loved Grey Gardens on Broadway you should check out the interview I did with a real Beale. Chris Beale!
I attended the opening night party at the original Broadway musical and met CHRIS BEALE as I was leaving the event at the Boathouse in Central Park.




http://corinescorner.com/interview/ChrisBeale.htm

I wish I could have met the rest of the Beale's! I hope to see the film next week.

Corine Cohen

Thursday, April 16, 2009

LYNN COHEN AT PRIMARY STAGES!

http://ticketcentral.com/showdetails2.asp?showid=1778

To get tickets go to http://ticketcentral.com/

I am very happy for my friend Lynn Cohen!

Performance Schedule: Running Time: approx 2 hours (including intermission)

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

BROADWAY FOR A NEW AMERICA!

SEX AND THE CITY star Anne Meara

The one the only Phyllis Newman

She read a very moving letter about Equality.

The one and only Billy Stritch. My favorite performer. Go see his next show at the Metropolitan Room on May 11th at 9:30. Save me a seat!


Linda Lavin- Alice does not live here anymore.



Kiss my grits.







Christine Pedi










Last night, we attended BROADWAY FOR A NEW AMERICA. Hope you enjoy the photo coverage. Photos by Maryann Lopinto for http://www.corinescorner.com/












Part 1 of 4.

BROADWAY FOR A NEW AMERICA!

To make a donation to this cause and to find out more:

http://www.jews4change.com/ and http://www.meny.us/.

Corine's Corner believes everyone deserves the right to marry whomever they love.

It is about equal rights.

Video by Corine Cohen.

INTERVIEW WITH TOVAH FELDSHUH.

Video by Corine Cohen for http://www.corinescorner.com

This interview was done at a press preview for BROADWAY FOR A NEW AMERICA GALA.

Great cause to help: http://www.jewa4change.com

and http://www.meny.us.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

BROADWAY FOR A NEW AMERICA!

TONY AWARD WINNER

JIM DALE

HOSTS THE GALA

BROADWAY FOR A NEW AMERICA

STANDING UP FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY AND PROGRESSIVE AGENDA FOR CHANGE

BENEFIT FOR THE JEWISH ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE

MONDAY, APRIL 13TH

PETER NORTON SYMPHONY SPACE

ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY: RICHARD BELZER, ROBERT KLEIN, BILLY STRITCH, MIKE BURSTYN, JOHN BOCCHINO, TOVAH FELDSHUH, ANNE MEARA, JUDY KAYE & DAVID GREEN, MELISSA ERRICO, ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY, PHYLLIS NEWMAN, THE BROADWAY BOYS, NELLIE McKAY, NEW YORK CITY GAY MEN’S CHORUS, SETH RUDETSKY, THE ACCIDENTALS, AND MORE…TO BE ANNOUNCED



(New York) BROADWAY FOR A NEW AMERICA, a gala benefit for The Jewish Alliance for Change (Doni Remba, President) will take place on Monday, April 13th at 7:00 pm at Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway (at 95th Street). The concert will feature a host of stars from Broadway, screen and music as well as prominent political leaders, progressive and LGBT activists.

The show will be directed by Sara Louise Lazar us, who directed the successful “Broadway for Obama” concert. Producing the benefit is Kati Meister and Scott Denny, both producers of the Theatre World Awards. Lawrence Yurman (“Grey Gardens) will serve as musical director and Guy Smith will provide lighting design.

In addition to the star-studded roster of celebrities, speakers appearing will include EVAN WOFLSON (Founder and Director of Freedom to M arry), Steven Goldstein (Garden State Equality Chair), Ron Zacchi (Executive Director of Marriage Equality New York), Wayne Besen (Founder and Executive Director of Truth Wins Out” and Rabbis J. Rolando Matalon and Marecelo Bronstein from Congregation B’nai Jeshurun/NYC).

The Jewish Alliance for Change (www.Jews4Change.com) reached millions of voters in battleground states and across the country with its Israelis for Obama web video and the creative pro-Obama TV and internet ad series Ain’t Funny with comedy icons Carl Reiner, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Valerie Harper, Garry Marshall and Larry Gelbart. The organization plans to build on its achievements and mobilize the American public to fight for marriage equality and the realization of a prog ressive agenda for change.

Tickets may be purchaed by going to the websites: www.Jews4Change.com or www.symphonyspace.com, as well as by calling (212) 864-5400. Tickets range from $40.00-$125.00. There are also premium seats available (which includes a VIP reception with the cast post-show).

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

IRENA GUT OPDYKE- A HERO!


IRENA GUT OPDYKE (May 5, 1918 – May 17, 2003) was born Irena Gut into a Catholic family in the town of Kozienice in Central Poland, and studied nursing. During the German occupation of western Poland and the Russian occupation in the east, Irena joined a Polish underground unit. She was spotted by Russian troops, beaten, raped, and forced to work in a Russian medical unit. She escaped, only to be captured later by the Germans and forced to work in a munitions plant. An elderly SS officer Eduard Rugemer arranged her transfer to lighter duties in an army mess hall, which happened to afford her both a direct view into a Jewish ghetto, and a chance to slip food under its fence.

When Rugemer was reassigned to Lvov and then Tarnopol (in what is now Ukraine), he requisitioned Irena as his housekeeper. There she supervised a laundry staffed by Jews, and when she heard that they were to be transported to a death camp, she undertook to hide 12 of them in Rugemer’s own villa and provide them with food and clothing. At a displaced persons camp after the war, Irena Gut met her future husband, a U.N. staffer named William Opdyke. They settled in Southern California, where she became an interior decorator. She did not talk about the war until she got a phone call as part of a survey on how many people doubted that the Holocaust ever happened. She began telling her story in schools, and in 1982 Irena Gut Opdyke was named by the Israeli Holocaust Commission as one of the Righteous Among the Nations, a title given to gentiles who risked their lives by aiding and saving Jews during the Holocaust, and was presented with the Israel Medal of Honor (Israel’s highest tribute), in a ceremony at Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. The Vatican has given her a special commendation, and her story is part of a permanent exhibit at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. (From Irena's Vow, site)

Seeing Irena's Vow was a very moving and emotional journey for me. Irena was a hero and this play a heroic journey from start to finish.

Tovah Feldshuh gives her second performance of a lifetime. First as Golda and now as Irena. Tovah who is known for her hysterical comedy is a true inspiration in this role. She takes over Irena Gut as if she knew her personally. The show is one of the greatest plays of this season and I encourage everyone over the age of 12 to see it.

Tovah's passion is worthy of many awards this season and the play is a treasure. If only there were hundreds of Irena Gut's during the Holocaust many more lives could and should have been saved. (She did save 12 lives!)

The best part of the evening was seeing Irena's daughter at the end answer questions about her Mother. I encourage all of you to see the play and stay to hear more about her incredibly heroic Mother.

I loved Tovah's passionate portrayal in the role of Irena Gut Opdyke and found the play inspiring as well as a must see for everyone.


Corine Cohen


LOCATION


Walter Kerr Theatre

219 West 48th Street (Between Broadway & 8th Avenue)New York NY
Running Time: 90 minutes, with no intermission

Monday, April 6, 2009

Bryan Batt's New Show!

Bryan Batt's 'Batt on a Hot Tin Roof' is wondrously sung, blissfully funny, withdelightful and moving juxtapositions of songs. He's a 'Mad Men" marvel…

- David Cuthbert, The New Orleans Times Picayune

"Bryan Batt is the best cabaret act I have ever seen in my life."…- Frank Gagnard, The New Orleans Times-Picayune Critic Emeritus.


Bryan Batt is a legend and was a major force in FORBIDDEN BROADWAY. His one man show at the Metropolitan Room a few years ago was a Corine's Pick.- http://www.corinescorner.com/

Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 7:00 PMLe Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre616 Saint Peter StreetNew Orleans, LA 70116Phone: (504) 522-2081Map & Directions

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Friday, April 3, 2009

JECKYLL AND HYDE.

Jekyll & Hyde Returns to New York City One Night Only on June 15 in NYSEC Benefit Concert
New York, New York -- On Monday, June 15th Frank Wildhorn’s Jekyll & Hyde will return to New York City for the first time in 8 years since its four year, 1500+ performance Broadway run and will be presented in its entirety as a benefit concert for the New York Society for Ethical Culture (NYSEC). Presented by SAW Theatricals/Sarah Melissa Rotker in association with Deborah Blumenthal, Stephanie Leaf, and Phillip Pallitto, the evening will take place at NYSEC’s 800-seat concert hall, most recently home to the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and will feature “Bring on the Men”, a song which was not heard in the Broadway production.
Robert Petkoff (Happiness, Fiddler on the Roof) will star in the title roles, with Brooke Sunny Moriber (Parade, The Threepenny Opera, The Wild Party) as Emma, and the concert will introduce Jennifer Hallie Rosen (If This Hat Could Talk with Melba Moore and Stephanie Mills, Man of La Mancha, CATS, Evita, and Camelot), who is making her New York City debut as Lucy. Additional casting will be announced shortly.

Tickets for the concert are priced as 'recession-friendly,' and range from $15.00 - $20.00 and are currently on sale at https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/651875, or by phone at 212-352-3101. Donor packages will be announced shortly at www.ethicaljekyll.com. All proceeds benefit the New York Society for Ethical Culture.

Upon hearing the news of Jekyll & Hyde's one-night return to a New York stage, the show’s Tony-nominated composer Frank Wildhorn said “I couldn’t be more thrilled to hear that it’s returning to New York for the night!”

According to lead producer, Sarah Rotker, “The New York Society for Ethical Culture has an important place in the social history of New York City, and Jekyll & Hyde, with its enthusiastic fan base and complex ethical issues, is the perfect vehicle to raise money for such a worthy institution.”

NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR ETHICAL CULTURE is the cornerstone of a humanist and ethical movement that was founded in 1876 to advance social justice for all. Ethical Culture emphasizes principles of behavior based on expressing one’s conscience through moral and humane actions. The organization has been part of the fabric of life in New York City for over a century and its impact can be felt nationwide. NYSEC founded or helped establish organizations including the Legal Aid Society; the NAACP; the ACLU; the Visiting Nurse Service; the Ethical Culture Fieldston Schools; the first U.S. Settlement House; and the Encampment for Citizenship. The Society is housed in a landmark building on Central Park West that will celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 2010. The building is home to hundreds of community programs a year including panel discussions, concerts, theatrical events, and writing, music and art programs. NYSEC’s Social Service Board runs a women’s shelter on-site; operates a supervised visitation program for children and families; and sponsors homeless artists and writers workshop exhibitions. For more information, visit http://www.nysec.org/.

JEKYLL & HYDE is Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse’s Tony-nominated Broadway musical. The original Broadway production starred Linda Eder, Robert Cucciolli and Christiane Noll and is the longest running show in the history of the Plymouth Theater. Jekyll & Hyde has had three major tours, hundreds of regional productions in the United States and Canada, and over 35 international productions in countries like Germany, Austria, Spain, Hungary, Japan, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It is the first new American musical to have two internationally released concept recordings of the score: Highlights from Jekyll & Hyde and Jekyll & Hyde: The Complete Work. The Broadway cast recording of Jekyll & Hyde received a 1997 Grammy nomination. Songs from the show have been performed worldwide and have been featured at the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the World Series, the WNBA Championship, Miss America Pageants, the 1996 Democratic National Convention, and the Inauguration of President Clinton (sung by Jennifer Holliday). There have now been ten international recordings of Jekyll & Hyde in six different languages.

GLENN TILBROOK AND THE FLUFFERS AT HIGHLINE BALLROOM TONIGHT!




Glenn Tilbrook & The Fluffers

The Spring Standards

April 03,2009 Concert starts @ 8PMDoors open @ 7 PMTickets $25.00


General Admission Standing Room Only / All Ages / Full dinner menu available


For more information and to buy tickets go to http://www.highlineballroom.com/

or call: 212-414-5994.

CLORIS LEACHMAN AT BARNES AND NOBLE!





































Maryann Lopinto went to a book signing today at Barnes and Noble where the famous star signed copies of her new book and sang. Hope you enjoy the funny lady who starred in Rhoda, Young Frankenstein the film and most recently Dancing With The Stars.
















Photos by Maryann Lopinto for http://www.corinescorner.com/








CORINE'S COMMENTARY- HAPPINESS AT LINCOLN CENTER.


HAPPINESS, a new musical about a disparate group of New Yorkers caught on a subway train under unusual circumstances, was commissioned and developed by Lincoln Center Theater. The production will reunite director-choreographer Susan Stroman and book writer John Weidman, whose last LCT collaboration was the Tony Award winning Best Musical Contact and will mark the LCT debuts of composer Scott Frankel and lyricist Michael Korie.

HAPPINESS unfolds the stories of a dozen or so New Yorkers stuck in the morning rush of a stalled subway car and required by the spectral trainman to recall and re-enact the happiest moment in their lives before they can continue their travels... and travails. HAPPINESS celebrates those fleeting moments in everyday lives -- typically unanticipated, largely overlooked, always ephemeral -- that upon reflection become people's fondest memories. HAPPINESS has been scheduled for a 14 week engagement at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater starting previews on Friday, February 27. (From LCT website)

I read some rather disturbing reviews about HAPPINESS and I must say that I don't agree with any of them.



Why I loved HAPPINESS:

If you ever had a serious and scary illness like I did this year it really changes your perspective on life. When I broke my ankle this year, I never dreamed how traumatic an experience it was. I spent 14 days in the hospital, had three surgeries (one because an intern left a drain in my ankle during the second procedure) and then I spent 10 horrific days in the worst nursing home I have ever seen. The experience changed my life and now I treasure simple things. I treasure good food. I treasure being able to walk and I treasure every day without pain which is rare. I also treasure every day and night spent at the theater but I always treasured that!

Before the surgery my motto was "IT SUCKS TO BE ME" Now my motto is "LIVE!"

Every single day on earth is a gift. Every day without pain is a blessing and HAPPINESS is a blessing with an incredible score.

Spoiler alert:

I do have to say that I have no regrets with my life. I have many moments that have been incredible. It is hard to pick one but I can share two. The first experience that really changed my life was my first love. I might go back to the time when I had my first experience with love. He was wonderful and he changed my life. The second incredible experience was when I did my first video interview at BROADWAY UNDER THE STARS. I always wanted to interview Bebe Neuwirth and Elaine Stritch as well as Carolee Carmello and the Jersey Boys.

You can watch it here:http://www.corinescorner.com/media/BwayUnderStars/video.html

On that particular night the only TV crews that attended was mine and NY 1 and all the stars talked to me like I was Barbara Walters. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life and made me realize that my dream is to interview on videotape. It is my passion and I hope that someday I can do it for a TV station. After the evening was over my videographer noticed I was crying and asked me why. I said I have never had more fun in my entire life and it was the first time. I have no regrets with my choices I just intend to live every single day like it was the last. Life is about living and HAPPINESS is a beautiful musical.

Corine Cohen

Thursday, April 2, 2009

FINIAN'S RAINBOW TO TRANSFER TO BROADWAY!

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED
ENCORES! PRODUCTION OF
FINIAN’S RAINBOW
TO TRANSFER TO BROADWAY’S ST. JAMES THEATRE
AFTER LABOR DAY

Finian’s Rainbow, which just ended a critically acclaimed five-performance run at New York City Center’s Encores! series last weekend, will move to Broadway’s St. James Theatre in the fall. Producers David Richenthal and Jack Viertel announced that the show, which hasn’t been seen on Broadway since 1960 (it premiered in 1947), will be adapted from the Encores! concert presentation into a full production. Warren Carlyle will again direct and choreograph, and Rob Berman continues as musical director. “What Encores! gave us was a joyous evening put together in just over a week,” Richenthal said. “We have the ability to fill out that template, keeping the essence of the performance front and center, but giving it a treatment that will be appropriate for Broadway,” Viertel added.

Richenthal said it is their intention to keep together as much of the cast and the creative team from the Encores! production as practicable, but that schedules have not yet been worked out. “The show at City Center wove a spell and played to cheering audiences, and our intention is to hold on to that magic,” Richenthal said. Viertel added, “Broadway seems ready to embrace a show that radiates hope and humor, especially one with as many great songs at Finian’s Rainbow.”

Finian’s Rainbow has music by Burton Lane, book by E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg.

Cast, creative and design teams will be announced shortly as well as the dates for the first preview and opening night.

David Richenthal’s previous Broadway productions include, I Am My Own Wife by Doug Wright, directed by Moises Kaufman, starring Jefferson Mays; Marc Salem’s Mind Games on Broadway; Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day's Journey Into Night, directed by Robert Falls, starring Vanessa Redgrave, Brian Dennehy, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robert Sean Leonard; Arthur Miller's The Crucible, directed by Richard Eyre, starring Liam Neeson and Laura Linney; Arthur Miller's The Price, directed by James Naughton, starring Harris Yulin and Jeffrey DeMunn; Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, directed by Robert Falls, starring Brian Dennehy; Noel Coward's Present Laughter, starring Frank Langella; The Young Man From Atlanta by Horton Foote, directed by Robert Falls, starring Rip Torn and Shirley Knight; The Kentucky Cycle, directed by Warner Shook, starring Stacy Keach; Mrs. Klein by Nicholas Wright, starring Uta Hagen; Remembrance, starring Milo O'Shea and Frances Sternhagen; and Conor McPherson's Dublin Carol by special arrangement with the Atlantic Theater Company. On the West End, The Female of the Species by Joanna Murray-Smith, directed by Roger Michell, starring Eileen Atkins; Death of a Salesman starring Brian Dennehy and Clare Higgins; I Am My Own Wife starring Jefferson Mays; and co-produced the world premiere of David Mamet's The Cryptogram and Katherine Burger's Morphic Resonance. Motion pictures include the soon to be released The Other Man, co-written and directed by Richard Eyre, starring Liam Neeson, Laura Linney and Antonio Banderas; Tape, directed by Richard Linklater, starring Uma Thurman, Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard; and Death of a Salesman, starring Brian Dennehy for the Showtime Network.

Jack Viertel has been the Artistic Director of City Center Encores! for the last nine years and Creative Director of Jujamcyn Theaters since 1987. For Encores! he has supervised 27 productions including acclaimed presentations of Follies, Hair, Carnival, Gypsy, and the Encores! revue Stairway to Paradise, which he conceived. Among the stars he has presented at Encores! are Patti Lupone, Donna Murphy, Kristin Chenoweth, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Victoria Clark and Anne Hathaway. For Jujamcyn, he is in charge of creating and identifying new projects for the company’s five Broadway theaters, and has worked on such productions as Patti Lupone’s Gypsy, Angels in America, Jerry Zaks's acclaimed production of Guys and Dolls, Jelly’s Last Jam, Into the Woods, M. Butterfly, and six of the plays that comprise August Wilson’s ten-play Century Cycle, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Piano Lesson. Viertel conceived and co-produced the long-running musical revue Smokey Joe’s CafĂ©, served as dramaturg for Hairspray, and is the co-author of the musical Time and Again. He spent two years as dramaturg of the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, and began work in the theater as a critic for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner.

Corine's Corner Theater District Dining Guide!






These restaurants are Corine's picks. Enjoy!


Wednesday, April 1, 2009

SPECIAL ROOMS OFFER FOR CORINE'S CORNER READERS.

Special ticket discount for Corine's Corner readers:

I’m inviting you to come see ROOMS for a discounted price of $25, instead of the normal price ranging from $39.50- $125.50, using this Family and20Friends discount code: RMGENA209 at www.telecharge.com The code is valid through to April 16th 2009. For more information please check out the website at www.RoomsARockRomance.com .