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POSTS FROM JANUARY, FEBRUARY & a bit of MARCH 2007 GOSSIP GOSSIP March 4, 2007 10:32 AM What fabootastic Avenue Q star will be in the current revival of Les Miz? Is it: Ann Harada? A little birdie told me that Harada, the fantastic original Christmas Eve will be soon starring in Les Miz. This is just GOSSIP GOSSIP but my heartfelt wishes go out to Ann Harada! She deserves it and if Les Miz is hiring her they are indeed lucky. Have a nice day. Corine To Those Asking About My Site March 3, 2007 10:08 AM Hi, I want to let you know that I hired new webmasters and some very exciting changes will be happening in the next week or so. First, I will be able to add my own photos to my blog soon. That should happen very soon. In addition I will be having video on my site in the distant future which will also include video interviews with Chefs. Please read my blog daily. It will be updated three or more times a day. Best, Corine GOSSIP GOSSIP- MUSTO ON ONSTAGE! March 3, 2007 10:06 AM Hi, If you live in NYC, check out my favorite gossip columnist on channel 1. He is so funny and so talented. (I adore him) You can watch Musto this evening at 7:30 and tomorrow at 9:30 AM and 7:30 PM and Monday at Midnight. I want my Musto TV! He is faboo, xxoxoxo Corine Upcoming Theater Schedule March 3, 2007 12:59 AM This Weekend I am seeing: 1. Howard Katz 2. The Gazillion Bubble Show 3. Jackie with a Z I look forward to seeing Euan Morton in Howard Katz and Jackie Hoffman in Jackie with a Z. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. All my best, Corine PS Get out there and see a Broadway show or a fantastic cabaret show. xoxoxo Laurie Beechman Schedule March 3, 2007 12:36 AM The Laurie Beechman Theatre located within The West Bank Café is pleased to announce upcoming performances in March NEW YORK – It is with great pleasure that The West Bank Café announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre. The West Bank Café is located at 407 West 42nd. St., at Ninth Avenue. For reservations, please call 212.695.6909, between the hours of 12pm and 8pm. The Laurie Beechman Theatre has a rich tradition of presenting cutting-edge work, which has played a role in shaping American theatre and live performance. Since the 80’s, the theatre has staged numerous plays and hosted a myriad of live performance events. This March, the theatre is proud to announce an exciting and eclectic line-up of performers and performances, all of which will take place in the gorgeous eighty seat venue. Please note there is a $15 food and/or beverage minimum at each performance, with the exception of The After Party. All major credit cards are accepted. Wed, Mar 7 @ 7pm Karen Jacobsen - $15 cover Fresh from the release of her new CD, Kissing Someone Else, at Joe’s Pub, Karen Jacobsen will perform her uplifting, timeless piano driven songs at the grand piano. Thur, March 8 @ 7pm Todd Almond - $15 cover Kicking off our series of composers sharing their own work, acclaimed actor/composer Almond presents an evening of his own music. Fri, March 9 @ 7pm Tim DiPasqua & Michael Holland - $15 cover The second in our composer's series, Holland and DiPasqua, two of the most innovative voices writing today, join forces to present a one night only concert featuring their own compositions. Sun, March 11 @ 7pm Courter Simmons (Beauty and The Beast National Tour) and Leonard Sullivan (Hairspray National Tour) in Duel Belters - $15 cover These two vocal forces of nature come together to belt out tunes that the women always get… ‘cause the men’s songs are all too low!’ Thur, March 15 @ 7pm Brian Feinstein - $10 cover Our composer's series continues with the man behind off-Broadway's Mimi Le Duck. Special guests Malcom Gets and Melissa Errico. Fri, March 16 @ 7pm Julie Gold - $15 cover Our composer's series concludes with Julie "From a Distance" Gold – best known for penning the Bette Midler classic. Accompanied by the magnificent vocals of Emily Bindiger and Margaret Dorn. Sunday, March 16th @ 7pm David Gurland – $16 cover The third performance of the DGUR in Concert series will celebrate the male singers and songwriters from the 1970’s and 1980’s. David is thrilled to have special guests Eddie Varley and Mike McCardle. The evening will feature musical direction from this year’s Bistro Award-winner, Ray Fellman, and will include a special performance from Bistro Award winner Rob Maiter. Monday, March 19 @ 7pm & Sunday, March 25 @ 5pm Bob O’Hare: From There to Here - $15 cover Featuring songs by Sondheim, Rodgers & Hart, Flanders & Swann, Dr. Seuss, Bricusse & Newley, Jerry Herman, Marc Blitzstein and others, Bob makes his NYC cabaret debut. Fridays, March 23 and 30, Saturdays, March 24 and 31 @ 8:30pm Quarter to Three – $25 cover An absorbing new play from Lynn Lobban: funny, heartbreaking, terrifying & profoundly human. Featuring: Natalie Barback, Molly Camp, Kristen Stewart Chase, Lynn Lobban, Joy Franz, Sarah Kiefer & David Licht. Monday, March 26 and Tuesday, March 27 @ 7pm Moving Forward, Looking Back - $11 Cover A new musical revue by Michael Mahler, conceived by Michael Mahler and Jessica Redish, featuring Michael Buchanan, Andrea Chamberlain, Cait Doyle and Willis White. To hear songs from the show, please visit: www.myspace.com/m4ward. Every Friday, 10:30pm – 2am The After Party – no cover, no minimum Our ridiculously successful, weekly schmoozefest for the theatrically inclined continues. Special guests this month include Broadway’s Sally Wilfret, the hilarious duo of David Gurland and Rob Maitner (with Tracy Stark) and Donna Vivino. Our Leading Lady! March 2, 2007 3:57 PM I can't wait to see this production!!!! Charles Busch is one of my favorite playwrights!!!! MANHATTAN THEATRE CLUB’S OUR LEADING LADY Manhattan Theatre Club’s world premiere production of Charles Busch’s OUR LEADING LADY directed by Lynne Meadow begins previews tonight, February 22 at New York City Center, Stage II (131 West 55th Street). The production opens on Tuesday, March 20. The cast features (in alphabetical order): Reed Birney (Gavin DeChamblay), Barbara Bryne (Maude Bentley), Maxwell Caulfield (Harry Hawk), Ann Duquesnay (Madame Wu-Chan), J.R. Horne (Major Hopwood), Kate Mulgrew (Laura Keene), Kristine Nielsen (Verbena Morris), Amy Rutberg (Clementine Smith) and Billy Wheelan (W.J. Ferguson). Charles Busch (The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife) returns to Manhattan Theatre Club with a truly original play about the theatre. Laura Keene (Mulgrew), a 19th century American stage luminary, prepares to perform at Ford's Theatre on the fateful night when Abraham Lincoln is in the audience. This new play captures the magic of the theatre as only Charles Busch can. Directing is MTC's Lynne Meadow, who staged the hit production of The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife which subsequently transferred to Broadway and had a celebrated run at the Barrymore Theatre. The design team will feature: Santo Loquasto (Set Design), Jane Greenwood (Costume Design), Brian MacDevitt (Lighting Design) and Scott Lehrer (Sound Design). OUR LEADING LADY plays: Tuesday through Sunday at 7:30 PM. Matinees on Saturday at Sunday at 2:30 PM. There will be no Saturday matinee on Saturday, February 24. Tickets are $50 and can be reserved by calling CityTix at (212) 581-1212. Group and student rates are available. For Manhattan Theatre Club season subscriptions, call (212) 399-3030. For group ticket information, call (212) 399-3000 x 134. Student tickets are $25 and are on sale for all performances based on availability on the day of the performance, up to one hour before showtime. Call (212) 581-1212 for further information. MTC at New York City Center is accessible to people with disabilities and is equipped with a hearing augmentation system. Visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com for more information. Visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com for more information. Jamie deRoy and Friends! March 2, 2007 3:53 PM Jamie deRoy & friends Kicks off Monthly Series of Thursday Nights of Cabaret Thursday, March 29th at Metropolitan Room * Eddie Brill * Penny Fuller * Hilary Kole * Victoria Shaw * Michele Ragusa Celebrated cabaret performer Jamie deRoy will kick-off a monthly series of Thursday evenings of her Multi MAC Award-winning variety show, Jamie deRoy & friends on Thursday, March 29th (7:30PM) at the New York hotspot The Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street Between 5th & 6th Avenues). The following Thursday dates will be April 26, May 31, and June 28 at 7:30PM. The March 29th evening will feature the following artists: the hilarious comic Eddie Brill; two-time Tony nominee Penny Fuller; accomplished singer Hilary Kole; Grammy Award -winning singer-songwriter Victoria Shaw; and theater’s own Michele Ragusa fresh from her noted performance in Adrift In Macao for which she received a Barrymore Award. Barry Kleinbort is the director of Jamie deRoy & friends and Paul Greenwood will serve as musical director. The colorful cabaret series, which has been thrilling New York City audiences for the past 16 years and serves as the basis for deRoy's award-winning cable television show, spotlights a wide variety of well-known entertainers and newcomers lighting up the cabaret, theater, and comedy worlds. JAMIE deROY has won eight MAC Awards, four Back Stage Bistro Awards, nine Telly Awards and CaB Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her extensive work on both stage and screen. Jamie has appeared onstage with Joan Rivers and has headlined at many of New York’s major clubs. She has produced eight CDs in the Jamie deRoy & friends series on the Harbinger and PS Classics labels. Her theatre producing credits include Broadway: Jay Johnson: The Two and Only, Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life, Say Goodnight Gracie; Off-Broadway: Spalding Gray: Stories Left To Tell, Athol Fugard’s Exits and Entrances, Christopher Durang’s Adrift in Macao, Indian Blood, Terrence McNally’s Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Her TV and film producing credits include the Emmy-nominated "The Biggest Little Operas in Town" for Channel 13 and Rick McKay’s documentary Broadway: The Golden Age. Her acting credits include appearances on the television shows “Alice,” “Spiderman” and “Knight Rider,” and in the films GoodFellas, Raging Bull, See No Evil Hear No Evil, and Married to It. Onstage, Jamie appeared with Rene Auberjonois in The Threepenny Opera, as well as in The Drunkard with musical direction by Barry Manilow. Jamie deRoy & friends at Metropolitan Room at Gotham, 34 West 22 Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues) has a $20 cover charge plus a two beverage minimum. For reservations, please call (212) 206-0440. Program is subject to change. Grey Gardens Star Christine Ebersole (Wear Red Shoes and go) March 2, 2007 1:25 PM Catch a free performance by the one and only Christine Ebersole! You read it here! (Wear red shoes and go);-) I really need a pair of red shoes. I looked in my closet and I don't own one pair. “They can get you in East Hampton for wearing red shoes on Thursday…” BLOOMINGDALE’S WELCOMES GREY GARDENS STAR CHRISTINE EBERSOLE & DESIGNER STUART WEITZMAN ON MONDAY, MARCH 5, 5PM WHAT: A SPECIAL EVENT AT BLOOMINGDALE’S 59TH STREET LAUNCHING A NEW INITIATIVE WITH DESIGNER STUART WEITZMAN, INSPIRED BY THE HIT BROADWAY MUSICAL GREY GARDENS. BLOOMINGDALE’S WILL WELCOME GREY GARDENS STAR, TONY AWARD WINNER CHRISTINE EBERSOLE AND MR. WEITZMAN ON MONDAY, MARCH 5 TO ANNOUNCE THE NEW INITIATIVE: PURCHASE ANY PAIR OF STUART WEITZMAN SHOES MONDAY, MARCH 5 THROUGH FRIDAY, MARCH 9 AND 10% OF SALES WILL BE DONATED TO WOMEN IN NEED, INC. AT THE EVENT, MR. WEITZMAN WILL SPEAK AND MS. EBERSOLE WILL PERFORM A NUMBER FROM THE MUSICAL. THE TWO WILL ALSO SIGN AND RAFFLE OFF A SPECIAL RED PAIR OF STUART WEITZMAN SHOES, AND BLOOMINGDALE’S WILL DEBUT SPECIAL WINDOW DISPLAYS INSPIRED BY GREY GARDENS. WHEN: MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2007 5:00PM – 8:00PM (PERFORMANCE & PRESENTATION AT 5:30PM) WHERE: BLOOMINGDALE’S 59TH & LEXINGTON, SALON SHOES, FOURTH FLOOR OH OH OH... I CAN HEAR THE BELLS!!! March 2, 2007 9:15 AM Good Morning,(Baltimore, NYC and beyond) I heard a little rumor that Hairspray (One of my favorite shows) needs a little boost in ticket sales. Do me a favor and buy some tickets to the show. You wont be disappointed. Thank you, Have a nice day. Corine ;-) I would like Hairspray to run as long or longer than Cats! Thanks. Drama Desk Panel Hosted By Ellis Nassour and Leslie Hoban Blake! March 1, 2007 6:55 PM Drama Desk Holds Lively Panel Discussion with Creators and Producers of “Grey Gardens” and “Spring Awakening” The Drama Desk held a panel discussion, titled Moving On, with theater professionals from Grey Gardens and Spring Awakening on Wednesday, February 28, that focused on the challenges and advantages of moving theatrical productions from Off Broadway to Broadway. The discussion took place at BMI, 320 West 57th Street. The lively discussion, explored the hows, whys and wherefores necessary to move productions from Off Broadway venues, especially the not-for-profit sector, to Broadway theatres. Guest panelists were: Andrew Hamingson, Managing Director, Atlantic Theatre Company; Tim Sanford, Artistic Director, Playwrights Horizons; Michael Korie, lyricist, Grey Gardens; Tom Hulce, Producer, Spring Awakening; Michael Rosenberg, Producer/East of Doheny, Grey Gardens; and Ira Pittleman, Producer, Spring Awakening. Both Grey Gardens (Playwrights Horizons) and Spring Awakening (Atlantic Theatre Company) are current Broadway musicals that originated in the not-for-profit world of Off Broadway. Panel co-moderators were Leslie (Hoban) Blake, alternate theater critic for WFUV-FM Radio (90.7), video interviewer for TimesSquare.com and Vice President of the Drama Desk, and Ellis Nassour, lead columnist for BroadwayStars.com, contributor to Playbill and member of the Executive Board of the Drama Desk. Some thoughts about the event: Leslie and Ellis asked very interesting questions. It was very interesting and exciting. I love both Grey Gardens and Spring Awakening and was very interested in the panel. I did not want the event to end even though I had tickets to Spelling Bee. Photos will be posted later this week on this blog. PS Many years ago, I was moved by the film Amadeus and had a huge crush on Tom Hulce who is one of the Producers of Spring Awakening. It was very interesting to meet him. (Amadeus is one of my favorite films and he is my favorite performer in any film) All About Us! March 1, 2007 6:39 PM I can't wait to see this musical by Joe Stein and Kander and Ebb! More Cast Members Join “All About Us,” New Musical, Opening Westport Country Playhouse’s 2007 Season in April Westport Country Playhouse (Tazewell Thompson, artistic director, and Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director) announces more actors from Broadway, film and television will join the cast of the new musical, “All About Us,” opening the Playhouse 2007 season, April 10 through April 28. Single tickets will go on sale beginning Monday, March 5, 10 a.m. “All About Us” is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “The Skin of Our Teeth” by Thornton Wilder. Music is by Kander and Ebb (“Chicago,” “Cabaret”). Book is by Joseph Stein (“Fiddler on the Roof”). It is the humorous and poignant story of the indestructible Antrobus family who have survived a thousand calamities by the skin of their teeth. Cast members previously announced in February are Grammy, Emmy and three-time Tony Award nominee Eartha Kitt as The Fortune Teller, and Tony Award winners Shuler Hensley as Mr. Antrobus and Cady Huffman as Sabina, The Maid. Newly added cast members include Yvette Freeman as Mrs. Antrobus. She won Obie, Ovation and NAACP Awards for her performance in the play “Dinah Was,” based on the life of legendary jazz singer Dinah Washington. On television, Ms. Freeman played Nurse Haleh Adams on the NBC drama “ER.” In the roles of the Antrobus children will be Samantha Futerman as Gladys and Carlo Alban as Henry. Ms. Futerman was in the film, “Memoirs of a Geisha.” Alban has had recurring roles in “Strangers with Candy,” “Thicker Than Blood” and “The Tavern.” He has guest starred on “Law & Order,” “The Jury,” “Touched by an Angel” and the HBO prison-themed series “Oz,” and has been nominated for Young Artists Awards and an ALMA Award. Portraying the Wooley Mammoths are Eric Michael Gillett and Drew Taylor. Gillett was on Broadway in “The Frogs,” “Sweet Smell of Success” and “Kiss Me Kate.” Taylor was in Broadway’s “Sweet Smell of Success,” “Annie” and “The Secret Garden.” Ensemble members include Michael-Leon Wooley who appears in the hit film “Dreamgirls,” performing the song “Takin’ the Long Way Home,” and was in the original production of “Five Guys Names Moe”; Michael Thomas Holmes who appeared in “The Producers” on Broadway; J. Elaine Marcos who was in Broadway’s “The Wedding Singer,” “Sweet Charity,” “Wonderful Town,” “Flower Drum Song” and “Miss Saigon”; and Rachelle Rak who appeared on Broadway in “Fosse,” “Oklahoma!” and “Cats.” Others in the cast are Tony Freeman as Stage Manager, David Standish as Hologram Boy, and ensemble members Frank Vlastnick, Sally Ann Tumas and Daniel Marcus. Director is Gabriel Barre, a Tony and Drama Desk Award nominee. The production is sponsored by The Private Bank of Bank of America, and is produced in association with Jacki Barlia-Florin. I can't wait! My First Time February 28, 2007 12:32 AM Hi, I got the opportunity to cover the MY FIRST TIME benefit at New World Stages last evening. In addition to helping a great charity, I got to interview John Tartaglia, Mary Testa, Gary Maffei, Ann Harada and Heath Calvert. I had a great time. The concert was well done but I especially loved Ann's performance living out her dream of performing GODSPELL. Photo coverage and video coverage will be on my site soon. XXOO, Corine Lonely? Single? Looking To Mingle! February 27, 2007 12:43 PM Check this out!!!! Go and get your tickets now!!!!! SINGLES’ NIGHT ON BROADWAY (SinglesNightOnBroadway.com) WHAT: Kick off of SINGLES’ NIGHT ON BROADWAY a new audience development program from The League of American Theatres and Producers WHO: Fox 5's Good Day New York team, including JODI APPLEGATE, RON CORNING, MIKE WOODS, LUCY NOLAND, ANNE CRAIG, KATHERINE CREAG, serve as Media Ambassadors for Singles’ Night on Broadway, with special guests ASHLEY PARKER ANGEL and ALEXA VEGA from HAIRSPRAY, and performers from 18 participating Broadway shows. DATE: Wednesday, February 28 TIME: 5:30 – 7:30 pm (cocktail party) 6:00 pm (welcome from Good Day New York) PLACE: MADAME TUSSAUDS NEW YORK – 6th floor 234 West 42nd (Between 7th/8th Aves) Fox 5’s Good Day New personalities will KICK OFF Single’s Night on Broadway, a unique opportunity for single men and women to meet and share their common interest in Broadway. Singles’ from the tri-state area are encouraged to participate by purchasing a ticket to any of the participating Broadway or Off Broadway shows and attend a free pre-show cocktail party at Madame Tussauds New York. Singles will have the opportunity to mingle with other singles through special activities such as tarot card readings, raffles, mind reading demonstrations, speed dating, and more. Have You Seen Jackie With A Z??? February 27, 2007 11:58 AM Joe’s Pub NYC proudly announces the addition of the following show to our calendar: I hope you can make it. Jackie is one of the funniest women in comedy today. xo, Corine Tuesday, February 27 at 7:30pm Sunday, March 4 at 9:30pm Monday, March 5 at 7:30pm (SOLD OUT) Tuesday, March 13 at 7:30pm Monday, March 19 at 7:30pm (SOLD OUT) and 9:30pm Tuesday, March 20 at 9:30pm JACKIE HOFFMAN – Jackie with a Z THE REVIEWS ARE IN: IT’S A HIT! "In 'Jackie With a Z,' her delectably outrageous new show at Joe's Pub, Ms. Hoffman is continuing her love-hate relationship with the audience. She hates; they love. Ms. Hoffman leaves no comic stone unthrown. Audiences weary of a diet of politically correct pablum should find it refreshing... fast, funny and, most important, furious." - The New York Times "Hoffman's brand of bile is highly entertaining, and this fast-paced 60 minutes of stand-up comedy and satirical musical numbers should give the performer another hit run... There are enough belly laughs here to inspire hope that this supreme curmudgeon won't mellow anytime soon." - The New York Post "There are actually three things you can be sure of in life: death, taxes, and the fact that Jackie Hoffman will say something outrageous when she's on the stage of Joe's Pub. Her final, truly daring number, performed with a special surprise guest, has to be heard and seen to be believed." – Theatermania The hilarious Obie-award winner Jackie Hoffman (Garden State, Hairspray, Kissing Jessica Stein) returns to Joe's Pub, home of her smash hit The Kvetching Continues (the longest running show in Joe's Pub history) in Jackie With A Z. Hoffman, New York's most beloved hospital-bound hilarious Hebrew, has her dream cancer scare! In this latest offering, Miss Hoffman skewers regional theater, the upper west side, and gives a blow by blow account of her six day ordeal at Mt. Sinai having her hysterectomy. Come see everyone's favorite child hater without a uterus, in an all new show! Directed by Michael Schiralli, Musical Director, Bobby Peaco All Shows are $25 For more information on the venue or this performance; to schedule interviews, request photos/ticket giveaways/music and to request press tickets to this event; contact John Seroff at Joe's Pub: jseroff@publictheater.org / 212-539-8563 LOCATION: 425 Lafayette Street (between East 4th and Astor Place) NYC; adjacent to The Public Theater TICKETS: By Phone: 212-967-7555 On the Web: www.joespub.com In Person: At The Public Theater Box Office from 1pm to 6pm and at Joe’s Pub from 6pm to 10pm (both located at 425 Lafayette St.) TABLE RESERVATIONS: 212-539-8778 Purchase of tickets does NOT guarantee a table reservation; you must call to reserve seats. Seating, as well as standing-room, is available only on a first-come, first-served basis for all shows without a dinner reservation. Two drink or $12 food. It is worth it. The Genius Known As Chris Gatelli! February 27, 2007 1:21 AM Hi, Just wanted to post how much I admire and respect Chris Gatelli. I had a nice chat with him this evening about his recent show (Adrift In Macao) Have you seen this gem? NO? Run to the theater and get tickets. It is pure bliss. I laughed really hard and as many of you know that makes me happiest. Adrift In Macao made me giddy and happy. Pure fun. Someone please move this show to an open ended run. It is that good and with some work it could succeed. I LOVE THIS SHOW. XO, Corine Donna Vivino Link. February 26, 2007 4:41 PM Check out these photos of Donna Vivino. http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s4/awinstonII/ My Night With The Leading Men! February 26, 2007 1:00 PM MY NIGHT WITH THE LEADING MEN by Corine Cohen I hate cold weather, and New York has received a double dose of it in past weeks, making it impossible to want to go out. But when Wayman Wong invited me to attend "The Leading Men II" concert, the benefit concert he organized this and last year in conjunction with his column called, you guessed it "The Leading Men," of which I'm an avid reader. I have a great deal of respect for Wayman but secretly I'm just glad he and I have the same passion and enthusiasm for the intersection of theater and cabaret. "The Leading Men II" was a joyful experience for all, just like the man himself! A few thoughts about the show, which had sold out weeks before, and didn't fail to impress: 1. Daniel Reichard from "Jersey Boys" singing: "Torch Song" from "When Pigs Fly," a hysterical song mocking our Veep Dick Cheney and got the entire audience howling. Daniel proved his "Forbidden Broadway" training has done great things for his career. I adored his performance and would say it was the favorite of the night—but don't tell the other boys! 2. Budding cabaret legend and recording artist David Gurland, nattily decked out in a pink shirt and black jacket, really ended up bringing down the house. He has such range! I adore him and his adorable boyfriend Robbie! David sang "Waiting For Life" from "Once on This Island," the classic musical of star-crossed lovers on a Caribbean island. 3. Seth Rudetsky, the emcee of his own live talkshow "Chatterbox" at the Don't Tell Mama Cabaret, and a total class act, did his piece "Deconstructing the "Sound of Music," To steal his own line he was "AHMAZING." 4. Sexy, well dressed and stunning Perry Ojeda from "Pride" had everyone sweating during "Lucky to Be Me" from "Our Town." I felt lucky to be watching him perform—and a little overheated. Who cared about the cold now? 5. Les Mis's new Marius, Adam Jacobs, impressed the entire audience with "Maria" from "West Side Story" It was breathtaking and beautiful. His voice is stunning and his wife is a lucky woman. 6. And finally Adam's co-star and veteran Broadway dreamboat Norm Lewis sang: "I'd Rather be Sailing" It was a beautiful song sung by one of the greatest performers on Broadway. It was great to see him do what he does best and wow an audience. In addition, John Tartaglia was an incredible emcee and host of this incredible Broadway Cares event and I'd like to thank him, Wayman and all those talented men for a successful and sexy night of performance and song. See you next year! To donate: http://www.broadwaycares.org More about this wonderful event in my photo coverage piece. Adrift In Macao! February 25, 2007 12:42 AM It is late so this is just going to be a few thoughts about the show. It is a limited run so I advise you to run and get tickets. I did not like this production. I LOVED IT. The women were hysterically funny, especially the woman who plays Corinna. She was outstanding. I wish they could extend this funny, charming, hysterical gem of a show. If you are sick of depressing, slow moving shows about death, war and destruction take yourself to 59 east 59th theater and laugh. I was throughly giddy from Adrift in Macao. More on this later. We will also have photos of the opening night party and a formal review of this show in the next few days. Adrift In Macao put me in a very good mood. Goodnight, Corine xxoxoxo Hi February 24, 2007 1:48 PM Just wanted to let you know that in a few days, I will have a new blog. One where I can insert photos and do more detailed photo features. Have a nice day. Corine EATFEST! February 23, 2007 2:17 PM Emerging Artists Theatre does one-act play festivals about as well as they can be done – Martin Denton, NYtheatre.com Well-written plays, a marvelous cast, and superb directing – Bryne Harrison, OOBR.com EMERGING ARTISTS THEATRE PRESENTS ITS EIGHT ANNUAL SPRING EATFEST EMERGING ARTISTS THEATRE presents the Spring EATFest, which will play a three-week limited engagement at Theatre 5 (311 West 43rd St 5th Floor—btw. 8th and 9th Ave). Performances begin Tuesday, March 13th, and continue through Sunday Apr 1st, 2007. Tickets are $18.00 and $10.00 with student ID. TDF accepted. For reservations, please call (212) 352-3101 or visit www.eatheatre.org. Series A Tuesdays and Fridays at 7 pm, Sunday at 2 pm Postcards from a Dead Dog by F.J. Harltand, directed by Troy Miller A mother and son find a way to connect through a series of postcards from their dead dog. With Jason Hare and Jacqueline Sydney* The Questioning by Frank Higgins, directed by Lorrel Manning A female American officer learns the ropes about the art of interrogation from a female Iraqi. With Alexandra Devin*, Suzan Mikiel-Kennedy, Danielle Quisenberry* ClapTrapp by Joseph Godfrey, directed by Melissa Attebery These hills are definitely alive with the sound of musicals from the entertaining Von Crapp family. With Amy Bizjak, Laura Dillman*, Steve Hauck*, Hershey Miller*, Courter Simmons*, Christopher Voeller* Series B Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7 pm, Sundays at 5 pm Vamp by Ry Herman, directed by Kel Haney Love can be a pain in the neck when the woman you fall for is certifiable With Tracee Chimo*, Blanche Cholet*, Philip Guerette, and Stacy Mayer* Tell by Rodney Lee Rogers, directed by Ian Streicher A father and daughter try to out grift each other on where their lives are headed. With Laura Fois* and Ryan Hilliard* Third Wheel by Monica Flory, directed by Ned Thorne Dating becomes so much more interesting when there's a third. With Erik Baker*, Aimee Howard*, and Claire Tyers Series C Thursdays and Saturdays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 5 pm My Name is Art by Peter Snoad, directed by Kelly Haydon Two strangers in a gallery share their views about an abstract piece of art. With Andrea Alton*, Tim Intravia*, and Scott Klavan* Some are People by Kathleen Warnock, directed by Mark Finley A different kind of summer in Provincetown, for 2 regulars and the interesting woman who can even shake up a drag queen. With Janice Mann and Karen Stanion One of the Great Ones by Chris Widney, directed by Jonathan Warman The tried and true grit of a veteran librarian proves that human is better than machine. With Jane Altman* and Marc Castle* EATFest plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, November 19th. Tuesdays at 7 pm – Series A Wednesdays at 7 pm – Series B Thursdays at 7 pm – Series C Fridays at 7 pm – Series A Saturdays at 5 pm – Series C Saturdays at 7 pm – Series B Sundays at 2 pm – Series A Sundays at 5 pm – Series B Sundays at 7 pm – Series C Tickets are $18 and are now available online at www.eatheatre.org Eddie Varley LOVE February 22, 2007 6:30 PM Catch Eddie Varley with David Gurland on March 18th!!!! I can't wait! If you love David, Robbie and Eddie as much as I do, buy tickets now! Be there or be C squared. xoxoxo, Corine 'DGUR' IN CONCERT! The third Sunday of every month at 7 PM starting January 21st 2007 for six months! Every show will have a different musical director with different musicians, and guest stars. Each Sunday will be an all new show focusing on different music -- from songs from David's acclaimed first (and only) CD to show tunes to country music....maybe even a little acoustic Madonna/Neurotica...and much more. MARCH 18TH SHOW: Sunday, March 18th at 7:00 p.m. The third performance of the DGUR in Concert series will celebrate the male singers and songwriters form the 1970’s and 1980’s. David is thrilled to have special guests Eddie Varley (from the off off Broadway production INTO THE WEEDS) and Mike McCardle (brother of Andrea McArdle, the original Annie on Broadway). The evening will be musically directed by Ray Fellman, and will have a special appearance by Bistro Award winner Rob Maitner. The evening will feature songs that envelop all the amazing genres, singers, writers and bands that made the 70’s and 80’s such a memorable musical mosaic. The artists represented will include Duran Duran, The Bee Gee’s, Barry Manilow, The Eagles, Neil Diamond, Elton John, David Bowie, and more. The performance will also include songs from David’s acclaimed first (and only) self-titled CD. Please note guest artists and repertoire are subject to change. OTHER DGUR DATES: 4/15/07 at 7 PM 5/20/07 at 7 PM 6/17/07 at 7 PM at The Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe 407 W 42nd Street (@9th) www.westbankcafe.com $16 cover $15 food/drink minimum 212-695-6909 credit cards accepted FEBRUARY FROLICS: A CABIN FEVER CABARET. February 22, 2007 4:34 PM Vivino, Sofley, Daniels, Stanton, etc., in FEBRUARY FROLICS: A CABIN FEVER CABARET Donna Vivino, Marcia Sofley , Booth Daniels, Luis Villabon, Toni Stanton, Arlette Beauchamps, Jackie Krim, and Ed Smit will be performing FEBRUARY FROLICS: A CABIN FEVER CABARET, presented by Joria Productions and Richmond County Orchestra. FEBRUARY FROLICS is directed by John DeBlass, with choreography by Maria Zannieri and musical direction by Alan Aurelia . The performance schedule is as follows: Saturday, February 17th at 8:00 pm at Synagogue for the Arts, 49 White Street, NYC; Sunday, February 18th, 3:00 p.m. at The Music Hall at Snug Harbor, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island; and Saturday, February 24th, 8:00 p.m. at The Baronet Theater, 205 4th Ave., Asbury Park, NJ. Tickets are $15, $10 for students/seniors. Children under 12 receive free admission. For reservations call 718-390-4306. Scroll down. February 21, 2007 9:44 AM Just an fyi, you need to read about my Tuna Magico from last evening. The scroll bars are inside the curtain if you can't see it. Merci, Corine Still thinking about my Tuna heaven from last evening. AH! Dance Blog! February 21, 2007 9:28 AM This sounds interesting! I am very moved by wonderful dance. Check it out! DNA PRESENTS SPLICE: UNCONVENTIONAL SPACE featuring choreographers Amy Pivar with Alexandra Shilling and Ann Robideaux Dance New Amsterdam presents SPLICE: UNCONVENTIONAL SPACE, the combined concert of choreographers Amy Pivar and ann and alexx make dances. Expect to experience the formerly unseen through the unconventional use of space and through two unconventional perspectives. Performances will take place March 1-3 at 8:00pm at DNA’s theatre at 280 Broadway. Last seen at DNA in the breathtaking performance of (On Her Decision to Stop Wearing Clothes) this past spring, dancer/choreographer AMY PIVAR and mezzo-soprano ELAINE VALBY join forces with two powerful composer/performers, PAULA M. KIMPER and GILDA LYONS, for the latest incarnation of a five-year collaboration entitled Songs for Solo Dance and Voice. Valby’s singing sends Pivar’s body soaring through the score and into the audience’s imagination – in works including Lyons’s arrangement of the hymn Angel Band; a song by Ben Yarmolinsky on poetry by Paul Bowles; a version of the spiritual Motherless Child; and a setting of the 23rd psalm in Hebrew. This program features the world premiere of Pivar/Kimper’s Emptiness, for dancer, two voices and guitar, to a suite of poems by Mahadeviyakka, translated by Jane Hirshfield, commissioned by Amy Pivar. ALEXANDRA SHILLING and ANN ROBIDEAUX aspire to move audiences out of a traditional mind-set by presenting dance that challenges convention. Through a careful exploration this space, Ann, Alexx and four adventurous performers create and inhabit a surreal landscape inside the DNA theatre in The Long Night. Original sound by Camilla Maling. Both seasoned choreographers and performers, Ann and Alexx have presented work on water, in water and on the hard steps of an historic Lower East Side synagogue. SPLICE is made possible, in part, by a grant from Bossak/Heilbron Charitable Foundation and a grant from LMCC with the generous support of the September 11th Fund. DNA’s Spring 2007 season is made possible, in part, by funds from American Express Company, DCA, and Mertz Gilmore Foundation. Dance New Amsterdam (DNA) is a unique multi-service organization that serves dancers and performing artists through three distinct mediums: Education, Creation and Performance, all under one roof. DNA’s mission is to provide the tools, both technique and career support, for artists to establish viable long-term dance careers; act as a laboratory in which to exchange ideas and vocabularies in the creation of new work; bring emerging artists and their work to the attention of audiences; and reflect and nurture the vitality and diversity of New York City’s dance artists. DNA’s move to the landmark Sun Building in 2006 marked 22 years of service to the arts, and inaugurated DNA’s new performance space. Performances of SPLICE: UNCONVENTIONAL SPACE will run March 1-3, Thursday through Saturday at 8pm at Dance New Amsterdam, 280 Broadway, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10007. Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for members, and are available through Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or www.ticketcentral.com. Subscriptions to DNA’s Spring 2007 Season are now available. For more information, visit www.dnadance.org. Corine's Culinary Corner (Tuna Magico, oh, la. la!) February 20, 2007 10:58 PM Hi, In a few days Chef Corner will be back on my site. Until that happens please read a few thoughts about a wonderful evening at East River Cafe. A photo tour will occur in a few weeks. Corine's Culinary Corner Food Blog! Dear Foodies, Tonight I dined at East River Cafe. 1111 First Avenue I can't wait to post the photos of the food! I recommend that you start with: 1. The Tuna Tartar (Ruby red tuna served with chives, capers, pine nuts and ginger. (11) We also tried the crab cake appetizer with fresh guacamole. It was fantastic and had very little filling. It was almost all crab. The guacamole on top made it very unique and a must! (Maryland Jumbo Crab Cake appetizer with guacamole on top)(14) A must if you like Crab Cakes! 2. Split two main courses. My favorite was the Fresh Tuna in an aromatic crust(Sesame seeds) Grand Marnier orange mango sauce, spinach and crispy sweet potatoes. My favorite dish of the evening. It was on the rare side in the center and fully cooked on the outside. It was orgasmic. I will be back for this scrumptious dish. ($22) I would also recommend the Salmon wrapped in potato. (Salmone in Crosta di Patate all Senape) Baked salmon, wrapped in potatoes. Served in dijon mustard sauce, asparagus, frisse and pine nuts. It was my second favorite entree.(19) My photographer liked this best. For dessert we split the exceptional fruit tart and the Tiramusu. The desserts are a work of art. My photographer thought the Tiramusu was the best she has ever eaten. I adored the fresh fruit tart. Tuna fans will not be dissapointed with the incredible presentation and the beautiful and large portions. Go hungry and go often. I will. The photo tour will be coming soon. East River Cafe 1111 First Avenue 212-980-3144 (We also tried the four cheese pizza, the tomato and buffalo mozzarella salad and a shrimp and pasta special. Everything was tasty but the fish was in another league. If you love tuna and salmon you need to go to East River Cafe.) This is a heaven for fish lovers. Skip the fruit, skip the pizza. Go for the fish) In addition, the owner makes you feel very comfortable and welcome in his restaurant. We started dining at 6:30 and left at 10. It is a very comfortable and exceptional place. More on this soon. I had an incredible experience. I am stuffed. Tomorrow I intend on going for a run in Central Park. What Are You Doing In March? February 19, 2007 5:27 PM Why not check out some great Cabaret at the Metropolitan Room: MARCH AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM 3/1 7:00- Suzanne Fiore Suzanne studied voice and performed in Italy at the Spoleto Vocal Arts Festival, was a soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra, toured the country with the National tour of Ragtime and Cameron Machintosh's Oliver! 20.00 9:30- “Rendezvous - an Evening with Edith, Jacques, Charles and Friends” Featuring: Greg Purnhagen, Carmen Lamar, Katie Geissinger, Brenda Bush and Philip Anderson A dazzling and passionate revue featuring the best of Piaf, Brel and Aznavour, plus Parisian-themed classics from “friends” like Porter, Legrand and Sondheim. 25.00 3/2 7:00- Raissa Bennett “It’s Possible” Back by popular demand for 2 shows only! Raissa’s newest cabaret show, travels through the chapters and challenges of life on this earth, and the numerous possibilities that each holds for us. On Broadway, Raissa performed as "Christine Daae" in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and she also performed in the Los Angeles and National Touring Companies of PHANTOM. Also on Broadway, Raissa appeared in the Actor’s Fund Benefit Concert of CHESS. In the First National Tour of CATS, she pounced on the roles of "Jellylorum/Griddlebone” and "Jennyanydots”. She was thrilled to work with the original creative team of director Harold Prince, choreographer Patricia Birch, author Alfred Uhry, and composer Jason Robert Brown in the First National Tour of PARADE as "Lizzie Phagan.” 20.00 10:30- Ross Patterson and the Ross Patterson Little Big Band Ross kicks off his monthy gig at the Metropolitan Room. The first Friday of each month is JAZZ FRIDAY with The Ross Patterson Little Big Band! Accomplished pianist and arranger Ross Patterson lends his eclectic taste and style to standards and his own original tunes. Joined by Aaron Heick on sax, Antoine Silverman on violin, Tom Hubbard on bass and Eric Halvorson on drums, The Little Big Band promises an evening full of energy, great melodies and a touch of humor. 20.00 3/3 5:00- “Rendezvous - an Evening with Edith, Jacques, Charles and Friends” 25.00 8:00- Tracy Stark “Feast For The Heart” Join Tracy and her friends, as she celebrates the arrival of her new, long-awaited CD, Feast for the Heart. Tracy Stark, piano/vocals Skip Ward, bass David Silliman, drums Vocalists - Jackie Fornatale, Rob Langeder, Miles Phillips, Alisa Schiff, Michael Vaccaro, Steven Ray Watkins, Heidi Weyhmueller. 20.00 3/4 7:00- Lennie Watts “Manilow ’73-‘83” Multi Award winning vocalist, Lennie Watts, pays tribute to one of America's greatest entertainers. From "I Write The Songs" to "Weekend In New England". A fresh look at some of our all time favorite songs! 20.00 9:30- Raissa Bennett “It’s Possible” 20.00 3/5 7:00- Lennie Watts “Manilow ’73-‘83” 20.00 9:30- “Friends With Benefits” MAC Award winner Amy Wolk hosts an evening of music and comedy featuring friends from "Mamma Mia", "Hairspray", "Mary Poppins", and "Les Miz", benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. 15.00 3/6 7:00- Annie Ross Annie Ross has been an abundant contributor to the art of jazz for over 50 years. A founding member of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, considered the greatest jazz vocal ensemble of all time, her influence is present in all subsequent practitioners of vocalese. “Twisted“ has been recorded by a host of vocalists, including some not normally associated with jazz, including Joni Mitchell and Bette Midler. She toured in the 50’s with the extraordinary Lionel Hampton band, and has recorded with James Moody, Kenny Clarke, Milt Jackson, Harry Sweets Edison, the Count Basie band, Louis Armstrong, Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Chet Baker and many more. $25.00 9:30- Tim Sullivan Singer/Songwriter Tim Sullivan sings his new batch of songs with special guest Robin Brooks. 20.00 3/7 7:00- “GASHOLE” Multi-Award winning performers Karen Mack and Michael Holland are back with the latest incarnation of their popular show “Hole-O-Matic”! The audience picks the entire show from hundreds of songs in the “Hole-a-dex”. CHOSEN BEST NYC CLUB ACT, MUSICAL DUO/GROUP FOR 3 YEARS RUNNING! (Show Business Weekly 2004, 2003 & 2002) $20.00 9:30- Craig Pomranz "one of New York's most critically-acclaimed saloon singers" (New York Magazine), makes his Metropolitan Room debut! 20.00 3/8 8:00- Michael Amante The Metropolitan Room welcomes this International Recording Artist! Michael Amante, one of the most talked about upcoming American tenors on either side of the pop/classical divide, creates buzz among everyone who hears his voice. Backed by his extensive fan base and rave reviews, momentum continues to build behind this inspired artist. 30.00 10:30- Stacy Sullivan “My Romance” Stacy Sullivan returns to New York with Ted Firth as Musical Director performing highlights from her MAC Award Nominated "West on 40" along with new material from her upcoming Album. 20.00 3/9 8:00- Michael Amante 30.00 10:00- Michael Amante 30.00 3/10- 5:00- “Rendezvous - an Evening with Edith, Jacques, Charles and Friends” 25.00 8:00- Michael Amante 30.00 10:00- Michael Amante 30.00 3/11 4:00- Jenna Esposito “SMOOCH” With Fortune Esposito, guitar; Richard Schacher, piano; Saadi Zain, bass; Tom Venable, drums; Kelly Esposito-Broelmann and Sue Matsuki, backup vocals. Jenna Esposito will be singing some favorite tunes about everyone's favorite pastime...SMOOCHING! The show includes songs from such varied composers as Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Bonnie Raitt, Rodgers and Hart, and more. 20.00 7:00- - Lennie Watts “Manilow ’73-‘83” 20.00 9:30- Jason Danieley “Love: A Work in Progress” Currently starring in Kander & Ebbs new musical Curtains on Broadway Jason, who usually is seen around town and the country performing with his wife Marin Mazzie, is making his solo debut at the Metropolitan Room. Described as an “American Popular Song – Cycle” with an acoustic folk/pop sound. Exploring that elusive thing called love. 25.00 3/12 7:00 - Lennie Watts “Manilow ’73-‘83” 20.00 9:30 – Tom Wopat Broadway and television star, Tom Wopat, returns to the Metropolitan Room for ONE NIGHT ONLY! 25.00 3/13 7:00- Annie Ross 25.00 9:30- Gino Stitson and James Uhart “CONVERSATION” New York-based Cameroonian vocal virtuoso Gino Sitson & rising star British pianist James Uhart perform tunes from their upcoming album "Conversation". NOT TO BE MISSED! 15.00 3/14 7:00- “GASHOLE” 20.00 9:30- Gino Stitson and James Uhart “CONVERSATION” 15.00 3/15 8:00- Johhny Rodgers Band Johnny Rodgers - Vocals, Acoustic Piano Danny Mallon - Drums,Percussion, Background Vocals Joe Ravo - Nylon String Guitar Brian Glassman - Double Bass. Hailed by critics, singer songwriter pianist Johnny Rodgers explodes on the music scene like a supernova. The Metropolitan welcomes this musical powerhouse. 25.00 10:00- Johnny Rodgers Band 25.00 3/16 8:00- Johnny Rodgers Band 25.00 10:00- Johnny Rodgers Band 25.00 3/17 8:00- Johnny Rodgers Band 25.00 10:00- Johnny Rodgers Band 25.00 3/18 4:00- Marieann Meringolo “Here’s To The Ladies” MAC and Back Stage Bistro Award-winning vocalist celebrates her dazzling new show & CD/DVD Release: Live at the Metropolitan Room “HERE’S TO THE LADIES!” A SALUTE TO GREAT LADIES IN SONG is a brilliant new show conceived by adored vocalist Marieann Meringolo. A celebration of wonderful songs and the Ladies who made them famous - Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Dionne Warwick, Edith Piaf, Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland are just some of the Divas that will be saluted in this very exciting and entertaining show. 20.00 7:00- Barbara Fasano “Round About” Barbara Fasano, who packed the Metropolitan room back in November with the launch of her new CD, "WRITTEN IN THE STARS" now returns with a new set, accompanied by John di Martino at the piano. The show is called "ROUND ABOUT" and in addition to singing a few Arlen tunes from her critically acclaimed album, Fasano will sing songs by Kurt Weill, Vernon Duke, Duke Ellington, Jule Styne, Jerome Kern, Carolyn Leigh and others. 20.00 9:30- “CASHINO” Comedienne Susan Mosher (Hairspray) and recording artist John Boswell star as Johnny Niagra and Pepper Cole in the NY debut of the LA cult hit, CASHINO. CASHINO combines film and live performance like never before. Each show opens with a different short film about the lives of two legendary singers and their struggle to become internet entrepreneurs. Johnny and Pepper then entertain audiences in person with a high energy, high strung and emotionally charged live set. Known for seamlessly blending 80’s pop/rock with classic show tunes, medleys include: “The Queen & I,” “Midler On The Roof,” and “The Prince & The Poppins.” Where Melissa Manchester meets “Spinal Tap”, CASHINO is the multimedia event that will rock your world! 20.00 3/19 7:00- Lennie Watts “Manilow ’73-‘83” 20.00 9:30- Jason Danieley “Love: A Work in Progress” 25.00 3/20 7:00- Annie Ross 25.00 9:00- METROJAM Come “Jam” with some of NY’s hottest singers and musicians. Listen or join in! Hosted by Joe Bachana. 10.00 3/21 7:00- “Gashole” 20.00 9:30- Joyce Lyons “Spring Is Here” After hibernating in the hills of Connecticut, Joyce Lyons returns to the warming embrace of the New York stage! Although everything has its' season, jazz is ultimately always about spring. Join Joyce, and discover your own Spring! 20.00 3/22 8:00- Marilyn Maye The Metropolitan Room welcomes back the legendary Miss Maye! Maye sang 75 times on Johnny Carson's late-night show -more than any other performer. Carson called her a "super singer," and Doc Severinsen said she was his "favorite girl singer." Critic Rex Reed described her as "mesmerizing." A MUST SEE!! 25.00 10:30- Marilyn Maye 25.00 3/23 8:00- Marilyn Maye 25.00 10:30- Marilyn Maye 25.00 3/24 8:00- Marilyn Maye 25.00 10:30- Marilyn Maye 25.00 3/25 4:00- Marieann Meringolo “Here’s To The Ladies” 20.00 7:00- Marilyn Maye 25.00 9:30- Kathleen Landis and Evan Stern "Let's Misbehave! A Jazz Era Romp" Legendary singer-pianist Kathleen Landis teams up with up and comer Evan Stern for a music filled journey through the Prohibition years. 25.00 3/26 7:00- Lennie Watts “Manilow ’73-‘83” 20.00 9:30- Steven Brinberg is “Simply Barbra” The Diva makes her much anticipated return to the Metropolitan Room! SPECIAL GUEST: STAR OF EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, SAM ARCHER! 25.00 3/27 7:00- Annie Ross 25.00 9:30- The Nate Birkey Quartet Birkey's live performances, as well as his newest CD combine straight-ahead jazz with occasional detours into blues, Latin Jazz, gospel, and even country; but maintain a cohesive sound throughout which is passionate, intelligent and haunting. For his debut at the Metropolitan, Nate will be revisiting the music of Chet baker, one of his life-long idols, as well as performing some of his original compositions.15.00 3/28 7:00- “Gashole” 20.00 9:30- Joyce Lyons “Spring Is Here” 20.00 3/29 7:30- Jamie deRoy and Friends Jamie deRoy has been declared "The Fairy Godmother of Cabaret" because she has helped so many performers in the cabaret world. But life is much more than a cabaret for the versatile performer, who is equally celebrated as an actress, record producer, and talk show host. Join Jamie and guests for an evening of comedy and music. 20.00 10:30- Marilyn Maye 25.00 3/30 8:00- Marilyn Maye 25.00 10:30- Marilyn Maye 25.00 3/31 5:00- Jennifer Pade Jennifer Pade makes her Metropolitan Room debut for two performances. Her torchy voice weaves an urban thread of musical sophistication. Innovative interpretations of the American popular songbook and more reaffirms that indeed the cabaret nightlife is alive and well in New York City. Jennifer's show, directed by Lina Koutrakos, with arrangements by Rick Jensen, promises to satisfy any discerning music lover! 15.00 8:00- Marilyn Maye 25.00 10:30- Marilyn Maye 25.00 COMING TO THE METROPOLITAN ROOM IN APRIL: EUAN MORTON! KRISTINE ZBORNIK! LAUREL MASSE! TAMMY GRIMES! BRYAN BATT! BILL MCKINLEY! KIM GARFUNKLE! “THE BOBS”! TERESE GENECCO! ADI BRAUN! AND “THE FABULOUS PINK FLAMINGOS”! The Metropolitan Room 34 West 22 (between 5th and 6th Ave.) Reservations strongly suggested (212) 206-0440 Each show has a 2 drink minimum Credit cards accepted Schedule subject to change. Check out www.metropolitanroom.com GOSSIP GOSSIP February 19, 2007 11:57 AM Hungry and in a rush I ran into Michael Riedel, Broadway bad boy at my favorite Times Square hangout Raku. Riedel, known for making havoc and picking one star to ruin each year was charming and adorable. He was sitting in the middle of a large group of beautiful women having fun. He is always charming when I see him. He seemed to enjoy his delicious meal. Catch Nightlife Award Winner Lorinda Lisitiza!!! February 18, 2007 11:23 PM Wednesday, February 21st at 9:30 PM Lorinda Lisitza "Triumphant Baby" 20 Cover + 2 Beverage Minimum Call 212-206-0440 for tickets (The Metropolitan Room) Join 2007 Nightlife Award winner, Lorinda Lisitza for this special encore performance! A celebration featuring the music of Joe Iconis and Robert Maddock, recent graduates of Tisch NYU school of musical theatre. Their first collaboration "The Black Suits" (music and lyrics Joe Iconis, book Robert Maddock)has been optioned by MCC. They won a Daryl Roth Award for their second work, "Plastic! the Musical" (with Reza Jacobs. Mr. Iconis is also a recipient of a Jonathon Larson Award. The show in a nutshell ---- story songs, characters with something they have to say, crimes of great passion and depravity. Tales of Old Hollywood and 21st Century mythology---- the songs of Iconis & Maddock. The show will be directed by Brad Oscar, director of Broadway by the Year--1968 at The Town Hall. Mr. Oscar recently performed the role of the Emcee in the musical Cabaret at the Arena Stage in Washington D.C. and appeared on Broadway as Max Bialystock in the Producers. Lorinda Lisitza performed in the Off –Broadway shows Mother Courage (title role), The Threepenny Opera, Berlin to Broadway and in the York Theatre’s Musicals in Mufti series. In her 2002 cabaret debut, she won a MAC, a Back Stage Bistro, Theatermania.com “Female Debut” and was one of the Top Ten shows of the year on Cabarethotlineonline. She has performed at the Town Hall in “Broadway by the Year, 1968” and in concert in Wall to Wall Joni Mitchell at the Symphony Space, BAM and the Neue Galerie. Happy Chinese New Year! February 17, 2007 11:50 AM I love everything Chinese. I love the food. I love the clothing. I love the people. Happy New Year! PS If you love everything Chinese you should check out Radio City today. Watch the Chinese New Year Celebration. The dancers are very sleek and elegant. Happy New Year! Love, Corine Mayor Koch Shops At Fairway! February 17, 2007 12:23 AM Hey guys, Here is a funny spotting. Tonight, after spending my evening with my two closest friends we decided to shop at Fairway. I spotted Mayor Ed Koch and told one of my friends. Roni, That was Ed Koch I exclaimed. No, it wasn't, she replied. I ran into him in an aisle and introduced myself. He is a charming man. I wanted to ask him about "The Normal Heart" and his views on the AIDS Crises, but I didn't have it in me. He was very friendly and charming. Only in NYC can you spot Ed Koch buying groceries at 1O pm. I LOVE Living in NYC and I really liked meeting Ed Koch. Happy Presidents Weekend. Love and kisses, Corine John Tartaglia, Mary Testa, Heath Calvert and More. February 15, 2007 4:37 PM For Immediate Release CW 11 NEWS AND CENTER STAGE JOIN MY FIRST TIME BENEFIT SUSAN BLACKWELL HEATH CALVERT RICK CROM JEFFRY DENMAN ED DIXON HUNTER FOSTER STEPHANIE KURTZUBA MEGAN REINKING AND ASA SOMERS JOIN HUNTER BELL MATTHEW CAVENAUGH ANITA GILLETTE TERRI KLAUSNER GARRETT LONG MARY TESTA AND JOHN TARTAGLIA "MY FIRST TIME" An All-Star Concert To Benefit Quality Services for the Autistic Community (QSAC) Directed by IGOR GOLDIN Musical Direction by DAVID ANDREWS ROGERS ONE NIGHT ONLY! MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26 AT NEW WORLD STAGES TICKETS ON SALE NOW On Monday, February 26, producers Derek Collard and Gary Maffei are pleased to present "MY FIRST TIME," an all-star Broadway concert to benefit Quality Services for the Autistic Community (QSAC). Directed by Igor Goldin ("A Ritual of Faith") with musical direction by David Andrews Rogers, "MY FIRST TIME" will take place at New World Stages (340 West 50th St.) at 7 p.m. Featuring performances by Hunter Bell [title of show] Susan Blackwell - [title of show] Heath Calvert (Good Vibrations, The Children) Matt Cavenaugh (Urban Cowboy, Grey Gardens) Rick Crom (Urinetown, Footloose, The Goodbye Girl) Jeffry Denman (The Producers, White Christmas) Ed Dixon (Les Miserables, Under the Bridge) Hunter Foster (Urinetown, Little Shop Of Horrors, The Producers) Anita Gillette (Moonstruck, Carnival, Cabaret) Terri Klausner (Evita, Sophisticated Ladies) Stephanie Kurtzuba (The Boy From Oz, Mary Poppins) Garrett Long (The Spitfire Grill, Seussical) Megan Reinking - (Lestat, Dracula) Asa Somers (Grey Gardens, Taboo) John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, Beauty and the Beast) Mary Testa (On The Town, 42nd Street, Regrets Only) The Concert will be opened by CW 11 News at 10 Anchor Jim Watkins and closed by students from Center Stage Players from the Center Stage Theatre Company in Westport, CT singing Seasons of Change from RENT joined by a possible surprise guest. The concert features a variety of first-hand stories and songs from the performers' own "first" experiences, such as the first show they were in, their first professional stage success or the first show or star that inspired them to follow their hearts to Broadway. Additional performers will be announced soon. Director Igor Goldin received the 2006 Award for Excellence in Direction for his work on "Common Grounds" in the 2006 New York Musical Theatre Festival. Previously with NYMF he directed Joseph and David Zellnik's World War II musical "Yank!" His Off-Broadway credits include the critically acclaimed New York premieres of "A Ritual of Faith" (The Lion Theatre) and the musical "The Snow Queen" (The Triad). Tickets for this one-night-only event can be reserved by calling QSAC directly at 212-244-5560 ext. 2035. Tickets are priced at $25, $45 and $65. For further information on "MY FIRST TIME" and QSAC, please contact Derek Collard at derektravis@mac.com or visit Mis Understanding Mammy Is A MUST SEE! February 15, 2007 9:24 AM EMERGING ARTISTS THEATRE Proudly Presents the World Premiere of CAPATHIA JENKINS in (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY The Hattie McDaniel Story Written by JOAN ROSS SORKIN Directed by DAVID GLENN ARMSTRONG Musical Supervision by LANCE HORNE FOUR-WEEK OFF-BROADWAY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT FEBRUARY 7TH – MARCH 4TH AT THEATRE 5 TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT EATHEATRE.ORG Capathia Jenkins is Hattie McDaniel in EMERGING ARTISTS THEATRE’s premiere of (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story. This play with music will be part of the company’s second annual Triple Threat, which premieres three full-length plays by emerging playwrights. (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story will play a four-week off-Broadway engagement at Theatre 5 (311 West 43rd St., 5th Floor—btw. Eighth and Ninth Avenues). Performances begin Wednesday, February 7th, and continue through Sunday, March 4th. Tickets are $40.00 and $20.00 with student ID. TDF accepted. For reservations, please call (212) 247-2429 or visit www.eatheatre.org to purchase tickets online. CAPATHIA JENKINS is making her dramatic debut portraying Hattie McDaniel. She received rave reviews for her performance in the Broadway hit Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, and has also starred in Broadway productions of Caroline, Or Change, The Civil War, and Bacharach and David’s The Look of Love. Jenkins reflected on this phenomenal opportunity: “I am honored, humbled and thrilled to be playing Hattie McDaniel. This project is definitely a highlight of my career, to portray the first black woman to win an Oscar for Gone With The Wind and that’s just one aspect of this extraordinary woman’s life. The chance to do a challenging dramatic piece at Emerging Artists Theatre where they nurture new works is an actor’s dream.” (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story is a play with music that reveals a side of Hattie McDaniel’s life that few people knew. Hattie achieved stardom by becoming the first African-American to win an Academy Award, but she paid a high price for fame. By playing a succession of maids and cooks, most notably Mammy in Gone With the Wind, she became the target of an unrelenting campaign against “Mammyism” led by Walter White of the NAACP, who thought her roles were shameful and degrading to their race. Despite her own efforts to bring dignity and humanity to her roles, within seven years of winning her Oscar, her film career was virtually destroyed. The play is set in 1952 at the Motion Picture Country Home and Hospital in Woodlands Hills, California, where Hattie is battling breast cancer. In her weakened state of mind, she imagines that Walter White has come to visit her and possibly reconcile their differences. For the first time Hattie directly confronts her most vocal critic to prove to him that she was in fact a credit to her race. In recounting her miraculous life story as the daughter of a slave who became a world-renowned movie star, Hattie proudly illuminates a life that was too often misunderstood. JOAN ROSS SORKIN, the playwright, chose Hattie McDaniel as the subject of her latest work because “the highs and lows of her remarkable life are so ripe for dramatization.” The play goes beyond the historical facts to explore Hattie’s emotional journey in meeting the challenges of pursuing her career in the face of public criticism for the very work that made her famous. Sorkin is “thrilled to be working with David Glenn Armstrong and Capathia Jenkins on this endeavor. Between David’s creative vision and Capathia’s exuberance, audiences will be fascinated and charmed by the Hattie recreated in the play. Best of all, Capathia gets to sing her heart out, recalling Hattie’s nightclub days before arriving in Hollywood.” DAVID GLENN ARMSTRONG, the play’s director noted, “When I first read the script, I was absolutely stunned by this astonishing no-holds-barred portrait of Hattie McDaniel’s personal battles against those who accused her of perpetuating racial stereotypes. The play so beautifully counterbalances the tragedy in Hattie’s life with her amazing perseverance and resilience.” Lance Horne (Broadway’s Little Women) will serve as musical supervisor for the production, which features scenic design by Robert Monaco, costume design by Amy Elizabeth Bravo, lighting design by Jenny Granrud and sound design by Ned Thorne. Jenny Granrud is the stage manager and Daniel Haley will be the associate director. (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, March 4th. Wednesday, 2 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 5 p.m. Please NOTE: There will be NO late seating for this production. Tickets are $40 (group rates available) and are now available online at www.eatheatre.org or by calling 212-247-2429. Tickets may also be purchased in person on the day of the performance at Theatre 5, 311 West 43rd Street, 5th Floor. BIOGRAPHIES CAPATHIA JENKINS (Hattie McDaniel) took a show-stopping turn in the Broadway hit Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, and has also starred in Broadway productions of Caroline, Or Change, The Civil War and Bacharach and David’s The Look of Love. She has appeared in numerous Off-Broadway productions, including the recent York Theatre revival of Godspell, The Princess and the Black-Eyed Pea and After Hours. Her national and European tours include Dreamgirls, Bubblin’ Brown Sugar, Sophisticated Rhythms and Uptown Saturday Night. Television credits include The Practice, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, The Sopranos, 100 Centre Street, Third Watch, Corn, Mari X and America’s Most Wanted. Capathia just released her debut CD with composer Louis Rosen entitled South Side Stories available on cdbaby.com. Capathia can also be heard on the film soundtracks of Chicago and Legally Blonde 2. www.capathiajenkins.com . JOAN ROSS SORKIN (Playwright): Emerging Artists Theatre Company: Sweating it Out, The Confessional (& PBS pilot), Glimmer of Hope, L-O-V-E (published by United Stages), A Brooklyn Tale (Double Decker); Anyplace But Here (Lab). Samuel French One-Act Festival: Chasing Tigers (Finalist); Going Too Far, L-O-V-E, Therapy, New York-Style, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do. Other Off-Off Broadway plays: The Survival Collection. Regional: Anyplace But Here, A Brooklyn Tale, Survival, Fleetwood Stage/The Foundry/Platform (New Rochelle, NY); Soup’s On!: Honorable Mention, Cincinnati Celtic World Festival (Cincinnati, OH); Soft Whisper, Vortex Theatre (Albuquerque, NM). Musicals: Isabelle and The Pretty-Ugly Spell (co-book): 2005 New York Musical Theatre Festival (Outstanding New Family-Oriented Musical by TalkinBroadway.com), Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre (Coral Gables, FL 2005 Winner, National Children’s Theatre Festival), The York Theatre (developmental reading series, NYC), ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop (NYC), Summer Stage 2002 (commission-Drexel Hill, PA); The Real McCoy (co-book): BlackJacks Festival, NYU/CAP21 (workshop). Opera: Strange Fruit (libretto): NYCity Opera VOX 2003: Showcasing American Composers, commission—Long Leaf Opera (Chapel Hill, NC—premiere, July 2007), Finalist, O’Neill Music Theater Conference. Member: Dramatists Guild, BMI Musical Theatre Workshop, Emerging Artists Theatre Co. (NYC). Sorkin was formerly an attorney on Wall Street. DAVID GLENN ARMSTRONG (Director) has staged over 125 productions and workshops seen in 49 states including work at the NY Shakespeare Festival, Walnut Street, Long Wharf, Manhattan Theatre Club, NYMF, Arkansas Rep, Mason Street Warehouse, Anchorage Opera, Iowa Shakespeare, Pacific Repertory Opera, New Dramatists, Aaron Davis Hall, NY International Fringe Festival and the York. He has premiered works by Jonathan Larson, Joan Ross Sorkin, Steven Fisher, Ed Dixon, Bill Zeffiro, Jack Lechner, Denver Casado, Sam Davis, Peter Yarin and Douglas Parker. David is the former artistic director of both Denver’s Ascot Theatre and the Harrisburg Opera and was a founding member of the Directors’ Company for NYU’s Graduate Dramatic Writing Program. Corporate industrials have taken him around the world, including upcoming stops in Dubai, Shanghai and Moscow. He is proudest of the diversity of his work and may be the only director in recorded history to have helmed productions of Dreamgirls, Romeo and Juliet, Nunsense and Don Giovanni. LANCE HORNE (Musical Supervisor) has written musicals, scores for plays, dance and classical works seen at NY Theatre Workshop, Joe’s Pub, Lincoln Center, Mark Taper Forum, NAMT, NY Musical Theatre Festival, Lucille Lortel, HERE, American Opera Projects, The Zipper, Spiegeltent, Juilliard, NYU, Bard and Interlochen. Opening numbers for Actors Fund and BC/EFA Gypsy of the Year ’04, ’05, ’06. Vocal Arrangements for Little Women, Broadway and national tour. BM, MM, The Juilliard School. Faculty: Juilliard, NYU & EAMA, Paris. 2006 Jonathan Larson Award. Residencies: O’Neill Center NMTF, Franklin Furnace, HERE: HARP, TheatreWorks Palo Alto, Centennial University, Interlochen, The New School, CAP21. Recordings: Songs from an Unmade Bed (Ghostlight), One Life, Many Voices (One Life to Live), Little Women (Ghostlight), A Season’s Promise (New World Records). TV: ABC’s Lincoln Center Tree Lighting starring Sesame Street, NBC’s 80th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: King Tutenstein Float for Diana DeGarmo & The Phoenix Boys Choir. His band Lance Horne & The One Night Stands has upcoming performances on both coasts, Vegas, London and South Korea, releasing their first album this season. This play shows what an incredible talent Ms. Jenkins is. She is fantastic. A must see! Catch Eric Comstock On Monday! February 14, 2007 11:02 PM One of my favorite performers is playing at the Metropolitan Room! Check it out! Sunday, February 18th to Monday, February 19th at 7:00 PM Eric Comstock "ERIC COMSTOCK SALUTES THE MANHATTAN MASTERS" 25 Cover + 2 Beverage Minimum 212-206-0440 for tickets A NEW SHOW EACH WEEK! (Feb. 18, 19) THE MUSIC THAT MAKES ME DANCE: A JULE STYNE SONGBOOK (Feb. 25, 26) LUSH LIFE & OTHER SALOON SONGS Eric Comstock, acknowledged to be one of the premier performers and preservers of the Great American Songbook, debuts MANHATTAN MASTERS, a series of four different shows that honor New York-based songwriters. Included in the four is an encore of his acclaimed Jule Styne show, which was presented by Lincoln Center's American Songbook in 2006. "Complementing Mr. Comstock's suppleness as a performer is an ingenious musical wit .. " -- Stephen Holden, The New York Times "Eric Comstock is keeping a cherished tradition alive for a new generation.” Rex Reed, The New York Observer ERIC COMSTOCK , pianist, vocalist, arranger, writer, and raconteur, as been described as “suave, smart, funny, and utterly delightful ... an ingenious musical wit ... an ideal balance of swinging precision and good-humored warmth” by Stephen Holden of The New York Times and “an icon in the making” by The New Yorker. Eric and his trio launched three new concert programs in 2006: a tribute to composer Jule Styne, “The Music That Makes Me Dance”, at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Allen Room, “Mostly Strayhorn”, an evening of songs by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, and “Remembering Charles DeForest”. In 2005, Eric added the role of acclaimed recording artist to his success as an entertainer with his third and latest CD, “NO ONE KNOWS”, a refreshing mix of standards and rarities by Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, Stephen Sondheim and other masters of pop and jazz. “Comstock has a voice that flows as smoothly as rye and sweet vermouth over ice ... jump for joy!” raved JazzTimes critic Christopher Loudon. The title song is a Billy Strayhorn song being given its premiere vocal recording. Solo New York engagements include Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series, Birdland, Iridium, The Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, Feinstein’s at The Regency and The Supper Club. Concert appearances include Carnegie Hall (JVC Jazz Festival and the Harold Arlen Centennial Concert), Alice Tully Hall, Symphony Space, Merkin Hall, Town Hall and the 92nd Street Y’s “Jazz in July” festival. Eric is the co-creator of three critically acclaimed shows which tour coast to coast: “Our Sinatra”, which ran over 1,300 performances Off-Broadway; “Made for the Movies: A Hollywood Songbook”, a jazz spin on American film music that ran two consecutive years at the Algonquin’s Oak Room; and “Singing Astaire”, which enjoyed a long run at the legendary jazz club Birdland. He has been featured on CBS’s Early Show, CNN’s Showbiz Today, National Public Radio’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross and JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Public Radio International’s The Next Big Thing with Dean Olsher. He has been profiled in Newsday, The San Francisco Chronicle, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The San Francisco Examiner, The Star Ledger and magazines such as Time Out New York, Avenue, Savvy, Gavin, and Cabaret Scenes. His work has been referenced in articles in Vanity Fair and The New York Review of Books and the recent books Intimate Nights and The American Songbook. Eric has published articles on the lyricist E.Y. (Yip) Harburg, the composer Cole Porter, jazz musician Freddy Cole and the entertainer Bobby Short. Eric’s solo recordings include “NO ONE KNOWS,” “ALL HART,” and “YOUNG MAN OF MANHATTAN.” In 2006, he appeared as a guest on Barbara Fasano’s Harold Arlen CD “WRITTEN IN THE STARS” (Human Child Records) and with Audra McDonald, Kelli O’Hara, Marin Mazzie, Rebecca Luker, and Victoria Clark on PS Classics’ “JULE STYNE IN HOLLYWOOD.” In Rex Reed’s words, “Eric Comstock is a busy little wunderkind, keeping a cherished tradition alive for a new generation.” Eric lives in New York with his wife, vocalist Barbara Fasano. Sad That You are Snowed In? Celebrate V DAY ON SUNDAY INSTEAD! February 14, 2007 6:39 PM Happy Valentine's Day from David Gurland. If you can make it I would suggest it. I am celebrating Valentine's Day with David since I am snowed in my apt today. Hope you can make it. He is amazing! This Sunday DGUR IN CONCERT #2 ALL COUNTRY MUSIC NIGHT! (We should call it ALL GRAMMY Winners night) Featuring songs by the Dixie Chicks, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Faith Hill, Glenn Campbell, KD Lang, Loretta Lynn and more Special guests Lisa Asher (2007 Nightlife Award Winner Outstanding Female Vocalist) and Randi Driscoll (Songwriter of”What Matters” featured in the NBC film, "The Matthew Shepard Story"). The evening will be musically directed by Tim DiPasqua (2007 Nightlife Award Winner Outstanding Revue-Variety performance) Sunday February 18th, 2007 7PM NEXT DAY is a HOLIDAY!!!!! 407 W 42nd Street (@9th) www.westbankcafe.com $16 cover $15 food/drink minimum 212-695-6909/Reservations suggested. Credit cards accepted. Feinstein's At The Regency! February 13, 2007 2:24 PM FEINSTEIN’S AT THE REGENCY UPDATED WINTER / SPRING 2007 SEASON DIAHANN CARROLL “Both Sides Now” March 6 – 17 BETTY BUCKLEY “Singin’ For My Supper” March 27 – April 7 JACKIE MASON “All New: A Pre-Broadway Comedy Workout” April 10 – 21 DONNY OSMOND “Love Songs of the 70’s” April 24 – 28 LINDA EDER May 1 – 12 FEINSTEIN’S AT THE REGENCY plays the following schedule: Tuesday through Saturday at 8:30 PM with late shows on Friday and Saturday at 11:00 PM. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no late shows for Ms. Carroll’s engagement. Ms. Buckley’s shows have a $60.00 cover; all shows listed above have a $75.00 cover. All shows have a $40.00 minimum. Jackets are suggested, but not required. FEINSTEIN’S AT THE REGENCY is located at 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street in New York City. For ticket reservations and club information call (212) 339-4095, or visit Ticketweb.com or feinsteinsattheregency.com. ------------------------------------------------------------ FEINSTEIN’S AT THE REGENCY SUNDAY & MONDAY NIGHT SERIES WINTER / SPRING 2007 MICHAEL CAVANAUGH March 4 – 5 BOBBY BELFRY “Where Or When” March 11 GIANNI RUSSO March 12 and May 7 CRISTINA FONTANELLI April 9 JUDI MARIE CANTERINO & FRIENDS April 15 RON GARTNER April 16 EILEEN FULTON April 22 – 23, 29 – 30 JEFF HARNAR “Dancing In The Dark” May 6, 13, 20, 27 and June 3, 10, 17, 24 HARVEY GRANAT May 14 and 21 BRANDON CUTRELL CD Release Event June 4 RENDEZVOUS – AN EVENING WITH EDITH, JACQUES, CHARLES & FRIENDS June 11 and 18 The special Sunday and Monday Night Series at FEINSTEIN’S AT THE REGENCY has performances at 8:30 PM. Bobby Belfry, Judi Marie Canterino, Eileen Fulton, Brandon Cutrell and Rendezvous and have a $25.00 cover charge. Michael Cavanaugh, Gianni Russo, Jeff Harnar, Cristina Fontanelli and Harvey Granat have a $40.00 cover. All shows have a two drink minimum. Jackets are suggested, but not required. FEINSTEIN’S AT THE REGENCY is located at 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street in New York City. For ticket reservations and club information call (212) 339-4095, or visit Ticketweb.com or feinsteinsattheregency.com. Broadway Playhouse- Irving Berlin! February 12, 2007 11:38 PM Kaufman Center Presents Broadway Playhouse Irving Berlin (Annie Get Your Gun) at Merkin Concert Hall, Sunday, March 11, 2006 at 11:00am New York, NY, 2/5/06—Kaufman Center presents the season’s final show in its acclaimed new family series, Broadway Playhouse, Sunday, March 11 at 11 AM in Merkin Concert Hall. The concert will focus on the music of Irving Berlin and his musical Annie Get Your Gun. Host Sean Hartley will be joined by an engaging cast of singer/comedians including Jason Robinson and Kathryn Markey, and music director Jihwan Kim for this family-friendly exploration of Broadway’s great musicals. The concert will include sing-alongs, interactive games and prizes, audience participation and a mini-musical version of Berlin’s Classic Annie Get Your Gun. ABOUT ANNIE GET YOUR GUN ANNIE GET YOUR GUN is a romantic comedy about a true American legend, Annie Oakley, the greatest sharpshooter of her time. Annie loves fellow sharpshooter Frank Butler, and he loves her, but Frank’s preconceptions of what a girl should be, and the fact that Annie is a better shot than he is, keep getting in the way. The show’s hit-packed score is one of the greatest ever written for Broadway, including “There’s No Business Like Show Business”, “You Can’t Get A Man With A Gun”, “Anything You Can Do”, “I Got the Sun in the Morning” and “Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly.” ABOUT IRVING BERLIN Irving Berlin once said, "a patriotic song is an emotion and you must not embarrass an audience with it, or they will hate your guts." This philosophy made him one of America's most outstanding writers of patriotic songs from World War I through World War II. Berlin was born Israel Baline in Eastern Russia on May 11, 1888. He was one of eight children born to Leah and Moses Baline. His father was a shochet (one who kills animals as prescribed by Jewish religious laws) and the synagogue’s cantor. His family moved to New York in 1893 to escape the Russian pogroms . At the age of eight, he took to the streets of New York City’s Lower East Side to help support his family after his father’s death. In the early 1900s he worked as a singing waiter in many restaurants and started writing songs. His first published hit was "Marie from Sunny Italy;" his successes continued through the years. During World War I, he wrote the musical Yip, Yip, Yaphank, which was produced by the men of Camp Upton. The big hit song in this musical was "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning," which reflected Berlin's aversion to rising early. This musical raised more than $150,000 to build a service center at Camp Upton. On Armistice Day, 1938, he introduced "God Bless America," sung by Kate Smith. This song threatened to replace the national anthem because of its patriotism and popularity. He wrote the musical This is the Army, in the midst of World War II which raised $10 million for the Army Emergency Relief. Hits from this musical were "This is the Army, Mr. Jones" and I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen." He also wrote several patriotic songs for the American Red Cross such as "Any Bonds Today?," "Arms for the Love of America," and "Angels of Mercy". A prolific writer, Berlin composed more than 900 songs, 19 musicals and 18 movie scores. Some of his songs that have become classics include "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Easter Parade," and "White Christmas." He is the top money maker among songwriters in America. In 1924, songwriter Jerome Kern observed, "Irving Berlin has no place in American music. He is American music." On February 18, 1955, President Eisenhower presented him with a gold medal in recognition of his services to the country by composing patriotic songs. Berlin assigned the copyright for "God Bless America" to the God Bless America Fund, which has raised millions of dollars for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Berlin's World War I doughboy uniform and many of his original patriotic scores are on display in the Jewish War Veterans Museum in Washington, D.C. Irving Berlin died on September 22, 1989, at the age of 101. ABOUT SEAN HARTLEY Sean Hartley is a teacher, director, playwright, lyricist and composer. His works for television include songs for the Disney Channel’s The Book of Pooh and Bear in the Big Blue House. He was nominated for a 2003 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics for the off-Broadway production of Cupid and Psyche, which received its world premiere at the Village Theater in Seattle and has been produced subsequently at regional theaters across the country. His musical Little Women, with songs by Kim Oler and Alison Hubbard, has also been produced at several regional theaters, including the Spirit of Broadway in Norwich, CT. He is currently working on several projects, including King Matt, Buddy’s Tavern, Dysfunctional Fables and Snow, for which he is writing book, music and lyrics. He is the Director of the Theater Wing at the Kaufman Center in New York City, where he produces the concert series Broadway Close Up and Broadway Playhouse, and is the artistic director for the Poppy Seed Players. He is currently on the faculties of the Lucy Moses School and the Special Music School of America. Kaufman Center presents BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE IRVING BERLIN (Annie Get Your Gun) 129 W. 67th St. (between Broadway and Amsterdam) Sunday, March 11, 2007 at 11:00 AM Single tickets are $20 Call the Box Office at 212 501 3330 or order online at www.merkinconcerthall.org Broadway Playhouse is made possible in part with support from ASCAP, BMI, Helene Blue Musique, Brown/Levande Family, Edward T. Cone Foundation, Barbara Bell Cumming Foundation, Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, the Edith Meiser Foundation, Janis and Alan Menken Foundation, Niederhoffer Foundation, Rodgers and Hammerstein Foundation, Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc., Shaw Family, Phyllis Fox and George Sternlieb Foundation and with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency. Special thanks to the friends and supporters of the Kaufman Center’s Theater Wing. Merkin Concert Hall receives support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation. Unwind With Wine! February 12, 2007 11:35 PM Dear Wine and food lovers. You should check out this event. I went to another wine event and it was a blast. Hope you can make it! Unwind with Wine™ Presents “Breaking All the Wine Rules” With Wine Educator Joshua Wesson of Best Cellars on February 26, 2007 WHAT Unwind with Wine™, a new wine tasting club, is delighted to host an iconoclastic wine tasting, “Breaking All the Wine Rules,” with the exuberant and amusing wine educator Joshua Wesson, who is also the founder of Best Cellars, a revolutionary NYC wine shop that takes the guess-work out of finding amazing bottles for under $15. Joshua will take on “taboos” like pairing white wine with red meat or wine with salad or artichokes. Our tasting will include six different kinds of wine unconventionally matched with dishes by Chef Pnina Peled of Ristorante Cinque Terre at the Jolly Hotel Madison Towers. Joshua Wesson is a leading authority on pairing wine with food. He writes for numerous national magazines and has appeared on several national morning shows including The Today Show and The CBS Early Show. WHEN Monday, February 26, 2006, 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. COST & R.S.V.P. $75 Space is limited. To R.S.V.P. and make payment, please visit http://www.unwindwithwine.com/events.html There will be no registrations or payments at the door. WHERE Jolly Hotel Madison Towers, 22 E. 38 Street (near Madison Avenue) ABOUT UNWIND WITH WINE™ Unwind with Wine™ (www.unwindwithwine.com) is an educational wine tasting and networking club that was founded by Hanna Lee of Hanna Lee Communications, Inc. in the summer of 2006. It features monthly tastings that cover the basics of wine with renowned wine journalists, authors and educators. Past speakers have included Eric Asimov, chief wine critic of the New York Times. Tastings go beyond wine to include a three-course tasting dinner prepared to match the wines and professional networking opportunities like our “60-Second Shameless Plug.” RISTORANTE CINQUE TERRE SPECIAL PROMOTIONS Aphrodisiac Valentine’s Day Tasting Menu This dinner showcases ingredients with purported aphrodisiac qualities and is priced at $80 per person, which includes a glass of Prosecco and a rose for each lady. http://jollymadison.com/pdf/ValentinesDay07.pdf Jersey City Theater February 12, 2007 5:05 AM JERSEY CITY THEATER CENTER Proudly Presents their Inaugural Production the World Premiere of LAND O’FIRE a new play written by LUIS SANTEIRO Starring DACYL ACEVEDO* SATOMI BLAIR MALACHY OROZCO JOSEPH MESIANO JASSIM LONE IAN LASSITER MARISA MARQUEZ *performing courtesy of actor’s equity association directed by JORGE CACHEIRO THREE-WEEK LIMITED OFF-OFF BROADWAY ENGAGEMENT FEBRUARY 16TH – MARCH 3RD AT THE WINGS THEATRE TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT WINGSTHEATRE.COM JERSEY CITY THEATER CENTER is pleased to announce their inaugural production, the World Premiere of LAND O’FIRE, a new play written by Luis Santerio and directed by Jorge Cacheiro. LAND O’FIRE will play a two-week limited engagement at The Wings Theatre, located at 154 West Christopher Street, New York, NY. Performances begin Friday, February 16, and continue through Sunday, March 3. LAND O’FIRE was the recipient of the National Latino Playwriting Award in 2005. Based on the story of two voyages of the HMS The Beagle to Tierra del Fuego in the 1830’s, Land O’ Fire is the story of South American Indians plucked from their home and transported to Victorian England to be “Christianized.” The growing attachment of one of the Indians, Jemmy Button, to his surrogate father, Captain Fitzroy, leads to inevitable heartbreak when Fitzroy returns the Indians to their home. Told from the point of view of the Indians, Land O’Fire is a remarkably timely work, hilarious at times yet always keenly insightful in its examination of life interfered with and forever damaged by association with a “superior” culture. The production features scenic design by J. Wiese, costume design by Debra Otte, with assistant design by Stephanie Cathro, who will also be doing the puppets. The lighting will be designed by Joe Doviak and sound designed by David Lawson. Marla Meisner will be composing music for the production. LAND O’FIRE plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, March 3: Wednesday at 8 p.m. Thursday at 8 p.m. Friday at 8 p.m. Saturday at 8 p.m. There are added 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances on Sunday, February 18th, at 25th. Tickets are $18 (students $15) and are now available online at www.wingstheatre.com or by calling 212-627-2961. BIOGRAPHIES LUIS SANTEIRO (Playwright) is a long-time writer of SESAME STREET, for which he has received fourteen Emmy Awards. He was also head writer of the first bilingual sitcom, QUE PASA, U.S.A.?, which aired on PBS and earned him another Emmy. His theatre work includes The Lady from Havana, A Royal Affair, Our Lady Of The Tortilla, Praying With The Enemy, The Rooster and the Egg, Mixed Blessings, and the musical Barrio Babies, with won both the Richard Rodgers and Edward Kleban awards. He recently completed his first novel, Dancing With Dictators. JORGE LUIS CACHEIRO (Director) has a long history of developing new work for both the commercial and experimental theater. He has directed world and/or west coast premiere plays by such prominent American playwrights as Harry Kondoleon, David Lindsay–Abaire and Eduardo Machado. His productions have been seen at major Off-Broadway theaters and at regional houses throughout the country. His own original projects in the experimental arena have received awards from the National Endowment for the Arts in the areas of directing, producing and opera/music theater and from the New York State Arts Council as a visual artist. He is the co-artistic director of Jersey City Theater Center and teaches at Montclair State University. The Jersey City Theater Center is dedicated to contributing to Jersey City’s cultural and entertainment scene by presenting provocative and challenging new theater work that embraces the diverse realities of the local Jersey City community, as well as the major issues of our times. Working with award winning local and national artists from all artistic disciplines, the Jersey City Theater Center’s goal is to help Jersey City earn an international reputation for innovation and excellence in the performing arts. Olga Levina, Jorge Cacheiro and Ben LoPiccolo formed JCTC in July 2006. The Wings Theater Company is an award-winning international direction and design partnership, uniting twelve talented professionals behind a shared artistic philosophy. Formed in 1997 by Robin A. Paterson, the studio aims to provide context, contact and community for theatrical creation, youth development and new media exploration. Lennie Watts Salutes Barry Manilow!!! Live At The Met!!!! (The Metropolitan Room) ;-) February 12, 2007 4:24 AM Hey there, Join me for my farewell to showbiz (at least for now). I've been doing shows since 1987, and I've had a Barry Manilow song in every one. I'm finally doing a show of all Barry!! Believe it or not, I've only done one of these songs in a past show. Hope you can join us for this great night of music! For more information and to buy tickets: 212-206-0440 Lennie is incredible! Check out his last few shows. Say it isn't so, Lennie. We love you! ;-) The show is a salute to Barry Manilow. The first show is 3/4, 3/5, 3/11 at the Metropolitan Room. Check out Lennie Watts fantastic show. I can't wait. Buy Something Sweet And Cuddly At Broadway Bears! February 10, 2007 11:22 PM Still need a gift for Valentine's Day? Buy something special for your loved one at Broadway Bears! ;-) Get your tickets now! Http;//www.broadwaycares.org Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Presents BROADWAY BEARS 10 The event will be hosted by Bryan Batt with Lorna Kelly serving as auctioneer. Below is a list of stars that will be in attendance and the shows they will be representing: Andrea Martin (CANDIDE Revival), Josh Strickland (TARZAN), Alice Playten (OLIVER), Jose Llana (THE KING & I / SPELLING BEE), Donna Lynne Champlin (SWEENEY TODD), Barrett Foa (SPELLING BEE), Sondra Lee (PETER PAN / HELLO DOLLY), Marge Champion (HELLO DOLLY), Patrick Page (HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS), Felicia Finley (WEDDING SINGER / AIDA), Cely Onrubia (FLOWER DRUM SONG- Original Broadway Cast), Andrea Mcardle (ANNIE), Stephanie D’Abruzzo (AVENUE Q), Stephen Bogardus (MAN OF Lamancha- Revival), Dana Moore (WILL ROGERS FOLLIES), Danielle Ferland (INTO THE WOODS), Jennifer Smith (PRODUCERS), Capathia Jenkins (MARTIN SHORT), Stephen Hanan (CATS), Jane Carr (NICHOLAS NICKELBY), Christopher Sieber (SPAMALOT) And Christopher Kenney (THREEPENNY OPERA). WHAT: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS presents the tenth annual BROADWAY BEARS auction. This year the auction will feature forty autographed bears from the following productions: Aida; Annie; Candide; Cats; Dracula, The Musical; Flower Drum Song; Grey Gardens; Hello, Dolly!; Into the Woods; It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane… It’s Superman; Jersey Boys; Les Misérables; Man of LaMancha; Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me; Mary Poppins; My One and Only; Once on this Island; Once Upon a Mattress; One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; Peter Pan; Rent; Spamalot; Sweeney Todd; Taboo; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; The King and I; The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby; The Pajama Game; The Producers; The Threepenny Opera and The Wedding Singer. WHEN: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 AUCTION AT 8:00 PM WHERE: B.B. King Blues Club & Grill (237 W. 42nd St, between Broadway & 8th Avenue) Family Matinees Series At Merkin Concert Hall! February 9, 2007 12:04 PM Kaufman Center Presents FAMILY MATINEES A POPPY SEED PURIM Featuring The Poppy Seed Players & Kaufman Kids at Merkin Concert Hall, Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 11:00am New York, NY, 2/5/07 —The Kaufman Center presents a beloved favorite in the Family Matinees series, A Poppy Seed Purim. This colorful musical retells the traditional Purim story of how Queen Esther and the dimwitted King Achashveros overcame the wicked Haman and saved the day. Kaufman Center’s own Sean Hartley has created a musical filled with colorful costumes, catchy songs, audience participation, and a wretched villain. Under Hartley’s artistic direction, the show is performed by The Poppy Seed Players, the Center’s resident adult theatre troupe, whose regular performers include Steve Brennan, Kathryn Markey and Joe Teig, as well as Hartley. The Kaufman Kids, a chorus of children from the Kaufman Center’s two schools, Lucy Moses School and Special Music School, will also perform. The Family Matinee series features original musical theater works by some of New York’s most promising writers. The Poppy Seed Players were formed to create and perform a wide range of musical theater pieces for children and their families focusing on aspects of Jewish culture including Bible stories, holidays, folklore and history. The Players conduct in-school residencies, showing children how to create their own musical theater works. Following the performance, audience members will enjoy free Hamentashen, a traditional Purim cookie, and will get a chance to meet the actors. The show is intended for children ages three and up. The Poppy Seed Players’ final performance in the Family Matinees series will be on Sunday, March 25th, a world premiere, titled The Adventures of Mottel, the Cantor's Son, a new musical by Peter Morris and Mat Eisenstein based on a comic masterpiece by Sholom Aleichem (Fiddler on the Roof). The story centers on Mottel, a feisty young Russian boy who makes a hilarious and poignant journey from the shtetl to Ellis Island. For ages four and up. Kaufman Center presents FAMILY MATINEES SERIES A POPPY SEED PURIM 129 W. 67th St. (between Broadway and Amsterdam) Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 11:00 AM Single tickets are $18 Call the Box Office at 212 501 3330 or order online at www.merkinconcerthall.org About Merkin Concert Hall Renowned for its acoustics, accessibility and innovative programming, Merkin Concert Hall is the recipient of multiple awards for Adventurous Programming, most recently from ASCAP/Chamber Music America in 2002–03. The Hall is a division of the Kaufman Center, which also includes the Lucy Moses School (a community arts school) and the Special Music School (a New York City public school for musically gifted children). A not-for-profit organization founded in 1952, the Kaufman Center occupies its own facility, the award-winning Goodman House, located in Manhattan’s Lincoln Square arts district. The Center is an unsurpassed cultural resource where people of all ages can experience the joy of artistic creation, expression and appreciation. Poppy Seed Players performances are made possible in part with support from the Fink Foundation, Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation and the Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation. Special thanks to the friends and supporters of the Kaufman Center’s Theater Wing. Merkin Concert Hall receives support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation. The Poppy Seed Players “Planting New Seeds” commissioning program is made possible with the support of Andrea Brown, Rosalind Devon, Charles Dimston, Connie and Leonard Goodman and Kara Unterberg and Roy Niederhoffer BATT BOY LIVE AT THE MET! I'M IN A BATT FRAME OF MIND. February 9, 2007 10:40 AM I covered Bryan Batt's new show at the Metropolitan Room. It was hysterical. What else would one expect from one of the funniest of Forbidden Broadway Alum! The best part of his show were his campy and funny numbers. Some of my favorites: 1. Skanky Whore. (Just over the top) 2. One Can Make Love Alone (Hysterical) 3. I AM WHAT I AM (LA CAGE AUX FOLLES) 4. I'M IN A NEW YORK STATE of Mind Batt never ceases to amaze me with his talent. My favorite number was when he sang "I AM WHAT I AM" from LA CAGE. I did a talk back with the cast of LA CAGE and Bryan participated. It meant a lot to me that he was there and I loved that production very much. It was an excellent show. I did not want the show to close as it is a favorite. I especially loved the dancers and of them Andy Pellick!!!! Hopefully someone will bring it back to Broadway where it belongs. Hope to see Batt in a new Broadway production very soon. In the meantime, you can see Batt this Sunday at BB KINGS when he hosts my favorite Broadway Cares Event, Broadway Bears! Tickets: http://www.broadwaycares.org Fun With Wine And Cheese! February 7, 2007 12:19 AM Dear Foodies, This event sounds like a great time! Hope you can check it out. FunWithWine.com Presents Swiss Fondue and Wine Party Date and Time: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 7:00 PM Location: Grant Gallery 7 Mercer Street (Between Canal and Grand Streets) Description: Join FunWithWine for a great night of Swiss Fondue and winter wines to match. For those of you who attended our holiday wine party in December, you will know what a great hit the Fondue was. We are psyched to offer an intimate evening of fondue, which will be paired with great wines for the winter. This event will feature Hot Wein, as well as a line-up of wines which are suited for drinking during the cold winter months: Hot Wein - we will be offering our version of Hot Spiced Red Wine, which is universally served at all pubs and restaurants in Switzerland in the winter. White Wines Domaine Weinbach Riesling Cuvee Theo 2004 (Alsace) Hundred Acre Gold 2004 (Australia/Napa) Clearview Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2002 (New Zealand) Truchard Chardonnay 2005 (Carneros) Red Wines Bodegas LAN Crianza 2003 (Rioja) Gladiator Nero d Avola 2002 (Sicily) Rutherford Ranch Merlot 2003 (Napa) Clone 5 Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Napa) Marquis Phillips Sarahs Blend 2002 (Cabernet/Shiraz Blend from Australia) 2005 (Australia) Hundred Acre Pure Love "Barossa Jack" Shiraz 2005 (Australia) Rocky Creek Zinfandel 2004 (Napa) Fondue Friendly Food Pairings French Bread, cubed Kielbasa Apple-Chicken Sausage Crudite Platter Because fondue is a difficult item to serve en mass, we are limiting this event to 100 guests. This event has sold out over the previous 4 years, so we suggest you make your reservations early! This event will run from 7 to 10 PM. Cost: $50 RSVP & Cancellation Policy You may make a reservation by clicking on the GREEN "Reserve Your Place" button, and paying with your VISA or Mastercard. For more information, or to pay by phone, you may call our 24 hour answering service and order hotline, at 877-WINE-199 or (212) 560-5155 Broadway By The Year Schedule!!! February 6, 2007 11:58 PM If you have never seen the Broadway By The Year series, I would advise that you buy some tickets. I have been covering them for the last three years and I have enjoyed them all. My favorite was Unplugged with Brent Barrett and Marc Kudisch. Monday, February 26, 2007 The Broadway Musicals of 1928 Featuring songs from among: The Three Musketeers, The Greenwich Village Follies, Present Arms, Blackbirds of 1928, Grand Street Follies, The New Moon, Paris, Animal Crackers, Whoopee and more! Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster by phone at 212- 307-4100 or at Ticketmaster.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, March 26, 2007 The Broadway Musicals of 1938 Featuring songs from among: The Cradle Will Rock, Right This Way, I Married An Angel, Hellzapoppin, Knickerbocker Holiday, Leave it to Me, The Boys From Syracuse and more! Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster by phone at 212- 307-4100 or at Ticketmaster.com. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, April 30, 2007 The Broadway Musicals of 1959 Featuring songs from among: Gypsy, Fiorello!, Once Upon A Mattress, Take Me Along, The Sound of Music, and more! Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster by phone at 212- 307-4100 or at Ticketmaster.com. ------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, June 18, 2007 The Broadway Musicals of 1964, Part II Featuring songs from among: Hello Dolly!, What Makes Sammy Run?, Funny Girl, Anyone Can Whistle, High Spirits, Fiddler on the Roof, Golden Boy, I Had a Ball, and more! Without repeating a single number from our concert five years ago, we will have a night full of famous and fabulous songs. Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster by phone at 212- 307-4100 or at Ticketmaster.com. I love these events. Check it out!!! Raku Info. February 6, 2007 1:13 AM Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I go to Raku several times a week and that is why a roll was named after my site. I eat there on a regular basis but I wont be there everyday from 5:00-6:30 or 9-11. I do go several times a week. It is my hangout for a reason. It is great fish! Take advantage of the special rates and you might even meet me there. Cheers, Corine ;-) The Leading Men 2- Blog! February 5, 2007 11:40 PM Hi, I don't like cold weather but when Wayman Wong invited me to attend The Leading Men 2, I could not resist. For the last several years, I have been a reader of Wong's wonderful Leading Men column. I respect him for many reasons but my favorite is his passion for theater and cabaret. Something we share. His concert tonight was a joyful experience just like the man himself! In the next few days we will post some great photo coverage backstage before the show, during the show and after the show. It should be up soon. The concert was exceptional. Here are a few thoughts about the show. 1. Daniel Reichard was hysterical singing: "Torch Song" from "When Pigs Fly" It was a funny song mocking Dick Cheney and it had the entire audience howling. It was very funny and I hope to hear it again in Daniel's next concert. Daniel proved his "Forbidden Broadway" training has done great things for his career. I adored his performance and would say it was the favorite of the night. 2. David Gurland, brought down the house! He has such range! I adore him and his adorable boyfriend Robbie! David sang "Waiting For Life" from "Once on This Island" 3. Seth Rudetsky did a very funny signature dish!!!! Deconstructing the "Sound of Music" (I really admire Seth, he is hysterical and clever and a class act) He was fantastic or I should steal his line "AHMAZING" 4. Sexy, well dressed and stunning Perry Ojeda had everyone sweating during "Lucky to Be Me" from "Our Town" I felt lucky to be C watching him perform! 5. Adam Jacobs, impressed the entire audience with "Maria" from "West Side Story" It was breathtaking and beautiful. His voice is stunning and his wife is a lucky woman. 6. Norm Lewis sang: "I'd rather be Sailing" It was a beautiful song sung by one of the greatest perfomers on Broadway. It was great to see him. In addition, John Tartaglia was an incredible emcee and host of this incredible Broadway Cares event. Next up for Broadway Cares is Broadway Bears. Broadway Bears is one of my favorite events of the year. Please buy your ticket now! To donate: http://www.broadwaycares.org More about this wonderful event in my photo coverage piece. Culinary Corner Wine Blog! February 4, 2007 10:32 PM I was invited to a great wine event last week. At that event I won a bottle of Mionetto Sergio Rose'!!!! It is a sparking red wine. It is light. Fruity. A cross between red wine and champagne. I love it! Try it. I found a new favorite. If anyone ever wants to buy me a gift this would be it! Incredible Program For Children Of All Ages! February 4, 2007 6:58 PM I took my 2 year old niece to a wonderful theater experience at Merkin Concert Hall. If you have a child, a niece or nephew and you want to expose them to a wonderful theater experience this program is a must! My two year old Niece loved it! The next program is on March 11th. Grab a child and go! http://www.kaufman-center.org/tc/mch0607/playhouse_020407.php Next up: Irving Berlin on March 11th. http://www.kaufman-center.org/tc/mch0607/playhouse_031107.php Pre And Post Corine's Corner Happy Hours at Raku February 4, 2007 12:30 AM Hi, I am thinking of doing a once a month get together for Corine Corner readers and friends. The first one will be planned. Raku is a very small and intimate place. I was thinking we could meet for 1.5 hours. Please write to me and let me know when you can make it. In addition, if you plan on coming I would ask that you make a donation yourself to Broadway Cares if you can. Thank you, Corine www.broadwaycares.org Best! New schedule for Corine Corner readers; There will be A Corine's Corner Happy Hour Monday 5-6:30 and After A show 9- 10 Tuesday 5-6:30 and 9-10 Wed: 5-6:30 and 9-11 Thursday 5:6:30 and 9-11 Friday: Regular menu. Mention Corine's Corner for a free red wine or sake with any entree. Happy Hour 9 till close. Sat 5-6:30 and 9-11 Sunday 5-7 PM Enjoy!!! More On The Rockers Rehearsals February 3, 2007 5:56 PM Last week was such a blast. Being able to finally interview Norm Lewis, Titus Burgess, Billy Porter and Kathy Brier was a dream come true. I have always wanted to interview all of these stars. I actually did interview Norm but for 1 minute. I also interviewed Kate Taylor who is one of the nicest people on the planet. In fact all of the people are wonderful. I did an indepth interview with Brier who has one of the greatest voices on earth. I will let you know when the video will be up. I had so much fun. Have a good day, Corine PS I am exhausted. I interviewed someone almost everyday last week. I am pooped! Mamma Who Blogged Me! February 3, 2007 4:20 PM Hey, I got a really nice letter from a woman who reads my blog on a daily basis. I just wanted to thank her for her kind words. Please tell your friends. PS I just thought the title would make a perfect Forbidden Broadway skit. Get it? Mamma who blogged me (Instead of bore me) LOL, C PS Spring Awakening is my favorite show of the season. PSST...... This Just In From David Gurland. (and Lisa Asher, 2007 Nightlife Award Winner) February 3, 2007 4:09 PM I'm a little bit Country, so I decided it was time for another shameless plug (For David Gurland and Lisa Asher) Well, I only put Lisa in there so she will come back to my blog. (She is amazing and such a nice gal) (Only saying gal because it is a Country theme.. Ya'll) The reviews are in!!!! “David Gurland returns to his roots with a vengeance...the best thing he's done in years. Gurland's edgy tenor soared through a variety of unexpected and iconoclastic material. 'Dgur in concert 2007’...it's a winner!” David Hurst, NEXT Magazine and Cabaret Scenes magazine So, after a show stopping evening of Show tunes, the second performance of the ‘DGUR in CONCERT’ series will be on February 18th. This will be an ALL COUNTRY MUSIC NIGHT! For this performance, I am overjoyed to have special guests Lisa Asher (2007 Nightlife Award Winner Outstanding Female Vocalist) and Randi Driscoll (Songwriter of”What Matters” featured in the NBC film, "The Matthew Shepard Story"). The evening will be musically directed by Tim DiPasqua (2007 Nightlife Award Winner Outstanding Revue-Variety performance) Will be kickin off our cowboy boots and singin a little Dixie Chicks, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Faith Hill, Glenn Campbell, KD Lang, Loretta Lynn and more!. Sunday February 18th, 2007 7PM- And hey it’s a holiday weekend. MOONSHINE FOR EVERYONE!!! DGUR in Concert #2-COUNTRY MUSIC 407 W 42nd Street (@9th) www.westbankcafe.com $16 cover $15 food/drink minimum 212-695-6909/Reservations suggested. Credit cards accepted. (YA'LL Check it out or Robbie will make you wear his pearls/ ;-) Some Happy News! February 3, 2007 10:15 AM As many of you know I'm just wild about sushi. Last evening I was given a small honor. Raku sushi, one of my favorite sushi hangouts named a roll after my site. I was touched! In addition, they named a happy hour after my site and special deals for all of you! If you adore quality sushi you should go to Raku during happy hour for some incredible deals. Corine's Corner Happy Hour is 5-6:30 everyday at Raku: Red wine- $2.50 a glass Sake-$2.50 a glass or $1.00 shooters The Corine's Corner roll is Spicy Shrimp Tempura with avocado and cucumber and it is only $5.00. Spicy Salmon-(My favorite roll) is only $4.00 Kirin Beer is only $3.00 a bottle. Steamed shrimp shumai is only $2.50. So if you are looking for a great deal in Times Square check out Raku. Cheers, I'll drink to that. PS Stay tuned, I am planning a monthly get together at Raku very soon. 252 West 47th. 212-719-9055 Enjoy!;-) February Is The Month Of Love- Fight AIDS! February 1, 2007 9:59 PM Donate or attend Broadwaycares events. Teddy Bears are coming up! My favorite event of the year. http://www.broadwaycares.org/events/bears.cfm http://www.broadwaycares.org/events/bearsindex.cfm?Edition=2007&Start=1&End=10http://broadwaycares.stores.yahoo.net/broadwaybears.html Don't forget about the Leading Men concert: http://www.broadwaycares.org/events/leadingmen2.cfm For more info and for donations: http://www.broadwaycares.org Thank you, Happy Love Month. PS (Love is very important but AIDS is still here. Protect yourself and help others with HIV and AIDS) Nightlife Awards Photo Coverage on site! February 1, 2007 9:46 PM Hi, Hope you checked out some photos of the Nightlife Awards. They are on the top of the homepage. Check out some of the photos. Hope you like them. Best, Corine Top 6 High Points of The Nightlife Awards(Liza With A Z, She's Terrific!) January 31, 2007 5:14 PM I wanted to post about some of the high moments of the Nightlife Awards: 1. Christine Ebersole doing a number from her incredible concert at the Metropolitan room with Billy Stritch. It was amazing both times! The woman is an incredible performer and has chemistry with Billy Stritch. It blew me away (TWICE) 2. Lorinda's Yolanda! She is so hysterical and she was over the top at the Nightlife Awards.( I also saw this twice and both times blew me away) 3. Freddy Cole, was just adorable! His charming performance made me realize how much I love Jazz. 4. Scott Coulter's charming and touching speech about his love of children. (It was touching and I cried a little) 5. Lennie Watts on stage with Mary Bond Davis. It was funny. Lennie was shy! (I love Lennie) 6. My favorite number of the evening was sung by Paula West! I have never seen her perform before and I have become her biggest fan. Seeing Liza was a trip and than talking about it with Pedi was hysterical. The Nightlife Awards were a lot of fun. The Great Divorce- Times Review!(photos by Maryann Lopinto) January 31, 2007 2:45 PM Congratulations to my friends at the Great Divorce. Check out this rave review. PS I am not the target market for this play but was very impressed with the acting and I adored the Iguana puppet!    The first two photos are of cast members and my favorite lizard in the play. The third photo is of my very close friend Felicia. She is the best. The Biggest Reason To Smile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! January 31, 2007 12:51 AM This is so exciting. I was fortunate to attend a concert version of Violet at Playwrights Horizons! I am so excited about this. Hope I can attend. More info: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/105327.html Congratulations, Bob Blume! January 31, 2007 12:14 AM Bob won an award this past Monday Evening. Congratulations!!! ******************************* On Monday night at the National Arts Club, the St. George's Society of New York, the leading British charitable and social organization in the United States founded in 1770 held its monthly Theatrical Arts event at the National Arts Club. The entertainment, produced by Theatre Producer Margot Astrachan, featured the evening's Host, Broadway Star Jim Dale with guest TV/Film Actor, Geoffrey Holder and a special musical performance by Cabaret legend, Steve Ross. Mr. Holder, looking a lot friendlier then when seen in the James Bond film, Live and Let Die (he has mellowed since then) and Jim Dale (looking almost as fit as when he starred in Barnum with Glenn Close) had the audience roaring as they related anecdotes from their respective careers. Steve Ross with his charming wit and personality at the Piano gave the evening the perfect capper. Anyone interested in knowing more about the St. George's Society can visit their site at www.stgeorgessociety.org. ****************************************************** Unwind With Wine! January 30, 2007 11:42 PM I was invited to a fantastic event tonight. It is called Unwind With Wine. It was hosted by Hanna Lee Communications and it was one of the best events I have ever attended. The wine was exceptional. I even won a bottle of sparkling Rose. I bet a lot of you didn't know this but I am an event planner. As an event planner I have attended many fabulous events with wine. Hanna's event was outstanding. Tonights event was hosted by famous restaurant critic Bob Lape and his wife Joanna Pruess who wrote many cookbooks and most recently "Seduced by Bacon". Seduced by Bacon is already in it's third printing. Pruess is an award- winning food author and has published over ten cookbooks. She has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Food Arts, Saveur, Food and Wine and the Associated Press. She has also published "Fiamma, The Essence of Contemporary Italian Cuisine(formerly Eat Tea) and Supermarket Confidential(formerly Supermarket Epicure) Mrs. Pruess also co- authored the D'Artagnan Glorious Game Cookbook. Bob Lape is known for his column in Crains New York Business and many other restaurant columns. I used to work with Bob many years ago (He was my restaurant critic for a TV show I produced in New York) He is a charming and intelligent man. The event was a tremendous success. I had a great time. Dear Foodies if you live in the NYC area I highly advise you to check out Hanna's events. It was a wonderful evening and I hope to go to all of her events. More later. Best, Corine Check out her events at: http://www.unwindwithwine.com Cheers!!!! PS In addition to the wine tasting we sampled a few of the recipes from her book. I loved the Scallop wrapped in Bacon and the Kobe Beef wrapped in Bacon. There was also Bacon flavored ice cream which was all the rave at my table. This Just In From Nightlife Award Nominee, Eric Comstock! January 30, 2007 11:21 PM Hi, friends-- MANHATTAN MASTERS opens this Sunday and Monday @ 7pm at the Metropolitan Room with a very exciting program saluting one of Broadway's finest composers, Charles Strouse. Charles gave us "Annie", "Golden Boy", "Applause", and "Bye Bye, Birdie". His song hits include "Tomorrow", "I've Got A Lot Of Livin' To Do", and "Put On A Happy Face". Charles Strouse has graciously agreed to sing a few of best songs at opening night, Sunday, February 4. In addition to Sean Smith on bass and Vito Lesczak on drums, reedman Frank Wess will be with us. Frank just received the Jazz Master Award from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and has been a jazz star for over fifty years, as a leader and composer and with the bands of Lucky Millinder, Billy Eckstine, and Count Basie. In fact, Frank left the Basie band in 1964 to play in the pit orchestra for Charles Stouse's "Golden Boy". Please join us at the Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street) this Sunday and Monday, February 4 & 5 @ 7pm! For reservations, call: 212.206.0440. MANHATTAN MASTERS continues next weekend with a new program, and carries on with a different show every week February! All About Joe Stein (All About Us) January 30, 2007 10:50 PM Hi, I am a very fortunate individual. My old saying used to be "It Sucks To Be C" Not today. Today, I interviewed Joseph Stein, his wife and one of the nicest Producers on the planet(And Liz Smith she is a female) Jacki Barla Florin. The interview was done in person over lunch at Vico restaurant on 93rd and Madison. It was a lot of fun. The interview will be posted in a few weeks. It does not suck to be me. Photo by Brad Balfour of Times Square.com More later, Corine ;-)  A Memoir of Judy Garland- John Meyer and Judy Blazer! January 29, 2007 2:18 PM I went to this last evening and it was brilliant! Judy Blazer is incredible. There is a funny line in "God or Merman" "Are you a Judy Queen or a Merman Queen" Even though I am not gay I love both. Note to all Judy queens: You need to see this show!!!! Judy makes you believe! I loved it. From http://www.metropolitanroom.com/ Call: 212-206-0440 for tickets! Sunday, January 28th to Monday, January 29th at 7:00 PM John Meyer and Judy Blazer "Heartbreaker- A Memoir Of Judy Garland" 20 Cover + 2 Beverage Minimum The show is a dramatization of Meyer's recently published book, Heartbreaker, which details his attempt to rescue the entertainer from her demons during the last year of her life. Songwriter Meyer will be playing himself opposite Ms. Blazer, whose B'way credits include Titanic and Me & My Girl. The hour-long show features songs from Garland's repertoire along with five Meyer originals. Books will be on sale at the performances. I didn't know what I was in for. Within forty-five minutes of our meeting, Judy Garland came up to me and, pointing first to herself, then to me, mouthed the phrase "I'm with you." What she meant was, Take me the hell out of this claustrophobic hellhole. She'd been living free in Richard's Carnegie Hall studio, but had to endure a kind of smothering attention from Richard and his gay friends that was rapidly becoming unbearable. "I mean really," she remarked later, "it's like being in the beige hole of Calcutta." So I took her out of there. I'd come down simply to sing a song for Judy, a song I'd composed called "I'd Like to Hate Myself in the Morning (and Raise a little Hell Tonight)" and she -with her marvelous sense of humor- had embraced the number instantly. In fact, she insisted on learning it the next afternoon, in my parent's apartment. You see, I spirited her away from Richard and took her to live with me. And, incidentally, with my mother and father. You see, I couldn't very well ask them to leave, it was their apartment, a big floor-through at 993 Park Avenue in New York City. I'd recently moved back, having lost my own place to Lefrak Realty Development. If it sounds like I was a New Yorker, I was. It stood me in good stead with Judy, who was as sharp, urbane and knowledgeable as they come. It also helped that I knew much of her repertoire, since I had to play for her the very next night. Play for her? Would you believe I got Judy Garland one hundred dollars to appear at the little club where I entertained? And she was glad to get it. She had a five dollar bill in her purse and was in debt to the IRS for over three hundred thousand dollars. They snatched any income she earned. With this little job she'd get paid under the table, so that's a hundred free and clear. So that afternoon, October 26th, 1968, we had to put together a few numbers. I turned on the tape recorder, as I often did when coaching, and by God, thirty-seven years later, I still have the tape. A CD of it is tucked into the back of Heartbreaker, my memoir of the two months I spent with Judy. That was the beginning. People had told me Judy was 'all washed up' that her voice was 'shot'. I refer you to this CD. I refer you to the recollection of people who saw her at the Lincoln Center tribute to Harold Arlen just three weeks later. Earl Wilson's column in the Post the next day describes her as "in good voice, confident and self assured". Judy started to climb back up. We started the climb back up. I booked her on three network TV shows, Dick Cavett, Merv Griffin and Johnny Carson. I brought in an accountant to sort out her taxes and allow the IRS to let her keep a percentage of what she earned. I arranged a contract with a new record company after all the other companies had given up on her. I got her agent, Begelman, to promise a cash advance once she'd signed for a concert date. And from the initial hundred-a-night I upped the ante to seventy-five hundred a week by negotiating a nightclub appearance at London's Talk of the Town. I also made sure she looked after her health. Against her violent objections, I had a doctor admit her to the hospital to give an ugly lesion on her heel a chance to mend. But I'm not going to tell you the whole story right here. I want you to read it in Heartbreaker, in detail. I want you to see the pictures of me and Judy, of Judy and her shifty agent David Begelman, of my mom and dad. I want you to listen to the CD of that rehearsal we made together. The whole package is absolutely fascinating, a window into Judy's persona that's unlike any other. Help Broadway Cares, Jersey Style!!!! (photos by Brad Balfour of TimesSquare.com) January 29, 2007 1:56 PM One of the greatest charities in the World is having a benefit tonight. Check it out: http://www.rockersonbroadway.com! You can also donate money by going to http://www.broadwaycares.org. I went to some of the rehearsals and it will be an amazing event. Enjoy! Below are some photos taken during the rehearsals. Next up, video interviews with Billy Porter (Superstar) Norm Lewis (Leading Men, Dessa Rose, Les Miz) Kathy Brier(Hairspray and soaps) Titus Burgess (Jersey Boys, The Little Mermaid.)        (all photos: Brad Balfour)  Welcome To Rockers On Broadway Donnie Kehr, Cori Gardner & Good To Go Entertainment, Inc. in association with Sara Lee present ROCKERS ON BROADWAY Jersey Style Monday, January 29, 2007 Doors 7:30pm - Show 8:00pm At BB King Blues Club & Grill 237 West 42nd Street in Times Square Ticket prices: $35-100 Starring Micky Dolenz, Larry Gatlin, Kate Taylor & The Tokens With Kathy Brier, Tituss Burgess, Will Chase, Jarrod Emick, Steve Gouveia, Michael Lanning, Norm Lewis, Billy Porter, Greg Reuter, Sara Schmidt, Jeremy Schonfeld, Patrick Wilson Featuring Broadway's Jersey Boys John Lloyd Young, Daniel Reichard & J. Robert Spencer and The best band in New York! Hosted by Actress/Comedian, Caroline Rhea Directed By Donnie Kehr Sponsored by Sara Lee, Macy's, The Frye Company & Vineyard Vines All proceeds to benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS & Wingspan Arts, Inc. www.ticketmaster.com Disney Contest! January 29, 2007 1:11 PM This was sent to me today! It made me laugh. Now, if they could do this for a seat on the VIEW, I would audition. That is my Disney (ABC)Dream. LOL! Maybe I will audition to be a Pirate King! ;-) Have you ever dreamed of being a Disney Cast Member for a day? Well, CareerBuilder.com is bringing that opportunity to you. Between now and February 20th, you can apply to any of the honorary Disney Dream “Jobs” and your dream could come true! With your application, you will need to submit a video of yourself telling us why you are perfect for the Disney Dream “Job”. So, grab your video camera and film your 45 second audition video today! Honorary Disney Pirate Honorary Disney Princess-in-Waiting Honorary Disney Jungle Cruise Skipper Honorary Disney Park Parade Performer Honorary Disney Haunted Mansion Butler or Maid Finalists’ videos will be posted online, and website visitors will vote for their favorites. The selected winners will live out their Dream “Job” experience for a day while enjoying a Disneyland® family vacation this June. Apply for a Disney Dream “Job” Today! Stritch and Busch! January 29, 2007 10:58 AM This sounds amazing!!!!! Stritch and Busch! Sounds like an amazing event. ELAINE STRITCH AND CHARLES BUSCH HEADLINE "LOVE 'N COURAGE" 4TH ANNUAL BENEFIT FOR THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY'S EMERGING PLAYWRIGHTS PROGRAM ONE NIGHT ONLY - FEBRUARY 12 AT THE NATIONAL ARTS CLUB (15 GRAMERCY PARK SOUTH) ALSO SCHEDULED TO APPEAR: TAMMY GRIMES, ELI WALLACH, ANNE JACKSON AND BEN HARBURG PLUS SELECTED SCENES FROM NEW WORKS INCLUDING "NUTCRACKER: RATED R," AND THE NEW MUSICAL "THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF UNCLE WIGGILY: THE WINDBLOWN VISITORS" AND MUCH MORE! "'Love and courage' are what a playwright needs to thrive in this field, and 'love and encourage' is what Theater for the New City does!" - Crystal Field, Theatre for the New City Executive Artistic Director Theater for the New City presents LOVE 'N COURAGE, the 4th annual benefit for Theater for the New City's Emerging Playwrights Program, it has been announced by Crystal Field, Executive Artistic Director of Theater for the New City. Hosted by playwright and actor Charles Busch, and featuring Elaine Stritch, this year's benefit takes place at the beautiful National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South), on Monday, February 12, with cocktails beginning at 6:30pm, followed by dinner and performances. Emcee Charles Busch, writer and star of such plays as THE LADY IN QUESTION, RED SCARE ON SUNSET and VAMPIRE LESBIANS OF SODOM and author of the Tony Award-nominated play THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE, will host and sing. Legendary Tony Award-winner Elaine Stritch will read a selection from a new play. Ms. Stritch is best-known for originating roles on Broadway in COMPANY, SAIL AWAY, GOLDILOCKS, and her Tony Award-winning solo play with music, ELAINE STRITCH AT LIBERTY. Celebrated actors Tammy Grimes, Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson are also scheduled to appear. Ben Harburg will perform the songs of his grandfather, legendary composer Yip Harburg (FINIAN'S RAINBOW, BLOOMER GIRL, and "The Wizard of Oz"). Selected scenes from Theater for the New City's current season will showcase the works of recently discovered artists, including the sexy ballet company The Love Show, who will perform an excerpt from their show NUTCRACKER: RATED R. The evening will also feature scenes from Laurel Hessing's new musical THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF UNCLE WIGGILY: THE WINDBLOWN VISITORS with music by Arthur Abrams. LOVE 'N COURAGE concludes with an open-mic piano bar and sing-a-long accompanied by Mr. Abrams. Celebrating its 35th year, Theatre for the New City is a long-running bastion for new theatrical works. Often, talented emerging playwrights find themselves competing for funding with more established writers; Theater for the New City's mission is to offer "love and encouragement" to these struggling artists with its Emerging Playwrights Program, established in 1971. O. Aldon James Jr., head of The National Arts Club, has taken an interest in Theater for the New City's mission, and the organizations are working together to present this year's incarnation of LOVE 'N COURAGE. "Emerging playwrights are writers of great promise who have yet to fulfill their artistic goals, but whose visions are high," explains Ms. Field, whose Emerging Playwrights Program takes in fledgling and untried writers, offering a nurturing environment where new authors can flourish, and often realize their first fully produced work at Theater for the New City. The Emerging Playwrights Program represents 60 percent of the nearly 40 new plays produced annually by Theater for the New City, giving playwrights a professional forum in which to experiment and develop as theater artists, and introducing fresh ideas and energy into the mainstream of American playwriting. Through the Emerging Playwrights Program, up-and-coming writers meet and have access to experienced designers, directors and performers. The emerging playwright is surrounded by dedicated professionals in an atmosphere of high standards and supportive collaboration. Theater for the New City has an open-door policy towards new work -- considering plays of any style, genre and political thrust -- and reading every script submitted. The company also produces and commissions plays by some of the better-known American playwrights such as Maria Irene Fornes, Rosalyn Drexler, Sam Shepard, Ronald Tavel, Amlin Gray and Harry Kondoleon. LOVE 'N COURAGE is chaired by Betsy von Furstenberg, and the benefit committee includes F. Murray Abraham, Frank Biancamano, Jean Buchalter Vinie Burrows, Charles Busch, Martha Coigney, Myrna Duarte, Rina Elisha, Crystal Field, Assembly Member Deborah Glick, Tammy Grimes, Phillip Hackett, Dina & Ernie Harburg, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Judd Hirsch, Anne Jackson, Uke Jackson, O. Aldon James, Joyce & Seward Johnson, Robert & Celia Kornfeld, Romulus Linney, Eduardo Machado, Councilmember Rosie Mendez, Alberto Minero, Grace Paley, John Roberts, Tim Robbins, Gerald Rupp, Marian Seldes, Elaine Stritch, Jerry Tallmer, Mary Tierney, Jean-Claude Van Itallie, Glyn Vincent, Eli Wallach, and Jonathan Weber. LOVE 'N COURAGE, the 4th annual benefit for Theater for the New City's Emerging Playwrights Program will be held at The National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South) on Monday, February 12; Cocktails begin at 6:30pm; dinner at 7:00pm, followed by performances at 8:00pm. Tickets are $125. For reservations and additional information, please call 212-254-1109 or visit www.theaterforthenewcity.net Nightlife Awards- Get Your Tickets Now! January 27, 2007 11:55 AM Reminder: The Nightlife Awards are on Monday. Get your tickets now! ********** Scott Siegel Presents… The 2007 Nightlife Awards Monday, January 29 at 7 PM at The Town Hall The Only All-Performance Awards Show No Acceptance Speeches -- Just Pure Entertainment! “One of the strongest lineups of local nightclub talent to gather in one room” – Stephen Holden, NY Times Starring (*performing): *Tom Andersen, *Lisa Asher, Todd Barkan, *Charles Busch, Jim Caruso, *David Colbert, *Freddy Cole, *Scott Coulter, *Tim Di Pasqua, *Christine Ebersole, *Larry Gatlin,*Judy Gold, *Rupert Holmes, *Lorinda Lisitza, *Laurel Masse, *Maureen McGovern, *Jessica Molaskey, *John Pizzarelli, *Daniel Reichard, *Ben Riley’s Monk Legacy Septet, Susan H. Schulman, *Billy Stritch, *TJ & Dave, *Cedar Walton, *Paula West, *Tom Wopat, AND MORE! Tickets are $75, $50, & $25. The Town Hall Box Office at 123 W. 43rd St. or call TicketMaster at 212-307-4100. For more information go to SiegelPresents.com Restaurant Week Diary Day 2. January 27, 2007 12:21 AM Ok. I tried to get a reservation at Chantarelle this week. I did get a call for a last minute cancellation for yesterday but I was busy interviewing the cast of Rockers. (Get your tickets at http://www.broadwaycares.org or http://www.rockersonbroadway.com) A great cause! Anyway, to get back to Restaurant Week. I decided to go to one of my favorite hangouts. RAKU! It was marvelous. I started with the seaweed salad. The salad was tossed with sesame seeds. Next, miso soup. A great thing to have on the coldest day of the year. For my main course, I had the Salmon Tartare, seasoned with caviar and una mayo sauce. On the bottom of the salmon tartare the plate was full of fresh sliced mango. It was truly scrumptious. The total for this three course lunch was $21.00, even less than $24.07 at restaurant week. Additionally, Ray gave me a free glass of house wine to compliment the lunch. I recommend Raku sushi. Ray is offering a special to Corine's Corner readers. Mention Code "Corine's Corner" for a free glass of red wine, sake or beer with any entree. http://www.rakujapan.com In addition, we will be doing some special events for Corine's Corner readers. More details coming soon. You can also rate Raku, by going to: http://www.newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7186313 Stay warm, Corine Check out Rags! January 26, 2007 12:17 PM Please donate to this worthy cause. Thank you! http://timessquare.com/Theater/Corine%27s_Corner/Making_Life_Better/ Les Miz- Beach is Brilliant!( Go smoke some crack because guess whos coming back, oh la la la) January 26, 2007 11:00 AM I saw Les Miz in 1987, and sadly had food poisioning from a restaurant called Palio. It was a Birthday Celebration and I ate pate' filled pasta.(Never again) After dinner, we went to see the big new smash Les Miz. Halfway through the first act I got sick. I was really ill and my face was a scary shade of green. My Grandmother took me home and I never got the chance to see the second act. Last evening, I avoided dinner and went back to see Les Miz.( I did not want to tempt fate with another case of food poisioning, well you never know and it does suck to be me) I went to Les Miz on an empty stomach, and made it through the entire show. Gary Beach was brilliant. He made me laugh. I also adored Aaron Lazar. His voice and acting chops are outstanding. He was a huge standout in this production. Earlier in the day, I interviewed Norm Lewis( Who I admit is a favorite) and I thought he was great. I don't know if the role is a perfect fit(I am so used to seeing him as the good guy who smiles) but he did a fine job. I liked his performance better in "Dessa Rose" but his singing is always perfection. Norm is one of the greatest singers on Broadway and he does not dissappoint in Les Miz. The worst part of seeing this show was I had Forbidden Broadway in my head as I saw it. I have seen around 11 versions of Les Miz numbers over the years and all of them came out. For instance "This Songs Too High, THIS SONGS TOO HIGH. PITY ME. CHANGE THE KEY. BRING IT DOWN. BRING IT DOWN.. I could not stop hearing those lyrics. Also 6 months more and more. It was very annoying. But, it made me appreciate Forbidden Broadway even more. Or"Go smoke some crack because guess what's coming back? Thank heavens we have Les Miz. ;-) I think Aaron Lazar, Gary Beach and Gemignani and Lewis deserve nominations for this show. They were all incredible. On the other hand, Daphne Rubin Vega was tragic in this role. She is a fine actress and should never do this kind of musical again. Her voice is not right for this musical. She can't sing. My Friend The Cat- Phil Bond January 25, 2007 5:25 PM Sounds like a fun way to spend an evening. I hope I don't choke on a furball. ;-) Cosmos are a must! THE STOREFRONT is pleased to present MY FRIEND, The Cat we don’t chose our pets, they choose us… by Phil Geoffrey Bond Featuring Tom Andersen, Lisa Asher, Brandon Cutrell, Suzanne Fiore, Julie Reyburn & Alysha Umphress with musical direction by Ray Fellman Friday, February 23 @ 8pm The Storefront is pleased to announce My Friend, The Cat, Phil Geoffrey Bond’s tale of life, love and loss, and blessings from the four-legged friends who grace our lives. Humorous, touching and ultimately uplifting, the short piece will be read aloud by Bond, with musical assistance from an array of celebrated vocalists. This one night only performance will take place on Friday, February 23 at 8pm at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, located at 407 West 42nd Street in the heart of New York’s theatre district. There is a $12 cover charge ($10 for members of MAC & Cabaret Hotline) as well as a $15 food/beverage minimum (dinner menu is available). For reservations, which are recommended, please call 212 695 6909 between the hours of 12pm and 6pm. My Friend, The Cat centers around the life and times of Chesterson Bond, and his wild and funny antics over the course of ten years. From adventures in bed making to the cat who learned to speak English and eventually drive a station wagon, this is a story for anyone who’s ever loved a pet. Joining Bond onstage are an array of the cabaret world’s most celebrated vocalists, including Tom Andersen, Lisa Asher, Brandon Cutrell, Suzanne Fiore, Julie Reyburn & Alysha Umphress, who will interpret the music of Carole Bayer-Sager & Carole King, John Bucchino, Charlie Chaplin & Geoffrey Parsons, Walter Donaldson & Gus Kahn, Babbie Green, Laura Nyro and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Musical Direction provided by Ray Fellman. PHIL GEOFFREY BOND founded The Storefront Theatre in 2000, and currently serves as Artistic Director for the not-for-profit organization. As a playwright, he is the author of The Other Side of Darkness, The Citadel (workshop production in 1998 at The Sundance Theatre Lab, presented off-Broadway in 1999), Sheridan Square (The Duplex, 1998), My Queer Youth (The Duplex, 2004, 2005), Generation X (Ball State University, 1998) and a myriad of short pieces, most of which have been presented by The Duplex Cabaret Theatre, where Phil served as Director of Programming from 2002 - 2006. His extensive work for cabaret and concert stages have garnered him five MAC (Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets) Awards, the Time Out New York Special Achievement Award, the New York Nightlife Award from the collected critics of New York and the Backstage Bistro Award. Directing credits include New Mondays in Concert, Women on the Stage and Avenue Q Swings! all at The Lucille Lortel Theatre, and the widely-acclaimed 2005 revival of A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters, featuring an all-star, rotating cast. He spent three years as an Assistant Producer for the Broadway, national and international productions of Disney’s The Lion King. Phil is the recipient of the Roger L. Deakins Award, the largest creative writing award bestowed from New York University, for his play, Virtual Reality. His works have been seen by Stage One Theatre of Louisville, Hartford’s The ANT Company, Civic Theatre of Indianapolis and Muncie Civic Theatre in Indiana among others. In 1993, Phil was awarded the Presidential Medallion from President Clinton when he was named Presidential Scholar in the Arts for his achievements in playwriting. A 1997 graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, he studied with playwrights David Greenspan and Tony Kushner while attaining B.F.A.’s in both Acting and Dramatic Writing. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild. My Friend, The Cat the story of a furry friend by Phil Geoffrey Bond Friday, February 23rd, 8pm featuring the vocals of Tom Andersen, Lisa Asher, Brandon Cutrell, Suzanne Fiore, Julie Reyburn & Alysha Umphress reservations: 212 695 6909 Behind the Scenes At Rockers. January 25, 2007 5:13 PM I had a blast this afternoon. Since, I will be covering the Nightlife Awards on January 29th, the Producers of Rockers asked me to do a video piece on behind the scenes at Rockers this week. It was a blast. I interviewed: Kate Taylor,(James Taylor's Sister) Kathy Brier(Hairspray) Norm Lewis (Dessa Rose, The Leading Men, Les Miz)Billy Porter, And Titus Burgess(Jersey Boys, Little Mermaid) It was a great time. I highly advise you to buy a ticket now. Photo coverage will be up this week on my site. To buy tickets: http://rockersonbroadway.com/ or http://www.broadwaycares.org It will be hot! Jackie With A Z!!!! January 25, 2007 5:04 PM Check out Jackie's new show and go and see her in MTC'S "Regrets Only" You will regret it if you miss her. She has the best one liners and is hysterical! "Uproariously funny...Ms. Hoffman's solo shows at Joe's Pub have become a beloved ritual for fans." - The New York Times The hilarious Obie-award winner Jackie Hoffman (Garden State, Hairspray, Kissing Jessica Stein) returns to Joe's Pub, home of her smash hit, The Kvetching Continues (the longest running show in Joe's Pub history), for her new collection of comedy and song: Jackie With A Z. Directed by Michael Schiralli with musical director Bobby Peaco, Jackie with a Z promises to be yet another surefire sell out... so get your tickets soon! TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW, CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE Joe's Pub is located at 425 Lafayette Street between East 4th and Astor Place. Joe's Pub is located on the web at http://www.joespub.com All events are subject to change without notice. Tickets available by calling 212-967-7555. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Public Theater box office, Tues-Sat from 1-7:30pm, Sun & Mon from 1-6pm. For dinner reservations, call 212-539-8778. Dinner reservations are strongly recommended; seating, as well as standing, is available only on a first-come, first-served basis for all shows without a dinner reservation. Eddie Varley and Sam Norkin Love Blog! January 25, 2007 12:51 AM A few of you have written asking about the adorable cartoons of me. One is by Sam Norkin (A man who is like a Father to me) and the others are by the one and only Eddie Varley. Thanks for writing. I love them very much. (The drawings) and the men. Thank you! C Kids Night On Broadway! January 24, 2007 5:32 PM Kids’ Night on Broadway® National Ambassadors JULIE ANDREWS and EMMA WALTON HAMILTON Will Autograph Limited Number of Copies of Their Newest Book, “The Great American Mousical” At Kids’ Night Fanfest, January 30 at Madame Tussauds New York (www.KidsNightOnBroadway.com) (New York, January 24, 2007) Internationally recognized film and stage star Julie Andrews, and daughter Emma Walton Hamilton, National Ambassadors for this year’s Kids’ Night on Broadway, will sign a limited number of copies of their newest book, “The Great American Mousical.” Starting at 2:30 p.m., tickets will be handed out to the first 150 Kids’ Night participants standing in line who are interested in purchasing a book. The first 150 people to purchase a book will get to meet Ms. Andrews and Ms. Hamilton, and have their book signed. Doors open at Madame Tussauds at exactly 3 p.m. with the book signing starting at 4:00 p.m. Books will be available for purchase at the Madame Tussaud’s gift store located on the 5th floor. Kids’ Night on Broadway is the annual event during which young people ages 6 to 18 can attend a Broadway show for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult. With the purchase of Kids’ Night theatre tickets, families will be offered tons of free or discounted family fun including a Pre-Theater Fan Festival with Broadway performances at Madame Tussauds, held on both January 30 and 31. Limited tickets are still available and can be purchased via Telecharge.com or Ticketmaster (depending on ticket agent), or at the individual theatre boxes. The Fan Festival will commence at 3:00 p.m. on January 30, and 4:00 p.m. on January 31, and will afford young people the opportunity to experience how live theatre is created through special activities hosted by the cast and crew of participating shows. Activities include special theatrical makeup stations, Broadway dance lessons, karaoke, and many other unique theatre activities. Many Broadway stars will also be on hand to sign autographs in Autograph Alley. Fans also get to tour Madame Tussauds for free! Area restaurants will offer family-friendly dinner discounts including free entrées for each child accompanied by an adult who purchase a regularly priced entrée. While cast members of participating shows add special fun to the evening with individual post-performance curtain speeches thanking kids for being part of the audience. At the theatre, all those in attendance will receive a special souvenir Playbill, entirely written by local teenagers who love theatre, provided by Theatre Development Fund. Special parking discounts will also be available. For More Information on Kids’ Night Events For more information or to view the list of discounted restaurants and parking garages, log on to www.kidsnightonbroadway.com or call the Broadway Line (1-888-Broadway). Sponsors Madame Tussauds New York with the New York Times sponsor the eleventh annual Kids’ Night on Broadway. Additional support is provided by WNBC-TV and Theatre Development Fund. Julie Andrews is one of the most recognized and beloved figures in the entertainment industry. Her legendary career encompasses the Broadway and London stages, blockbuster Hollywood films, award-winning television shows, multiple album releases and concert tours and the world of children's publishing. Emma Walton Hamilton is a Co-Founder of the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, NY, now in its fifteenth season. Her role there encompasses bringing theatre to young adults on Long Island and in New York City as Director of Bay Street Theatre's Educational Outreach and Young Playwrights Programs, as well as heading up Kidstreet, Bay Street's programming for young audiences. The two have co-authored fifteen children's books, including the The Great American Mousical, and insiders spoof about the adventures of a troupe of theatrical mice that live and work in a miniature world beneath Broadway. Their other books include the Dumpy the Dump Truck series of picture books, board books and Early Readers, the original fable Simeon's Gift, the medieval novel Dragon: Hound Of Honor. Maitner is Host! January 24, 2007 4:31 PM Wear your best pearls or he will stick it in. (Just kidding) THE LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATRE is pleased to continue our Friday Night Soiree THE AFTER PARTY an informal midtown schmoozefest for the theatrically inclined Every Friday, 10:30pm – 2am with special guest host this Friday, 1/26 ROB MAITNER And special guest Musical Director JOHN McMAHON The Laurie Beechman Theatre, located within The West Bank Café (407 West 42nd St.), is pleased to continue THE AFTER PARTY, an informal social gathering for the theatrically inclined. Every Friday from 10:30pm till 2am, join hosts BRANDON CUTRELL (MAC & Bistro Award winner) and ALYSHA UMPHRESS (XL Star), as well as RAY FELLMAN (Captain Louie) at the piano, and award-winning vocalist LISA ASHER (her pour is as ferocious as her belt), behind the bar for this weekly party in the heart of Manhattan’s theatre district. There is no cover charge and no minimum. Come and sing yourself as the mic is always open (only rule: your selection must be from a musical!), or sit back and enjoy a cocktail with friends. Located just blocks from the Great White Way, you never know who might drop in. This Friday, January 26th, we’re especially pleased to welcome special guest host ROB MAITNER, and special guest pianist JOHN McMAHON. The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located downstairs, within The West Bank Café, 407 West 42nd St at 9th Avenue. There is a full bar and bar menu available, and reservations are not necessary for this event. ROB MAITNER is a multi-award winning actor and singer whose New York credits include Urinetown! (OOBR Award), Fairy Tales (Bistro Award), Fleet Week! (Talkin' Broadway Citation for Outstanding Performance), A Clockwork Orange (OOBR AWARD) and Poor Man Superman (NYCFringe Outstanding Performance Award). Regionally, Rob has appeared at Syracuse Stage, Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, Cape May Stage, The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and in the Boston production of Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know, directed by the late Patrick Quinn. Rob has performed at clubs all over New York City, including Joe's Pub, The Metropolitan Room and The Duplex Cabaret Theatre. His critically-acclaimed solo show, The Misadventures of Robbie Maitner, will be returning in 2007. JOHN McMAHON’s credits include the Broadway production of Prince of Central Park, and the revival of the Gershwin musical Oh! Kay! Off-Broadway, he was heard playing for the hit musical, Ruthless! and the revue Whoop Dee Doo! He was the musical conductor and co-creator of the musical revue Bottoms Up! He directed the original revue of the music of Rick Crom’s Absolutely Rude!, and musical directed his Star Trek parody musical, Space Trek. He composed original music for the Valley of the Dolls spoof, Below the Valley of the Dolls and collaborated with Broadway lyricist Ira Gasman (“The Life”) on several cabaret songs. A Bistro Award winner, he is a frequent cabaret and piano bar performer, and can be heard on the soundtrack of the critically acclaimed Japanese made-for-television movie A Table for Two. He has written the music for the musical Satan’s School for Girls, which was nominated for a Jeffrey award for its Chicago run at the Circle Theater. His original revue, written with lyricist Jay Jeffries, That’s My New York, opened at Judy’s Chelsea in March of 2001, which won a 2002 Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) award for the song “Where’s Shirley?” His jazz arrangement of Sondheim’s "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" can be heard on Lea Delaria’s CD Play it Cool on Warner Brother’s Jazz Label. He is musical director of the new musical Lovely, starring Kelly Briggs and Jerry Christakos and Rick Crom’s What in the World?! Both shows won the 2003 New York Nightlife Award and both were nominated for the 2003 MAC awards. In 2006,www.LisaAsher.com. Broadway Cares News! January 24, 2007 1:03 PM Great news for Broadway Cares! Don't forget to buy a ticket to Rockers on January 29th. WORLD OF DISNEY’S 5th AVENUE STORE PARTNERS WITH ABC DAYTIME TO BENEFIT BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS Emmy® Award-winner Jacob Young (“All My Children”) to host exclusive in-store event and raffle featuring stars of ABC Daytime, January 28 (January 24, 2007 – New York, NY) On Sunday January 28 (11:00-2:00 PM) Jacob Young (JR Chandler), the Emmy® Award- winning star of ABC’s “All My Children” will host an exclusive event and raffle at World of Disney’s 5th Avenue Flagship Store (711 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY) to help raise awareness and funds to support the Sunday, February 25 “ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS” concert at Town Hall in New York City. A raffle of rare and unique Disney items including signed posters from the Broadway companies of Disney’s “Tarzan” and “Mary Poppins the new musical” and a limited edition Waterford Tinkerbell figurine will be featured in the event that will also include autograph signings by Mr. Young and his fellow “All My Children” co-stars Melisa Claire Egan, Jeff Branson and Chrishell Stause and Kristen Alderson of “One Life to Live” who will also perform a number from the Disney songbook. This event is the first of several on-site and online auctions leading up to the annual “ABC Daytime Salutes BC/EFA” concert and is the latest example of the Walt Disney Corporation and ABC Television Network’s long standing commitment to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Through this and other events, they have raised awareness and substantial funds helping BC/EFA help those in need. All proceeds from this event and the upcoming concert will benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Tickets to “ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS” can be purchased online at www.broadwaycares.org or by calling 212.840.0770 x268 Jacob Young recently made his Broadway debut as Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. He joined the cast of “All My Children” as JR Chandler in September 2003, receiving his third Daytime Emmy nomination. In 2000, Jacob joined the cast of “General Hospital” as Lucky Spencer and won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Lead Actor. Jacob portrayed Rick Forrester on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” for which he received his first Emmy nomination. Feature film credits include The Girl Next Door. He has also been seen in the ABC movie “Beach Boys: An American Family” and guest starred on ABC’s “Hope & Faith.” Over the past two years, Jacob has been featured in numerous ABC Daytime benefits supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The World of Disney NYC located at 5th and 55th has the greatest selection of Disney gifts, plus Character Greetings, authentic Theme Park merchandise and an amazing new Disney Art Gallery. A great way to experience Walt Disney World with a New York twist! Call 212-702-0702 or visit www.worldofdisney.com . ABC Daytime, which remains number one among all broadcast networks in the key Women 18-49 demographic, produces 1,000 hours of original television a year, with four network-owned daytime programs, including “The View,” now in its 10th season, as well as the popular daytime dramas “ All My Children," "One Life to Live" and "General Hospital." Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American Theatre 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 its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $100 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV or HIV-related illnesses. For information on BC/EFA’s events, programs and services visit www.broadwaycares.org The Color Purple. Hell, YES! January 24, 2007 9:56 AM Just wanted to post how much I love the show. I went back last evening to see it once more before Brandon Dixon and Felicia P Fields left the show. The show is wonderful and the new actor who plays "Mister" has a stronger singing voice. Hell, Yes! I am sad that Dixon and Felicia are leaving. If you can see it before Sunday, I would! It is an excellent show and the entire cast work well together. Best wishes to Dixon and Felicia. More later. Coffee! "Sopranos" Stars Robert Funaro, Maureen Van Zandt and Suzanne DiDonna Off Broadway! January 23, 2007 11:38 PM The Heist of a Lifetime is Being Staged at the Richmond Shepard Theatre… “Sopranos” Stars Robert Funaro, Maureen Van Zandt, and Suzanne DiDonna in THE LADY SWIMS TODAY Opens Wednesday, February 7th Richmond Shepard Theatre (309 E. 26th St.) "Sopranos" stars Robert Funaro, Maureen Van Zandt and Suzanne DiDonna lead the cast of H.G. Brown's crime caper, THE LADY SWIMS TODAY, in a special limited engagement at The Richmond Shepard Theatre (309 E. 26th St. at 2nd Ave.), February 7th - 18th, 2007. Welcome to the Carney Hook Marina Motel, where four would-be criminals are cooking up the heist of a lifetime. It's summer, 1984, and Eddie has a plan to steal two million dollars off a boat in the Chesapeake Bay – now he just needs a crew to pull it off. But when these schemers and dreamers collide with three tough and sultry broads, the course to a fortune is threatened by more than bad weather. THE LADY SWIMS TODAY is a drama in the tradition of Bogart and Bacall in Key Largo, with film noir shadows and flashes of comedy. The cast of THE LADY SWIMS TODAY includes three “Sopranos” stars: Robert Funaro (Ridley Scott’s upcoming film American Gangster, Dread Awakening), Maureen Van Zandt (Danny Aiello’s upcoming film Anyone’s Son), and Suzanne DiDonna (“Sex and the City”), as well as William Fowle, Gordon Silva, Kelli K. Barnett, and Jack Rodgerson. Writer/Director H.G. Brown is the author of The Gargoyle, which won the Norman Corwin Prize at San Diego State University and was later produced for television, starring David McCallum; as well as Play Sinatra at the American Theater of Actors. He is the director of the plays Slow Dance On the Killing Ground and The Dock Brief in San Francisco, as well as Stepping Down for WAMU-FM Radio in Washington, D.C. THE LADY SWIMS TODAY begins performances on Wednesday, February 7th at 8pm at The Richmond Shepard Theatre (309 E. 26th St. at 2nd Ave.), and plays for a limited engagement through Sunday, February 18th only. The performance schedule is Tuesday-Saturday at 8pm, with matinees on Saturday at 1:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.smarttix.com or by calling (212) 868-4444. The running time is 120 minutes with one intermission. The theatre can be reached by taking the 6 Train to 23rd Street. More info can be found at www.TheLadySwimsToday.com. THE LADY SWIMS TODAY is presented by Brown Swan Productions. Costumes are designed by Lori Santoro. www.TheLadySwimsToday.com Perfect Cosmos and the perfect Valentine's Day! January 23, 2007 4:12 PM Check out this show! In addition, you might want to order a cosmo or two! I had one at David Gurland's show and it was a perfect cosmo! The Laurie Beechman Theatre is pleased to celebrate VALENTINE’s DAY Join us on February 14th in our intimate venue located in the heart of New York’s Theatre District for a three course dinner and special musical performance featuring 2007 Nightlife Award-winning Vocalist LISA ASHER The Laurie Beechman Theatre is pleased to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, February 14th, 2007 with a special evening that includes a three course dinner (specially prepared by Executive Chef Joe Marcus) and special musical performance, featuring acclaimed vocalist LISA ASHER and her musicians. Please join us at 7:30pm for dinner, to be followed by the 9pm performance. All-inclusive tickets are $85, which includes dinner, show and all gratuities and taxes. The Laurie Beechman Theatre, a sophisticated yet casual venue, is located within The West Bank Café at 407 West 42nd St. (@9th Ave). Lisa Asher’s eclectic musical tastes range from Rodgers & Hammerstein (music from their classic, Cinderella) to Cole Porter (Love For Sale), and compositions by Michael Smith, Janis Ian, Hoagy Carmichael and Rodgers & Hart (Where or When?). She has used her passionate, rich vocals to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a special performance for the past three years, an event that has become a sold-out New York tradition. Her ensemble consists of Lou Tucci on bass, Bob Green on fiddle, mandolin and guitar, and musical director Jeff Waxman. Tickets may be purchased via Smarttix: www.smarttix.com, or 212.868.4444. THE LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATRE inside THE WEST BANK CAFÉ – Opened in 1978, The West Bank Café was a pioneer of fine dining on West 42nd Street at a time when Hell’s Kitchen still lived up to its name. The Laurie Beechman Theatre, opened in the early 1980’s, stages plays and hosts events nightly. Among the myriad of performers who have graced the stage of The Beechman: The Who, Broadway’s Alison Fraser, Karen Mason and Warren Leight, Lewis Black (the theatre’s former Playwright-in-Residence), Howard Stern, Dreamgirls composer Henry Krieger and many others. The restaurant’s regulars have included Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller and Bruce Willis. Currently, the elegant boite and theatre are favorites of a host of New York’s most prominent personalities. LISA ASHER’s critically acclaimed one-woman show, Stranded in the Moonlight, recently completed a successful run at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, which has garnered her the 2006 Nightlife Award and the praise of audiences and critics alike. On December 31, 2006, Lisa co-hosted a stellar New Year’s Eve show at the Beechman, ringing in 2007 with her signature humor or breathtaking vocals. Lisa made her national television debut in a solo vocal performance on the Emmy Award-winning The Rosie O’Donnell Show, at the insistence of the show’s musical director, John McDaniel. Ms. Asher is the recipient of a MAC (Manhattan Association of Clubs & Cabarets) Award for Outstanding Vocalist, as well as the Back Stage Bistro Award for her solo work in cabarets in New York. Her critically acclaimed debut CD, Let The Mystery Be, was nominated for a MAC Award for Recording of the Year, and her recent release Lisa Asher, Live at the Duplex, is available in stores nationwide. Lisa has appeared as a featured vocalist and actress in numerous concert and theatrical venues around the country. Recently, she appeared with Tony nominated songwriter/singer Craig Carnelia (Sweet Smell of Success, Imaginary Friends) at a sold out concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Recent theatrical credits include starring in the world premiere of two new musicals – I Married Wyatt Earp at The Bristol Riverside Theater and, Almost Heaven . . . Songs and Stories of John Denver at the Tony Award-Winning Denver Theatre Center Company. Lisa has toured nationally with the Broadway show, The Who’s Tommy and performed in the Off-Broadway hit, Woody Guthrie’s American Song which received a Drama Desk Nomination for Best Musical. www.LisaAsher.com. My Friend, The Cat the story of a furry friend by Phil Geoffrey Bond Friday, February 23rd, 8pm featuring the vocals of Tom Andersen, Lisa Asher, Brandon Cutrell, Suzanne Fiore, Julie Reyburn & Alysha Umphress reservations: 212 695 6909 Restaurant Week- New York Restaurant Cookbook! January 23, 2007 11:13 AM In honor of Restaurant Week check out information on some of the best places to eat in NYC. I love NYC AND I LOVE NYC Restaurants! http://www.nycvisit.com/content/index.cfm?pagePkey=1085 Culinary Corner- Restaurant Week Day 1! January 22, 2007 9:45 PM Corine's Corner Restaurant Week Chow report! Day 1 Restaurant Week Restaurant 21 Club. Dear Foodies, I attended 21 Club today. The food was exceptional. My favorite thing has always been the 21 hamburger (Not on the $24.07 lunch menu but don't despair the special menu is truly scrumptious) I had the cornmeal -crusted fried oysters as my appetizer. As my main course I had the sauteed monkfish, sea scallops and shrimp and for dessert I had the black and white chocolate mousse cake. My lunch guest had the grilled flat iron steak (which was beyond scrumptious, I tasted it and loved it) He had the classic creme'Brulee, which was also exceptional. The food was outstanding but the white and dark mousse was beyond anything I have ever tasted in my life. This is the week to go to 21 Club. The food is exceptional and the value during restaurant week is beyond your wildest expectations. 21 is a 21 out of 10 stars. Chef John Greeley is brilliant. I would advise getting the grilled flat iron steak, and the white and dark mousse cake. The Mousse cake had pecan crust inside and the crunch combined with the rich chocolate was orgasmic. I am not kidding! It was very rich. I ate half and gave the rest to my guest. Do not miss that cake! Unwind with Wine! January 22, 2007 1:47 PM This sounds incredible!!!! Unwind with Wine™ Hosts a "Seduced by Bacon" Wine Tasting with Cookbook Author Joanna Pruess and Crain's NY Restaurant Critic Bob Lape on January 30, 2007 WHAT Unwind with Wine™, a new wine tasting and networking club, is delighted to host a "Seduced by Bacon" wine tasting celebrating the new cookbook, Seduced by Bacon, written by Joanna Pruess with her husband, Bob Lape. Joanna Pruess is an award-winning author of several cookbooks and has also written for publications like the New York Times, The Washington Post and the Associated Press. Bob Lape is Crain's NY Business' highly-acclaimed restaurant critic who also hosts "Dining Diary" on CBS-AM Radio. The tasting will feature six different wines paired with delightful finger foods prepared by Executive Chef Pnina Peled of Ristorante Cinque Terre at the Jolly Hotel Madison Towers. Each dish will incorporate everyone's favorite decadent ingredient: bacon! A book signing will follow the event. WHEN Tuesday, January 30, 2007 / 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM COST & R.S.V.P. $75 Space is limited. To R.S.V.P. and make payment, please visit http://www.unwindwithwine.com/events.html There will be no registrations or payments at the door. WHERE Jolly Hotel Madison Towers 22 East 38 Street (near Madison Avenue) / New York, NY 10016 ABOUT JOANNA PRUESS Joanna Pruess is an award-winning author of ten cookbooks and has also written extensively on food for publications like the New York Times Sunday Magazine, The Washington Post, Food Arts, Saveur, Food & Wine and the Associated Press syndicate. In addition to Seduced by Bacon, which is in its third printing in less than two months, Joanna wrote the highly regarded new cookbook Fiamma, The Essence of Contemporary Italian Cuisine, with chef Michael White. Pruess' books newly available in paperback are Soup for Every Body, Tea Cuisine (formerly Eat Tea), and Supermarket Confidential (formerly Supermarket Epicure). Joanna also co-authored the D'Artagnan Glorious Game Cookbook. Look for a new book from her next fall. She has developed recipes for clients including Bella Cucina Artful Food, Bigelow Tea, Stonewall Kitchen and Sarabeth's Kitchen, among others. Joanna has been the subject of a profile in Bon Appétit and People, as well as other publications. She appeared regularly of WYNY's "Good Day, New York" and was honored by NYU's School of Food Service as Woman of the Year in Food Service, Merchandising and Promotion. ABOUT BOB LAPE Bob Lape, Emmy Award-winning member of Who's Who in America, has had a powerful impact on the way Americans eat at home and away. His many publications, programs and pronouncements span the past 36 years - a time of American cuisine's quantum leap in sophisticated awareness and recognition. Bob spearheaded the movement in a multi-media approach unparalleled in the nation. As the trail-blazing Eyewitness Gourmet on WABC-TV in New York - the forerunner of Food Television Network - he showcased 1,000 restaurants in prime time, triggering requests for two million recipes. He was the pioneering restaurant reviewer for Crain's New York Business, a post he occupies 21 years later, and a similar ground-breaker for the New York Law Journal. He has been food critic for the TODAY SHOW, both local and national, and had his own food talk show on WABC. Bob's "Dining Diary" feature on the CBS Flagship radio station in New York, aired 20 times a week, is in its 21st year. ABOUT UNWIND WITH WINE™ Unwind with Wine™ (www.unwindwithwine.com) was founded by Hanna Lee of Hanna Lee Communications, Inc. in the summer of 2006. It is a new, educational wine tasting club that offers interactive, monthly wine tasting and networking events targeting women and men in professional fields and in business. It features monthly educational tastings that cover the basics of wine with renowned wine journalists, authors and educators. Are You A Creative Artist? Read more!!! January 22, 2007 9:37 AM CURRENT SCHEDULE 2007 Jan 27 12:30pm TRATTORIA DOPO TEATRO, 125 West 44th Street Share the Wealth Networking Brunch for Creative Artists - Over 50 creative artists and companies will come together to "share a meal, share their service and share the wealth". The brunch, hosted by Penelope Brackett, coach and founder of The Creative Seed Career/Life Coaching is designed to give the attending creative artists an opportunity to grow their businesses and their lives by strengthening their overall skill in networking and introducing them to fellow professionals, who can hire them, refer them, and make their craft and business thrive. Richard Skipper, a dynamic solo performer and expert in touring and booking your own solo show, will be a featured host along with ten additional creative artists experts in areas such as auditioning, producing, editing, musical theater and entertainment law. Proceeds from the Share the Wealth Networking Brunch will go to The Brackett Foundation dedicated to providing access to education for the oppressed and displaced people of Burma, India and Thailand including building and sustaining schools and providing scholarships for college. Through Jan 17, early bird special is $35 (two for $60), Jan 18 - Jan 26 $40, Jan 27 at the door $45.For more information or to register contact pb@thecreativeseed.com or (973) 762-5871 Jan 29 6 & 7:30pm NATIONAL THEATRE HELEN HAYES GALLERY, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW - Washington DC, 20004 A CAROL CHANNING BIRTHDAY PARTY - Richard returns to celebrate Carol's 86th birthday with George Fulginiti-Shakar on piano. For these Free performances tickets will be distributed in the lobby about 30 minutes prior to the show, first come-first served. Each guest must be in the line to receive a ticket. No advance reservations or taking tickets for late arrivals. Seating in the intimate Helen Hayes Gallery is limited. Plan to arrive early. Jan 30 7pm GRAVITY LOUNGE, 103 South First St., Charlottesville, VA CAROL CHANNING IN CONCERT STARRING RICHARD SKIPPER! - with George Fulginiti-Shakar on piano. Seating is limited. $20 advance tickets available at gravity-lounge.com. $25 day of show. Doors open at 6pm. Dinner and drinks available. For additional info, call 434-977-5590. Feb 3 HELEN'S, 169 Eight Ave. New York, NY PRIVATE EVENT Feb 27 6pm BROADWAY COMEDY CLUB, DOWNSTAIRS, 318 West 53rd St. bet. 8th and 9th Aves, NYC INTIMATE NIGHTS, THE GOLDEN AGE OF NEW YORK CABARET - A Discussion About the History of New York's Night Life: Where We've Been, Where We Are, Where We're Headed! Moderated by MAC award winner Richard Skipper, and featuring a panel that includes: James Gavin, author of 'Intimate Nights;" Deborah Grace Winer, author of 'The Night and the Music: Rosemary Clooney, Barbara Cook and Julie Wilson Inside the World of Cabaret;" Linda Amiel Burns, founder of 'The Singing Experience,' workshops in performance technique; Jamie deRoy, former President of MAC; Sidney Myer, currently serving on the Board of MAC and Booking Manager for Don't Tell Mama. James Gavin will also be selling copies of 'Intimate Nights' afterwards. The cost of the seminar is free for MAC members and $10 for non-members. To reserve your space, please call Elegant Diamond Productions at (845) 365-0720. If you have specific comments or questions that you would like our panel to address, please send to Richard@RichardSkipper.com by February 25. Click here for more information. Scrubs Musical! I want my Marx and Lopez TV! January 22, 2007 1:32 AM Finally watched the Scrubs Musical episode. It was adorable. It was great to see Jeff Marx in the background. Did anyone else see him! That was so wonderful. I knew he wrote some of the songs but I had no idea he would be performing. I also saw Karen Ziemba. What a treat! Stephanie was the best part but what else would you expect. I hope they do a part 2. Loved it. Stephanie rocked! She was so cute. The facial expressions were great. It made my day. Corine ;-) Maybe Tags can be in part 2. ;-) I want my Marx TV!~ Broadway Playhouse -Merkin Concert Hall Annie February 4th! January 21, 2007 11:32 PM Kaufman Center Presents Broadway Playhouse  at Merkin Concert Hall, Sunday, February 4, 2006 at 11:00am New York, NY, 1/19/06—Kaufman Center presents the second concert in its acclaimed new family series, Broadway Playhouse, on Sunday, February 4 at 11 am in Merkin Concert Hall. The concert will focus on the music of Charles Strouse. Host Sean Hartley will be joined by an engaging cast of singer/comedians and music director Jihwan Kim as well as Charles Strouse himself for this family-friendly exploration of Broadway’s great musicals. Strouse discuss the creative process behind his hit musicals Annie and Bye, Bye, Birdie, and will also answer questions from the audience. The concert features many kid-friendly activities, like an audience sing-along, interactive games with audience volunteers and prizes, comic scenes and sketches about the composers, and a mini-musical of Annie. ABOUT CHARLES STROUSE Charles Strouse, a long-standing member of the Songwriters' Hall of Fame and, in January 2002, an inductee into The Theatre Hall of Fame, is one of America's most successful musical theatre composers. His first Broadway musical, Bye Bye Birdie (1960), written with his long-time collaborator Lee Adams, won him a Tony Award and the London Critics Best Foreign Musical Award. In 1970, Applause, starring Lauren Bacall, achieved the same honors and his smash hit, Annie (1977), written with lyricist Martin Charnin and librettist Tom Meehan, also won Tony's for Best Score and Best Music as well as two Grammy Awards. Among his other musicals presented on Broadway and in London's West End are All American (with book by Mel Brooks), Golden Boy (starring Sammy Davis Jr.), It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's Superman (produced and directed by Hal Prince), I And Albert (directed in London by John Schlesinger), and Dance A Little Closer, written with Alan Jay Lerner. Charlie & Algernon won a 1981 Tony nomination for Best Score, as did Rags in 1987 and Nick And Nora in 1992. He wrote both the music and lyrics for off-Broadway's Mayor, and teamed again with Martin Charnin to create Annie Warbucks, the sequel to Annie. Strouse's film scores include Bonnie & Clyde, The Night They Raided Minsky's, and All Dogs Go To Heaven. The Strouse and Adams song Those Were The Days, the theme song for TV's All In The Family, is one of the most popular television themes of all time. Born Too Late, a 1958 pop song written with Fred Tobias, was a Billboard Top 10 hit and is still heard on many “oldies” stations. Strouse's musical talents also include chamber and orchestral works as well as opera. Nightingale, an opera based on the Hans Christian Andersen story for which he wrote music, book and lyrics, was recorded by Sarah Brightman. Concerto America, composed in 2002 to commemorate 9/11 and the spirit of New York City, received its world premiere from the Boston Pops Orchestra on June 30, 2002, with pianist Jeffrey Biegel as soloist. On This Day, an anthem written for the White House Commission on Remembrance, was performed on Memorial Day2003, in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia for an audience that included the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Mr. Strouse is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where he has returned to give master classes in musical theatre. The Eastman School commissioned him to write a companion opera to Nightingale that premiered in 2004. He also studied in Paris with Nadia Boulanger and was mentored by Aaron Copland, the quintessential American composer. Through the ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop in New York, which he created and directed since its inception over fifteen years ago, countless young composers, writers and performers have found a forum for their work. In 1999, ASCAP presented Charles Strouse their coveted Richard Rodgers Award for his achievement in musical theatre. In January 2002 he was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame and later that year the American Theatre Wing honored him for his contribution to the Broadway Musical. The television adaptation of his classic Bye Bye Birdie (1995) won him and Lee Adams an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics for Let's Settle Down, a new song written for and performed by Vanessa Williams. A 1999 television adaptation of Annie won two Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award and still ranks as the highest rated television musical in Neilsen history. Other awards include an Oscar Hammerstein Award for Achievement in the Theatre in 1993. About Sean Hartley Chair of the Special Music School Admissions Committee and Director of the Theatre Wing of the Kaufman Center/Lucy Moses School, Sean is an active teacher, performer, writer and composer. He holds a B.A. in Theater Arts from Brandeis University and an M.A. in Music Education from the Manhattan School of Music. Mr. Hartley studied playwriting with Israel Horovitz and composition with Charles Turner and is currently a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Songwriters’ Workshop, where he won the 2004 Jerry Harrington Award for Artistic Excellence. A 2004 Drama Desk Award nominee for Outstanding Lyrics for the off-Broadway musical Cupid and Psyche, Mr. Hartley has also written scripts and scores for the Poppy Seed Players and songs for The Book of Pooh and Bear in the Big Blue House on the Disney Channel. Mr. Hartley has been with the Kaufman Center since 1989. Kaufman Center’s 2007 season of BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE continues with its final concert on Sunday, March 11th, 2007 at 11 am with Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun. BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE CHARLES STROUSE (Annie) 129 W. 67th St. (between Broadway and Amsterdam) Sunday, February 4, 2007 at 11:00 AM Single tickets are $20 Call the Box Office at 212 501 3330 or order online at www.merkinconcerthall.org I'm ALL A GLOW- By Maitner and Gurland! January 21, 2007 10:42 PM Oh, Moring Glow! Gurland and Maitner make a terrific team. They were All a Glow in this beautiful and funny showtunes show. David Gurland has a gorgeous voice and he showed it off in "DGUR in Concert" My favorite number was a duet with Gurland and Maitner singing "If You Don't Mind My Saying So" from the Music Man. It was hysterical. I was laughing so hard that I was actually crying and the tears ran down my face when Maitner sang "Morning Glow from one of my favorite shows. (Pippin) Maryann took photos and we will be posting photo coverage very soon. Bravo to David and Robbie. I loved his Neurotica concert but this concert showed his vocal talent. Check out his next five shows: February 18th- All Country Music with Lisa Asher and Randy Driscoli. Lisa filled in this evening and was wonderful. I can't wait to see her show. March 18th is the show that I can't wait to see starring my friend Eddie Varley and Mike McCardle. Yes, Andrea McCardle's brother. (Maybe they can get Andrea to sing)They will be singing songs from the 1970's and 1980's. I wont miss it! May 20th is David's all Madonna show. Hopefully he can change the date as it is the same night as the Drama Desk Awards. (Hint, hint) June 17th is very exciting-Gurland does Garland, for Gay Pride, with Brian Farley and Mary Birdsong(From Martin Short's "Fame Becomes Me") She was hysterical as Garland. Sounds like fun. For more info on David you can go to his website: www.davidgurland.com Bravo, Gurland and Maitner. I am your newest fan. Thank you! January 21, 2007 4:00 PM I just wanted to thank many of you for your sweet emails. It really made me happy. In addition, please write to me and let me know what you want me to write about. PS Since this week is Restaurant Week, I plan on writing a new piece about the restaurants I attend. Many of you have written in about it and I plan on taking that advice. More restaurants will be covered on the new site. So get out there. Go to a show and a fantastic restaurant this week. Much love and kisses, Corine ;-) Horrible Nightmare. Help Me Make Sure This Does Not Come True! January 21, 2007 2:27 AM I have Forbidden Broadway on my mind. After seeing the show Friday evening (It was so great) I had a disturbing nightmare. Neil, Forbidden Broadway's box office Manager called me on the phone. Corine, I have some bad news for you. What? I replied. The show needs your help. January is a bad month for theater and the show is doing badly. Anything I replied. My heart racing, I called the Producer of Forbidden Broadway. Oh. Corine. So you heard. We are closing Forbidden Broadway if we don't raise big bucks. Not on your life I replied. I woke up in a sweat. This was just a nightmare. One I hope never comes true. Please buy a ticket to Forbidden Broadway so this never comes true. Thank you, Corine Call 212-239-6200 for tickets. Please call now. Are you dialing? ;-) http://www.forbiddenbroadway.com Restaurant Week Starts Monday! January 20, 2007 9:05 PM Most of the best restaurants are part of Restaurant Week starting on Monday. A three course lunch is only $24.07 and some of the best restaurants have dinner for $35.00 a person. Check it out! http://www.nycvisit.com/RestaurantWeekSearch/index.cfm?pagePkey=1713 This Looks Amazing! Heath Calvert!!! January 20, 2007 11:16 AM On Monday, February 26, producer Derek Collard is pleased to present "MY FIRST TIME," an all-star Broadway concert to benefit Quality Services for the Autistism Community (QSAC). Directed by Igor Goldin with musical direction by David Andrews Rogers, "MY FIRST TIME" will take place at New World Stages at 7 p.m. http://benefit.qsac.com/ Featuring performances by Hunter Bell [title of show] Susan Blackwell - [title of show] Heath Calvert (Good Vibrations, The Children) Matt Cavenaugh (Urban Cowboy, Grey Gardens) Rick Crom (Urinetown, Footloose, The Goodbye Girl) Jeffry Denman (The Producers, White Christmas) Ed Dixon (Les Miserables, Under the Bridge) Hunter Foster (Urinetown, Little Shop Of Horrors, The Producers) Anita Gillette (Moonstruck, Carnival, Cabaret) Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening, In My Life) Terri Klausner (Evita, Sophisticated Ladies) Stephanie Kurtzuba (The Boy From Oz, Mary Poppins, NEWSical) Garrett Long (The Spitfire Grill, Seussical) Asa Somers (Grey Gardens, Taboo) John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, Beauty and the Beast) Mary Testa (On The Town, 42nd Street, Regrets Only) Jim Watkins, Anchor, CW11 News at 10 The concert features a variety of first-hand stories and songs from the performers' own "first" experiences, such as the first show they were in, their first professional stage success or the first show or star that inspired them to follow their hearts to Broadway. Tickets for this one-night-only event can be reserved by calling QSAC directly at 212-244-5560 ext. 2035. Tickets are priced at $25, $45 and $65 http://benefit.qsac.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who's Who Hunter Bell - Silence! The Musical (book writer/Overall Excellence Award-Outstanding Musical 2005 Fringe NYC), Stuck by EPCOT (playwright/Manhattan Theatre Source), A-Train Plays (Neighborhood Playhouse), 2003 finalist Warner Brothers Comedy Writers Workshop. Developed new works at Dramatists Guild, Irish Rep, PS 122, Goodspeed/ Chester, CanStage, and MTC. TV: Out of the Box (Disney Channel), Guiding Light. Susan Blackwell - [title of show], The Electra Monologues, Saying Anything, The Myth of Female Bonding and Shrinkage. Television credits include "The Sopranos", "Third Watch" and various "Law & Orders". Films include Bun Bun, Changing Lanes, and Jim Jarmusch’s Night Int. Trailer for the feature film Ten Minutes Older. She has performed off-Broadway in Working Title and Vilna's Got a Golem, and played Peter Patrone in The Heidi Chronicles. She was a member of the Guthrie Theatre Acting Company for two seasons. Heath Calvert - Broadway: Good Vibrations Other NY: Dust & Dreams: A Sandburg Celebration at the York Theatre, Swimming Upstream and Byzantium at the NY Fringe Festival, The Children and Wild Women of Planet Wongo at the NY Musical Theatre Festival. Regional: The Human Comedy (Marcus/Matthew), Sweeney Todd (Sweeney), Parade (Dorsey), Secret Garden (Neville), I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change (Jordan) & Little Shop of Horrors. Matthew Cavenaugh - A Broadway, television and movie actor/singer. Matt can now be seen in the musical Grey Gardens and will soon be seen on CBS' As the World Turns. Matt previously starred as a character on ABC's One Life To Live and toured with Thoroughly Modern Millie. He premiered on Broadway in Urban Cowboy. Rick Crom - Broadway: Urinetown,The Goodbye Girl and Footloose. Off-Broadway: Merrily We Roll Along, Das Barbecü, Encores! Fiorello and Li’l Abner and Carnegie Hall’s Louisiana Purchase. NYMSF's White Noise. He is formerly of the Chicago City Limits comedy group. As a standup comic, he has appeared on “Caroline’s Comedy Hour,” “MTV’s Half-Hour Comedy Hour,” and Showtime and Comedy Central. He performs regularly at the Comedy Cellar in Manhattan. Jeffry Denman was in the final cast of Cats as Munkustrap and can currently be seen on Broadway in the smash hit The Producers. Ed Dixon was most recently featured on Broadway in The Iceman Cometh, The Best Man and The Persians. Other Broadway appearances include No, No Nanette, Rosalie, Knickerbocker Holiday, King of Schnorrers, The Three Musketeers, Les Miserables, Cyrano, The Scarlet Pimpernel and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. Hunter Foster originated the role of Bobby Strong in the Broadway and Off-Broadway companies of Urinetown (Outer Critic and Lucille Lortel Award Nominations). Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors, Grease (Roger), Footloose, Les Miserables and Alan Menken's King David. Toured nationally as the Rum Tum Tugger in Cats and understudied and performed the role of Martin Guerre in the Cameron Makintosh production of Martin Guerre. He also appeared in the New York premiere of Childen of Eden (Abel) by Stephen Schwartz at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Anita Gillette is a Tony nominated American actress, most notable for her work on Broadway and as a celebrity guest on various game shows. Most recently, she has made several appearances as "Grandma Betty" on Fox's The War at Home. In 2004, she charmed audiences in Shall We Dance?, opposite Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon. She portrayed Miss Mitzi, the lonely drunk, yet sweet, dance instructor at her struggling studio. Anita just finished filming Hiding Victoria, she stars in the film as Althea Jaffery. Jonathan Groff created the role of Melchior Off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theater. Broadway: In My Life. Tours/regional: The Sound of Music (Rolf), Fame (Nick Piazza), Bat Boy (Bat Boy), Honk! (Ugly). Thanks to Mom, Dad, Skinny David, Cody, the Gage Group, Mama Lynda, Jen Waldman and this incredible cast and crew. Proud member of Actors’ Equity. Terri Klausner has been seen by audiences across America in such dazzling productions as A Chorus Line, Sophisticated Ladies, and Evita. While appearing in A Chorus Line, she was chosen to play Eva Peron in Evita and did so in the musical’s premiere performance at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion in Los Angeles. She continued in that role in all the matinees for the Broadway Company. She co-starred in both the Broadway and Los Angeles productions of Sophisticated Ladies. Ms. Klausner has entertained in London, Rio, Las Vegas and on American Television. She has sung at the White House, Carnegie Hall and as a headliner in New York’s top nightclubs. Stephanie Kurtzuba - Broadway: Mary Popins, The Boy From Oz. Off-Broadway: A Mother, a Daughter and a Gun; NEWSical; Spain; The Joys of Sex; Bat Boy. Film/TV: “Numb3rs,” “Law & Order,” “Related,” “Knots,” “Parting Words.” Garrett Long - credits include The Spitfire Grill, Seussical (National Tour), Shenandoah, Is there Life After High School?, Guys and Dolls, Of Thee I Sing. Asa Somers - Broadway: Grey Gardens, Taboo, Dance of the Vampires, The Rocky Horror Show. Off-Broadway: Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Once Around the Sun. TV: "Whoopi," "The Sopranos," "Guiding Light," "SNL." www.asasomers.com Mary Testa was introduced to the New York theatre scene through her balls-to-the-wall performance as Miss Goldberg (Marvin's teacher who always wore dark glasses) in William Finn's In Trousers (singing the hell out of "Set Those Sails"), she was really discovered by the world at large when she understudied Liza Minnelli in The Rink (where she went on in what was supposed to be Minnelli's final performance, after Minnelli had already been checked into the Betty Ford clinic). She has received Tony Award nominations for her performances in revivals of On the Town and 42nd Street and is also an Obie Award recipient for her work in From Above at Playwrights Horizons. Recently, Mary took on the role of Matron "Mama" Morton in the Broadway revival production of Chicago. John Tartaglia is best known for making his Broadway debut originating the roles of Princeton, a green (well, actually orange) college graduate, and Rod, a "closeted homo-whatever," in the Broadway musical Avenue Q. He received a 2004 Tony Nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical in 2004. John has been in many Broadway benefits in including the 14th annual Broadway Bares and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. In early 2006, he preformed in the Off-Broadway musical "Newsical 2006: The Next Edition" and a Hair benefit concert. He was a presenter at last years Tony awards as well. John has a one man show he preformed in bars entitled "John Tartaglia AD-LIBerty." Jim Watkins co-anchors the Emmy Award winning CW11 News at 10. Each weeknight, Watkins teams with co-anchor Kaity Tong, weatherman Irv "Mr. G" Gikofsky, and sportscaster Sal Marchiano. Jim, who joined WPIX in 1998, brought over a decade of experience as an anchor, reporter, writer, and producer to his role at The CW11 News at Ten. http://benefit.qsac.com/ This concert looks amazing. What a cast!!!! Heath, Tags, Testa!!! Get your tickets! Jakers- A Sheep Named Wiley(Mel Brooks) January 20, 2007 9:01 AM Good Morning, Just wanted to mention how much I love Jakers, a cartoon starring Mel Brooks. I was switching the channel one day (almost a year ago) and heard Mel's voice. It was a sheep? He cracks me up. It is such a cute show. Mel's very funny and I just adore him. I sat a few seats away from Mel at Jersey Boys last year. He was very gracious and his son in law was very friendly. (And cute) Check out Jakers on PBS! Mel's character is hysterical. My favorite episode is when he falls in love with a kitten. It is precious. It is on now on channel 21 in NYC. http://pbskids.org/jakers/friends/friends.html?11 Simple Joys! January 19, 2007 11:21 PM Do any of you have something that gives you pure joy? One thing and one thing only does that for me. If you know me you wont have to read another sentence to know what the definition of joy is. Yes, you guessed it. It is forbidden. Cue- Merman. Yes, Forbidden Broadway. I admit it. I am a Forbidden Broadway junkie.(If you guessed it you do pass go and collect $200.) Jeannie was out tonight and Gina was on. Her Yoko and her Clara were so over the top hysterical I thought I might hurt myself. This Just In From Mark Nadler- January 19, 2007 3:28 PM Sunday, January 21 - New York, NY "A Swell Party - RSVP Cole Porter" 10:00PM The Café Carlyle 35 E. 76th Street at Madison Ave. (212) 744-1600 KT Sullivan and I will be appearing at the Carlyle for ONE NIGHT ONLY! What a thrill to be doing our Cole Porter show in the former bailiwick of the great Bobby Short! (It will be particularly thrilling, in that our saxophone player on that show, Loren Schoenberg, was Bobby Short's music director.) This is the show that KT and I did last year at the Algonquin, about which Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote: "In the language of Cole Porter: oo-la-la-la! C'est magnifique! That burst of Gallic joie describes the ebullience of "A Swell Party — R.S.V.P. Cole Porter," the truly fabulous Porter tribute winked, smirked, crooned and shouted by K T Sullivan and Mark Nadler." There is very limited seating for this performance, as many people have already reserved, so if you plan to be at the Carlyle with us on the 21st, stop reading this newsletter and make your reservation immediately! Tony Award News... January 19, 2007 12:20 PM TONY AWARDS ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES ELIGIBILITY FOR 2007 NOMINATIONS New York, New York (January 18, 2007) – The Tony Award Administration Committee met today to decide the eligibility of nine Broadway productions for the 2007 American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards®, presented by the League of American Theatres and Producers and the American Theatre Wing. Alexander Gemignani and Norm Lewis will be considered in the Lead Actor in a Musical category for their performances in Les Miserables. Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee will be considered in the Lead Actor and Actress in a Musical categories for their performances in Mary Poppins. The score of Mary Poppins was deemed eligible in the category of Best Score. Will Chase will be considered in the Lead Actor in a Musical category for his performance in High Fidelity. Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele will be considered in the Lead Actor and Actress in a Musical categories for their performances in Spring Awakening. Marc Kudisch will be considered in the Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in The Apple Tree. All other decisions were consistent with the opening night credits. This is the third time the Tony Award Administration Committee has met this year. They will meet two additional times to discuss the eligibility of shows opening in the 2006-2007 season. The cut-off date for eligibility is May 9th and nominations will be announced on May 15th. The Tony Awards will be broadcast in a live three-hour ceremony from Radio City Music Hall on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 10th. Scott Siegel made the Times! January 19, 2007 11:27 AM Great article about Scott and Barbara Siegel. I love them and had to post this link. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/19/arts/music/19sieg.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1 Buy some tickets to the Nightlife Awards so Scott can stay out of the cold! ;-) This Just In.... Elephant Girls. January 19, 2007 12:27 AM EMERGING ARTISTS THEATRE Proudly Presents the World Premiere of Elephant Girls Written by CARL GONZALEZ Starring SARA AZIZ AMY BIZJAK GLORY GALLO LUÉ MCWILLIAMS VIVIAN MEISNER GAMEELA WRIGHT Directed by DEREK JAMISON FOUR-WEEK OFF-BROADWAY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT FEBRUARY 7TH – MARCH 4TH AT THEATRE 5 OPENING NIGHT IS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10 AT 5 P.M. TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT EATHEATRE.ORG Seth's Chatterbox and Regrets Only- January 19, 2007 12:15 AM Saw Seth's Chatterbox this evening and was moved by his interview with Scott Frankel. It was entertaining and moving. Especially when he sang "Around The World." I love Grey Gardens. It was a moving interview. In addition, I was fortunate to get tickets to "Regrets Only" this evening. If you have not seen "Regrets Only" you really need to get a ticket. I love the writing and the entire cast. Jackie Hoffman and Christine Baranski do not dissappoint. Check it out or you will regret it. PS I highly advise you to attend Seth's Broadway Chatterbox. The man is simply (AHMAZING)Seth's version of amazing. He does wonderful work while raising money for Broadway Cares. In addition, Rosie mentions him all the time on the View. He knows his stuff and he deserves the credit. I admire him. To learn more about Seth's Chatterbox and to donate to Broadwaycares: http://www.sethsbroadwaychatterbox.com/ Single Night- January 18, 2007 12:50 PM This just in from the league. My question will this single night be for both gay and straight people? They should have a gay group and a straight group. This could encourage straight men to attend the theater. I like this idea! Wish they started this on V DAY! BE YOURSELF…LEAVE THE ACTING TO US PRESENTING SINGLES’ NIGHT ON BROADWAY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2007 A NEW PILOT PROGRAM OF THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN THEATRES & PRODUCERS (Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 19 at www.SinglesNightOnBroadway.com) (New York, NY, January 18, 2007) The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. will pilot a new audience development program targeting tri-state area singles. Singles’ Night on Broadway will take place on Wednesday, February 28, 2007. Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 19 (www.Singles Night on Broadway.com) With the purchase of a ticket to any of the participating Broadway or Off Broadway shows (see list below), theatregoers can attend a free pre-show cocktail party at Madame Tussauds New York, the famed wax attraction at 234 West 42nd Street. They can also get special offers at an after-show bash at one of three Times Square locations (Trattoria Dopo Teatro, Zanzibar, and T New York). Throughout the evening, Singles’ Night attendees can participate in a raffle to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a charity committed to mobilizing the unique abilities within the entertainment industry to mitigate the suffering of individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were an estimated 765,000 single people living in New York City in 2005. The League hopes to reach this demographic through audience outreach programs such as Singles’ Night. Aimed at singles, age 21 and older in New York City (and throughout the tri-state area), the new program invites potential Broadway theatre-going singles to “Come by yourself or bring a friend to find a date or meet your mate!” “Building on the success of the League’s cornerstone audience development program, Kids’ Night on Broadway, we wanted to create a special event to help expand our audience by inviting singles from the tri-state area to get to know other people who share their interest in show-stopping performances,” commented Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director, The League of American Theatres & Producers, Inc. “With participation from so many remarkable shows and restaurants, we know that Singles’ Night will be a great, unique way to both increase frequency of theatre-going, as well as introduce new audience members to the exciting world of live theatre -- and to each other!” Singles’ Night on Broadway is sponsored by Madame Tussauds New York, The New York Times, and Budweiser Select. In the next few weeks, The League will be announcing another great new pilot program, Women’s Night on Broadway, which aims to increase the theatre-going frequency of Broadway’s most loyal demographic. Participating Shows Eighteen Broadway shows are participating in Singles’ Night: including The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, A Chorus Line, Chicago, Company, The Drowsy Chaperone, Grey Gardens, Hairspray, Journey’s End, Les Misérables, The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, Spring Awakening, Talk Radio, Tarzan and Wicked. Three Off Broadway shows are participating: including The Fantasticks, Mayumana, and Stomp. Madame Tussauds Pre-Theatre Cocktail Party With the purchase of a Singles’ Night theatre ticket, singles are invited to attend a free theatre cocktail party at Madame Tussauds New York. The Pre-Theatre cocktail party is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28th and will afford singles the opportunity to mingle with other singles through special activities such as tarot card and palm readers, fun giveaways and more. Note: Participants MUST be 21 years of age or older to attend the pre-theatre and post-theatre cocktail parties and will be required to show their Singles’ Night ticket at the door. To purchase tickets, get more information on the FREE exclusive cocktail party at Madame Tussauds New York and special Singles’ Night post-theatre offers at Times Square area bars and restaurants, log on to www.SinglesNightOnBroadway.com or call the Broadway Line (1-888-Broadway). Tickets can also be purchased at the individual theatre box offices or at the Broadway Ticket Center™ -- a centralized ticket outlet in the heart of New York's Theatre District offering full-priced tickets for same-day and advance performances to Broadway and many Off Broadway shows. When ordering tickets, please use the Singles’ Night promotional code: SNGL07. A handy printout of this information can be downloaded at the website. About The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., created in 1930 is the official trade association for the commercial theatre industry. The League’s 600-plus members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general throughout North America, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry. Each year, League members bring Broadway to almost 30 million people in New York and across the US and Canada. The League also sponsors three annual free outdoor concerts: Broadway on Broadway® (with the Times Square Alliance) which attracts upwards of 50,000 theatre fans to Times Square each fall to kick off the new theatrical season; Continental Airlines presents Broadway’s Stars in the Alley®, a celebration in the Theatre District’s historic Shubert Alley marking the official end of the season; and Broadway Under the Stars™ (with NYC & Company) on the Great Lawn of Central Park, which inaugurates New York City’s summer outdoor concert series. The League maintains and operates programs designed to provide consumers with information about Broadway and a convenient means of accessing tickets. ILoveNYTheater.com is the first-ever multilingual website offering a comprehensive guide to Broadway theatregoing in New York. The site, which is available in six languages, offers tickets to Broadway shows as well as information about hotels, restaurants, transportation, and shopping. About Madame Tussauds New York Madame Tussauds New York is an interactive "must do" attraction that provides guests with unique opportunities to create memories with some of the world's biggest icons. Recent additions include the interactive Superman experience, where visitors can “fly” and “lift” heavy objects like Superman, and the Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow experience, where guests can get in touch with their inner pirate and search through treasure chests. Other recent wax additions include Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Senator Hillary Clinton. Prominently located in the heart of Times Square, Madame Tussauds New York is open 365 days a year at 10 a.m. For more information, visit www.nycwax.com or call (800) 246-8872. This Just In- Little Dog Laughed! January 18, 2007 12:23 PM This just in from Richard Kornberg: I hope you can all see this brilliant, funny and touching play. I loved it and hope to see it with Zoe Lister Jones. THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED’s ORIGINAL ELLEN – ZOE LISTER-JONES – TO RETURN TO THE ROLE FOR BROADWAY RUN’S FINAL TWO WEEKS Zoe Lister-Jones will return to the role of Ellen, which she created in the original off-Broadway production of The Little Dog Laughed, for the comedy’s final two weeks of its Broadway run. Ms. Lister-Jones will begin performances on Tuesday, February 6. Ari Graynor, who has played the role for the show’s Broadway engagement, will be away from the production for a previously scheduled commitment during those two weeks. The comedy, written by Douglas Carter Beane and directed by Scott Ellis, will close following the evening performance on Sunday, February 18. The acclaimed Broadway comedy, which is currently the only new American play to have opened on Broadway this season, also stars Tom Everett Scott, Julie White, and Johnny Galecki. Zoe Lister-Jones created the role of Ellen in the original off-Broadway production of The Little Dog Laughed at Second Stage Theater. She has also been seen off-Broadway in her one-woman show, Codependence is a Four-Letter Word at P.S.122. Television credits include “The Class,” “Law & Order,” “Kidnapped,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” and “Law & Order: Trial by Jury.” Film credits include Goyband, The Marconi Brothers, Day Zero, Turn the River, and Arranged. The Little Dog Laughed opened to rave reviews on November 13th – Ben Brantley of The New York Times wrote, “THEATERGOERS HAVE CAUSE TO REJOICE. The comedy of manners has resurfaced on Broadway with all its vital signs intact. DEVASTATINGLY FUNNY, with DIZZY, IRRESISTIBLE writing that BRINGS DOWN THE HOUSE.” Joe Dziemianowicz of the Daily News raved, "Shout hallelujah for two hours of DELICIOUS GOOD FUN and a dazzling turn by Julie White” and Michael Sommers of the Star Ledger called The Little Dog Laughed, “A LAUGH-OUT-LOUD lampoon of Hollywood humbuggery – SAVVY AND SAVAGE, with a wicked tongue!” The comedy and its star, Julie White, were included on several “Best of 2006” lists from publications including The New York Times, Daily News, New York Post, and The Star-Ledger, among others. Forget all the holier than thou Oscar speeches – what everyone really loves about Hollywood is the down and dirty dish. The players in Douglas Carter Beane’s deliciously biting farce, The Little Dog Laughed, include a screen idol hiding in the closet, an ambitious male prostitute and his naïve girlfriend, and a brash, driven Hollywood agent who can spin anyone and anything. Maybe. Now, darling, do not repeat a word of this, but what I heard is that… The Little Dog Laughed is performed at the Cort Theater (138 west 48th street) on the following schedule: Tuesday – Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm, and Sunday at 3pm. NOTE: There is an added Actors’ Fund Benefit Performance on Sunday, February 18 at 8:00pm. Tickets are priced $26.25 (balcony and rear boxes, all performances), $86.25 (orchestra and mezzanine, Tues – Thurs at 8pm, Wed and Sat at 2pm, Sun at 3pm), and $96.25 (orchestra and mezzanine, Fri and Sat at 8pm). Ticket prices include a $1.25 facilities fee. www.thelittledoglaughedonbroadway.com Ryan Duncan Cast In New Play!!!!!!(Photo credit Ray Chin of Raku Sushi) January 17, 2007 10:51 PM I am really looking forward to this! Ryan is a very talented actor. I loved him in Altar Boyz! I also loved him in Hermanas. Photo by Ray at Raku from a recent interview I did with Ryan. He is an up and coming actor. Hopefully he will be cast on Broadway soon! PS we just added his interview back to the interview section if you care to read it. EMERGING ARTISTS THEATRE Proudly Presents the World Premiere of  Real Danger Written by JEFF HOLLMAN Starring ERIC CHASE RYAN DUNCAN CAROL MONDA Directed by PAUL ADAMS FOUR-WEEK OFF-BROADWAY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT FEBRUARY 5TH – MARCH 3TH AT THEATRE 5 TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT EATHEATRE.ORG ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PAUL ADAMS, AND EMERGING ARTISTS THEATRE are pleased to announce the premiere of Real Danger. The play will be part of the company’s second annual Triple Threat, which premieres three full-length plays by emerging playwrights. Triple Threat will play a four-week Off-Broadway engagement at Theatre 5 (311 West 43rd St. 5th Floor—btw. Eighth and Ninth Avenues). Performances begin Monday, February 5th, and continue through Saturday, March 3rd. Tickets are $40.00 and $20.00 with student ID. TDF accepted. For reservations, please call (212) 247-2429 or visit www.eatheatre.org Paul Adams, artistic director of EAT, who is directing his first full-length production, Real Danger, is “ecstatic to be working with Jeff Hollman, who is also premiering his first full-length script.” REAL DANGER begins with a surprise reunion between two friends nine years after graduation from college. Edward, who is en route from New York to Canada for a back-country excursion in a canoe, initiates the reunion with his friend and soccer teammate Ferdy, who is living with Vickie in Cleveland, Ohio. Edward has made contact because he needs to apologize to Ferdy for an old wrong. As the play progresses, however, Edward learns about Vickie’s outstanding career as a professional photographer, a career that has taken her into dangerous places and relationships. He learns about how Ferdy and Vickie met and how they decided to become fugitives for fear that Vickie’s former lover would kill them if he could find them. For Edward, the reunion moves quickly away from his original purpose and becomes a series of shocking surprises that he could not have envisioned when he made the decision to seek out his old friend. The production stars Eric Chase as Ferdy, Ryan Duncan (Altar Boyz) as Edward and Carol Monda as Vicki. The production features scenic design by Robert Monaco, costume design by Amy Elizabeth Bravo, lighting design by Jenny Granrud, sound design by Ned Thorne and music composition by Louis Fujinami Conti. Jen Russo is the stage manager. Real Danger plays the following regular schedule through Saturday, March 3th. Monday at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 7 p.m. Friday at 9 p.m. Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 and are now available online at www.eatheatre.org BIOGRAPHIES Paul Adams (Director), founder and artistic director of Emerging Artist Theatre Company, is one of New York’s most prolific producers of new American plays and playwrights. When not devoting his leadership skills to running his company and EGAD!, an action-support group for NYC small-venue producers, Mr. Adams restores vintage automobiles and occasionally writes plays, acts and directs. Paul believes every artistic voice needs a chance to emerge and so encourages both promising and accomplished playwrights to submit their work to EAT all year round for possible production. www.Eatheatre.org. Jeff Hollman (Playwright) began writing seriously following his retirement from education after a thirty five year career. An English teacher originally, he was also the principal of two Long Island high schools, positions he held for a total of eleven years and loved dearly. For the final three years before retirement, he was an assistant superintendent for instruction. A sculptor for thirty four years, Jeff has exhibited his sculptures in numerous galleries and shows on Long Island and in Brooklyn, and his works are in several private collections. Since 2004, the year of his retirement from education, he has been a writer of short stories and plays. Real Danger is his second play. Eric Chase (Ferdy) is excited to be returning to the stage with Emerging Artists Theater. Previous roles with EAT are Son/End of the Party and Stan/SPREAD ’EM. He also directed Lean Love City, Chasing Tigers and Glimmer of Hope with the company. He has been a member of Bakerloo Theatre Project for many years, playing Brutus/Julius Caesar, the Guard/Antiogne, Puck/Peter Quince/A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Leo/Design for Living, Longaville/Love’s Labour’s Lost and Sebastian/Twelfth Night or What You Will. Eric joined the board of Bakerloo in 2004 and accepted leadership of the company in 2006. Other favorite roles include Cleomenes/A Winter’s Tale (Hipgnosis), Ross/Macbeth (Impact Theater), Romeo/Romeo and Juliet (The Touring Company, LITE, and Biggs/Rosati Productions), Peter/Pig, Solyony/Three Sisters and Horatio/Hamlet (The New Ensemble). In 2001 in an EAT/TNE co-production he played Herschel Grynspan/Awaken the Wolves in which he won a Best Actor in a Full Length Play at the Spotlight On Winter Festival in 2001. He directs and writes periodically, and is currently the production manager at the 59E59 Theaters in Manhattan. Ryan Duncan (Edward): National tours: Man of La Mancha and Fiddler on the Roof and the pre-Broadway company of I’m Not Rappaport with Judd Hirsch and Ben Vereen. NY: Ryan created/originated the role of Juan in the Off-Broadway hit Altar Boyz (Drama League nom., cast recording) as well as Hermanas, theAtrainplays, Dancing Straight, Lyle, Lyle Crocodile (TW/USA), Believe and The Ritz. Regional: 1776 and A Christmas Carol (Ford’s, D.C.), Side Show (Signature, VA), Hair (Studio, D.C.), Sex*But (Cavern Club, L.A.) and Forever Plaid (Temple, N.C.). Film/TV: Stand By, Sentience, Lower East Siders (indie pilot), SNL and Celebreality on VH1. Carol Monda (Vicki) has been seen on various stages, including Manhattan Theatre Club, Perry Street Theatre, Arena Stage, HB Studio, The Shakespeare Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Charles Playhouse and Ford’s Theatre. She has played the Snow Queen at The Kennedy Center, Celimene in Roundhouse Theatre’s The Misanthrope and Limer in Morticians in Love (Helen Hayes Nomination). She is featured in the films Out of Season and The Gentleman. Carol is also an Audie Award-winning narrator with Recorded Books. A member of Emerging Artists Theatre, she was trained at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Boston University Theatre Institute, and holds a BFA in acting from The Catholic University. She was most recently seen in American Opera Project’s production of Darkling at the E. 13th Street Theatre, which will be performed in Berlin this June. Another Plug for Robbie and David... January 17, 2007 4:18 PM I love them. Get your tickets now. It is this Sunday! I will be attending so say hello. Hosted By: David Gurland When: Sunday Jan 21, 2007 at 7:00 PM Where: The Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe 407 W 42nd Street (@9th Avenue) The third Sunday of every month at 7 PM starting January 21st 2007 for six months! Every show will have a different musical director with different musicians, and guest stars. Each Sunday will be an all new show focusing on different music -- from songs from David's acclaimed first (and only) CD to show tunes to country music....maybe even a little acoustic Madonna/Neurotica...and much more. Don't miss the January 21st show. ALL SHOWTUNE NIGHT! With special guests Christina Norrup (from the Broadway production and film of The Producers) and Rob Maitner (from the original Urinetown cast and Fringe Star Extraordinaire). Be there and wear pearls in honor of Robbie Maitner! Love them! Corine Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez- Musical Scrubs! January 17, 2007 11:44 AM Interesting article in the Times. Jeff and Bobby have found their "Purpose." Hopefully, Jeff will stay in Manhattan and do more theater. We need him and love having him in NYC! Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/17/arts/television/17scru.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Hope Jeff can stay in NYC where he belongs and continue doing work on both coasts. We love his work and his dog (Princeton) is adorable! PS If you have not seen Avenue Q, you really need to see it. It is my favorite Broadway musical of all time. Additionally, Jeff Marx is one of the nicest men I have ever had the pleasure to interview in this business. I love him and hope he stays in NYC. To read our interview for Hampton Jitney Magazine: http://corinescorner.com/interview.php?i=JeffMarx  This sounds Incredible- She Will Steal The Show Again! January 17, 2007 1:52 AM EMERGING ARTISTS THEATRE Proudly Presents the World Premiere of CAPATHIA JENKINS in (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY The Hattie McDaniel Story Written by JOAN ROSS SORKIN Directed by DAVID GLENN ARMSTRONG Musical Supervision by LANCE HORNE FOUR-WEEK OFF-BROADWAY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT FEBRUARY 7TH – MARCH 4TH AT THEATRE 5 TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT EATHEATRE.ORG Capathia Jenkins is Hattie McDaniel in EMERGING ARTISTS THEATRE’s premiere of (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story. This play with music will be part of the company’s second annual Triple Threat, which premieres three full-length plays by emerging playwrights. (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story will play a four-week off-Broadway engagement at Theatre 5 (311 West 43rd St., 5th Floor—btw. Eighth and Ninth Avenues). Performances begin Wednesday, February 7th, and continue through Sunday, March 4th. Tickets are $40.00 and $20.00 with student ID. TDF accepted. For reservations, please call (212) 247-2429 or visit www.eatheatre.org CAPATHIA JENKINS is making her dramatic debut portraying Hattie McDaniel. She received rave reviews for her performance in the Broadway hit Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, and has also starred in Broadway productions of Caroline, Or Change, The Civil War, and Bacharach and David’s The Look of Love. Jenkins reflected on this phenomenal opportunity: “I am honored, humbled and thrilled to be playing Hattie McDaniel. This project is definitely a highlight of my career, to portray the first black woman to win an Oscar for Gone With The Wind and that’s just one aspect of this extraordinary woman’s life. The chance to do a challenging dramatic piece at Emerging Artists Theatre where they nurture new works is an actor’s dream.” (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story is a play with music that reveals a side of Hattie McDaniel’s life that few people knew. Hattie achieved stardom by becoming the first African-American to win an Academy Award, but she paid a high price for fame. By playing a succession of maids and cooks, most notably Mammy in Gone With the Wind, she became the target of an unrelenting campaign against “Mammyism” led by Walter White of the NAACP, who thought her roles were shameful and degrading to their race. Despite her own efforts to bring dignity and humanity to her roles, within seven years of winning her Oscar, her film career was virtually destroyed. The play is set in 1952 at the Motion Picture Country Home and Hospital in Woodlands Hills, California, where Hattie is battling breast cancer. In her weakened state of mind, she imagines that Walter White has come to visit her and possibly reconcile their differences. For the first time Hattie directly confronts her most vocal critic to prove to him that she was in fact a credit to her race. In recounting her miraculous life story as the daughter of a slave who became a world-renowned movie star, Hattie proudly illuminates a life that was too often misunderstood. JOAN ROSS SORKIN, the playwright, chose Hattie McDaniel as the subject of her latest work because “the highs and lows of her remarkable life are so ripe for dramatization.” The play goes beyond the historical facts to explore Hattie’s emotional journey in meeting the challenges of pursuing her career in the face of public criticism for the very work that made her famous. Sorkin is “thrilled to be working with David Glenn Armstrong and Capathia Jenkins on this endeavor. Between David’s creative vision and Capathia’s exuberance, audiences will be fascinated and charmed by the Hattie recreated in the play. Best of all, Capathia gets to sing her heart out, recalling Hattie’s nightclub days before arriving in Hollywood.” DAVID GLENN ARMSTRONG, the play’s director noted, “When I first read the script, I was absolutely stunned by this astonishing no-holds-barred portrait of Hattie McDaniel’s personal battles against those who accused her of perpetuating racial stereotypes. The play so beautifully counterbalances the tragedy in Hattie’s life with her amazing perseverance and resilience.” Lance Horne (Broadway’s Little Women) will serve as musical supervisor for the production, which features scenic design by Robert Monaco, costume design by Amy Elizabeth Bravo, lighting design by Jenny Granrud and sound design by Ned Thorne. Jenny Granrud is the stage manager and Daniel Haley will be the associate director. (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, March 4th. Wednesday, 2 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 5 p.m. Please NOTE: There will be NO late seating for this production. Tickets are $40 (group rates available) and are now available online at www.eatheatre.org BIOGRAPHIES CAPATHIA JENKINS (Hattie McDaniel) took a show-stopping turn in the Broadway hit Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, and has also starred in Broadway productions of Caroline, Or Change, The Civil War and Bacharach and David’s The Look of Love. She has appeared in numerous Off-Broadway productions, including the recent York Theatre revival of Godspell, The Princess and the Black-Eyed Pea and After Hours. Her national and European tours include Dreamgirls, Bubblin’ Brown Sugar, Sophisticated Rhythms and Uptown Saturday Night. Television credits include The Practice, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, The Sopranos, 100 Centre Street, Third Watch, Corn, Mari X and America’s Most Wanted. Capathia just released her debut CD with composer Louis Rosen entitled South Side Stories available on cdbaby.com. Capathia can also be heard on the film soundtracks of Chicago and Legally Blonde 2. www.capathiajenkins.com JOAN ROSS SORKIN (Playwright): Emerging Artists Theatre Company: Sweating it Out, The Confessional (& PBS pilot), Glimmer of Hope, L-O-V-E (published by United Stages), A Brooklyn Tale (Double Decker); Anyplace But Here (Lab). Samuel French One-Act Festival: Chasing Tigers (Finalist); Going Too Far, L-O-V-E, Therapy, New York-Style, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do. Other Off-Off Broadway plays: The Survival Collection. Regional: Anyplace But Here, A Brooklyn Tale, Survival, Fleetwood Stage/The Foundry/Platform (New Rochelle, NY); Soup’s On!: Honorable Mention, Cincinnati Celtic World Festival (Cincinnati, OH); Soft Whisper, Vortex Theatre (Albuquerque, NM). Musicals: Isabelle and The Pretty-Ugly Spell (co-book): 2005 New York Musical Theatre Festival (Outstanding New Family-Oriented Musical by TalkinBroadway.com), Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre (Coral Gables, FL 2005 Winner, National Children’s Theatre Festival), The York Theatre (developmental reading series, NYC), ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop (NYC), Summer Stage 2002 (commission-Drexel Hill, PA); The Real McCoy (co-book): BlackJacks Festival, NYU/CAP21 (workshop). Opera: Strange Fruit (libretto): NYCity Opera VOX 2003: Showcasing American Composers, commission—Long Leaf Opera (Chapel Hill, NC—premiere, July 2007), Finalist, O’Neill Music Theater Conference. Member: Dramatists Guild, BMI Musical Theatre Workshop, Emerging Artists Theatre Co. (NYC). Sorkin was formerly an attorney on Wall Street. DAVID GLENN ARMSTRONG (Director) has staged over 125 productions and workshops seen in 49 states including work at the NY Shakespeare Festival, Walnut Street, Long Wharf, Manhattan Theatre Club, NYMF, Arkansas Rep, Mason Street Warehouse, Anchorage Opera, Iowa Shakespeare, Pacific Repertory Opera, New Dramatists, Aaron Davis Hall, NY International Fringe Festival and the York. He has premiered works by Jonathan Larson, Joan Ross Sorkin, Steven Fisher, Ed Dixon, Bill Zeffiro, Jack Lechner, Denver Casado, Sam Davis, Peter Yarin and Douglas Parker. David is the former artistic director of both Denver’s Ascot Theatre and the Harrisburg Opera and was a founding member of the Directors’ Company for NYU’s Graduate Dramatic Writing Program. Corporate industrials have taken him around the world, including upcoming stops in Dubai, Shanghai and Moscow. He is proudest of the diversity of his work and may be the only director in recorded history to have helmed productions of Dreamgirls, Romeo and Juliet, Nunsense and Don Giovanni. LANCE HORNE (Musical Supervisor) has written musicals, scores for plays, dance and classical works seen at NY Theatre Workshop, Joe’s Pub, Lincoln Center, Mark Taper Forum, NAMT, NY Musical Theatre Festival, Lucille Lortel, HERE, American Opera Projects, The Zipper, Spiegeltent, Juilliard, NYU, Bard and Interlochen. Opening numbers for Actors Fund and BC/EFA Gypsy of the Year ’04, ’05, ’06. Vocal Arrangements for Little Women, Broadway and national tour. BM, MM, The Juilliard School. Faculty: Juilliard, NYU & EAMA, Paris. 2006 Jonathan Larson Award. Residencies: O’Neill Center NMTF, Franklin Furnace, HERE: HARP, TheatreWorks Palo Alto, Centennial University, Interlochen, The New School, CAP21. Recordings: Songs from an Unmade Bed (Ghostlight), One Life, Many Voices (One Life to Live), Little Women (Ghostlight), A Season’s Promise (New World Records). TV: ABC’s Lincoln Center Tree Lighting starring Sesame Street, NBC’s 80th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: King Tutenstein Float for Diana DeGarmo & The Phoenix Boys Choir. His band Lance Horne & The One Night Stands has upcoming performances on both coasts, Vegas, London and South Korea, releasing their first album this season. I can't wait to see this! PS She stole the show in Martin Short. Hope she steals it again in this! Corine Japan Society- January 17, 2007 1:35 AM A few months ago, I was invited to a pottery exhibit at the Japan Society and have become a huge fan of this organization. If you love Japanese dance there is a huge schedule of exciting things in store. I will be covering it here. In addition, I will be giving you info on events for the Spring/Summer season. The Japan Society is located at: 333 East 47th Street or visit: www.japansociety.org Now go out and have some sushi! ;-) ;-) Mac Users January 16, 2007 4:06 PM I have heard from a few Mac Users that they are unable to scroll up and down on my site. I have alerted my talented webmaster and we will try to correct the problem. Sorry for the issues. Thanks for coming to my Corner. Love, Corine Mario Cantone on The View January 16, 2007 11:47 AM I wish they would add Mario Cantone to the VIEW cast. He is the funniest man on the planet. His remarks today were classic. I love him. Anyone see it? He is hysterical! Note to Rosie and Joy. Make room for Mario! Still laughing. Congratulations Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy!!!! WOO WOO! January 15, 2007 9:06 PM I am so happy that my favorites won. Congrats on winning a Golden Globe. WOO! Congratulations to America of Ugly Betty. Best speech of the night. YAY!!! Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Golden Globes January 15, 2007 11:26 AM I am very excited to sit home and watch the Golden Globes tonight! I wanted to go to a cabaret show but am very glad I can sit in my pajamas watching the Globes. What are your picks? I am rooting for Jennifer Hudson, The Dreamgirls movie and Little Miss Sunshine! ;-) Was Flushed Away nominated? I need to look. I loved it. The frogs were hysterical. Musto Made The Times! January 14, 2007 10:42 PM http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/14/fashion/14nite.html In addition, I talked to Justin Bond (Kiki and Herb) he was very cool. Just an fyi! A Standing Ovation For Regrets Only! January 14, 2007 12:12 AM I was fortunate to get a ticket for "Regrets Only" at Manhattan Theater Clubs stage 1. It is the greatest show MTC has had since Doubt. It is so entertaining. It was my kind of show. I laughed for nearly two hours straight. I don't understand the members of MTC, they are the living dead. Hardly any laughs and some were sleeping. How anyone could sleep through this brilliant, funny and entertaining play is beyond me. I loved everything about this production. First off the sets were a masterpiece. Christine's red gown was simply gorgeous and she looked stunning! Christine was marvelous. The true standout of the show was Jackie Hoffman, who popped in and out with the funniest one liners that had me howling with laughter. My only problem with Regrets Only was it ended. I did not want to get out of my chair. I loved it. If you have a great sense of humor, you love gorgeous sets, gorgeous clothing, brilliant acting and one of the funniest and most entertaining writing you will love this show. I will give it a rave. I would die to see it again. Jackie Hoffman and Christine Baranski deserve nominations for this show. The rest of the cast were also very talented. I was so happy to see a great show at Manhattan theater club. I really think this show should be moved to their Broadway house. It was my favorite Off Broadway play of the season. PS Jackie Hoffman is always sensational, but it was like the writer wrote this part for her. She uses all of her comedic facial expressions and it worked. I have not had this much fun at MTC in years! Congratulations to MTC for the perfect work. If anyone wants to get me a gift they could get me another ticket to this show. ;-) Regrets Only is playing at Stage 1. Book by Raul Rudnick. Costumes by William Ivey Long, Scenic Design by Michael Yeargan. 10 stars! http://www.nycitycenter.org/events/event_detail.cfm?event_code=RGO07 LA DOLCE MUSTO- January 13, 2007 11:10 AM For all of you trying to find Musto's book: It is called LA DOLCE MUSTO and can be found in the gay and lesbian section at Barnes and Noble. Pick up your copy today! Have a nice day! Corine Thank you, Eddie Varley! January 12, 2007 11:16 PM I got the cutest sketches from Eddie Varley today. Eddie, it really touched me.   Thank you for being so thoughtful and talented.It meant so much. Eddie is a triple threat! He can act, sing, dance and draw!I LOVE YOU. Love, Corine Christine Ebersole and Grey Gardens CD Event January 11, 2007 11:08 PM At Barnes and Noble in Lincoln Center I attended the Grey Gardens cd event. Christine Ebersole sang two songs and Matt Cavanaugh sang one. It was wonderful. Photo Coverage coming soon. If Christine does not take home a Tony award this year, I will be surprised. Corine PS Congratulations are in order for Christine's recent win of a Nightlife Award. I went to her performance with Billy Stritch at the Metropolitan Room and it was one if not the greatest concert I have ever seen. It is your year, Christine. ;-)  All About Us- Great Piece by Michael Portantiere- January 11, 2007 11:49 AM Really can't wait for this show! (This was printed with permission from Brian Scott Lipton of Theatermania.com) THEATERMANIA For more of Michael's writing you can go to http://www.theatermania.com Westport Season to Include All About Us, Revamped Version of Kander & Ebb Musical Based on The Skin of Our Teeth By: Michael Portantiere The 2007 slate of shows at the Westport Country Playhouse will be highlighted by the world premiere of All About Us, a revision of the John Kander-Fred Ebb musical based on Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth. The season will also include the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play The Heidi Chronicles, by the late Wendy Wasserstein; Sedition, a new work by David Wiltse, the theater's playwright in residence; and four more shows that are yet to be chosen. All About Us will kick off the season with performances April 10-28. This is a revamped version of the show with a score by Kander & Ebb (Cabaret, Chicago, etc.) and a book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof, etc.), based on the Wilder play; previous versions were presented under the titles Over and Over and The Skin of Our Teeth. The final revision is the last musical written by the legendary Kander & Ebb team before Ebb's death in 2004. Gabriel Barre will direct the Westport production. Next up in the season will be The Heidi Chronicles (May 31-June 16), directed by Tazewell Thompson. The play follows its heroine, Heidi Holland -- and the progress of a generation -- from the socially and politically activist 1960s to the success-oriented '80s, a period during which the status of American women underwent profound and sometimes unsettling change. Wiltse's Sedition tells the true story of a man whose conscience forced him to stand up in defense of freedom of speech during World War I. Set on a college campus, the play poses the questions: What does it mean to be an American patriot? And what is freedom of speech? The Westport production will play August 23-September 8; no director has yet been named. Among the plays under consideration to round out the theater's 2007 season are Auntie and Me, by Morris Panych; The Entertainer, by John Osborne; For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again, by Michel Tremblay; The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams; The Innocents, by William Archibald; Mixed Company (working title), a show conceived by Billy Porter that combines the words of William Shakespeare with the songs of Stephen Sondheim; Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck; and Time of My Life, by Alan Ayckbourn. For further information, call 203-227-4177 or visit the website www.westportplayhouse.org The Magis Theater Company- Official Press Release! January 10, 2007 4:32 PM THE MAGIS THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS MUSICAL ADAPTATION OF C.S. LEWIS’ “THE GREAT DIVORCE,” WITH MUSIC BY ELIZABETH SWADOS, PUPPETS BY RALPH LEE, ADAPTED AND STAGED BY GEORGE DRANCE Production To Be Presented at the Salvation Army – Theatre 315 on West 47th Street, from January 18 To February 11, 2007 The Magis Theatre Company will present the World Premiere of a new musical adaptation of The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, featuring music by Elizabeth Swados, puppets by Ralph Lee, and adapted and staged by George Drance, for a four-week limited engagement from January 18 through February 11, 2007, at the Salvation Army’s Theatre 315 at 315 West 47th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues. The stage production, produced in collaboration with the Estate of C.S. Lewis (author of The Chronicles of Narnia), will be presented Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and on Sundays at 7 p.m. Preview tickets (January 18 – 21) at $25 and tickets for performances from January 24 (Opening Night) through February 11 at $30 are available via Smart Tix 212-686-4444 or www.smarttix.com. (For group sales contact the box office at Theatre 315; Julia O'Brien Theatre Arts Manager (212) 975-9988 ext. 400, 15% off groups of 10 people or more.) The cast includes (in alphabetical order): George Drance, Casey Groves, Erika Iverson, Elizabeth Lee Malone, Wendy Mapes, Frank Mihelich, Elizabeth Mutton, Thomas Piper, Gabriel Portuondo and Margi Sharp. Following Thursday performances (January 25, February 1 and February 8) cast members will discuss the play with audience members. The Great Divorce takes audiences to an unfamiliar world where conscience is magnified and faults personified: A whispering lizard torments his keeper. A talking waterfall reaches out to a misguided opportunist. A melodramatic giant steals the voice of a husband reunited with his wife. A magical stallion appears just when all seems lost. It is a wild ride from Hell to Heaven that will forever change your view of life on Earth. Director George Drance, Artist-in-residence at Fordham University and Artistic Director for the Magis Theatre Company, has performed and directed in over twenty countries on five continents, working with such stage companies as Teatro la Fragua in Honduras, and Theatre YETU in Kenya. He has acted with The Metropolitan Opera, The Public Theatre/New York Shakespeare Festival, the Shakespeare Project, The Mettawee River Company and La MaMa E.T.C. Film credits include the award-winning short The Light of Eons and Solidarity. (More) Elizabeth Swados has composed, written and directed over 30 theater pieces including The Trilogy, Nightclub Cantata, Runaways, Alice in Concert, Doonesbury, Rap Master Ronnie, The Haggadah, Jerusalem, and The 49 Years. Most recently, her new musical Jabu was performed at the Flea Theatre, and her opera Missionaries was performed at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Her newest musical will be staged at the Flea Theatre in the Fall. She has written music for film and television, and has performed at Carnegie Hall. She is the author of more than 20 books and is a full-time teacher at NYU. She is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Ford Fellowship, a Covenant Foundation Grant, three Obies, five Tony nominations, a Special Pen Citation, a Cine Award, and a Mira Award, among others. Ralph Lee has created masks, props, puppets and larger-than-life figures for the NY Shakespeare Festival, Lincoln Center Repertory Theatre, the Living Theatre, the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Shari Lewis and SNL. He is the recipient of 1975 Village Voice OBIE Award, a 1985 Citation from the Municipal Arts Society, a 2003 Guggenheim Fellowship in Drama, and in 1993 was inducted into the CityLore People's Hall of Fame. He has been honored with two American Theatre Wing Design Awards. Other members of the creative team include Jeffrey Salzberg, Lighting Design; Evan Crane, Costumes; and Deberah Orzechowski, Costume Design. General Management is being provided by Felicia Lopes/ Eastern Gate Entertainment, Inc. The Magis Theatre Company – “magis” is the Latin word for “more” -- is dedicated to exploring the “more” that theatre can offer to humanity. The group hopes to look at themes of life through a theatrical lens and to develop and present stage works that reflect our current state of life. This Just In From Iconis and Maddock!!!! January 10, 2007 12:18 PM Hey there! Just a reminder that our concert is happening tonight at the Metropolitan Room. Lorinda Lisitza is our chanteuse extraordinaire--and it was just announced yesterday that she has won a Nightlife Award for THIS show. The seats are filling up fast. If you're interested in attending, please call the Metropolitan Room and reserve a seat (no credit card numbers--just give them your name). Details below. Lorinda will execute thirteen unbridled songs of a maniacal, heartfelt and shameless nature. Iconis and Maddock would truly LOVE to see you there. Lorinda Listiza-- Sings Iconis and Maddock The Metropolitan Room Wednesday Jan. 10th 8:00 $20 cover (plus 2 drinks) Reserve: 212.206.0440 34 W. 22nd St (btwn 5th and 6th) Thanks! Robert and Joe Joan Rivers- Make Me Over Please! January 10, 2007 8:37 AM At Musto's so hip it hurt after party I actually talked with Joan Rivers. I told Joan that I wanted to be more fabulous and my need for a makeover by E. Joan said you look great and don't need a makeover! I always thought of myself as a fashion don't and want to be a fashion do, I explained. Oh, well. Someday! More later. I need coffee. This Just In........ January 10, 2007 1:36 AM The man The Advocate calls "the first gay Latin star" is coming to New York. Comedy Central star Jade Esteban Estrada (The Graham Norton Effect) will perform his unique gay Latin comedy at the New York Comedy Club located at 241 East 24th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue at 9:00 p.m. Thursday, February 8, 2007. Tickets are $10 at the door with a two drink minimum. For information call 212-696-5233 or visit www.getjaded.com. Formally choreographer to Charo and a scratch vocalist for the Back Street Boys, Estrada has made an name for himself as one of hottest gay national acts in the country. "You'll laugh your butts off when Jade Esteban Estrada takes center stage," raves Out Magazine. The Advocate calls him "exquisite" and the Richmond Post Dispatch calls him "the master entertainer." "Catch Jade Esteban Estrada while you can, or you may live to regret it," warns Curve Magazine. NBC News calls him "America's Prince of Pride." Estrada is best known for his popular solo shows which have toured the globe over the past five years including ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 1-3, Tortilla Heaven, TransWorld! The Transgender History of the World, Pico de Gallo and Gay Christian, Gay Muslim, Gay Jew. Estrada stars in the upcoming independent film "The Bad Singer" directed by Calvin Robertson III and will begin shooting "The Blue Note" directed by Adam Rendon in March. He lent his golden voice to the Human Rights Campaign CD compilation BEING OUT ROCKS (Centaur Music) with Sarah MacLachlan, k d lang, Cyndi Lauper, the B-52's among others. See him perform HERE. He has shared the stage with Ricky Martin, Madonna, Margaret Cho, RuPaul and several other fabulous stars. Estrada is the winner of the the 2006 Best Solo Performance and Best Original Music for his portrayal of Mary Cheney in ICONS 3 at the Columbus National Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival, 2006 Entertainer of the Year (Family Tree Awards), 2005 Performance Artist of the Year (Stonewall Society), 2004 Audience Favorite Award in Solo Performance (CNGLTF) and is the recepient of the 2002 Premio Estrella (LLEGO) in Washington D.C. for outstanding visibility in the entertainment industry as an openly gay Latino. He was also awarded the title of "Kentucky Colonel" by Governer Ernie Fletcher for his work promoting goodwill and fellowship around the world joining other recipients Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, Johnny Depp, Mae West and Pope John Paul II. Musto's Incredible Book Signing and After Party January 10, 2007 1:06 AM Congratulations to Marvelous Musto for his incredible book signing and after party. The photo coverage is coming soon and I TELL YOU. I can't wait to post the pictures. IT WAS A BLAST! Some of the guests were: Joan Rivers. Ivanna Trump. Rosie Perez. Amanda Lepore. Cindy Adams. The Plant in Little Shop of Horrors and some of the most fabulous transgender divas I have ever seen. It was divine. Congratulations are in order for the one and only Marvelous Musto. C Nightlife Awards Winners Announced! January 9, 2007 2:24 PM http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/9827 Congratulations to the Metropolitan Room, Scott Coulter, Lorinda, Christine Ebersole and Maureen McGovern! New Interview with Musto January 9, 2007 11:34 AM Check it out on Edge. http://www.edgenewyork.com/index.php?ci=120&ch=entertainment&sc=books&sc2=features&sc3=&id=3536 Marvelous Musto's Book Signing! January 9, 2007 10:10 AM Musto is having a book signing this evening from 7-8 at the Barnes and Noble on 23rd and 6th avenue. Please bring your friends and buy out his inventory as he needs a new pink jacket. Be there or be C Squared. Photo coverage will follow if you are not located in the NYC Area. I will be there so say hello! 7pm- This evening. See you there. Think pink! This Just In From David Gurland and Robbie Maitner- January 9, 2007 12:46 AM Hi, Just wanted to plug David and Robbie. Love them! Be there or else he will stick it in. Do wear your pearls. Sunday Jan 21, 2007 at 7:00 PM Where: The Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe 407 W 42nd Street (@9th Avenue) New York, NY 10001 United States View Map The third Sunday of every month at 7 PM starting January 21st 2007 for six months! Every show will have a different musical director with different musicians, and guest stars. Each Sunday will be an all new show focusing on different music -- from songs from David's acclaimed first (and only) CD to show tunes to country music....maybe even a little acoustic Madonna/Neurotica...and much more. Don't miss the January 21st show. ALL SHOWTUNE NIGHT! With special guests Christina Norrup (from the Broadway production and film of The Producers) and Rob Maitner (from the original Urinetown cast and Fringe Star Extraordinaire). Culinary Corner- Chef Corner Will Be Up Soon! January 8, 2007 11:23 PM Hi! A few of you have written to me about Culinary Corner and restaurant suggestions. Don't worry, it will be up very soon. A more extensive dining guide will be coming in the very distant future. Stay tuned. In the meantime I will post a few offers here. If you go to Raku Sushi, mention the Corine's Corner coupon and get a free milky sake or glass of wine with any entree. Tell Ray, that you heard about it from Corine's Corner. The coupon is not on the new site so all you have to do is say you heard about the offer from Corine's Corner and ask for Ray. You can print this blog as a copy. Other perks for Corine's Corner readers. Get a meal at Meli Melo and get a free peach cordial with any entree. Tell Chef Bernard, Corine sent you. Best, Corine PS If you are in Times Square and like fruity drinks I reccomend the Frozen Bellini at Tony's Di Napoli. I had one this evening and it is one of my favorite drinks in the City. ;-) A Chorus Line- One Singular Sensation Every Step That Larry Takes! January 8, 2007 12:19 PM On Saturday we won the A Chorus Line lottery. My webmaster has never seen the show and I wanted him to experience it. We both really enjoyed it. I was most impressed with the following numbers: "Tits and Ass" it was hysterical, and "Sing" was just incredible. I must mention the incredible performance by Tyler Hanes in the role of Larry. I could not take my eyes off of his incredible dance moves. I wish he had a lead role. I saw him as Fender in Hairspray and now in A Chorus Line. Hope he lands a meatier role someday. At the end of the show I spoke with Mr Hanes for the first time. He is a very nice guy. Go and see A Chorus Line, it is one of the greatest shows of all time and the new cast is terrific. It is still a singular sensation every step that he takes! ;-) More later, Corine xoxoxo Hairspray- Timeless To Me! January 7, 2007 12:35 AM Hi, guys! My wonderful webmaster and I celebrated the launch of my new site today. I have to say it was a blast. First, we met at the Hairspray Lotto. I have not seen Hairspray in over a year. It is still "Timeless to me"!I really adored Diana Degarmo as Penny. It was the first time I sat in the first row at Hairspray and it was wonderful to see her expressions. She is very funny. Her expressions and ad libs were making me crack up. Blake, is a divine Edna. I love his voice and he was hysterical as he kept cracking up. The man was wonderful. The entire cast was hysterical, but I really missed Jackie Hoffman as the gym coach, and Warden. Jackie's facial expressions were the best. Go see Hairspray on Broadway. I loved every single second. Next up: A Chorus Line. Will post about that later as I am really tired. ;-) XO, Corine The Nightlife Awards- January 6, 2007 8:44 AM In addition to the Broadway Cares Event Rockers, there is also the Nightlife Awards at Town Hall. Both events sound incredible. I wish I could be at both shows at the same time. Don't you hate when there are so many wonderful things to do and they all fall on the same night? Must be Murphy's Law. The Nightlife awards are on January 29th. I wish that they were a week earlier so they would not conflict with Rockers on Broadway. PS I love all of the Siegel's events. You can get your tickets at Town Hall. Or order by phone at 212-307-4100. Have a good day and a great weekend. See you later, alligator. XO Corine Rockers On Broadway January 6, 2007 12:06 AM Just wanted to pass on some good news about a charity I believe in. Buy your tickets to Rockers on Broadway Jersey Style and see a great show while helping Broadway Cares. Get your tickets now! Happy New Year, Corine Info below: DONNIE KEHR, CORI GARDNER & GOOD TO GO ENTERTAINMENT PROUDLY ANNOUNCE FUNDRAISING BENEFIT CONCERT ROCKERS ON BROADWAY: Jersey Style Sponsored by Sara Lee MONDAY, January 29, 2007 8:00 PM BB King Blues Club & Grill (237 West 42nd Street) Donnie Kehr, Cori Gardner and Good To Go Entertainment proudly announce the latest Rockers On Broadway: Jersey Style to take place on Monday January 29, 2007 at 8:00pm at BB King Blues Club & Grill (237 West 42nd Street). " It is our mission to bring together the worlds of Rock 'n' Roll and Broadway in a unique way, while supporting inspirational charities, like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and Wingspan Arts, Inc.,” says creator Donnie Kehr. Rockers On Broadway was founded by Donnie Kehr in 1993 during his Broadway run of "The Who’s Tommy". Inspired by an idea from Pete Townshend, he wanted to give musical theatre performers the opportunity to experience the feeling of singing with a rock band in a concert style venue, so they could understand and transfer the rawness of that edge to the stage. The evening is sponsored by Sara Lee, Macy’s and The Frye Company, and will be hosted by actress/comedian, Caroline Rhea, star of Sabrina The Teenage Witch and NBC’s hit series, The Biggest Loser. Headlining this edition of Rockers are the 4 leads from Broadway’s smash hit, Jersey Boys – Daniel Reichard, J. Robert Spencer and 2006 Tony winners John Lloyd Young and Christian Hoff, along with country star Larry Gatlin, singer songwriter Kate Taylor & ‘60s favorites, The Tokens with their smash hit “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. Broadway artists scheduled to appear at press time include: Kathy Brier (Hairspray, ABC’s One Life To Live) Will Chase (High Fidelity, Lennon) Jarrod Emick (Boy From Oz, Damn Yankees /1994 TONY Winner), Donnie Kehr (Jersey Boys, The Who’s Tommy) Michael Lanning (The Civil War, Trans Siberian Orchestra), Norm Lewis (Les Miserables-2006 Revival, Chicago) Billy Porter (Smokey Joe’s Café, Grease) Greg Reuter (Spamalot) Sara Schmidt (Jersey Boys, Brooklyn) Jeremy Schonfeld (Drift) Sherie Rene Scott (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Aida) Matt Stocke (The Wedding Singer, Titanic) Patrick Wilson (Currently starring with Kate Winslet in New Line Cinema’s Little Children; The Full Monty, Barefoot in the Park) (Additional performers to be added. All performances subject to change due to availability.) All proceeds from the event will go to support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Wingspan Arts, Inc. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids gives assistance nationwide to persons living with HIV/AIDS and Breast Cancer. www.broadwaycares.org. Wingspan Arts provides In-school, Afterschool, and Conservatory arts education programs to Tri-state area children. www.wingspanarts.org Rockers on Broadway will take place on Monday January 29, 2007 at 8:00pm at BB King Blues Club & Grill 237 West 42nd Street. Tickets on sale now at BB King’s Box Office or on www.ticketmaster.com . Tickets are $100/Premier Seating, $50/Reserved Seating, $35/General Admission. For more information contact RockersOnBroadway@gmail.com or visit our website, www.rockersonbroadway.com. The Professor and Maryann!(Photo by Maryann Lopinto) January 5, 2007 12:12 PM Hope you like my site. I could not sleep last evening. I also wanted to thank Maryann Lopinto for her wonderful photography the last couple of months. I am pleased to announce she will be my main photographer. Thank you, Maryann. Last evening I attended Joy Behar's hysterical comedy show at the beautiful Metropolitan Room. Joy is one of the funniest women on the planet. She had the entire audience gasping for air including Ginger from Gilligan's Island. We were missing the Professor but I was sitting with Maryann. (Thank God, she left her light up sweater in storage) That joke was for Lennie.  In other news, I had an ad for Lorinda's show at the Metropolitan Room but we lost it on the old site. I saw her show in December and adored every single second. It is on Wed January 10th and I suggest you attend. She is hysterical and a great cabaret singer. Call 212-206-0440 for tickets. Have a great day, Corine Welcome to Corine's Corner! January 5, 2007 12:24 AM Hi, Welcome to my blog. I am so glad you stopped by. There will be a lot of new and exciting things on my new site. First, thanks for coming. Second, I need to thank a few people that have helped me. My new Webmaster, for making my site everything I wanted it to be. Thank you! I also wanted to thank the man who helped me create and launch the original Corine's Corner almost two years ago. Thank you Richard. In addition, I would like to thank my Father for telling me to go after my dreams. This is my Corner of the Sky and I hope you enjoy it. There will be a lot of upcoming surprises in store at my site. Stay tuned for video interviews. Reviews. Interviews in print, sound and video and some audio interviews. Please feel free to write to me and let me know who you would like me to interview. I would greatly appreciate your feedback. Also stay tuned for a more intensive restaurant section which will be launched in the next few weeks. Many of you ask me for restaurant advice and since I am a foodie, I will gladly write more about another passion, food. There is a lot more in store. Hope to see you soon. Love, Corine PS I must also thank Marvelous Musto for his advice a few years ago. He is an inspiration to me and a nice man. You can also pick up a copy of his book at Barnes and Noble and attend his fantastic book signing in Chelsea next Tuesday. Be there and buy ten for your friends. (Enough shameless plugs) Corine xo |
