Sardi's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, so today was the day of the grand unveiling.

It began with an interview at 10 a.m. with the lovely Joan Hamburg who presents her live radio show in front of an audience of enthusiastic matinee ladies. Good fun.

Then after seeing the fabbo ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS we returned to the fourth floor for the official function at 5pm.

Almost everyone I invited turned up including a few who said they wouldn't be able to make it. I wanted to be surrounded by all the friends who have supported me since I came to NYC so the room felt very warm and unthreatening. And I'm THRILLED with the caricature which will now hang in Sardi's, hopefully not on the back fire escape.

Max, the president of Sardi's, made the presentation.

I was actually shaking as I added my signature.

Me and a homeless man

Me and The Boys

La Belle Audra

Wonderful Roger Rees, nominated for a Best Director Tony for PETER & THE STARCATCHER

Gorgeous Marcia Milgrim Dodge who directed the brilliant Broadway revival of RAGTIME

Jack Donahue, my fave male jazz singer

Darling Susan Lyons, one of the Aussies flying the flag.

 Alex Lewis, Aussie opera singer currently studying at Juilliard (I directed him in JACQUES BREL at WAAPA) with stars of the Australian production of LOVE NEVER DIES, Anna O'Byrne and Ben Hudson. Al's brother Ben Lewis was the Phantom.

Colin Bates, the best Billy Elliot I've ever seen (in the West End). He's studying acting at Juilliard.

Dorothy (Dottie) Stanley, who did 42nd STREET with Mum and has become a good mate.

Joyce Breach (my fave female jazz singer in NYC) and the incomparable Harvey Evans, star of stage, screen and everyone's heart.

Dottie and Harvey

Christine Andreas, David Green and his wife Judy Kaye. David was in the West Coast company of ANNIE with Mum.

Christine Andreas and Judy Kaye, two of the finest divas Broadway has ever seen.

Christine, Max of Sardi's and at left, Jim Brochu, brilliant star of the one-man Zero Mostel bioplay ZERO HOUR and the recent revival of THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER.

Jim is already on Sardi's wall next to The Merm!

Marcia Milgrim Dodge, Jim Brochu, Christine Andreas and her husband Marty Silvestri

Soap opera hunk, singer, dancer and one of PRISCILLA's producers, Kevin Spirtas. Kevin was Hugh's standby during BOY FROM OZ. Hugh never let him get on.

John Robertson, old mate and the Aussie right arm of Cameron Mackintosh, in town for a whirlwind theatre catch-up.

Publicist extraordinaire Joe Perrotta

Proud PRISCILLA producers Alecia Parker and BJ Holt.

The homeless man was very taken with Richard Chamberlain's portrait

At the end of the event we got in the lift which spilled us out on to the street next door to Sardi's.
The bum's rush in melody, dear.

A new hit we hope

(tt) For the last two weeks Sheldon has been rehearsing a workshop of the 21 year old Off Broadway hit, "Pageant". He was the wonderfully tacky MC, Frankie Cavalier, and his six lady finalists were not as they seemed.

 The two showings were presented here, original home of GREY GARDENS and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.

And here are some shots taken at the curtain call of the second presentation. It went off splendidly and all fingers are crossed for investors to turn it into a bone fide theatrical event. It is very very very funny.
Tyler Mynard as Miss Bible Belt

David Turner as Miss Deep South and Jeff Hiller as Miss Great Plains

  Constantine Rousouli as Miss Texas

 Michael James Scott as Miss Industrial North East

Tom Deckman as Miss West Coast

Michael James Scott giving Latin realness.

David Turner takes a break from heels with Jeff and Tyler. It was a nice change to be with actors who had no experience of drag and were discovering how uncomfortable it really is. They were also endlessly fascinated with their images in the mirror. Ah yes, I remember it well...

Constantine (who is currently understudying both male leads in GHOST) and David (who was wonderful as the lead in ON A CLEAR DAY with Harry Connick, Jr.)

Wide lapels will make a comeback someday

Sheldon with one of the authors, Bill Russell

The crumpled creatives.

a great day

(tt)   This azalea is opposite our bedroom window

It's touches like this that make New York so special

This is the front foyer of the The Beacon Theatre where amongst other events the Tonys are held. Nominations were announced this morning and Sheldon felt sick all over again!