Sister Aimee

Caught a Wednesday matinee preview of this new musical with book, lyrics (and additional music) by Kathie Lee Gifford. It is still a work in progress and I'm told a good twenty minutes have already been cut with more changes to come.

Carolee Carmello is indeed working her little heart out playing Aimee Semple McPherson from the age of 14 to her death at 54 from painkiller abuse.

Aimee apparently had a religious mother as fanatical as Carrie's although this story doesn't end with flying cutlery and buckets of blood. Instead, Mama becomes Aimee's business manager. The story is full of such surprising turnabouts including a moment where Aimee literally tears up a bible like a strongman with a phone book then minutes later decides to spread the Lord's word.

Roz Ryan is an audience fave as the bordello madam who joins Sister Aimee's travelling show although her somewhat stereotypical character has lines along the lines of "They're so good and pious that they pious me off!"

Edward Watts is very good as Aimee's first husband, the preacher Robert Semple and also her caddish lover David Hutton. As the latter, Mr. Watts is distractingly but fetchingly unclad for several scenes.

 There is also good work from George Hearn, still in robust voice, and Aussie Benjamin Howes in a variety of roles. But the evening is built on Carmello's performance and she sings David Friedman & David Pomeranz's music for all it's worth.

Ultimately the show suffers from the same problem as CHAPLIN (Charlie even makes a brief appearance in this one along with Louella Parsons and William Randolph Hearst. We know it's him because Aimee greets him at a party with "Why, William Randolph Hearst!"). Both shows boast superb star performances but cover an entire lifetime rather superficially, leaving the impression that the material was transcribed directly from well-thumbed biographies. At least SCANDALOUS sends you out wanting to learn more about the mysterious Mrs. Semple McPherson whose legacy remains powerful to this day.

The first tiny snow flakes

First of the season.

So now I know what my new neighbourhood looks like in Winter!

If a Tree Falls...

I've finally moved in to the new flat at Inwood and was making my way across the park this morning to the subway station.

Apparently my new neighbourhood didn't escape the storm entirely scot free.

I hope no-one was pettin' in the park!

Another Door Closes

Said my goodbyes to Feinstein's which is closing permanently at the end of December. There are lots of stars still booked to play the room before then including Tommy Tune, Sue Raney, Peter Gallagher and Christine Ebersole, but I wanted to lend my support to the wonderful Lindsay Mendez making her first (and last) appearance with her jazz combo led by musical director Marco Paguia.

They performed an absorbing programme of material largely new to me including "Ordinary People" by John Legend, "Us" by Regina Spektor, "Money" by Pink Floyd, "All My Days" by Alexi Murdoch, "A Case of You" by Joni Mitchell and "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles.
Here's a video of one of my faves of the evening, recorded at Joe's Pub last June.

Lindsay radiates love and relaxation on stage. her song choices are constantly fascinating and, apart from her theatre work, I suspect she'll have a very long career as a jazz singer.

 Lindsay was nervous that no-one would show up tonight because NYC is still recovering from the aftermath of the hurricane but in fact it was a star studded audience including Kelli O'Hara, Sherie Rene Scott, Roger Rees, Rick Elice, Ryan Scott Oliver and Dick Scanlon. Lindsay and the band donated the proceeds of the evening to the Red Cross, a wonderfully generous gesture.

Bloomies at Night

Because I'm rarely on the East Side I never get to see this wonderful view of Bloomingdale's at night.

My Movie-Part Deux

Finally got back to Connecticut after several postponements due to the hurricane for my final day of filming.

As you can see, the camera LOVES me.

Our Aussie director Peter Cousens on set

I was reunited with Diane Salinger and Terrence Mann. We portray the principal players in a touring theatrical troupe in 1866. Today Terry and I performed a scene from LONDON ASSURANCE.

Diane is L.A. based but we have sworn undying devotion.

Undying devotion in close-up

With Bill Nabel who appeared on Broadway in BEAUTY & THE BEAST for 13 years and put two daughters through school.

Jan Neuberger (R) and the other members of our troupe are positioned by the director of photography.

Diane & Terry snap some pics

Terry in his snazzy dressing gown

The next Tom Hanks.

I'm Back!

(tt)  Yes dear readers! I have returned. I have been rehearsing a little show in Melbourne and have been a bit distrait but now here is the first of my contributions which hopefully will continue. As for matching Sheldon's output I will make no pronouncements!
Saturday saw the opening night of "Forum"  It was very exciting. Here are a few images of the backstage chaos and social gathering afterwards

The mad Rush!

A present from the producers...a framed special edition poster.
Look where I am billed in relation to another grand celeb!

Here is Rob Tripolino who is the youngest member of the company. He is overwhelmed by the experience and likens it to Christmas.

Here are the idiots who play the Proteans, Brent Hill,Rohan Browne and Troy Sussman with Guy Simpson who re-orchestrated the score.

 box of...nipples!  For the eunuchs

New-ish-lyweds Marina Prior and Grant Piro at the after-show party. Grant was Sheldy's Carmen Ghia in THE PRODUCERS.

Marina with Michael Cormick who replaced Anthony Warlow in ANNIE here.

Our Hysterium (and very dear mate) Mitchell Butel

 

Our Philia, Christia Whelan-Browne with my very dear Melbourne hosts Graeme and Maureen

Michael Norman (right) was our production manager on THE PRODUCERS

Trevor Ashley, not in a frock.

My programme bio is a tribute to Bob Hornery, our Erronius, who was in the original 1963 production as Lycus in the very same theatre.