Character Man

Jim Brochu is an award winning writer and character actor who is probably best known for his one man show about Zero Mostel called ZERO HOUR  but he learned his trade from the very best. As a theatre-struck teenager Jim saw the original production of THE MUSIC MAN and befriended David Burns who would win a Tony Award for his performance as Mayor Shinn. Burns got him a job selling orange drinks at the back of the theatre which allowed him to study his idols while he took his own first tentative steps as a performer. And what idols they were! Robert Preston as Harold Hill,  Jackie Gleason in TAKE ME ALONG, Zero Mostel in FORUM and FIDDLER, Jack Gilford in FORUM and CABARET, George S. Irving in SO LONG, 174th STREET, Cyril Ritchard in ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT. He also had a  college friend who wanted to write songs and they'd go see musicals together. That friend was Stephen Schwartz.
Jim tried out his new show CHARACTER MAN at the Triad tonight for an audience of close friends and what a treat it was. Using production shots, personal photos and film footage as background, Jim told us of his friendships with these great performers and recreated their signature songs such as "Everybody Ought To Have a Maid", "Trouble", "Mr. Cellophane", "The Butler's Song", "Little Green Snake", "Captain Hook's Waltz", and most movingly, "Meeskite" and "If I Were A Rich Man". He closed the evening with an emotional rendition of "For Good" from his friend Mr. Schwartz's WICKED.

Stephen Schwartz was in the audience (pictured left with my good buddy Marcia Milgrim Dodge) as were Sheldon Harnick and his wife Margery Gray, the ubiquitous and adorable Harvey Evans, Richard Skipper (famed Carol Channing impersonator and author of the upcoming book "Call On Dolly!")

Director Rob Bartley and his partner Danny Whitman who have asked me to appear next year in their annual concert "Broadway Backwards", and Lori Tan Chinn who played Bloody Mary in the film remake of SOUTH PACIFIC with Glenn Close and Harry Connick, Jr.  I introduced myself to Lori and said we had many mutual friends as all the nurses and soldiers in that film were played by Aussies such as Helen Dallimore, Simon Burke, Pippa Grandison, Leonie Page and Margi de Ferranti. Lori practically fell over herself with delight and it turns out she's also great buddies with Trevor Ashley and Damon Herriman. She gave me her card and as we're both Dancers Over 40 members no doubt we'll meet again.

I also renewed acquaintance with Randie Levine-Miller, special events producer for the Lambs Club and the Drama Desk Award nomination committee. She's putting together a concert in November at the Actor's Temple and has asked me to be on the bill in a line-up which could include Marilyn Michaels, Jill O'Hara and Tony Roberts!

(Randie pictured at the Friar's Club with Dick Cavett.) I guess I'm gettin' pretty good at this networking thing. Never in my wildest dreams...!