Feels Like The First Time

From BROADWAY WORLD:

Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Kyle Dean Massey, Drew Gasparini & Nick Blaemire Set for FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME Benefit Concert, 2/10

 

 

 

Broadway's Nick Blaemire (Godspell), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies), Kyle Dean Massey (Wicked, Next To Normal), and musical theater composer Drew Gasparini complete the lineup of performers for Feels Like The First Time at NYC's (le) Poisson Rouge on Monday February 10, 2014 at 7:00pm, it was announced today.

The group join previously announced performers Max von Essen (Evita), Tony Award winner Nikki James (The Book of Mormon), Julia Murney (Wicked), Ben Platt (The Book of Mormon), Elizabeth Stanley (Million Dollar Quartet), and Tony nominees Tony Sheldon (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) and Barbara Walsh (Falsettos).

Andrew Kober (Hair) hosts and Colin Hanlon (Co-Producer Submissions Only, Rent) directs, with musical direction by two-time Tony and Grammy Award winner Stephen Oremus (Kinky Boots, The Book of Mormon, Wicked).. The evening is being co-produced by The Craptacular and Katie Riegel.
In the evening of story and song, some of your favorite Broadway babies will recount their first time, and things could get... messy.

 Proceeds from the performance will benefit 3-year-old Cameron Huffine - recently diagnosed with Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Cancer - and Children's Hospital Colorado.
VIP Reserved Table Seating is $40 or General Admission Table Seating is $25 with a 2 item food/drink minimum. Standing Room tickets are also available for $25 with no minimum.
Tickets are available now at http://www.lepoissonrouge.com/lpr_events/feels-like-the-first-time-february-10th-2014/ or by calling or visiting the LPR Box Office.

Three days of the Sheldy

An excellent evening at Birdland on Monday night where Jim Caruso (pictured) hosts his open mike evening CAST PARTY each week.

 One night when I'm feeling courageous I'll brave that legendary stage.

Tuesday night I went to another NYC institution, the Duplex on Christopher Street to see a song cycle called LIKE ME (about social media) featuring Aussie mates MiG Ayesa (pictured) and Deone Zanotto being their usual brilliant selves.

Wednesday I braved the freezing cold to walk down Tenth avenue in Chelsea. I could live in this building.

Top floor, please.

This place is called BEYOND. It stocks beading and other costume jewellery.

Popped into the Chelsea Marketplace on 15th St. just to get out of the bitter chill and was drawn as ever by the seductive twinklies.

 

Finished the evening by seeing THE GLASS MENAGERIE starring Cherry Jones and Zachary Quinto, a brave stylized production, gripping and elegantly performed.

Winter in Manhattan

W55th

I have no idea why West 55th St is ablaze with lights. perhaps it is for the upcoming Super Bowl weekend, or perhaps it is like this all the time. But I was drawn like the proverbial moth and walked down the street even though it took me out of my way.

Into the Maplewood

A trip to New Jersey this afternoon to see a matinee of INTO THE WOODS

 directed by friend and PRISCILLA alumni Eric Sciotto

who also choreographed, made the props, the cow, some of the costumes, and probably sold the tickets and orange juice as well.

Maplewood is the prettiest town, I'd love to revisit it one day when I have more time.

                                                           What a coincidence!

It was something of a PRISCILLA reunion as my companions were the delectable Thom Allison and Mike McGowan

We had a lovely brunch and really enjoyed Eric's production which was as well sung as any I've ever seen.

 

Home again, jiggity jig.

Tonight in Inwood

Snow Day

No setting foot outside today.

I think this is meant to go on for a couple of more days

I may never get out of here again.

 

50th Anniversary DOLLY! Reunion at Sardi's

The day after the Peggy Herman cabaret I was invited to the DOLLY anniversary brunch at Sardi's.
Miss Channing unfortunately didn't show but a handful of the original cast made it, including my now good buddy Sondra Lee, the original Minnie Fay.

You can see my portrait on the wall to Sondra's left.

Mary Jo Catlett, the original Ernestina, read out a note of apology from Miss Channing

NY POST theatre columnist Michael Reidel was there, as was Lee Roy Reams (a former Cornelius and director of many DOLLYs) with event organizer, erstwhile Carol Channing impersonator and DOLLY archivist Richard Skipper.

I was seated with my darling Harvey Evans, who played Barnaby on Broadway and the First National company.

Another pal, James Darrah, who played Ambrose and later Cornelius in the last Channing tour.

The wonderful Ernestine Jackson from the Pearl Bailey company. I saw Ms. Jackson play Sarah Brown in the all-black GUYS AND DOLLS in 1976 and she stopped the show cold with "If I Were A Bell".

with another friend, composer Steve Schalchlin who was escorting Mary Jo.

We had a delicious brunch of scrambled eggs, ham, turkey, bagels, quiche, Danish and a slice of DOLLY cake. We also got a calendar (pictured at the top) as a keepsake. And yes, we all sang the title song.

with photographer supreme Stephen Sorokoff