Back in action

This is the reason tt has been so absent from the world of blog.  I have been sitting in on rehearsals of the above which culminated in a very successful day of two readings for potential investors. Being with and learning from Miss Feldshuh has been an amazing and moving and hilarious experience. The play is a  religious, political and psychological thriller!  With any luck it will have its New York prem next year.

   Here's the poster for the reading  at the Westside Theatre which would suit "What a Shock'n'Shame", my Ripper play, to a T.

 Here is the brilliant cast taking their bow at the end of the first show

Second from left is Ally Sheedy who played the lead.

 On my way to the thartar each day I passed the Actors Studio on W 43rd.

 Was reminded of the day  in 1984 when I was invited to sit in on a scene workshop convened by Paul Newman and Lee Grant.  Talk about mumbling method.  I couldn't hear a word the students said, the scenes had all been written by previous mumblers so were laden with incomprehensible angst. I thought I would go mad. Then the irrepressible actress, Sylvia Miles, a member, yelled out, "For Christ's sake will you speak up! I haven't a fucking clue what's going on!"    I could have hugged her.

Hot Stuff

The glamorous, amorous Collins sisters saw the show on Broadway last night. Jackie saw the Australian production and Joan saw me in London so they are now officially groupies. I must say they look truly sensational.

The Holy Grail!!!!!!

This is it, folks. The one I've dreamed of all these years. More than the Tony, the Oscar, even the Glug! I have almost every edition of the THEATRE WORLD annual since it was first published in 1944 and this award goes to performers making their Broadway debuts. And to think that they were almost discontinued last year for lack of funding!!!! This year's winners are:

Ellen Barkin, The Normal Heart
Desmin Borges, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity
Halley Feiffer, The House of Blue Leaves
Grace Gummer, Arcadia
Rose Hemingway, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
John Larroquette, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Heather Lind, The Merchant of Venice
Patina Miller, Sister Act
Arian Moayed, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Jim Parsons, The Normal Heart
Zachary Quinto, Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes
Tony Sheldon, Priscilla Queen of the Desert

The third annual Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence will go to Seth Numrich of War Horse.

The first annual Lunt-Fontanne Award for Ensemble Excellence will go to the cast of The Motherf**ker with the Hat: Bobby Cannavale, Chris Rock, Annabella Sciorra, Elizabeth Rodriguez and Yul Vázquez.

Apologies

Dear All   Please forgive the delay in adding to the diary. We both have been so busy. Even today when I had planned a fine Sunday outing a call came to do some more work so I was in and Sheldon had two shows. Fear not faithful blogettes  we will soon be doing something.  xxxxxx   tt

More Fabulous People

The list of new friends we are making was topped up tonight in meeting David Bruson and Cady Huffman.

Cady created the role of Ula in "The Producers" and danced away with a Tony.  And she won two more tonight.  David, our exquisite host, was Company Manager on "The Royal Tour" with Barry Humphries who is now a personal friend of his.

Here we all are at  La Lupa in the Village for supper after a superb concert of Duke Ellington music at the Allen Room  hosted by Michael Feinstein and starring Lillias White, Montego Glover and Darius De Haas.  That famous window which backs the performers took us from late afternoon light to full- on Broadway night which matched the rich and sultry songs of a jazz genius.  "Satin Doll" will never sound the same again after you've heard Mr De Haas have his way with it.
 We went backstage and met the cast. Mr De Haas left Sheldon speechless with raves about "Priscilla" when all we wanted to do was rave about the artistry we had just experienced!

Thank you guys for a really lovely time!

The madness begins!!!

Four nominations for Best Actor in a Musical: The TONY Award, the Outer Critcs' Circle Award, the Drama League Award and the Drama Desk Award. Who cares if I win anything? Not me!

First up, the Drama Desk press junket with our producer Garry McQuin.

The Tony press junket with Patina Miller (SISTER ACT)

and Rory O'Malley (BOOKOF MORMON)

with BROADWAY BEAT's Richard Ridge

Bergdorf Side Windows

As well as the McQueen fiesta the Bergdorf Goodman window designers have gone mad round the corner in 58th.  It is a tribute to the new film,"Water for Elephants"  I think elephant skin is the next new must have.  I have it on my elbows during dry spells.