With her name above the title at Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theatre Oscar winner Catherine Zeta-Jones makes for great box office in the entertaining revival of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music. The screen beauty plays Desiree, the fading actress at the center of the elegant classic. If her glamorous presence is not exactly a perfect fit, she generates enough star power in the Trevor Nunn production to pack the houses in spite of the evening’s shortcomings.
The Hamptons International Film Festival welcomed American film icon Sharon Stone as the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award and a mentor to their up-and-coming Breakthrough Performers.
Evidence Dance Company honored founder and artistic director, Ronald K. Brown, on their 25th Anniversary with the GRACE IN WINTER SILVER BALL in the ballroom of the Plaza Hotel.
Live Out Loud held a festive benefit @ Clodagh for The Homecoming Project, a program that brings lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) leaders back to their high schools to share their personal stories and life lessons with today’s students. Oscar winner Lance Black ("Milk") was on hand and answered questions about the documentary film about his experiences returning to his high school, which made a lasting impression on thousands of students which is inspiring other schools. Photography: Barry Gordin
Randie Levine-Miller presented DIVONIGHT, a splendid musical evening of only male vocalists, at The Friars Club. Some of the finest Broadway and Cabaret performers in the business including Frank Basile, Tom D’Angelo, Zero Mostel (aka Jim Brochu!), Martin Vidnovic, Len Cariou, John De Marco, Myles Savage, Sal Viviano and Paul Chamlin performed to an appreciative packed house. Randie not only hosted this terrific show, but added a little spice by singing as well. Look for more of these wonderful evenings, which Randie produces at The Friars Club.
Jamie deRoy & friends performed The OSCAR SHOW !!! at Birdland, 315 West 44th Street, on Sunday February 28 at 6pm. Jamie’s standout revue of Academy Award winning songs and movies has become a popular annual happening starring John McDaniel, Peter Sachon,Terri White, Gregg Edelmanm Christina Bianco, Bonnie Langford, Larry Gatlin and the incmparable Jame deRoy. The show was Directed by Barry Kleinbort and Musical Direction by Lanny Meyers. Photography: Barry Gordin
Edward Albee, a two time t, hosted an intimate private/cocktail party in his enormous art-filled loft dominated by 90-100 pieces of African art. They are displayed in dynamic juxtaposition with adventurous contemporary art that he has been accumulating for around five decades. Most of the pieces were not high priced when he acquired them and many were gifts from the artists themselves, but today several of the artists, like Chagall and Milton Avery are renowned. Early on the 80 year old playwight, who has won two Tonys and two Drama Desk Awards, developed an enthusiasm for African masks and sculpture in general, which began his journey.
Guild Hall of East Hampton held their 25th anniversary Lifetime Achievements Awards Dinner at Cipriani on 42nd Street in New York. The annual event, a highlight of Guild Hall’s social season, honored film director Bob Balaban, playwright Marsha Norman and visual artist Richard Prince. Also recognized at the celebratory evening hosted by comedian Angela LaGreca were Susan and Alan Patricof for their leadership and philanthropic endeavors. Photography: Barry Gordin
By Linda Amiel Burns An all-star cast was recruited for the second concert of this season in the Lyrics & Lyricists Series at the 92nd Street Y entitled “Fred & Ginger in so Many Words: The Astaire-Rogers Songbook.”
Leslie Uggams: In Concert for American Songbook By Ellis Nassour Last Saturday, in the American Songbook series, Tony and Emmy winner, Golden Globe nom, and hometown gal Leslie Uggams gave her first New York concert in 18 years. It was flawless and, as far as the timbre of her voice, as if time had stopped. Where had that voice been? Well, here and there.
The stellar line-up of stars slated to perform for the 26th Annual Drama League Gala, a musical celebration, honoring Angela Lansbury at The Pierre will assuredly make for a memorable evening. The one night only black-tie gala hosted by Victor Garber and the international film star Catherine Zeta-Jones, both who are currently treading the Broadway boards in Present Laughter and A Little N
Over 40 Years Later, Mart Crowley Revisits The Boys in the Band By Ellis Nassour In 1967, when "starving" writer Mart Crowley "on the brink of destitution" but sitting in the lap of luxury finished his play The Boys in the Band, he says he intended it to be controversial. But, having distanced himself from gay politics, he didn’t set out to be an rights activist. "I probably didn’t even know what that meant," he laughs.
Give and Go: Learning from Losing to the Harlem Globetrotters By Isa Goldberg As dramatic genre, the one-person show has been rising like a phoenix. The sheer number of them – many of them quite powerful – is at a zenith.
LIVE OUT LOUD’S 1st Annual Fundraiser was held at the magnificent home of Bruce T. Sloane in East Hampton’s Grace Estate. Guests enjoyed cocktails, Hors d’oeuvres, a fabulous silent auction and dancing overlooking the water at a gorgeous sunset. The evening benefited LIVE OUT LOUD, a Non-Profit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering LGBT youth by connecting them with successful LGBT professionals in their Community. Bravo! For more information: www.liveoutloud.info
Andrew Goffman’s outrageously silly one man show opened Off-Broadway at the Players Theater, 115 MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village. The funny Goffman under Charles Messina’s guidance delivers a slick physical performance in his semi-autobiographical account of a childhood dominated by pornography, after finding his father’s collection of XXX-rated videos. The evening unfortunately is one comment delivered in three or four variations by the skilled Goffman.
