Happy New Year to you all. Where did the year go? I just got used to writing 2002 on my checks and now it's 2003. Well, got back to New York in time to see my old friend TOMMY TUNE'S closing performance at the LITTLE SCHUBERT THEATER on 42nd St. The all new Theater Row. I hadn't seen him perform since MY ONE AND ONLY in 1983, and of course at that time I was giving him notes. His evening was entertaining with lots of class. What a thrill to see his 6'6" glide across the stage a la Fred Astair. After the show, we spoke and he told me that he's going to take it on the road, where I'm sure it will be a huge success. In the audience was Wally Harper (Dance arranger) and ACL Most Wanted, Sandy Roveta (Cassie-International).
Now let's see what happened in December.
We received Holiday Greetings from:
- LEE WILSON (Kristine/Lois/ Connie/Maggie-National)
STEPHEN NACHAMIE (Paul-Regional)
ANTHONY INNEO (Zack-B'way)
BARBARA LUNA( Diana-National)
DANA WINKLER (Cassie -Regional)
ROBERT TUNSTALL(Bobby-2001 Tour)
MICHAEL BLEVINS (film)
RON DENNIS (Richie-Original)
CANDY BROWN (Angel-Original Workshop)
GINA PAGLIA (Diana-International)
MERETE MUNENTE (Maggie-Regional)
JOE LANGWORTH (Mark-B'way)
JEFF K WONG (Paul-Regional)
GIANNI SALVUCCI (Mark-Italy)
LORENA CREPALDI (Asst. Director-Italy)
FABRIZIO ANGELINI (Dance Captain/Paul-Italy)
CONNIE BAKER (Judy-Regional)
MICHELLE BRUCKNER (Sheila- B'way Tour of America)
- JOHN CALDER 3rd ( PSM-2001 Tour)
DONNA DRAKE (Trisha-Original)
LARRY BLANK (MD-National)
MOIRA CHAPMAN (Dance Captain-International)
TROY GARZA (Dance Captain-B'way)
BRENDA HAMILTON (VICKI-2001 TOUR)
SYLVIA RHYNE (Maggie - Vienne)
COLLEEN HAWKS (Judy - 2001 Tour)
RICHARD WINKLER (Asst. Lightning Designer-Original Company)
PETER BARRY (Mark-London)
BETH POLITO (Bebe-National)
LAURE BALON (Cassie-Vienne)
GREG DANIELS (Al-International)
LEE WILSON (Kristine/Lois Connie /Maggie-National) e-mailed to say she spent a White Christmas with her youngest brother and his family in Lake Tahoe. It was 20 degrees. She is currently writing a family adventure movie for PAX Buena Vista International. Click here to read the e-mail she sent us, describing all the deals of her project. Good Luck, Lee.
MICHAEL BLEVINS (Film) Welcome to the site. We are happy to have you aboard. Click here to read Michael's e-note to us.
PETER BARRY (Mark-London) wrote us to say he had a great time doing English Pantomime outside of London. He is now starting rehearsals for the opera THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN at the Royal Opera House where he will portray one of those furry animals. By the way, Peter was my associate, when we choreographed VIXEN in Spoleto, Italy many years ago.
STEPHEN NACHAMIE (Paul-Regional) e-mailed to say he is off to set WEST SIDE STORY for NORTH CAROLINA THEATER and he is also is developing 2 new plays. We also hear that Stephen will be directing ACL this summer in Connecticut. Stephen, what a great way to start the New year.
Hot Off The Press:
BETH POLITO (Bebe, Nikko tour) just landed the role of "The Enchantress" on the national tour of Beauty and the Beast.
ROBERT TUNSTAL (Bobby-2001 tour) choreographing CAROUSEL in Merck, Long Island.
LAURE BALON (Cassie-Vienna) e-mailed to say we hadn't heard from her for a while because she has been singing on a Mediterranean Cruise Ship and touring around France in a Musical.
CONNIE BAKER (Shelia/Judy-Regional) wrote in to let us know she had a baby girl on December 6, 2002. Her name is Kristine Ogena Sabo, named after her first and favorite role in A Chorus Line. Congratulations Connie. Hope you'll send us some photos of the bundle of joy.
FABRIZIO ANGELINI (Larry/Paul/Dance Captain -Italy) writes: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all in America. Fabrizio will play the leading role of Adam in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS for a few performances while the lead has other commitments. We are so excited for him and know he will do a great job. By the way Fabrizio is the choreographer of the production.
RON DENNIS (Richie -Original) reports: "Not much new on my end...teaching and I recently did the TV Academy Hall of Fame inductees dinner at the Beverly Hills Hotel, that inducted Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, John Frankenheimer and Jean Stapleton. T'was good to sing with a group of great singers and get a nice number to shine in for the old guard stars. Alex Baldwin was the host...Yahoo. Fine, Fine, Fine, Fine! Harvey Korman was very funny telling the audience that he didn't care who knew that he was madly in love with after seeing him in person! Really funny as he went on and on."
Ron
LARRY BLANK (MD-National) e-mailed us to say he and DOUG BESTERMAN (National) received an urgent call from John Kander wanting to add a new song for the film CHICAGO'S credits. Click here to find out how it was all was done by Fax and Phone. Congratulations Doug and Larry on being a part of a wonderful film.
THOMMIE WALSH (Bobby-Original) Spent his Christmas at his home in Upstate, NY, after tackling Katie Couric's Star-Studded Benefit for her husband's Colon Cancer Fund Raiser. By phone Thommie told us the most exciting part of the evening was seeing Chita Rivera and Rita Moreno sharing the Anita character in WEST SIDE STORY. For those of you who don't know it, Chita originated the role on B'way and Rita played and won an Academy Award for the film. He shared an intimate moment with us when Katie Couric with shoes in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, thanked him for a job well done. Directing Robin, Woopi, Chita, Rita, Bette, and all the other stars we'd give him a PURPLE HEART.
GREG DANIELS (Al-International) e-mailed to say he had another wonderful season with the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall.
CLIVE (CLERK) WILSON (Larry-original) joined the Gay Men's Chorus of New York. He made his Carnegie Hall debut with DONNA MCKECHNIE (Cassie-original) supporting him all the way in the front row. Clive said it was a wonderful experience. Good to know he's keeping his singing chops oiled.
JARROD CAFARO (Mark-Regional) e-mailed to say he has dates to finalize, but he is singing in a Kurt Weil show at Town Hall, starring Sharon McKnight, Julie Reyburn, and another ACL alum Bebe Neuwirth. Good Luck Jarrod.
PRISCILLA LOPEZ (Diana-original) opened off B'way in CLASS MOTHERS OF '68. Opening night in attendance were KELLY BISHOP (Shelia-original), husband LEE LEONARD and CLIVE (CLERK) WILSON (Larry-original). Of course, THOMMIE WALSH (Bobby-original) was there, he is the choreographer for her show.
JEFF K. WONG (Paul-Regional) e-mailed to say he did a Regional Production of Annie Get Your Gun with Andrea MacArdle this past July (which was great). He's been staying in the wings waiting for another opportunity. He's been keeping himself busy by not giving up his "day job." He's a nurse .... So that takes up a lot of his time. Click here to see the picture of Andrea and Jeff.
BETH POLITO (Bebe-National) wrote us to say she is always bumping in to ACL Family Members. Click here to read her e-note to us.
DONNA DRAKE (Trisha -original) called to say she had a successful run directing CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRAWFORT. SRO. She also directed Jennifer Holiday's Benefit for B'way Cares. That was a huge success also. Congratulations Girlfriend.
JON PETERSON (Paul-London) was seen on B'way and 48th ST. on a Sunday with Yoga Matt and Bottled Water, a true sign of a BIKRAM YOGA JUNKIE. Welcome to the Club.
JOHN CALDER 3rd (PSM- 2001 Tour) always sends us such witty greetings, this year we received this: SEASONS GREETINGS!!! Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all . . . John
ROBERT TUNSTALL (Bobby- 2001 Tour) our New York reporter writes:
2003...The year to "be"((((OM)))))
OK mantra marvels...here's the December Dish...
Broadway Diva Nadine Issenegger (Val, Paper Mill) is giving them Peggy Sawyer on Broadway in 42nd Street. I remember seeing her on the street when she first started in the ensemble and said "Are you playing the lead yet?" and she said "God, I wish...." well, wish granted (and deservedly so )
Cheyenne (Larry, Nikko tour) Called to say he's just finished the Christmas show at the Fireside playhouse in Wisconsin. He'll be back in the City for the New Year.
Katie Cameron (Judy, Europe tour) invited me to her annual Christmas party. I was reunited with Kari Nicholiason (Val, Broadway) who kept me in stitches most of the night. Her son Sasha is truly adorable. I had to leave early to join Todd Michael Smith (Mark, Hawaii) at the Hairspray/Producers Christmas party. It was fantastic. I had a nice conversation with Jerry Mitchell about his new show "Imaginary Friends." Matt Loehr (Mike, Nikko tour) was there and looking quite dashing. He said he's still enjoying The Producers every night. I asked him if he was covering the Matthew Broderick part yet and he said "YES!" (I see a theme here) He had just recently been announced as a cover. I'm sure he'll be great. My next and final stop for the evening was the Christmas party of Tome' Cousin (Richie, nat'l). He recently finished his 3 year run as an original company member of Contact. He's heading out to Pennsylvania to play Richie in a company of A Chorus Line to be set by Danny Herman.
Well, DA-dish is dun...
Have a safe and outrageous New Year. and remember....
"What the new year brings depends a great deal on what you bring to the new year."
Happy New Year!
Love and laughter,
Love to all,
Robert
Thanks Robert for always entertaining us with your reports.
Well, there are so many Sales to go to as well as Shows. Until next month have a Happy Healthy New Year. To all of you, Thank You for your contributions to the website this past year. Without you there is no Gossip. So write me baayork ATachorusline.org I would love to hear from you. Take care till next month.
in loving spirit,
Baayork
