We started off March with Cold Weather, Warm Weather, Coat, No Coat, Hat, No Hat, Hat, hat, hat, hat, !!!!!. But through all of that I got to go everywhere, party down, as well as chow down. So here goes:

LOST: WHERE IS CHUCK CISSEL ?????? original BUTCH on B'way. If anyone knows where he is, please write us at the site.

THE MATT WEST (Bobby-B'way/Film) DIANE DUNCAN (Shelia-B'way) Bash was wonderful. Matt knows how to give "good party." He had pounds and pounds of Shrimp Cocktail and the Dom Perignon flowed till 3am. I was honored to be in a room filled with choreographers, DENNIS EDENFIELD, JEFF CALHOUN, KEN ENGSTROM, and MATT. All of us coming to say :Happy Birthday" to Diane. Many other friends whom I didn't know enjoyed my onion dip, so they say. MOIRA CHAPMAN, our dance captain from South Africa, made it too. She was in town to get some of that New York energy before she moves permanently to Spain.

Had a wonderful dinner at Peking Duck with SUE MACNAIR (Michael Bennett's Associate Producer - BALLROOM.) and ARTIE SICARDI (Head Carpenter - ACL B'way), an ACL couple. Sue, after working for Michael Bennett, went to work for Mike Nicholas and then Nora Ephrom. She now works for a law firm and says she's happy to be away from the "business" for a while. Sue Keeps in touch with MARILYN LANGREHR MURY (Michael Bennett's Secretary): she is working for PFIZER and is writing a Book. Oh my, can this be the tell all book?? Sue says "No"; she's writing a novel. Artie is represented on B'way by MAMA MIA. We all know that Artie had CATS forever on B'way. Artie, Sue and I spent a wonderful time in Hawaii, many years ago, putting on the 3rd foreign company of ACL. Well, that's another story.

Another ACL marriage, WENDY MANSFIELD (Stage Manager-B'way) and DOUG BAKER (Company Manager-B'way), are doing just fine out in California. They have two beautiful daughters, Blair and Hillary. Hillary, who is18, was the Stage Manager for the production of FLOWER DRUM SONG at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

OTTS MUNDERLOH (Soundman-B'way) seems to be in New York more than when he lived here. He's still on the road with Mandy Pitinkin and we don't call him THE NEW YORK TIMES for nothing. He reports: Mandy loves to tell the story of Michael Bennett casting him as the son in BALLROOM. He lasted a few weeks, at which point he was out. Oh boy, we've got to follow up on that story. Otts reports as well that: TOM FOWLER (Don Kerr-B'way) is working at the MASION on Turtle Creek. SUSAN BELL (Company Manager ACL-B'way) is over at OKLAHOMA and PETER VAN MYER HAUSER is Production Stage Manager over at SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS.

MICHAEL GRUBER (Mike-B'way) gave a successful reading of his play on March 10 and STEPHAN NAKAMIE (Paul-Regional) was the assistant director.

KEVIN BURROWS (Al - B'way Tour of America) writes us he left the 1st National of FULL MONTY playing BUDDY "KENO" WALSH. He is now in his 3rd month being a Juror on a criminal case downtown with hopefully 2 more weeks to go. He concludes he was Al in the commemorative GYPSY of the Year 2000 (with a horrible case of Laryngitis, he added).

Had a wonderful Sunday Brunch in New Milford, Conn. at the home of lighting designer JOHN MCLAIN and RICHARD EYEN. Also in attendance was ELLEN SCHALFER, JULIE DURO and JEFF DAVIS. JOHN and ELLEN were with me on PORGY AND BESS in Europe and Julie was RICHARD WINKLER'S assistant on ACL Paper Mill 2001. When I asked John if he had any gossip for my column he replied "It ain't Gossip! I call it something like, personality informative information gathered through research via true human experiences, as retold and recorded by authoritative, reliable, concrete, BIG-MOUTHS." AMEN, John.

Celebrated KARMA CAMP (Choreographer-DC) is getting her first B'way show. Karma, who has been choreographing for the past 15 years in DC and the surrounding areas, is staging the strip number in THE GRADUATE. It opens April 4 here in New York starring Kathleen Turner. She also will be choreographing MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at the Kennedy Center for the Sondheim Series. Karma will also be putting her magic touches on SUNDAY IN THE PARK for a few rehearsals. Besides my being her son Cameron's Godmother, Karma and I have been collaborating on many projects since1984.

Met KAREN (JABLONS) ALEXANDER (Val-B'way) at the bus stop on the Upper West Side. She was going to work out at her gym. Even with her dark glasses, Wong Notes Lee recognized her. With Pen in hand I asked her if she had any gossip. She says that DEBBIE GEFNER has surfaced. Debbie had found her old telephone book and took the chance that Karen still had the same number. We all wondered where Debbie went after her wonderful performance in the movie All That Jazz. More scoop later. Karen can still be seen everyday feeding her dog Beggin Bites on every channel.

DONNA MCKECHNIE has done another recording of her one woman show INSIDE THE MUSIC. I was on hand to cheer her on, and was so happy to see BILL SCHELBY and all her fans there to support her. As always, there was not a dry eye in the house after she sang "Music and the Mirror". We all spilled out on to10th Ave and we realized we had just witnessed on of the few Musical Theater LEADING LADIES OF BROADWAY. They don't make them like her anymore. Times have changed and the structure of the theater is so different. We've lost our ICONS, who nurtured and developed their LEADING LADIES. Donna, you're the best and we'd all walk a million miles TO SEE YOU do anything. You made us laugh, thrilled us with your vocal interpretations but most of all, you allowed us to have a little peek into your heart and we Thank You for that. We also got to see Donna on Rosie O'Donnells show. She taped it at 8:30 am so there was no interview with the Host. But once again she moved us even at that early hour.

Had dinner with LARRY MERRITT, the hottest dancer on Broadway and Television in the 60's and 70's. Going down Memory Lane was fun. He said "In those days we could do a show and then go to the disco and dance till 6 am." Larry talked about the show Golden Rainbow, where he met Kelly Bishop. "She stole the show doing a fabulous solo with a WHIP." He was also in the show Nowhere To Go But Up, Ron Field was the choreographer and Michael Bennett was his assistant. The show only lasted 3 performances on Broadway. Larry has hundred of stories, he's truly a GYPSY. Some of his B'way credits included APPLAUSE, PIPPIN, NO STRINGS, DEAR WORLD, and EVITA. Unfortunately, a few years ago Larry was in a serious car accidient in California. He no longer can dance, so what does he do? He gets into ACTING.!!!!!!!!!! Study acting at OXFORD with the BRITISH AMERICAN DRAMA ACADEMY he is very happy to now have played DUNCAN and PORTER in MACBETH, POLONIUS in HAMLET, and PROSPERO in TEMPTEST PROJECT. We had fun talking about him starring at the MOULIN ROUGE in PARIS and as lead dancer at CASINO DE PAREE and partnering GINGER ROGERS on her world tour. Where do Old Dancers Go?? They SURVIVE no matter where they are.

Heard from MICHAEL GORMAN (Bobby-B'way) He writes he's still going to film school and finds it quite exciting. He will be choreographing for SIX FLAGS and worries (Oh my God, I'm a CARNIE!) He'll be back choreographing ANNIE, his second company this year. Misses New York, but not the traveling. Michael did a great job taking care of the 2001 Summer Tour of ACL. Michael now lives in Denver.

COLLEEN HAWKS (Judy-Paper Mill) has been offered BONNIE in ANYTHING GOES at the ORDWAY in Minneapolis and EVELYN NESBIT in RAGTIME at NORTH SHORE. Of course she's had to turn down both roles because she's booked to do the reading of BY JUPITER at the York Theater in New York April 1-7, the B'way Workshop of THE BOYS FROM OZ (about PETER ALLEN) April 8-May 4, and LAURIE in OKLAHOMA in Modesta CA. June 24-July 21. Is she a Busy Girl or What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She adds she's looking for a CAT LOVER to sublet her apartment. So let us know if you now of anyone. Just write the site.

Dinner with LARRY FULLER (Evita-choreographer) is always fun. He comes into town for his Bikram Yoga class and we chow down Chicken Parmagiana at the South Side Cafe on West 47th St. Besides my telling him how I can't do certain postures he informs me after 15 years he's still struggling. Phewww, that makes me feel better, I think that calls for DESSERT. Larry is still involved with his show BEACH RADIO, a coming of age Teenage Musical. He says its Funny, Sexy, Beefcake and Touching. It has all the ingredients for a Hit. MICHON PEACOCK, original organizer of the ACL tape sessions, will be producing the workshop with her organization CAP 21 very soon.

Our New York Reporter: ROBERT TUNSTALL (Bobby-Non Equity Tour) writes about his colleagues: ERIC SCIOTTO (Paul) is enjoying his 3rd B'way show SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS. ERIN MALLOY (Maggie) is still out with WHOREHOUSE. JACEN R. WILKERSON (Richie) is doing his principle contract thang on the tour of AIDA in the role of MEREB. MATT LOEHR (Mike) is in THE PRODUCERS, original cast. MICHELLE SCARPA (Diana) got rave reviews for her performance of ANITA in WEST SIDE STORY at TENNESSEE REP. LORI MARSHBURN (Cassie) is in Las Vegas as dance captain for the show RIO. CHEYENNE (Larry) is on the National Tour of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER.

Believe it or not, I'm in the steamroom at the NYSC getting gossip for Wong Notes. Ran into PATTI DE BECK (ACL -B'way) she has been assistant choreographer on GREASE and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Through all the steam she told me she came up to New York to get some of that New York energy. After the long run in ANNIE she thought Florida was the place. WRONG.

Had dinner with JOHN SALVATORE (Greg-2001 Tour) and MARK EVENS (MIke-B'way Tour of America). John, a dedicated teacher at Bikram Chelsea Yoga school has been asked to stage manage for a week at BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. When Belle calls you go. John spent the evening looking for a sub to take his classes. Mark told me his story about leaving his dog at the adoption agency and he was depressed for days. Mark is helping us design a new look for the website. Oh by the way dinner was Chicken Parmagiana.

J. ELAINE MARCOS (Connie- B'way Tour of America) was hilarious at CHICAGO CITY LIMITS on the eastside. It's a Comedy and Improvisation club and she portrayed a dancer with a broken leg in an operatic aria. Needless to say she had the house in stitches. She had both sides of the isles covered. One side was all the ACL gang and the other, all her fellow mates for the summer tour of JCSS. What a Fan Club you've got Elaine.

MIKI YAMISHITA (Connie-Paper Mill 2001) writes to us that she is hosting a Cable TV talk show named LUTZ CHAT with Miki and Pete, starting March 29 on Channel 57(Time-Warner) Channel 109 (RCN) at 11pm. They are a brand new comedy show completely devoted to the world of Competitive Figure Skating. Miki says "We are an Asian talk show, hilarious, no-holds barred commentary from two opinionated Asians with absolutely no legitimate credentials in the skating World what so ever. We're Funny, We're Asian, We're on Cable, so sit back and relax and LUTZ CHAT!!!!!!!!!!

Our BART ST. CLAIRE was seen at Bikram Chelsea Yoga sweating with the rest of us. Bart was my Assistant Director at the Signature's GYPSY down in Arlington, Virginia and participated in the Rehearsals of the SUMMER TOUR 2001. Bart and I had Turkey Burgers after class. Oh yeah, French Fries too.

LAURE BALON (Cassie-Vienna) came into town for 10 days. We also introduced her to Bikram Chelsea Yoga. She says now she's hooked she'll take classes when she gets back to Paris. Paris WHAT a way to go. OK, so we had Tuna Melts and Milk shakes after class.

JACK BRENTON (Don-Art Park) just produced his first video. It was a Choreographer's tape for Connie Wong. The cast consisted of: PARKER ESSE, ANNE HAWTHORNE, LAUREN WAGNER, MARK EVENS, J. ELAINE MARCOS, BRENDA HAMILTON, TRACEY FLEMING, MIKALA FREITAS, JENNIFER CLIPPENGER, SARA LEPERE, AMY KRAWCEK, JIM DOBERMAN, BRUCE LINEBARY, BARRETT MARTIN, SHAUN PARRY, and SHANE RHODES. The video director was VICKI RACIMO who brought 2 cinematographers along with her. FRED BARTON provided wonderful musical soundtrack. Make up done beautifully by TRACY WAGNER. And let's not forget BARRY FINKLE and MARY MCCATTY who kept an eye on the talent. THANK YOU all for doing a great job.

KEVIN CRAWFORT (Butch/Richie - International) is back dancing at the WASHINGTON OPERA in UN BALLO IN MASCHERA. He says he's happy going back to school and working on his MASTER'S DEGREE. We hear he got a B+ on his Midterms. Congratulation Kevin glad you are focused and dancing again.

Our LA Reporter RON DENNIS (Richie - Original): Writes to us about: KATE WRIGHT (Sheila - B'way) who is raising her two children who are now 14 and 16. Kate works in the TV industry now. MURPHY CROSS (Judy - National) and PAUL KREPPEL (Kate Wright's EX) are now writing and producing events. The next one will be at the Hamilton High School for the Performing Arts on April 13. RONNIE will be singing "GIMME THE BALL", KATE WRIGHT, SANDALH BERGMAN, and RONNIE will be recreating the "MANSON TRIO" from PIPPIN. And they will be recruiting more ACL members for "ONE". SCOTT PEARSON (ZACK - National) will be visiting LA after 10 years and CHERYL CLARK (Cassie - B'WAY) along with SAMMY WILLIAMS will have a reunion with his friends from ACL. Ron went to see SAMMY WILLIAMS in OH, JUDY a few weeks ago and said he was terrific as the aging JD impersonator. Sammy told him he had come full circle since ACL and not wanting to play PAUL, but he has embraced his high heels and all with glee. RON is still teaching at the AADA school, he concludes after he does the benefits ,"It's so good to be performing again. I miss seeing the audiences every now and then across the foot lights."
Thanks Ron.

And JOHNNY MINEO is still dancing every night in CHICAGO. God Bless Him.
Where do OLD Dancers go? They Keep Kicking Forever.

Thank you all for sending in so much material this month. Keep it coming.
Write me at baayorkATachorusline.org

in loving spirit,