March found me on the Gold Coast in Australia. Was hoping to get into Hong Kong but the SARS virus had everyone in a panic, as well it should. Had the pleasure of visiting the mountain and beach homes of Australian TV and Theater star Simon Gallaher. Simon is the Star and Producer of PIRATES OF PENZANCE and Robert Ginn (Associate Producer ACL-Australia), is his General Manager. His beautiful wife Lisa (a dancer with the longest legs), along with their children Tyron and Saxon showed a stray American a warm and restful time. Lisa and I sat around the breakfast nook and she told me about her experiences in Asia. A dancer and an acrobat, she broke her back as she fell
off of three stacked chairs, trying to complete a trick. And another time she did a Grande Jete and went off the stage and that was another injury to her back. She completed the entire shows with a broken back! Is that the epitome of "the show must go on"? Their beach home has a view of Surfers Paradise and the beautiful blue green ocean and their mountain home has a view of the Gold Coast. Heaven! Weather was perfect every day, 85 degrees. As my plane was coming into Kennedy we were flying right into a snowstorm and all I could say was "What am I doing here? Simon and Lisa, thank you for being such wonderful hosts; I'll see you in New York.

HEADLINE: Original A Chorus Line Costumes in Car Crash. Judge rules "Costumes Not At Fault" The day after the big event in Dayton Ohio, Parker Esse, on his first costume assistant assignment, while returning the costumes to the warehouse, was hit by a car. Miss Thing (we won't use her real name) failed to see the Stop Sign and entered the highway without seeing our man Parker. He was happily enjoying his triumph of the previous evening, We hear he was the Party Boy of the night. BANG! CRASH! WHAM! His van was totaled. He was heard screaming "Women, do you know what you have just HIT? The Original A Chorus Line Costumes!!!!!!! You have hit a Legend !!!!!!!!!!!!." Luckily the witnesses were a policeman and a lawyer. The costumes were not held responsible but we were told Miss Thing left with the police with Fishnet Stocking and a Top Hat. Now let's see what happened last month.

CHADD GARVIE (Frank-Australia) writes he was surfing the Internet and came upon us. He now lives in London and found himself auditioning for ACL. He said it's not the best confidence booster being up for the Older Role of Gregory Gardner after covering Paul, Mike, Mark, Al, and Larry. Chadd was in the 1993/94 company of ACL in Sydney, Australia.

MICHELLE COX (Kristine-International) always keeps us informed of her whereabouts. She and her family have moved to Tennessee. She will be teaching Government and Law at an all-girls school. She also will be helping out on the school's Dance and Drama team. Go to it Michelle, right back in the theater!

DEVANAND JANKI ( Richie/Paul/Regional) has done an excellent job Directing and Choreo-graphing the show ZANNA DON'T. The show, a strange twist on a teenage musicals (Grease) has many creative ideas and styles and what a delight. Dev who has been choreographing The Easter Bonnet Show and so many other successful benefits has really come into his own and is well on his way. Try to see it, you'll all have a great time. We are proud of you DEV.

DANNY HERMAN (Mike-B'wy) writes: he saw the site for the first time and "what great memories." Danny has been very busy, he tells us he was in the B'way show Contact, was the co-director, co-choreographer of the acclaimed DREAMGIRLS-20th ANNIVERSARY BENEFIT CONCERT. The concert raised a million dollars for the ACTOR'S FUND. He has won a Chicago's Jeff Award, an Artisian Award, and an After Dark Award.

Michelle Bruckner (Shelia, National) and Shane Rhodes (Mike, Paper Mill) are currently in rehearsals for Mame at North Shore Music Theatre. The show runs April 29th through May 18th.

LARRY BLANK (MD-Regional) writes he's nominated for a HELEN HAYES for the SONDHEIM SERIES in Washington, DC. Also he went to see our DONNA MCKECHNIE'S show INSIDE THE MUSIC at the Colony Theater in Burbank. Larry writes: "Donna looks great, sings great and dances great and Thommie Walsh did a fabulous job of keeping the whole thing, Donna, her show, tech dept., music dept.. . . . In line. A great achievement for all involved."

RON GUARNIERI (PSM- Nikko Tour) sent us a photo relaxing after his year long national tour of FOSSE. He'll let us know if he's going out again.

MARK BOVE (AL-B'WAY) We hear that Mark is part of the cast of URBAN COWBOY. We haven't seen it yet. They had their notices up and they were ready to close. After playing their last performance the producer got up and told everyone they were going to stay open. I like to hear that. More people working, and that's a GOOD THING.

COLLEEN HAWKS (Judy -Paper Mill) will be in the up and coming B'way production of The Boy from OZ, starring Hugh Jackman. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

ROBERT TUNSTALL our New York Reporter. writes:

Priscilla Lopez should have won the Oscar for "best cameo" in the movie Center Stage. OK, I know...that was SO a few years ago, but I recently saw it for the first time and really LOVED her performance as the "downtown jazz class teacher."

Angela Christian (Maggie, Gateway) is simply stellar on Broadway in Thoroughly Modern Millie. She just celebrated a year with the show as the original "Miss Dorothy Brown" (Millie's best friend). She brought the house down with her classic line: "I'm sorry, I'm from California, I don't speak New York yet."

Mark Bove (Zach, Paper Mill) is a tour de force in Broadway's Urban Cowboy. His shining moments come when he takes center stage to sing the hit "T-r-o-u-b-l-e" and the classic "Devil Went Down to Georgia." Do I hear a Best supporting Tony nomination??

Kim Shriver (Shelia, Paper Mill) had a fabulous going away party. She's in Colorado now at the Arvada center performing in Victor/Victoria.

Eric Sciotto (Paul, Nikko tour) invited me to his birthday bash at Zanzabar last month. It was great to see him and fellow "Chorus-liners" Shane Rhodes (Mike, Paper Mill) and Erin Malloy (Maggie, Nikko tour).

Rachel Lafer (Kristine, Gateway) will be playing the Cyd Charisse role in Singin' in the Rain at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. I'm sure she'll be giving leg for days!

I'm happy to report that my first experience as a choreographer for a musical was a great one! Carousel was a dream come true! I wasn't prepared for the audience to clap in the middle of the dance numbers...what a HIGH!!! I also loved that it opened on Bobby's birthday (Thommie Walsh), March 15th!
Life has great staging :)

Wedding bells are in the air! Todd Michael Smith (Mark, Hawaii) will be tying the knot in 2004! Congratulations!!!!!

Love to all,
Robert

"The wide world spins and spits turmoil
and the nations toil
for peace
the paws of fear
upon your chest
only LOVE
can soothe that beast."

Thanks Robert we always appreciate your contribution.

Have been on the international trail and will continue to be all next month.
Next stop is Mexico with warm weather. Thanks for all your e-mails and stopping by the site to see What's Up.

Always love to hear from you, so please write me at baayorkATachorusline.org Stay well.

In loving spirit,

Baayork