JEFF CHERZEN (ACL - Associate Producer, Nikko Tour) Produced the Carl Anderson Memorial at The Ford Center. It was a very classy evening with LINDA EDER, words from FRANK WILDHORN, and lots of wonderful footage of Carl in film, television and theater. What a wonderful, rich life he lived. So many people spoke of his wonderful generosity in mentoring and encouraging young performers. He was named "The Voice." And what a voice it was. NORMAN JEWISON, director of the film version of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, spoke of Carl's screen test. Also attending were LARRY MARSHALL (Simon), PI DOUGLAS (Apostle), ELLEN DAVID (Herod's Wife) and of course, BARRY DENNEN (Pilate). Norman told us to look for our film which will becoming out on DVD in a few weeks. The entire company of Carl's Superstar came up from Washington, DC to perform. He left the company as his illness got worse. Friends from Tokyo and Italy were there to share their memories with us. It was an exhilarating evening seeing everyone and yet a sad one too. STEVIE WONDER spoke at Carl's memorial service in Los Angeles, which they showed at his NYC memorial. He said that Carl taught him as a young 19-year-old how to sing from the diaphragm. Carl's step-daughter LELA ALI, daughter of the famous boxer MOHAMMED ALI, also spoke at his Los Angels service. She made us all laugh when she said he was just "Carl" to her, no big thing just like her dad was no big thing, just "Dad." Attending from ACL was HALDEN MICHAELS (Don, Greg, Bobby: 1996-97 National).
Our KELLY BISHOP (Sheila - Original) had a wonderful birthday party at her home in New Jersey. THOMMIE WALSH (Bobby-Original) organized his team which consisted of MITZI HAMILTON (Val - International/B'way) and myself. He made sure we got there and not in Atlantic City at the slot machines. Kelly gives good party. She had caterers that served jumbo shrimp and lots of other incredible hors d'oeuvres. There were all kinds of cheeses and strawberries, as big as your fist, dipped in chocolate. Yum! Kelly is on the board of directors of her local Humane Society. Last year at a raffle she won a gift certificate to a local bakery, and we got to taste all of her winnings! Oh my God! Going into detail would take too much time, so I'll get on with the guest list. PRISCILLA LOPEZ (Diana - Original) brought her husband VINNIE FANUELLI (MD - Chicago National) and son ALEX. She introduced me as the woman who took her to the hospital the night she broke her water, when she had him. Yes, and now he's ready to go to college! Other guests included TONY STEVENS (Larry - Original workshop tape sessions) and theater gypysies from the past: KATE DRAPER, WILLARD BECKHAM, BLAIR, and BOB SHAW, set designer for The Sopranos who came without his Asian boyfriend we all were dying to meet. I had the best time with Kelly's nephew David and his famous designer partner Brian. Kelly looked gorgeous in the pants he designed, that are in every exclusive shop from here to San Francisco. There were no sightings of her Gilmore Girls family, the TV series in which she stars, in it's fifth year on the WB. However, her husband, LEE LEONARD, told us he has retired from his talk show he had out in New Jersey. By the way, Lee had the first Daytime Talk show on TV. It was my favorite and I'm still in awe of him whenever I meet him. Kinda like meeting Jay Leno. Kelly had a fourteen-seat van meet us at the station. Driving into the country was heaven as I sneezed from the pollen the entire way. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful get together. Many happy returns, Kelly!
Could I let you get away with a month of not knowing what the Lee's of Chinatown were doing? No! May's family outing was a trip to see the musical, COOKIN', the musical that I told you was a cross between Stomp and Emeril. We were really entertained. There were lots of laughs as well as knife skills that one only sees at Benihana's. They made dumplings, bulgogee, and a cake in 90 minutes. Boy, were we hungry after that. So cousin Chester took us for the best pizza in the village. Twelve strong, we then headed home for the real deal at uncle Mon Kwong's house. Thanks to cousin Sharon for getting us the tickets and wishing us all a Happy Mother's Day, even to those of us who only boss people around. Now let's see what's been happening in your neck of the woods...
FOUND: JOANNA LANGTHORN ZERCHER (Judy - B'way, International, National) She left the show in 1983, returned to Texas and completed an MFA at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX in 1986. She has been teaching and choreographing since then in Texas and in Oklahoma. She was an assistant professor in Theatre at Camerson University in Oklahoma for five years until she met and marrried her husband Tom Langthorn there. She now lives in Temple, TX and has two children, Jeremy (age 9) and Bonnie (age 8). She sends her love to Ron K., Sacchi S., Donn S., Lisa C., Tracy S. and Bebe. Click here to read her e-Note.
JILLIAN SCALISI (Bebe - B'way) now lives in Atlanta, has two beautiful children and a doctor for a husband. Was surprised to see her at the KING AND I opening. We met for an afternoon of wonderful food and good memories. Jillian, who spent years in Germany as one of the first musical theater stars, can have her cake and eat it too. She can be a suburban housewife and then go to Germany and do talk shows and recordings. Back in the late 80's and 90's Jillian opened one of the first Musical Theater schools in Hamburg. Still a success, she directed ACL with her senior students. Among her many stories, she tells us that commercial producers of ACL were upset because her small production was getting more of an audience than theirs.
MARK EVANS (Mike: 1996-97 National) having moved to Florida, is now choreographing BEEHIVE with Ray Kennedy (Bobby - Regional) at the Kennedy Center and "loving every damn minute of it." He writes, "I have re-discovered my passion for choreography and dance again.
TROY GARZA (Dance Captain - B'way) Wrote a beautiful e-note. He writes: "...In the meantime, I've been busy running the cooking school where we do classes and live demonstrations as well as restaurant nights each weekend creating high-end-presentation cuisine with zillion-dollar ingredients. Very, very cool. And I finally realized, I just want to do what I love as much as I can and as long as I can, but at least now I'm doing it for me... Except the fat part."
“So bon appétit, love to you all, and I'm gonna be FIFTY real soon... and I'm real glad. “ Click here to read his e-Note.
STEPHEN NACHAMIE (Paul - Regional) sent us his very busy schedule for the summer: Lucky guy. He writes: "Hi, everyone. The summer crept up on me sooner than I thought (I began CABARET rehearsals today)... I wanted to update you all on my whereabouts! I am very excited about my summer season. SHARON PLAYHOUSE (June 24-July 11), WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC THEATER (July 26 ), FORESTBURGH PLAYHOUSE (Aug 10), THE EMELIN THEATRE in MAMARONECK, NY. More information on our Following The Line page.
PHILLIP MICHAEL BASKERVILLE (Richie - National) Rumor has it he has just landed the show THE COLOR PURPLE. Congratulations!
PATTI DE BECK (B'way) writes she has a new career teaching at Virginia Commonwealth University. They have created a space for her to choreograph, direct and teach movement for the actor. All the things she has been doing for years on B'way for Tommy Tune, Jeff Calhoun and Graciella Danielle. Click here to read her e-Note.
JOSE RIVERA (ACL- Costume Designer) emailed to say "I will be in NYC July 12th-16th. Doing ON YOUR TOES for The Cape Playhouse.” Hope he gets to see all his old pals
GINA PAGLIA (Diana - International) She informed us: "I have been selected as a finalist in the Mars Society second Rouget de Lisle Space Song contest. My song Klaatu Borada Nikto was chosen for my "beautiful singing" and the song's "underlying humor." I am invited to perform the song at the International Mars Society conference at the Palmer House Hilton in August. Klaatu will also be published on a Mars Society limited edition CD. Needless to say, I am thrilled. I feel validated now as a songwriter. I will keep you all updated with more news.
DJ CHASE (Al - 2001 Tour) lets us know: "In the span of a week I ran into PAUL BUSCHMAN, had lunch with ERIC DYSART, ran into CINDY MARCHIONDA at Nola Studios, hung out with ROBERT TUNSTALL and saw MICHELLE TIBBITS at Ripley-Grier. It was just an "A Chorus Line" kinda week... Raegan sends her love to all.
KAREN JOHNSON (Cassie - Australia) e-mailed us to say she would be coming to town for a quick visit. Besides raising three children, choreographing the Commonwealth Games for the Queen, getting her Masters she has 147 Catholic schools under her jurisdiction. Our Cassie has been a very successful, busy lady. Click here to read her e-Note.
MITZI HAMILTON (Val/Sheila - B'way, International): GARY CHRIST (Paul -B'way) gave a party for our Mitzi. She comes in only a few times a year, now that she is living in Chicago. Attending the party: DONNA MCKECHNIE (Cassie - Original), THOMMIE WALSH (Bobby - Original), ANN REINKING (Cassie - B'way), ANGELIQUE ILO (Judy - B'way), DENNIS EDENFIELD (Don - National) GENE FOOTE (ACL director Amsterdam). Also in attendence were: HARVEY EVANS, CHISTIAN HOLDER, JOANNE MURLIN, MICHON PEACOCK and TONY STEVENS. For someone who was just staying for an hour, I stayed and enjoyed seeing old friends. PS: Mitzi will teach a summer course at NYU's Cap 21.
PARKER ESSE (Don - Regional) will be teaching at NYU's Cap 21 summer course and will then go on to be in a summer stock production of SWING. Good luck.
LUIS VILLABON (Paul - Paper Mill 2001) writes to let us know that June finds him appearing in WEST SIDE STORY outside of Boston while commuting back-and-forth to NYC for BROADWAY BARES rehearsals and performances! He appeared as a naked Charlie Chaplin while go-go dancing for tips! Anything for a good cause! After the show closed on Saturday June 26th, he took an early-morning bus to NYC just in time to ride on top of a mini-van representing NAKED BOYS SINGING! in the GAY PRIDE PARADE before re-joining the cast for the week of Monday, June 28th. Whew! He will spend the remainder of the summer obtaining his Pilates Apparatus Certification at CORE Pilates NYC (corepilatesnyc.com), where he will be featured on QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY on July 20th on BRAVO.
NEW YORK REPORTER ROBERT TUNSTALL (Bobby-2001 Tour) Covering for me whilst I was off with KING AND I. Bless you Robert.
May B. Faraway>>>>
or
<<<<Maye B. Reelneerby
He's
busy writing the WONG notes...
She's busy with
King and I !!!!!....
~Thanks!
Can you come back at 2 to dance? ...2 to....
(I'd love 2utu!)
It's WONG NOTE TIME!!!!
I had a ChorusLine-er-rific experience Last Night! I went to see Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway and just before the Curtain went up I heard: "This performance will be conducted by.....(drum roll)...........(((((Louder!)))))
Mr......JOHN SAMORIAN!!!!! (Keyboards, Euro.Tour)
It's incredible to know we met eight years ago on Cinco de May-O
The Little Shop band sounded amazing, by the way. Totally Rocked the Virginia Theatre!
But it didn't end there...
"O"
NO...After the show,
a stop at McHale's bar was in order...and who better to order from than the the gorgeous ...
<<Que: drum roll>>........<sex> Cymbol >crash< MICHELLE SCARPA!
(Diana, Nikko). We caught up over drinks (she water, I non-water) and laughter. She told me the ACL Florida mommies RACHEL SMITH (Vikki/Nikko) and PATTI FORD (Val/Nikko) were doing great! I introduced her to my pal/brilliant choreographer friend and "str8 mate" for the evening, Matt Williams. Several Cast members from Broadway's Movin’ Out were gathered at the bar in Celebrative spirit. I didn't see ACL's and now Movin' Out's stage manager GREGORY VICTOR....Nor their Newest Cast member: Mr. MATT LOEHR!!!! (Mike, Nikko)...But I'm sure they're doing fine...over a bottle or red....a bottle of white (wine) Date
) (
I saw KIM SHRIVER (Shelia, Paper Mill) on the street only days before her BIRTHDAY last month. It's always great to see her and her beautiful self. We had a moment, thinking of all our friends with upcoming birthdays....including:
MATT JOHNSON (Zach, Atlantic City) who just returned from Costa Rica. Hmmm...I wonder if that's like "Mike Costa....(Rica)
<hehe>
RACHEL LAFER (Kristine, Gateway) wrote me from the road company (Thoroughly Modern Millie). She and husband John are doing fine. She's taking part in the Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma 2004 - L.A. Walk on Sunday, June 06, 2004 to raise money for Scleroderma Foundation. Her dad suffers from Scleroderma so her desire to find a cure is all the greater! If you find it in your hearts to donate (Tax-deductible!) you can do so online by credit or debit card at the following address: http://www.justgiving.com/PFP/rachelwalks
CONGRATULATIONS! to JAMES R. WHITTINGTON (Butch, TurningStone) on making his Broadway debut in the 2004 Tony nominated musical Bombay Dreams!!!
The wedding of TODD MICHEL SMITH (Mark, Hawaii) to MICHELE WEATHERS in North Carolina was simply beautiful. It was a triumph just to get there....4am departure/Lost luggage/Wearing dad's clothes to said ceremony/hysterical/4 hour drive /Arriving just moments before the "I do's" 'wer DuN. <that's southern tawk :) But when I saw his face light up at the sight of me standing there.....En Chanel .....Ok, ok. it was MICHELE he was really looking at... But whatever!
I can dream can't I ??? <snicker> The reception was exquisite. We danced, ate, and began to Celebrate! Here's to many happy years together!!
Special heartfelt thanks to DENA DIGIACINTO (Diana, Hawaii), ROXANE CARRASCO (DanceCaptain, Euro. tour) , and JENNIFER LEWIS (Maggie, Euro tour) for my Delicious Birthday dinner!
In the immortal words of the (hello) Dali Lama....
"If you do good for others, goodness will return to you."
Love to all,
Robert
Well, May and June have been hectic for me. Working with Sandy Duncan has been such an honor. To be on the same page with one who is so talented and who never stops working on her craft has given me a deeper respect for her and also her King MARTIN VIDNOVIC. Thank you all for being patient for these WONG Notes. Now I'm back on track. Hope you all are having a wonderful summer.
Please write me at: baayork(at)achorusline.org
