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June "WONG NOTES"
I send you all a big hello from Amsterdam, where I am putting in eleven new cast members in My European Tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Haven't seen much of the town because of rehearsals eight hours a day and watching the show in the evenings. Nicholas Rodriquez, our Jesus, and Roy Chicas who plays Judas had the Dutch audiences on their feet every night of the two week run. Wanted to give a special thanks those members of the cast who have moved on: Nathan Sackett, Alayna Gallo, Richard Ruiz, Eric Blair, Eric Pinnick, Steven Carr, Kevin Smith Kirkwood, Matthew Kilgore, Dana Winkle, Evelyn Bahler, and Allecia Bonacci. New Cast Members joining the company in Amsterdam, Salzburg, and Munich (the sweetest part of the tour) are: Rachael Smith Murray (Wonderstudy - Nikko Tour), Merete Muenter (Bebe - Atlantic, City) Rommel Gopez, Dane Stokenger, Guy Linnerman, Brian Dobson, Christal Walker, Charlie Haggert, Willie Talboot, Tracey Fleming, and Kwamie Remy. Thank you all for making the show such a success in Europe. Now for the news on the Western front.
MERETE MUENTER (Bebe-Atlantic City) was a perfect host at the reunion for the Atlantic City company. We started with Signing In when we entered the restaurant Pietra Santa. Then we were greeted by MICHELLE BRUCKNER (Shelia) and her beautiful baby Angela and everyone standing around was elated that we had taken the time to come. It was like being at your high school class reunion. The tables were decorated with photos of MICHAEL BENNETT, DEBRA HENRY and CONNIE WONG. We were well fed with the likes of Lobster Omelet and Créme Brulé with a side glass of champagne. Oh my, oh my. Ms. Merete entertained us with a log of her quotes from 1992. We laughed 'til ours sides hurt. Check out the REUNION page for more. After 3three hours our time was up at the restaurant but we hadn't gotten it all out, so we occupied the corner of 47th St. and 9th Ave for another hour. I heard there was another group that went next door to the local watering hole for another two hours. Oh my, oh my! And a good time was had by all. Some of the guests who traveled near and far were: JERRY NADEL, KRIS LONGWELL, NICK DEMOS , STEVEN CASEY, ALLISON CAHILL, PAUL FRANK, JILL SLYTER, LUIS VILLABON, MIQUEL BRENES, PAUL COLE, MATT JOHNSON, KIM SHRIVER, RUDD ANDERSON, MERETE MEUNTER, and THOMMIE WALSH.
ANDY BEU, his life story is that of DON KERR, checked in with us from Florida. He says he's busy doing Industrials and doing a lot of Speech Coaching with the Executives. Andy, by the way, went down to Florida to work for DISNEY. The last thing he did for them was the press opening for the ANIMAL KINGDOM. He also directed the GM Test Track press opening down there. He's now independent and off to LA to direct the X-BOX (Microsoft) Show at the Orpheum Theater in LA. Then he does the Microsoft Global Meeting. Oh my, Oh my. Do you think he gives speech coaching to the Richest Man in the World? Andy's four daughters, Candice, Christie, Jill, and Danielle have a singing group called the Beu Sister. They have a new single out "Catch Me if You Can." Their engagement in Allentown, PA was a huge success. If you want to hear four of the tunes just log on to www.s-curverecords.com and look for the BEU SISTERS. The girls' site is:www.thebeusisters.com. We think you'll like what you hear. Andy's wife STACEY JOHNSON, was my assistant at the OLDSMOBILE SHOW. They have a lovely daughter named Julia. Stacey works in CASTING for Disney and will start her annual audition tour which starts in Paris then goes on to London, New York, LA, Hawaii and ending in Japan. Please check out our family photo album for the lovely photos of Andy's daughters and his wife Stacey. So good to hear from you Andy, and thanks for all the NEWS.
Attended the annual Diamond Project at the State Theater. My Italian friends Bruno Moretti, composer and choreographer Mauro Bigonzzeti, were commissioned by City Ballet to create the ballet VESPER for this special evening introducing new works and choreographers for the company. Their work was the hit of the evening (New York Times ). The Gala's Dinner Party had important celebrities Elliot Feld, Gerald Schoenfeld (Schubert Producer ACL), Bernie Gerstein (associate Producer ACL with Joe Papp) The $1000 a plate dinner entrée was of Indian persuasion and my humorous Italian friends mentioned they'd be at Gray's Papaya on 72nd for a two hot dog deal. Also at the Gala was New York Reporter ROBERT TUNSTALL; no he hadn't spent $1,000, he was working there on his weekend job catering. He looked great in his tuxedo. We chatted for a while and he sent me an e-mail the next day. ROBERT writes he was recently enjoying a walk in the Park with TIM FEDERLE and he had all sorts of news. Here's what he had to say:
TIM FEDERLE( Mark- 2001 Tour) will be up at GOODSPEED this summer in the production of BABES IN ARMS.
KELLY DACUS( Kristine-Euro Tour "96") is on the BLUE'S CLUES National Tour.
BRENDA HAMILTON( Vicki- 2001 Tour) will be in SOME LIKE IT HOT with Tony Curtis.
TODD SMITH (Mark-Equity Tour "96") is in California studying to be a professional pilot.
DENA DiGIACINTO (Diana-Hawaii) is out on the National Tour of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. She plays Doreen and gets to play Annette quite often.
SPENCER ROWE (Al- Nikko Tour), REAGAN PIERCE (Kristine-2001 Tour) and KATE CAMERON(Judy- Euro Tour "96") all did the dance industrial weekend in Millwaukee. It was a blast doing it with friends .
Thanks Robert for your June gossip.
Went down the East Village to see our PORFIRIO FIGUEROA (Paul -National), turned-writer, present his play ICONIC NIGHTMARE. It was presented by the DUO THEATER, Latin Theater Collective. The Duo Theater is right next door to LA MAMA'S. I felt at home quoting Connie Wong, LOWER EASTSIDE. Porfie, had a SRO crowd and many of the ABC executives were there to support him. If you didn't know Porfie has a running part as the BARTENDER on ALL MY CHILDREN. His work was received well and we hear that there will be a showcase either in Arizona or Texas. We spoke the next day and instinctively he knew what was needed to get the project to the next level. That's what workshops and showcases are for. Wishing you the best of luck. We'll be watching for those reviews.
After having that wonderful time at the Atlantic City Reunion, LUIS VILLABON and I were off to see THOMMIE WALSH'S KOOKY TUNES at DON'T TELL MAMA'S. What a wonderfully entertaining hour's show. Please read FOLLOWING THE LINE for dates and information. What a talented bunch on that tiny stage. And WALSH has them moving on every inch of it. Keith Thompson, who created this fun filled evening, played the piano and his original tunes and wonderful humor kept us in stitches all evening. Jay Rogers one of my favorite performers is a MUST SEE. Good luck, See you all very soon.
GINA PAGLIA wrote in to let us know her mother MELBA passed away. Melba had been in a nursing home for several years with Alzheimers. I will write more later about our beloved Melba who loved Michael Bennett and brought busloads of her friends to see his first shows. Gina, we send our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
DONNA DRAKE called in to let us know that she was directing the ANDREW SISTERS, HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN on May 20 down at the DUPLEX.
Our New York Correspondent THOMMIE WALSH, tells us that PRISCILLA LOPEZ, was up for J.LO's mother in a hot new film. She also won the Spanish Award for her achievements in the theater. Congratulations Priscilla.
JON PETERSON (Paul-London) sang his heart out at Danny's Skylight Room on 46th St. doing his act. The talented KEITH THOMPSON (KOOKY TOONES) was on board to help him put it all together. The highlight was his sexy but poignant performance of the MC, in CABARET, which he played for two year on the National Tour. Got JON to my yoga class, He loved it.
RON GUNIERE (Production Stage- NIKKO TOUR) wrote us to say he will be the Production Stage Manager on the new FOSSE tour. They sit in Vegas for two weeks at the ALADDIN HOTEL and then onto 33 weeks of a combination of sit downs, splits and one nighters. It's a Great Schedule and a Great Job. Good Luck Ron. Keep in touch.
We heard that PAULA LEGGET CHASE (Paula is married to David Chase: an ACL marriage) played Joan in DAMES AT SEA up at GOODSPEED. Paula was Judy on B'way.
JENNIFER ANN LEE (Connie-International Tour) tells us her beautiful daughter Liz is carrying on the theatrical torch. She will be in TEEN MAGAZINE this month and DETOUR MAGAZINE in JULY. She also is looking forward to working on a CD with a record company. Jenny says LIZ acts, sings, and dances and hopes she's not being a pushy Stage Mother but she knows how hard it is to get started.
MICHAEL GORMAN tells us he will be playing ROOSTER in ANNIE in a local View and Chew production. May have to take a special trip out there to see you MICHAEL.
LUIS VILLABON (Paul-2001 Tour) writes to let us know he is back from Los Angeles. He is featured in a play COOPER SAVAGE at the WEST END THEATER. See FOLLOWING THE LINE for more details. He also is doing his annual stint at BROADWAY BARES on June16 at the Roseland Ballroom. All proceeds got to Broadway Cares. He says the theme is Comic Strips (get it)?
REAGAN PIERCE (Kristine-2001 Tour) says she is recently divorced and here in New York looking for work. She enjoyed herself at the dance industrial in Milwaukee with ROBERT TUNSTALL last month. Good luck in your new life.
RON DENNIS (original-Richie) writes that it has been 19 years since we did MY ONE AND ONLY for THOMMIE WALSH and TOMMY TUNE. He says, thank God we are still KICKING THE CLOUDS AWAY on this planet.
We were so sad to hear that LAUREN WAGNER'S (Bebe-2001 Tour) dad passed away unexpectedly. We send Lauren and her family our Deepest Sympathy.
HEATHER SMITH writes that ROXANE CARRASCO (Val/assistant choreographer for Troy Graza) has been in CHICAGO for almost a year. She played VELMA from Jan 14 - March 17th on Broadway. She starred with Michele Pawk as Mama, Belle Calaway as Roxy and George Hamilton as Billy. Roxane has here own website and Heather is her webmistress. Write to her at www.roxanecarrasco.cjb.net
MICHAEL GODDARD (Greg/Myrtle Beach/Truning Stone Casino) has just gotten the National Tour of THE PRODUCERS. Congratulations Michael.
MITZI HAMILTON is back in Memphis, TN to direct 42nd ST. at the THEATER MEMPHIS. Her A CHORUS LINE cast all came out to work with her again because as DEBBIE says We Love You MITZI.
We heard that ROBERT TUNSTALL was cast in the Arveda Theater production of CRAZY FOR YOU. So he'll be in Colorado for the summer living across the street from the one and only MICHAEL GORMAN.
I'm ending this article in Munich, Germany where the SUPERSTAR company has the audience on its feet for their premier. European audiences are quite different from ours in American. They stamp their feet and clap in perfect time together. How thrilling for all those involved.
- Once again thanks for keeping in touch and letting us know what you are up to. Just write me at: baayorkATachorusline.org.
in loving spirit,
Baayork
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