(1 October 2001) Well, it's good to be back on line. For weeks I have been glued to the television set and mourning our city. I had to tear myself away and walk the streets of New York, revisiting all the places I love. I felt heavy at heart and just plain heavy. Then I realized I gained 10 pounds watching TV. Oh well, that's another story. So many of our friends here and overseas called to find out how we all were and expressed their sympathy during this terrible tragedy.

FABRIZIO ANGELINI (Paul /Dance Captain Italy)- called to say he had been at the WTC everyday at 11am to get tickets for shows the 3 weeks he was here. He attended the PMP opening.

LORENA CREPALD ( Assistant Dir. ACL Italy) was also in touch. We once spent a wonderful evening on top of the WTC watching the sun set.

MARIE LAURA BACCARRINI (Cassie-Italy) was devasted and worried for all her friends here.

CAMILE EDWARDS (JUDY - ACL Australia) couldn't believe what she was seeing on TV. She said she was just so worried for all of us.

ROBERT GINN (Producer - ACL Australia) was glad to hear all his friends were safe.

KLAUS STAUFFER ( GREG/ ACL Artistic Director Switzerland ) had been here in April with his wife and kids. Couldn't believe it.

ROBERT CAZIMERO (Soul Brother from Hawaii ) worried about all his mainland friends in New York.

GABRIELA GARCIA ( my assistant in Tokyo) call to say she was in Germany with CHICAGO and was checking on all her friends.

JANET TYLER (My European Agent) also checked in; I had just been talking to her the night before.

SOLGARD ENGOLD (DIANE-Sweden) couldn't beleive what she was seeing on Television.

ROSS COLEMAN (Paul - ACL Australia) wrote us expressing how he felt.

BART ST.CLAIR (asst. dir. GYPSY) worried about all of his friends.

ANN HAWTHORNE (assistant - ANIMAL CRACKERS) called to check in and to say she flew to Minneapolis that Tuesday morning at 6 am. She was stuck at the airport till Friday.

PETER BARRY (MARK/LARRY/ASSISTANT ENGLAND) wrote in to us express how he felt.

KEVIN CRAWFORD (Butch/Richie International) - had his twin sister Lisa call because he was in Aliquippa, PA 38 miles from the 3rd crash site and couldn't get through.

Thank you all for your warm thoughts and heartfelt words of comfort.

MELINDA MILLER (ACL -California) whose husband is MICHAEL MILLER (technical director at PMP) was directed by DANNY TAYLOR (Larry/Dance Captain National Co.) and PAM PEADON when she played CASSIE. (Does anyone know where Pam Peadon is?) Melinda is now a very successful Masseur and Physical Therapist in New Jersey.

MATT WEST (BOBBY -B'way/Film) wrote in to say how much he's enjoying the site. Thanks Matt, hope we continue to keep you entertained.

MITZI HAMILTON, DONNA DRAKE, FRAN LIEBERGAL and I, had a wonderful girls night out after the ACL opening at PMP. Day-O in Greenwich Village, the Jamaican restaurant, was hopping and couldn't hold us down. After a few glasses of wine we wanted Harry Belefonte to come out singing. He was nowhere to be found. So, there was lots of girl talk. Hair, Nails, Shop, Shows and Shoes all in that order. It's so much fun to be out with the GIRLS.

YOGI AOI (Translator -ACL Japan) Held a wonderful dinner for me with his 15 students at a well-known Japanese Restaurant. By the way, one of his students was on vacation from the show ELIZABETH. His stories of Michael Bennett in Tokyo were wonderful. They wanted to know the ACL story and how we got started. Yogi translated and also added some of his experiences with Michael when he was in Tokyo directing ACL. After 2 hours of feasting and good company they were off to see the taping of James Lipton's IN THE ACTORS STUDIO. The guest for that segment was ROBIN WILLIAMS, how lucky can you get! They were scheduled to leave on September 12, the day after the terrible disaster in New York. I hope they got home safely. I'm waiting to hear from you Yogi. Send us some photos.

THOMMIE WALSH and CLIVE WILSON, another evening out -this time with the BOYS. Oooh those Nachos and Margaritas at Santa Fe are the best. Lots of Show Biz talk and is B'way back to where is was when we wrote ACL 26 years ago. Good Question.

KEVIN CRAWFORD -called to see how everyone was doing. He's back from Aliquippa, Pa. where he is studying Behavioral Science at a clinic down there. His long term goal is to be "Counselor to the Stars." However, he won't give up Show Business, he will be choreographing "NUNSENSE" for the Chevy Chase Players in Chevy Chase, Maryland this month.

CAROL SCHWEID (original Barbara) wrote in to say "the website is a wonderful treat for all of us ~ whoever has been involved with the show. It's beautiful and fun and very well done". Kudos to Webmaster Bruce. Carol is involved with her one woman show about Agnes de Mille. Check out http://www.agnesdemilledancer.com for info on the piece. GOOD LUCK CAROL. Just tell me where to go and I'll bring the ACL Gang to support you.

RANDY CLEMENTS (ZACK -NATIONAL) wrote in to say his WILL ROGERS FOLLIES was a huge success. He thinks he finally found his role after playing Zack for 13 years. His wife ELIZABETH GILLASPY who teaches ballet at the TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY bought him a rope trick video and they practiced for 2 months jumping in and out of hoops. After doing the opening jazz combination for 13 year we know he was in great shape. No sooner does he put that rope down than he starts rehearsals for CACTUS FLOWER. However, before anymore was said he had to run out to buy some Potato Seeds for Spring Planting. Oh Yeah, I forgot to tell you Randy's a Farm Boy now.

KD SMITH and her husband MIKEL, wrote in to say they are involved in a production of ACL in Naples, Florida. Check out FOLLOWING THE LINE page for more details. KD was that wonderful Val/Dance captain back in the 80's who choreographed ACL all over the country. She still has her successful dance studio in Florida. Glad we're back in touch.

THOMMIE WALSH over dinner mentioned he spoke to the talented CYNTHIA ONRUBIA. She's assisting ROB MARSHAL on the film CHICAGO. Those two A CHORUS LINE members make us ALL SO PROUD.

RAY KENNEDY (BOBBY-bus and truck) is directing SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE in Fayetteville, NC. See FOLLOWING THE LINE for more info. By the way, did you know that Ray is the producer for the American Hawaiian Cruises? MICHAEL GORMAN and I choreographed for him last year. Hope I can get down to see your production Ray.

LAURE BALONE (Cassie -Austria) says she has renewed her friendship with JILLIAN SCALISI through achorusline.org. Hurray, that's exactly what I wanted the site to do. LAURE, who lives in Paris, has been teaching a Musical Theater class in the north of France. She has an offer to be lead singer in a French Review to tour China. LAURE, let's put it this way, Dim Sum, The Great Wall, Terra-cotta Soldiers, do you need anyone to carry your bags?? She added she prays for our country and the world during these trying times. Laure, thank you we really appreciate your prayers. Please, let us know what you decide about CHINA !!!!!!!!!!!!!.

MARIE LAURA BACCARRINI (Cassie - Italy & England) tells me she will start her tour of the play NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY all over Italy in October. It was quite a success last season. Her main squeeze Gian Luca produced and directed the show and audiences really enjoyed it. However, we need to see those BACCARRINI LEGS dancing again real soon. She AGREES.

ROSSELLA LO BIUNDO (DIANE-ITALY) visited with me earlier this year. She came from Rome to see THE FULL MONTY which she will be choreographing in Italy. She met her husband MASSIMO, our soundman, on the ACL tour. They now have a beautiful ACL Baby. Says she'll keep in touch and let us know how everything is going. Oh, by the way, Massimo is one of the producers of the show.

RONNIE DENNIS (ORIGINAL RICHIE B'WAY) checked in to say he's teaching part time out in LA. In his adult class his only male candidate is PATRICK ADRIATE (Larry -B'WAY) and he loves teaching his 3rd and 4th grades "BAD NEWS GO WAY" from MY ONE AND ONLY. Ronnie, don't forget any of those dances; you never know when MY ONE AND ONLY will make a come back to B'way. Ronnie says he's down to118 lbs. and dancing better than ever. Ride on Brother Ron.

CHERYL CLARK (CASSIE-B'WAY AND AUSTRALIA) promises says she'll get all the the FOSSE-BENNETT gals out on the west coast to log on and have some fun with the website. Oh, does that mean nice juicey stories, I can't wait.

DONNA DRAKE (ORIGINAL - TRISHA) called to say she's in the middle of rehearsal at Joe's Pub. She's directing a one woman show ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME ANN MARGRET starring MAGGIE MOORE. There are two performances Oct. 5 and 6 at 8:30. Go check it out.

STEPHEN NACKAMIE (PAUL-REGIONAL) wrote us to say he'll be working on another production of ACL very soon. In April he will be Directing a company of CHICAGO out west. Also he put his TAIWAN DIARIES on hold; he didn't think this was the right time for the piece. However, he will be starting a new writing project very soon. Good luck Stephen. Keep in touch

ROSS COLMAN (PAUL- AUSTRALIA) says everyone DOWN UNDER is slowly coming to terms with what happened in New York. He says everytime he sees a news piece of the actual event everyone still watches in disbelief. He's directing and choreographing the opera TURADOT in SYNDEY.

TOMMY TUNE called to say he couldn't make DONNA McKECHNIE's show at the Paper Mill, but we'd catch up after he gets back for doing his act. Oh, that about 6'6'' of catching up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait.

RON GUARNIERI (PSM ACL ) is PSM on tour with MY FAIR LADY. He writes, "Sorry we missed each other in New York, but that was an event in my life that I hope I never to have to repeat. I was shaken but had no direct contact with the actual incident." He also says he requested a show that doesn't move everyday. "Who knew split weeks could look so good." Stay in touch Ron.

FRANK DI FILIA (MICHAEL BENNETT's brother) just wrote us to say he is the proud father of DEVIN MICHAEL DI FILIA, born Sept. 24. Frank, who was a B'way Stage Manager for many years, is now a psychotherapist in town; his specialty is creative people. He adds he really enjoys the website and will be contributing some material about Michael. We're looking forward to it.

THOMMIE WALSH and I attended the 60th Birthday party for WALLY HARPER. If you don't remember your theater history, Wally is the dance arranger for all the Tommy Tune Musicals and makes beautiful music for Barbara Cook. The terrace around Wally's Penthouse on the Upper West Side was filled with beautiful plants and flowers. Food and drink were plentyful and so were the guests.

MICHAEL KOSERIN (Musical Director - European and Asian Tour ACL) was there with his lovely wife KAREN. Michael tells me he is still Musical Supervisor on all the BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and HUNCH BACK OF NOTRE DAME companies. But most exciting is he is Alan Menken's Musical Director for all the new Disney Projects. Michael and I got to chatting about old times, when we were doing BROADWAY BABIES up at GOODSPEED. Thommie Walsh was the Director, Wally Harper was the Dance Arranger, I was the Assosicate choreographer and Michael was Wally Harper's protegé, right out of college. The next year I stole him away to be assistant Musical Director on ACL in Europe and then Musical Director in Asia. Congratulations MICHAEL, we are really proud of you.

Other guest included:

RALPH NELSON - I put him into PROMISES, PROMISES on B'way. He's still dancing. He's with a modern dance company now and needs dance in his life in order to be complete. Don't we all feel that way. Ralph, you look as handsome as ever and what a great outlook on life.

JACK LEE- Musical Director for MY ONE AND ONLY. He is conducting Sandy Duncan and Don Corea (Mike -National ACL) concerts all over the country. He had to leave earlier than most of us because he said "at the down beat of 9:00" he had to be on the podium at the Art Center in New Jersey.

TERRY CURRAN - she says she counts the years she's worked for Cy Coleman by remembering SEESAW on B'way. Yes, I was BABY BALLERINA with Tommy Tune. I really loved dancing in that show.

MALCOLM GETS (A NEW BRAIN) - sang a song he had written for Wally's birthday. Then he entertained us with one of Wally 's tunes from the show he recently workshopped. Malcolm, his friend Dominic (who is from Palermo, Italy) and I had a great chat about the theater and most of all about Italy. By the way, I directed A New Brain this summer for Gay PrideWeek at Lincoln Center.