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Well, September had Hurricane Isabel coming in for a landing, and I was entertained at a preview of THE BOY FROM OZ. That Hugh Jackman is sensational as Peter Allen. The theater wasn't the same when he took off his shirt. Thought I was at a rock concert the screams were so loud. Yeah, I was screaming too. Then in October there was the opening of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Had a great time as the guest of TOM MURRAY (Musician-International) who is in the pit playing up a storm with the SHOP OF HORRORS Band. Then there was the Yoga Party and dinner that I gave for 24 and a good time was had by all. Must thank MERETE MUENTER for getting it all together. Then a quick trip to Munich with PETER HOWARD to do our Song and Dance Workshop before rehearsals started for Camelot at Arena Stage. So I've been on the go for months, unfortunately keeping me away from the monthly WONG Notes. However, it was great hearing from you all. Here are a few of the e-mails I received.
JOSE RIVERACostumes-regional) writes: "Just wanted to let everyone know that ONE MINUTE SOAP OPERA premiered Aug 25 during Soap Talk on the Soap net. and will be shown for 12 weeks. You can go to Soapnet.com and check if you get the channel. Check listings for the local time. Hope everyone is well. love, Jose"
BRENDA HAMILTON (Vicki-2001 tour) gave us an update: She and her husband are still having a great time as newlyweds unpacking all their wedding gifts. They are enjoying their time off in Florida before she comes back to New York as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall this Christmas. She hopes you all had a great summer.
LARRY BLANK (MD-National) writes he's been busy on the West Coast but mostly traveling to the East Coast. His latest installment included: Barbara Cook's Christmas CD: COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS was released Oct 7 in the US. He did the orchestrations to WALLY HARPER'S arrangements. Then he was off to the UK and to Italy. "I have been booked to play piano for a celebratory party in Rome and couldn't turn that down." Then to London for further meetings on BEAUTIFUL AND THE DAMNED which is a musical he orchestrated that is coming into the West End in the early spring. He also managed to fit in an orchestration for Susan Egan for her Christmas appearances on the West Coast. Was in Las Vegas too where he orchestrated a song for Jason Robert Brown's State Farm Industrial. Hard to believe, but a full scale musical, much like the Milliken Show of days gone by. Staged by TONY STEVENS. Show Business still exists, but we have to keep looking for it. Anyone interested in visiting his website, check it out: http://www.larryblankmusic.com
BRIAN SWASEY (MARK-Regional) writes he's directing and choreographing IS THERE LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? at The Astoria Performing Arts Center, not far from New York. APAC is presented by The Presbyterian Church of Astoria as a service to the community. Visit APAC at www.apacny.org
JERRY MITCHELL (Bobby-B'way) had a wonderful article in The New York Times. A choreographer knows he's arrived when he's about to have three musicals running concurrently on Broadway and he's closed the deal on two more. (HAIRSPRAY, GYPSY, and NEVER GONNA DANCE are doing very well on the Great White Way. He's closing deals on DREAMGIRLS, and WEST SIDE STORY and his famous BROADWAY BARES is going to be a full length show). He has just one more hurdle ahead: He has yet to choreograph and direct his own show. A full-page profile in Vogue doesn't hurt, either.
GIANNI SALVUCCI (Mark - Italy) tells us that all is well in the sunshine city of Roma and that MARIE LAURA BACCARRINI (Cassie-Italy) will play Roxy in Chicago starting rehearsals in November with GARY CHRIST. (Paul-B'way.)
ERIN MALLOY (Maggie-Nikko Tour) wrote us from Thailand to let us know she is working towards her Yoga certificate in Astanga Yoga. She was writing from a cyber-cafe in Koh Samui, Thailand. She is immersed in a yoga lifestyle. She eats, breathe and lives it. Now a vegetarian, she is her thinnest yet. She screams "My inner thighs are finally toned. I think it is the hardest type of yoga and we practice two and half hours every morning. I have never been so sore in my entire life. It is harder than the ACL warm-ups". Oh Erin, there is nothing like ACL warm-up leg lifts. NOTHING !!!
LUIS VILLABON (PAUL-2001 tour) writes to tell us he's back in the "Big Bad Apple at the Chashama theater in MONSTER IN THE CLOSET at the HASHAMA. Luis will be happy to see you at this Halloween experience.
THOMMIE WALSH (Original Bobby) called to say that PRISCILLA LOPEZ (Original Diana) will open Nov 16 on B'way in ANNA IN THE TROPICS starring Jimmy Smit at the Royal Theater.
DONNA MCKECHNIE (Original Cassie) opened at the KING KONG ROOM at SUPPER CLUB in Oct and was a huge success.
RON GUARNIERI (PSM - Nikko Tour) sends the website HAPPY HALLOWEEN
greetings.
ROBERT TUNSTALL (Bobby-2001 Tour) was seen dancing in the ELAN Awards (sponsored by Capezio) but always has time to write a little something for the website. He attended my Yoga Dinner Party and he wrote this note to me:
Thank you Baayork for a wonderful evening the other night. It was great to see you and the other dancers that have been inspired by your "whoop-ass" warm-up! DONNA DRAKE looked Fabulous, I must say. She wins the award for "best new look" every time I see her.
My summer ended with a bang! KIM SHRIVER (Shelia, Paper Mill) style!!! Her end of summer party was a blast!!!
I enjoyed the chatting on the train ride out with MERETE MUENTER (Bebe, Atlantic City) and AMY YULE. We, of course, had to do a fankick at the "Fanwood" stop. (To the amusement of several innocent bystanders). MATT JOHNSON (Zach, Nikko tour) supplied the slick undertones for the bash. I must say, he's a really great DJ, so if any of ya'll need one....look him up! He's also a great Zach, if ya need one of those too! Shriver's hubby JOHN SAMORIAN (keyboards, Euro. tour) had some fan"kick"tastic news. He's playing in the pit for Broadway's new LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Congrats!!! The volleyball game was one of the best ever. Imagine a bunch of half drunk dancers (at night) tumbling all over the place for a glow-in-the-dark ball. Quite Hysterical. It was great to see KELLY DACUS (Kristine, Euro.tour) and TODD SMITH (Mark, National). They're about to celebrate their first year together as a married couple. Happy Anniversary!!!
I hear that LORI MARSHBURN (Cassie, Nikko tour) just had a baby girl. Oh MOMMY!!!
I just took a job teaching "movement for actors" at the American Academy of
Dramatic Art. I feel that I'm in good company since MADELINE REISS (Shelia, Euro. tour) and RON DENNIS (Original Broadway Ritchie) both teach there. (NYC and LA respectively).
And now today's final thought...
"Too bad all the people that know how to run the country are busy driving taxicabs and cutting hair. -George Burns
Love to all,
Robert
Well, that's all for now. Once again thank you all for keeping the webite
going with your news . Believe it or not so many people Are interested in what
the members of ACL are up to. Write me at baayorkATachorusline.org.
I love to hear from you all.
in loving spirit,
Baayork
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