November WONG Notes

Well, another month has gone by so quickly, and I'm sitting here in the airport in Munich writing to you after a weekend of the Triple Threat Workshop. Not much shopping here so will wait till I get to Amsterdam to do the real Heavy Duty stuff. I love airports. A great place for people-watching. Now News from the East Coast.

Got back in time for the Opening Night of FLOWER DRUM SONG. Was the guest of J. ELAINE MARCO and her boyfriend ALEX from Cologne (PSM Jesus Christ Superstar in Europe). Had to really change gears and accept this production as an entirely new one. Only the names of the characters and the titles of the songs are the same. With that in mind I could truly get into the Chop Suey number and some of the other productions numbers that put the "c" in "camp". Here are some the people at the opening night party: ALVIN ING, playing the part, friend of the family, he's an old timer better than ever. C.Y. LEE (original author), TOM CHAPIN from R&H Library, BOBBY LONGBOTTOM (Bobby -European tour/National), RUSSELL GARRETT (Greg-European/National), JONATHAN TUNICK (orchestrator), DARLENE WILSON (Judy-National), TOM KOSIS (Larry -National), STEPHEN NACKAMIE (Paul-Regional), GREGORY VICTOR (SM. -2001 Tour), VICKI BELL (Val-European tour), RAY GRAPONE (drummer-European tour), Original FDS Cast Member PAT SUZUKI, CAROLYN OKODA and JOSE AHMADA. Superstar CRYSTAL WALKER (Soul Girl-Superstar European tour) seen with RANDEL (ACL musician-European tour).

The Triple Threat Workshop had 21 singer-dancer-actors. All coming to Munich and some missing their Friday and Saturday performances. Their release was all built into their contract which their agent Janet Tyler, who sponsored the event, negotiated. They perform in Lion King, Dance of the Vampires, Aida, Phantom Of The Opera, Titanic and Cats. New York based Voice and Vocal Performance teacher RICHARD LISIMORE and STEVE MARKUSFELD, acting coach, and myself rounded out the teaching staff. Two ACL Members who attended, and are now living in Europe, are LEMUELE WADE (Richie-Regional) living in Munich and PIERRE ALEXANDER (Richie -Regional) living in Amsterdam. It's always a learning process both for teachers and students.

Sad news of the passing of SCOTT PLANK (Mike, Al, Larry and cover to Zach - International). For those who knew and loved him, please click here to read Gregory Victor's e-note and his memory of Scott.

Happy Birthday to MATT WEST who always gives good party. How chic can you be with just Dom Perignon and Ice Cream Cake? Went over to his unbelievable, spectacular apartment to celebrate his birthday. His view of New York is to die for! Director/Choreographer DENNIS EDENFIELD was on hand. He mentioned PRISCILLA LOPEZ was wonderful in the Chita Rivera role in BYE BYE BIRDIE that he directed recently.

NYU opened its FIORELLO at the Fredrick Lowe Theater on 4th St. PARKER ESSE (Paper Mill) was the associate choreographer. He says it was a very good experience working with staff and cast. Parker's tap number stopped the show. Many thanks to the entire cast and director JOHN SIMPKINS who did a wonderful job in bringing this 1931 piece to life. Special notices to DAVID BONDROW who played Fiorello: a talented young actor with a long future ahead of him. We thank also GREG KANAKAS (Director - Babes In Arms) for all his support at NYU. He's got a cute little office off the Lobby of the Fredrick Lowe Theater. Oh yeah, the Lobby was always a great place tap.

STEPHEN NACKAMIE (Paul-Regional) e-mailed to say he was the assistant director on the FUNNY GIRL CONCERT with LAURIE GAMACHE. He also directed the presentation of LIKE YOU LIKE IT (the 80's musical) for the National Alliance for Musical Theater and will be doing new works at the Duplex in December. As Stephen says, Keeping Busy!!!! We are always happy to hear from Stephen.

London reporter PETER BARRY (Mark/Larry/Dance Captain - West End London and UK Tours) writes:

Congratulations to DEBBIE BUNDY and ALISON FORBES who are both appearing in MADNESS: THE MUSICAL in London's West End. Alison was in the 1997 UK tour of ACL, and played Cassie on many occasions. Debbie was in the 97 and 87 UK tour and played Val, Connie, Judy, Bebe and Kristine. We wish them a long and successful run at the Cambridge Theater. The new musical is based on the music and exploits of Madness, the highly successful 80s pop group. So that's that.....
Take care and lots of love....Peter

WILLY FALK (Paul-Broadway) writes "I am booked for three opera companies so far this season... Pagliacci with Shreveport, Side by Side by Sondheim with Augusta Opera and a new opera at Minnesota. Not bad for someone who still hasn't signed with an agent!"

ANTHONY INNEO (Zach- B'way), not heard from in a while, wrote to us saying "My play EVALUATING WOODY was very well received. Wish I had more people in the audience, but you know how difficult that is. Reviews were good. Click here to read Anthony's e-note to us.

NADINE ISSENEGGER (Val- 2001 Tour) is starring as PEGGY SAWYER in the National Company of 42nd ST. We are all so happy for Nadine, a hard working bowl of talent. Congratulations!

JOSE RIVERA (Costumes-everywhere) tells us DOING JUDY starring SAMMY WILLIAMS (Paul - Original) closed in San Francisco after a very short run. Click here to read his e-note to us describing all the details.

JOE LANGWORTH (Mark-B'way) leaves for DC to play a Seabee in Arena Stage's SOUTH PACIFIC. Joe was last seen on B'way in FOLLIES.

Sightings in the hallways of Chelsea Studios:

DIANE FRATANTONI (Diane-Broadway) newly wed. She's married to BRIAN SUTHERLAND (Zach-Westchester).
MARK MARTINO (Zach-National) auditioning for Boys From Oz.
RICK MARTINI (Producer-National) auditioning for replacements for his SOME LIKE IT HOT.

ELISE MOLINELLI leaves to do SOUTH PACIFIC at Arena Stage.
CINDY MARCHIONDA (Diana-2001 Tour) auditioning for MAN OF LA MANCHA.

We heard from NARIN GILLET(Concessions/Asst. Company Manager-International) who was so pleased to find the site. Click here to read the e-note sent to us.

RON GUARNIERI (PSM-Bus and Truck) sent us his itinerary for his FOSSE Tour.
He'll be gone a long time. The tour goes from New Brunswick, NJ to Cupertino, CA. Remember those days!!

We haven't heard from LARRY BLANK (MD-National) this month but his ears must have been ringing. JOSE SIMBULAN rehearsal pianist for SOUTH PACIFIC and CARMEN JONES in DC. was singing his praise as the MD for the Sondheim series at the Kennedy Center.

PATTI FORD (Val- National) and her husband WHIT WILCOXSON are on tour with SPIDER-MAN LIVE, the Touring Stunt SPECTACULAR! The other great news is they are going to have a BABY !!!! An ACL Baby. Congratulations. Please read her e-note to us here.

MATTHEW KILGORE (Jesus Christ Superstar-Tour) is in Moscow performing 42nd St. He writes: I'm getting tired of sending e-mails every other day letting y'all know that I'm still alive. We had a bomb threat at our theater before any of us even got there tonight. They cancelled the show. I'm home safe and sound. Love and miss you all!
Matthew

Anyone interested in writing him in Moscow to get the first hand scoop of what's going on, here is his information.

E-mail: mkilgoAThotmail.com
Website: www.geocities.com/fosseboy78

Our KELLY BISHOP (Sheila-Orginal) was among the many talented performers involved in the BURLESQUE PROJECT a new piece written by DOUG CARTER BEAN. MARY TESTA and BRIAN BATT are also on the bill.

COLLEEN HAWKS (Judy-2001 Tour) is always in the know. She says DJ CHASE (Al-Paper Mill) and REAGAN PIERCE (Kristine-2001 Tour) celebrated their one year anniversary as a couple after they met and fell in love when they played Al and Kristine on the tour that ended at Paper Mill. Congratulations to the two of you.

Well, I was a bridesmaid at ANN HAWTHORNE and DON McPHERSON'S wedding at the 5th Ave Presbyterian Church. I looked fierce in my Nicole Miller gown. All 4'10" of me. The other 5'9" bridesmaids also looked great. After the ceremony we were taken down 5th Ave on bicycles rickshaws to the Millennium Hotel's Hudson Theater, home of Jack Parr and many TV show's from the 70's. On stage we danced to Bobby Lewis's Band. They sang tunes from the 40's all the way till the present. Both Bobby and Ann are Ray Kennedy Babies. Another great couple at the wedding was KARMA and her husband JOE CAMP dancing till dawn. We congratulate Ann and Don and wish them a long and healthy marriage. Their honeymoon was a suprise, so we're all waiting to find out where they went. Safari? Tahiti? Around the world?

LORENA CREPALDI (Assistant Director-Italy) e-mailed to say all is going well in Rome and she is waiting for her time to come around again. A CHORUS LINE and GREASE were two very different shows but her commitment and dedication in remounting both productions were a godsend. To my Italian sister, Salute!

TOM ROWAN, the Literary Manager and Director of the Ensemble Studio Theater in Denver, wrote me to say he spent some time with MERCEDES PEREZ (Diane-National); she lives in Denver with husband actor/director Alan Osburn. They both have appeared at the Denver Center and the Arvada Center. Thanks Tom.

This month's Sushi Chowdown with MATT WEST (Bobby-B'way) consisted of every appetizer on the Lenge menu. TROY DYER, a medical student at NYU was added to the list of guests. Oh, how wonderful to be surround by the Smart and Famous.

The New York City Marathon came around again. Excited for my German friend ANKE THEIM running her 3rd Marathon. She arrived from Capetown, South Africa after landing a job there a few weeks ago. Who knows, I might be writing from SA someday.

DONNA MCKECHNIE (Cassie-Original) got great reviews in JERRY HERMAN'S SHOWTUNE. It was produced by the HELEN HAYES THEATER, and directed by JOEY McKNEELY.

BRANDT EDWARDS (Original-Tom) says he doesn't have time to write another article for the website because he's running his brother's 3 businesses and taking care of his 82 years old MOM. Brandt lost his DAD a few month ago. They were married for 62 years. So glad we can entertain you Brandt, when you're not out counting those Black Angus Heifers.

THOMMIE WALSH (Bobby-Original) is directing the KATIE COURIC Benefit. It is for the Jay Monahan Colon Cancer Center. The evening is called 42nd and Vine, Hollywood Hits B'way. Some of the performers will be: ROBIN WILLIAMS, KEVIN SPACEY, SUSAN SARANDON, MERYL STREEP, KELSEY GRAMMER, REBECCA LUKER and DAVIS GAINS. The following will be singing tunes from WEST SIDE STORY: KEVIN KLINE and ROBERT DeNIRO will sing the JETS SONG. CHITA RIVERA, RITA MORENO and BETTE MIDLER will sing AMERICA, WHOOPI GOLDBERG will sing I FEEL PRETTY, VINCE GILL and AMY GRANT will sing ONE HAND,ONE HEART, TONY DANZA and the cast of the SOPRANOS will sing GEE, OFFICER KRUPKE and BEYONCE KNOLLS from Destiny's Child will sing SOMEWHERE. Tickets are $2,500. Think we'll all wait for the THOMMIE WALSH'S play-by-play recount of the action.

DELYSE LIVELY (Val-B'way.) seen in LA recently playing Erma in ANYTHING GOES at the Freud Theater at UCLA.

BETH POLITO (Bebe-National) is full of information. She's on the road with SOME LIKE IT HOT. She says she was working her survial job at BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and saw JOHN SALVATORE (Greg - National) stage managing. In the meantime she is having the best time with BRENDA HAMILTON (Vickie-2001 Tour). Brenda is getting married during the Christmas break. She is a glowing bride to be and has everything planned. That's our Brenda.

Wanted to say thanks to JARROD CAFARO (Mark-Regional) for reading us each month and keeping an eye open for the ACL's Most Wanted. He also reports PAM KLINGER (Maggie - B'way) is in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on B'way.

CINDY MARCHIONDA (Diana-2001 Tour) wrote to tell us "it's nice to be WORKING AGAIN." She's playing the saxophone and violin in the production of SWINGTIME CANTEEN at Hilton Head Island, SC and the role of FEMINA in MAN OF LA MANCHA at Pittsburgh Public Theater. Oh yeah, she's covering ALDONZA. Click here to read her e-note to us.

From our New York Reporter ROBERT TUNSTALL:

Greetings Fall and all...

No Vember in my member, but I did get asked to perform at the New York Comedy Club on the 30th. I'm excited about doing "standup" for the first time (sitting down)
Any-hoo...I'm happy to report that SPENCER ROWE (Al, Walnut St.) is on the national tour of Saturday PM. Fever! He's playing "Stephanie's boyfriend" and is also understudying the role of DJ Monty.
KATIE CAMERON (Judy, Euro tour) will be playing Ziegfeld's Favorite in the Beef 'n Boards production of Will Rogers Follies.
CHRIS PRINZO (Wonderstudy, Walnut St.) has been getting rave reviews when he goes on for the role of Eddie in Mamma Mia! On Broadway.
JENNIFER LEWIS (Lois, Paper Mill) is in the production of Chicago at North Shore Music Theater. Starring Deborah Gibson as Velma Kelly.
ROXANE CARRASCO (dance captain, Euro tour) is pulling double duty this weekend in Chicago on Broadway. She'll be on for "Mama Morton" all weekend and on for Velma Kelly the first part of next week.
*A retraction is necessary from last month's WONG Notes. I wrote that NADINE ISSENEGGER (Val, Paper Mill) was performing in Dance of the Vampires on Broadway. That information was given to me by a third party and is not correct. My apologies.
To err is human,
to forgive, Divine

Robert

So happy to have TROY GARZA (Dance Captain B'way) aboard as our New York Correspondent. He writes:

Special thanks to BAAYORK for her tireless effort in producing this website! I can't believe she remembers seeing Bill Russell's FOURTUNE which I choreo'd Off-B'way circa 1980!

Sorry to report that Saturday Night Live quit calling me after the 1999 season. Nothing runs forever, right? I guess I was no longer hip (hop) enough....

Looking forward to catching up with some old friends Nov 17th when I attend the anniversary party for CHICAGO on the arm of cast member ROXANE CARRASCO (Diana in Montreal, and Dance Captain extraordinaire in my European and other companies). Should be a fun evening!

Speaking of Europe, many of you may know LON HURST (Mike, Europe) who just recently contacted me. He finally came home from Germany, went back to school, got his MFA, and began teaching this fall at Penn State's Theatre Department.

Meanwhile, our pal MICHAEL DANEK (Zach, everywhere) went back to Germany to stage manage EVITA for Wolfgang. The show closed after only three weeks there, and Mr. Danek has now rented an apartment in Berlin where he's thinking of starting a production company........

Spoke recently with RON KUROWSKI and SACHI SHIMIZU (Bobby, Connie, B'way) who informed me that our former colleague SCOTT PLANK (Al, B'way) had passed away on October 22nd while alone at home in LA. No exact cause has been mentioned. We remember Scott as a fiercely talented and passionate performer, as well as a bit of a bad boy, not to mention one of the most successful of our alumni. Information about his career can be found at www.scottplank.com. Scott was well loved by his friends and will be missed.
More Later,
Troy

Here in Washington, DC, winding up this month's notes. Better late than never. eh? Two places I love to work in Washington, DC Arena Stage and the Kennedy Center and here I am working them both. At The Same Time! Wishing you all HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Once again thanks for writing in and making this month's column packed with all kinds of goodies. Don't forget to keep in touch. E-mail me at baayork ATachorusline.org See you next month.

iin loving spirit,

Baayork